Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home

Google’s new Nest Cams save video clips without the need for a subscription

Michael Bizzaco
By

If you’ve been considering the addition of an indoor, outdoor, or doorbell security camera to your home, there’s great news on the horizon. A revamp of Google’s Nest Cam lineup brings a host of new hardware and a suite of all-new features that we’re eager to see in action. The latest hardware includes the 2021 editions of the Google Nest Cam, Google Nest Cam Indoor, Google Nest Cam with Floodlight, and the Google Nest Doorbell.

While each new device brings its own unique set of features (more on that below), one shared ability among the four is that you’ll be able to store up to three hours of recorded video in Google’s cloud without the need for a Nest subscription of any kind — although paying for a monthly membership will net you an expanded set of Nest Aware exclusives.

1 of 3
The Google Nest Cam Indoor on a table.
Google Nest Cam (Battery)
The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight mounted on a house.
google nest cam wired battery floodlight specs price release fog cropped
Goolge Nest Cam (Wired)

In years past, those without a Nest Aware subscription would only receive a stagnant event image whenever a Google Nest Cam would be triggered. Three hours of cloud-based storage is a big deal, especially in situations where recorded video can help authorities identify subjects perambulating your property. Most DIY surveillance devices require some kind of monthly fee for any kind of video storage, which grants Google a massive leg up when it comes to the competition.

Related

For those seeking that extra peace of mind, you can opt in to the $6 per month Nest Aware plan, which gets you up to 30 days of event video history, familiar face detection, and the ability to call 911 directly from your Google Home app. The $12/month Nest Aware Plus membership bumps 30 days of storage up to 60, along with the ability to record continuous video for up t0 10 days on wired Nest Cam products.

Finger pressing button on the Google Nest Doorbell (2021).

The new Google Nest Cam (battery) is Google’s very first indoor/outdoor battery-powered camera that comes with an optional indoor base and a magnetic mount for $179. Complementing that is the $100 Google Nest Cam (wired) which, as its name implies, is a wired-only surveillance camera, but more importantly, it’s Google’s lowest-priced security cam ever. The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight ($280) is a wired floodlight cam with plenty of customization options and intuitive motion detection that won’t trigger the cam when a car drives down the street. Last but not least is the Google Nest Cam Doorbell ($180) that will work with your home’s existing doorbell chime and comes in four different colors. Unlike the previous Google Nest Hello Doorbell, this new model is truly wireless because it’s battery-powered.

The Nest Cam and Nest Cam Doorbell are available for pre-order and go on sale on August 24. Google promises that the Nest Cam with Floodlight and Nest Cam Indoor are “coming soon.”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
How to choose a robot vacuum
Roborock S4 Max cleaning a carpet.

A robot vacuum is a great way to automate your chores and keep your home free of dust, debris, and other allergens. Whether you’re shopping for a budget-friendly model with the basics or a premium gadget that can atomatically empty its dustbin after each cleaning, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a new robot vacuum, such as available features, the best available brands, price points, and more.

Once you’re done checking out this list, be sure to read through our roundup of the best robot vacuums.
Features to consider in a robot vacuum
Sensory sophistication and virtual mapping
Most modern robot vacuums use sensor technology to navigate around a room, but some models are more advanced than others. Basic robots have infrared sensors to stop them from bumping into things and changing direction when they collide with something, whereas more sophisticated models will map out a room using laser-guided scanners or a combination of cameras and sensors. These high-tech robots also sometimes have "dirt sensors" to be sure they have cleaned properly, and can add additional cleaning passes to dirty or high-traffic areas.

Read more
New Ikea air quality sensor arrives just in time for spring
The Ikea air quality sensor on a stack of books.

Ikea might be best-known as the place to buy affordable furniture, but the company also has a surprisingly robust lineup of smart home products. The newest addition to the Ikea smart home family is the Vindstyrka smart indoor air quality sensor -- a tiny device that measures particulate matter (PM2.5) -- and it's slated to arrive this April.

The upcoming Vindstyrka air quality sensor features a minimalist, rectangular design that offers nothing more than a few buttons and a simple display highlighting PM2.5 levels, temperature, humidity, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). The sensor is built to work all on its own, although you’ll get more mileage out of the device by pairing it to the Ikea smartphone app. Doing this will allow you to activate other devices based on the current air quality, including Ikea's own Starkvind air purifier.

Read more
What is Arlo Secure, and is it worth it?
The Arlo Pro 4 home security camera installed outdoors.

Arlo makes some of the best smart home products on the market. From robust video doorbells to premium security cameras, a model from Arlo is all but guaranteed to fit your needs. Products in the lineup tend to be a bit expensive and -- like most other smart home cameras -- lock many features behind a monthly subscription called Arlo Secure.

Curious to learn more about Arlo Secure before signing up? Or maybe you’re wondering if you need it at all, as your Arlo devices will function perfectly fine without becoming a member. Whatever the case, here’s a closer look at Arlo Secure and if it's worth signing up for.
What is Arlo Secure?

Read more