Customer Ratings & Reviews

Google's new Nest 2K outdoor camera delivers meaningful upgrades in a slightly more compact package. Setup was super easy. I had it connected and assigned to a "room" in Google Home within minutes. The big upgrade here is the 2K resolution which is a substantial improvement over the previous generation. Video just looks overall better and zooming in is now a lot more clear. I noticed the field of view is greater as well which means you can capture more area. I've been using mine for backyard monitoring, primarily for animal and people detection, and it's been excellent at catching events and sending timely notifications. As a bonus, it's compatible with last year's magnetic mount. So upgrading doesn't require replacing your existing mount. Key features: Customizable activity zones Seamless viewing across multiple devices (phone, smart displays, and Google TVs) Quick notifications Crisp daytime viewing and night vision Customizable events (animal, people, car, package, etc) Gemini AI integration Note that while these cameras function without a monthly subscription, there's a significant trade off in recording capabilities without it. Comparing this camera to last gen. 1080p camera: 3-minute recorded clips + 3 hours of video previews 1440p (2K) camera: 10-second recorded clips + 6 hours of video previews That drop from 3 minutes to 10 seconds at the higher resolution is disappointing. Would have liked to see more, something more like 1 min. If you dont plan on getting the Home subscription you'll need to weigh whether longer clips at lower resolution or better quality with minimal recording works for your needs. Overall this is a nice upgrade, especially if you are already in Googles Nest eco system. Just be aware that you'll need the subscription to unlock its full recording potential.

Having multiple previous gen nest cams, video quality is hardly an improvement over last gen. Quality wise, What you see live and what you get recorded are night and day. The recorded events look like garbage. Wait for a 4k cam or move on. Returned and mabey moving on from nest in the future. For the price you could buy multiple competitor cameras

Summary: Great video quality (2k), robust weather protection, easy to set up, stays connected (WIFI). Quality costs, but you get what you pay for in this 2nd generation wired (for power) outdoor cam. A decent microphone and speaker mean two-way communication is possible (but not a doorbell). Comes with a tried and tested App for checking in on it, but for all the bells and security whistles there is a subscription service. Pro’s: - Compact, unobtrusive design. - Easy to install. - Great 2k video resolution. - Clear night vision - Fast live view - Expanded video view - Comprehensive easy to use App. - Fast alerts - 30 days of event video history (with subscription) - One hour of events storage (events are short) if WIFI goes down - Green led lets you know video is active Con’s: - Subscription service is required for any long-term video capture and recording. The more cameras you have the more it makes sense. - The power cable is shorter than version 1, only 10 feet in gen 2. You (of course) by an extension for more money. Matter of Taste: - It’s Google. With all the privacy disclaimers that involves. I do turn it off if I want privacy. - No manual. It’s all online. - It’s wired, I like that because it means I don’t have to play with batteries when I am gone months at a time, but your needs might be different. - Gemini AI features… generally work as advertised but still subject to randomness. - 10 foot Power cable could be longer. More Words: Disclaimer first, I have owned the generation 1 design for over 8 years and been impressed with its ability to survive very harsh winters (ocean facing gale wind Maine with no heater). I am only replacing it because I love the view and want the improved 2k video resolution, and I am happy that gen 2 represents a significant improvement (except for power cord length). You can get cheaper outdoor cams so what are you paying for? Quality, a design that is seamless, extremely weather resistant, great video, and yes, great software. It’s easy to install, a plate you screw to the wall, and the cam attaches by magnet, meaning it’s easy to adjust on a ladder. Yes, it is wired for power, but that means you don’t have to fret over it to keep it charged. And the wiring is weather proofed. The App, Google Home, is your primary contact point, though you can share the video feed via URL. It is surprisingly easy to use and self-explanatory including zoom in capability and AI search capabilities. Bottom line is if you want an outdoor surveillance system that you can set up and ignore, this is it. I use it for a summer cabin; it gives me peace of mind during the winter when I am absent.

