4 Best Video Doorbells for Google Home [UK Guide]

If you have built your smart home around Google Home devices (with Google Assistant built-in), then you’ll want a video doorbell that can be added to your network.

Each video doorbell has different levels of integration with Google Home. Most will allow you to use your smart speakers as a chime, but some go further, allowing you to stream to Nest Hub smart displays and Chromecast devices.

In this guide, I’ll share the best video doorbells that work with Google Home, and break down the key features of each.

Quick Summary

In a hurry? Here is a quick look at my recommendations, keep reading for the full list and reviews of each.

Image	Summary
	Top Pick: Nest Hello • Made by Google especially to work with Google Assistant • Familiar face detection can announce visitors by name • Pre-recorded responses	View on Amazon
	Runner Up: Arlo Essentials • Uses video calling tech instead of notifications • Good AI abilities that rival Nest • Can be used subscription-free with a hub (sold separately)	View on Amazon
	Best Overall: Eufy • 2K footage and good battery life (also available wired). • All features accessible without subscription. • Footage stored on base unit in home.	View on Amazon
	Best for Parcels: Eufy Dual • Alternative option from Eufy with two front-facing cameras • Get notified of package delivery • Dual motion detection	View on Amazon

Benefits of Integrating Your Video Doorbell with Google Home

Here are some of the key features that you can access when you integrate your video doorbell with Google Home, this will vary from device to device as shared in the full reviews below.

• Visitor Announcements – Use your Google Home devices as a chime.
• Stream to Nest Hub or Chromecast Device – Stream your video doorbell to a Google Home smart display or Chromecast device by asking Google Assistant.
• Two-Way Audio via Nest Hub – Currently only the Nest Hello allows you to communicate through your doorbell using a smart speaker instead of your phone.

Best Video Doorbells for Google Home

These are my top recommended Google Home video doorbells:

• Best Overall: Nest Hello (Battery)
• Runner Up: Arlo Essentials Doorbell
• Best Without Subscription: Eufy 2k Doorbell
• Best for Parcels: Eufy Dual

Below are the pros and cons of each device I have recommended and things to keep in mind when making your decision.

Best Overall: Nest Hello (Battery)

Resolution: 1600 x 1200 // Power: Battery or Wired // Storage: Cloud Only (Subscription Required) // Price: £££

The Nest Hello is my top pick for anyone who is already invested in Google’s smart home ecosystem. Not only is the device super intelligent and reliable, but it has integrations that other doorbells don’t yet have and is likely to be the first to receive any updates in future.

Note: The naming of this device is confusing. This device is called the Nest Doorbell (Battery) but it can also be hardwired to your existing doorbell chime. There is another device called the Nest Doorbell (Wired) which is an older version with fewer features. You should buy the battery version, even if you want a wired installation.

It has HDR video that records at a resolution of 1600×1200, giving a full view of your doorstep. It also has great noise cancellation which is particularly useful if your doorbell is exposed to a lot of wind.

Plus, this doorbell is super smart, some of the features include:

• Familiar Face Recognition: The doorbell can recognise regular visitors and announce them by name via your Google Home or other chime device.
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• Control Over Notifications: The doorbell can tell the difference between people, vehicles, parcels, and animals so you can choose which alerts you receive.
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• Pre-Recorded Messages – Create pre-recorded messages for when you don’t want to answer the doorbell.

This device really leaps ahead if you have a Nest Hub smart display. You can have your Nest Hello stream straight to your Nest Hub or Chromecast when it rings, then use the Nest Hub as a two-way intercom with the doorbell as shown here.

The biggest downside to the Nest Hello is the price, not only is it expensive to buy, but the device needs an ongoing Nest Aware subscription to get the full benefit as there is no local storage.

Runner Up: Arlo Video Doorbell

Resolution: 1536 x 1536 HD // Power: Hardwire or Battery // Storage: Cloud or Local (Subscription Required for Some Features) // Price: ££

The Arlo video doorbell is another great device for Google Home users. Thanks to a recent launch, there is now both a hardwired and battery version available in the UK.

Note: The battery-powered version is called the Arlo Essentials Doorbell (shown here), the original wired version is just known as the Arlo doorbell (it’s much slimmer and very slightly cheaper).

Unlike most other video doorbells that use phone notifications, Arlo works differently, using the SIP protocol to call your phone just like any other video call. This minimises the lag and ensures you don’t miss visitors whilst out and about.

It has AI tech that can detect humans or can send you an alert when a package has been delivered. Like the Nest Hello, it has a wide viewing angle that allows you to see your doorstep and keep an eye on packages when they are dropped off.

You can ask Google Assistant to pull up a live stream of your doorbell on any Google smart display or Chromecast device. However, it won’t automatically show this when the doorbell is rung, nor can you use the microphone in your smart display to converse with your visitor as with the Nest Hello.

If you have an Arlo smart hub, you can plug in an SD card or hard drive for local storage which negates the need for a subscription (although this is still required for the Ai features).

The doorbell is one of the bigger devices here, so if you’re looking for something sleek or have limited space to install, the Eufy below is a better choice.

