Should I buy the Google Nest Doorbell or Ring Battery Doorbell Pro?

Choosing between the Google Nest Doorbell and the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro mostly comes down to your smart home setup and which ecosystem you prefer.

If you already use Google Assistant and Nest displays, the Google Nest Doorbell is the natural fit. It’s especially strong on smart features like familiar faces, so it can identify people you know. One tradeoff is charging: depending on the model and installation, you may need to remove the doorbell or otherwise handle charging a bit less conveniently than a removable battery design.

If your home runs on Amazon Alexa or you want a broader security lineup, the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is the better pick. It fits especially well with Ring’s wider ecosystem, and its quick-release battery pack is designed so you can pop it out without removing the whole doorbell.

One important caveat: both brands reserve many of their best features for paid subscriptions, so factor that into the total cost. Exact plan features and pricing can change, so it’s worth checking the official pages before buying.