Customers are impressed with the Nest Cam's camera quality and ease of use, finding installation straightforward and night vision capabilities satisfactory. However, concerns exist regarding battery life and the consistency of motion detection. Some users also noted challenges with app compatibility and the product's price point.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 7 Showing 121-140 of 2,594 reviews
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
So much potential but ultimately disappointing.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is my first Google/Nest camera; I’ve been eager to try them for quite some time and just hadn’t taken the plunge until now. I’ve used cameras from several other vendors over the years -- Logitech, Reolink, Ubiquiti, Ring, etc -- so I’m not new to security cameras, just to Google's take on them. I’m pretty deep into the Google Home ecosystem and was really hoping this would play well with the rest of my Home. I’ve had this camera setup for a few days now and here are my observations. I’ll start with the summary and then flesh out the specifics.
Overall: Video quality is good, and the Nest Aware free trial adds some truly advanced features (30 days of video event retention, “familiar faces”, auto calling emergency services) that you’ll want if you intend to use this for actual security monitoring -- most notable is that without a subscription you are allowed a paltry 3 hours of video event history. 3 hours of video event history is just too short to be of much use for security purposes, a limit which seems remarkably short for no other reason than to drive buyers to at least the basic Nest Aware subscription. My prior experience with Logitech Circle cameras, which I consider fairly direct competition to this, leads me to expect no less than a 24h video review window without an add’l subscription, so Google allowing just 3h by default is very disappointing. Although there’s a lot I like about this camera I have to say that “disappointing” sums up a lot of it. It does a lot of things right, and it clearly has potential, but until/unless Google updates the cameras and/or the software there’s just too much “basic” info and options missing for me to recommend these to anyone at this time.
Security events: As a consultant for several schools and businesses I’ve had to export security events for Police several times and one thing that stood out to me very quickly about this system is that there is no option to overlay a date/time stamp on the video. The camera does overlay its own logo in the upper right of the video, so clearly it can do overlays, but Google has oddly decided not to even give the user the option to overlay such basic video information. You can export events with the Home app and I was hoping the exported filenames would at least contain useful data -- but it appears the filenames are based on a Unix Epoch timestamp but one which doesn’t obviously correlate to the actual time of the incident so I’m not sure what Google’s up to, perhaps the resemblance to a Unix Epoch time is strangely coincidental? Regardless, The filenames for exported events are consistent but not particularly useful, so if you find yourself needing to export events you’ll want to make your own careful notes about the times involved. In the old Nest app you could export and embed timestamps into the “closed caption” data but the Home app currently provides no such option which is another little disappointment.
Notifications: The app has a lot of notification options -- it can distinguish people, animal, and vehicle events for example -- and all of which can be turned on/off by their type, or which can be configured to only trigger when it detects you’re “away”. Unfortunately, text and email notifications aren’t even an option -- you either get them on the app or you don’t get them at all. Not necessarily bad but pretty limited compared to other camera notification systems I’ve used.
Video: Daytime video quality is excellent. It’s HD HDR which looks good and zooms in quite nicely though you won’t be reading license plates unless the vehicle comes very close to the camera. I’ve attached some sample screen-captured samples to this review. Nighttime video quality is respectably normal-ish for this range of camera.
Battery: I’ve had mine less than a week but after a few days of activity to adjust the app estimates I’ll get 3-4 weeks of monitoring from a single charge.
Hi StephenS, we appreciate your feedback and thanks for sharing the details of your experience with the Nest Cam (Battery). We’re sorry to learn of your disappointment with some camera features and with the battery life.
Nest Cam battery is the first battery camera created at Google Nest which features full on device machine learning so that we can detect pets, vehicles, people, faces and packages all without any cloud processing. Unlike the previous versions of Nest cameras, all the new cameras come with free 3 hour event-based video history.
When reviewing a recorded event, you can find the following information near the top of the video history screen: - Type of event - Date and time - Room name or Activity Zone Tap Event details to get more information about the recorded event. From there you can also download the event by tapping the download icon in the top right corner.
