Article Summary:
Your Nest Cam is versatile enough to mount almost anywhere you want to place it in your home. Where it should go depends on what you want to keep an eye on and the room’s layout. Here are some tips and suggestions.
Select a room
Ask yourself "What's most important for me to keep an eye on?" You probably already have something in mind. For example, if you're a parent you may want to monitor your baby's room. Or you might want to keep an eye on the front door so you know when people come and go. If you're more interested in capturing memorable moments, placing Nest Cam in the living room or kitchen will give you the best chance of preserving special memories.
Pick a location
Once you've selected a room, you'll need to find the best location in the room. If you have something specific you want to watch, try to find a way to make it the centerpiece of your video. If, for example, you want to make sure your pets stay off the couch, make sure your couch is in the middle of the picture.
If you're more interested in the general activity in a room, mounting the camera high on the wall is usually a good bet. Keep in the mind, though - the Nest Cam magnetic wall mount should be installed no more than 2-4m (6.5-13ft) above the floor.
Don't be afraid to zoom in
Remember that you can zoom in using Nest Cam, and you can set that zoom level as your default view. This can be useful when mounting the camera to a wall or ceiling. Maybe you want to use the camera to watch your baby while she sleeps. You can mount the camera on the wall, high out of reach, and zoom in on her crib. Remember, you shouldn't mount the camera higher than 2-4m (6.5-13ft) above the ground. Also, make sure that the power cord is 3m (9.8ft) from the crib, and be sure not to mount your camera directly above the crib.
To hide or not to hide?
Trying to hide your Nest Cam has its drawbacks, as it can limit your view. In addition, Nest Cam needs good air circulation, so we do not recommend placing it in a small box or other enclosure, as this can cause overheating.
Where can you set the camera? Almost anywhere!
Nest Cam has a no-slip rubber pad at the bottom of its base, so you can set it on most surfaces. It also has a powerful magnet, so you can stick it to a refrigerator or other metal surface. Finally, the detachable mounting plate allows you to mount your camera directly to a wall or ceiling. As long as the camera is within range of a power outlet and your Wi-Fi network, finding a good spot to place the camera is simple. For more information on where and how to mount or place your camera, check out this article:
Keeping an eye on your yard
Note: Nest Cam is rated and designed for indoor use only.
The best way to keep an eye on your property is to place your Nest Cam in a window. There's a few things to keep in mind when you do that.
First, to prevent overheating, you don't want to set the camera in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
Second, remember that, like all types of light, infrared light can reflect in glass. When facing a window with night vision turned on, there will likely be glare from the infrared lights built into the camera. For the most part, this is unavoidable. However, you can minimize the amount of glare by pressing the camera flush against the glass. If the area that you're watching is well lit, it may be a good idea to disable night vision.
Learn more about Night Vision >
Respect the law and others' privacy
Remember, you are responsible for making sure that the way you use Nest Cam complies with law, including any applicable privacy or data protection laws.