How To Connect A Nest Camera To Wifi
Tom's Guide Verdict
Google'south Nest WiFi mesh networking kit makes a virtue out of beingness small, while providing enough mesh networking performance for the typical habitation and an interactive extension speaker. Easy to ready and use, it's the best mesh Wi-Fi organisation we've seen.
Pros
- +
Expert performance
- +
Google Banana with music
- +
Piece of cake setup
- +
Small and unobtrusive
Cons
- -
Brusque range
- -
Speaker doesn't get loud enough
- -
Minimal configuration options
Google proves that good things really can come in small packages with its Nest WiFi family of mesh routers ($269 (opens in new tab) for the 2-pack nosotros reviewed). The compact mesh units have the ability to fill a home with strong Wi-Fi betoken, and even characteristic a built-in Google Home speaker for voice commands and playing music, giving owners the same sort of smart speaker control offered by the Netgear Orbi Voice, an expensive add-on to our elevation option for the previous best mesh Wi-Fi system, the Netgear Orbi.
The Nest WiFi kit isn't perfect – we'd like to see more customization options and amend range from the individual units – merely compared to the latest competing mesh systems, the Nest WiFi is smaller and more affordable than the Netgear Orbi with Orbi Voice extension, and more powerful than the latest Eero mesh arrangement. In other words, the 2-piece kit takes the lead when it comes to delivering Wi-Fi data and music. Read our whole Nest WiFi review to learn why its the best mesh Wi-Fi solution out in that location. (In fact, we named the Nest WiFi ane of the best products of the twelvemonth in our 2020 Tom's Guide Awards.)
Editor's Note: Nosotros periodically update our reviews to brand certain that pricing and data is up to date. Our rating and recommendation for the Nest WiFi review is unchanged from when it originally published in August of 2020.
- Google Wifi vs. Nest Wifi: Which mesh router should you buy?
Nest WiFi review: Design
Composed of devices that look like big plastic marshmallows, the Nest WiFi mesh devices are small and easy to hide. In addition to stashing them on a shelf, they fit on a windowsill or on a coffee table. The router has a 4.3-inch diameter and is three.6 inches tall. By contrast, the Point extensions are a little smaller with a 4.0-inch bore and 3.iv-inch height. Both accept shotgun-cooling holes at their bases and are tiny compared to comparable Netgear Orbi devices, which are larger and measure well-nigh 10 inches alpine.
The Nest WiFi devices should fit into a diverseness of home decors, thank you to Google Home's evolving design language of organic shapes with no hard edges and soft colors. The router is bachelor just in flat white, merely the extensions come in Mist (low-cal blue), Sand (tan) or white.
The Nest WiFi concept is similar to Netgear'due south Orbi Voice: the router is the center of dwelling house networking while the Nest WiFi Point Extensions do double duty: They button the Wi-Fi signal farther into the house and can answer to voice commands and play sound. In essence, the extensions are a combination of a mesh extender and a Google Domicile Mini smart speaker.
Google Nest WiFi Specs
Wi-Fi Spec: 802.11ac/dual-ring mesh kit with speaker extension
Number of Antennas/Removable: four/No
Ports: Router — Two Gbps Ethernet, power; Extension — None
Processor: Quad-core 1.4GHz
Retention/Storage: Router —1GB/4GB; Extension — 768MB/512MB
Wi-Fi Chip: Qualcomm QCS 400 family
Size: Router — 4.iii-inch (diameter) x iii.6-inch height; Extension — 4.0-inch (diameter) x three.4-inch height
On its ain, the router sells for $169 (opens in new tab) and can cover ii,200 foursquare feet, according to Google. The router and an extension 2-pack, which is plenty to fill to 3,800 square feet, costs $269 (opens in new tab). By comparing, it took three of the older Google WiFi disks to fill roughly that same space. The Nest WiFi iii-pack increases the coverage to v,400 square anxiety for $349 (opens in new tab). After that, each additional extension costs $149 (opens in new tab), a $l savings compared with the Netgear Orbi Voice speaker extension.
