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The best home security cameras for peace of mind at home
A robust home security setup with cameras, sensors, and night vision can give you peace of mind at home and away.
Utilizing mobile connectivity, a variety of apps, and cloud technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology has made for a smarter, more integrated and user-friendly home security camera setup. These security cameras include feature-rich suites, including cloud and local feed storage, customizable alarms, video capture, night vision, and all housed in a relatively simple wired or wireless form factor.
Also: The best home security systems for protecting your home and office
ZDNET's top pick for the best security camera overall is the Ring Indoor Cam, thanks to its discreet and sleek form factor and budget-friendly price tag. And features like a privacy cover, siren, and 1080p recording promise to make your home smarter and more secure. Read on to see how other Ring doorbell generations, models from Arlo, and more stack up.
The best security cameras of 2024
- Privacy cover
- Excellent price
- Reliable connectivity
- Wired
- Subscription required for full access
Ring Indoor Cam features: Wired | 1080p HD video | Color night vision | Adjustable mount | Privacy cover
Ring's Indoor Cam might not be as feature-rich as some of the other options on the market, but it remains one of my top favorites, having been a user of Ring products for years.
I used to avoid using indoor cameras because of their hypersensitivity to pet movements, but a few years on, I have found Ring's indoor offerings to be reliable and high-quality -- and with a price point as low as $30 on sale, the Ring Indoor Cam is a great option to affordably improve your home security.
This camera, while -- perhaps, unfortunately -- wired, offers 1080p HD video recording and color night vision, mobile connectivity, motion zones, a siren, and more. The privacy cover is a welcome touch.
- Ample motion detection that sees the path of motion
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Two-way microphones
- Security siren
- Not currently available
Ring Stick Up Cam Pro features: Battery powered or plug-in | 1080p HDR video | Color night vision | Two-way talk with Audio+ | 3D motion detection with bird's eye zones | Weather-resistant
Amazon just added the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro to its Ring camera line up. This new camera not only offers motion detection, but you can also keep an eye on where the motion took place. Other features that amplify the security camera include Audio+ that allows for two-way talk through and a security siren.
Hang this camera indoors or outdoors -- it's designed for both. One feature that will surely come in handy is the Color Pre-roll that records a few seconds before motion takes place for a broader picture of what happened. You can pre-order a plug-in or battery-powered version of the Stick Up Cam Pro and it will ship to you in October.
- Color night vision
- Magnetic mounts
- Activity zones
- Arlo Secure subscription is required for premium features
Arlo Pro 4 features: 12x zoom | Built-in siren | Noise-canceling audio | Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit compatible | Color night vision
The Arlo Pro 4 is another one of our favorite security cameras. This slimline option can be used indoors or outdoors as a weather-resistant model with various mounting options that can detect sound and motion.
The security camera is available in black or white, can work as a day-to-day camera on the shop floor, as a discreet camera placed outside as a night watchman, or as a part of a full camera network in a large workplace. An included spotlight improves low light and recording alongside object scanning and detection.
Users will receive real-time alerts whenever motion or sound is detected, and footage is captured in up to 2K HDR resolution. The vendor also has implemented Activity Zones, which can be set to reduce unwanted or nuisance notifications.
Arlo's subscription plan also provides the ability to call a friend or contact emergency services. Arlo's camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
Also: The best cheap home security cameras under $100
At Amazon, a single Arlo camera is available with a $40 discount. You can also pick up a four-camera system at Best Buy for $260, a saving of $190.
- Additional security products create a wider security network
- Small, compact design
- Budget-friendly
- Limited cloud storage included unless subscribed
Wyze Cam v3 features: Color night vision | Motion and sound detection | 32GB storage | Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
If you want to slowly enter the world of IoT and intelligent home security devices, the Wyze Cam v3 is a great starter piece. It's budget-conscious, has 32GB storage, and allows for Alexa and Google Assistant integration.
Smart home security doesn't have to be an expensive investment, as this product highlights. The Wyze Cam v3 is a $36 internet-connected camera offering 1080p recording, an IP65 rating for water resistance during indoor or outdoor use, a CMOS sensor designed to improve nighttime vision, a siren, and two-way communication.
The camera can become part of a broader Wyze security ecosystem, which includes outdoor cameras, motion sensors, leak sensors, keypads, and entry monitors.
- Excellent price
- Compact
- Smoke and CO alerts
- Unattractive design
Roku smart home indoor camera SE features: Motion and sound detection | detection zones | compatibility with Roku services | 1080p HD recording | color night vision
For the equivalent of $25 each, Roku's two-pack indoor camera system is a budget-friendly way to secure your small home or apartment.
If you don't want to spend a fortune but you want to monitor more than one zone, the Roku smart home indoor camera SE pack might be your best option. The cameras include motion and sound detection, app connectivity, and can record footage in up to 1080p HD quality.
- Two-way audio for talk-through
- Wire-free set up
- Enhanced motion detection
- Some features, like person detection and storing recordings, you can only access through a Blink Subscription Plan that's sold separately
Blink Outdoor 4 features: Wire-free | 1080p HD live video | Night vision | Two-way audio | Two-year battery life | Alexa-enabled
Keep an eye on your home right from your phone with Blink's Outdoor 4 wireless security camera. The camera captures smooth 1080p live video, offers infrared night vision, and two-way audio so you can talk through the camera. For those moments when you want an instant alert to motion detection, Blink offers an enhanced motion detection feature that alerts your smartphone with dual-zone enhanced motion detection much faster.
