Which Nest Cam should you buy?
Pick the battery Nest Cam if you want a camera you can place anywhere with no wiring. Pick the Nest Cam with Floodlight if you are replacing an outdoor floodlight and want brighter light and wider motion detection.
 Nest Cam (battery) |  Nest Cam with Floodlight | |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Indoor or outdoor (better) | Outdoor only |
| Power | Rechargeable battery, or an optional power cable | Hardwired to 100–240V AC, which continuously powers the camera (better) |
| Light | None | Two lights, 2400 lumens maximum, 4000K (better) |
| Motion detection | Camera: 110° horizontal view, up to 25 ft | Camera 110° plus floodlight sensors at 180°, up to 25 ft (better) |
| Video | Up to 1080p HDR, 130° view | Up to 1080p HDR, 130° view |
| Night vision | Up to 20 ft with infrared LEDs | Up to 20 ft with infrared LEDs |
| Audio | Two-way audio with noise cancellation | Two-way audio with noise cancellation |
| Weather resistance | IP54 weather-resistant | IP54 weather-resistant |
| Installation | Two screws or a magnetic mount, no wiring (better) | Replaces an existing floodlight at an electrical box (mains wiring) |
| Size & weight | Camera 3.27 in, 14.04 oz (better) | Camera 14.04 oz plus floodlight 41.09 oz |
| Linked listing | A 2-pack | A single unit |
| Best for | Renters and quick, flexible placement | Replacing a floodlight with brighter light and wider coverage |
Highlighted cells lead their row. Specs from Google's spec sheets and the Amazon listings.
Buy Nest Cam (battery) on Amazon Buy Cam with Floodlight on Amazon
Which one should you choose?
Choose the battery Nest Cam if
- You want to mount it indoors or outdoors with no wiring.
- You rent, or want to move it easily.
- You are happy to recharge it or add a power cable.
Choose the Nest Cam with Floodlight if
- You are replacing an existing outdoor floodlight.
- You want bright lighting and wider motion detection.
- You want continuous power, with no recharging.
Read the full reviews: Nest Cam (battery) and Nest Cam with Floodlight.
Questions
Which Nest Cam is better for outdoors?
Both are rated IP54 for weather resistance. The Floodlight adds two lights and wider motion detection, but it needs mains wiring. The battery camera needs no wiring.
Do I need a subscription?
No for live view, alerts that tell people, animals and vehicles apart, and three hours of event history. Longer history needs a Google Home Premium subscription, sold separately.
Do these need Wi-Fi?
Yes. Both need Wi-Fi with at least 2 Mbps of upload speed per camera, the Google Home app and a Google Account.
Is the floodlight easy to install?
It replaces an existing wired floodlight at an electrical box, so it involves mains wiring. If you are not comfortable with that, use a qualified electrician.