Email notifications work differently from push notifications. As long as you’ve set the option to get email notifications for your product, you’ll get them even if you’re not signed into the app. If your products are online and there isn’t a Nest service outage, the next thing to check is that the notification you’re looking for is enabled in the app’s settings. If you’re not getting camera notifications, there are some additional settings to check. - Check that you're signed into the app - Check that you're signed into the right account in the app - Check your product's notification settings - Check that notifications aren't being blocked in your phone or tablet's settings - Try another phone or tablet
Also, battery life will depend on factors including activity, temperature, and camera settings that you select. You can extend the battery life of your camera by adjusting video quality, length of video clips, time between recorded events, and using activity zones to monitor specific areas. This link might be helpful: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/10901611
We care about your experience and we’re taking your feedback seriously to work on improving our products and services. If you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime and we’d be happy to help: https://support.google.com/googlenest/gethelp
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Night vision
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Larger than expected
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This camera was a lot larger than I expected & it’s hard to discreetly hide it somewhere. I was provided the camera, stand & outdoor weatherproof cable . The cable has a very long cord (10 ft.) & allows you to keep the camera plugged in all the time. I prefer using the battery & go wire free. Setup took me a little while because I couldn’t connect only to find that I had the charging cord in the wrong way, yes, it fits both ways. After that, setup only took a few minutes. We have Nest smoke detectors & a lock so it used those as connecting devices. You can’t use the Nest app though, you have to get Google home app for the camera. I wanted this for our garage rec room for indoor use & the daytime video quality is pretty good, not near as good as our outdoor Arlo cameras. The night vision was pretty impressive, see pic below, because that room is very dark at night & everything shows clearly. The camera is very sensitive to movement & starts recording immediately & let’s you know if it’s a person, animal, vehicle. The videos are all saved in the app & are easy accessed & can be enlarged to full screen. The only downside is they’re only saved for 3 hours, if you want more storage you need to pay for a subscription. Not sure why all the bad reviews, it’s not the best out there but it’s definitely not the worst camera either.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Review of Nest Cam Battery Outdoor/Indoor
The latest Nest Cam is a sturdy camera on hardware side. I had bit of hard time to find all of its attributes, hence here below the list in summary extract from Google Product support page (https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9259110?hl=en#zippy=%2Cnest-cam-outdoor-or-indoor-battery):
Camera Sensor: 2-megapixel color sensor
Video resolution is Up to 1080p at 30 frames/sec / High Dynamic Range (HDR) /H.264 encoding
Zoom: 6x Digital zoom
Field of View: 130° diagonal wide-angle view
Night Vision: Up to 20 ft (6.10 m) illumination / 6 high-power 850 nm infrared LEDs
Filter: IR cut filter
Audio: Full-duplex 2-way audio with noise cancellation / High-quality speaker and microphone
Light: RGB status light
Weather resistance: IP54 rating
Mounting and installation options:
Magnetic mount / Nest Cam stand (sold separately) / 1/4” threading for any compatible 3rd party mounts
Attach it magnetically to a metal surface. / Install its wall plate on a non-magnetic surface. / Set it on a surface.
Power: Built-in rechargeable 6 Ah, 3.65V lithium-ion battery / Pogo pin magnetic connector / 7.5W USB-A power adapter / Weatherproof cable with cable clips (sold separately)
Cables: Includes 3.3 ft (1 m) indoor rated charging cable that plugs into a power adapter (additional stand and longer cable available and sold separately)
Security: On-device machine learning / Secure boot / Automatic security updates / 128-bit AES encryption with TLS/SSL / Built-in magnetometer sensor / 2-step verification available
It the box: Nest Cam battery / Magnetic plate / Wall plate / Wall anchors / Wall screws / Charging cable / Power adapter / Quick start guide /Safety & warranty document
Size and weight
Camera : Length: 3.27 in (8.3 cm) / Diameter: 3.27 in (8.3 cm) / Weight: 14.04 oz (398 g)
Magnetic mount: Diameter: 3.24 in (8.2 cm) Weight: Magnetic plate: 3.3 oz (94.7 g) / Wall plate: 0.27 oz (7.7 g) / Mount + plate: 3.6 oz (102.4 g)
Wireless: Europe, Canada, Australia: 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz) / US, Mexico, India, Japan: 802.11a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) / WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3 encryption supported /Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Connectivity requirements: Wi-Fi internet connection / Google Home app /Recommended: Phone or tablet running iOS or Android with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Bandwith Requirements: For optimal video quality at 1080p, working broadband internet connection with at least 2 Mbps upload speed per camera recommended (DSL may not qualify). / Cameras will use more bandwidth to stream video when there is more motion in the scene.
/ If you subscribe to Nest Aware, your camera streams all video to the cloud for secure offsite storage. You can adjust your camera’s video quality to use less bandwidth and monthly data. / The following article can help you estimate download bandwidth use, upload bandwidth use, and total monthly data use.
Warranty: Rest of world: 1-year limited warranty / Europe: 2-year limited warranty
Operating: Temperature: -4°F to 104°F (-20°C to 40°C)
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Installing is straight forward by adding in the Google Home assuming it has already login and profile setup previously. It leverage mostly the setting available through Google Home for the camera like defining Activity Zone and Alert, Set stay Home status or Away, option to selective notification.
One key benefit is the option to be independent of subscription as it retain 3 hours event history. If faced detection is needed it does require Nest Aware subscription that keep 60 days of video history.