I am heavily invested in the Google ecosystem, so I was happy to see this upgrade after quite some time. Set-up was a breeze and could not be much easier. More or less plug and play with a quick QR scan added in. Install was the same for me, but I suppose that will somewhat depend on your specific situation. The camera itself is a pretty significant upgrade over past models. Video looks much better as a whole, but also when zooming. It really is noticeable. Both during the day as well as at night. It also has a larger field of view. There are a bunch of nice features, most of which people will be familiar with: activity zones, notifications, events, seamless viewing across multiple devices, recorded clips, and video previews...etc. These all work well, but unfortunately, you lose a little bit of utility with some of them if you decline the monthly subscription. As I said, I have been in the Google world for some time, so I was covered here, but it is something to note. Additionally, while Google Home has served me well over the years, it sometimes has been a bit of a mess. While I am excited to hopefully see the Gemini rollout to Home be successful, and have some added functionality to the camera, we are not there yet. Time will tell with this one. That said, this is a good camera and very nice upgrade over previous models. If you are already in the ecosystem, or not, really, I think it will work well for just about everyone. Just be sure to check if you think you will want the added subscription cost as well if you are not already subscribed.

I already have several Google Nest cameras monitoring my property so I was excited to add this camera into my current ecosystem. Set up and installation was super easy, there’s a QR code on the camera so all you have to do is open your Google Home app, scan the QR code and the camera sets up. It’s that easy. Installation was a breeze. I found the location I wanted to put the camera, mounted th camera and ensures I had the right angle to monitor the area I wanted, and then I was done. The power cord was plenty long enough for me, and the cable clips helped me secure and hide the wire along my house. The clarity of these cameras was noticeably different than my current set up. I was able to zoom in and get less pixelation, get more clarity, and overall better performance. I’m not surprised being that my current Nest cams are several years old, so I was excited to see the upgrade was noticeably better. I’ve been a user of the Google Home/Nest app for several years already and have an active subscription. I absolutely recommend getting an active subscription if you’re gonna use this camera, it unlocks all the features and makes it completely worth it. It’s a small price to pay for everything you get in return! Well worth the upgrade!

I was hesitant to get this camera as I am not as big of a fan of Google Home as I was Nest app. The last one we got on this platform was not my favorite. They have made many user freindly updates since my last Google Nest camera putchase. The camera is super crisp. The facial recognition works really well. We are in a time where my toddler wants to let him out into the backyard on his own. This gives us instant notifications when he sneaks out. I am also able to talk through the camera. Anyone outback can clearly hear the voice co.ing through the camera. The microphone pickes up voices great as well. I love that I can turn notifications off for animals. We have 4 dogs, so without that feature we would have notifications non stop. I thought the color was going to be more of a sage green, its really more grey. That was the only thing I was dissapointed in. The power cord that comes with it is extremely long, making installation a breeze. The Google Home app has become more userfriendly and categorizes every interaction. I enjoy these upgrades

The 2nd generation Nest Cam Outdoor features really great image quality and integrates nicely into the Google Home app – which I’m already using for other connected home devices. The app walked me through each of the steps to setup and install the camera, and I was very pleased to find everything needed (including screws, anchors, and even cable clips) right there in the box. Once the camera was up and running, I used the Google Home app to set detection zones and setup my notification preferences all of the things this camera can detect -- people, familiar faces, animals, vehicles, etc. I already had a Google Home subscription when I added this camera to my system, and I’ll note that a paid subscription required for some of its features (like more than 6 hours of cloud video storage and familiar face detection). The alerts seem to be reliable, and the video is very clear and crisp, in daytime or after dark. The Google Home app isn’t the most intuitive to use for filtering detected events, but once you get used to it, it isn’t so bad. Some other nice perks – there’s plenty of cord (18 feet), and the wall plug is small enough to fit into the enclosure surrounding my outdoor outlets (and even leave room for the other plug to be used). Overall, this is a nice upgrade from the first-generation

