The right outdoor security camera can help you protect your assets and offer the priceless gift of peace of mind. For this article, we tested just about every outdoor camera we could find. We narrowed the field down to two worthy contenders, but rather than write an Arlo Pro 3 review and a separate Nest Cam IQ outdoor review, we decided to put their heads to head and let you pick the winner.
Arlo Pro 3 vs. Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
Arlo Pro 3 Spotlight Camera
The Arlo Pro 3 is a fairly straightforward camera to install, and it offers some pretty impressive options when it comes to keeping an eye on your home or business. It’s also among the most flexible options we were able to find. If you’re looking for wireless cameras to protect your property, the Arlo Pro 3 is worth looking at.
Right away, we noticed that the Arlo 3 has a convenience feature that you don’t often find in any surveillance camera–it’s wireless. You might be thinking that a battery-powered outdoor security camera isn’t the best idea–after all, batteries can fail, leaving your home or business unprotected.
However, the battery in the Arlo Pro 3 is especially long-lasting–on a single charge, it will last three to six months. If the battery runs low, you can use the included cable to charge it.
We also liked that the Arlo Pro 3 has the option of color night vision. This is a feature you don’t often find on surveillance cameras, especially at such an affordable price. that said, if you prefer standard night vision, don’t worry–you can set up the Arlo Pro 3 so it records in standard greyscale.
Many surveillance cameras are designed to be somewhat stealthy, but if you want to illuminate your property to deter thieves or burglars, the Arlo Pro 3 has a smart spotlight that may be of interest. This integrated spotlight can be manually switched on or configured to turn off and on at specific times. The Arlo Pro 3 also has a built-in smart siren, which is a rarity when it comes to outdoor security cameras.
Like the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, the Arlo Pro 3 also has two-way talk enabled. This means you can talk to potential intruders through the camera via the manufacturer’s app.
Lastly, if you want local storage of any footage, the Arlo Pro 3 offers it through the Arlo base station. Arlo also will give you seven days of free cloud storage. The Nest camera does not have local storage, but you get three hours free on the cloud. If you want more storage, 30-day or 60-day plans are fairly affordable.
While the Arlo Pro 3’s 2K video will offer a clear enough picture for most people, the Nest Cam IQ offers an impressive 4K video for a markedly clearer picture.
Additionally, if you live in a very cold climate, you might want to be wary of the Arlo Pro 3. Like any outdoor security camera, it’s pretty rugged, but it only works between 14 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. If the weather where you are is often under 14 degrees, you may want to check out the Nest IQ, which is equipped to handle colder climates.
While it does have some shortcomings in terms of video quality, we think that the Arlo Pro 3 offers outstanding value for the money. In particular, its wireless design and option for color night vision set it apart from most home security cameras.
Google Nest Cam Outdoor
While many purchasing security cameras are looking to monitor buildings they own, plenty of renters are seeking out a good camera for apartments. The Nest Cam IQ outdoor is an affordable yet high-quality camera that is likely to appeal to owners and renters alike. With two-way talk, crystal-clear 4K video, and a truly remarkable tolerance for lower temperatures, the Nest Cam is worth your consideration.
One of the main things setting the Nest Cam apart from the competition is video quality. We’ve all seen grainy surveillance footage at some point, but this camera’s 4K video makes it easy to clearly see who is on your property at any given time.
Another feature that’s important to consider is temperature tolerance. Most outdoor security cameras are built to withstand rain, snow, heat, and cold. But if you live in a very cold area, your camera options may be more limited. Luckily, this camera can function in temperatures as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or as hot as 113 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a truly impressive range, and it makes the Nest Cam IQ suitable for those living in almost any climate.
As the Arlo Pro 3, the Nest Cam IQ is compatible with Google and Amazon smart home devices. If you’ve found yourself frustrated with cameras that are only compatible with a certain smart home system, you know just how much of a benefit this can be.
Notably, the Nest Cam IQ outdoor uses artificial intelligence to detect whether a person is on your property. While person detection is possible with the Arlo Pro 3, you’ll need a paid subscription in order to activate it.
We think the Nest Cam IQ outdoor is an impressive camera overall, but it does have one (potentially major) shortcoming–it needs to be plugged into an indoor power outlet. This may severely limit the potential places you can mount it, especially if you’re a renter.
In addition, while this camera’s video quality is superior to that of the Arlo Pro 3, it does not offer colorized night vision recording. This may not necessarily be a disadvantage–after all, some people prefer greyscale night vision to colorized footage. It all comes down to what you prefer in a camera.
If you want an incredibly clear video that also comes with two-way talk, we think the Nest Cam IQ is a great option. Plus, if you live in an especially cold climate, it may well be one of the few security cameras that will work where you are.
Insights and Takeaways
After thoroughly evaluating both the Arlo Pro 3 and the Nest Cam IQ outdoor, we don’t feel that one of these cameras is necessarily a better choice than the other. However, they have different features that may benefit different types of people. To help you make your decision, we’ve distilled our insights a bit:
Here’s who would benefit most from the Arlo Pro 3…
- People who need a wireless security camera
- People who like the idea of an integrated spotlight and smart siren
- People who may want to use colorized night vision
- People who prefer the flexibility of a battery-powered camera
- People who don’t live in very cold climates
…and here’s who would benefit most from the Nest Cam IQ outdoor:
- People who need a camera that will work even in extreme cold
- People who prefer very high-quality video
- People who can plug an outdoor camera into an indoor outlet
- People who want to affordably store a large amount of footage on the cloud
- People who want the benefit of person detection without a paid subscription