On camera resolution is not the best, feels the grain in the picture and video and during night as well. But still does suffice for the basic.
However the most benefit seems the software behind for detection of motion and alert and trade for mobility as it use based on battery.
Note on the magnet that hold the camera, it is a very strong magnet and has warning of awareness for heart pace maker which make sense and user should be careful to keep the distance.
On the other hand, from the app, multiple users can view simultaneously the live video, and its audio deliver crisp sound conversation from mobile app and the camera allowing to maintain a conversation without lagging or froze of image and sound.
It is recommendable as per its price range vs the pack of features that support and better if using the Google Nest ecosystem.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Google Nest Cam (Indoor/Outdoor, Wire-Free) is a fantastic security camera with crisp video quality, smart alerts, and seamless integration with Google Home. The setup is quick, and the magnetic mount makes installation super easy. The AI-powered detection is accurate, reducing false alarms. My only gripe is the battery life—it works well but could last longer between charges. Overall, it's a reliable and user-friendly security solution!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Great Camera Quality & Easy Setup, But No 24/7 Video Playback
I’ve been a longtime Nest/Google camera user, and overall, these cameras have high-quality video, are easy to setup, and a user-friendly experience. The Google Home integration is seamless, the cameras are easy to position, and the battery lasts for months on a single charge. That said, they are impacted by cold weather, so keep that in mind if you live in colder climates.
However, removing 24/7 video playback for battery-operated cameras is a huge disappointment. One of the main reasons I invested in Nest’s higher-end models was for continuous video history, not just event-based clips. As a paying customer, I expect full access to the footage for the days I subscribe to, just like older Nest products allowed. This feels like a step backward in functionality and significantly reduces their value.
If Google brought back 24/7 video history, these would be near-perfect cameras. Until then, I can’t fully recommend them for those who need constant video coverage.
If you’re experiencing the same frustration because of the loss of 24/7 video playback, please leave a review and contact Google directly. There’s strength in numbers, and if enough of us speak up, the developers may restore this critical feature!
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Google Nest Support
Posted .
Thanks for sharing your feedback on the Nest Cam (battery), ElizaM. It’s always great to hear from a long time Nest user and we’re glad you're happy with video quality and the Google Home app. That said, we hear your concern about not having 24/7 video playback. Due to how much power is consumed with continuous recording, the only way to get 24/7 playback is to have it wired into a power supply and have a Nest Aware subscription. Here’s a link with more information on event and 24/7 video history: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9681538?sjid=9071148289954312292-NC As always, we’re here to help anytime: https://support.google.com/googlenest/gethelp?
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Installation
Cons mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
okay product wait for it to be on sale
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Posted . Owned for 1 year when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Google Nest Cam is a decent security camera, but it has its drawbacks. While the image quality is clear and it’s easy to set up, the battery life leaves much to be desired. I find myself having to recharge it at least once a week, which can be inconvenient, especially if it's mounted high up. If you plan on buying this, I’d recommend waiting for a sale and investing in the solar power attachments to avoid the hassle of frequent recharging. It’s a good camera overall, but the battery life could definitely be improved.
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Google Nest Support
Posted .
Hello Jerry. Thank you for sharing your experience with your Google Nest Cam battery. To help you improve your camera's battery life, we recommend you check out this link: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/10901611
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use, Night vision
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Unmatched Flexibility and Reliability
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Posted . Owned for 1 year when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Google Nest Cam Indoor/Outdoor Wire-Free is a testament to Google's commitment to delivering top-notch home security solutions that are both versatile and dependable. As someone who values the safety of their home and the ease of a wire-free setup, this camera has proven to be an exceptional addition to my smart home ecosystem.
One of the standout features of this camera is its wire-free design. No more dealing with tangled cables or the limitations of power outlets. The Nest Cam Wire-Free is truly hassle-free when it comes to installation, allowing you to place it wherever you need it most, whether indoors or outdoors. This flexibility means you can keep a watchful eye on your property, front porch, backyard, or any other area without the constraints of wiring.
The video quality is nothing short of impressive. With 1080p HD resolution and a wide field of view, the camera captures sharp, clear footage, both day and night. The inclusion of night vision ensures that you can monitor your surroundings 24/7, providing peace of mind around the clock. The camera's built-in infrared LEDs deliver clear and detailed images even in complete darkness.
Setting up the Nest Cam Wire-Free is a breeze, thanks to the user-friendly Google Home app. The app not only guides you through the installation process but also offers a convenient platform for monitoring and managing your camera remotely. Notifications are customizable, so you'll receive alerts when motion or sound is detected, allowing you to stay informed about what's happening at your property.
