When it comes to selecting your perfect security camera, you may not know where to start. Well, I’ve done my research, tested all the cameras, and written about what I believe are the best cameras out there.
But before I begin, I want to go over what you should look for in a security camera. Of course, everyone has their personal preferences, but there are some standards that I find particularly important.
Video quality: For a really clear picture, you’ll want a camera that has at least 1080p HD video display- extra points if the camera can zoom in. Additionally, the field of view should be no more narrow than 120 degrees.
Two-way audio: You’re going to want a camera that has both a microphone and a speaker so you can communicate with whoever you’re recording.
Cloud and local storage: In case you want to back up any footage, you should look for a camera with both cloud and local storage that allows you complete control.
Infrared Night Vision: Unlike a bright white light, infrared night vision from LED sensors is invisible to the naked eye, so the person you’re recording will be completely unaware. Of course, the clarity of infrared night vision doesn’t hurt either.
Convenience: No one wants to spend hours setting up a security camera. I look for cameras with installation that integrates with an app for step-by-step instructions, or has an easy, wireless setup.
Let’s get started!
Best Cameras for Pet-Owners: Netatmo Welcome Indoor Security Camera
For pet-owners, it’s important that your security camera has pet detection, meaning it can tell the difference between people and pets. After all, as much as you love your furry little angel, you don’t need to be alerted of its every move.
The best camera for pet-owners is the Netatmo Welcome Indoor Security Camera.
The Netatmo Welcome Indoor Camera comes with pet detection, so your little one won’t cause a push notification (or will, depending on your preference). In general, the Netatmo has some of the best artificial intelligence capabilities around- it can recognize up to 32 faces!
The camera has fantastic video, with 1080p HD, a field of zoom of eight times, and a field of view of 130 degrees. It also comes with awesome infrared night vision, and- here’s the kicker- local and cloud storage, completely free! They even include a microSD card. Aw, Netatmo, you shouldn’t have. The camera’s other bragging points include its integrations with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Facebook messenger– yes, you read that right. You’ll be able to control your camera just by chatting on Facebook like you do all day anyway! It’s a convenient way to check on your pet.
The camera does lose points, however, for its lack of two-way audio. While you’ll be able to livestream footage of your pet, you won’t be able to command it via the camera. Still, I think that the built-in pet detection makes the Netatmo Welcome Indoor Security Camera a great choice for pet-owners.
To learn more, check out our review on the Netatmo Welcome Indoor Security Camera.
Best Cameras for Babies: Nest Cam IQ Indoor
Your home’s security is never more important than when you have a baby in your home. Lucky for you, there’s cameras with activity zones and intelligent sound detection.
What are these strange terms? Activity zones means that you will be able to tell your camera which areas are particularly important for it to monitor, and then you can be notified when there’s activity in these spaces (or zones, hence the name). For a new parent, the activity zones could be your baby’s crib or the window in their room. Next, intelligent sound detection can literally tell the difference between your baby crying and an alarm going off, and notify you as such.
The best camera for homes with babies is the Nest Cam IQ Indoor Camera.
The Nest Cam IQ Indoor is Google Nest’s latest indoor security camera, and it boasts features even more impressive than the original Nest Cam Indoor. The basics? The Nest Cam IQ has 1080p HD video, a field of view of 130 degrees, and the ability to zoom in 12 times. You’re going to want to see your baby as closely as possible, so the zoom feature is a huge benefit of the IQ. In the same vein, the camera has 16 infrared LED sensors, making it one of the best cameras for night vision I’ve ever seen. Finally, with two-way audio and a speaker seven times more powerful than its predecessor, it’s fair to say you’ll be able to speak to and see your baby incredibly clearly.
Now let’s talk artificial intelligence. The Nest Cam IQ comes with person detection, which is awesome- it means your camera won’t notify you about things that don’t matter, like a car driving by. I would recommend that you purchase Nest Aware, their monthly subscription package. With Nest Aware, you’ll get familiar face alerts, motion detection, sound detection, person speaking alerts, activity zones, and more. You’ll also get cloud storage for up to 30 days– see below for pricing information. The Nest Cam IQ’s only real negative is its lack of local storage, plus its pricey cloud storage options. I do, however, think Nest Aware is worth it for the artificial intelligence features.
