Canary and Nest Security Cameras Comparison

Are you overwhelmed at the number of home security options available on the market today? With so many different devices offered, one can be forgiven for thinking they are all the same — and opting for the cheapest item available.

While that solution may work for some, the vast majority of consumers would be better off doing a little homework before deciding which device is right. Top options worth considering include the Canary and the Nest. Keep reading to find out what they have to offer:

The canary in the coal mine is a time-tested method for detecting dangerous pollutants in the air. It makes sense, then, that the Canary line of devices sets itself apart from the pack with air quality monitoring. This might not be the first feature that comes to mind when shopping for security cameras, but it’s useful nonetheless.

Canary boasts three excellent products available. The most popular is easily the Pro model. It sports a 147-degree wide-angle lens and a 90-decibel user-activated siren capable of sending burglars scurrying. Further, the Pro features everything consumers expect from an indoor home security solution.

At $169, the Canary Pro is a decent bargain. Although users will have to shell out money for the premium service if they want the ability to utilize two-way talk and video streaming.

The Canary View is a cheaper option at just $99. It’s a good fit for homeowners who will not use the air quality monitors. It features the same high-quality video capabilities as the Pro. It also has powerful AI learning that allows it to distinguish between family members, frequent visitors, and suspicious individuals.

Similar to the Pro, the Canary View must be paired with a separate pay service that provides cloud video storage and two-way talk capabilities.

With the Pro and the View, Canary covers indoor security options. The Flex, on the other hand, is perfect for watching over the homestead regardless of the weather conditions outside. Its wire-free capabilities make it extremely versatile. A sleek, unassuming design helps the Flex fly under the radar — a must for an outdoor security camera.

At $199, the Flex is priced competitively. Once again, the separate Canary Premium service, that must be purchased in order to get any legitimate usage out of the device, is a bit of a sticking point.

Google’s desire to take over the home was evident back in 2014, when the tech giant purchased Nest for over $3 billion. The acquisition has been a boon to consumers, who have earned several fantastic Nest products from the deal.

In the security camera space, Nest offers both indoor and outdoor options. One key difference between Nest and Canary cameras? Nest units must be plugged into power at all times. While Google promotes this as a feature — touting the idea that users will never run into an issue with dead cameras due to drained batteries — it’s still not ideal.

Another key difference between Nest and Canary: the myriad of free services offered by Google. You can view three hours worth of activity for free.

Given the slightly higher price of the indoor Nest camera ($129), it’s nice to see Google provide added value with free features. The Outdoor Nest camera’s $199 price point gives it a leg up over the Canary Flex, which also retails for $199 but requires the paid Canary Premium service.

Nest also distinguishes itself from Canary with a video doorbell. The Nest Hello video doorbell provides 24/7 live video monitoring, which is a nice change from only motion-activated cameras. In addition, users will be able to get a clearer picture of visitors from head to toe with the 4:3 aspect ratio of the Nest video. In fact it’s touted by Google as more practical than other 16:9 displays. Integration with the Nest app is also excellent.

In general, Nest Hello video doorbell is a great product at an unfortunately high price of $229. This is higher than products from competitors such as Ring and Blink but may be worth the extra cost for those intrigued by the possibility of live monitoring.

Every smart security option brings unique benefits and drawbacks to the table. With a little research, however, it’s possible to find an option that works well in every home.

Security cameras protect households, but what protects the cameras themselves? These can be surprisingly vulnerable to several sources of damage. With an extended security camera warranty from Upsie, however, there’s no need to worry about covering the full cost of replacement in the event of a malfunction.

Upsie offers several simple options for getting your device repaired or replaced, if repair is not possible. Choose between taking your camera to a local repair shop or ship it, for free, to repair experts. The Upsie claims reps will do everything they can to streamline the process and get your camera fixed as quickly as possible. The end result: a security camera in excellent condition, plus considerable savings.