The camera's weather resistance ensures that it can withstand the elements, whether it's rain, snow, or extreme temperatures. This durability is crucial for outdoor use and ensures that your investment is built to last.
With the Nest Aware subscription, you gain access to advanced features like intelligent alerts, familiar face detection, and continuous video recording. These features further enhance the camera's capabilities, making it a powerful tool for home security and surveillance.
Privacy and data security are top priorities for Google, and this camera is no exception. The Nest Cam Wire-Free includes robust security measures such as two-factor authentication and data encryption, ensuring that your footage remains private and secure.
In conclusion, the Google Nest Cam Indoor/Outdoor Wire-Free is a versatile, high-quality security camera that offers unmatched flexibility and reliability. Its wire-free design, excellent video quality, and user-friendly app make it a valuable addition to any home security setup. Whether you're keeping an eye on your front door, backyard, or any other area of your property, this camera delivers the performance and convenience you need. It's a reliable guardian for your home that you can trust, rain or shine.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I'm loving there simplicity of this camera. It can go anywhere you need it to go. It connects to your home and nest network with shear ease. The picture and sound quality is great and it simply looks great. Now, I want to say, the color choice isn't my cup of tea, considering the fact that's it's designed for indoor and outdoor use. I bring that up because that was one of the goals for the camera. They wanted it to look good. Snow isn't the hue you want when placing this camera outside. I use this camera inside my home, which makes it easier to keep clean. But beyond that, it's absolutely great. It's connection to my other cameras is seamless. And the battery life, considering the short time I've had it, doesn't seem to be an issue. It can be plugged in which will give you a continuous live feed and one of my favorite features is the ability to to keep recording even during a power outage (for at least 3 hours) and then upload that footage after you regain power. Charging takes about 5 hours and with that, your up and rolling. The speaker is great to communicate with couriers or random passers-by and from what I see, the latency is really good. It's a relatively affordable camera that has some cool accessories ( like the wall mount seen in the photos, sold separately but useful but not necessary). I want to also mention the powerful magnet base on the camera itself. It adheres tightly to almost any metal you place it on. In the end, I would definitely recommend this camera to a friend and associate.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Nest camera is a really great cam for indoor/outdoor uses. Like the title implies, if you are new to the Nest/Google ecosystem, then you will be good. If you are already using older Nest cams and use the old Nest App, then you might run into some frustrations.
The camera itself is built solidly. Feels like a premium device and has the performance to back it up. Magnet is super strong to hold it in many different angles. Inside the box you will find the cam, charging cable, mounting hardware (there is also an optional sold separately indoor stand you can buy) and the quick start guide.
Once the camera is fully charged, set up is where I found my first issue. Now I use the Nest app, well because....it's the Nest app, but I quickly found out when trying to add new devices, it takes you to a screen that tells you you can only use the Google Home app to add the camera. Really? It's just my personal opinion but the Google Home app isn't the greatest as it is so convoluted. Yes, once everything is set up, you can just press the camera button on the top of the app to see all the cameras, but then why kill off the Nest App that is only for the cams? Ok, my personal rant is over.
The camera itself can be used wirelessly as the name implies, or you can also leave the cable on and keep it a wired cam if you do not want to keep charging it. Though in my honest opinion, the design of the cable charger is a little flawed as it angles OUTWARD toward the front of the camera causing me some awkward cable management issues. I will say this though, after mounting it in my backyard and using it for 3 days straight, it only drained ~3-4% and that was with me constantly logging in and turning on the camera to view live feed. But in the end, I just keep the charging cable in and routed the cable to make it 100% always plugged in.
Video and Sound quality are great as with all of other Google's line of cameras. HDR and Video quality was always sharp, day or night to see what is going on. Sound sensitivity can be adjusted to record all things ranging from dog barks, insect activity to people/cars. Sound is loud and clear.
After getting over the fact that I can't use the Nest App and started training myself to just use Google Home instead, I found myself not caring so much about it. It really does a nice job on what it is supposed to do. All in all, the Nest Cam is a great camera and worth it.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Very easy setup right out of the box. I already use the google home platform so integration was very simple. Physical installation was easy as it only has 2 screws needed to mount the hardware. The setup instructions walk you through the entire process from start to finish. Only issue I'm having right now is with the battery life on 2 cameras. Its only lasting a matter of days rather than weeks. I'm working through battery optimization to maximize the battery life. Video feed is great and provides clear video. Night time vision is solid. Overall, I am satisfied with these.
