Customer Ratings & Reviews

Compared this against Ring and Simplisafe. I chose Nest Secure because it's less hardware you need to mount on your doors/walls. The sensors act as motion detectors, which was the deciding factor for me. Easy to install and works great. Wish it came with a panic alarm remote.

The Nest Secure is a great option for adding an audible security alarm to your home that's quick to set up and easy to use. I had my system up and running in around 20 minutes, total. I already had the Nest app on my phone, but if you don't, that will be your first step. From there, you just tap the "Add Product" button, scan the QR code on each component, and follow the instructions on screen. The first item from the bundle that I got running was the Nest Guard base station. This serves as the brains of the operation, as well as the speaker and number keypad. It also includes a motion sensor. The app guided me through setting it up near my main entry door. This is the only wired item, and really just uses a wall outlet for power. That seemed a bit vulnerable at first, but there's a bracket to help prevent the plug from being yanked from the wall outlet, and a battery backup that keeps the system running even if someone cuts the cord. The app guided me through setup. This included positioning the Nest Guard, creating a PIN, and inviting other family members (who then downloaded the app and created their own PINs). Next, I added the two Next Detect sensors to my doors. These are great since they are open/close sensors if you put them on a window, motion sensors if you put them on a wall, and both if you put them on a door. The app lets you select which installation mode you’re using for each one, and they took about 5 minutes to setup. Mounting is either via adhesive or screw-in brackets. Finally, I used the app to add the Nest Tag key fobs and assign them to family members. These can be used in place of the PIN when arming/disarming the system by tapping them to the top of the Nest Guard. In under a half hour, I had a simple alarm system that allows three modes: Off (disarmed), Home and Guarding (motion sensors disabled, open/close sensors enabled), or Away and Guarding (all sensors enabled). The speaker in the Nest Guard loudly announces when a sensor has been triggered and then again before sounding the alarm. When the alarm goes off, it’s quite loud, and all family members receive mobile app notifications with details and a one-touch call button for the local police department (I entered this number during setup). Smart features built into the app provide an option to disarm the system from my phone as I pull into my driveway, or remind me to arm it if it appears nobody is home. Subscription services are available for cellular backup (in case power takes out home Wi-Fi) and professional monitoring. Overall, I’m very happy with the Nest Secure product. The level of instruction given in the app along the way. There was helpful text, informative pictures, and even a few videos to follow. The whole experience felt very intuitive and thought-out. The hardware itself feels well-built to last. The audible alarm seems sufficient to make someone think twice before proceeding with a break-in, and the mobile phone alerts give me some ability to know what’s going on and take appropriate action.

We had an old Brinks system in our house, but just got tired of spending $40 per month for their monitoring system. Especially when law enforcement call time was 45+ minutes! Anyway, we got this Nest system and really like it. Neat features and seems to work well. I'm curious how long the batteries will last on the sensors though. One is set to turn the light on if it senses motion in the area which helps. We have two pets, both under 20lbs, that don't set the motion sensors off. However, they set the alarm panel's motion sensor off all the time, so we turned motion off on the panel only. Overall, I like the product, and I'm sure they will add features to it over time.

