The Independent’s journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
The best home security systems offer advanced protection, real-time monitoring and greater control for homeowners. The Google Nest home security system, which specialises in smart home security, does all this and more.
It’s worth noting that Google Nest Secure – a partnership between Google and ADT – was discontinued in April 2024 via a community forum post from Google. This development only affects customers using Nest Secure; it has no impact on other Nest Cam models or systems.
To help you decide on the best home security system for your household, our experts have closely examined Google Nest’s security products, analysing each one on quality, performance and value for money.
Rating: ★★★
Google Nest offers three pre-packaged systems and an array of other home security devices designed to work together for comprehensive coverage. Its systems work with Google Home and Amazon Alexa, although they are not natively compatible with Apple HomeKit.
When it comes to installation, all three home security systems are DIY friendly, though you can also contact a Nest Pro installer in your area to complete the work. Professional monitoring is currently only available in the US, but UK users can invest in a Nest Aware or Nest Aware Plus subscription for additional security features such as video event history and intelligent alerts.
The biggest drawback to Google Nest is its high price point; the base package starts at £239.98, which may be a roadblock to some customers. If you need a more flexible payment plan, you can opt to pay in instalments over 24 months with 0 per cent APR. Another downside is the company’s low Trustpilot rating.
Our team of Independent Advisor experts investigates and scrutinises each home security system, delivering balanced and unbiased reviews. Google Nest has been subjected to a thorough analysis of its products’ attributes, performances and prices while also bearing in mind industry opinions and customer reviews.
Our Google Nest review is determined by the following categories:
We examine 18 elements within these categories, including:
Every Independent Advisor home security article undergoes verification by our internal team of fact-checkers. This ensures we give consumers the insights they need to make well-informed choices. For more information, read our article on how we review home security systems.
Google Nest has an extensive product range that stretches beyond basic home security, including smart speakers, thermostats, cameras and video doorbells.
These offerings are competitive in their scope and technological advancement; however, other brands, such as Ring or Abode, are less expensive. Meanwhile, competitors such as SimpliSafe offer more packages and devices centred around home security, such as entry sensors, glass break sensors and panic buttons.
It should also be noted that many Google Nest features are only available through the Aware subscription service – as are some of the features and providers listed below.
| Home security system | Minimum equipment cost (without installation)* | Minimum monthly fee per month* | Power outage backup | Mobile phone backup | Live streaming | Push alerts | Remotely arm/disarm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Nest | £239.98 | £6 | ✓ | No | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SimpliSafe | £284.96 | £15.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ring | £219.99 | £4.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Yale | £190 | £3.50 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Abode | £168.99 | £7.99 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Google Nest offers a range of packages designed to provide comprehensive security solutions. Additional devices can be purchased separately, allowing you to incorporate a tailored system in your smart home.
Google Nest provides options to pay for your devices in instalments spread over 24 months with 0 per cent APR.
Our experts feel the existing packages could be more competitively priced or could include additional devices in the price.
| Package name | Equipment | Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Front Door Monitoring Package | 1x Nest Doorbell (battery) and 1x Nest Hub (2nd gen) | £239.98 (or £10 per month for 24 months) |
| Outdoor Monitoring Package | 1x Nest Cam (battery) and 1x Nest Hub (2nd gen) | £239.98 (or £10 per month for 24 months) |
| Total Security Package | 1x Nest Doorbell (battery), 1x Nest Hub Max and 1x Nest Cam (battery) | £508.98 (or £21.21 per month for 24 months) |
Due to the small size of Google Nest home security systems, you may wish to supplement your system with additional devices to increase security and create a more comprehensive system.
Depending on your needs, you may find that Google Nest doesn’t offer the right equipment for your home. Households that value smart home connectivity will be impressed with the inclusion of smart speakers and streaming sticks, but those looking for additional security devices may feel the company falls short.
Below is a list of some of the additional equipment you can purchase alongside a Google Nest home security system.
| Nest device | Cost* |
|---|---|
| Nest Cam (battery) | £179.99 |
| Nest Cam (wired) | £89.99 |
| Nest Cam with Floodlight (wired) | £269.99 |
| Nest Doorbell (battery) | £179.99 |
| Nest Doorbell (wired) | £229 |
| Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm | £109 |
| Nest Learning Thermostat | £219 |
| Nest Thermostat E | £199 |
| Nest Mini (2nd Gen) | £49 |
| Nest Audio | £89.99 |
| Nest Wifi Pro | £189.99 |
Currently, users can subscribe to the Aware or Aware Plus 2nd generation plans to access more Google Nest features. As with the Google Nest packages, users can subscribe to each Aware plan annually for a cheaper overall price.
The Nest Aware 1st generation plans are more convoluted; the plans cover one, two or three cameras and come with different storage options ranging from five to 30 days. These plans were discounted in July 2023 but are still being renewed for existing users.
If you are still using a Nest Aware 1st generation plan, our experts highly recommend upgrading to the 2nd generation plan, as it covers all Nest cameras, doorbells, speakers and displays in the home and is more affordable overall.
Below are the features included in the 2nd generation Nest Aware subscription plans.
| Subscription plan | Features | Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Nest Aware | 30-day video history | £6 per month (or £60 per year) |
| Nest Aware Plus | 60-day video history | £12 per month (or £120 per year) |
All Google Nest products include any necessary installation fittings, batteries and comprehensive instructions and, according to the company, are made from a high percentage of recycled materials.
It’s important to note that the Nest battery doorbell requires the Google Home app and a Google account – it’s incompatible with the Nest app.
Incorporating three hours of video event history, the doorbell has a built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery and offers motion and proximity detection, night vision and two-way audio with noise cancellation. It also covers a 145-degree viewing range.