Hello there, Joseph! We’re glad that you like the Nest Cam (battery), and that the setup and installation went easy for you. We hear your concern, and we appreciate all your efforts to optimize the battery life. Aside from adjusting the settings like video quality, length of video clips, time between recorded events, and using activity zones to monitor specific areas, we suggest checking the camera placements as wireless interference and range issues can affect the overall performance of the cameras. Devices that struggle to stay connected to your Wi-Fi may drain their battery faster than usual.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The camera is ok. Most of the 1 star reviews are from people who didn't read the product description or properly research the item. "This camera doesn't work with the Nest app, 1 STAR."
Although the resolution is only 1080p, the quality looks much better than my Arlo cameras. If you want 24/7 video history, you need to buy the outdoor cable and the Nest Aware subscription.
Pros: Idiot proof installation, crisp 1080p resolution, HDR, fast intelligent alerts
Cons: Home app is not as good as Nest app, stupid proprietary charging cable, no previews on WearOS watch, old Nest cameras don't fully work with Home app yet
Hi Dust, we’re glad to hear your feedback and thanks for sharing your experience with the Nest Cam (Battery). We’re sorry to learn about such issues you have with the functionality, and with the charging cable. Users with older cameras can view their camera feeds in the Google Home app alongside the new Nest Doorbell and Nest Cams. Our teams are working on enabling the ability to setup and control older Nest cameras in the Home app so users will have one app to control all of their devices. We’re also working on bringing full functionality to the Google Home app because we wanted to create an integrated experience with your other Nest and smart home devices.
We’re taking your feedback seriously as this helps us identify areas we can improve for our product users like you. And if you have any questions or concerns, please let us know at the following link and we’ll do our best to help: https://support.google.com/googlenest/gethelp
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
It's fine - but there are better options out there
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have reviewed roughly six different cameras over time: Arlo (two types), Eufy (two types), Blink, Lorex and now Google. Of all of them, this sits right in the middle.
Unboxing, set-up and initial use was easy. Scan the QR code with the Google Home App that you likely already have on your phone/tablet; then you’re off to the races.
The magnetic mount is solid, however Google really sticks it to you (pun intended) because in order to have it face forward or down-ish, you need “their” stand which stinks in my opinion. If you try to lay it down to get a straight-on view, it rolls, as you’d expect from a round camera.
To get around this, cut the end off of a 4x2 about the size of the diameter of the bracket and screw the mount into that; you get the flat edge from keeping the camera from rolling around and it faces forward without the need for a mount (see pics).
After a full charge, the battery indicator said I had 6 weeks of battery. After a week (but not a crazy amount) of motion, but motion nonetheless, I also had 6 days left of battery - so the estimations seem pretty off. I’ve even moved it around the house to areas with not-so-great WiFi & it still seems to do well on battery life. Another saving grace here, is that the camera is only 1080p and doesn’t need to do all that extra processing.
This camera is more of an “observation” camera vs something you’d use for stealthy security, as it does a few odd things. First, you can “dim” the status LED, but you can’t turn it off all together. I don’t like this as I don’t want the camera to illuminate anything green and obvious at night when it detects motion. Next, if you go to say something out of the two-way microphone, it plays a tone first. The only reason I know this, is I was messing around with the App and hit the mic button accidentally and the people outside started looking around and asked me about it.
From a color and clarity perspective, Google is a bit darker for video quality (see pics). From within the App, you can download a local copy of your video but you can’t take a picture of what’s on the screen - you have to “screenshot” your phone/tablet to get a picture. That’s pretty weak.
There isn’t any local storage and you have to save your videos (without a subscription) within 3 hours. So, your house was broken into while you were at Disney World for the afternoon? Sorry, those clips are gone by the time you returned home; want to avoid this - pay more money to Google. With the subscription it’s cool to be able to ‘not alert’ when I get home, but do I really want that much _more_ facial recognition to be handled by these guys?
I’ll start with the Pros and Cons then wrap it up.
Pros:
Easy set up
Sturdy
Strong Magnet
Clarity / Quality
MagSafe-like magnetic charging cable
Battery Life
Cons:
ONLY 3 hours of saved video playback for free
No local storage
Can’t take a picture within the App
Google Home as the interface (and the buried menus)
Non-customizable notification sounds
Status LED can't be disabled
Overly bright Red IR lights
Activating Microphone plays a chime out of the camera
Isn't designed to sit flush on a table so they sell a mount that I have to buy
Subscription for: 30 days of video ( or 60 days for a premium price ) and the cool services
Do I recommend this camera? I’d say ‘No’ because there are better quality (2k/4k) cameras out there that allow for on-site/local storage without a subscription.
Hi nhtechie, thanks for letting us know of your experience with the Nest Cam (Battery). We’re sorry to learn that some camera features and hardware designs didn’t meet your needs and we appreciate you pointing these things out to help us identify areas we can improve for our customers’ like you.