The Nest WiFi is able to accommodate up to 32 extensions, and all merely the smallest homes will require an extension or 2. The skilful news is that the previous generation of Google WiFi gear can exist used every bit extensions with Nest WiFi to extend the network'due south achieve but without the audio abilities.
Different the triband network topology of Netgear'southward Orbi systems, the Google Nest WiFi mesh system uses a dual-band approach that does without Orbi'southward dedicated dorsum channel for moving information between the extension and host router. It does take proactive band steering that sends the data to the least congested channel and the preferred extension. The beamforming tunes the transmitted point to accommodate the receiver and tin connect with up to 100 clients per device; my two-pack has the potential to link 200 devices.
The Nest WiFi devices should fit into a variety of dwelling house decors, thanks to Google Abode's evolving design linguistic communication.
Each Nest WiFi device has iv internal antennas that work with the electronics to create a cocky-healing 802.11ac network. While the router'southward 5GHz transmissions uses a 4x4 setup, its ii.4GHz band uses a 2x2 blueprint, creating a maximum throughput of 2,200 Mbps. On the other manus, the 2x2 extensions top out at ane,200Mbps.
They both accept Bluetooth and 802.15.4 Thread mesh networking built in to efficiently connect with depression-power home-automation devices. On the other paw, the gear lacks the latest WiFi-6 technology.
- Wi-Fi 6: What It Is and Why It's Better
With minimalist connections, the router has a pair of Ethernet ports, a ability plug and a thoughtful cutout to route the cables. The router lacks a USB connector or a ability switch, while the extensions do without any wired connection, so they can't be used as cabled access points the style Netgear Orbi hardware can.
Inside, the extension has a microphone array, a 4.8-watt amplifier and a i.6-inch speaker that radiates the sound 360 degrees. They tin can hear commands from about 15 feet abroad, and tin be individually used for music or grouped together digitally for a homewide sound system on the cheap.
Using Google's Broadcast office, the extensions tin can be used as an intercom that can also link with other Google Home gear and Nest Hubs for audio calls. At that place is a switch on each extension to turn the microphone off and preserve privacy.
Surprisingly, based on its size, its sound quality is richer and sharper than Orbi Voice but lacks low-stop bass response and doesn't get nearly as loud as the Orbi RBK40V. It should be fine for a small-scale room, only the music will probable get lost in the chatter of a party. Unfortunately, there's no sound-out jack to patch into an external speaker, just I was able to wirelessly link the extension with a Bluetooth speaker in well-nigh 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can pair the extension with a Google Mini speaker as the right or left stereo channel for fuller sound.
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The extensions respond to all of the Google Home commands and Google Assistant skills that whatever Google smart speaker uses and can control everything from the best smart thermostats to smart light bulbs and the best smart plugs. They tin be set upwards with free services, similar Google Play Music and YouTube Music, as well as subscription music services; I used my Spotify subscription.
At any time, you can tap the top of the extension to pause or restart the audio track and run your finger over the extension'due south top to heighten or lower the book. You tin can too control the volume with voice commands. My favorite is to merely say something like "Hey Google, turn information technology up" or "volume level 4."
Nest WiFi review: Performance
Congenital around a custom version of Qualcomm'southward QCS400 family of chips, the Nest WiFi router and extensions apply a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and a pair of Digital Signal Processors (DSP), while the extensions accept far-field vocalization-pickup technology. The router has 1GB of RAM also as 4GB of flash storage for firmware and settings, while the extensions take 768MB of RAM and 512MB of storage space.
The extensions reply to all of the Google Home commands and Google Assistant skills that any Google smart-speaker uses.
Happily, the router uses a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to authenticate its automatic firmware updates. This means that the system'south software changes are secure and are merely accepted if they're digitally signed by Google. The system has WPA 3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) security built in, merely merely a handful of networking gear supports this new standard. You can however use the more mutual WPA 2.
To approximate the performance capabilities of the Nest WiFi gear, we first set it up at the Tom'due south Guide open office and tested operation using Ixia's IxChariot. The router'due south maximum throughput occurred five feet from the Nest base unit with the ability to move 653.2Mbps. That'south a big pace up from the original Google WiFi (464.3Mbps) and well alee of the the 2019 Eero (342.2Mbps). The previous category leader, the Netgear Orbi RBK50 turned in a middling functioning of 552.1Mbps at five feet.
