A Wi-Fi home security camera allows you to keep an eye on your home, loved ones, and pets from anywhere in the world, bringing much-needed peace of mind while you are away. Whether you're renting a small apartment or need to secure a larger, multilevel home, these products are always a must-have — and worth every penny.
Today’s best home security cameras can stream and record sharp daytime and nighttime video, send mobile alerts if they detect motion, and use two-way audio communication. Thankfully, the market is full of options available at multiple price points, so we spent the past few weeks researching and testing products to determine the best worth buying. We vetted products from leading brands like Arlo, TP-Link, and Logitech, to name a few.
It’s 2022, so Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) video resolution is the bare minimum that a security camera must be capable of recording. Some of the product category’s best can capture even sharper 2K (2,560 x 1,440 pixels) footage, and we highly recommend it ... especially for outdoor use. A higher resolution will capture more detail and zoom in on essential bits like a license plate.
Storage and Subscriptions
Many Wi-Fi home security cameras require a reasonably priced subscription plan to store video in the cloud for more than a day or two. If you need to use multiple cameras, you might need to pay extra. Depending on the product, a subscription will also bring additional features like facial recognition and the ability to alert emergency services remotely, which we highly recommend.
Believe it or not, there are still product offerings that don’t require a subscription, so consider one if you don’t want to make monthly or annual payments. A security camera with a microSD card slot will also help you avoid the extra cost.
Smart Home Integration
Most security cameras have an easy-to-use companion app for setting them up, adjusting their settings, and accessing video recordings. If you have a smart home setup with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit, look for compatible products. You should be able to control them with voice commands or access them alongside other connected appliances from your phone or tablet.
Now that you know what to look for, find the best home security camera for your needs among these extensively scrutinized picks.
Smart Home Integration: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings
Other: Wireless camera modules with integrated alarm, siren, spotlight
The Arlo Pro 4 is not just a stellar standalone camera, but a full-fledged home security system. It packs a high-resolution sensor, sophisticated motion detection tech, integrated siren and spotlight, and the ability to alert emergency services. The last bit requires a monthly subscription worth every penny, starting at $2.99 per camera.
We like that the weather-resistant product is easy to integrate into any connected home, and it can last up to 6 months between battery charges. As your needs change, you can connect additional Pro 4 units or optional add-ons like a floodlight camera and security lights to your Arlo setup.
Other: Wireless camera modules with integrated spotlight
Anker’s eufyCam 2C Pro home security system is a solid alternative to the Arlo Pro 4, and its retail package includes two battery-powered camera units. It stores recording locally, so it doesn’t require a monthly subscription.
The camera modules of the 2C Pro have an IP67 waterproof build, a 6-month battery life, and built-in spotlight and infrared night vision. We only wish that the light could be activated by motion.
We like that the eufyCam 2C Pro can differentiate humans from animals and objects, significantly reducing the number of unnecessary notifications.
The budget-friendly Wyze Cam V3 delivers everything you’d expect from a high-quality home security camera for less than $40. It has a versatile stand that doubles as a wall mount, has a weatherproof build, and boasts good video quality, regardless of lighting. It also features reliable motion- and sound-detecting technology.
The camera can automatically store video clips in the cloud for free for 2 weeks or locally via a microSD card slot. The super affordable (it costs less than $2 per month) Cam Plus subscription brings additional features like pet, package, and person detection, among many others.
Subscription plan is necessary for the best features
Key Specs
Video Resolution: Full HD
Smart Home Integration: Google Assistant
Other: Face recognition capabilities
The battery-powered Nest Cam by Google is an elegant, versatile, and smart Wi-Fi security camera. Unlike its rivals, the water-resistant gadget can recognize faces — meaning, it can alert you if there's a stranger in your home. In addition to people, the camera can detect animals and vehicles, too.
The indoor-only Kasa Spot KC400 by TP-Link delivers all of the essentials you would expect from a great security camera: sharp video, night vision, two-way audio, motion and sound alerts, virtual assistant compatibility, and a memory card slot, all at a fantastic price point of well below $50. You can also set up custom activity-monitoring zones to reduce false alarms.
In addition to free live-streaming and motion alerts, you can get up to 30 days’ worth of cloud storage via a $3-per-month Kasa Care subscription. Unless you need a weatherproof design for outdoor use, this is the budget-friendly security camera to get.
The sleek, compact, and versatile (its metal stand doubles as a wall mount) Circle View wired camera by Logitech is the best for users of Apple devices. You can set up and control the accessory from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac device, without the need to install any additional apps.
Logitech has equipped the device with a high-quality sensor with glass optics and a 180-degree field of view. The product can stream video with excellent quality, both day and night. While testing it, I also liked that it automatically activated itself each time I left home.
What sets the affordable Kasa Spot KC410S indoor camera by TP-Link apart from countless rivals is its ability to pan and tilt, making it ideal for large spaces. Its motion-tracking tech is also great for monitoring your pets while you're away from home: I enjoyed keeping tabs on the whereabouts of my cat during daily outings.
Like the Kasa Spot we already mentioned, this iteration also has a quality image sensor, a microSD card slot, and customizable activity-monitoring zones. It can send motion alerts and stream video for free, but accessing recordings from the cloud will cost you $3 per month.
Stefan VazharovSenior Technology EditorStefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
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