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Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen)
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Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen)

Based on 11 comments across 3 communities
TL;DR
Owners are happy with the wired 3rd-gen Nest Doorbell, praising the sharp 2K picture, quick notifications, and an easy swap from the older Nest Hello, with most reporting solid reliability and smooth 24/7 recording. The main caveats are power and setup related: the doorbell needs a transformer that can deliver enough wattage or it may freeze, several owners found 5GHz WiFi caused notification delays that cleared up on 2.4GHz, and full features lean on a paid Google subscription. It's a worthwhile upgrade for existing Nest users mainly for the better image, as long as your transformer and WiFi setup can keep up.

45% of 11 verified owners recommend the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen).

What 11 owners say
188 comments reviewed · scored on the 11 clearest verdicts
45%
Recommend
5 owners
55%
Neutral
6 owners
0%
Don't recommend
0 owners
Source
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
50%
10
Independent blogsino affiliate links
0%
1
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
Affiliate blogsipaid commission
50%
4

Affiliate blogs here say 50% recommend, while the owner-based score is 45%. They earn a commission on every sale — so we show them for transparency but never let them move the score.

The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, and blogs with no affiliate links. YouTube and affiliate blogs are shown for perspective but kept out — hover the i for why.

What owners like
  • Fast, near-instant doorbell and motion notifications · 7 · 64%
  • Sharp 2K image, clearly better than earlier generations · 6 · 55%
  • Easy install, often a straight swap for the old Nest Hello · 6 · 55%
  • Reliable with 24/7 recording and all features working · 5 · 45%
  • Solid wired connection with no drops or disconnections · 3 · 27%
What owners flag
  • Notification delays on 5GHz WiFi; switching to 2.4GHz fixes it · 4 · 36%
  • Best features depend on a paid Google subscription · 3 · 27%
  • Sensitive to transformer power; needs 10VA or it can freeze · 3 · 27%
  • Nighttime video looks dim and unclear · 2 · 18%
  • Hard to justify the price as an upgrade after only a few years · 2 · 18%

Top quotes, sourced

188 reviewed · 15 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
Reddit▲ recommend

“Just installed it on Sunday and replaced my gen 1 version of the nest doorbell and I'm really liking it. Plus all the new features with Gemini and better quality overall”

9to5Google (affiliate)— neutral

“I wouldn't say anyone should rush out the door to make this upgrade given the $179 price, and it's a hard call on whether it's worth upgrading after only 3 years.”

iPhone in Canada (affiliate)▲ recommend

“The jump to 2K resolution makes this a worthwhile upgrade if you're coming from the first or second-gen Nest doorbells.”

Reddit— neutral

“I experience a delay of about 2 or 3 seconds with the Gen 3 on my Google Home Speakers (same as I had with the battery version) I noticed that connecting to 2.4ghz WiFi instead of 5ghz definitely improves the delay”

Reddit▲ recommend

“I bought two 3rd‑generation doorbells in the US, and they work perfectly fine here in France. The added value compared to devices officially sold on the EU market is that the US‑only 3rd‑gen doorbells can connect to the 5 GHz band (and not only 2.4 GHz)”

Reddit— neutral

“I couldn't use any event/motion detection with the battery version, foot traffic is too heavy and the battery was draining every couple of weeks. I wanted to capture more than just doorbell presses, hence moving on to the wired version.”

PCWorld (affiliate)▲ recommend

“The Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen) is an easy recommendation and among the best on the market.”

Reddit⚠ product link— neutral

“Worked brilliantly for the few couple of weeks but then I started to get the doorbell freezing up. Did a bit of research and realised the BG transformer, even though it can push out 24v only does so at 8VA, where the 3rd gen needs 10VA minimum”

Reddit— neutral

“imported it from the US and works fine but my feeling is nest is shrinking, especially outside of the US.”

Reddit▲ recommend

“I did exactly that - a straight swap with an original Nest Hello. No issues so far…”

Reddit— neutral

“I was able to get it installed today. A bit more trouble than my (now dead) gen 1 was, but I got it.”

Reddit▲ recommend

“Hij hangt inmiddels en werkt perfect!”

Reddit▲ recommend

“yeah this 2k has been great so far”

Consumer Reports— neutral

“At nighttime, the video is poor: difficult to view, not as bright or clear as the better models.”

Gizmodo (affiliate)— neutral

“The latest Nest Doorbell is great hardware plagued by a bad subscription approach.”