How to choose a Nest Cam
Because a mix of different Nest Cams can work in the same system, your Nest Cam choice for any specific location depends on just two factors: Weather protection and your need for advanced features. You can use outdoor models inside, but you’ll pay a premium to do so. Save money by using Nest Cam Outdoor models only where they’ll need protection from dust and weather. Also, for basic applications, you may not need the extra features included with the Nest Cam IQ models.
The four Nest Cams share a basic feature set. The cameras differ based on their design for indoor or outdoor applications and the level of smart features. All four cameras require wired power connections, record 1080p full HD video, and support two-way talk audio. They include night vision, send alerts to your smartphone when they detect motion, and can be configured to record live video 24/7 for storage in the cloud.
Extra features on the Nest Cam IQ models include person alerts when the camera detects a human, close-up tracking with automatic digital zoom, HD audio for additional clarity with two-way talk, and familiar face alerts to let you know if the camera detected a friend or family member or a stranger. With an optional Nest Aware subscription, you can view 5-day, 10-day, or 30-day video history and configure activity zones and intelligent alerts with all Nest Cams. Nest Aware costs from $5 to $30 a month, depending on the video history access duration.