All these features means that you’ll easily stay afloat of what’s going on with your little one. You’ll get amazingly specific notifications, like when your nanny puts the baby down for a nap or when Grandpa comes over. You’ll also be alerted if there’s an unfamiliar face in your home, which may or may not be an intruder.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Nest Cam IQ is integrated with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and even Philips Hue lightbulbs. I find this particularly relevant for parents because sometimes you have your hands full, literally and figuratively. With smart platform integrations, all you need to control your camera is your voice.
This camera may be on the pricier side, but it is leading the industry in video, night vision, and artificial intelligence- all very important features for keeping your baby safe. For more info, check out our review on the Nest Cam IQ Indoor camera.
Best Cameras for Seniors: Canary All-In-One
As seniors are often not the best with technology, it’s important that your security camera allows you to easily check in on your older loved ones, with livestream included. I also prefer cameras that have access to emergency services through a safety button or incident support. My recommendation is the Canary All In-One.
Canary All-In-One
The Canary All-In-One is a great indoor camera that allows you complete remote control. Let’s start with the basics. The All-In-One has 1080p HD video, the ability to zoom in three times, and a whopping 147 degree field of view, one of the widest I’ve ever seen. Similarly, the camera’s night vision impresses with twelve infrared LED sensors. Night vision is especially important for seniors, as many of their accidents happen in the dark. Plus, the camera integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Although your elderly family member or friend may not have ever verbally commanded objects via a robot, these smart home platforms are incredibly user-friendly, much more so than a complicated mobile app.
Of course, no one wants to pay a monthly subscription fee on top of what they’re already paying for their camera, but the features you get make it worth it. First of all, you’ll get two-way audio. Now, I’m not thrilled that two-way audio isn’t included with the camera, but bear with me. For $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, you’ll also get local storage, 30 days of cloud storage, person detection, activity zones, and a safety button. If something does go wrong, you want to make sure the senior you’re taking care of can easily access the police. That’s why the safety button is so important- it makes it as simple as possible for the senior to contact emergency services. You’ll also get access to incident support services, which adds another layer of support in the case of an emergency.
One last thing I’ll mention is the camera’s HomeHealth technology- it has a built-in climate monitoring system which detects the air’s quality, humidity, and temperature. Although it can’t replace a smoke or carbon monoxide detector, it’s another level of security to protect your elderly loved ones.
For more information, read our Canary All-In-One review.
Best Camera for Urban Homes: Amazon Cloud Cam
As city-living can be expensive, I looked for more affordable cameras that can be installed and moved at the drop of a hat. My top pick for urban dwellers is the Amazon Cloud Cam.
At less than $120, the Amazon Cloud Cam definitely won’t break the bank, but don’t be fooled by the affordable price- this camera can compete with the best of ’em. It has the industry standard of 1080p HD, plus eight times optical zoom and a field of view of 120. Plus, it has great night vision from eight infrared LED sensors, and two-way audio. So far, so good.
I must say, this was one of the easier cameras to set up- the whole process took me about 10 minutes. Sure, I’m already in the Amazon ecosystem with Alexa, but all you have to do to set up the Cloud Cam is plug it in, download the app, and pair the camera with your mobile device. From there, the app gives you step-by-step instructions that can only be described as idiot-proof.
Although the Amazon Cloud Cam is a great option for city dwellers, it does have some drawbacks. Amazon only gives you 24 hours of free cloud storage, and there is no local storage available. More cloud storage can be purchased through a monthly subscription, along with activity zones and person detection.
All in all, this camera is super easy to use and definitely covers the basics like video, audio, and night vision. It’s a great option for any urbanite who’s on the go. To find out more information, read our full review on the Amazon Cloud Cam.
Best Camera for Suburban Homes: Canary Flex
Finally, there’s suburbanites, the group most likely to buy security cameras in the first place. I’m looking for cameras with both indoor and outdoor capabilities from trusted brands, like the Canary Flex.
