High End Easy to Use Surveillance Systems

The safety of your home is important to you. Having one of the best home security cameras set up when you're away will help give you better peace of mind. Smartsecurity cameras record videos and send you an alert message when motion is detected. We also love home security cameras because they're affordable, can be self-installed, and come in weatherproof designs. Whether you're looking for an indoor or outdoor camera, we've selected some of the best ones that are available today.

With so many options on the market --indoor, outdoor, wireless,DIY -- it can feel daunting to find a perfect match for the camera system you have in mind. But don't worry, we're here to help you find the best device for the job.

We've testeddozens of cameras and condensed everything we've learned into this best home security camera list. Below, you'll find the best home security cameras in every major subcategory, from smart doorbells to the models that work well withGoogle Assistant,Amazon Alexa and Siri voice commands. Some are fairly simple, with a motion sensor that sends a push notification to your smartphone when they detect movement, while others come with features such as professional monitoring and cloud storage that prevent you from having to sift through hours of footage.

If you're looking for the best home security camera, get ready to dive in. We'll update this best home security camera list periodically.

Wyze

Wyze Cam (2020)

Best security camera overall

Oct 2020

Wyze disappointed some of its customers in 2021 when its ridiculously cheap cameras got slightly less ridiculously cheap. But at $36, the Wyze Cam, which we gave an 8.5 review score, remains a great budget security camera -- and a great camera, period.

The Wi-Fi security camera features HD video quality live streaming, motion detection, night vision, a decent app and, best of all, 14 days of free motion-based cloud storage. This Wyze security camera also features a built-in microSD card slot if you want local video storage rather than relying solely on its cloud service (you have to buy the microSD card separately).

This home security camera works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands and features a motion detection zone and the ability to listen for and alert you to special frequencies, like smoke alarms.

Read our Wyze Cam (2020) review.

David Priest/CNET

Wyze continues to dominate the affordable camera market, thanks not only to their Wyze Cam, but also to this panning, tilting indoor camera. For $50, this thing offers 1080p resolution, two-way talk, an alarm and the ability to monitor 360 degrees horizontally. Plus it brings free cloud storage and alerts and super-cheap smarts. I was so impressed by the device, I gave it a 9.2 review score in 2021. If you want a device that can cover a large indoor space effectively -- or if you're looking for a pet cam or nanny cam to monitor moving targets while you're away -- this is it.

Read our review of the Wyze Cam Pan v2.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

The $130 Arlo Video Doorbell, which we gave a review score of 8.5, has a lot going for it. While 130 bucks isn't cheap, it's more affordable than most of the other smart buzzers I've tested. As a doorbell camera, it's built to be an outdoor camera, so you don't have to ever worry about the elements. Similar to the Arlo Pro 3 outdoor security camera, the Arlo Video Doorbell has arm/disarm modes, two-way audio, motion zones and an integrated siren.

The security camera system also has a competitive cloud storage subscription plan, starting at $3 per month. If you pay for cloud storage, you get access to advanced features like custom person, animal, vehicle and package detection for your outdoor camera video surveillance.

Read our Arlo Video Doorbell review.

David Priest/CNET

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. It boasts 2K resolution, a 160-degree field of view, two-way talk, full-color night vision, a built-in siren and spotlight, compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit -- the list goes on.

This powerhouse of a camera costs only $180 -- pricier than super-affordable options like Wyze, but easily worth the premium. For $3 per month, you can also get smart alerts, motion zones, 30 days of event history and a few other cool features. In short, the Arlo Pro 4 is a fantastic security camera for most people.

Read our Arlo Pro 4 review.

Chris Monroe/CNET

Google's newest -- and smartest -- Nest Cam is a specifically indoor and wired gadget that offers a slew of great features in a pretty package. The wired camera comes in four unique colors too, because who doesn't love a light pink security camera? This "wired" designation separates it from the Nest Cam (Battery), a heftier Google Nest model designed for indoor or outdoor use, that also launched in 2021. Armed with the latest software features like object identification, activity zones, and Google Home app viewing and support, this new Google Nest device has both beauty and brains -- and that's why we gave it an 8.4 review score.

