Stephen Schenck / Android Authority
I moved into my new apartment a few months ago and wanted to set up a security camera for obvious reasons. The crime rate is going up, so I feel more comfortable knowing I’ll get a notification if someone walks into my home when I’m not there. I also generally like to check the live feed every now and then, making sure there aren’t any other issues while I’m away.
My first impulse was to buy an indoor Nest Cam (3rd gen). I’m already deep into Google’s ecosystem, using everything from Gmail and NotebookLM, to Photos and even Gemini. I also have a Pixel phone. I like Google’s products in general, so a Nest Cam seemed like the obvious choice.
However, after a bit of research, Google’s security camera lost most of its appeal. I ended up going with the Eufy C220, which is more suited to my needs and is even cheaper. Here’s exactly why I decided to buy this security camera and why I think most people should consider it too.
Which of the following would you rather get? 10 votes Indoor Nest Cam (3rd gen) 10 % Eufy C220 70 % Something else (let me know in the comments) 20 %
The problem with the Nest Cam
Stephen Schenck / Android Authority
I have three main issues with Google’s Nest Cam. The first is the price. At $100, it’s vastly overpriced, considering there are plenty of cheaper options out there. Then there’s the lack of pan and tilt functionality. Technically, you can adjust the angle of the camera, but you have to do it manually. I was searching for a camera that automatically tilts and pans when someone enters the house, since I didn’t want to place it in the far corner of the room due to the apartment’s layout. I also wanted to be able to move it via the app so I could check out the entire apartment while out and about.
The last issue I have with the Nest Cam is that you need a subscription to access many of its features, including continuous recording. Without a subscription, all you get is a six-hour event video history. This means the camera will capture video clips when it detects motion (only up to 10 seconds long), but they are deleted after just six hours, making them quite useless in my opinion. So if someone quietly breaks into my home at 1 am while I’m asleep and I get up at 8 am, I can’t see the video footage anymore.
To solve this, you’ll have to opt for continuous recording, which is part of a subscription that will set you back as much as $20 per month. So not only is the camera very expensive, but I’d also have to pay a monthly subscription to use all of its features. No thanks, Google.
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