A nice upgrade from the original Nest cams. I’ve had an outdoor Nest camera since before they were bought by Google, and it’s great to see them finally give it some proper attention. Physically, it’s practically identical which is a good thing. The design is compact, modern, and elegant enough to belong most anywhere. The low profile magnetic mount is strong and securely holds the camera in a wide range of angles which also gives you the freedom to mount it in more places. If it’s built like the original, it should hold up for years without issue. Picture quality wise, it’s a sharp and bright 2K image that’s good for catching details. The camera angle is wide enough to cover a whole patio without heavily distorting subjects. Audio pick up is good and night vision is fairly clear. It’s a solid camera all around and if you’re coming from an older Nest cam, it’s pretty much the same but sharper. The major notable change in the Google Nest Cam is the addition of Gemini Ai and the Google Premium Advanced service. The camera works well without the Google Premium Advanced service, but adding it sure adds a lot of advanced features. It unlocks 60 days of event history, 10 days of 24/7 video history, facial recognition, and a really neat but creepy Daily Briefing. And I only say it’s creepy because of how detailed it is. It reminds me that “the eye is always watching”, which I guess is what you want from a security camera. It’s just funny seeing notes on yourself. But as smart as it can seem, it also frequently mistakes black squirrels for a cat and sometimes mistakes shadows for cars. It’s still really convenient that it describes every event though. Scrolling through the history it’ll label events like “”person delivers package”, “a black Mercedes Benz SUV drives by”, “a person in a blue sweatshirt walks by”, and of course “a cat walks up stairs”. Even though that cat was a squirrel, the rest were pretty dead on. And the best part of it all is that the service upgrades seemingly all generations of the Nest cam. I was shocked to find out that even my original, over 10 years old OG Nest camera was upgraded with the new Gemini Ai features. It’s incredible. Should you buy the new Nest camera? If you’re in the market for a wireless cloud based security cam system, I think it’s an excellent option. It’s well built, the picture quality is great, it’s easy to access footage from your phone, and the Google Premium Advanced service makes it super easy to sift through footage. PROS - Excellent picture quality - Syncs with Google Home - Well built - Comes with install hardware - Gemini daily briefings are neat - Easy setup - Event history easily searchable - 10 days 24/7 video history accessible in cloud with Google Premium Advanced sub - 60 days of event history accessible in cloud with Google Premium Advanced sub CONS - Knowing the camera is “always” watching - Level of detail in Gemini daily briefings can be creepy - Gemini Ai can be really accurate or really off

Nowadays indoor/outdoor cameras seem to be more commonplace with a variety of companies putting out similar products. However, Google has continued to put out superior products in this category. With the latest iteration here they have definitely improved on multiple facets while retaining that same ease of use from previous versions. First, right out of the box the actual cosmetics of the camera have not changed as it still retains that premium look and feel. The mounting process is still the same with the included magnetic mount and takes less than 10 minutes. So far I have had no issues with its durability where the hope is it performs over time similar to the last version as I utilize those throughout my home and they are still going strong. Looking at the actual performance of the camera is where the upgrades come into play. The most important facet is obviously video quality which is where this shines as the 2K video is extremely crisp both during the day and at night. During the day the colors are very vibrant and then the night vision here has really stepped its game up as you no longer get the grainy black and white footage as you do with other cameras. The component that is fairly similar to prior models is the extreme field of view as this is something that is great that many other cameras don`t have as the wide field of view here is a huge selling point to reduce the number of cameras needed around your home. Along with the upgraded performance of the camera is the more advanced tracking and alerts. Naturally they throw around the term “AI” here, but the alerts now are definitely a lot better than the previous version. The face tracking and object/event tracking are exponentially better. Instead of the usual “motion detected” alert it actually describes the event taking place. Now yes, it does have a monthly subscription fee to fully utilize these features, but it is definitely worth the cost. After you try it for that first month they will definitely have you hooked to keep using it. Overall, if you're looking for an outdoor camera that provides crisp/clear video with a large frame of view that will provide actual relevant alerts when motion is detected then this is exactly what you are looking for. The integration with the traditional Google Home app is seamless along with the ease of the installation. Google has definitely continued to remain at the top of the pack with smart home products here and leaves nothing further to be desired in an outdoor camera. For that reason I would highly recommend this product.

