Nest Cam IQ Review – 4K Facial Recognition Smart Camera

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When it comes to home or office security, we’ve seen huge advancements in technology over the years. The Nest Cam IQ is one of those products. With super-smart features, 4K facial recognition and functions that will blow the mind, we were amazed at what could be achieved by such a simple device. When it comes to home security, you really don’t want to skimp out. But is the Nest Cam IQ a little too expensive to really deliver the right value to your home?

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Check out our complete Nest Cam IQ review below as we explore one of the smartest security cameras to hit the shelves in recent times.

Nest Cam IQ Review Verdict

As far as security cameras go, the is one of the best products that Nest has ever made. This is despite the fact that there are only a couple of notable improvements compared to the Nest Cam Indoor model.

The Nest Cam IQ isn’t the smallest security camera you’ll ever see (in fact, it’s relatively large), but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, a more significant footprint means it can be mounted to almost any surface, and its large size means that it’s hard for would-be intruders to miss. We’d argue that this is actually a good thing since the very presence of the camera itself can serve as one of the best crime deterrents.

Regardless, the Nest Cam IQ is a truly unique smart security camera that is a worthy addition to your home. It has a futuristic feel to it, almost as if it’s dropped right off the set of a sci-fi film. Better yet, it’s got cutting-edge features to match. This has the potential to make it a great addition to your startup smart home or security system setup and it will even work just as seamlessly for your office!

That said, there is no escaping the price of this camera. The Nest Cam IQ, for all of its cool features, is slightly more expensive than other cameras in the marketplace. When you consider the raw purpose of a security camera itself, you have to question whether the Nest Cam is truly worth the expenditure when you could achieve the same results for slightly less.
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Nest Cam IQ Review – Features Breakdown

Want to know more about the features and functionality? Keep reading our Nest Cam IQ review below and get up to speed with everything you need to know to make a good purchasing decision. When you’re done, don’t forget to hit the comments and let us know what your thoughts are. We want to hear everything from how you would use this camera to other ways you help deter burglars.

Explained: The Nest Cam IQ

As advanced as home security systems have become in recent years, it still seems as if they’re not as powerful as they should be. This all changes with the Nest Cam IQ, which leverages a 4K sensor, advanced tracking for individuals, and automated facial recognition technology built right into the device. All in all, it’s a fantastic user experience.

Since its release date, Nest has added a cloud subscription service (called Nest Aware) which adds tons of functionality to the Nest Cam IQ. The recent addition of support for on-board Google Assistant features is also a welcome addition and effectively turns the camera into a full-fledged Google Home device.

It goes without saying that these changes have taken a best-in-class indoor security camera and turned it into a great smart device that offers users tremendous value.

Top-Notch Design & Build Quality

As is the case with all Nest offerings, the Cam IQ boasts a beautiful design and durable build quality. If you’ve ever seen a Nest camera in person, you will be instantly familiar with the iconic conical design. I have to say, this is the type of design that looks as good inside a building as it does on the outside.

When it comes to indoor spaces, the security needs are far different than the outdoors. As such, Nest has built an entirely new setup that provides 180-degree swivel and 160-degree tilt functionality, all without the need for bulky supports. In fact, you can point the Nest Cam IQ directly down and the device will still feel stable (dare I say, maybe even topple-proof?).

Best of all, you can adjust the stand without messing with those pesky screws.

As far as the logistics are concerned, the Cam IQ uses a standard tripod screw, so it can be fitted for nearly any stand or wall mount. Power comes from a USB-C cable, which has been fitted flush into the stand, allowing for a clutter-free look.

Cutting-Edge Features Galore

Setting up your new Nest Cam IQ is as simple as configuring it with the Nest smartphone app, which controls all of the Nest devices throughout a smart home. The setup of the Nest Cam IQ can be completed in only a few minutes. This will give you plenty of time to enjoy all of the innovative features packed into this pint-sized device.

Nest Cam IQ Image & Video Quality

The biggest draw for this camera is the 4K image sensor. While the footage is only recorded in 1080p, having access to 4K image quality for quick screenshots comes with some benefits. In particular, the Nest Cam IQ uses Supersight technology, which will follow around potential intruders as they navigate through a room. Since 4K provides four times the zoom of standard 1080p cameras, the Cam IQ can get an up-close and personal look at home invaders. On top of this, there is a very impressive 12x digital zoom.

Facial Recognition

The power of a six-core processor means that the Nest Cam IQ is more computer than a camera. To this end, when paired with a Nest Aware subscription, this camera can spot and recognise individuals with its built-in person detection feature. Most importantly, the Nest ecosystem offers users unrivalled convenience. However, to get full value from the facial recognition feature you will need quick internet and a generous download limit.

The facial recognition certainly makes this device a smarter security camera but it is frustrating that it relies on a paid subscription. There is a 30-day free trial, so it’s worth checking out to see if it’s good value for money for your needs. Here is some info on the trial.

Remote Control

From the app, you can effortlessly control when the camera can and can’t record video, which ensures you can still have some semblance of privacy within your own home. For example, Nest supports the creation of downtime schedules, but there’s also the option to rely on geofencing-based technology to turn on your Nest Cam IQ when you’re out of the house and turn it off once you get home.

Nest Cam IQ Price & Value

Whilst we absolutely love the features of the Nest Cam IQ, the price is a sticking point. Retailing for around $479AUD for the device itself, that’s a lot to spend on a camera. Then there is the subscription to Nest Aware that can cost up to $30 per month for each camera. The camera truly comes to life with this subscription so it doesn’t really make sense to not purchase that either.

When you combine these two prices together, you’re looking at a grand total of around $800AUD for the first year for one camera. That’s quite a lot of money to spend when there are much cheaper alternatives on the market. Nevertheless, the Nest Cam IQ is still flying off the shelves and you can’t deny that there is a lot of value with its features. With a growing set of functions, we’d still say that this camera has a lot of value for money. It will just depend on how much you value your assets!
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Should You Invest In The Nest Cam IQ Smart Camera?

When it comes to awesome tech-related features, the Nest Cam IQ is by far the best indoor security camera available on the market today. It’s one of the easiest-to-configure smart home devices I’ve ever used, and impressive features like Face detection are a welcome addition to my own smart home.

However, it would be great to see more control when the camera is recording. For example, a feature which that records unrecognised faces for the first time would be useful. Imagine having a complete record of faces that the camera has picked up?

While the Nest Cam IQ is fantastic, it’s essential to recognise that no product is perfect. The biggest downside to the Cam IQ is the monthly cost of its associated Nest Aware subscription as explained above. This is basically a must-have if you’re looking to maximise the usefulness of this device. On the other hand, the recent addition of full Google Assistant support makes this an attractive option for those looking to fill their smart home with dual-use devices.
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Nest Cam IQ Review Summary

Overall, the Nest Cam IQ is an exciting and innovative security camera. It would likely be a welcome addition in most smart home configurations. An exceptional image quality combines with cutting-edge features to provide users with far more than they’d ever expect from a simple security camera. Yeah, the nest aware subscription is a sticking point for us. However, the features are undeniably brilliant and worth the cost if you own expensive items.

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Content Disclaimer: Our ‘Nest Cam IQ Review’ is totally independent and has not been commissioned by the company in any capacity. Mr Gadget has not received any endorsements for this writing including financial reimbursement, free advertising or the Nest Cam IQ by way of gift. If you purchase this item via an affiliate link on our website, we may receive a small commission from the seller. We hope you enjoyed!

Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API