How to Set Up a Google Home Security System: Best Cameras, Doorbells, and Other Devices

There’s no need for an expensive, professionally installed home security system for a little peace of mind. You can keep tabs on your home when you’re away, check in on your kids or pets, and discourage intruders with a few well-placed security cameras and connected devices. Easily the smartest option on the market right now, Google’s Nest cameras and doorbells are straightforward to install.

Here’s everything you need to know about getting started with home security using Google Home and Nest cameras.

Selecting and Installing Security Cameras

First, you need to figure out how many cameras you need and where to place them. You’ll want to pay special attention to any points of entry to your home and think about where intruders are most likely to access your property. Think back doors, sliding doors, side doors, large downstairs windows, and your garage or other outbuildings. Try to consider potential blind spots.

It’s a good idea to install cameras in shaded spots, such as under eaves, to protect the lens from the glare of the sun and reduce the risk of overheating. But you also want cameras to be a visible deterrent, so don’t hide them away. Many intruders will be scared off by a camera with a green status light that shows it is recording.

Google suggests 6.5 feet as a good height for its outdoor security cameras. You need to also pick spots with a strong Wi-Fi signal and consider adjacent power for wired cameras. Setup is as simple as scanning a QR code in the Google Home app, screwing in a magnetic mount, and adjusting the camera angle for the best view. For indoor cameras, you can also simply pop them on a shelf or wall mount them.

The latest and greatest Nest Cam Indoor (8/10, WIRED Recommends) can record crystal clear 2K footage at 30 frames per second (fps) and has HDR to balance mixed lighting. It also offers two-way audio, which can be handy for checking in with the kids. Each camera comes with an adjustable mount and a 10-foot USB-C cable. You have a choice of colors: Snow (white), Hazel (gray-green), or a striking Berry (red). Place one in your hallway, and you can keep tabs on who is home and get alerts if any unfamiliar faces pop up.

Photograph: Simon Hill

If you can run cables to power outlets, I recommend the newest Nest Cam Outdoor 2K (8/10, WIRED Recommends). Each camera comes with an 18-foot cable that plugs into an outlet, and a clever magnetic mount with all the fixings (you cannot hardwire it). You get clear video day or night in 2560 x 1400-pixel resolution at 30 fps with HDR. The Nest Cam Outdoor also has a wide 152-degree field of view and 6X digital zoom capability, so it can pick up on distant intruders or vehicles as they approach. This camera only comes in Snow or Hazel. Chances are you’ll need more than one, and you can save some cash with a two-pack ($250).

Although this is Google’s last-generation camera, which means footage is limited to 1080p resolution, it’s a great choice for driveways and other entrances because it includes powerful, motion-activated floodlights offering up to 2,400 lumens of bright light (for context, a 60-watt bulb puts out around 800 lumens). Mount this above your garage and you’ll discourage intruders, and make life easier for yourself when you come home in the dark or have to take the trash out at night. The floodlight needs power, so you’ll have to hardwire this camera, though the camera itself operates on a battery. If the power goes out, it’ll keep running for some time, though the floodlights won’t turn on. There’s a chance Google will release a version of its new Nest Cam Outdoor 2K with floodlights, but the company hasn’t announced anything yet.

Photograph: Simon Hill

Maybe you have spots on your property that are tough to run cable to, or you’re renting and want to avoid drilling holes. Either way, Google’s battery-powered last-gen Nest Cam Outdoor has you covered. Footage is 1080p, but this camera supports HDR and offers a high frame rate (30 fps) for smooth video. It’s a bit larger to accommodate the battery, and you will have to charge it up occasionally (I’d say every two to three months if it’s in a busy spot). If you need multiple cameras you can save some cash by opting for a two-pack ($330) or a three-pack ($450).

Choosing and Installing a Doorbell

For the main entrance to your home, video doorbells are the ideal way to keep an eye on your family’s comings and goings, any package deliveries, and visitors, both welcome and unwelcome. The natural spot for a video doorbell is wherever your regular doorbell is. Google recommends installing its Nest doorbells at a height of around 4 feet. Wedges and fixings for different wall types are included, so you can ensure your doorbell has a good view of your front step or porch.

If you decide to go with a wired doorbell (and I recommend you do for best performance), you will likely want to hire an electrician for installation. Depending on your doorbell wiring, you may need a new transformer and chime. While Google does provide excellent step-by-step and video guides to installation, hiring an electrician is always the safest option.