A complete modern home security alarm system can be very expensive, but it isn’t quite as much of an investment to buy a few security cameras and install them at crucial points. Indoor security cameras can help you keep an eye on children or pets, and outdoor cameras can deter burglars or record crucial evidence if your home is ever broken into. Security cameras often make great gifts as well – many people consider cameras an unneeded luxury but would gladly use them for added peace of mind. The best home security cameras produce high quality footage and the ability to save footage with a variety of motion tracking or other sensory features.
Home security cameras catch a surprising amount of information once installed. One survey of 1,000 home security camera owners found that 37 percent of people use their surveillance system to watch for porch pirates. One in seven respondents say they’ve actually caught a porch pirate in the act on their cameras. One in eight people claim their cameras caught someone stealing gas from their car. Another 18 percent have caught a neighbor not picking up after their dog and over 12 percent have caught their own roommate stealing something inside the home. The top reason for owning home security cameras, however, was still to make sure their property and family were safe.
According to the 2022 State of Safety report by Safewise, 62% of Americans use some kind of security measure to protect their home. Security cameras are the most common form of home security used, followed by dogs, firearms, and security systems. Though cameras won’t always deter a crime from happening, they can provide key evidence that will bring a perpetrator to justice.
StudyFinds researched and found the best home security cameras on the market, listing the most commonly recommended products across 10 expert websites. Already use cameras at home? Which ones? Are you happy with the model so far? Let us know in the comments below!
The List: Best Home Security Cameras, According to Experts
1. Arlo Pro 4
The Arlo Pro 4 has a slew of features that make it one of the best picks at an affordable price, such as 160-degree field of view, two-way talk, color night vision and compatibility with home assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. “Arlo’s latest Pro series camera, which we gave an 8.5 review score and Editor’s Choice award, is a fantastic home security camera with features to spare,” comments CNET.
If you purchase an Arlo Secure subscription for $3.99 a month per camera, you get access to a whole lot of other features, such as smart alerts, event history, and more. “The Arlo Pro 4 offers only half the resolution of the company’s flagship, the Arlo Ultra, but the Pro is much more reasonably priced,” writes TechHive. “This new model frees you from the requirement to buy the $100 Arlo base station, although you can use it with that storage device if you already own one.”’
Safewise names it “the best outdoor camera for smart homes” and writes: “We love that it’s 100% wire-free—it doesn’t need a power cord and still manages to outperform the competition. Its Wi-Fi connection and battery make it easy to install anywhere a ladder can reach.”
2. Wyze Cam v3
Wyze is known for producing perfectly good cameras that get the job done at a fraction of the price of other cameras. “Don’t let the low price fool you; the Wyze Cam v3 is the best home security camera for those on a budget,” says Tom’s Guide. “As its name suggests, it can record video at a resolution of 1080p, and while the quality isn’t up to the same par as the 4K Arlo Ultra, it’s still sharp enough to see who’s there. Its color night vision is especially impressive.”
If you insert your own SD card, you don’t even need to worry about paying extra to subscribe to Wyze’s extra cloud storage to save your footage. “We’re fans of Wyze’s free cloud storage that saves small 12-second clips for up to 14 days. The Wyze Cam Plus paid cloud storage plan allows full-length video clips and is great for folks who want better video recording without buying a microSD card,” writes Safewise.
The Wyze takes CNET‘s best overall spot at the top of their list. “If you want a complete home security system, there are other cameras that you can buy from Wyze and connect into the grid.”
3. Google Nest Cam
Google Nest Cams are perfect for indoor or outdoor spaces and can be installed easily with minimal setup. The features aren’t the most extensive, but the cameras are easy to use and get the job done. “Google’s Nest Cam lineup has some impressive features, such as object detection and offline recording for when the internet goes out at home,” writes CNN. “It records 1080p video with HDR for improved color and clarity, including at night.”
Google’s Nest Cam is the best suited choice for those who already use the Google Home Kit. It will give you notifications on your phone or allow you to control cameras using your hubs. “A rugged indoor and outdoor camera, the Google Nest Cam packs a useful selection of smart features to help you keep tabs on your home. In addition to sharp 1080p HDR video, it offers face recognition, dual-band Wi-Fi, and intelligent alerts that know the difference between people, animals, and vehicles,” says PCMag.
As for the battery, Safewise says, “This is Google’s first battery-powered security camera, and we’re pleased to say its battery holds up well in tests. Still, Google says the battery won’t charge in freezing temperatures, so you may need to bring it inside to warm up during the winter charging sessions. This isn’t unique to Google—many wireless outdoor cameras like Arlo and Reolink have similar limitations.”
4. Ring Stick Up Cam
The Ring Stick Up Cam can be plugged in or run with a separate battery. They also sell a solar powered version for your outdoor cameras. “The Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In Wi-Fi camera comes with a lengthy, weather-resistant power cord but can also run on a battery (sold separately). We prefer the cord, which enables the camera’s ability to record longer clips and more accurately capture motion events,” says NY Times.
You can purchase a Ring Protect Basic plan at $4 a month or $40 a year to store camera recordings. It also gives you the capability to enable smartphone alerts. “The Stick Up Cam Solar by Ring is one of our best solar security cameras of 2023. It features 1080p video resolution, noise-canceling audio hardware and color night vision. Its compact size makes it ideal for homes with limited space and sun exposure,” writes Forbes.
PCMag says this is the easiest model to set up: “A painless installation process makes this camera a solid choice if you don’t want to deal with wires or drilling. Simply charge it, pair it with the app, and place it anywhere you want, inside or outside.”
5. Blink Outdoor
The most notable thing about the Blink Outdoor camera is its unbeatable battery life. The battery lasts for 2 years on a single charge. No wires give you more flexibility about where to place the camera. “This is one of the most affordable battery-powered outdoor home security cameras on the market right now, and it’s also one of the most compact, but it’s the battery duration which is its biggest highlight,” writes Techradar.
The Blink is compatible with Alexa and has cloud and local storage options available. “Blink uses motion detection with customizable motion zones to help reduce errors and includes a two-way audio feature to communicate with the cam, says Digital Trends.
CNN mentions, “Blink claims the batteries can last up to two years, though of course, that’s dependent on your settings, weather conditions and how often the camera and lights are triggered.”
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.
With no mention of Eufy, I wonder about this article?
camera a solid choice
Wirecutter just pulled their recommendation for Wyze cameras because of privacy concerns.