Table Of Content
These DIY products are a cinch to set up and come with HD video resolution, two-way talk, and other burglar-busting features. This 2K camera offers excellent battery life, the option to store recordings locally or in the cloud, and the best array of customizations for the money. We’ve also added several new models to the Other good outdoor security cameras and Competition sections. 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.
What is a home security camera?
We recommend cloud storage, however, which is available through the Eufy cloud plan; it starts at $3 per month per camera. Alternatively, if you have an Apple iCloud plan of 50 GB or more (starting at 99¢), you can use HomeKit Secure Video—although both cloud plans store video at only 1080p resolution, we found the video to be clear and vibrant. The battery-powered Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera can be placed anywhere you like, so long as it’s within reach of your Wi-Fi signal. It records clear 2K video and has a rechargeable battery, which lasts one to two months, depending on usage. The Arlo Pro 4 also includes features such as color night vision and Auto Zoom and Tracking (which can digitally zoom in on moving objects and follow them while in view). Many outdoor cameras do more than just record video and send alerts; they also integrate with other smart devices.
How to choose the best home security camera for you
A person at a public gathering shouldn't have reasonable expectations that their conversation can't be overheard or recorded. Recording devices have become more common as technology advances and people look for a reliable "eye witness" in case of an incident in their every day lives. The Wansview Q5 (about $36) makes it easy to scan an entire room with its advanced pan-and-tilt capabilities. You can use the Wansview mobile app to scan the room by simply swiping your finger in the direction of whatever you want to check out. So if you have a sneaking suspicion of your kitty clawing the ottoman, you can catch her in the act with a flick of your finger. Recently a Wyze security issue was brought to light in an article from The Verge.
Digital Surveillance Recorders
It requires a nearby outlet for power, but saves you a lot of money compared with wireless 2K alternatives. A security camera lets you watch your home from anywhere and doesn't cost nearly as much as a full security system. If anyone ever stole a package from your porch or broke into your car while it was in your driveway, the perpetrator likely disappeared long before you even knew you were a victim.
For the purposes of this guide, all of the security cameras we test are wireless in the sense that they transmit data via Wi-Fi. This camera can be used indoors or out, but wherever you put it, you'll get good video at a fraction of the price, as well as facial recognition. With a good Wi-Fi connection, you should be in good shape to use your indoor home security camera or outdoor home security camera without any major camera system issues and get clear footage every time. We also found the Google Nest Cam to be easy to install and use, simple to recharge, and excellent at detecting packages as well as alerting you when those packages have been removed with great accuracy. There’s a wired version of the camera available, but you get more options for placement with the battery model, which is useful for conforming to any awkwardly shaped entryway.
The 3 Best Security Cameras for Your Home of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter - The New York Times
The 3 Best Security Cameras for Your Home of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter.
Posted: Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Not only can a home security camera alert you of any potential break ins or hazards with real-time alerts, but being able to livestream as well as review event history directly from your phone can give you some serious peace of mind. Below you’ll find the best home security cameras for monitoring of valuables, pets and any unusual motion occurring inside your home. If you want a security camera that doubles as a nanny cam, then you’ll love the YI 1080p Indoor Security Camera (about $50 for a two-pack). This camera features baby crying detection that sends you a push notification when it picks up the sound of your little one giving their lungs a workout.
For more general information on how we review and rate products, be sure to check out the Tom's Guide how we test page. While many cameras can be used interchangeably for indoor or outdoor purposes, some cameras are solely made for indoor usage, like the Wyze Cam Pan v2, so make sure you're buying cameras that can handle the outdoor elements. When fellow Post reporter Jon Levine and I talked to masked NYU student protesters gathering on campus on Wednesday night, they both implied that Israel should not exist and justified the atrocities of October 7th. Dash cams are also not allowed to store more than 30 seconds of data before and after the event that triggers its recording function. California is a "two-party consent" state which means permission must be granted from all parties in order to make a recording lawful. Typically, this law applies to "confidential communication" such as a private phone call or private conversation.
Can I use security cameras with my smart home devices?
It’s not quite there yet as its AI image analysis is not as accurate as it should be. However, not only does it do a good job of picking up movement and offering alerts, but it can actually track people and pets by panning and tilting automatically or through the app. You don’t have to worry about having the camera pointed in the wrong direction.
Best for 4K Resolution
Although it isn't cheap, the Arlo Go 2 earns our Editors’ Choice award for its easy wire-free installation, excellent 1080p video quality, and ability to connect from just about anywhere using either a cellular or Wi-Fi radio. A premium price means premium features including support for voice commands, lots of third-party integrations, intelligent alerts, a built-in spotlight, and color night vision. Most home security cameras record footage in color during the day, although it's in black and white at night.
If this sounds familiar, you should consider investing in an outdoor security camera. We found the performance to be very good with the cameras’ high resolution video and relatively low latency, especially in scenarios where we were using one to communicate with someone. And, the app has a lot of features that we appreciated as well, though some of them are locked behind a subscription. While this wireless security system offers excellent high-def video resolution and low latency, its biggest selling point is its built-in 1TB hard drive. A solid mid-range option, this outdoor camera comes with 365-day battery life, a BaseStation where it stores all of its encoded clips, and Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri integration. Dan Wroclawski is a home and appliances writer at Consumer Reports, covering products ranging from refrigerators and coffee makers to cutting-edge smart home devices.
However, useful Nest app features like the ability to “favorite” the doorbell so you can view the live feed upon opening Google Home have made the transition easier. The Blink Outdoor 4 is the best home security camera for those looking for a truly wireless option for around $100. The camera runs off two AA batteries (which should last up to two years), and communicates wirelessly with a small base station that's connected to your Wi-Fi network. You can also mount it almost anywhere, and its batteries will last up to two years on a charge. Battery and wireless cameras versus wired options are a matter of taste, since both types have pros and cons. Video quality should be a major consideration when buying a home security camera.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, Men’s Health, USA Today, and others. She hopes her neighbors read this bio because it would explain why she always has four video doorbells running simultaneously outside her home. The Familiar Face Detection feature (a feature that “recognizes” and names frequent visitors) included with the Nest Aware subscription can be faulty. It needs a good look at your visitors to work properly–and even then it still gets some wrong. The Nest doorbell also isn’t compatible with the old Nest app since newer Google products have switched to using Google Home.
The vast majority of home security cameras pair with a companion app that handles all the controls and settings. 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. (The Matter smart home interoperability standard is still missing support for security cameras and video doorbells.) For most cameras, all you need to do is follow instructions from an app to connect them to your network. No two cameras are identical, so make sure to check out what makes each of our top picks unique and why that might work best for you. Also, keep in mind that the cameras here are designed to help you keep tabs on the inside of your house. For a look at what's going on outside, check out our picks for the best outdoor home security cameras, the best floodlight cameras, and the best video doorbells.
For $8 per month or $80 per year, the Nest Aware plan provides 30 days of video history, or you can upgrade to the $15 monthly/$150 yearly Plus plan for 60 days of video history. The Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery) is all about versatility. As the name implies, you can use this weatherproof camera indoors or outdoors and power it using the built-in rechargeable battery or the included USB cable and AC power adapter. It's easy to install and performed well in testing, capturing sharp 1080p video and identifying motion caused by people and animals.
If you live on a busy street, you don't want the camera recording video and alerting you every time a car drives by. A good home security camera should also have a scheduling feature, so that you can turn it off while you're home, and on when you leave. The majority of security cameras will work to some degree with Alexa or Google Assistant.
