My Google Nest Security System Review

Is Google Nest Good for Security? The Ultimate Smart Home Smackdown

Consumer Alert: When reading a Google Nest Security System Review, it’s essential to approach it with a discerning eye. Most ‘reviews’ aren’t actually opinions – they’re cleverly disguised ads crafted by shrewd affiliate marketers. “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.” These digital puppet masters are pulling your strings while pocketing commissions. There’s a reason they’re packed with so much information, it’s called SEO. Some are so convincing, even I was fooled: personably delivered, well-organized…with admittedly more content than you’ll ever get here, because I’m just a security expert.

So before you dive in, take a moment to consider the source. This is not your typical review—no snake, no oil, just facts. That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind—separating the truth from the trickery. I think you’ll be surprised. I think you’ll be angry. That’s good, because maybe you’ll help me bring more awareness to what’s been flying under the radar.

My goal is to bring some clarity to the chaos by empowering you to look deeper, to not be lulled into a false sense of security, and to help me save more people from becoming another statistic. My Google Nest security system review comes from street smarts and pure common sense, with a little behind-the-scenes investigation to back it up. I hope it will bring about positive change. Ok, here we go!

Google Nest: The Convenience King

Google Nest products are all about making your home life easier—you can automate your thermostat and chat through your doorbell just like Captain Kirk, without boldly going anywhere. Google Nest excels at integrating your wifi connected gadgets into a seamless, user-friendly experience. Yes! You can boss around Google like its your very own personal assistant, and it won’t even roll it’s eyes.

But convenience and security are two different things, kinda like flip-flops and snowshoes. After looking at the nuts and bolts of their system, I found a few screws loose. Shall I state the obvious?

Plug-in devices—just waiting for someone to pull the plug, literally.
Wide open wifi—about as dependable as a politician’s promise.
Cameras with batteries—guess who’s climbing the ladder way too often to recharge them?

According to Google: “The devices do not come with a battery, they must be plugged into a wall outlet to work.” ADT confirms they use 128-bit AES encryption to protect your data, but there’s nothing in place to prevent jamming, a much more likely possibility. Even without the cyber attack, if your wifi or power goes out, so does your system. Google estimates a Nest camera battery will last somewhere between one and half months and seven months.

Why Did ADT Go With Google?

It didn’t make sense for ADT to ditch the tightest security system on the planet for one with so many holes. It’s like putting a screen door on a submarine. Let’s follow the money trail – because money never lies. In 2015, Google decided to throw some serious cash at Nest Labs – a cool $3.2 billion, to be exact. Why? To get their big slice of the smart home pie. Remember, just because a home is smart doesn’t mean it’s secure.

The demand for smart home gadgets and better home security surged at the same time, and they both blow the roof off as two of the fastest-growing markets in recent history. So why not pretend they’re the same and make twice as much? According to Security Sales & Integration, the leading authority for technical professionals who recommend, buy and/or install electronic security systems, Google invested $450 million for a 6.6% stake in ADT, gaining access to 6.5 million ADT customers.

And there we have it. Google’s driving the bus, boosting sales for their Nest-branded products by looping in the home security heavyweight. And in my opinion, ADT is abandoning the high standards that built their rock-solid reputation, sacrificing quality for quantity…(wait for it!) to compete with Ring and SimpliSafe.

Alarm.com: The Safety Specialist

Now, let’s turn our attention to Alarm.com, ADT’s old flame. Yes, you can still have a personal assistant for your home, but she’s got a sexier name. Remember Alexa? Who picks a girl named Google, anyway? The awkward one, over the obviously more glamorous and desirable Amazon Alexa. Didn’t they ever go to high school?

Faster by far, with a very important must-have when it comes to hooking up your home ~ stronger security protocols. Back up from Daddy, making you the obvious Prom King. Alarm.com took AP courses and graduated with honors, plus they have all the cell connections. I’ll give you the Cliff Notes below, extra credit for clicking links.

All Safe. All Secure. All Automated.

While Google Nest and the others play in the smart gadget sandbox, tossing out shiny objects and hoping for the best, Alarm.com watches over—laser-focused on just one thing: taking home security to the highest level. With a pro-monitored system that intuitively responds to unexpected activity around your home, they step in front of the problem with an automated solution.

Alarm.com doesn’t blur the line between convenience and security. They know the difference—and so should you.

