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See in the dark this Halloween with these best night vision cameras
Not all devices are made equally when it comes to the best night vision security cameras and systems. Some cameras have higher waterproof ratings, farther night vision ranges, and better compatibility. Beyond such features, there can also be a sharp difference in pricing, installation requirements, DIY options, service subscription contracts, and more. Especially with Halloween next month, it's a good time to review your home's security to ensure you only have to worry about treats instead of tricks. We've taken these parameters and compared a variety of cameras to bring you the five best night vision security cameras on the market right now.
Finding the best security camera for your budget and needs is as easy as reading through our comparison guide from the best night vision outdoor security cameras to the cheapest one. Whether the camera is to prevent package theft, keep track of your teen's comings and goings, or deter trespassers, these nighttime security cameras can deliver.
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Here's a summary of our top picks for the best night vision security camera:
Information accurate as of 11/06/2020
- Close up tracking view
- Wide field of view
- Up to 12x zoom and enhance
- Costly
- Outdoor only
- No local storage
The Google Nest Cam made the list thanks to its quality of production and its features. It offers consistent 1080p HD video quality, can handle temperature ranges from -40° to 113°F, and uses infrared sensors for night vision. It also has a wide-angle field of view at 130°, two-way audio, and an automatic zoom and tracking with up to 12x digital zoom and enhance. You can also opt for Nest Aware which offers cloud storage for $6 per month.
The Google Nest Cam includes nearly everything you'll need to install it, including wall mounts, indoor and outdoor power cables, adapters, screw kits, hex keys, cable clips, and an installation guide. Depending on where you wish to install the camera, you may need to supply your own drill and screwdriver.
- Affordable
- Motion zones
- Schedules
- No local storage
- Limited field of view
- Low-definition motion alert pictures
When it comes to high-quality, budget-friendly cameras, the Zmodo Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera tops the list with its mere $65 price tag. With features like a 65-foot range, 1080p video quality, a 90° field of view, custom schedules, and motion zones, this camera packs quite a kick for its price tag. The free 12 hours of video storage and one-year warranty are just icing on the cake.
Not surprisingly, the budget-friendly nature of this camera does mean a few desirable features are missing, such as two-way audio and the option for local storage. However, Zmodo does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on top of its one-year limited warranty. The camera only comes with a power supply and an instruction manual. However, as long as you have access to a power drill and screwdriver, you should not have to purchase any extra accessories to install it.
- Subscription-free
- 2K resolution
- Built-in floodlight with motion detection
- Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Wired option only
- Not compatible with eufy HomeBase
- Limited storage capacity on microSD card
- Outdoor USB cable plug isn't waterproof and needs a special cover
The eufy Security Solo Outdoor Cam C24 will provide you up a clear 2K resolution and features a F2.0 aperture to produce vivid images when you need them the most. While it uses a spotlight to deter unwanted guests, it also has the ability to spot full-on color even in low light and also comes with night vision. It's not just infrared though - it also comes with color up to 8-feet at night and in very low lighting so you can see what's going on outside your home.
Another great feature is that unlike many others on this list, it's a subscription-free security. All you have to do is make sure the 32GB microSD card and on-device AI is properly installed and on and it's ready to use out of the box. You will also get a magnetic mount and a 20-foot cable so you can install it anywhere on your property.
- Hassle-free setup
- Long battery life
- Indoor and outdoor capabilities
- Storage subscription based
- Works best with Amazon Alexa users
- Smaller degree angle than others
Setting up a camera can be super tricky with all of the wires and other chaos that comes with installation -- based on personal experience -- and the Blink Outdoor camera circumvents all the hassle in setup. This wire-free, hassle-free camera sets up in minutes, no professional installation required.
It's more of an all-in-one camera with customized motion detection, a two-year battery life, and 1080p camera quality with 30 fps. At nighttime, rest easy knowing you can check your cameras any time from the dedicated app and see your darkened porch or backyard with infrared night vision on-screen. It can see up to 110-degrees wherever you put it, too. One thing to note: to get a recording of any past events, you'll have to subscribe to the Blink Subscription Plan, which is priced at $3 per month for one camera of $10 per month for unlimited. You can also save locally with the Blink Sync Module 2 via a USB flash drive that is not included.
