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Picture this: you’re finally relaxing after a long day when you hear an unfamiliar noise outside. Instead of grabbing a flashlight and nervously peeking through the blinds, you reach for your phone and check your home security camera feed. From package thieves to curious critters, these cameras let you keep an eye on your property without breaking a sweat. We’ve rounded up the best home security cameras to help you protect your peace of mind and ensure your home stays safe. Let us know in the comments below if we missed your go-to brand for home safety.
StudyFinds is a research-driven platform that analyzes and synthesizes expert recommendations from trusted sources. Rather than writing reviews ourselves, we meticulously compile consensus findings from leading industry experts and established publications to save consumers valuable research time. Each article represents hours of analysis across multiple authoritative sources to identify the most consistently recommended choices.
1. Arlo Pro 4
The Arlo Pro 4 has a slew of features that make it one of the best picks at an affordable price, such as 160-degree field of view, two-way talk, color night vision and compatibility with home assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant. “Arlo’s latest Pro series camera, which we gave an 8.5 review score and Editor’s Choice award, is a fantastic home security camera with features to spare,” comments CNET.
If you purchase an Arlo Secure subscription, you get access to a whole lot of other features, such as smart alerts, event history, and more. “The Arlo Pro 4 offers only half the resolution of the company’s flagship, the Arlo Ultra, but the Pro is much more reasonably priced,” writes TechHive. “This new model frees you from the requirement to buy the $100 Arlo base station, although you can use it with that storage device if you already own one.”’
Safewise names it “the best outdoor camera for smart homes” and writes: “We love that it’s 100% wire-free—it doesn’t need a power cord and still manages to outperform the competition. Its Wi-Fi connection and battery make it easy to install anywhere a ladder can reach.”
2. Wyze Cam v3
Wyze is known for producing perfectly good cameras that get the job done at a fraction of the price of other cameras. “Don’t let the low price fool you; the Wyze Cam v3 is the best home security camera for those on a budget,” says Tom’s Guide. “As its name suggests, it can record video at a resolution of 1080p, and while the quality isn’t up to the same par as the 4K Arlo Ultra, it’s still sharp enough to see who’s there. Its color night vision is especially impressive.”
If you insert your own SD card, you don’t even need to worry about paying extra to subscribe to Wyze’s extra cloud storage to save your footage. “We’re fans of Wyze’s free cloud storage that saves small 12-second clips for up to 14 days. The Wyze Cam Plus paid cloud storage plan allows full-length video clips and is great for folks who want better video recording without buying a microSD card,” writes Safewise.
The Wyze takes CNET‘s best overall spot at the top of their list. “If you want a complete home security system, there are other cameras that you can buy from Wyze and connect into the grid.”
3. Google Nest Cam
Google Nest Cams are perfect for indoor or outdoor spaces and can be installed easily with minimal setup. The features aren’t the most extensive, but the cameras are easy to use and get the job done. “Google’s Nest Cam lineup has some impressive features, such as object detection and offline recording for when the internet goes out at home,” writes CNN. “It records 1080p video with HDR for improved color and clarity, including at night.”
Google’s Nest Cam is the best suited choice for those who already use the Google Home Kit. It will give you notifications on your phone or allow you to control cameras using your hubs. “A rugged indoor and outdoor camera, the Google Nest Cam packs a useful selection of smart features to help you keep tabs on your home. In addition to sharp 1080p HDR video, it offers face recognition, dual-band Wi-Fi, and intelligent alerts that know the difference between people, animals, and vehicles,” says PCMag.
As for the battery, Safewise says, “This is Google’s first battery-powered security camera, and we’re pleased to say its battery holds up well in tests. Still, Google says the battery won’t charge in freezing temperatures, so you may need to bring it inside to warm up during the winter charging sessions. This isn’t unique to Google—many wireless outdoor cameras like Arlo and Reolink have similar limitations.”
4. Ring Stick Up Cam
The Ring Stick Up Cam can be plugged in or run with a separate battery. They also sell a solar powered version for your outdoor cameras. “The Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In Wi-Fi camera comes with a lengthy, weather-resistant power cord but can also run on a battery (sold separately). We prefer the cord, which enables the camera’s ability to record longer clips and more accurately capture motion events,” says NY Times.
It also gives you the capability to enable smartphone alerts. “The Stick Up Cam Solar by Ring is one of our best solar security cameras of 2023. It features 1080p video resolution, noise-canceling audio hardware and color night vision. Its compact size makes it ideal for homes with limited space and sun exposure,” writes Forbes.
PCMag says this is the easiest model to set up: “A painless installation process makes this camera a solid choice if you don’t want to deal with wires or drilling. Simply charge it, pair it with the app, and place it anywhere you want, inside or outside.”
5. Blink Outdoor
The most notable thing about the Blink Outdoor camera is its unbeatable battery life. The battery lasts for two years on a single charge. No wires give you more flexibility about where to place the camera. “This is one of the most affordable battery-powered outdoor home security cameras on the market right now, and it’s also one of the most compact, but it’s the battery duration which is its biggest highlight,” writes Techradar.
The Blink is compatible with Alexa and has cloud and local storage options available. “Blink uses motion detection with customizable motion zones to help reduce errors and includes a two-way audio feature to communicate with the cam,” says Digital Trends.
CNN mentions, “Blink claims the batteries can last up to two years, though of course, that’s dependent on your settings, weather conditions and how often the camera and lights are triggered.”
Sources used to create this list
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
Wirecutter just pulled their recommendation for Wyze cameras because of privacy concerns.
camera a solid choice
With no mention of Eufy, I wonder about this article?