Security Systems

Nest Secure Review: Alarm System, Camera System, Sensors, Outdoor, Indoor, Monitoring, vs SimpliSafe, And More

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woman checking nest indoor camera via app jpg
Nest Secure components look sleek and impressive, but will they keep you safe?

Nest (popular for its smart home thermostats and carbon monoxide detectors) previously offered a home security system called Nest Secure. While the full system was discontinued in October 2020, you can still buy Nest doorbells and cameras and create your own self-monitoring system. Learn more in our review of Nest.

Nest Secure Review

Summary

Nest is more expensive than some of its competitors, but it’s a dependable system. We’re disappointed that it only has a single monitoring station, which is a key reason it’s not a top pick for us. Our experts recommend at least two monitoring stations to help keep you protected in case one experiences down time.

Overall
4
  • Customer Service
  • Technology
  • Ease Of Use
  • Overall Value

Pros

  • Stylish design
  • 30-day money back guarantee
  • Professional monitoring is optional
  • Self-installation No-contract option available Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home

Cons

  • More expensive than competitors
  • Not compatible with as many devices as competitors
  • Only one monitoring station (run by Brinks)
  • You must pay 100% of the contract, even if you cancel

Consumer Reviews

This is the aggregate score of reader reviews we’ve received. Have a good or bad experience with Nest products? Feel free to leave your own review in the comments. Please note that only ratings with valid review content will be published and counted.

11 Key Features

nest security cameras and doorbell jpg
All Nest products are designed to be sleek, simple, and modern.
  1. Live streaming records up to 1080p HD video to a computer, tablet, or smartphone
  2. Two-way audio communication with built-in microphone and speaker
  3. On/Off programming to coordinate with your schedule
  4. Mobile apps send push notifications of motion detection and intelligent alerts (familiar faces, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, glass breaking) with a subscription plan
  5. 24/7 continuous recording
  6. Infrared LEDs for night vision
  7. Weatherproof (outdoor camera and doorbell)
  8. 135-degree field of view, 6x zoom, and the ability to enhance features in the live video feed
  9. Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices and syncs with Nest Learning Thermostat and Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm
  10. Available in multiple color options: snow, fog, linen, and sand with a maple wood base
  11. Easy to install

Pricing

Compare Google Nest and Doorbell cameras on Amazon (while supplies last).

Self-Monitoring Plans

If you want storage options, you’ll need to buy one of two subscription plans: Nest Aware or Nest Aware Plus. Nest Aware offers event-based history, meaning it saves video clips of sound or motion events for up to 30 days. Nest Aware Plus gets you event video history plus 10 days of 24/7 video coverage with continuous video recording.

Nest AwareNest Aware Plus
Monthly/Annual Price$6/$60$12/$120
Event video historyGreen checkmark (30 days)Green checkmark (60 days)
24/7 video historyGreen checkmark (up to 10 days)
E911Green checkmarkGreen checkmark
Intelligent alertsGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark

Both plans have e911 and intelligent alerts. E911 will connect you to the 911 call center closest to your home, no matter where you’re located at the time of the call (normally, if you dial 911 from your cellphone, your call is routed to the 911 center closest to your phone’s location). Intelligent alerts give you the option to recognize familiar faces in your video. It also has a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, and glass break detection.

Consumer Feedback

Praise

This device was super easy to install and works perfectly. Very user friendly.

Cbake88, Best Buy 5/22/2020

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.

Jonny, Best Buy 5/19/2020

Complaints

Disappointed that it only works with google home and not with the google nest app like the rest of my cameras

Davidg, Best Buy 3/24/2023

Really disappointed in this camera. Every few days the live feature stops working. It still records video, but it will not allow a live view. Only way to fix is a full factory reset. Google support is abysmal and takes hours to get to any substantive advice after verifying your identify six ways to Sunday.

Daniel, Best Buy 01/24/2023

How To Install Nest Camera (Video)

See how easy it is to set up your Nest indoor wired camera.

About Nest Secure & Its History

Nest Labs was initially founded in 2010 by two former Apple engineers, Matt Rogers, and Tony Fadell. The first product released was the Nest Learning Thermostat. In 2014, Google purchased Nest Labs for $3.2 billion, and in 2017 it launched Nest Secure. In October 2020, they discontinued Nest Secure, but they are committed to providing support to their existing customers.

How Does Nest Compare?

If you want a sleek-looking way to keep an eye on things in and outside your home and don’t need professional monitoring or any fancy alarms or entryway sensors (on doors and windows), the Nest family of products could be a good fit for you. You can read about Nest’s competition in our home alarm company reviews.

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Kimberly Alt

Kimberly received her Bachelor of Arts from Simpson College with a major in multimedia journalism and a minor in marketing. She has been writing about business solutions since 2014, covering subjects such as tax software, email marketing, office equipment and more. Her work has appeared in many notable brands, including The New York Times' Wirecutter, Reader's Digest, Forbes, People, Woman's World, and Huffington Post. In 2015, she started her own business and continues to learn how to run it more efficiently thanks to her work on We Rock Your Web. Her natural curiosity helps her research as she seeks the truth when learning about, comparing and personally testing products and services. With every piece she writes, her goal is to help our readers find the best fit for their unique needs.
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