This security camera is wire-free for easy set-up, and, once it's set up, you won't have to worry about replacing the battery for another two years.
- Motion-triggered LED lighting
- Enhanced motion detection
- Wire-free
- Two-year battery life
- Not currently available; ships in October
Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera features: Wire-free | 1080p HD live view | Infrared night vision | Two-way audio
What good is a security camera that records every moment on your property if you can't truly see what's happening on camera? Without proper lighting, a camera is useless. Amazon's Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight camera utilizes motion-sensors to heighten visibility with 700 lumens of LED lighting. It's easy to install, wireless, and offers up to two years of battery life.
Since Amazon just announced this floodlight camera, you'll have to wait a little to get your hands on it. Pre-order it today and it will ship to you in mid-October.
What is the best security camera?
The Ring Indoor Cam is the best camera on the market to bolster your home security without breaking the bank. It's a discreet, sleek, budget-friendly camera containing features like a privacy cover, siren, and 1080p recording promise to make your home smarter and more secure.
For a quick comparison to other top choices on this list, here's a table with their respective starting prices, power sources, and video options.
| Best security camera | Price | Power source | Video |
| Ring Indoor Cam | $60 | Wired | 1080p HD video, Color Night Vision |
| Ring Stick Up Cam Pro | $180 | Battery-powered or plug-in | 1080p HD, Night Vision |
| Arlo Pro 4 | $200 | Battery | 1080p HD video, Color Night Vision |
| Wyze Cam v3 | $32 | Wired | 1080p HD, Live View, Color Night Vision |
| Roku SE | $50 | Wired | 1080p HD video, Color Night Vision |
| Blink Outdoor 4 | $120 | Wire-free | 1080p HD video, Color Night Vision |
| Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight | $160 | Wire-free | 1080p HD video, Color Night Vision |
Which security camera is right for you?
When selecting your security camera, you should consider the pain points at home or your business's location. What areas are the most important when it comes to monitoring? What assets do you need to protect? When might your home or business be most vulnerable?
If you're working from home, for example, you might forgo constant video capture and a subscription, opting instead for clips and the ability to check in while you're away. However, if there is valuable stock in an office shut at night, you might pivot toward an option including night vision and constant video/audio feeds.
| Choose this security camera... | If you want... |
| Ring Indoor Cam | The best overall option. Affordable, discreet, and privacy-preserving, we believe this is one of the best cameras to easily make your home smarter and more secure. |
| Ring Stick Up Cam Pro | A battery-powered or plug-in security camera with enhanced motion detection that tracks the path where motion occurs. |
| Arlo Pro 4 | A security camera for the workplace. If you're willing to pay for the Arlo Secure plan, you will have access to every feature you could possibly need to monitor your workplace and deter unwanted visitors. |
| Wyze Cam v3 | A budget-friendly security camera. This wired, 1080p HD camera doesn't have many bells or whistles, but it does provide color night vision. |
| Roku smart home indoor camera SE | An affordable two-pack suitable for protecting multiple zones without spending a fortune. Roku's kit is not the most attractive security solution, but they are small and discreet enough for use around the home. |
| Blink Outdoor 4 | A wire-free security camera option with enhanced motion detection and talk-through features. It's great for smartphone compatibility. |
| Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight | A security camera for large properties. It provides motion-detecting LED lighting so you can actually see what's going on in the middle of the night. |
How did we choose these security cameras?
The requirements of home and business security cameras vary. The average person may lean toward an easy-to-install, budget-conscious product. In contrast, a company may be more inclined to invest in a more powerful alternative to protect valuable assets.
In each case, we have considered as many security system features as possible, including recording capabilities, environmental use, and cost -- both upfront and due to ongoing subscriptions. These are some factors that helped shape our decision.
- Location: Not all home security cameras have the weatherproofing required to work outdoors. Be sure to double-check which home security cameras have the type of build you need based on the intended location.
- Wired: If you decide to purchase a wired home security camera, especially one intended for use outside, be sure to remember that professional installation will likely need to be involved.
- Camera: The standard for home security cameras is a 1080p resolution, but there are also models these days with 4K video and color night vision. Anything less than 1080p will deliver a subpar picture that lacks all of the sharpness and clarity you would otherwise receive.
- Features: Whether it is motion detection or two-way audio, there are many features that can make a home security camera right for you. Many vendors provide functions that ensure their products are valuable security additions to your home, including alerts, sirens, night vision, two-way audio, and more.
Where should I place a security camera?
It's best to place exterior security cameras at entry points to your home, like near a front or back door. Be sure to place the security camera in plain sight, so people know they are there and criminals are deterred, since they know you have a security camera.
Is it necessary to subscribe to a monitoring service?
No, but technology services now -- ranging from streaming to IoT -- will not usually stop at hardware. Revenue models are pivoting to subscriptions, too. If you want constant monitoring and footage to be stored beyond a specific period of time, you may need to sign up.
Will pets trigger alerts on a security camera?
Yes and no. It's a common problem with earlier forms of IoT and smart cameras. Vendors are constantly improving false-positive rates through improved object detection and the implementation of features such as activity zones.
Do I have to connect my camera to assistants like Amazon Alexa?
This bolt-on integration is usually added to make products more appealing and convenient, but you do not need to connect your home security system to anything else in your IoT ecosystem.
Are there alternative security cameras worth considering?
Our top picks have a variety of functions and uses. However, there are many home security systems on the market, and some standalone offerings you might want to consider as part of a wider ecosystem rather than a "one size fits all" security package. We've listed other top options below.