The Nest WiFi'south performance dropped off to 612.0- and 455.i-Mbps at 15- and fifty-anxiety, or betwixt 11- and 15-pct ahead of the Orbi RBK50 mesh system. At fifty-feet, the Orbi turned the tables and took the lead with 478.3Mbps versus the Nest's 455.1Mbps. At 100-feet, the Nest regained the advantage with 394.0Mbps available versus 315.5Mbps for the Orbi RBK50 organization.
It blew away the 2019 Eero in our wall penetration testing, where the signal has to travel through three walls and xl-feet of heavy-duty construction. While the Nest delivered 400.6Mbps, the Eero could simply muster 84Mbps, less than ane-quarter the throughput.
The Nest excelled on our mesh system test with a satellite unit fifty-feet from the host router. It was able to transmit 480.1Mbps. By contrast, the Eero managed simply 169.1Mbps on the same tests. This is likely the outcome of its lower operation aspirations. While the Nest WiFi devices are rated to operate at a height of ii.2Gbps, the new Eero devices acme out at 550Mbps, one-quarter the peak abilities of the Nest.
I set the Nest 2-pack upwards in my three-story, three,500-square-foot home, an older edifice with thick walls and lots of nooks and crannies. With the router in the basement and the extension a flooring above, the two-piece Nest set ran without a problem for more than than a week of testing. Considering the router lacked the built-in smart speaker, I set upwardly a Nest Hub nearby to provide that same functionality in that room.
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The network ran without a problem, reliably distributing my internet connection and playing everything from the latest Kevin Gates track to the sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti to the latest BBC World News headlines. The incoming connectedness'due south 235Mbps bandwidth dropped to 187Mbps at the router and 178Mbps at the extension, a 25 % pass up.
The Nest WiFi non simply lets you create a homewide Wi-Fi network, it besides has Google Home built in, so it can also listen to your commands and play your favorite tunes.
Overall, the router had a range of 80 feet and the mesh extension added another 50 feet. This should be fine for most homes, merely it came upwards a niggling short in filling my house, leaving expressionless spots on the tiptop floor and at the extremities. Conspicuously, having a second extension would have helped.
The system's throughput was more enough to pass our informal saturation test, where I connected four different computers, including an Apple Macbook Air, a Microsoft Surface Pro 3, a Samsung Milky way Note 10+ and a Lenovo Thinkpad T470, to watch videos and listen to Internet radio while moving data back and along from a networked RAID storage array. I didn't detect whatever information hiccups or lost frames, even when listening to music on the Nest WiFi extension.
- Google's Nest Wifi Router Doubles as a Google Home
While working, the router stayed cool, but the extension got warm to the touch. The used 3.seven and 4.3 watts of power, respectively, less than half the ability an Orbi Router and Voice require. Together, they might toll $8.xl a yr in electricity bills if they're connected 24/7 and you pay the national average for electricity of 13 cents per kilowatt-hour. All told, it's a small price to pay for Wi-Fi and music on demand.
Nest WiFi review: Setup
The installation routine for creating a Nest Wi-Fi network is easy and logical with elementary illustrated footstep-by-stride instructions. You volition need a phone or tablet because, unlike Netgear's Orbi, there'south no way to fix it upwardly or configure the Nest WiFi units with a continued web browser. All told, it took a niggling less than 20 minutes to install the router and extension in my home, a niggling longer than the 15 minutes information technology took for an Orbi Phonation. For me, it started with installing the Google Habitation app on my Samsung Galaxy Annotation 10+ phone.
After tapping "Create a habitation," I tapped to set upwards new devices. And so, I gave my house a name.
The software and so scanned for and found the Nest WiFi router in a couple seconds. I snapped the QR lawmaking constitute on the underside of the router and allowed the software to connect with the router. A series of animated colored rings appeared effectually the router's photograph on-screen to prove it connected.
