REVIEW: Nest's new $499 home security system is simple to install and made me feel a lot safer

As an extremely neurotic homeowner, I am always looking for new ways to keep my home safe and spy on my dog, to make sure he's not getting into mischief.

So I was extremely excited to try out the Nest Secure, the smart-home company's new $499 security system. Nest, one of Google's corporate siblings, designed the Secure to be slicker and smarter than other security systems, inside a package you won't mind having in your home.

I've been using the Secure for the last month now, including while I was away on vacation, and I was very happy with it. For a reasonable price, you get a smart solution that makes your home feel a little bit more like a castle.

Here's how the Nest Secure works, and why I liked it: