The Arlo Pro 4 is a SafeWise favorite. It has quality 2K video, a truly wireless design (no base station), and a bright spotlight for color night-vision video. It's also a favorite on our list of the best wireless security cameras.

The Wyze Cam Pan v2 has quickly become a staff favorite. Whether you want to use it as a baby monitor (like one of our testers did) or as a means to keep Fido off the sofa (like me), this camera’s advanced motion tracking won’t disappoint.

Beware of using an indoor camera to look outside through a window. They can’t capture images after dark because the night vision LEDs reflect off the glass, blinding the camera.

While the Nest Cam (Battery) is one of the more expensive stand-alone security cameras for home use, it makes our list for crisp image resolution and its forward-thinking smart home design.

The Nest Cam integrates seamlessly with Google Assistant and the rest of the Nest home automation suite. The smart security camera stands out with an 6x digital zoom feature and large 130° field of view.

You might recognize the Ring brand for its doorbell cameras. But the company has branched out and added its smart surveillance technology to this compact outdoor security camera.

Because it can be difficult to find power sources for outside cameras, we like that the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus has three power options: battery, hardwired, or solar.

The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) is unmatched when compared to other doorbell cameras. It’s affordable, has great video quality, and you won’t find a doorbell camera that’s easier to install. Even better, you can choose to recharge the batteries with a charging cable or put it on auto-pilot with a Ring solar panel.

80% of thefts happen in businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Don't leave your small business vulnerable. Find the best security camera systems to keep an eye on your business.

Eufy finally addressed a November 2022 security issue in an article from The Verge. The company explained why the Eufy web portal wasn't encrypting live video streams and stated the issue has since been fixed. It's also updating every Eufy camera's encryption protocols to further improve security.

Based on this response—and Eufy's commitment to more transparency and cooperation with independent security researchers—we're leaving our scoring as-is unless further issues arise.

There are a lot of security cameras to choose from—many work well in a compatible home security system or as stand-alone units. Understanding the differences will help you find one that fits your needs. Here are five kinds of security cameras you're likely to encounter.

Indoor security cameras

Select an indoor camera to watch what’s happening inside your home, particularly one with two-way audio. You can check in with kids after school, tell Rover to get off your favorite chair, or scare the daylights out of an intruder who doesn’t belong in your home (plus you’ll have their picture, to boot!).

Outdoor security cameras

An outdoor camera relies on a high weatherproof rating that stands up to the elements and drastic changes in temperature. Another big feature is night vision. You might also consider a camera with a built-in motion-activated light—all the better to scare you with, my dear!

Doorbell cameras

A doorbell camera is essentially an outdoor camera for watching over your front porch. A video doorbell uses two-way audio so you can talk to guests and are a good way to make sure packages don’t walk off unnoticed.

Wireless security cameras

As a concept, wireless cameras are confusing. “Wireless” can either mean cameras with a Wi-Fi connection or that they run off a battery. We lean toward cameras that are 100% wire-free, with both Wi-Fi and a wireless power source. But we include some of both types in our wireless camera roundup.

Monitored security cameras

Security cameras in a monitored security system usually have the same features and options as stand-alone units. But you can tap into the expertise of the home security company to pick the right one. They work with your security system, so there's always an extra set of eyes looking out for trouble 24/7.

Here are some important features to consider:

• Video resolution affects the quality of your home security footage. A clear image helps identify faces, vehicles, and items in a recording. Choose a camera with at least 1080p resolution.
• Field of view refers to how much area a camera sees through its lens. It affects how many cameras you need and where to place them. Look for a field of view that's at least 110º.
• Motion detection sends notifications when a camera observes movement. Choose a motion sensor camera with smart detection to tag people, animals, and vehicles for more effective motion alerts.
• Infrared night vision helps eliminate security camera footage that's too dark in low- and no-light situations after sunset. Choose a camera with a night vision range of at least 20 feet.
• Two-way audio (also called two-way communication) uses a microphone and speaker for interacting with people or pets on the other end. Two-way talk effectively turns your security camera into an intercom to address a delivery driver or check in on the kids after school.
• Pan and tilt motors or a digital zoom adjust the camera's view remotely. A motorized pan-and-tilt camera is ideal for recording a larger area than a static camera and reduces the number of cameras you need overall.
  • Movement tracking allows some pan-and-tilt cameras to follow the action in a room automatically, whether it's a pet racing around the living room or a youngster toddling toward trouble.

If a camera costs so much that you can no longer afford the valuables you're trying to protect, then it doesn't serve a purpose. Fortunately, many cheap security cameras cost less than $50 while providing HD video, motion detection, smartphone apps, and two-way audio. They're even cheap enough to buy multiple cameras.

You can expect better features and stronger customer support with more expensive cameras. Monitored security cameras are more expensive because they come as part of a professionally monitored security system that watches your home 24/7. Ultimately, it's your call how much you want to invest in security.

Absolutely! Home security cameras allow you to watch over your home in two primary ways more effectively:

• Deter: A surveillance camera in a conspicuous location can make burglars think twice about attempting to enter your home.
• Describe: Security cameras can collect information about burglars and the items they take. This makes it easier to file police reports and insurance claims.

The best part is that you choose how much to spend on security cameras for your home.

Most of the time. Modern security cameras use Wi-Fi for five tasks:

• Streaming live video
• Storing video footage in the cloud
• Mobile device controls and alerts
• Two-way audio
• Communication with smart home devices

Most security cameras connect to your home network using Wi-Fi, but some models use cables to connect to your internet router or a DVR for security cameras. We recommend using Wi-Fi security cameras since they are typically the easiest kind to install.

If you have an internet data usage cap, make sure you understand how your security camera(s) could impact your monthly bill. You should also verify that your router can handle the extra devices and output.

Many of the best security camera systems also help turn your house into a smart home. Security cameras often integrate with a smart home hub like Amazon Echo or Google Nest Audio.

This can give you a huge home security advantage—the ability to remotely control lights, door locks, and your security cameras. You can also program your system to boost security measures when you're out of town or during the holidays when lots of packages arrive.

Several Ring Alarm and camera users have reported breaches in their accounts that allowed a stranger to use the two-way communication to intimidate them. This is a risk every user takes when they use any internet-connected wireless system.The good news is you can minimize the risk with proper internet security.

Here are a few easy tips for securing your system from online threats:

• Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts
• Opt for extra security measures like two-factor authentication
• Add shared users instead of sharing login credentials
• Change your home Wi-Fi password frequently

We still confidently recommend Ring and other similar wireless internet-connected systems. And while these threats are real, they can be avoided with a few extra precautions. Learn more about what you can do to protect your cameras from hackers.