Google has been a major supplier of my ventures into our medium venture into the “smart home”. I started with the Nest (now Google Nest) smoke detectors as we moved into our new house, now about 20 years ago. I added various smart light bulbs and lighting, various brands, and a couple of Nest Hub displays. I even had a Google security alarm system, which alas they discontinued after I had only had it for a couple of years. When I had the security system, we had a couple of cameras, and added the Google Hello doorbell. I am pretty hearing impaired, since my mid 40s, and often even with hearing aids can miss a doorbell ring. But these days, the doorbell also vibrates my smart watch, and sends a text to my phone and watch. So for me, handy integration, even if it is not a Google watch or phone. We had two outdoor security cameras, both Google Nest, and the original generation, probably 5-7 years old. We live in a pretty low crime area in a medium sized town, so there is not much road activity on our street, further enhanced by being a dead end street, so no through traffic. The doorbell integrated camera covered the front of the house and walkway pretty well, so the other cameras were on the garden shed and the back porch, scanning the backyard and driveway areas. We live on a small river, and the other bank of the river is the border of a state park, so the “security” camera’s major function is to record through the night all the the wildlife friends who pass through our backyard. We would have the usual small varmints: neighborhood pets, raccoons, squirrels, but courtesy of living abutting a state forest, we get raccoons, porcupines, woodchucks, deer, foxes, and even black bears. In just the last few weeks, I have started to receive from Google, a daily synopsis of all the perceived camera images. And courtesy of Gemini AI, it has been very accurate for our daytime comings and going in the yard, noting what color jacket I was wearing, if I had a cap on, whether I had a shovel or a rake in my hand, etc. And the Nest older gen cameras and the Hello doorbell (not the newest generation), facial recognition is active, noting me by name as I putter in the backyard, tending to taking the garden trellises down, winding hoses, etc. But it submits a detailed outline of the activity, rather than just stating that “motion noted in backyard". At about the same time, Google released the Gen 2 camera. The reports generated by the vintage camera seemed pretty good, but the AI integration seems to have greatly enhanced the attention to detail, color and style of clothing, etc. For example, a “male wearing a black hoodie walks up the front steps and then departs” rather than “person seen”. The Gen 2 camera installed very easily. There is a generous length of power cable to lead from the camera to the electrical outlet. Pairing the camera to the Google Home app was simple, via a Q code sticker that was attached to the product. The product came with enough screws, wire securing clips, and inserts to use on sheet rock wallboard. It probably took me under 30 minutes. Attached to the garden shed, and powered by a portable lithium battery “power station” (recharged by solar panels on the roof of the shed), the wildlife camera is a three season guardian of our backyard. I already have the Nest Aware (extra subscription charge) program, which was the basic monitoring plan. It seems that the upgrades I have been seeing in my Google Home app have all been roll-outs of Google Gemini, rather than upgrade due to the new Generation 2 camera. Just a coincidence with my obtaining the new camera at the same time. The difference between the Gen 2 camera from my prior cameras are mostly with higher video quality resolution (2K resolution improved over the prior cameras 1080 p resolution ) and wider field of view (150 degrees diagonal FOV over the 130 degree FOV prior cameras). The new model offers a higher dynamic range of resolution, HDR (High Dynamic Range): The 2K models include HDR, which improves image clarity in high-contrast lighting situations (like when there is bright sun or glare). How much a difference that makes in my usage, I’m not yet able to discern, as we enter into the autumn season with lower sun in the sky and less intense daylight. In summary, I think the advances that Google is offering in the AI boost of the interpretation of the footage, whether in the video doorbell or surveillance cameras, and (eventually) the Nest Hub screens indoors will be available for the entire lines of Google Home devices. So I would not “upgrade” a perfectly fine doorbell or camera at this point. But certainly, if you have an unmet need for a device, the 2K camera will not disappoint!

This is a great 2k outdoor security camera. This camera comes with about 20 feet of wire and a two prong plug. For an outdoor setup it is easy for me to cover my backyard and fire pit with my patio chairs which we wanted to keep a camera covered to deter thieves. Out of the box it comes with the necessary hardware to mount this camera. What I like about these security cameras is it is very easy to mount and then with the magnetic base you can find the precise angle you would like the camera to be setup with. The setup is very easy and you just need a google account to subscribe to for storing footage of the camera. The wide angle view is very nice and picks up alot more than I had anticipated so it was well worth the cost of the camera. I really like to you reduce the amount that you would like to have recorded and also I really like the video play back and how detailed the video footage is. I love looking through the events and seeing if a person or animal was detected as we live by a highway behind our house so it will say vehicle or person or animal which is great to see so you don't waste your time looking through all the videos. I would highly recommend purchasing one of these cams. I have battery cameras but I do like if feasible using the wired so I don't need to worry about changing batteries in the middle of winter.