Nest Cam battery is the first battery camera created at Google Nest which features full on device machine learning that can detect pets, vehicles, people, faces and packages all without any cloud processing. And unlike the previous versions of Nest cameras, all the new cameras come with free 3 hour event-based video history.
Battery life will depend on factors including activity, temperature, and camera settings that you select. You can extend the battery life of your camera by adjusting video quality, length of video clips, and using activity zones to monitor specific areas. We suggest adjusting the video quality in settings to balance high resolution video with longer battery life and lower bandwidth use. Check this link that might be helpful for you: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/10901611
We care about your experience and are taking your feedback seriously. If you need further assistance with your Nest Cam, let us know and we’d be more than happy to help: https://support.google.com/googlenest/gethelp
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Ease of use
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Love Nest
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Love nest cameras. I’ve owned nest cameras for several years long before Google purchase them. I almost went away from them when Google acquired nest because the app was horrible. But the Google Home app has improved a lot and I am recently moved to a new location and decided to go with nest cameras for all of my home security. So glad I did. Quality of the video is outstanding, these cameras acquire the Wi-Fi, and the app, seamlessly, and connecting them has been a breeze. I love this camera as it overlooks my backyard and I love the full 190° view. I highly recommend nest cameras, even though I know they are more expensive than most of the others, but to me they are definitely worth it.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
So theres a few pros and cons with these. The pi ture quality is great. Theyre easy to install. The battery could be better if camera gets alot of activity it seems to die faster. Its kind of ridiculous to me you pay a few hundred for a camera but the camera doesnt have all the features the camera boast without paying for a subscription. If your wifi goes out you cannot access the cameras at all but they will continue to record but you wont be able to access it till you regain wifi. Cant quite pic up the difference between a dog and a person its ability to do so was another thing boasted about when researching if these cameras were gonna be a good fit for my needs. They do the job i need them to though so could be better but definitely not the worst. They do also hold up good to the elements.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
About
The NQ security camera is the latest indoor/outdoor camera by Google. It is a 1080p camera that is completely wireless. The key feature for this camera is the ease of setting it up and the ability to install it almost anywhere within your Wi-Fi’s range.
Setup
The setup and installation of this camera is about as simple as you will find. Plug it in for a while to charge. Download the Google Home app if you don’t already have it. Run through the setup process to add the camera. The mounting bracket simply uses two screws, so that just depends on the surface being mounted upon. Once the bracket is mounted, the camera attaches by magnetic mount. That’s about it. You can tweak the settings in the Google Home app.
Features
Here are some of the main features of the camera:
• 1080p video quality (2 settings for quality in the app)
• Night Vision
• Can be used indoor or outdoor
• Wire free installation – battery powered
• Phone alerts for movement
• Learning facial recognition (in the settings)
• Audio recording and speaking
My Experience
Video Quality - I consider the video quality to be average. 1080p is full HD, but many cameras these days offer 2K or 4K. 1080p was probably chosen to limit the strain on the battery. I had to use the max setting for the video quality to feel like it was worth using.
Audio Quality – The person viewing the camera feed can hear the person on camera clearly while they are close to the camera (10 feet). Further away (20+ feet) it is not very clear. The bigger issue was when the person viewing speaks there is a terrible echo on the camera side. For instance, if you are talking to the delivery person at your door, you will hear them fine, but they will hear you and their own echo. The echo is louder than the other person’s voice.
Setup – I thought the setup was easy. The package has two screws and two drywall anchors. If you need to attach into anything but drywall, you may need to buy appropriate fasteners. I thought that this was a little skimpy on the manufacturing side.
Charging Cord – The charging cord is less than 3’ long and it is a proprietary connection. If you planned to leave the cord connected to avoid charging the battery manually, you should consider this.
Security – The magnetic mount means that the camera itself can be stolen easily. The good news is that you’ll probably have a video of them taking it. The bad news is that you will be out a camera if that happens. You could mount the camera out of reach, but you’ll need to consider that when you have to take the camera down to charge the battery every so often.
Battery Consumption – The battery consumption seems to be fairly minimal. On max video quality I have used 2% over the course of a full day. My camera was installed indoors and not in a very high traffic area. Those two factors will affect your battery usage.
App Quality – I like the Google Home App that controls the settings. The play back feature is easy to use. Many of the other camera manufacturers have awful playback software. The alerts seem to be prompt as well, but that will be dependent on your internet connection.
Overall
The Google NQ Security Camera is a fairly average camera. The video and audio features aren’t particularly flashy. The big attraction for this camera is that you can install it easily and mount it almost anywhere. No wires to run and it can be easily controlled on the Google Home App. There are definitely some things that could be better such as video quality, audio echo, the short charging cord, lack of mounting materials. All things considered, I am giving this camera 3 stars. If Google made this in 4K video quality, I would immediately bump this up to a 4 star rating.
