Getting Started with Google Nest Doorbell & Cameras (review)

Google launched a number of new Nest products this fall. We got to work with the new Google Nest Doorbell & cameras for a review!

It has become more and more common to make your home smart. Was that a thing years ago? early adapters. Today, even IKEA sells some smart products. And installing it is sometimes a piece of cake. I discovered that in any case with the new Google Nest products. I have extensively tested the new Google Nest Doorbell and Cam in a review for Apparata. And I’m a fan, even if there is a ‘but’.

Both the Doorbell and the Cam are not unknown products within the Google Nest portfolio. The big news is that you can now get the Doorbell and Cam on battery. That makes the installation a lot more user-friendly. After all, you no longer have to mess with wires if you don’t feel like it. The disadvantage is that the products have to be charged every now and then, but calling it a real disadvantage is a bit exaggerated in my opinion.

Installing both the Nest Doorbell and the Cam (indoor and outdoor) is very easy. A manual is included. However, it speaks for itself what to do. Turn on the product, make sure you have Google Home on your smartphone. Scan QR code and you’re done. It’s a piece of cake. I dare say that even your grandpa or grandma still understands how to install this.

Google Nest Doorbell (battery)

The first product I cover in this review is the new Google Nest Doorbell (battery). The installation is largely the same as a model with cable, with the exception of course that you do not have to pull a cable to the meter box or nearest socket.

Because your smartphone is the speaker, I immediately set up a unique notification on my android smart phone. This prevents you from hearing the same sound on your smartphone as an incoming WhatsApp message when someone presses the doorbell. That setting is done simply via the Settings of your phone. There you can select Google Home and then specifically the doorbell. The main features are listed below.

• View up to 3 hours of camera history. Looking back longer? Then you need a Nest Aware subscription. Cost you 5 euros per month
• intelligent doorbell can recognize pets, deliverers with a package and family or friends (subscription).
• 160 degree field of view
• Talk through microphone and listen in HD quality
• Sharp image day and night

During my practical experience I can say that the battery lasts at least a month before the Doorbell needs to be charged again. Of course it depends on usage. If you also actively use the doorbell as a camera, the battery will drain much faster. In my case, the doorbell only rings when movement is within the self-created zone. So if there really is someone at the door, or if a person leaves or enters the house.

Google puts the Nest Doorbell (battery) on the market for 200 euros. That is not cheap, but reasonably competitive. Let me put it this way. It is an awful lot of money for a doorbell. For a high quality security camera with doorbell function, it is reasonable. The only real downside is that you can only watch 3 hours of action without a subscription. That is very short.

Google Nest Cam indoor

The same smart technology can be found in the new Google Nest Cam indoor. This will be given a well-arranged place in the house in a place where you would like to have security. For example, you can also use the Google Nest Cam indoor to keep an eye on pets. You can talk through the microphone via Google Home on your smartphone. For example, if your dog or cat does something that needs a reprimand.

The functionalities are comparable to the outdoor Cam and the Doorbell. You can set notifications for movements, although that is less common when you are at home. Because when a robber steps into the house, you notice that yourself, don’t you? I describe the Google Nest Cam indoor as a nice to have in the event of a break-in. Clear images of an intruder and thanks to the plug you don’t have to charge another device. The price is 99.95 euros.

Google Nest Cam outdoor

The best product of the new Google Nest line-up, in my opinion, is the outdoor Cam. Hanging a security camera outside can be quite a hassle with cabling that has to be able to withstand wind and weather. The Google Nest Cam outdoor is an excellent alternative to that.

The camera works on a battery that you have to charge every few weeks. Google supplies the camera with an extremely strong magnet on which you can hang the camera. The disadvantage of a battery-powered camera is that you have to be able to reach it well. After all, the Google Nest Cam outdoor has to charge regularly and you don’t feel like taking the ladder every time. At least not me anyway.

Good to know: If the WiFi goes down or there is a power failure, the Google Nest Cam will save all images from the last hour. Again, you can look back up to 3 hours of history. As a result, its use is somewhat limited as a security camera without a subscription. Check it out. Someone steals a bicycle from your yard at 4:30 AM. Your alarm goes off at 07:45 and the evidence is gone by then. Far from ideal in this situation, because that makes the camera fairly unlikely.

The new Google Nest Cam outdoor costs 199.99 euros. Be aware that you really need the Nest Aware subscription of 5 euros per month if you want to actively use it as a security camera.

Conclusion

The renewed line-up of Google Nest products is well put together, but they are not perfect. You secretly notice that the Nest Aware subscription is more mandatory than you would like. And that’s a shame for a product for which you paid 200 euros. You hope to be ‘done’ and yet get the feeling that you have to pay more to really use it one hundred percent. Nevertheless, the Google Nest Doorbell & Cameras are quality products in their own right. They feel nice, work very easily in combination with Google Home and are beautifully designed. As far as I’m concerned, a first step towards a smart home is a good step with Google Nest.