Google Nest Protect (Battery) vs Google Nest Protect (Wired) comparison

Updated August 2026

Data from Amazon and official Google site.

2026 verdict

These are the same alarm in two power formats, so the Google Nest Protect (Battery) wins on the only meaningful difference here: it costs considerably less than the Google Nest Protect (Wired) while matching it feature for feature. Both detect smoke and carbon monoxide, speak the room name aloud rather than only sounding, send phone alerts, run a self-test and let you hush a false alarm from the app. The Google Nest Protect (Wired) earns its place where an existing mains connection is already in the ceiling: it draws power from the house so batteries are only a backup, which suits new builds or homes already wired for interlinked alarms and avoids replacing cells across many units. Its higher price mainly reflects that installation format rather than extra capability. Choose the Google Nest Protect (Wired) if your ceilings are already wired for it, and the Google Nest Protect (Battery) for the same protection anywhere else at a lower cost.

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Feature	Google Nest Protect (Battery)	Google Nest Protect (Wired)	Winner
Price	$399.99	$399.99	Tie
Rating	4.4	4.4	Tie
Warranty	2 years	2 years	Tie
Connectivity	2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Other	2.4 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth, Other	Tie
Integrations	Google Home, Home Assistant	Google Home, Home Assistant	Tie
Screen	NO	NO	Tie
Sensors	Smoke, CO, Occupancy, Temperature, Humidity, Ambient Light, Motion	Smoke, CO, Occupancy, Temperature, Humidity, Ambient Light, Motion	Tie
Alerts	Fire Alerts, CO Alerts, Low Battery Alerts	Fire Alerts, CO Alerts, Low Battery Alerts	Tie
Built-in Siren	YES	YES	Tie
Built-in Light	YES	YES	Tie
Tests Itself	YES	YES	Tie
Pathlight	YES	YES	Tie

Winner

Google

Google Nest Protect (Battery)

$399.99

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Google Nest Protect (Battery) has a viable feature set with no obvious deal-breaker in the available data.

Google

Google Nest Protect (Wired)

$399.99

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Google Nest Protect (Wired) has a viable feature set with no obvious deal-breaker in the available data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Google Nest Protect (Battery) or Google Nest Protect (Wired)?

The Google Nest Protect (Battery), which costs considerably less and matches the Google Nest Protect (Wired) feature for feature. The wired version only makes sense where mains wiring is already in place.

What is the difference between the two versions?

How they are powered. The Google Nest Protect (Wired) runs from mains wiring with battery backup, while the Google Nest Protect (Battery) runs on batteries alone. Detection, alerts and app features are identical.

Do both detect carbon monoxide as well as smoke?

Yes. Both are combined smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, which is one of the main reasons to choose Nest Protect over a smoke-only unit.

Can either be installed without an electrician?

The Google Nest Protect (Battery) can be mounted anywhere with a screwdriver. The Google Nest Protect (Wired) needs an existing mains connection at the ceiling, which usually means wiring already in place.

Do both send alerts to a phone?

Yes. Both connect to Wi-Fi, announce the affected room aloud, send phone notifications and allow the alarm to be hushed from the app.

Who should buy the Google Nest Protect (Wired)?

Buyers whose ceilings already have mains wiring for interlinked alarms, particularly in newer builds, where mains power avoids changing batteries across several units.

Who should buy the Google Nest Protect (Battery)?

Most buyers: identical smoke and carbon monoxide protection with the same app features, installable anywhere without wiring, at a considerably lower price.

Full comparison table

Compare all 18 Smoke & CO Detectors side by side

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