Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) Review
Unmatched Intelligence and Continuous Recording for the Modern Google Home.
When it comes to smart home integration and artificial intelligence, Google is often miles ahead of the competition. The Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) is the pinnacle of this expertise. While many brands focus on flashy hardware, Google focuses on the "brain" inside the camera. This device doesn't just record video; it understands exactly what is happening on your porch in real-time.
In our comprehensive analysis of the top smart video doorbells of 2026, we ranked the Nest Wired as the best option for continuous monitoring. In this deep dive, we will explore why moving away from battery power might be the best decision you ever make for your home security.
🎥 1. The Power of 24/7 Continuous Video History
The single biggest advantage of this second-generation Nest Doorbell is that it is permanently wired. Why does this matter? Battery-powered cameras are designed to "sleep" to save energy. They only wake up when they detect motion, which often results in missing the first few critical seconds of an event.
With the Nest Wired (and a Nest Aware Plus subscription), you get 10 days of 24/7 continuous video history. This means if a car is keyed on the street or something happens that didn't trigger the motion sensor, you can simply scroll back through the timeline and find exactly what you need. It transforms your doorbell from a simple notifier into a professional-grade surveillance hub.
🧠 2. Industry-Leading AI: Free and Familiar
Google’s AI is famous for its accuracy, and the Nest Doorbell brings that power to your front door. Out of the box, without paying a penny in subscriptions, this camera can distinguish between:
- People: High-priority alerts when someone is at the door.
- Packages: Specific alerts for deliveries and pickups.
- Animals: So you aren't woken up by a neighborhood cat.
- Vehicles: Essential for monitoring driveways.
If you opt for the Nest Aware subscription, you unlock Familiar Face alerts. The camera uses facial recognition to tell you specifically who is at the door—"Sarah is at the door"—announcing it through your Nest Hub or phone. This level of sophistication is why Google remains a top recommendation in our review of the best video doorbells for smart homes.
✅ The Pros
- 24/7 Recording: Never miss a second of activity (with subscription).
- Fast Alerts: Near-zero latency between motion and phone notification.
- High Dynamic Range (HDR): Best-in-class handling of shadows and bright sun.
- Local Backup: Records up to 1 hour of video locally if the Wi-Fi goes down.
- Sleek Aesthetics: One of the thinnest and most beautiful designs on the market.
❌ The Cons
- Requires Wiring: Not suitable for renters or doors without existing bell wires.
- Low Resolution: Technically lower (960x1280) than Eufy’s 2K, though HDR helps.
- No Local Storage Slot: Cannot use a microSD card; strictly Google Cloud.
- Narrower View: 3:4 aspect ratio is good, but doesn't see as wide as some competitors.
🎨 3. Design and Build Quality
The Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) is significantly smaller than the battery version. Its slim profile allows it to fit on narrow door frames where the Eufy or Ring models might struggle. It comes in four sophisticated colors—Snow, Linen, Ash, and Ivy—designed to blend into modern home exteriors rather than looking like a plastic gadget.
🛠️ 4. The Installation Challenge
Because this is a wired-only device, installation is a bit more involved. You need a 16-24V transformer. Many older homes have 10V transformers that were fine for old mechanical chimes but won't power a smart camera. If you are unsure, we recommend checking our doorbell installation guide for tips on upgrading your transformer for under $20.
Once wired, the Google Home app takes over. It’s a seamless experience where the camera is added to your home network in seconds via Bluetooth, and you can immediately start setting up your "Activity Zones" to ignore the street traffic.
⚖️ 5. Nest Aware: Is it Worth the Cost?
While the basic AI is free, the real magic happens with Nest Aware.
For $8/month, you get 30 days of event history.
For $15/month (Nest Aware Plus), you unlock the holy grail: 60 days of event history PLUS the 10 days of 24/7 continuous recording.
If you have multiple Nest cameras, one subscription covers them all, making it a better value for "whole-home" security compared to Ring's per-device pricing.
🏆 6. Final Verdict: Is Google Nest the Best?
The Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) is the best choice for anyone already invested in the Google ecosystem. Its AI is the most "human-like" in its detections, and the 24/7 recording provides a level of security that battery cameras simply cannot match.
However, if you are a renter or don't want to pay for a subscription, we recommend revisiting the Eufy or Blink options in our main guide. For everyone else, the Nest Wired is a reliable, intelligent, and beautiful guardian for your front door.
Smarter Home Tips Rating
9.2 / 10
"The smartest, most reliable 24/7 wired doorbell on the market today."