If you're unsure whether to install your Google Nest Doorbell (battery) wire-free or using your home's doorbell wires, use this article to help you decide.
The Google Nest Doorbell (battery) is designed to run on batteries without the need for frequent recharging. You can also choose to connect it to your doorbell system's wires, which will use low voltage to gradually charge the battery (with certain limitations).
Choose wire-free installation
For the following situations, you should install your Nest doorbell without wires. Choose your situation to get more information.
You want to replace your current, battery-powered doorbell
Your doorbell system isn't compatible with Nest doorbells
Your Nest doorbell needs to receive 8 to 24 V AC when wired. Your doorbell might experience power issues if the doorbell system provides too much voltage or doesn't give enough.
Note: For more information, go to our article to learn how to check system compatibility with the Nest doorbell.
Contact a local electrician to service your doorbell system's transformer to make it compatible with the Nest doorbell.
Otherwise, you might want to install your doorbell without wires.
Your home doesn't have a doorbell system
If your home doesn't have a doorbell system, the easiest option is to install your doorbell wirelessly.
You can also install your Nest Doorbell with an Indoor Power Adapter.
You'll install your Nest doorbell in a different place
There are a couple of common reasons to install your Nest doorbell somewhere different from your current one:
- Your current doorbell is somewhere inconvenient.
- You want to install another doorbell to a side or back door.
In this case, the easiest thing to do is to install your doorbell to run wirelessly. That way you don’t have to contact an electrician to rewire the doorbell system of your home.
Choose wired installation
Important: The doorbell's battery charges to 100% the first time you charge it. To help prolong the life of the battery, it will only charge to 80% if the doorbell is wired to the doorbell system. Before you install your doorbell, you can use the USB cable to charge the battery above 80%. However, after the doorbell is wired to the system, the battery will drop down to 80% and stay at that level or below.
For the following situations, you should wire your Nest doorbell to the doorbell system. Choose your situation to get more information.
You want to replace your wired doorbell
If your current doorbell is wired, you should be able to uninstall your old doorbell and connect your new Nest doorbell to the existing system's wires.
Note: You should make sure that your doorbell system is compatible with the Nest Doorbell. Otherwise, your doorbell might run into power issues.
If you plan to replace the Google Nest Doorbell (wired), you'll also need to remove any chime connector that was previously installed. Your Nest Doorbell (battery) doesn't need it for installation.
You prefer not to manually recharge your doorbell
With wire-free installation, you'll need to recharge your doorbell every so often.
If you prefer not to charge so often, you should wire your doorbell to the system wires, which will gradually charge the battery.
Important: The battery can't be charged at temperatures below 0°C (32°F). In cold weather, you may need to bring it inside to a warm place to recharge, even if you've connected your doorbell to the system wires.