Nest Doorbell is a smart home device with a built-in camera and a two-way audio system. Nest Cam refers to the camera with smart recording and detection features. Nest doorbell and Nest cam differ in their functionalities and setup location. The Nest doorbell is often installed at the doors to recognize the visitors and communicate with them. It has a button to ring and package detection features to avoid porch pirates. Nest Cam is easy to set up anywhere in the home, including the backyard, garden, front door, and even in the hallway. It detects animal, vehicle, and person motion instead of packages. Nest Doorbell 3rd-Gen has a 1:1 taller aspect ratio, and Nest Cam has a wider 16:9 aspect ratio. Choosing the right one depends on the preferences, features, compatibility, and budget. 

How Do Installation Requirements and Placement Differ?

The Nest doorbell is often installed alongside the front door at a height of 4 feet. Nest Cam is easy to set up anywhere on the ceilings, corners, shelves, and exterior walls. They are both available in wired and wireless versions. The Nest wired doorbell fits perfectly with the existing wiring. It is easy to control through the Google Home App. Attach the base plate, drill holes on the marked points, and then attach the Nest Cam to set up. Track the Nest Cam activity via the Google Home App. 

How Do Video Quality, Viewing Angles & Field of View Compare?

Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell both have great camera performance. The main difference among them is the viewing angle and field of view. Nest Doorbell has 960 x 1280 pixels compared to  1920 x 1080 pixels of Nest Cam. It provides a taller view, and Nest Cam offers a wider view. Nest doorbell has an aspect ratio between 3:4 and 1:1 with a 145° diagonal view. It records everything from head to toe and even sidewalks. Nest Cam has a  16:9 aspect ratio and a 130° to 152° diagonal field of view. The Nest Cam covers a wider area compared to the Nest Doorbell. 

Nest Doorbell and Nest Cam both have High Dynamic Range (HDR) and infrared LEDs to record clearly at night. The Nest doorbell with a 1:1 aspect ratio is clearer than the Nest Cam. Nest Cam wins in covering a wider area. It has a large field of view. Google Home App keeps the recordings for 3 to 6 hours in the free version. Make sure to purchase the subscription to Nest Aware to keep track of recordings for 30 to 60 days. These recordings serve best to minimize porch pirates. 

What Smart Features and Alerts Are Different Between Them?

Nest Cam does not have package and familiar face detection features. It does not ring like a doorbell and does not have any buttons. Nest Cam does not have any pre-recorded responses. Nest Doorbell and Nest Cam have a two-way audio system. It helps owners to communicate with the visitor via smartphone. Both have person, animal, and vehicle detection features in common. They integrate with Google Hub and Google Assistant. 

What Are the Power & Wiring Considerations?

The Nest wireless doorbell is easy to set up on the front door. It has a built-in battery, and the Nest doorbell is removed to charge it. Look at the compatibility of the existing chime when setting up the wired doorbell. Attach the base plate and connect both wires to the doorbell terminals. Nest Cam also has versions, though many people prefer battery-powered as it does not require a power outlet near it. It's quick to set up and easily mounted anywhere. It has a longer battery life of 3-7 months, depending on use. Wired Nest Cam gets continuous power and records 24/7, compared to wireless, which records events. 

What Are the Cost & Long-Term Value Differences?

Nest Cam and Nest doorbell with batteries have almost the same price of $180 and $200. Nest Doorbell offers a package, vehicle detection, and video recordings of three hours for free. Nest Cam requires a Nest Aware subscription to record 24/7, and Nest doorbell does not provide this feature in paid plans. Basic Nest Aware subscription costs around $6/month, and the premium requires $12/month. They both have the same cost and value. Choosing the one depends on the owner's priorities and the area of the home. Nest Doorbell is designed for doors, and Nest Cam works best anywhere in the home.