Canary Flex
We already know that Canary is a great brand, and their Flex camera is a great indoor/ outdoor option. The first thing that strikes me about the camera is package detection. Not only can the Canary Flex detect people, but it can also let you know when your package has arrived. As your home probably doesn’t come equipped with a doorman or security team, you’re going to want to make sure your packages are safe. As someone who constantly orders stuff online, this is a very attractive feature.
Let’s talk about the camera’s other features. It integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, has great night vision, and 1080p HD video. Unfortunately, the video quality is a bit lacking, as the camera often defaults to 720p HD. In addition to that, the camera cannot zoom and its field of view is a bit narrow at 116 degrees. I’m also not thrilled with the lack of local storage, although you can buy a month of cloud storage with the membership. Let’s recap: for $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year, you’ll get two-way audio, 30 days of cloud storage, person detection, a safety button, access to first responders, and more.
I think the Canary Flex might work better as an outdoor camera rather than in indoor camera, due to the fact that two-way audio is not included along with the package detection. Still, it gives you the flexibility (hence the name) to use it indoors or outdoors. To learn more, check out our review of the Canary Flex.
Best Camera for Renters: Tend Secure Lynx Indoor
Renters should be looking for cameras that are easy to set up, have flexible storage options, and do not require that you sign a long-term contract. Technically, it is your landlord’s job to keep you safe, but they’re only able to put cameras in the hallways and entrances, not your actual apartment. That’s why renters might want to invest in their own security cameras. I recommend the Tend Secure Lynx Indoor camera.
At only $59.99 (cheaper depending where you buy it), the Tend Secure Lynx Indoor Camera is definitely affordable, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on features. With 1080p HD video, a field of view of 120 degrees, and two-way audio, it certainly satisfies industry standards. Although it has no local storage, it does give you a week for cloud storage absolutely free. While I’m disappointed about the lack of local storage, this may be less important to a renter than to a home-owner. Ultimately, the landlord is responsible for any intrusion, so you can just pass on the cloud footage and let someone else work with the police. The camera comes with a week of free cloud storage, which is pretty generous as well.
The Tend Secure Lynx’s main negative, aside from its lack of local storage, is its complete lack of smart platform integrations. You won’t be able to control the camera using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or any other smart home automation system. Still, this camera is affordable, has good quality video and audio, and offers a week of free cloud storage, a great choice for renters.
Want even more info? Check out our review of the Tend Secure Lynx Indoor Camera.
Best Camera for Home-Owners: Logitech Circle 2
Homeowners aren’t afraid of commitment (at least regarding their real estate). Plus, they’re probably more financially stable than renters, as they needed to cough up the down payment along with any home maintenance payments that come up along the way. For homeowners, I’m looking for cameras with both indoor and outdoor capabilities from trusted brands. I’ve settled on the Logitech Circle 2.
I love an indoor/ outdoor camera because of its versatility. With a home, you may have more grounds to look after, so you’re going to want something that has an extension cord and the wherewithal to handle more extreme weather conditions. For its video quality, the Logitech Circle 2 absolutely kills it. It has 1080p HD video, which we’ve grown accustomed to at this point, but what really gets me is the field of view of 180 degrees. This is fantastic, especially if you have a larger property that requires multiple cameras.
On a more negative note, the camera’s night vision wasn’t quite as clear as I’d like it to be. While the box said you’d be able to see for 15 feet, things got blurry for me at 10. However, I am quite pleased with the camera’s two-way audio and smart platform integrations, which include Amazon Alexa, Fire TV, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. It’s hard to find a camera that integrates with Apple HomeKit, as its one of the less popular smart home automations, so I like that the Circle 2 really gives you options here.
Now let’s talk membership.
While the Logitech Circle 2 includes 24 hours of free cloud storage plus unlimited streaming and downloads, I would recommend going with a membership, not only for the additional cloud storage but also for the person detection (only available with the premium package). As you can see, the plans are reasonably priced and give you discounts for up to 5 cameras. With the premium package, you’ll also be able to create motion zones, which tell the camera areas that are particularly important to look out for. If you have a house with multiple floors or a baby’s room, this feature is going to come in handy. Plus, you can take advantage of the yearly package because you know you’re not going anywhere. At only $2.98 per month per camera if you pay for the entire year at once, the Premium package makes the camera an even better value.
