We also found its motion alerts to be accurate, with the ability to distinguish between people, pets, and general motion. If a sensor was triggered, the camera started to record. Acquired by Amazon in 2018, Ring also made complete smart home security systems for DIY or low-priced professional monitoring. Subscription-free service (with no monthly fee) excluded these perks but still let us. And it still offers an inexpensive cloud storage service, two-factor authentication for security, and several smart-home integration options. If you want to integrate it with other smart devices, it includes support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. Because of the format-conversion process, Eufys storage service downgrades all cloud recordings to 1080p. ", Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars with 771 reviews, "My camerasFast installation camera view is very awesome These are the best things I boughtThis Is A Great Investment If You Are Looking For A Security Camera Thats 2k Without The Monthly Charges..!!!! A set of four 4K motorized varifocal smart IP dome cameras is $949. In short, Lorex knows cameras better than any other company out there because it only does cameras. Fortunately, it was capped at $30. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Arlos free cloud storage let us keep each clip for up to seven days. In our tests, GEs Cync Indoor Smart Camera delivered decent 1080p images but cut off motion events and missed some action entirely. What is the best cheap home security camera? Although storing video in the camera is a nice option, we prefer cameras that save footage to the cloud, which is more secure. All rights reserved. Now, lets talk about those smart home integrations. First and foremost, you should choose a camera that's simple to set up and use. Now, the main drawback was that cloud storage was limited to two hours of clips. In the Settings section, you can pick specific alerts (such as for people only), adjust the cameras motion sensitivity, create activity zones, and choose the video quality. Both apps are easy to navigate, with live views and access to a Settings section, an Events section, and geofencing all one tap or click away from the homepage. As for cloud storage options, there are paid subscriptions to the Eufy Cloud service ($3 per month or $30 per year per camera) or Apple HomeKit Secure Video, both of which cap video at 1080p resolution. Our cat wasnt willing to actively participate in our testing but accidentally set off the feature anyway, and it worked (your mileage may vary depending on the cat). Another drawback was that the infrared video wasnt so crisp; the brands above had more impressive night vision. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The use of security cameras does raise important privacy issues, because they allow you to spy without consent not only on family and friends but also on anyone who happens to cross the threshold of your home. She hopes her neighbors read this bio because it would explain why she always has four video doorbells running simultaneouslyoutside her home. Need to review any previous recordings that might help you catch unwanted strangers? Wi-Fi cameras are great for security but also much more. The Arlo Pro 4 is a wireless indoor/outdoor security camera that installs in minutes, delivers stunning 2K video, and offers a wealth of features with plenty of integration options. I can rotate it 180 degrees and zoom to see what's going on in black spots.". We see that other owners have had this problem, which may be linked to a firmware update. With Alexa, for instance, you can ask your camera to pull up a live video feed on yourEcho Show. And finally, although the camera is weatherproof, its operating temperature is 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, so it isnt a reliable option for colder climates. The Nest-Google partnership let us choose month-to-month or annual service. Reaching from only $30 to nearly $300, costs averaged around $130. After testing 13 new cameras, we've made the Wyze Cam v3 our new runner-up pick. We also appreciate that the company continues to iterate and improve a camera that costs about as much as a couple of pizzas. Ive also written tech articles for The New York Times, Wired, and Mens Health, among others. Works with Alexa voice commands and IFTTT. Keep reading to find out. The vast majority of home security cameras pair with a companion app that handles all the controls and settings. The brand was popular for its high-quality equipment and free options for video storage. Following the release of a July 2022 report from Senator Edward J. Markey, which criticized cameramaker Ring for giving police emergency access to user videos without user permission, Consumer Reports published an article claiming that several other major camera companies have the same policy in place, including Google Nest, SimpliSafe, Eufy, D-Link, and TP-Link. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Theyre compatible with essentially any system out there. Cameras by Arlo shared many features with the Ring and Nest cameras above: 1080p resolution, night vision, two-way audio, activity zones, voice assistant compatibility, and so forth. This made security alerts smarter than ever, and we could eliminate alerts about people we trusted. Some home security cameras require Wi-Fi, while others can use cellular data. The Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 captures stellar 2K-resolution video day and night with a 125-degree field of view, and it can distinguish between people and pets, as well as pick up on the sound of a baby crying. Wi-Fi coverage also affects where you position a camera: If you want to put a camera in a spot that doesnt get a good Wi-Fi signal, consider upgrading your router or adding an extender or repeater. And finally, the cameras light weight makes it easy to mount anywhere, without sacrificing durability (we knocked ours off a table, and it was fine). We stored our Nest IQ video for self-review or sharing with authorities for only $5 per month. Its said you cant put a price on peace of mind. Although the result is not quite as vibrant as what youd see during the day, its really good. If we delayed a few hours, any incriminating video might already be replaced by new clips! In addition, all models include Alexa and Google Home compatibility as well as night vision and person detection. We have more details about this incident in Security, privacy, and indoor security cameras. Enjoy free local recording onto the massive 1TB hard drive with no fees ever and the option to backup video securely to your Dropbox account. The cameras connected to home Wi-Fi with the Blink Sync Module, a gadget that handled up to ten cams. Activity also triggers reliable push notifications, with fewer false alarms, and video recording. Cloud storage with Wyze was inadequate for our needs, as the cameras were limited to recording one clip every five minutes. This made it more flexible in terms of placement options compared with other top-rated security cameras that required AC or USB outlets. The Kami Mini is priced around the same as our top picks, but the picture isnt as sharp, the 112-degree field of view isnt as wide, and the camera missed a bit of action in our testing. We also look for models that meet the following criteria: For our latest round of testing, we tried each of the cameras in multiple locations around a house, positioning them 6 feet to 30 feet away from our Wi-Fi router, which was connected to Verizon Fios service. Around the time of our review, Arlo upgraded to an optional e911 service to accompany smartphone alerts. Arlo had the best wireless indoor security camerasmade for DIY surveillance. Ringwas best known for smart video doorbells and other home security cameras that worked with smartphone apps. In addition, Lorex manufactures digital, Wi-Fi, and even wire-free cameras. Subscribe now for unlimited access. The Eufy service costs $3 per month or $30 per year for 30 days of storage for one camera, and $10 per month or $100 per year for up to 10 cameras. D-Link has three cameras we dont recommend: The DCS-8000LH lacks two-way audio, the DCS-8010LH displayed poor images in our tests, and the DCS-8525LH is plagued by a bad app and missing alerts. Both cameras record 2K resolution video, and provide two-way audio, have a built-in siren, can see to 30 feet with night vision, and support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It provides sharp 2K video, has four options for video storage, distinguishes between people and pets, and even detects the sound of crying. If youre all in with Arlo: The Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera delivers great 1080p video and alerts that can distinguish between people, pets, vehicles, and general motion. Its video isnt as sharp as that of our top pick, but the optional and affordable ($15 a year) Cam Plus cloud service, the ability to install the camera inside or outside, and the optional Spotlight Kit make up for the lower-quality video. All cameras respond to movement, but some can distinguish among people, pets, and passing vehicles. With color night vision, heat and motion detection in weatherproof cameras, the Pro Enforcer is the ultimate security solution. Subscribing to a 24/7 plan solves that problem, but in our tests we found that the timeline still missed events, which means in practice youd be scanning the entire days worth of footage to make sure you didnt miss anything. The Wyze Cam Pan V2 is an inexpensive indoor security camera that lets you pan and tilt to see an entire room, with support for Alexa, Google, and IFTTT integrations, as well as color night vision. Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT support. They can also opt to store videos locally if their camera has a built-in hard drive or, like many Eufy devices, has a slot for mini SD cards. It stood up with a magnetically attached base. With all videos stored locally on microSD card, access your video history and live stream 2K HD video on your smartphone, an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant supported display. Prices and offers are subject to change. When a motion event goes beyond five minutes, the Eufy camera automatically starts a new clip, without a reset period or a break in the actiona common issue with many other home security cameras that sometimes results in missing crucial moments. The Ring Stick Up Cam Battery is a versatile battery-powered wireless indoor/outdoor security camera that records motion-triggered video and stores it in the cloud. The following list is not exhaustive, but provides a comprehensive overview of what we looked for when selecting our choices for best indoor camera and a starting point for assessing other indoor cameras of interest. Google Nest Cam models even offer face-recognition technology that helps eliminate unnecessary alerts. It also has an 8X digital zoom, which allows you to pinch to expand live and recorded images on the app for a closer look.