When I bought my first house, it had a security system…or at least, an alarm panel by the door and in the bedroom. It was never an active security system, didn’t really do much for us other than tell us when the doors were opened and closed. We also had a few panic buttons on the wall that I never had the courage to test out, for fear of terrifying my kids. Over the years, we grew to love the “bee-boop” noise when the doors would open, and the “boo-beep” when they closed; and aside from learning that the previous homeowners had a gun closet (because it was so labeled on the alarm panel), it never did much to enhance our lives…especially the night that the power had been out, and when it came back on in the middle of the night, so too did the alarm. (Side note: That night, I learned that my son can sleep through anything.) We didn’t live in a particularly bad neighborhood, but it wasn’t a particularly great one either. Still, we entertained on multiple occasions getting a new security system, or at least activating our existing one, with monitoring and the works. But, it never happened: we were either driven away by a price tag (installation, monitoring, etc.), or by the mere fact that we didn’t really know what was best and who we could trust. Compared to what’s on the market now, security systems from 10 or 15 years ago are so incredibly archaic. I just stumbled across an indiegogo campaign for a $9 security system based on social operation instead of traditional monitoring companies. And while that is on the more extreme side of the shift, it seems as if the security market (to some extent) is headed in a new direction like Uber did a handful of years ago: the notion that we already have the infrastructure and the resources to complete the job, all we need is a new way of looking at it. Enter the Nest Secure, a product of “what if’s.” The idea for Nest here is a simple one: create an easy to use product that basically manages itself, is easy to set up, isn’t confusing, and fits into your life in a way that competitive products don’t or can’t. I’ll be honest: my experience with home security bee-boops and middle-of-the-night alarms jaded me from setting the Nest Secure up when I got it. I assumed I was in for a long installation process—after all, they pay professionals to install security systems! Well, installation (if you can call it that) was not much different than unboxing a new wireless router, except with less wires. The Secure is a totally wireless solution that utilizes your existing home wi-fi and an optional cellular backup to make sure that you are notified of any activity that is out of the ordinary. The main panel, the Nest Guard, has only a power cord--and the most difficult part of setup was finding the QR code to scan from my Nest app to get the device added. From there, the app took care of all the other settings with a simple wizard. Also included in the package were two sensors, which can be used three different ways: as a traditional door sensor, as a window sensor (open-close, not break), or as a motion sensor. And, when it is used as a door or window sensor, it also doubles as a motion sensor. These small sensors can be installed virtually anywhere with mounting hardware or the included adhesive strips, and adding them to the system involves scanning the QR code on the back and following the instructions on the app. The final piece of the Nest Secure starter pack is a pair of key fobs, designed to make arming and disarming the system simple. Again, scan the QR, assign the fob to a user, and you’re done. “BUT I LOVE MY SECURITY CODE,” you might say. Well, you get that too, if you want it—up to 8 digits, and a unique code for each member of your household, which enables you to see who is coming and going, and when. That’s basically it. Including watching the instructional videos that the app offers, it took me about an hour to set everything up and train my family how to use it. My kids really enjoyed testing it by trying to sneak past the motion sensors, and my wife didn’t [seem to] get totally overwhelmed at having to remember something else when she leaves or comes home. I admit, there’s nothing mind-blowing here in terms of product, and I think that’s at least in part what Nest was going for. It’s simple, straight forward security…but it’s also got some really cool things that shouldn’t go unmentioned: The app is a really great experience; it is easy to use and if you already have another Nest product, your setup time will be reduced. The customizations of home/away, duration between entry/exit and alarm, and notifications are at a Goldilocks level of not too much, not too little. The whole system is completely modular. This isn’t too much of a shock in 2017, but it’s nice to be able to build your own “package” based upon the entry points and size of your home. Two Nest Detect sensors are most likely not going to be enough for most people, but it’s a good starting point. The components aren’t cheap, but safety is always something worth investing in, and you can add more over time very easily. Speaking of modular, there’s a component that I haven’t mentioned yet—the Nest Connect. The Connect’s job is to extend the range of your existing Nest network using a newer wireless protocol called a thread network, which is designed with the Internet of Things in mind. Right now, it’s just a range extender—but this thread router can have many other uses as Smart Home adoption increases, with only a software update required. Every component the system comes with is a multi-tasker. The base is the brains of the operation, but has a built in motion sensor; it also has an onboard battery that protects you if the device is unplugged during a breach. The window and door sensors have built-in motion sensors, as well as lights that can help you see in the dark; they also can be deactivated individually if you need to let the dog out or want to get the mail, without turning off the entire system. The tags can arm AND disarm the panel, and the already mentioned Nest Connect helps future-proof the whole system by allowing a virtually limitless secure platform (with no single point of failure) for adding more devices. In spite of all the cool, 2017-ness of these system, it has some traditional stuff that you can pay for optionally. Out of the box, there is no “monitoring” component aside from alerts and notifications; however, if you want a more traditional monitoring experience, you can pay $25-$35 per month depending on contract so that someone else can keep an eye on your system and dispatch police if necessary. And, if your wireless network goes down, you can purchase a cellular backup service for $5 per month or $50 per year that ensures you can always receive notifications regardless of your home wi-fi connection. But security comes at a price. At $499 for the starter kit, $25 for extra fobs and $59 for extra sensors, large homes with many entry points can cost you upwards of $1000 to fully equip. Then again, security is one of those things that is easier to justify spending on, especially if you have kids. And, more traditional (read: archaic) security systems can cost around $1000, most of which is subsidized by the monthly monitoring fee, save for some small installation charge. So it’s not outlandish, but it’s certainly not cheap. I’ve been satisfied with the system thus far; it’s easy to setup, easy to maintain, and has all the flexibility to add or remove components over time when I need to. The price is a hard pill to swallow at first, but for me the extra sense of comfort is enough to justify the price tag.

After years of contracts and dealing with monitoring companies I am glad to leave that all behind. I needed to add a Neat Connect to have a strong enough signal to a couple of sensors but since the initial install the system has worked great with no disconnects or false alarms. I could get it monitored but I am happy to self monitor for now. Between Outdoor Nest Cam alerts and the door sensors I feel pretty secure with this set up, and more importantly my wife feels safe. Also glad to save the money I was spending every month paying a monitoring company.

This was easy to install and works well. If the alarm is set and the door or window is opened, even a little, it will go off. If you try to unplug the main unit, it will also set off the alarm. This has definitely helped the teens habit of sneaking out at night. The feature that is missing is the ability to schedule the on/off time. There have been a couple of times in the morning, that I almost set off the alarm, because I forgot to turn it off. This is simple to do through the app, but it would just be better if it could be a programmable schedule as an option.

