If you’re looking for a video doorbell that delivers excellent video quality, seamless integration with your smart home, and advanced features like facial recognition and pre-recorded messages, the Nest Hello Doorbell might be the perfect choice for you. Nest is known for producing high-quality smart home devices, and the Nest Hello Doorbell is no exception. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Nest Hello Doorbell’s features, design, and performance to help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your needs.
Design
The Nest Hello Doorbell has a sleek, modern design that looks great on any home’s exterior. It measures 1.7 inches wide, 4.6 inches tall, and 1.0 inch deep, making it a bit larger than some other doorbells on the market. The camera lens is located near the top of the doorbell, while the microphone and speaker are located near the bottom. The button is located in the middle, and it lights up when someone presses it.
One of the standout features of the Nest Hello Doorbell’s design is its color-coded LED light ring. The light ring can be customized to display different colors for different events, such as when someone presses the button, when the camera detects motion, or when the doorbell is offline. This is a great feature for people who want to be able to quickly glance at the doorbell and see what’s happening.
Installation
Installing the Nest Hello Doorbell is a fairly straightforward process, but it does require some technical knowledge and tools. You’ll need to have an existing wired doorbell, as the Nest Hello Doorbell doesn’t work with battery power. The doorbell also requires a 16-24 VAC transformer, which may need to be upgraded if your existing transformer is not compatible.
Once you have the necessary equipment, installation should take about 30 minutes. You’ll need to turn off power to your existing doorbell, remove it from the wall, and connect the Nest Hello Doorbell to the existing wiring. The Nest app provides step-by-step instructions for the installation process, which makes it easy to follow along.
Video Quality
The Nest Hello Doorbell has excellent video quality, thanks to its 160-degree field of view and 4:3 aspect ratio. The camera captures video in 1080p HD, and it uses HDR technology to improve the image quality in high-contrast situations. The camera also has a night vision mode, which uses infrared sensors to capture clear video in low-light conditions.
One of the standout features of the Nest Hello Doorbell’s video quality is its ability to zoom in on objects in the frame. This is especially useful if you need to get a closer look at something, such as a package on your doorstep. The camera also has a 6x digital zoom, which allows you to zoom in even further.
Smart Home Integration
The Nest Hello Doorbell integrates seamlessly with other smart home devices, thanks to its compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. You can use voice commands to check the live feed from the doorbell, or to control other smart home devices in your home.
The Nest Hello Doorbell also supports facial recognition technology, which can be used to identify familiar faces and alert you when someone you know is at the door. This is a great feature for people who want to be able to easily distinguish between friends, family, and strangers.
Another smart feature of the Nest Hello Doorbell is its pre-recorded messages. You can record custom messages that will play when someone presses the doorbell, such as “I’m on my way to the door” or “Please leave the package on the doorstep.” This is a great feature for people who want to be able to communicate with visitors without actually having to open the door.
Storage and Subscription
The Nest Hello Doorbell comes with free 24/7 live streaming, which allows you to check in on your home at any time. However, if you want to access additional features like video history and advanced alerts, you’ll need to subscribe to Nest Aware.
Nest Aware is a subscription service that provides 30 days of video history, intelligent alerts, and facial recognition technology. The subscription plans start at $6 per month for 30 days of video history, and go up to $30 per month for 60 days of video history and 10 days of 24/7 continuous video recording.
The subscription is not a mandatory requirement to use the Nest Hello Doorbell, but it does unlock many useful features that enhance its functionality.
Performance
Overall, the Nest Hello Doorbell performs very well. It has quick response times and the video quality is exceptional, even in low-light conditions. The facial recognition feature works well, and it’s easy to set up custom alerts for specific people or events.
One minor drawback is that the Nest Hello Doorbell does not have a battery backup, so if there’s a power outage, the doorbell will not work. Additionally, the doorbell can only be installed in a vertical position, which may not be suitable for some homes that have a horizontal space for their doorbell.
Conclusion
The Nest Hello Doorbell is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a video doorbell with advanced features and exceptional video quality. Its sleek design, easy installation, and seamless integration with other smart home devices make it a great addition to any home. While the subscription service adds value to the device, it’s not necessary for basic usage. However, if you want to take full advantage of the Nest Hello Doorbell’s capabilities, a subscription to Nest Aware is definitely worth considering. Overall, the Nest Hello Doorbell is a top-performing video doorbell that is definitely worth the investment.