Hi sgriesch, thanks for sharing your detailed review with us. We're sorry to hear that the video quality, sound quality, charging cable and lack of additional mounting materials for Nest Cam (Battery) didn't quite meet your expectations.
We´re always searching for ways to improve our products, and we've taken note of your feedback. In the meantime, we'd like to help you further with the echo issue you are experiencing with your Nest Cam (Battery). Please feel free to contact our support team here: https://support.google.com/googlenest/gethelp
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Cons mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Perfect…For Me Anyway.
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Ok so everyone’s needs are different.
1. If you want a camera with great battery life then this one isn’t for you. For me though, I plug mine in and the battery is just a backup. This is the only camera I believe on the market that will record locally if the power and/or Wi-Fi goes out AND send it back to the cloud when the power comes back on. Arlo you can record to a flash drive but only if the Wi-Fi goes out and it wont send it back to the cloud.
2. 1080p is average but good. Nothing to complain about.
3. It is on the larger size but that isn’t an issue for me.
4. I thought the magnetic mount was a bit cheesy and so I used an adjustable I had. I didn’t like angles I was getting and so I went to the magnetic mount that came with it. I was glad i did because it is a lot better than I thought.
5. So one reason for leaving my Arlo cameras was because it would alert me for all sorts of motion even though I told it only people and animals. I find with the Google Battery cameras the alerts work very well. When I say only people it gives me only people. You also have control over record but no alert for a specific type of event.
6. So here is the biggie for me and why I gave it 5 stars and not 4…Continuous recording. I have had things happen with other cameras where it didn’t pick up the motion. That happens a lot with whatever brand you use that doesn’t use pixel changes to record. The solution was to continuous record. I was paying $20 a month with Arlo to continuous record just one camera. Now I am paying $10 a month to continuously record from all my Google cameras. That is a big savings that will pay for itself in a year or so. The downside though is that you can’t export video unless it is an event however there are ways around that if the need arises.
So the camera checks all MY boxes. For others I can see the frustration. If you like the nest app and don’t want to use Google Home then I am sure that would disappoint me too. However I don’t have other Nest products so I don’t mind using Google Home. I do however think some of the reviews are unfair because if they had done their research then they would know that it wouldn’t work with the nest app. It isn’t a secret that Google is doing away with the Nest app to bring everyone under one app (Google Home).
I would recommend this to a friend
Brand response from Nest Support
Posted .
Hi CamGuy, thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you find Nest Cam (battery) great. Your patronage and satisfaction are what drives us in improving our products and services, and we’ll make sure to pass along your feedback to the right team. If you need assistance, our support team is always here to help. You can reach out to us anytime using this link: https://support.google.com/googlenest/gethelp
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Night vision
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Google Nest Cam Indoor/Outdoor
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Posted . Owned for 11 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Google Nest Cam Indoor/Outdoor is a great product—durable, easy to set up and install, and perfect for both inside and outside use. Its night vision is excellent, providing clear images even in the dark. Notifications are fast and reliable, keeping you informed about activity at home. Highly recommended
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Easy setup and nice picture quality for 1080p..
Setting up was as easy as downloading Google Home to your phone and adding a new device. There's a QR scanner on the front of the camera that you can scan to connect to the app.
Install and App:
The app itself is intuitive and seems to work smoothly.
You simply open the app click on your camera and you're brought to either alive you or you can click on history to see triggered events from the past. Here you can also go to a ‘more’ setting to turn the camera on and off.
In the history tab you can view a timeline of events, or you can click on the full history to see past events.
This camera only records when it's triggered by an ‘event’ when using the free subscription. You get 3 hours of events total.
Nest Aware subscription sold separately. Continuous video recording requires that you wire Nest Cam with the Weatherproof Cable (sold separately). Familiar face alerts not available on cameras used in Illinois. For $60/yr you can get 30 days of recorded events and for $120/yr you can get 24/7 video history and 60 days backup.
To get to live video you need to open Google Home and tap on the camera icon. I do like how quickly the live video pops up after you press the button. However, I wish that when you clicked on a notification that would take you directly to the event it gave you notice about. My other two devices do this and automatically starts playback.
Camera:
I was kind of surprised Google has not taken this to 2k or 4k, but I will say the quality is very good for 1080p.
I mounted under an eve where I could plug it in with the weatherproof cable (sold separately), so I didn’t have to mess with charging it.
Battery will last you 1-6 months depending on use and event triggers.
If you lose power and Wi-Fi, you have onboard recording for one hour.
The Wi-Fi signal is great, no problems experienced at all.
The camera comes with a very strong magnetic base for easy mounting and removal.