The longer we wanted to store clips, the higher the price was. The Blink Indoor is an affordable battery-powered indoor security camera that offers sharp HD video, motion detection, and local and cloud video storage. Im PCMags executive editor of reviews, steering our coverage to make sure we're testing the products you're interested in buying and telling you whether they're worth it. The battery-operated Blink Indoor can record up to 60-second clips, while the Blink Mini maxes out at 30 secondsbut both leave a minimum of 10 seconds in between recordings, which means you can miss out on a lot of action. All features are included with no monthly fee, plus you can save on contractor costs with an easy set-up design and all installation materials provided in the box. Adding a Cam Plus subscription for $2 per month per camera (or $15 per year) enables recording for up to five minutes, with no reset period if motion continues beyond that time limit. The field of view was a bit more narrow than what others provide, but 110 degrees covered a lot of ground. The Kangaroo Indoor + Outdoor Camera constantly missed action during our testing. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, Mens Health, USA Today, and others. Choosing a favorite Arlo indoor camera wasnt easy; they were all impressive. Works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit, and IFTTT, Some features require Arlo Smart subscription. (, Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery), Read Great Stories Offline on Your Favorite, Kasa Pan and Tilt 1080p Smart Home Camera, eufy Security Solo IndoorCam P24 2K Indoor Camera, PC Magazine Digital Edition (Opens in a new window), How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, Read Our Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera Review, Read Our Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt P24 Review, Read Our Ring Stick Up Cam Battery Review, Read Our Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera Review, Read Our Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery) Review, Read Our Google Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired) Review, Read Our TP-Link Kasa Spot Pan Tilt (KC410S) Review, Arlo Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi Security Camera Review, Alexa, Show Me the Best Amazon Echo Show Tips and Tricks, 8 Simple Robot Vacuum Tips to Help Keep Your Floors Clean Without Lifting a Finger, The Best Grilling and BBQ Gadgets for 2022, The Best Smart Home Security Systems for 2022, The Best Outdoor Smart Home Devices for 2022, The Best Bluetooth Headphones for Running, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant. We strongly recommend enabling 2FA for both the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 and the Wyze Cam v3. Our recordings with HSV have also missed a lot of action, sometimes for hours at a timeeven when our recordings with the Eufy Cloud subscription have caught it. Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT. We even integrated a Wyze camera with basic security sensors for a mini DIY home security set. We connected to an app, attached the camera base to a flat surface, and snapped the camera into place. We tested a number of indoor security cameras that we didnt prefer as much as our current top picks but that are still good choices if they meet your particular needs. Besides resolution, also consider the field of view. Apples cloud service for security cameras has so many great features, including the pricebut we dont recommend it for most people. With two-way audio, our cameras let people communicate across the house with inside voices instead of hollering. Some cameras offer access via a web portal too, which adds additional flexibility. We've tested lots of home surveillance cameras over the last few years, so we know what's important to consider. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. It was our nominee for the best indoor home security camera overall. Or you can add the Wyze Cam v3 Spotlight Kit, which keeps the color night vision going regardless of the surrounding light conditions.). Learn more. This $99.99 camera had an IP65 enclosure, which made it safe for outdoor use as well. So, if it was so expensive, what was its big appeal? It supports color night vision, too. In our testing, we always found both cloud and local recordings to be very sharp, but if 2K recording is important to you, opt to use a microSD card for your video storage. Sign in to your account using the same username and password you use for the app, and then click Subscription.). The Google Home app is clunky, and this camera is too expensive for a 1080p modelespecially one that produces such a dark, saturated image. Under Rules, you can create a schedule to turn the camera on and off based on the time of day, the location of your smartphone, or the status of other Wyze devices. We tested it using YouTube clips of teary people and babies, and it worked without fail. The relatively affordable price of the Canary View version makes the cameras size a bit more palatable, but the image wasnt as sharp as what we saw from our picks, and its recording was inconsistent during our testing. The camera technology was overall impressive with features such as 1080p HD resolution, two-way audio, and a night vision range up to 30 feet. Do Not Sell The company has recently begun offering a full range of security system devices, including door sensors and motion detection sensors, but Lorex began as a security camera company and thats where its focus remains. (For a look at our networking picks, see our guides to the best Wi-Fi router and the best Wi-Fi extender and signal booster.) While we called it the best indoor camera, we liked that Stick Up Cams worked as outdoor cameras as well. Easy to use and clear video. Since 2016, Ive been covering smart-home gear for Wirecutter, and Ive had my hands on everything from in-wall light switches, smart bulbs, and water-leak sensors to smart video doorbells, in-wall smart outlets, and security systems. We compiled