I've had this camera for a few days and it's been great. Its very similar to the older cameras we have but improved in almost every aspect. The installation is very easy. The paper instructions are clear and concise, and anything that's not covered in them is easily accessible through the QR code and online instructions. Setup was quick and painless. Everything worked correctly and synced up just as it should. I was able to add it to the existing app and the new camera came up alongside all the existing cameras with not problem. The 2k image quality is a great improvement over the older cameras. I can zoom in a lot further and still see the detail than with the older cameras. The viewing angle is still wide enough to cover almost everything that I'd want to see. The Gemini features are very handy and the voice prompts are very convenient. I'm still getting used to using all of them but I can see how they'll make life more convenient and easier to go back through the videos. Overall I'd say this is a great new product. They improved the camera in almost every way and I haven't found any real problems with it yet.

We have our home integrated quite deeply into the Google ecosystem, so when we started looking for additional cameras to add coverage, Google's Nest cameras were the first place we looked. This camera is their latest generation, adding 2k resolution to the mix. Their previous HD 1920x1080 resolution was already sharp - this just takes it to the next level! The provided cord is 18 feet long. Granted, this is quite a long cord, but I'll be on the lookout for 3rd party solar power kits for it. This is our first Google branded outdoor camera, so we are hopeful that solar power becomes available for it so we don't have to have that long power cord running to an outlet. Don't get me wrong - 18 ft is a long cord, but it's see a hinderance because you have to be within 18 ft of an outlet! Two-way audio is quite clear and intelligible on both ends. I do love how they moved to a magnetic attachment to the base, giving you pretty much unlimited freedom on how it points. I look forward to getting just a few more Google Nest cameras - then we can do away with the DVR-based cameras we have setup now covering those fringe areas. Google for the win!

This was really easy to setup as the review title implies. No hard wiring required and the app provided really awesome instructions to get it setup and setup the wire as cleanly as possible. You can also stick the QR code under the camera on the base to make it easy to setup again as suggested in the instructions. The camera also moves on the base magnetically. It’s a super strong magnet so once you mount the base, it’s really easy to adjust. The motion alerts are accurate and the live feed also opens up very quickly. The video is crisp and the audio comes through really clearly. The two way audio also works really great. The night vision is also top notch so you can see the feed really clearly at night. It also works right in the Google Home app so you can control it really easily along with other Google devices. The pending addition of Gemini AI support indicated in the app is also going to make the camera even better when it’s released. Overall, I highly recommend this camera based on the ease of setup and the overall quality.

So, this would have 5 stars but for the fact that to use all functions and make use of long term history, you need to subscribe to a google plan with a monthly fee. For some this is a deal breaker for others the non subscription features could be worth it. As far as form factor, this is a sleek unit that is compact and easy to mount just about anywhere. I really like the Nest magnetic base which allows for easy aiming into the environment you want to protect. It comes with mounting hardware that is very straight forward to use. The main advantage of a wired unit is that you can place it anywhere there is power and not worry about batteries. Of course, if the power goes out and you don't have it plugged into a UPS, it stops transmitting and recording. The cord is plenty long and the wall wort is small and only takes up one power strip or outlet space. The image is during the day is sharp and clear with surprisingly low latency. Night vision is surprisingly clear. You will get a black & white image but is clear enough to identify who and what is happening. I couldn't make out license plate numbers unless the car was very close though. On the other hand, I haven't had a device that with IR only that does this. Installation was as easy as it could be. Just scan the QR code and add to your google home account. The price is very reasonable for all the features that are available.