For more info, check out our review of the Logitech Circle 2.
Best Camera for Small Businesses: Lighthouse Indoor Security Camera
With a small business, you have more people coming in and out of your space, be it employees, customers, or possibly, intruders. That’s why artificial intelligence is so important for business’ security cameras. Obviously, business owners are the busiest people in the world, so you want a camera that will give you smarter, more specific notifications.
The Lighthouse Indoor Security Camera is an indoor camera with incredible artificial intelligence capabilities. Not only does it have facial recognition, but it can also let you know about future events, like when your cashier comes in or when your employees closed up shop. Along with two-way audio, this camera is more than security- it can also allow you to keep track of (and order around) your employees. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, as they say!
Unfortunately, the camera’s video quality is a bit disappointing. While the camera has 1080p HD, the industry standard, it cannot zoom at all, and its field of view is a bit narrow at 112 degrees. Similarly, its night vision is subpar and can definitely benefit from some more LED lights.
While the camera does not technically have any smart platform integrations, it does have built-in language processing, so you’ll be able to do voice commands. Although the camera has no local storage, it does offer 30 days of cloud storage completely free!
All in all, this camera would be very useful to a business owner, not only to make sure your space is safe, but also to keep your business affairs in order.
Best Camera for Smart Platform Integrations: Scout Indoor Camera
The Scout Indoor Camera, part of the Scout Alarm’s larger security system, has integrations with Google Nest, IFTTT, Philips-Hue lightbulbs, , Amazon Echo, and Google Home. You really can’t beat the amount of smart platform integrations. Aside from that, the camera boasts 1080p HD video, 14 days of free cloud storage, and infrared night vision. Its weaknesses include its lack of zoom, artificial intelligence, two-way audio, and local storage, plus its narrow field of view of 115 degrees. You win some, you lose some!
Best Wireless Camera: Arlo Pro 2
Can you believe this little thing can handle both indoor and outdoor conditions? There’s not much this camera lacks. It has 1080p HD video, a field of zoom of eight times, and a field of view of 130 degrees. Plus, there’s two-way audio, cloud and local storage, and integrations with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Stringify.
My main issues with the camera are its lack of artificial intelligence, but with a paid monthly subscription, you can access person detection, activity zones, and even a safety button from the Arlo app. Although this camera’s night vision isn’t the strongest, it has great audio, video, smart platform integrations, and artificial intelligence options.
To learn more, check out our review on the Arlo Pro 2.
Best Indoor Camera: Canary All-In-One
You really can’t miss with the Canary All-In-One. Its stats include 1080p HD video, the ability to zoom in three times, and a super-wide field of view of 147 degrees! The night vision impresses with 12 infrared LED lights, plus integrations with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Now, I must say, if you are going to get the Canary All-In-One (or any of the Canary products for that matter), I recommend doing the paid monthly membership. With the membership you’ll unlock two-way audio, local storage, 30 days of cloud storage, person detection, activity zones, and access to a first-person responder. Considering the membership is only $9.99 a month or $99 a year, I think it’s a great value. Another cool feature of the All-In-One is its HomeHealth technology. Believe it or not, this camera also monitors your climate, measuring your air’s quality, humidity, and temperature. Did I mention the camera costs less than $120?
To learn more, read our review of the Canary All-In-One.
Best Outdoor Camera: Canary Flex
Meet the All-In-One’s sister, the Canary Flex. This camera works for both the indoors and the outdoors (hence the term “flex”) and has some great features. I’m loving the two-way audio, infrared night vision, and integrations with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus, unlike the All-In-One, the Flex comes with person and package detection– you read that right. This camera can literally tell you when that special shoes you love come in the mail. A very cool feature, and one that I haven’t seen in any other cameras.
I’m a bit disappointed that the camera can’t zoom, and that its field of view is a bit narrow at 116 degrees. Plus, there’s no local storage, and only 24 hours of free cloud storage. Of course, with a membership, you can get 30 days of cloud storage (see above for prices).
Despite its shortcomings, this is a great outdoor camera option that can definitely get the job done. For more information, check out our Canary Flex review.