State-Of-The-Art Equipment—to prevent those ‘uh oh, they didn’t think of that‘ moments.
S-Line Encryption—ninja-like signals too quick to capture.
Verified Alarm—no waiting for ‘maybe,’ help is on the way.

Long-lasting, hardwired solutions that deliver both safety and convenience—because now you’re playing with the grownups.

Here’s The Difference (The Cheat Sheet for Acing Home Security)

A Dedicated Cellular Connection

A dedicated cellular signal keeps your system securely connected to the outside world. It ensures that even in emergencies like break-ins, fires, or severe weather, your system will still send images and alerts. Rather than piggy-backing on your home’s broadband connection, Alarm.com’s signal is reserved solely for your security system, because your safety shouldn’t be compromised from competing with your other devices. You can rely on a solid connection even if your phone line, cable, broadband, Wi-Fi and power are down. Other systems can be disabled (in seconds) from outside of the home. This signal is wireless and tamper-proof, it can’t be cut.

An Award-Winning App

Smart Signal, available through the Alarm.com app, gives you direct access to your home’s monitoring station from anywhere in the world. It enhances your professional monitoring with a set of clear and simple emergency buttons to expedite a response. Send a panic signal or cancel a false alarm with a single command— no need to talk or remember a passcode. Alarm events can be stressful, that’s why it’s designed to be easy and accessible, no matter where you are.

Crash and Smash Protection

Burglars love the ‘crash and smash’ approach—it’s basically the toddler tantrum of break-ins. It only takes seconds to get in and bust something. Alarm.com’s Crash and Smash protection safeguards against this by monitoring the system from the moment the door is opened. Even if the panel is destroyed, Alarm.com detects the disruption and alerts the monitoring station, ensuring law enforcement is notified. You’ll also receive a smartphone alert, keeping you informed and protected.

S-Line Encryption

Encryption has become an increasingly vital component for any digital system, but it’s important to understand there are two essential layers when it comes to home security. One protects your information, while the other protects your signal. Both are crucial, but one is waaaay more important.

Let me put it this way, data encryption is like putting all your personal information in a blender and hitting ‘puree.’ It scrambles everything so well, that even if a hacker could get their hands on it, they’d need a decoder ring and about 10 years of spare time before they could make any sense out of it. In contrast, without rolling codes on your devices’ sensors, shutting down your system is about as difficult as making toast.

A Verified Alarm

A verified alarm with Alarm.com equipment (we use Qolsys,) means your security system proves there’s an emergency. It uses video, audio, or sensor data to verify the threat is real, cutting through the red tape and sending help faster. Non-verified alarm systems are unlikely to secure the necessary police response, especially in Chatham County. This is where ADT steps up, because with a verified alarm they can contact 911 centers electronically – bypassing the need for a phone call. For a security system to deliver when it counts with the fastest response on the planet, you have to have equipment that’s sophisticated enough to work without you, and monitoring with ADT.

Here’s How You Get a Verified Alarm With Nest 👇🏼

Google Nest Aware (without ADT) connects you to the 911 call center closest to your home, based on the home address you enter in the Google Home app. They have some tips: 1. If there’s a dangerous emergency in your home (like a fire, carbon monoxide leak, or an intruder) leave immediately and call 911 from a safe location. 2. Wireless devices may not be reliable for emergency communications.

ADT with Google Nest requires you to have Alarm Messenger, but to find the equivalent of what we’re offering, as close as you can get with Nest… HOLD PLEASE I’M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT

Ok, I’m back. There were a lot of steps, requirements, and disclaimers to get through. (Can I say a bad word?) You’re on your own if you want to go there, it was honestly just too much. Best advice I can give you is to call the number and get someone to help.

We’re Not Gonna Take It

Channeling some Twisted Sister energy here to let you know that Safe Haven doesn’t settle for less. We’re still offering ADT’s legendary monitoring paired with Alarm.com’s cutting-edge equipment. It’s the perfect match, like peanut butter and jelly, Netflix with no interruptions, thunder and lightning—one without the other just isn’t right.

More bang, less buck—because better value doesn’t mean a bigger price tag. Ready to get more without overpaying? (Tap the button below to see how.)

Oh Yeah, This > Last month, Google dropped support for the now discontinued Nest Secure, meaning people spent money on cameras that no longer record or connect to their Nest app. Sadly, they lost access to their history too. A classic high school breakup move. Getting ghosted by Google: like the ex who dumped you right before prom—sticking around just long enough to ruin your playlist. Ouch.