I researched for hours and it came down to Abode (bought out) Simplisafe ($25 just to use the app! I’m heavily invested in Nest and I really wanted the Nest Secure, but I waited a long time to make this purchase, because I was unsure if I would like it. I should of bought the Nest Secure a lot sooner, but it’s nice the price dropped down to $299 for Nest Secure and $39 Nest Detects. I love the Nest app with everything integrated seamlessly. The quiet exit with a button press on the bottom of the Nest Detect is brilliant. The pathway light is nice. When the Nest Secure alarm siren activates I get an email update with the exact time the alarm activated with pictures from all my cameras at once. The push notifications to my iPhone are fast and I love it. I would prefer Nest to allow us to also set motion for windows at the same time. I purchased more Nest Detects and I’m very satisfied. It beats my ancient Honeywell Vista P and I can self monitor for FREE with the Nest app!!!

This product is awesome I don't need to pay to more for monitoring my house I can do it my self it was about time they invented something like this I would recommend this product

Love this system so far. Had the whole thing set up in an hours time. Still messing with some settings to get them the way I want. The only complaint i have so far is that I can’t set up additional sirens with this device. The hub is the only siren.

I installed the Nest system and had it up and going fairly quickly. If you’re looking for a DIY system that you can take with you if you’re renting, I highly recommend. I also bought the Nest Hello and you can manage all the products on the app.

This alarm is super easy to install. If you have Nest Cameras it will turn them all of them on and start recording when the alarm goes off. Exceptional integration with other Nest products and you can use a Starling to connect it to Apple Home.

The Nest alarm system is very simple to install and activate. They work great with the Google nest doorbell and the google hub. This was a great investment with the opportunity to keep adding more with add-ons like cameras and sensors.

It accomplishes exactly what is intended. I have a small child that has discovered how to open doors on their own. Posing a major safety issue, the system is used to place our mind at ease. I simply activate it with my phone through the app and the door is secured. It took only once of my child opening the door and the system squelched, resulting in the door being slammed shut before I could even deactivate, which is as easy as entering the app and disabling, or entering the code on the system. The noise is extremely loud, enough to shock an unsuspecting intruder. The app also monitors dates/times doors are opened if you’d like. I do not subscribe to the additional features, but their not really needed when the app itself notifies through the phone.

I was able to purchase this on sale and it is nice to be able to monitor all our doors with this. It gives my family a little piece of mind. I do wish that when it goes off that it would use the Nest Hubs and speakers as this is in the mudroom and is not as loud throughout the rest of the house. I like the simple design, wish they wouldn't have discontinued this and would have expanded the security line with more product. I am very happy we purchased it and it will be used until it is no longer supported in the apps.

Easy to install and setup. I recommend purchasing a Nest Aware subscription. Is incredibly easy to arm and disarm and its Detect sensors do a lot more than monitor whether a door is open or closed.

The Nest Secure is the first entry in the wireless home alarm system market from Nest. As a user of multiple Nest products, I expected a system that was easy to use and looked good at the same time. I was not disappointed in either aspect. But first, let me begin by saying that I am familiar with wireless home alarm systems, having installed a few systems myself. The systems I installed include 24/7 monitoring for a monthly fee; the Nest Secure does offer professional monitoring as an option. I found that the Nest Secure Starter Kit was as easy or easier to install. Everything was included to mount the two included sensors (Nest Detect). The Nest Detect sensors actually function as door/window switches as well as motion detectors, which is handy. The base (Nest Guard) is modern looking but can still easily blend into a room. Even though you can punch in a code to disarm, two included fobs (Nest Tag) make it easier. Being a Nest product, the mobile app is a critical piece to getting the most out of the system. The Nest app is used to control all the various Nest products, and is updated pretty frequently. With the Nest app, you can arm/disarm the Nest Secure and even have it automatically arm/disarm using geofencing. Again, comparing to other wireless home security systems, the siren is indoors so is primarily designed to be heard by an intruder, versus the whole neighborhood. In that regard, it works as well as I would expect it to. The Nest app also is valuable for getting notified in the event of alarm activity, and if you have other Nest products (such as Nest Cam), you can potentially see what's going on all in the same app. Overall, the Nest Secure met my expectations although I have to admit at a premium price. I would have preferred a little lower price, or perhaps two more Nest Detect sensors to be included. If you're already a Nest product owner however, the price could be worth it for the consideration, as opposed to having to jump from one app to another.

If you are looking to get an alarm system that is not controlled by a professional company, but rather by yourself, this is the way to go. No extra fees, no hidden necessary add-ons, and very simple to install and use. I give it 4 and not 5 starts because I would like to be able to activate some motion sensors individually rather than having to activate them all at once. Other than that, great product. I am very satisfied.

No regrets, easy setup except instructions do not explain if door magnet can be placed on hinge side of door. Works as described, and Nest app is exceptional.

Works good if you are in the google ecosystem. I already have everything else google so this just added to it. Everything operates together smoothly. The system is pretty loud, which is what you want and I think it would do a good job in securing your house. Just make sure you buy the extra sensors to cover your entire house (all doors and windows).

I am a smart home fanatic. This product works great with the nest cameras. very simple to use and set up. Lets you kno when you forget to set it and when to shut it off. highly recommend