Google’s Nest Outdoor or Indoor Cam can serve as a general-purpose home security camera to monitor a driveway, a front or back porch, a gate leading to a backyard, or other heavily trafficked areas within a house. As a battery-powered product, you can position a Nest Cam anywhere that provides you with the best possible view, regardless of whether there is a nearby outlet. It connects to the Google Home app to let you view live streams and receive notifications, and each Nest Cam model includes a built-in detection mechanism that can differentiate between a person, pet, or vehicle, helping reduce unnecessary notifications and providing more useful information about who or what is approaching your property.
An affordable camera to keep an eye on your property
To begin using your new Nest Cam, simply plug it in (or insert the batteries), then download the Google Home app. Once it’s connected, you can access a 1080p HDR video feed and night vision images from anywhere. Two-way audio lets you speak to a visitor, delivery driver, etc., so you can instruct them to place a package in a designated location, let a visitor know you are on the way, or warn someone that they are trespassing where they should not be. Since this camera can be used indoors or outdoors, you can also reposition it with the changing seasons, such as pointing it toward a patio during the summer and toward a hallway or entryway during the winter.
The real value of this camera comes from its alert features. Alerts based on people, pets, vehicles, and other objects help minimize false alarms that can occur with motion-only cameras. Even if you miss an alert, you can review a limited amount of event video history for free, which may be enough to determine what caused it. Additionally, you can purchase a subscription that extends the amount of video history available, or connect it to wired power to enable additional recording capabilities.
The battery power aspect of this camera also enhances its dependability. Since it does not require you to run wires, drill holes through exterior walls, or commit to a permanent mount right away, you can initially position it wherever you think it will provide the most important coverage, then relocate it as needed. Considering the current price of $130 versus the original retail price of $180, the battery-powered Google Nest Outdoor or Indoor Cam is an excellent choice if you want an affordable camera that is easy to position, uses smart alerts, delivers great image quality, and is not a difficult DIY installation.