As with the doorbell, the Nest battery camera will only work with the Google Home app and a Google account – it’s not compatible with the Nest app.
The camera, which can be used indoors or outdoors, offers a 130-degree viewing range, a 2MP sensor and HDR night vision. It includes a three-hour video event history and a x6 zoom option.
Nest’s 2nd-generation home hub allows you to control all your smart devices from one central display.
The Nest Hub boasts a 7in screen, three far-field microphones and a full-range speaker incorporating voice match technology and ultrasound sensing. Google Assistant is built in, and the hub is compatible with wifi and Bluetooth.
Google Nest is currently rated 1.2 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, representing one of the lowest scores of any home security system we’ve reviewed.
Only 3 per cent of customers left a 5-star review and 90 per cent left just 1 star, with many negative testimonials mentioning poor customer service and issues with the company’s devices.
Conversely, the Google Nest storefront on Amazon has a higher rating of 4.6 stars out of 5. It’s not clear where this discrepancy comes from, although it’s worth noting that you cannot purchase ready-made Google Nest home security systems from Amazon.
“First Nest unit, installed about five years ago – working fine. Second Nest unit, installed six months ago to add control for another part of the house and [heat] water. The unit continually disconnects from wifi – resetting doesn’t help. I am very happy troubleshooting tech devices, but this one has minimal info to work with. Google support is non-existent. Don’t waste your money on Google Nest. I am very happy with my Google Pixel phone and have also had good experiences with Chromebooks, but this ‘learning thermostat’ is a good idea, badly implemented and then not supported.”
“I’ve used Google products and subscriptions for years. I never had a problem until I used their Nest products – more specifically their battery doorbell. After troubleshooting, the battery doesn’t last more than a couple of days, even if you set the trigger area to something that may get one or two events. I’ve been fighting for over two weeks for a refund and spent hours on the phone with their customer support, and I am still waiting. Stay away from Nest and, by association, stay away from Google products – their customer support is terrible.”
“This is [a] great doorbell from Google. Just works and integrates very well with Google products. I have this connected to Home Assistant to do custom automation based on triggers from [the] doorbell, and [it] works really well. Also managed to get this integrated with Alexa so I can use Alexa devices as [the] doorbell chime which works like a charm also. Picture quality compared to other devices on [the] market is not the best, but for what it offers, it is really good – good night vision also.”
Google has designed two apps for its devices – Google Home and the Nest app. However, its security cameras are only compatible with Google Home, and this appears to be the most widely used app across its equipment; a Google account is necessary to access it.
The Home app is available for iOS and Android devices and gives you control over your security system wherever you have wifi access.
The recently updated Home app has a clean, uncluttered interface, providing a simple list of connected devices, with each being customisable under the “Settings” tab. Automation capabilities allow you to pre-programme a set of commands upon a trigger signal; for example, living room lights switching on if someone triggers the doorbell, or disarming your alarm when you arrive home. Using the “Favourites” tab gives you access to the live camera feeds, with the option to scroll through the footage from multiple cameras.
Our experts have reviewed three Google Nest home security packages, examining their installation, performance and value for money.
The Total Security Package lets you fully monitor your home via the video doorbell and the battery camera. The high-resolution hub screen shows live video feed, allows two-way communication with anyone on your doorstep and sends instant alerts to the Home app. Using Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa voice commands, you can control what your cameras show. Settings and automations can be customised from both the hub and the app.
While it’s more expensive than some competitors, we feel the Total Security Package provides a good security solution for most homes.
Google Nest’s battery doorbell features parcel detection as well as people, animal and vehicle detection, sending instant alerts when the camera is activated. It also provides two-way communication with someone on your doorstep and lets you pre-record messages, such as “Leave the parcel on the porch, please.”
The Nest Hub allows you to view live footage and communicate with anyone at your door. It sends instant alerts if the camera is activated.
Costing the same as the Front Door Monitoring Package, the Outdoor Monitoring Package offers a 110-degree horizontal field of view and a range of 7.5 metres (25ft), providing footage that can be viewed on the 7in hub screen.
If your property has a large driveway, outbuildings or an extensive garden, this package is well worth considering, especially if combined with the doorbell camera to monitor the immediate access point.
Google Nest provides three pre-packaged home security solutions that can be easily expanded upon with other devices from its catalogue. A subscription to Nest Aware or Aware Plus is necessary to unlock many helpful features. Fortunately, this comes at a low cost, starting at just £6 per month.
However, the high price of each system and additional devices make Google Nest one of the most expensive home security systems on the market, especially when you consider the small size of each system. Compared to brands such as SimpliSafe, ADT and Verisure, Google Nest has a very low Trustpilot rating, which should be considered before committing to a system.
Rating: ★★★
Alexa allows you to control your Google Nest devices with voice commands, such as asking Alexa to show you the video feed from a particular camera. You can also set up pre-programmed automations that are voice-controlled. However, you may need to enable specific skills in the Alexa app to connect devices.
Google Nest devices can be used without a subscription, but Google offers Nest Aware and Aware Plus subscription services from £6 a month. These provide additional features for Nest devices, such as an extended video history, intelligent alerts and camera activity zones.
You can use Nest devices without a subscription, though the available features will be basic; more advanced functionality is tied to a Nest Aware subscription.
Google Nest devices offer user-friendly design, easy installation and remote access via a simple app. Integrating these devices with the Google Home ecosystem makes them convenient for homeowners already using Google products.
On the downside, Google Nest devices are typically more expensive than some alternatives on the market, advanced features can only be accessed with a Nest Aware subscription and the brand has a low Trustpilot rating.