- Wide field of view at 180°
- 300 ft range of view
- 4k resolution capabilities
- Automatic tracking
- Good compatibility
- High price point
- 4k resolution requires a service plan
The Arlo Ultra 2 delivers two night cameras for its hefty price tag. This camera features a 180-degree field of view, a 300-foot range of view, weatherproofing, two-way audio, 4k video resolution capabilities, infrared LED night vision, and automatic tracking and zooming.
For extra peace of mind, the camera offers dual motion detectors at 150-degree horizontal capability and the image sensor features 8MP so you can get a high quality image when you need it. The only thing to note: you can only get unlimited cloud storage for 30 days and additional protection against theft of locally stored videos if you invest in the Arlo Secure plan which is $3 for a single camera and $10 for unlimited. You can only get the 4K picture and 24/7 emergency response under this plan as well.
The camera can be removed and recharged when the battery runs low. The battery holds a charge for up to 6 months on average. Once you're charging it, it only takes a few hours before it's ready to go outside again. The Arlo Ultra 2 is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and the Apple HomeKit.
What is the best night vision cameras?
The best night vision camera is the Google Nest Cam due to its great features, field of view, and easy installation. The subscription plan for the camera is only $6 per month compared to other models on this list that jump to $10 per month. With its wide angle plus zoom capabilities, it's a great camera to monitor your home.
Product | Google Nest Cam | Zmodo Indoor/Outdoor WiFi Camera | Eufy C24 outdoor camera | Blink outdoor camera | Arlo Ultra |
Starting Price | $180 | $65 | $99 | $100 | $470 |
Indoor/Outdoor | Outdoor | Both | Both | Both | Both |
Video Quality | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p/2K | 1080p | 1080p – 4k |
Field of View | 130° | 90° | 130° | 110° | 180° |
Type of Night Vision Technology | Infrared | Infrared | Infrared & color | Infrared | Infrared |
Audio | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Video Storage | Cloud – $6 a month | Cloud – $0-$4.99 a month | Limited internal | Internal & Cloud $3-10 a month | Internal & Cloud – $2.99-$14.99 |
Smart Platform | App | App | App | App | App |
Other Unique Features | ·Close up tracking view· Up to zoom 12x and enhance | · Motion zones· Schedules | · 2K resolution capability | ·Easy setup | ·4k resolution capabilities, custom activity zones |
Which is the right night vision camera for you?
Choose this night vision camera… | If you want or are… |
Google Nest Cam | If you want a wide-angle camera with two-way audio and a small subscription price. |
Zmodo indoor/outdoor Wi-Fi camera | If you want a budget-friendly, water-resistant monitoring system. |
eufy C24 outdoor camera | If you want local storage, 2K resolution, and no paid subscription plan. |
Blink Outdoor camera | If you have the Amazon ecosystem and want easy installation and two-way audio. |
Arlo 2 Ultra camera | If you want 4K surveillance and and ultra-wide viewing angle. |
How do night vision cameras work?
It depends on the integrated technology, but many night vision cameras use specialized lights and sensors to capture images and video. For instance, an infrared security camera may feature infrared LED lights to cast the light and a specialized infrared sensor to "see" that light, so you can see a detailed picture.
How much do night vision cameras cost?
That depends. Price points for night vision security cameras vary widely, with our top night vision security camera reviews ranging from $40 to nearly $500. Some of these cameras also come with more than one camera, driving up the price so instead of a single feed you have an entire security system around your home.
Once you look beyond single cameras into the full suite of equipment that many of these companies offer, those price ranges can climb higher, depending on your home's specific needs. For example, if you have a home with multiple entryways, such as a backdoor, a side door, and a front door, it makes more sense to invest in three cameras, which will make the cost higher. However, if you just need one camera, the price to equip your home with a security system will be cheaper.
Are there alternative night vision security cameras worth considering?
As home security systems become more affordable, you'll be able to find lots of options for night vision security cameras. Here's a short list of alternative picks I thought were great: