Before Buying A Security Camera, Check For These Google Home Features

Security cameras can provide more peace of mind to home owners who are looking at ways to deter possible intruders from entering their houses. If a would-be thief spots a camera outside your abode, they may think twice about breaking and entering. If you are looking at increasing security, there are a few features you should consider before buying a camera for your home security system, and they all work with Google Home.

Perhaps one of the most important features is to watch a live feed through Google Home, which allows you to see what the camera is pointed at in real time. There's also smart detection, where the camera can differentiate between humans and animals and use facial recognition to determine who is in view. With a security camera like the Google Nest Cam, Gemini can also give you a detailed history of events.

Before you go out and buy a security camera — many of which don't require a subscription — you will want to see if it is compatible with Google Home. The device works natively with Google Nest, but it can pair with other security cameras, as well. Cameras from brands such as Tapo, Arlo, and Wyze are compatible with Google Home, so you aren't stuck with just choosing Google Nest.

Other useful features for security cameras that are paired with devices such as Google Home include two-way talk, which can be used to speak to anyone who is on the front porch or inside your house, and real-time video recording, which allows you to capture footage to view later. You can also look for a camera that allows you to control it with your voice. Voice commands can bring up the camera feed, show specific cameras, and even turn cameras off. You can also use voice commands via Gemini on a speaker or smart device. 

It's best to consider a security camera with a high resolution like 1080p, as it will offer a better quality image, as well as one with a 120-degree or 180-degree field of view to capture a larger coverage area. You can combine that with night vision to ensure you can see your yard when the sun goes down, or you can also get a camera that can have a floodlight connected to it so you can light up the space at night.

Cameras are good for increasing security, but you'll also want to consider buying one with two-factor authentication. 2FA adds another password that is sent to a designated device, helping to prevent hackers from logging into your Google Nest Hub to view your camera feeds.