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Nest Home Security

Self Install, 100% Wireless System

6.2

Overall Score

2 days ago

Nest Home Security

Review

Rating: 6.2 / 10 (Very good)

Nest Labs, Inc. is a home security company based out of Palo Alto, California, that offers hardware, software, and other services for homes.

Chief among its proprietary products is Nest Cam, its cloud-based video monitoring camera and cloud service that allows customers to keep abreast of whatever’s going on in their home, at all times.

Founded in 2010 (though now a subsidiary of Alphabet, Inc.), Nest sells its products internationally.

How is Nest Home Security Rated?

Breakdown
Equipment
7/10
Monitoring
7/10
Reputation
7/10
Contract & Price
6/10
Technology Integration
9/10
Overall Rating: 6.2 / 10 (Very good)

Nest offers home security and smart home technology and devices at a very affordable price point. Since its systems and equipment layouts can be fully customized, the company only offers one basic package of devices, to which more equipment can be added as customer's see fit, including a large range of smart home features. All monitoring and installations are DIY, and all equipment works over WiFi, meaning that homeowners considering Nest should be aware that they'll need reliable, fast Internet for their system to work as advertised.

Pros
  • Good Customer Service
  • DIY Installation
  • “Crash and Smash” Protection
  • 30-Day Trial Period
  • Customizable Systems
Cons
  • Monitoring outsourced though Rapid Response
  • No Month-to-Month Contracts
  • Proprietary Equipment

HOW DOES Nest Home Security WORK?

Equipment - 7 / 10

Nest equipment focuses on facilitating smart home technology.

The company offers smart locks, a smart thermostat, smoke and CO alarms, and both indoor and outdoor security cameras, as well as the more standard control panel, motion sensors, and door/window sensors.

All Nest equipment is self-installed, and this DIY ethos is also evident in the company’s approach to how it structures its security systems.

Though it offers a basic Nest Secure package, which includes a control panel, two motion sensors/window and door sensors, and two tags (essentially used as electronic keys); the company emphasizes customers’ ability to custom-design the amount and array of devices for their home.

Installation Self-Install (DIY)
Ability to Reallocate System

Security Monitors, Sensors, & Devices

  • Intrusion Protection
  • Motion Sensors
  • Surveillance
  • Indoor Cameras
  • Outdoor Cameras
  • Environmental Protection
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Flood
  • Smoke

MONITORING

Monitoring - 7 / 10

Nest doesn’t offer monitoring services on any of its products, following a self-monitoring model wherein the customer is responsible for receiving alerts and acting accordingly, by calling emergency personnel.

This allows the company to hold to a lower price point than comparable, professionally monitored security cameras.

Nest products function over WiFi, therefore, consumers should be aware that the better their internet service and provider, the more reliable and consistent their security will be.

Monitoring Options Self Monitoring
Monitoring Technology Broadband

How much does Nest Home Security cost?

Contract & Price - 6 / 10

Since Nest products are all self-monitored, the only cost to consumers is their initial disbursement for the purchase of their equipment.

Since Nest focuses primarily on DIY, the company only offer one set home security package, called the Nest Secure. Otherwise, customers are encouraged to customize their setup according to their needs.

Equipment Starting Cost $399.00
Contract Required
Warranty 2 years limited warranty

Contract & Price Fine Print

https://nest.com/ca/legal/warranty/

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATIONS

Technology Integration - 9 / 10

Since Nest is owned by Alphabet Inc., which is technically Google’s parent company since a corporate restructuring process carried out in 2015, it’s no wonder that the company offers a number of technological integrations and smart home compatibilities.

Among these, Nest devices can be connected to Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, and Z-Wave, though this last integration can only be accomplished with plugins in a bit of a runaround.

  • Mobile Access & Alerts
  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Email & Text Alerts
  • Home Automation
  • Thermostat Control
  • Electronic Door Locks
  • Event-triggered Automation
  • Unique User Codes

Nest Home Security reputation

Reputation - 7 / 10

Unfortunately, Nest has a large amount of negative reviews, mainly centered around the company’s customer service.

We found multiple accounts of extensive wait times, which, when combined with the high instances of customers who mention a marked lack of knowledge about devices and systems from the staff, leads us to worry about Nest’s ability to successfully provide support.

That said, some customers report having zero issues with the company’s devices, though they all do emphasize their excellent internet quality, which seems to have an outsized effect on the reliability of Nest devices.

Trust Pilot Rating 1.5 out of 10
BBB Rating D-
Number of BBB Positive Reviews 2
Number of BBB Neutral Reviews 0
Number of BBB Negative Reviews 20
Date Collected 2018-08-04
Year Founded 2010
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