I then named the router's room and entered what I wanted to use as the network's name and password. At this indicate I agreed to have Google run networking tests, diagnose problems and create statistics.
One time the router is set up, you lot'll need to add the Bespeak extension. I powered it upwardly and the app scanned for and rapidly plant it. Once I named its room, the extension played a brusk tune to verify the successful connection.
Next up, I created a voice impress to identity me later; it took about a minute of saying various things and waiting on its processing. I then set up the organisation upwards to play music using Spotify by logging in. I could have linked to my Sirius XM satellite radio business relationship merely chose non to.
Nearly washed, the Nest WiFi and then updated its firmware. In one case information technology checked the connectedness betwixt the router and the extension, the extension played a short melody. Finished, the app showed all the setup details.
With everything working, I was able to connect my trusty iPad Pro to the extension on the showtime try. I then took a test drive by request Google'southward voice banana to tell me the time, weather and current traffic on the George Washington Bridge. Finally, I sat back and listened to some tunes.
Nest WiFi review: Configuration
The Nest WiFi equipment relies primarily on the Google Dwelling app for making configuration changes, although the customization options are few and far betwixt. In improver to adding extensions and setting up groups, the app can adjust how bright the router and extensions glow.
At any fourth dimension, I was able to run a networking test, remotely restart the network or evidence the Guest network'south countersign on a smart display. The Settings pages for the router and extension show some detail, like IP addresses and firmware version.
What's missing are traditional setting choices that nigh other routers have, similar setting static IP addresses, managing ports or picking which Wi-Fi channel to employ. Nigh won't miss these items, only it might exist a deal-breaker for those who similar to tweak their gear.
For accessing these more avant-garde features, use the older Google Wi-Fi app. There yous can brand DHCP reservations or manage the arrangement's privacy settings. That the ii apps haven't been integrated is a mystery.
Nest WiFi review: Smart-domicile integration
Along with the Nest WiFi gear, Google'south Home app can be a ane-cease shop for decision-making a variety of habitation automation items, like any of the best smart light bulbs. To add a device, tap the "+" in the chief screen'southward upper left corner.
Exist warned, the Home app is a little picky and balked at using a Belkin Wemo ligh tbulb (opens in new tab) and an Amazon Smart plug (opens in new tab). I was able to use it with Philips Hue lights and C past GE calorie-free bulbs; it also works with Sylvania's LEDVANCE lights. The system allowed me to independently plough the lights on and off as well as dim them via the Home app and the Nest WiFi extension voice commands. The Home app immune me to pick from the 6 lite colors the GE bulb offered.
The Google Domicile app includes Family Wi-Fi. It allows the grouping of devices so that the lights and thermostats are part of a unlike grouping than the computers. This permit me interruption the system'south Wi-Fi to stop the catamenia of data long plenty for dinner or screen-free family time without affecting other devices that I desire to run 24/7.
Google backs the Nest WiFi gear with a i-year warranty that includes total support with technicians on call to help 24/7. The Nest support site has several DIY items to help get the prepare and running also every bit the ability to call, chat or email them for personal help. By contrast, Netgear provides only 90-days of support.
Nest WiFi review: Verdict
The Nest WiFi takes a big stride ahead of the Netgear Orbi with a much smaller size, higher overall performance, and a prepare that'due south elementary and straightforward. Information technology likewise has a Google Domicile smart speaker congenital in, giving information technology a leg up on the Orbi, which requires ownership the Orbi Vox to add similar Alexa capability to your home mesh system. Sure, the range isn't as broad as nosotros'd like, and the lack of a web interface means y'all'll accept to gear up it upwards using your phone, only it outshines the Netgear Orbi where it counts, giving you faster speeds throughout your habitation. That'southward enough to make the Nest WiFi our new pick as the best mesh Wi-Fi arrangement bachelor.
Compared with the Orbi Voice, the Nest WiFi also offers better sound in a meaty and more affordable package. The overall book is a little weak, but the functionality and design make the Nest WiFi the one to get if yous want to mix Wi-Fi and a smart speaker.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/nest-wifi
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