Best Camera App: Vivint Indoor Camera
Looking for an app that customers love to use? Vivint Indoor, part of the larger Vivint security system, has incredible ratings- a 4.5 and 4.6 on the Apple and Google Play stores, respectively! The app allows for total control of your camera, security system, and connected devices. As the majority of ratings were five stars, this app really stood out in a sea of poorly reviewed security apps.
Mobile app aside, the Vivint Indoor Camera has some great features like 1080p HD, a field of view of 155 degrees, infrared LED night vision, two-way audio, and 30 days of cloud storage on the house. It also integrates with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and even Sky which connects to smart objects like thermostats, lights and locks. However, I’m a bit disappointed that the camera can’t zoom, and that there’s no local storage or artificial intelligence features.
Best Camera for Storage: Netatmo Welcome Home Security Camera
If incredible storage options are a priority for you, then the Netatmo Welcome Indoor Security Camera is a great option. Not only does Netatmo provide both cloud and local storage, but they also include a micro SD card. As the cloud automatically stores footage to your personal dropbox of FTP server, you won’t have to pay any monthly fees for storage. In a nutshell, if you get the Netatmo Indoor you’ll have unlimited cloud and local storage completely free- it doesn’t get much better than that.
The Netatmo is also one of the best cameras we’ve seen for artificial intelligence. It features not just person detection, but also facial recognition for up to 32 faces! That means you’ll receive highly specific notifications that matter. I’m also loving the fact that the camera integrates with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and surprisingly, Facebook Messenger. That’s right, you can control the Netatmo camera just by typing into Facebook Messenger the same way you would a friend.
The camera’s other strong points include its 1080p HD video display, its ability to zoom in eight times, and its field of view of 130 degrees. The camera also has nice infrared night vision. Unfortunately, the Netatmo Welcome Indoor Security Camera does not have two-way audio. I find this a bit surprising, especially considering how advanced many of the other features are. But overall, this is a really innovative camera with superior storage options.
To learn more, read our review of the Netatmo Welcome Indoor Security Camera.
Best Camera for Night Vision: Nest Cam IQ Indoor
If night vision most important to you, I’d go with the Nest Cam IQ Indoor. The latest of Google Nest’s indoor camera, it has a whopping 16 infrared LED sensors– much more than I’ve seen on any other security camera.
Aside from night vision, this camera creates industry standards in nearly ever category. It has 1080p HD video, the ability to zoom in 12 times, and an 130 degree field of view. The camera comes with two-way audio, as well as a speaker seven times more powerful than that of its predecessor, the Nest Cam Indoor. Plus, the camera comes with person detection, and familiar face alerts are available with Nest Aware, their monthly subscription package. Finally, the Nest Cam IQ indoor has integrations with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Philips Hue lightbulbs.
The camera’s only real weakness is its storage. There is no local storage option, and the cloud storage options are pretty expensive. With Nest Aware, however, you’ll also get dog barking alerts, person speaking alerts, familiar face alerts, and activity zones along with your cloud storage.
Clearly, the Nest Cam IQ Indoor Camera isn’t for the faint of wallet, but its incredible abilities make it worthwhile. For more information, check out our review on the Nest Cam IQ Indoor.
Best Camera with Two-way Audio: Amazon Cloud Cam
The Amazon Cloud Cam is a fantastic indoor camera with two-way audio from Amazon, the internet giant. Video-wise, it impresses with 1080p HD display, a wide field of view of 120 degrees, and the ability to zoom in eight times. Of course, its night vision doesn’t disappoint, with eight infrared LED sensors. Obviously, it’s integrated with Amazon Alexa, although I’m a bit disappointed it doesn’t also integrate with Google Assistant.
The camera’s biggest weaknesses are its storage and artificial intelligence. There is no local storage available, and Amazon only gives you 24 hours of free cloud storage. With a monthly subscription, however, you can buy up to 30 days of cloud storage.
The membership also gives you person detection and activity zones. Otherwise, you’ll have no artificial intelligence features.
For more information, check out our review of the Amazon Cloud Cam.
Feel free to leave questions or comments below.
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