A video doorbell can deliver more than just peace of mind when you're away from home. It also gives you an eagle eye view of your property or business, along with making it easy to track package deliveries and welcome visitors. When it comes to picking the best one available, I always recommend the Google Next Doorbell, which is on sale for Black Friday right now.
Right now you can grab this video doorbell for just $120, or 33% off the usual $180 price. With features like AI-object detection, live video, night vision, and the ability to speak to people at the door, it makes an excellent addition to a home security system.
My testing of video doorbells revealed two important qualities of the Google Nest doorbell. First is its AI-powered object detection. Most doorbells have it, and many even offer it free, like Nest does. But I found Nest's doorbell recognition abilities to be especially accurate. It can recognize people and packages flawlessly, while avoiding triggers from vehicles (you can also set motion zones to ignore passersby and others).
Those updated AI recognition qualities are getting even better as Google incorporates its Gemini AI into Google Home. That allows me (in the beta program at least) to ask specific questions about when the trash was taken out, and also to get AI descriptions of exactly what happened to trigger an event. Those are fascinating features, if you're willing to pay for a Nest Aware subscription.
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I also love how Nest handles cloud video storage. I get three free hours of storage without needing a subscription before the video expires. That is unusual in the doorbell world and gives me plenty of time to check on an event, even if I can't get to the live view right away. That makes this doorbell a solid pick for people who want to avoid monthly fees.
Nest cameras continue to get new features, including Google Home for the web, which allows you to view the camera feeds through any online device. This video doorbell is also tough enough to work in all kinds of weather. It isn't perfect — the resolution is a bit low, for instance, and I wish Nest would release a third-gen model — but it is still my preferred front door device so far.
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Technical specs for the Google Nest Doorbell
- Dimensions: 0.95 by 1.8 by 6.3 inches
- Weight: 7.3 ounces
- Video resolution: 960x1,280 pixels
- Video format: H.264
- Video frame rate: 30 fps
- Field of view: 145 degrees
The Google Nest is tough enough to work in all kinds of weather.
Why this deal matters
Many video doorbells, including this one from Nest, are available in wired and battery forms, with the battery model usually costing a little more. In this case, it is no contest: I highly recommend getting the battery doorbell whenever possible. While wiring a doorbell in yourself is usually easy (and gives you access to the built-in chime), a battery model lets you adjust the height and placement of your security camera, so you get the exact view you want.
Video doorbells usually need to be placed right beside the door at around 4 feet up. Not all doorbell wiring allows for this (my house doorbell certainly does not). The Nest Doorbell also comes with an angled attachment you can use to point the doorbell away from nearby walls so it covers more of the action. For more, check out the best smart home deals.