Two-way audio seems to be clear and with very little delay.
Zones – you can set up your own zones and set notifications for vehicles, people, animals and all other motion.
Here is an issue that should be considered.
I did notice that I got much better event recording when plugged in. When on battery power it sometimes missed or shortened events that my other cameras (also running on battery) picked up. It missed a car pulling in my driveway but picked it up as the people got out of the car.
I did check my Zone setting and they all appear correct. I also turned off the Automatic battery saver and set the battery usage to ‘More recoding’ This help a little but still has a delayed start to the event when compared to when it is plugged in.
If you use this inside, you most likely won’t have this issue.
The optional stand for inside use is a nice feature with a heavy sturdy base (Sold Separately at $29.99)
Motion detection - 110 degree viewing angle which is okay, but not the widest out there. It states up to 25ft.
Pros:
Easy set up
Nice magnetic Mount
Quick interface with mobile app
Battery life
Google Home environment
Built in intelligence
Easy set up of detection area’s
Wi-Fi connection
Cons:
1080p
110° horizontal field of view (Up to 25ft.) – Others I own have 130° to 160°
Inconsistent event triggers while in battery mode.
Large footprint
Overall, a good quality camera and a nice easy to use app that works with your Google Home account.
If you are looking for 2K + or a wider viewing angle I would not recommend this unit as there are other choices out there for about the same price that seem to do a little better job on event recording when in battery mode. However, if you want to keep everything in the Google home environment and you use the power cable or use in battery mode inside, this would be a good entry point for you.
Hi Mukman, we´re glad to hear you liked your Nest Cam (Battery) and we'd like to thank you for sharing details about your experience. However, we´re sorry to hear that you missed some events when using Nest Cam (Battery) on battery power.
We believe that video resolution is only one factor that impacts video quality, and it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when choosing a camera. Your Nest Cam (Battery) has full HD resolution with HDR video quality that’s optimized for a clear view in bright sun or dark. Keep in mind that it also helps save battery power.
Event based recording triggered by motion detection on Nest Cam (Battery) can be affected by changes in the light level, and shadows moving across the frame like when a cloud moves in front of the sun. This also includes other movements within the camera's field of view like trees or bushes swaying. If you're not getting any alerts or notifications, we recommend trying out the steps below: 1. Change the Activity Zones on your camera. You can delete your existing Activity Zone and create a new one in any area within your camera's field of view. Just make sure that none of the zones you create overlap. 2. Change the angle of your camera and account for the lighting in the surrounding area. 3. Restart your Camera.
Storage for the battery accounted for the larger size of your Nest Cam (Battery), hence the larger footprint.
We'd like to learn more about the missing event based recordings when using your Nest Cam (Battery) on battery mode. If you´re willing to try, please contact our support team so we can provide further assistance using this link: https://support.google.com/googlenest/gethelp
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality
Cons mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
First time buying cameras.
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I walked in right away someone asked if they can help me I was not sure about the product because I had no idea about the product because this is my first time buying cameras. She explained about the product and that her self had the same, and that they work wonderful that they were a little bit more pricier than the ones that we were looking at. But we needed the best quality to see who’s coming in and out of our property. I like the fact that they’re wireless, but not the fact that I have to charge A more frequently because of the heat but other than that the picture has great quality and picks up emotions and animals and everything that comes in and out the yard and you can see it perfectly
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Camera quality, Installation
Cons mentioned:
Battery life
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent cameras
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I've had all different types of cameras like these, ring, nest, arlo, etc. I had the Nest cam IQ ones with the person tracking feature as my latest ones. Saw some reviewers state that these new ones wouldn't have as good video quality as IQ ones and I can tell you that is not true at all.
These have excellent quality and notifications are received way faster and work much better within Google Home app. There was always a gap in time an event occurred to when I got a notification or could view video feed in the Nest app. That problem is now gone.
I have three of these around the house and two of the new floodlight cams and all work very well together and were very easy to install and setup. I have them plugged in with all weather cable. I did find on one that the cable was bad. Not really sure what was wrong with the cable, but when plugged in the app showed camera working on battery power. I swapped out the cable with a new one and it fixed the issue.
The app has features for setting activity zones and then setting how you and what you get for notifications inside AND outside your zone. Pretty sweet feature. You can also set if you want notifications for items like animals, people, vehicles, or other motion. You can also set notifications to only be received when your away since one may not want notifications while your home with your cameras on. There is also different video history options and will depend on if you have very affordable subscription service. Some cameras I set to 60 day event and 10 day 24/7 and others I set to just 60 day event. There's a handful of other settings like wake up sensitivity, video quality, night vision, etc.
Overall these cameras are a great value and high quality.