Nest Cam
Is This Your Business?Author: Kaitlyn Short
Nest specializes in home security cameras and cloud recording to enhance security around the home. The company believes that clients should know what is going on in their home. Their Wi-Fi video camera and optional cloud recording platforms are suitable for checking in on your home, children, pets, and businesses from your laptop or desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone. The setup for the camera system is simple. You simply plug in the camera and then set up the app on your phone. The app is easy and takes care of all aspects of managing the cameras in your home. Nest has a unique business relationship with Google. Google acquired the company's labs early in 2014 for $3.2 billion while letting Nest maintain its own brands.
Keep reading for pros and cons, plus Nest Cam reviews from real customers.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Features
- Setup
- Support
Features
Nest offers a single home security camera, the Nest Cam, along with other home automation products such as a smart thermostat and smoke/carbon monoxide detector. The Nest Cam shoots in full 1080p HD, has a night vision and face detection option, and features a 130-degree wide-angle lens. The camera also has a built-in microphone that not only ignores ambient noise like traffic, but specifically targets unusual noises indicative of a break-in or other home emergency.
Setup
Setting up the Nest Cam is incredibly simple and can be set up from a smartphone. The camera stand can be placed either on a flat surface or against a wall, giving Nest Cam considerably more mobility than many of its competitors. Nest Cam also features two options for cloud-based video storage, along with a free 30-day trial. For an additional $100/year, customers can save up to 10 days' worth of continuous recording, while $300/year gets you up to 30 days' worth of recording.
Support
Nest provides a number of support features including 24/7 phone support, and a dealer locator for users who would prefer their Nest system to be installed by a professional. The website also has a comprehensive knowledge base to help customers troubleshoot issues or find the best place to set up their camera.
The Bad
- Stationary
- Recording Services
Stationary
The Nest Cam is stationary, meaning it does not have any pan/tilt capabilities.
Recording Services
Additionally, Nest charges a considerably higher amount for its cloud recording services than many of its competitors (some of which offer cloud recording for free). Some customers have also noted that Nest Cam's motion and sound detection capabilities, while largely satisfactory, have been known to trigger false alarms. Something that Nest doesn't explicitly state on their site is that installing additional Nest Cams in your home will also significantly increase your monthly recording costs.
The Bottom Line
Overall, Nest Cam is a simple but powerful home security camera. The camera resolution is incredibly sharp and provides a formidable viewing angle for a stationary camera; however, it is a stationary camera nonetheless, and an expensive one at that. The high recording cost further compounds Nest Cam's financial burden. If you are willing to pay a little extra for their cloud service, Nest Cam is an excellent choice. But if you are more budget-conscious, or require a camera that can move on its own, you may consider other options.
