# 🔋 Does the Google Nest Cam (Battery) require a subscription?

*Published: 2024-07-10 | Updated: 2024-08-16 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/answers/does-the-google-nest-cam-(battery)-require-a-subscription*

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## Product: Google Nest Cam (2nd Gen)
**Brand:** Google

Hey! So, about the Google Nest Cam (Battery) - 2nd Generation—you're probably wondering if it needs a subscription. Here’s the scoop:

### No Subscription Needed

You actually get quite a few features without any additional cost:

- **Live View:** You can always stream live video through the Google Home app.

- **Intelligent Alerts:** The camera can tell the difference between people, vehicles, and animals.

- **Three-Hour Event History:** You can check out clips from the past three hours.

- **Night Vision:** It has good night vision, so you'll get clear video even in the dark.

These features are pretty solid for basic monitoring.

### [Nest Aware](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dnest%2Baware%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) Subscription

If you want more, there’s the [Nest Aware Plus](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3Dnest%2Baware%2Bplus%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) subscription. Our research says it adds:

- **Extended Video History:** With Nest Aware, you get 30 days of event history, and with Nest Aware Plus, you get up to 60 days.

- **Familiar Face Alerts:** It can recognize familiar faces, which is kinda neat for added security.

- **Continuous Video Recording:** Available with Nest Aware Plus for up to 10 days of continuous recording (you'll need wired power for this).

- **Intelligent Sound Detection:** It can pick up on specific sounds like people talking or dogs barking.

### Battery Life and Power Options

The battery life varies. Some folks say it lasts several weeks, but if there’s a lot of motion, you might need to recharge every couple of weeks. Settings like video quality and detection zones can also affect battery life. 

For more stable recording, you can plug in the camera.

### Installation and App Experience

You’ll be setting this up via the Google Home app. It’s a mixed bag—some find it easy, while others run into issues with Wi-Fi and miss features from the older Nest app.

### Physical Security and Flexibility

The camera has a magnetic mount, which makes it easy to move or remove for charging. But, heads up on things like certain features being behind paywalls and needing Wi-Fi to function optimally.

### Conclusion

Bottom line, the Google Nest Cam (Battery) - 2nd Generation is pretty flexible and handy, especially if you’re into the Google ecosystem. 

You get a lot without a subscription, but Nest Aware adds features that some folks think are worth the extra cost. 

Just keep in mind the potential limitations depending on how you plan to use it.

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| AT&T | $179.99  | Check |
| B&H Photo-Video-Audio | $179.99  | Check |
| Consumers Energy Store | $179.99  | Check |
| Google Store | $179.99  | Check |
| Lowe's | $179.99  | Check |
| Target | $179.99  | Check |
| Build.com | $183.26  | Check |

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*Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and analysis of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.*