Protecting your home involves more than just installing locks and setting alarms. For some, adding outdoor cameras provides you with the peace of mind that only visual confirmation can give, whether you're inside the house or away on vacation for an extending period of time. That security is turned up a notch with the Google Outdoor Nest Cam. With its clear picture, practical features, and seamless integration into your Google Home environment, the Nest Cam is the perfect addition to secure your home. Putting up the device is a breeze. The Nest Cam is packed with everything you need to set it up quickly, including its weatherproof power adapter, a magnetic wall mount, several cable clips, and mounting hardware. All you have to bring to the table is a screwdriver and the Google Home app on your phone for step-by-step installation instructions. Because the device is the wired version, I set mine up outside of a second-floor window from a room that sits above my driveway. I ran the wire through a small hole drilled by a previous owner that was used for cable and used the cable clips to keep the interior space clutter-free. The provided wire is very long but for my needs, I didn't need it to be. It can be rotated so that the camera can be installed in all kinds of positions, even upside-down if needed. The picture quality of the Nest Cam is excellent. With such high resolution, I am able to clearly see the entire driveway and front yard area I was hoping to keep in view, as well as the street and a good amount of the surrounding neighborhood. The app has plenty of free features to view day and night scenes, and the paid subscriptions open up a wide range of options to capture video, alert movement or noises, and even communicate with anyone in range in real time. My car was recently involved in a hit-and-run on my street in front of my house, and this device would have easily caught the event had it been installed already. Overall, I am very happy with the Google Outdoor Nest Cam. It was easy to put up and get going on the Google Home app right away, and the feature-filled subscription is worth a few bucks a month for the peace of mind it brings. Highly recommended.

As a current user of the Google Home ecosystem and Nest cameras, I was excited to try out the new Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd Generation) with its upgraded 2K video capability. After using the camera for more than a week, I can honestly say it’s probably not worth the upgrade if you already use the first-generation Google Nest Cam (Indoor/Outdoor) models. If you’re just starting to build your Google ecosystem, this is a great option since it’s the newest model on the market. However, if the first-generation versions go on sale, those might actually be the better buy. In the Box & Setup Inside the box, you’ll find the camera, the newly designed second-generation magnetic mount, wall anchors and screws, and cable clips to help tidy up the 18-foot power cable. Setup is quick and easy—just open the Google Home app, scan the included QR code on the camera, and in about a minute, the device is added to your account. From there, you can complete the rest of the setup through the app. Design & Mounting The new camera’s magnetic mount is noticeably stronger than the first generation’s. The originals were already solid, but this one feels even more secure, which is nice. The field of view has also been improved—from 130° on the first generation to 152°—so you get a wider and taller image that captures more detail in the frame. That said, I actually preferred the power options on the first generation. The 2nd Gen camera has a hardwired, non-replaceable power cable, with a short lead permanently attached to the camera itself that connects to the 18-foot cord via a proprietary four-pin connector. The first-gen models, by contrast, were either battery-powered or could use replaceable power cables in different lengths, which I really liked. I still have several first-gen cameras around my home—some plugged in, some running on battery—and they’ve been great. During power outages, it’s nice knowing that the battery-powered units stay online as long as the home network has backup power. With the 2nd Gen model, I haven’t found any information on whether replacement or longer cables are available, so it seems like you’re stuck with the included 18-foot cable. For me, that’s actually a problem since one of my camera locations needs more length—but I was able to get a longer cable easily for my first-gen model. Video Quality & Performance This is where I ran into my biggest disappointment. The video clarity just doesn’t look improved. Side-by-side with my first-generation camera, the image looks nearly identical. The frame rates are the same, and even though Google advertises “2K video,” I really can’t tell much difference—if any. The night vision is about on par with what I already had, and in some cases, might even be slightly worse. All of my cameras are on a strong 2 Gb home network, so connectivity isn’t the issue—it’s just that the image quality isn’t noticeably better. AI & Smart Features Where Google really shines with this new model is in its AI intelligence features. I pay for the Google Home Premium subscription, which unlocks the cloud storage upgrades and all the advanced detection features. The new AI tools are genuinely impressive—notifications are faster and more detailed, and facial recognition is slightly quicker than before. You can also create home automations using Google’s Gemini AI, which is a great addition if you have other Google smart home accessories. Final Thoughts Overall, the Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd Gen) is a solid camera with strong build quality, reliable performance, and excellent AI features. But as someone who already owns several first-generation Nest Cams, I honestly don’t see much of a reason to upgrade. If you’re new to the Google Home ecosystem, this camera is a strong starting point. But if you already have the first-gen models, you’re not missing out on much—the improvements just don’t feel significant enough to justify the switch.

