Ring Or Nest: How To Choose The Best Security System For Your Home

Although you can upgrade your home's security with landscape plants, you might prefer active security system options compared to using passive plants. Home security systems from Ring and Nest offer some of the most advanced consumer options available. Ring and Nest both rank among the top-rated home security camera systems on the market. They share several similarities, including components designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Both are available as completely wireless systems that homeowners can set up themselves as a DIY job. As well as offering a high-quality mobile app through which you can control the cameras. Neither system requires a paid subscription to access basic features.

Determining how to choose the best security system for your home becomes easier once you understand the key technological differences between Ring and Nest. Most reviewers consider Ring the better home security option because of the wider variety of camera options it offers. However, both systems have advantages that give them an edge in certain situations. Depending on which other "smart" devices you already have in your home, you might find it easier to integrate Nest devices instead of Ring.

If cost is a major concern for you, Ring is generally more affordable than Nest for both cameras and the cost of monitoring. Ring doesn't require you to sign a long-term contract for professional security monitoring, allowing you to use the service on a month-to-month basis. Nest offers professional security monitoring through ADT, with both long-term contracts and month-to-month options available. 

If you believe you'll need help with setup or using the system in the future, Ring's customer support ranks higher than Nest's. Ring is also generally easier to use, though that simplicity comes with fewer customization options than Nest.

If your home has an unusual design that requires a particular shape and size of doorbell camera, or if you want more options for hardware, Ring has nearly a dozen different products. Nest's product choices are far more limited, especially for doorbell cameras. Despite having more choices in camera hardware, Ring does not have as many high-end features in its cameras compared to Nest. It can handle basic security needs just fine, but it won't necessarily give you as many advanced features for customization.

For homeowners using Google Assistant, Nest offers native support, while Ring does not. Both devices can be used with Amazon Alexa, but Ring works more seamlessly with it. This type of compatibility should be expected, as Amazon owns Ring while Google owns Nest. Nest also tends to integrate more smoothly with home automation devices than Ring. For example, it's more compatible with smart lighting and similar systems, but you'll have to pay more to receive these benefits when selecting Nest over Ring.

If you feel more secure with the ADT brand name managing your home's security system, Nest outsources its 24/7 professional monitoring services to ADT, while Ring offers professional monitoring with an in-house crew. You also have the option of managing your own monitoring for free through the mobile app of either system.

One of the best features of Google Nest is the face detection technology found in its cameras and software. The system can use this feature to recognize people who regularly visit your home and only notify you when unidentified people are near your house. However, some states restrict facial recognition use without consent, which may limit how useful this feature is depending on your location.