I just got a 3-pack of Nest outdoor cameras but haven’t opened them yet. After reading some recent reviews, I’m starting to second guess my purchase. Are they still worth it considering the battery concerns and Google support issues? Or should I return them and get a different brand?
I love my Nest doorbell and cameras, but I wouldn’t buy Nest products today given the recent changes. The cameras are great, but being tied to Google is frustrating.
ashleyn said:
I love my Nest doorbell and cameras, but I wouldn’t buy Nest products today given the recent changes. The cameras are great, but being tied to Google is frustrating.
What changes are you talking about?
@BrianCopland
They increased the subscription price.
We ended up buying Nest cameras, but honestly, we regret it. They are a pain to charge all the time, and the battery life isn’t great for outdoor use. We bought a solar panel for one, but it’s still inconvenient. I’d look into other options.
There are issues with these cameras that people have been complaining about for years, and they don’t seem to improve. Google support is disappointing, and the subscription is basically required for proper use. Without it, you’re limited to what the cameras decide to record in a three-hour window. If you can deal with that, they’re decent cameras. I personally switched to a wired setup to avoid battery hassles.
@Santino
Thanks for the insight. I’m leaning toward returning them and trying something like Eufy instead. It’s frustrating to see such a lack of support from Google.
Bobby said:
@Santino
Thanks for the insight. I’m leaning toward returning them and trying something like Eufy instead. It’s frustrating to see such a lack of support from Google.
The support issues you’re referring to might be related to specific Nest products like Secure. Google hasn’t announced any plans to drop support for current Nest cameras. If you’re not tied to Google’s ecosystem, any camera that suits your needs should work fine.
Bobby said:
@Santino
Thanks for the insight. I’m leaning toward returning them and trying something like Eufy instead. It’s frustrating to see such a lack of support from Google.
I get your frustration. I’m just disappointed in Google myself. If you stick with Nest, I’d suggest keeping the cameras plugged in to avoid battery issues. But honestly, looking at alternatives is a good idea.
@Santino
What brand are you thinking of switching to?
Don’t buy Nest products. They’re overpriced, and Google’s practices are greedy.
My home is full of Nest products, but I can’t recommend them to anyone anymore. Google has ruined the brand with bad decisions and a lack of new products.
Anything but Nest. The subscription fees are outrageous, and the cameras are overpriced for the quality they offer.
SophyGenesis said:
Anything but Nest. The subscription fees are outrageous, and the cameras are overpriced for the quality they offer.
I completely agree.
I have the Nest battery cams and a doorbell cam. They work well and are easy to install. The battery life is pretty good too. The subscription cost just went up from $60 to $80 per year, which isn’t ideal, but it covers unlimited cameras. It’s still less than $2 extra per month.
@SafetyNetNook
Have you noticed how the recent firmware update messed up the video quality? It’s frustrating to pay more for worse performance.
Vince said:
@SafetyNetNook
Have you noticed how the recent firmware update messed up the video quality? It’s frustrating to pay more for worse performance.
I didn’t notice. What version are you on? I’ll check mine.
I switched to Reolink after dealing with Nest. Reolink cameras are better and don’t require a subscription. The app is good, and I can store videos locally. I wouldn’t recommend Nest to anyone.
Louis said:
I switched to Reolink after dealing with Nest. Reolink cameras are better and don’t require a subscription. The app is good, and I can store videos locally. I wouldn’t recommend Nest to anyone.
How do Reolink’s alerts compare to Nest? I like that Nest doesn’t spam me with false alerts like shadows or passing cars.
@Tyree
Reolink lets you customize alert areas, and it works well for me. I have it set to notify me only when someone is near my door. The cameras can tell the difference between people, cars, and animals. Plus, since my system is wired, the alerts are almost instant.