What a great addition to our suite of Google cameras! Because I already have a few other cameras and a Google nest doorbell hooked into the Google Home ecosystem, setting this one up felt familiar and was accomplished easily through the Google home app. Once connected, it appears alongside our other devices in the Home app: live view, past clip access, alerts—all in one spot. Google sends all the hardware needed to anchor your camera to your chosen location. I always save the extra hardware too because they look and feel like quality screws and anchors. The wired vs battery option was an individual choice for us because we had the perfect spot that needed some extra attention at our home in Maryland and we had plug access right there. The 2K HDR video has a wide field of view meaning fewer “blind spots” at the edge of our yard. The zoom & crop capability allowed me to hone in on our driveway/porch area without losing overall context. In low-light, even though no floodlight version, the night-vision and HDR did a good job of retaining detail. I can strongly recommend the Google Cam Outdoor Wired 2nd Gen—especially if you’re already in the Google Home universe and want something that “just works” with your existing cameras/doorbell. It brings high-quality video, crisp integration, and manageable installation, and quick timely alerts which is exactly what I look for in a security/monitoring upgrade.

TL;DR - Google Nest Camera Outdoor is a solid option for DIY security but hides its best features behind a paywall. 6 hours of local storage is enough for lower traffic areas and the AC adapter is small enough to fit under the majority of in-use outlet covers, but the proprietary nature of the power connection means if you break it, it’s not as easy to replace as something USB-based. Unboxing and setup: Google packages this well, definitely letting you know the premium nature of this product. You have a long power cable, small power adapter, plenty of clips and screws to manage wiring, and enough instructions to get you to the Google Home app. If you’ve set up a Matter or HomeKit device before, the new method that Google Home used is similar. I wasn’t asked for my wifi password and it connected pretty quickly. The magnetic base makes this easy to aim. Setting zones is as easy as some competitor devices, but with more customizable polygons for detection zones. Usage: On a Unifi network with Xfinity internet (2 down/40 up), I had zero issues with connecting to the camera to watch or play back video clips. The 6 hours of local storage is plenty for short clips - in my testing, I had well over 500 short clips stored. However, recording 24/7 video is paywalled behind a subscription to Google Home Premium. Even some of the detection features, like garage door detection, is paywalled behind the Google Home Basic subscription. I’m not a fan of paying to use all the features of something I purchased. Google could provide the ability to store things locally like other competing devices, and detecting that a garage door is open should be standard. For those who do want a simple experience, however, the Nest Cam Outdoor is a good option. If you don’t want to subscribe to get the best out of your device, look elsewhere.

The Google Nest Cam Outdoor, Wired is the 2nd generation of an already popular Google home security system. This one has an upgraded 2K resolution with crisp colors with HDR and includes Google Gemini AI intelligence. It is well built, feels solid with a strong magnetic mount that won’t move around. It comes with everything you need to mount it on the wall with the provided screws and wall anchors. The setup is pretty easy like any other smart device you add to your Wi-Fi network through the Google Home App. Once you’re satisfied with the live view, there are a few cool things you can do that differentiate this Nest Cam from the competition. Much like video door bells, you can set up activity zones and tie them to events and notifications. You can customize what zones and what events you want to get notifications for and when, whether you are at home or away. More intelligent altering and distinction between people, cars, animals. Much wider and taller field of view coverage. Intelligent search of your video history with Gemini. If you need 30-days or 60-days worth of video history, or even 10-days of continuous video recording, you will need to pay for the Google Home Premium subscription, which may be worth it especially if you have multiple Google Nest video devices. That will also enable additional features such as “familiar face detection” against images of people you know from your contacts. Overall at this price-point, I wish Google had included 24-hours of free event history or local recording to an SD memory card like some other brands. All in all, if you are invested in the Google Home ecosystem, this may the camera for you.