a wide range of indoor home security camera options in the reviews below. The Yi 1080p Home Camera has confusing cloud storage that adds $40 to $150 per year to the cost of an otherwise budget camera. For most cameras, all you need to do is follow instructions from an app to connect them to your network. You can also speak to see via the Google Assistant or Alexa. After all, Stick Up Cams are weatherproof and work from -5 to 122 F. We purchased this versatile home security camera for $99.99 with shipping included, and maintenance costs were minimal since. We got motion-triggered alerts and livestreamed on our smartphone for free. We also dont like that its two-way audio is available only with a paid planwhich you can purchase only annually. Installing our Nest IQ Indoor camera was easy. Well, were doing it anywayand its pretty reasonable. However, to get those alerts and any type of storage, you need to subscribe to Arlo Secure (the $3 monthly fee is pretty standard for one camera). The main difference between the two is the C110 has a 105-degree field of view, while the C210 can pan and tilt across 360 degrees horizontally and 114 degrees vertically. All security cameras have wide-angle lenses, but some are wider than others Depending on the lens' field of view, these devices can cover between 105 and 360 degrees; that's a big range. (Dusk and Dawn settings allow you to customize how low the surrounding light can go before the camera makes the switch. Some add Bluetooth for local control and easier setup through your smartphone, while others incorporate separate home automation networking standards, such as Zigbee or Z-Wave, to interact with other devices. Installation team was great. Although the Blink cameras weve tested have captured decent images, our two picks remain the better options for bargain hunters. This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser. The Pro Enforcer has red and blue flashing lights, spotlights, and sirens to prevent crime. And babysitters, housekeepers, and even tradespeople doing work in your house may need to be advised that you have a camera, depending on local laws. The relatively affordable Arlo Essential Indoor is a Wi-Fi-enabled smart home security camera that delivers sharp 1080p video and works with lots of other smart devices. Ultimately, deciding which camera is best for you may depend on how conspicuous you want it to be and what you want it to record. This camera offers a sharp image, four choices for video storage, and a continuous recording option, and it can distinguish between different motions and sounds. They automatically zoom in on people who enter the field of view and can send alerts both when they recognize a face and when they don't. For instance, you can configure asmart light bulbto turn on whenever the camera detects motion. BEST BUY, the BEST BUY logo, the tag design, and MY BEST BUY are trademarks of Best Buy and its affiliated companies. One of the standout aspects of the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 is that it offers several options for storing your recordings. In addition to DIY, we also subscribed to Rings professional security monitoring service for just $10 per month or $100 per year contract-free. Wyze also offers a clever feature you can toggle on or off called Motion Tagging, which generates a green on-screen box around whatever the camera perceives is moving. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. It stood on a magnetic base. Features included: We armed and disarmedthe Blink X2by voice with an Amazon Echo speaker, and Alexa sent video to Amazon Echo screens. This Eufy camera doesnt come with a microSD card or a NAS box, but Synologys NAS (our top pick) is verified and compatible with Eufy Security devices. You can capture and store 2K-resolution video locally on a microSD card, which also includes the option of 1080p continuous recording, or you can record 1080p-resolution video onto a networked hard drive (NAS device). We also found it to be less reliable the farther we positioned it from our main router. An outdoor security camera can alert you to prowlers, package deliveries, and visitors, as well as to animals in your trash and things that go bump in the night. Rachel Cericola is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter who has been covering smart-home technology since the days of X10. For wall or ceiling mounting we would have attached the base with screws. (To use the latter feature, you need to enable location services in your smartphones settings, and you should have the app installed on all phones you want to trigger the feature.). Alexa helped make camera operation easy, too. Our favorite cameras allow you to check in from anywhere, such as from your phone or via a web browser. The Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 is an affordable home security camera that offers lots of features for the price including sharp 2K video, voice control, and intelligent motion alerts. The Swann Enforcer has crime-fighting features other security systems dream about. The best cheap home security camera is the Wyze Cam, which sells for only $19.99 but offers 1080p HD video resolution, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and other premium features. The good news is that many affordable options are now available for much less than $100. Your camera probably relies on cloud services for storage and to provide remote access to recordings. In March 2022, a Bitdefender study was released detailing specific security vulnerabilities that affected all three models of Wyze Cams. Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant support. It directly connected with our home Wi-Fi network and worked up to 220 feet away from the router. Weve started testing the Aqara Camera Hub G2H Pro, a 1080p camera with a built-in Zigbee hub and support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit. Investing in a security system is a great idea, but they arent one size fits all. Worried that strangers may be eyeing your home while asleep? They're designed to be inconspicuous, and they're specifically made to be put in places where you need to keep an eye on things. Were especially impressed by how well the company supports its cameras with frequent updates and added or improved features. If youre serious about security cameras, you cant do better than investing in Lorex products. The Logitech Circle View and the Eve Cam both work with Apples HomeKit Secure Video, which weve had a lot of issues with. The EX also features convenient and easy installation without professional assistance. Lorexs price for a single 2K Indoor Wi-Fi, for example, is just $49.99 In line with its commercial focus, though, Lorex also offers whole camera systems. Integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant. We bumped it down because our current picks have something better to offer, whether in performance, price, or both. One special Arlo camera feature we liked that most competitors lacked was sound-triggered recording. When purchased directly from Google Nest,Nest IQ cameraswere under warranty for two years. The camera was powered via a USB cable, and we had the option to store video in the cloud or locally (data card not included). High-resolution video, 180 swivel, remote control with Google Assistant, and a host of other outstanding features made Nest IQ cameras all-around impressive. During our testing, this compact camera recorded sharp 2K images to a microSD card during the day as well as at night, thanks to its array of eight night-vision infrared LEDs. We recommend the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24, which is typically available for $40. Although the cameras we review in this guide do provide a basic level of security, they arent intended as a replacement for a full home security system, which includes door and window sensors, motion sensors, smoke detectors, and other security-specific accessories. Keep an eye on your inbox! Granted, this same technology worked for others we knew. I previously managed the consumer electronics reviews team, and before that I covered mobile, smart home, and wearable technology for PCMag and Gigaom. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Security, privacy and indoor security cameras, The best indoor security camera for daily use, 5 Questions to Ask Before Getting a Home Security System, Security, privacy, and indoor security cameras, Why we dont recommend pan-and-tilt cameras (yet), Privacy and security: How our picks compare, Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), Best home security camera: Keep an eye on the home front, The Best Indoor Home Security Cameras for 2022, Best home security cameras in 2022: Top wireless, indoor and outdoor models, Why We Dont Trust Apples HomeKit Secure Videoand You Shouldnt Either, Picking the Best Security Camera for Your Needs. We focused on Rings cordlessStick Up Cam Batterywith a $99 MSRP. These are our favorites. Lorex makes commercial-grade equipment but at prices that make it affordable for outfitting home security systems as well. Another important quality is an attractiveyet discreetdesign. The Google Nest Cam is a battery-powered indoor/outdoor home security camera that's easy to install and delivers crisp HD video and intelligent alerts. Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant. Weve been testing many of these cameras for years. It wasan impressive specs listfor a camera under $20. At Security.org, we believed the best indoor home security cameras performed double duty: While guarding us against strangers, they also helped us stay in touch with loved ones. Blink home security cameras were cordless, low cost, and low maintenance. Until then, we recommend buying a stationary camera and positioning it to capture a wider area. Also, the cloud plan is more expensive than those of our top picks, priced at $5 per month per camera for seven days of storage. Media Company. Scheduling allows you to set the time of day when the camera will or wont record, whereas geofencing can control when the camera records based on your smartphones location. As with many cameras, Android users can sign up for cloud storage through the app, but iOS users need to sign up for a cloud subscription via the Eufy website. I've been here for more than 10 years. Most security cameras simply send you a notification when they detect any type of activity. If you want to watch a large area, look for a camera with the widest field of view. Device owners who prefer to prevent their videos from being shared without prior permission have a few options. It also makes alerts more accurate, adding person, package, animal, and vehicle detection (though we didnt find the alerts to be as accurate as those of our top pick). Unless you have the Abode Smart Security Kit, you can skip the Abode Cam 2. Though neither of our top picks requires two-factor authentication (2FA), a system that does a good job of ensuring that access to your video camera and recordings is restricted, both offer the ability to enable it.
A standalone Wi-Fi camera can offer peace of mind, allowing you to know when the kids come home from school, to keep an eye on what your pets are doing, to discover whos been hitting the liquor cabinet, or to learn if a trespasser has entered your home. We all agreed. Ask yourself these questions to find the one thats best for you. 
