Smart home security cameras give you peace of mind, but not all home security cameras are created equal. Some cameras record video in ultra-high-definition, others are wireless, while a few are only designed to be used indoors. Here is our list of the best smart home security cameras, including the best budget models, the best for Alexa, Google, and Apple HomeKit users, and more.
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Wyze Cam v4: Best Budget Smart Camera
- Resolution: 2560×1440 (2K)
- Subscription: CamPlus starts at $2.99/month
- Works With: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
The 2024 Wyze Cam V4 is one of the only budget cameras that records video at 2.5K resolution, which means you’ll be able to see more detail in the video. With its enhanced color night vision and WDR (wide dynamic range), you’ll also be able to see more detail in shadows and highlights. There’s even an 8x zoom feature that uses AI to help you see faces and read license plates from a distance.
With its IP65 weather-resistance rating, this smart camera is weatherproof enough to install outside, and the adjustable mounting bracket makes it easy to install anywhere, so you can cover any area of your property. However, it does need to be plugged into a power source.
You can record 24/7 continuous video locally to a 512GB microSD card or save 14 days of clips to the cloud with a CamPlus subscription. The subscription also lets you filter your notifications for people, pets, vehicles, and packages. However, this smart camera only records 12 seconds of motion every five minutes without a subscription.
If you’re willing to spend a little extra, the Wyze V3 Pan and Tilt camera allows you to move your camera from your smartphone so you can get a view of an entire room. This is a great option for pet owners, but this older model doesn’t come with as many features as the V4.
eufy Security C120: Best Smart Camera for Apple HomeKit
- Resolution: 2560×1440 (2K)
- Subscription: eufy Cloud Storage starts at $2.99/month
- Works With: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home
If your smart home is built around Apple HomeKit, you probably know there aren’t too many compatible devices that you can choose from. One of the most reliable smart home security cameras that works with Apple HomeKit is the eufy Security C120.
This indoor camera is featured on Apple’s list of HomeKit-compatible devices, but it also works with Alexa and the Google Assistant. It has tons of smart features, like person and pet detection, even without a subscription. You can even use this smart camera’s sound detection to get alerts when your baby wakes up crying.
The eufy C120 records video in 2K resolution, which means clips will look much sharper than HD cameras. It also has two-way audio, motion activity zones, and a “pet command” feature that will play recorded messages for your pets when they are detected in certain areas.
While it does not offer free cloud storage after a 30-day free trial, you can record video clips to a 128GB microSD card or continuously record to a NAS at 1080p. You can also pay for subscriptions to Eufy Cloud Service to get 30 days of storage for $2.99 a month or use an Apple HomeKit Secure Video plan.
Ring Stick Up Cam: Best Smart Camera for Alexa
- Resolution: 1920×1080 (HD)
- Subscription: Ring Protect starts at $4.99/month
- Works With: Alexa
Ring is one of the biggest names when it comes to smart cameras, and the Stick Up Cam is one of their best models. This small camera is versatile enough to be installed inside or outside, and it has a flexible mount, so you can point it anywhere.
While the Ring Stick Up Cam only records video in 1080p HD resolution, it’s one of the easiest smart devices to use. The Ring app is intuitive, and since Ring is owned by Amazon, the Stick Up Cam will work great with all your other Alexa devices, like your Ring Video Doorbell, Echo Show, Fire TV, Ring Alarm system, and more.
To save video clips to the cloud, you’ll need to sign up for a Ring Protect plan, which starts at $5 a month. A subscription gives you 180 days of cloud storage, and you can arm and disarm your cameras remotely. The more expensive subscription plans also offer 24/7 professional monitoring with police, fire, and medical response.
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If you want to install a smart camera inside, get the plug-in model so you never have to worry about changing the batteries. There’s also a wireless version, which you can install anywhere on your property.
The outdoor model can be paired with a solar panel to keep the batteries charged, while you can get a mounting stand that lets you pan and tilt for the indoor model.
Google Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd Gen): Best Smart Camera for Google Home
- Resolution: 1920×1080 (HD)
- Subscription: Nest Aware starts at $7.99/month
- Works With: Google Home, Amazon Alexa
The Google Nest Cam Outdoor uses a strong magnet to attach to the mounting plate, which makes it easy to remove and recharge. If you install it inside, or you don’t want to recharge the batteries, you can also plug it into a power source with the weatherproof cable (sold separately).
This is also one of the only smart cameras to give you video recording history without a subscription. However, you will only be able to review clips that were recorded in the past 3 hours, so you won’t be able to review events that happen while you are sleeping, unless you sign up for a subscription plan.
If you want to save all video clips to the cloud, you’ll need to sign up for a Nest Aware subscription, which starts at $8 a month. With Nest Aware, you’ll get 30 days of video storage for video clips. If you’re willing to spend more, you can pay $15 a month for a Nest Aware Plus plan to get 60 days of video clip recordings and 10 days of 24/7 continuous recordings from all your cameras.
If you plan to install your smart camera inside, you can save a few bucks by getting the Nest Cam Indoor. This model has almost all the same features, but it comes with a power cable, so you don’t have to worry about changing the batteries.
Arlo Pro 4: Best Smart Camera Overall
- Resolution: 2560×1440 (2K)
- Subscription: Arlo Secure starts at $7.99/month
- Works With: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home
If you’re looking for a complete home security system, and you don’t mind spending a little more, the Arlo Pro 4 is your best option. This smart security system comes with one to six cameras, and you can expand your security with more cameras at any time. You can also add a base station to record videos locally, so you don’t need to sign up for a subscription.
These smart cameras record 2K video with HDR and color night vision, which means you’ll be able to zoom in and see details at any time of day. Plus, you can use the built-in siren and floodlights to scare intruders away. Unlike other smart cameras, the Arlo Pro 4 has full-duplex two-way audio, which means you can still hear someone while you are talking over each other.
The Arlo Pro 4 has removable batteries that you only need to charge every 2-6 months. It also has a magnetic mount that makes it easy to install anywhere and point in any direction. These smart cameras also work with Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Alexa-enabled devices.
You can get seven days of cloud storage for free, or you can sign up for an Arlo Secure subscription plan for 30 days of cloud storage. With the more expensive plans, you’ll also get 24/7 emergency response or even professional monitoring, as well as cellular and battery backup when your power or WiFi goes down.
The Arlo SmartHub provides long-range WiFi connectivity to your smart cameras, so you can install them up to 300 feet away. It also has a USB port that allows you to record footage locally with a hard drive, so you can review your recordings at any time.
If you want to install a smart camera, check out our guide on how to test your WiFi signal. It will help you find out if your internet signal is strong enough to install a smart camera in your desired location.
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