Best Without Subscription: Eufy 2k Video Doorbell

Resolution: 2k // Power: Battery or Hardwire // Storage: Cloud or Local // Price: ££

If you’re looking for a budget pick, then the Eufy video doorbell is a great pick. It has 2k resolution that uses a Sony sensor, and the motion detection allows you to choose which areas of the camera to monitor for activity.

One of the biggest benefits of Eufy is that you can use all of the features without a subscription. This is because it supports local storage on an SD card and, unlike other local storage devices, you can still view footage remotely as it will stream from your home.

The battery powered device is my preferred choice as the footage is stored on a homebase inside your home, whereas with the wired device it is stored on the doorbell itself which is a security risk.

The battery life is excellent thanks to a dedicated low-power protocol that communicates between the doorbell and the base, expect up to 12 weeks battery life.

Eufy’s integration with Google Home is very similar to Arlo, allowing you to stream your doorbell to a Nest Hub or Chromecast device, however there is no automatic streaming when the doorbell rings or two-way intercom as the Nest Hello has.

On a budget? Eufy also have a 1080p version of their video doorbell which offers similar features to the 2k version but with slightly reduced resolution and a cheaper price tag.

Best For Parcels: Eufy Dual Video Doorbell

Resolution: 2k // Power: Battery or Hardwire // Storage: Cloud or Local // Price: ££

As if Eufy’s range wasn’t already confusing enough with battery-powered, wired, 2k, 1080p, and options with or without Homebase, they have added yet another option to their lineup. However, this one has a clear benefit and I think it’s one of their most innovative yet.

The Eufy Dual doorbell has two cameras and two motion sensors. Let’s begin by looking at the cameras. As well as the traditional forward-facing camera, there’s a second downward-facing camera to keep an eye on the parcels on your porch. This second camera can even be moved to align it however you wish which Eufy claims will give you full visibility of your doorstep.

Secondly, the dual motion sensors are very clever. One is a PIR (infrared) camera like their standard doorbells and the other is radar which is similar to the technology recently used by Ring in their premium Ring Pro 2. The benefit of using radar is that it can detect much further and it can also better distinguish between long-distance and short-distance objects which will reduce falls alarms.

Eufy’s integration with Google Home is very similar to Arlo, allowing you to stream your doorbell to a Nest Hub or Chromecast device, however there is no automatic streaming when the doorbell rings or two-way intercom as the Nest Hello has.

How to Use Your Google Home Speaker as a Doorbell Chime

Using a feature called ‘visitor announcements’, you can set up your Google Home speaker or smart display to chime when your video doorbell is rung.

To use your Google Home speaker as a doorbell chime, you’ll need both the Google Home app and the manufacturers app.

Here are step-by-step set instructions to set up your doorbell with Google Home:

1. Make sure your doorbell has been fully set up in the manufacturers app
2. In the Google Home app, choose ‘+’ in the top left corner and select ‘set up device’
3. Choose ‘Works with Google’
4. Select the manufacturer of your doorbell (e.g. Nest, Arlo, Eufy) from the list
5. Log in to your account with the manufacturer to link your devices
6. Choose which devices to connect and select which room they are in
7. Once saved, go into each device to set names and settings

Note: this method doesn’t work for Ring doorbells, follow my full guide to setting up Ring with Google Home.

Which Video Doorbells Can Stream to Nest Hub

Nest, Eufy and Arlo video doorbells can all stream to your Nest Hub, Nest Hub Max or a Chromecast enabled display.

However, only the Nest Hello has the ability to stream automatically when the doorbell is rang and it’s also the only device that can make use of your Nest Hub’s speaker and microphone for two-way audio with your visitor.

With the Eufy and Arlo devices, you can use the Nest Hub as a chime, but will need to ask it to pull up the live stream. Whilst this is only a minor issue, it adds an extra step to the process which makes it less streamlined.

Video Doorbell Buyers Guide

Here are some key considerations that you ought to keep in mind when buying your Google Home video doorbell:

• Video Quality – Video resolution is the go-to measure of video quality, but there are other factors to consider including viewing angle (how much of your doorstep you can see) and HDR which improves the vividness of your footage.

• Responsiveness – Whilst cheaper devices tend to offer similar specs, where they usually fall down is the responsiveness. There is often a huge lag between the doorbell press and receiving a notification, by which time the visitor may have left.

• Power + Battery Life – Some devices support only hard wire or battery install whereas others support both. If choosing a battery video doorbell, keep in mind how long it will last between charges as it can be cumbersome to change frequently.

• Smart Home Integration – As you’ve stumbled on this article, clearly integration with Google Home is paramount. But, also consider other integrations, for example if you have existing Arlo or Nest security devices, then it would be beneficial to stick with the same ecosystem.

• Ongoing Costs – Don’t forget about the ongoing costs, some devices do not have any local storage, so cloud storage is a necessary addition and requires a subscription.

Does Ring Work with Google Home?

Ring state that their video doorbells work with Google Home, and they aren’t wrong. However, the integrations are still somewhat limited compared to the devices shared here.

You can receive visitor announcements on your Google Home speakers, and you can ask Google Assistant about the health of your device and the last time it rang.

However, streaming your video doorbell to a Google Home device or Chromecast isn’t yet available. It does appear that this feature is coming soon so watch this space.

Find out more about what you can and can’t do in my full article on using Ring and Google Home.