How to set up Google Home Security: Best cameras, doorbells, and other devices
By Simon Hill | Published: 2025-10-28 10:00:00 | Source: WIRED
There is no need For an expensive, professionally installed home security system for your peace of mind. You can monitor your home when you’re away, check on your kids or pets, and discourage intruders with a few well-placed security cameras and connected devices. Google Nest cameras and Google doorbells are the smartest option on the market right now, and they’re easy to install.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting started with home security with Google Home and Nest cameras.
Selection and installation of surveillance cameras
First, you need to know how many cameras you need and where to put them. You’ll need to pay special attention to any entry points into your home and think about where intruders are most likely to gain access to your property. Think about back doors, sliding doors, side doors and bay windows in the basement, garage or other outbuildings. Try to think about potential blind spots.
It’s a good idea to mount cameras in shaded locations, such as under ledges, to protect the lens from sun glare and reduce the risk of overheating. But you also want cameras to be a visual deterrent, so don’t hide them away. Many hackers will be afraid of a camera with a green status light showing that it is recording.
Google suggests that 6.5 feet is adequate for its outdoor security cameras. You also need to choose locations with a strong Wi-Fi signal and consider the power of nearby wired cameras. Setup is as simple as scanning a QR code in the Google Home app, attaching the magnetic mount, and adjusting the camera angle for the best view. For indoor cameras, you can also simply place them on a shelf or mount them on the wall.
Photo: Julian Chocato
The latest and greatest Nest Cam Indoor (8/10, recommended by WIRED) can record crystal-clear 2K footage at 30 frames per second (fps) and has HDR to balance out mixed light. It also offers two-way audio, which can be useful for checking in with kids. Each camera comes with an adjustable stand and a 10-foot USB-C cable. You have a choice of colors: Snowy (white), Hazel (gray-green), or eye-catching Berry (red). Place one in your hallway, and you can monitor who’s in the house and get alerts if any unfamiliar faces appear.
Photo: Simon Hill
If you can connect cables to power outlets, I recommend the newer Nest Cam Outdoor 2K (recommends 8/10, WIRED). Each camera comes with an 18-foot cable that plugs into an outlet, and a smart magnetic mount with all the mounts included (you can’t wire it up). You get clear video day or night at 2560 x 1400 pixels at 30fps with HDR. The Nest Cam Outdoor also has a wide 152-degree field of view and 6X digital zoom capability, so you can capture distant intruders or vehicles as they approach. This camera only comes in Snow or Hazel. You’ll probably need more than one, and you can save some money by using 2-pack ($250).
Although this is Google’s last-generation camera, which means shots are limited to 1080p resolution, it’s a great option for hallways and other entryways because it includes powerful motion-activated spotlights that provide up to 2,400 lumens of bright light (for context, a 60-watt bulb puts out about 800 lumens). Mount this above your garage and you will keep out intruders, and make life easier for yourself when you come home in the dark or have to take out the trash at night. The floodlight needs power, so you’ll have to wire this camera, even though the camera itself is battery powered. If the power goes out, they will continue to work for some time, although the floodlights will not work. There’s a possibility that Google might release a version of its new Nest Cam Outdoor 2K with floodlights, but the company hasn’t announced anything yet.
Photo: Simon Hill
Maybe you have places on your property that are difficult to run cables to, or you rent and want to avoid drilling holes. Either way, Google’s latest generation battery-powered Nest Cam Outdoor has you covered. The resolution of the footage is 1080p, but this camera supports HDR and offers a high frame rate (30fps) for smooth video. It’s a little larger to accommodate the battery, and you’ll have to charge it occasionally (I’d say every two to three months if it’s in a crowded place). If you need multiple cameras, you can save some money by choosing… 2-pack ($330) Or a Three-pack ($450).
Choose and install the doorbell
For the main entrance to your home, video doorbells are the perfect way to monitor your family’s comings and goings, any package deliveries, and visitors, both welcome and unwelcome. The natural place for a video doorbell is wherever there is a regular doorbell. Google recommends installing Nest Doorbells at a height of about 4 feet. Pegs and anchors are included for different wall types, so you can make sure your doorbell has a good view of your front stairs or porch.
If you decide to use a wired doorbell (and I recommend doing so for best performance), you will likely want to hire an electrician for the installation. Depending on your doorbell wiring, you may need a new transformer and chime. Although Google provides excellent step-by-step guides and video guides for installation, hiring an electrician is always the safest option.
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