Smart and connected homes are now very much in vogue and have been an enabler for further technology integration into our every day lives. If you are a Smart Home aficionado, then no doubt smart security cameras are already on your radar as something you would want to invest in the near future. The latest smart security cameras help us to keep an eye on our homes and properties with a multitude of features like infrared visions through motion and image sensor to digital zoom for accurate monitoring.
As you may be aware, Google has recently acquired Nest company, allowing them to expand their smart product suite of products. Nest had earlier also purchased Dropcam, which makes the comparison of Nest cam vs Dropcam vs Dropcam Pro even more exciting. As such, it is safe to say that the two products are from the same company and have a lot of similarities and have features that guarantee you optimum security at your home.
But do the three products differ in any way? Read through this comparison article to find out.
Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick
Camera Lens | â…“-inch, 3 MP | â…“-inch, 1 MP | â…“-inch, 3 MP |
Video | Up to 1080p at 30 FPS & H.264 encoding | Up to 720p at 30 FPS & H.264 encoding | Up to 1080p at 30 FPS & H.264 encoding |
Two Way Comms | Yes with Status LED | Yes | Yes |
Night Vision | 8x Infrared | 12x Infrared | 8x Infrared |
Power Usage | 5 VDC 1.0 A | 5 VDC 1.0 A | 5 VDC 1.0 A |
Field Of View | 130° | ~107° | 130° |
Wifi Connectivity | 2.4/5.0 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4/5.0 GHz |
Cell | |||
Zoom | 8x Ultra | 4x | 8x |
Weight (Pounds) | 0.46 | 0.34 | 0.36 |
Dimensions (Inches) | 4.5 x 2.9 x 2.9 | 4.5 x 3.15 x 3.15 | 4.5 x 3.15 x 3.15 |
Cell | |||
Similarities between Nest Cam & Dropcam Pro
- Before the purchase, Dropcam was offering a 720p video resolution. After Nest purchased Dropcam, Dropcam is now offering you a 1080p video resolution just like Nest cam.
- Both cameras also have a 130-degree field of view so that you can see what is happening in most of your compound. The Original Drop cam only offered ~107°
- They also have a night vision feature allowing you to see clearly what is happening in your vicinity even when it is dark with similar number of Infrared LEDs. Its worthwhile to note normal DropCam came with increased number of LEDs (12x)
- All the three cameras also offer you a two-way audio system. With the built-in speaker and microphone, you can communicate with somebody at your gate or door without even opening it. You can also talk to an intruder and scare them away, even when you're not at home. Nest has an added nice feature of LED indicator which is not a game changer
- Nest Cam, DropCam and Dropcam Pro are all Wi-Fi compatible. DropCam supports 2.4 GHZ while the other two can operate at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network frequencies so that you can connect and control your smart camera easily and receive notifications.
- Additionally, the two cameras come with a mobile app that you can download from the App Store or Google Store and install on your phone. The app helps you to control the camera, receive alerts, and watch through live feeds whatever is going on in your home.
- When you buy either of the cameras, you will get a 30 days free cloud recording for your footage. This is beneficial as you can review the footage at a later date to confirm something or to help the police with investigations.
- The two cameras also offer you a variety of mounting options, which include tripod, wall, table, and ceiling.
So how does Nest Cam compare to Dropcam & Dropcam Pro?
Nest Cam
Price
You can get the Nest Cam smart camera at only ~$199.00.
After that, you can subscribe to your preferred plan. You can take the standard subscription plan that comes at ~$5 per month or ~$50 per year and will offer you 5 days of video history. The mid-tier subscription plan provides you 10 days of video recording, and it goes for ~$10 a month or ~$100 a year. Lastly, there is the top—tier subscription plan that offers you thirty days of cloud video recording at ~$30 a month or ~$300 per year.
Nest Cam can easily be installed by anybody. You, therefore, will not undergo any cost of hiring a technician to do the installation for you.
Design
Nest Cam smart security camera measures 2.9 x 4.5 x 2.9 inches, and it weighs 0.45 pounds. Thus, it is the right size for a security camera as you can conceal it with much ease.
On the front side of the camera, you will see a green light that indicates whether the camera is on or off. For example, if the camera is on, the light will turn green.
If you are looking for a product that will add some beauty to your house, Nest Cam is the product.
Installation
It will take you just a few seconds to set up the Nest Cam security camera. First, download the Nest mobile application that is available for both iOS and Android. Then the app will guide you on how to connect it with the security camera.
After plugging in the Nest Cam and connecting it to the mobile application, you can now use it.
When you buy the smart camera, it comes with a detailed guide on the setup process.
