Amazon's Ring, Google Nest or Wyze: Which bestselling smart home security system is for you?
If you're shopping on Amazon for smart home-security systems, then a few names probably jump out: Ring, Google Nest and Wyze. Each is a bestseller of security and surveillance equipment on Amazon. Here's an overview of the three brands, from their most popular accessories or do-it-yourself systems, to the main reasons why each could be the right home-security choice for you.
Top products in this article:
Amazon's Ring
Once upon a time known as Doorbot, Ring has been an Amazon-owned company since 2018. It's best known for its Ring Video Doorbell.
The Ring Video Doorbell is a smart doorbell that offers Alexa functionality and captures HD-quality video of your visitors, both expected and unexpected. It also allows for two-way talk between your visitor and you -- wherever you happen to be when you're monitoring the goings-on from your connected device.
The latest iteration of the Ring Video Doorbell is the Ring Video Doorbell 4, which lists at $200 on Amazon. The battery-powered device features pre-roll video previews of all motion events, and enhanced Wi-Fi capabilities over the Ring Video Doorbell 3.
If you're already a Ring Video Doorbell owner, then building your DIY home-security system around the device is a no-brainer. You can easily expand your set-up by linking your Ring doorbell to any number of accessories. Some of the current Amazon best-sellers are the battery-powered Ring Spotlight Cam with built-in siren and the $60 Ring Indoor Cam.
If you prefer buying to building, then you can purchase a Ring system, such as the best-selling eight-piece Ring Alarm kit. It's $249 at Amazon.
Ring says the eight-piece kit works best for for one- or two-bedroom homes. It includes one base station, one keypad, four contact sensors, one motion detector, and, of course, a Ring Alarm. It lists on Amazon for $250.
If you're already an Alexa-friendly house, then Ring's also a no-brainer. Being an Amazon company, Ring devices are fully fluent in Alexa. On Amazon, you'll even find Ring-Alexa bundles, like this package consisting of a Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Echo Dot, now on sale for $220.
Add more layers of protection, not to mention video storage, to this bundle, or to any Ring device, by purchasing a sold-separately Ring Protect subscription. Plans start at $3 a month.
Below is a recap on some of the Ring products mentioned here.
Ring Indoor Cam, compact plug-in HD security camera with two-way talk, works with Alexa - white, $60
Google Nest
You're probably familiar with Google Nest through its signature product: the Nest Thermostat. But the smart-home line can do a lot more than keep you cool (and save you energy). Google Nest has a line of cameras, locks and alarms that can be the building blocks of a DIY home-security system. And if you already have the Nest Thermostat, are conversant in Google Assistant -- or are generally a fan of Google smart home products -- then Google Nest may be the home-security pick for you.
The weatherproof Google Nest Outdoor Cam is one of Amazon's bestselling security devices.
The Google Nest Outdoor Cam and its 130-degree, wide-angle lens will help keep watch over your home by shooting HD-quality video (with night vision), and live-streaming it to you. It features a built-in speaker and mic, allowing for two-way talk. Connect it to your phone via the Nest app to get alerts when there's activity. It sells on Amazon for $197.
Add another piece to your Google Nest security system with the Google Nest Indoor Cam. It sells for $130 on Amazon.
The wired Google Nest Cam Indoor is another top-selling, smart-security device on Amazon. Listed at $130, the Google Nest Indoor Cam allows you to monitor the goings-on inside your home via its nonstop, HD-video, live feed. Like its outdoor variation, the camera offers a wide-angle view, and shoots night vision. Install the Nest app on your phone to get alerts, and engage in two-way talk through the cam.
Enhance your Google Nest cameras with a subscription to Nest Aware. It allows you to store videos for at least 30 days. Plans start at $6 a month, and cover all Google Nest accessories in your home. Google Nest security packages are available directly via Google Nest.
Wyze
Wyze is another big name in the DIY smart home-security market. Its equipment line includes cameras, video doorbells and lights. At last look on Amazon, the Wyze Cam Spotlight and Wyze Cam v3 bundle was the No. 1 seller on the site's security-and-surveillance-equipment section.
On sale on Amazon for $50, the two-fer package gives you a security light (the Wyze Cam Spotlight) and a security camera (the Wyze Cam v3). The light is motion-activated; the wired, HD-quality, video camera with night vision is motion- and sound-activated. (Note: Amazon says the light and camera may ship separately.) The camera even has a siren function. Download the Wyze app on your phone or device to monitor your camera's feed remotely, or to engage in two-way talk with visitors.
Another Wyze security product that's a bestseller on Amazon is the Wyze Cam Outdoor Starter Bundle. It's $70 on Amazon.
The Wyze Cam Outdoor Starter Bundle comes with a battery-powered, weatherproof-rated, motion-activated, HD-quality Wyze Cam Outdoor and a base station, plus other accessories, including a base-station power adapter. The base station allows you to coordinate the feeds of up to four Wyze cameras. The bundle is listed on Amazon for $70.
Wyze products are ecumenical when it comes to Alexa and Google Assistant: They're good with either. If you're similarly not married to either smart assistant, and perhaps dabble in both, then Wyze might be for you. On Amazon, its top-selling products also frequently cost less than those from Ring or Google Nest.
Like Amazon's Ring and Google Nest, you can purchase an enhanced monitoring component for your Wyze security system via a monthly subscription (sold directly through the Wyze site).
