Wireless home security cameras make up one of the most popular smart home market segments, and it’s easy to see why. These awesome devices let you see exactly what’s going on in and around your home at any time, from anywhere in the world. They can even alert you when there’s movement in certain areas and automatically capture video. You can sync these up with your other smart home devices to show you what’s happening.
Because home security cameras are popular, there are so many options out there. It can be difficult to figure out which one is right for you. That’s why we’re here. We have hand-selected some of our favorite home security cameras to give you an idea of the top choices. Here are our picks for the best smart security cameras that you can use in your home.
Best entry-level camera: WYZE Cam v3
Pros: No subscription required, can be used indoors or outdoors
Cons: Has to be plugged in
The original WYZE Cam was nothing short of a game-changer in the home security camera market. But the WYZE Cam v3 is even better. It is our favorite entry-level camera because it offers the same great features as much more expensive models, but for a small fraction of the price. This has 14 days of recordings stored in the WYZE Cam app. You’ll be able to record nighttime videos in full, vivid color. The Starlight Sensor works in 25x darker environments.
There is no subscription required, saving you additional fees. This is one of the best smart security cameras because it has both motion and sound detection and can send alerts straight to your phone. It will continuously record for 24 hours a day. It is also IP65 weather-resistant, so you can keep it in the rain. This will need to be plugged in, so you’ll have to make sure you have a plug close to where you install it.
Best wire-free camera: Blink Outdoor
Pros: Two-year battery life, infrared night vision
Cons: Stores locally on a flash drive that you have to provide
Wireless security cameras are terrific because they’re easy to set up, but wire-free cameras take that convenience to the next level. Since they’re powered by batteries, they don’t need to be plugged into a wall. Most battery-powered cameras last just a few months before needing to be recharged, but cameras in the Blink Outdoor last for a class-leading 2 years before it needs new batteries. You can set this up in minutes because it doesn’t have any wires.
This will store clips and photos in the cloud with a Blink Subscription Plan. You’ll get motion detection alerts on your phone and you can customize them. This features two-way audio as well, used through the Blink Home Monitor app. You can also use Alexa to control it with your voice. There’s no wiring for this. For storage, you’ll have to provide the flash drive if you don’t want to use the cloud.
Best smart security cameras for panning: TETHYS Wireless Security Camera
Pros: 350° rotation and 100° tilt, real-time motion detection alerts
Cons: Meant for indoor use
The TETHYS Wireless Security Camera lets you see all around you. It’s the best for panning because it can scan up to 350° horizontally and up to 100° vertically, so you can survey the area. It will provide you with real-time motion detection alerts when a person or object passes in front of the camera. A notification is sent to your smartphone through the app to notify you. All controls, features, and functions are controlled by the free app. You’ll be able to access the gallery, snap photos, and more.
You’ll save all of your video through the cloud storage option or you can insert your own micro SD card. It offers built-in advanced night vision technology. You have 32 feet of viewing range in the dark. This is capatible with Amazon Alexa and is meant to be used indoors. It won’t be able to function outdoors.
Best smart security cameras pack: Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera – 3 Pack
Pros: No hub required, all kinds of notifications
Cons: Charging them can be an issue
Set up more of your cameras to cover more ground with the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera – 3 Pack. These can be connected directly to Wi-Fi. The wire-free setup delivers increased installation flexibility. This will record video in 1080p for a clear picture, no matter the time of day. The two-way audio is also fast.
This comes with three cameras, allowing you to strategically place them around your home. The cameras can see faces or license plates in full color, day or night. You’ll get notifications about people, vehicles, packages, or more. There are also local storage options. This has functions that are great, as you can call a friend or even dial an emergency number if necessary. The battery life is strong but when you do have to charge them, it can be challenging, especially if you place them outside.
Best indoor security camera: Google Nest Cam Indoor
Pros: Privacy and security for your feed, three-hour snapshot history
Cons: Subscription required,
The Google Nest Cam Indoor keeps an eye on your rooms. This gives you a 24/7 live stream in full 1080p HD. It connects to your Wi-Fi and lets you send clips to your family and friends. The night vision features eight high-powered infrared LEDs for clear video. There are mobile alerts and notifications that let you know as soon as the activity is spotted.
This works with a free trial of Nest Aware for 30 days and then you can pay $6 per month for a storage subscription. The two-way audio works well. You can also set this up with no problem. It can be mounted and there is flexibility where you do so. The Nest app allows you to communicate with those who are in the view of the camera. You need a subscription to be able to use it to its fullest extent.
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