The $100 Google Nest Cam (Wired) is not only the most affordable Nest camera yet, but it's also our favorite from the brand. Thanks to the easy setup, the attractive design and, most importantly, the free smart features, it takes the top spot of all Google Assistant cameras.

While Wyze currently offers better options for cloud storage and cheaper price tags, the Nest Cam (Wired) indoor security camera is one of the best home security cameras on the market for Google Assistant loyalists.

Read our Nest Cam review.

Home Security Cameras Compared

Our Picks	Wyze Cam (2020)	Wyze Cam Pan v2	Arlo Video Doorbell	Arlo Pro 4	Nest Cam
Price	$36	$50	$150	$180	$100
Resolution	1080p	1080p	1,536 x1,536	2K	1080p
Field of View	130 degrees	120 degrees	180 degrees	160 degrees	135 degrees
Setup	Movable, indoor/outdoor	Movable, indoor only	Wired, outdoor	Wireless, indoor/outdoor	Wired, indoor only
Extra Features	Live streaming, motion detection, night vision, weather resistance, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant	Live streaming, two-way talk, sound and motion alerts, color night vision, panning and tilting functions	Live streaming, arm/disarm modes, two-way talk, motion zones, night vision and an integrated siren.	Live streaming, two-way talk, night vision, weather resistance	Two-way talk, night vision, 4 colors, object identification, activity zones, and integration with Google Assistant
Review Score	8.5	9.2	8.5	8.5	8.4

How we test home security cameras

Hands-on testing is core to our evaluations of any home security products. In short, when it comes to security cameras, we pay special attention to resolution, night vision and latency, extra features, general performance and overall value. We evaluate all of these elements in a real home environment over the course of a week. If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security cameras and video doorbells.

Home security camera FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about home security cameras. If you have any others, feel free to reach out on Twitter (@david_p_priest) or you can email me from my author page (just click the little orange envelope).

What's the difference between security cameras and surveillance cameras?

A lot of the terminology when talking about security and surveillance cameras can be hard to track, not least because people use the terms informally and interchangeably all the time. Basically, surveillance cameras are usually used with CCTV, in businesses and where there is continuous recording. They are meant to record acts as they happen, so they can be investigated later. Home security cameras, by contrast, are often motion-triggered and connected to cloud storage. Often, people install them primarily to deter would-be burglars.

Can wireless cameras work without internet?

Many wireless cameras in 2022 cannot fully function without an internet connection. Some cameras -- especially those that are part of a larger home security system -- use alternative radio protocols to transfer information. Those cameras will require a separate hub. Other cameras, if they have local storage, will be able to record and store footage -- on a microSD card, for example -- even if the internet is out. All that said, most wireless cameras will require Wi-Fi to use all their features as intended.

How do you tell if a security camera is watching you?

Cameras can really strengthen your home's security, but they can also degrade its privacy. Hackers have made headlines by spying on people or using two-way talk features with children in their rooms. So can you easily tell whether a security camera is actively recording you? Well, it depends. Most security cameras will include a small light that will turn on when it's recording, though that may not be a reliable indicator if the camera has been hacked. Others, like Arlo's indoor camera, include design features that make it totally clear when the camera is watching and when it's not. In general, though, devices with physical shields are always a solid option if you're worried about maintaining your privacy.

When installing wireless security cameras, keep in mind that the smart home camera you buy (and your security system as a whole) will only be as good as the quality of your Wi-Fi connection at the location where you plan to install it. Socheck your Wi-Fi speed before you drill holes in the walls or otherwise mess up your door frame, brick or siding for your home security camera. If the connection is spotty on your wireless security camera, you'll notice significant lag times, pixelation in the live feed and other Wi-Fi delays that make the video quality poor and security cameras a pain to use.

With a good Wi-Fi connection, you should be in good shape to use your indoor camera or outdoor security camera without any major camera system issues and get clear footage every time. Still have questions? Take a look at my home security camera buying guide.

More home security advice:

• Best Indoor Home Security Cameras
• Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras
• Best Video Doorbell Cameras
• Best Facial Recognition Security Cameras
• Best Wireless Home Security Cameras
• Best Cheap Home Security Devices
• Best Nanny Cams
• Best Solar-Powered Home Security Cameras

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Source: https://www.cnet.com/home/security/best-home-security-camera/

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