This thing does everything. It’s weatherproof. It has high-end picture quality, combining 1080p HD resolution with a 4K image sensor and HDR. And it packs next-level features like Supersight and facial recognition into an all-new design. That said, all these high-end, high-tech benefits come with a high price tag. And if you want the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor to perform at the highest level, you’ll have to fork over more money for a monthly subscription. Pound for pound, the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is one of the best outdoor security cameras, but we don’t recommend it for everyone—especially if you’re looking for security on a budget. We’ve come to expect improvement in design and functionality from every Nest product we review, and the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor definitely doesn’t disappoint. While we greatly appreciate the new design, we were pretty bummed to learn that the AC power adapter is designed only for an indoor power outlet. That means it’s not weather resistant, which really means you’re going to have to drill holes in your house to properly install this thing. This kind of security camera installation is pretty common, but it’s still a pain. Nest has provided a How-To video if you want to install the IQ Outdoor yourself. Take a look below. Keep in mind—these aren’t Nest employees. They’re just handy people nearby that can drill through your wall so you don’t have to. If you’re like us, Supersight alone makes the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor worth the sticker price. But keep in mind that Supersight does require a Nest Aware subscription to work, which means you’ll have to pay extra to get it. You can then select whether that person is a “familiar face” or not, which allows Nest to learn when it should send you notifications. Paying for Nest Aware will give you access to recorded footage for 30 to 60 days before the video is automatically deleted to make room for more. You can also save video clips to the cloud if you need to hang on to footage for longer, but you will have to manually select the clip you want in the Nest app. If you’re considering a Nest Cam for your home, plan on paying extra if you want any kind of accessible cloud storage. Here’s a breakdown of what Nest Aware gives you, specific to the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. Fits these needs:
Budget price ($100 less than Nest Cam IQ Outdoor) Easier installation
The Arlo Pro 3 does cost more because it’s part of a camera system that requires a central base station, but it’s also more expandable (up to 15 cameras). Fits these needs:
Truly wire-free system Expandable up to 15 cameras
Check out our review of the best outdoor security cameras for more choices we recommend. The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is pricey. It’s a pain to install. But it’s probably the most powerful outdoor security camera out there for a reasonable price.