Features
Talk and listen with the Nest cam using its two-way audio system. You can talk to the person in your compound, and they can hear you using the built-in microphone and speaker.
The Nest cam also offers you a 130-degree field of view so that you can have a picture of what is happening in your compound.
It also has motion detectors that detect any movement and alert you in real-time. You can also customize the activity areas that the motion detectors will work in so that you only receive the alerts that matter.
The smart camera also comes with a mobile app that gives you the power to control the camera from wherever you are. You can also get alerts and watch live feeds of what is going on in your compound and will enable you to react accordingly.
You also get a night vision feature that helps you to monitor your home even when it is dark. The camera also offers you a clear 1080p HD video display.
Additionally, when you purchase the Nest cam, you get 30 days cloud recording for free for your footage. After the expiry of the 30 days, you can subscribe to your subscription plan of choice.
Finally, Nest Cam smart camera supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection, and it also works with Amazon Alexa so that you can control it using your phone.
Pros
- Easy setup
- Integrated cloud recording
- Two-way audio
- Wide-angle lens
- Great hardware design
- Two-way audio
Cons
- Expensive hardware and cloud recording
Dropcam & Dropcam Pro
Price
Dropcam Pro comes at ~$199.00, and you get a 30 days free trial of cloud recording, while DropCam is a bit cheaper than its latest model. When the 30 days expire, you can subscribe to your subscription plan of choice. You can take the ~$9.95 a month or ~$99 a year subscription plan that will offer you 7 days of cloud recording for your footage. Alternatively, you can go for the ~$29.95 a month or ~$299 a year subscription plan, and you will get 30 days of cloud recording for your footage.
It has a DIY installation process and does not offer you local storage for your footage.
Design
Both Dropcam smart cameras measure 4.5 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches. They have a puck shape and come with a metal stand with a hinge although they do not have a magnetic clasp or plate like the Nest devices have. You can mount the camera on a wall or ceiling. The stand pivots at the base at an angle allowing you to view what's happening in all the areas of the room.
It also has a 10-foot long USB cable for powering the device.
Setup
Setting up Dropcam and its Pro version is an effortless and straightforward process. First, you should plug in the smart camera and then download and install the mobile application on your phone. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.
If you have any challenges installing the device, you should not worry as the package comes with a detailed guide on how to install and use the camera.
Features
Both Dropcams offers you a crispy videos. While initially both operated at 720-p at 30FPS with 130-degree field of view so that you can clearly see what is happening in almost every corner of your compound, the Pro version now provides a 1080p HD video resolution. Thanks to Google Acquisition!
Also, the camera features a night vision ability that ensures that you can monitor your home even at night.
Dropcam Pro also has a mobile app, which helps you to receive alerts, control the app, and to stream live events at your house.
The smart security camera also features motion detectors. When any motion is detected, you will receive a notification on your phone. After receiving a notification, you can open your app to have a real-time view of what is going on.
Dropcam and Dropcam Pro also feature a two-way audio system. The cameras havee a built-in microphone and speaker that enable you to speak to the person in your door even when you are not physically at home.
When you buy these devices, you will get a thirty days cloud recording free trial. After that, you can subscribe to any of the subscription plans available. One word of caution though is to choose the subscription model as there is a lot of upset and before you realise you might end up buying more than you need!
Apart from the Wi-Fi connectivity, Dropcam Pro also offers you a Bluetooth connection that you can use to connect with your phone and other devices.
Pros
- Easy to setup
- Nest compatibility
- Clear night vision
- 130-degree field of view
- Intelligent alerts
- Cloud recording
Cons
- Weak mobile app
- Only offers cloud recording
Check Dropcam Pro Price On Amazon
Verdict
It is quite challenging to choose a winner between the two smart security cameras. They both come with impressive features and work almost in an identical way.
However, the Nest Cam has a slight edge over the Dropcam Pro. Nest Cam is a newer product, and it integrates better with other Nest products such as Nest Protect and Nest Aware. The Nest Cam is also slimmer than the Dropcam Pro, which makes it easier to conceal it as a security camera and improves its portability. It also offers you some extra five feet of night vision range, which would guarantee more security.
Editor Notes:
Nest Cam is the latest security camera of the three and comes with some enhanced features, so it’s our top pick.
It has a more compact shape than DropCam and DropCam Pro, making it more hassle-free to hide than the other two.
With an additional five feet of night vision, Nest Cam allows you to see more areas, especially as it also has a 130-degree field of view, which is more than DropCam. So, its extended scope increases your home’s security level.
Moreover, it has a 1080p resolution, allows zooming up to x8, and has a 3MP camera to ensure clarity and top-notch security.
