The Best Home Security Cameras To Have Eyes On Every Angle

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Rich Forbes Staff Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted Steven John Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Forbes Vetted Forbes Vetted Nov 1, 2023, 05:36pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin You can invest thousands of dollars to have a professional home security system installed and then pay more to have it monitored 24/7. However, if your security concerns don’t warrant that level of protection, you can install a smart home security camera yourself—often within minutes—for less than $300.

These cameras can help you monitor your home directly from your phone or computer. The best home security cameras are inexpensive but are chock full of useful features to make you . .

. [+] feel safer at home. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers The best home security cameras include features like motion detectors, full-color night vision and cloud storage.

Many also rely on a mobile app that gives you full remote control over the camera from virtually anywhere. After testing and extensive research, we’ve compiled this list of inexpensive and easy-to-install home security cameras. This roundup includes the Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless Security Camera , our pick for the best home security camera overall.

Best Home Security Camera Overall : Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless Security Camera Best Outdoor Home Security Camera : Ring Floodlight Cam Plus Best Stand-Alone Outdoor Security Camera : Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Best Indoor Home Security Camera : Eufy Cam 2C Best Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Camera : Ring Stick Up Cam Best Budget Home Security Camera : Wyze Cam V3 Best Smart Home Security Camera: Eufy SoloCam S340 Best Home Security Camera Overall High-End Security Features At Your Fingertips Amazon Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera Resolution : 4K | Field of view: 180-degrees | Mount : Included | Power : Rechargeable battery | Weather resistant : Yes | Smart home compatibility : Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google, SmartThings, IFTTT | Audio: 2-Way | Storage : MicroSD, cloud | Night vision : Yes, color Best for : Indoor or outdoor home security with a wide range of remotely controlled features. The Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera tops the list because it has virtually all of the features you could want at a reasonable price including a 4K resolution camera that displays incredible detail with a 180-degree view. You also get a built-in motion sensor, two-way audio, zoom capabilities and full-color night vision.

This home security camera also works seamlessly with all computers and mobile devices—and you can even view the video feed on an Apple Watch. It’s also compatible with smart home gear from many other manufacturers. Another useful feature built into the camera is the ability to remotely activate a loud security siren to scare off would-be intruders.

This is a wireless, battery-operated camera that comes with its own easy-to-install mount—no hardwiring required. Extra rechargeable battery packs or a solar charging panel are sold separately. However, to get all of the features, you’ll need an Arlo Secure service plan.

They’re priced between $5 and $25 per month with no long-term contract. With the paid subscription, you can review your recorded video history for up to 30 days. You can buy Arlo cameras individually, but they do require an Arlo SmartHub , so you may prefer to purchase a bundle that includes a camera and the hub.

Pros : 4K video resolution Wide field of view Two-way audio Cons : Arlo Pro SmartHub required (sold separately, $100) Paid subscription needed to use the camera’s full features Best Outdoor Home Security Camera Sheds Light On Possible Intruders Amazon Ring Floodlight Cam Plus Resolution : 1080p | Field of view: 140-degrees | Mount : Included | Power : Wired | Weather resistant : Yes | Smart home compatibility : iOS, Android | Audio: 2-Way | Storage : Cloud | Night vision : Yes, color Best for : Monitoring what’s happening outside of your home—day or night. There are two versions of the wired Ring Floodlight Cam. The Plus version (shown) has a 1080p resolution camera, security siren, motion detection, 2,000-lumen LED floodlights and full-color night vision, making it a great option to monitor your home at any time of day or night.

The Pro version ($250) comes with all of these features and has enhanced motion detection, dual band Wi-Fi connectivity and enhanced camera views. Either camera can be installed in less than 30 minutes, but both models require a hardwired connection to your home’s electricity. If you’re not comfortable doing that yourself, you’ll want to hire a professional.

To access all of the camera’s features, an ongoing subscription to Ring Protect is required. The three levels—Basic, Plus or Pro—are priced at $40, $100 or $200 per year, respectively. With Ring Protect, review your camera’s video history for up to 180 days.

You also get notifications, compatibility with a Ring video doorbell and the ability to arm or disarm the camera remotely. Pros : Good video quality with a wide field of view Bright floodlights Motion activated with 105-decibel security siren Cons : Ongoing subscription required to get full use of the camera Requires hardwiring to your home’s electricity Best Stand-Alone Outdoor Security Camera Great Camera, Smaller Light Amazon Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Resolution : 1080p | Field of view: 140-degrees | Mount : Included | Power : Battery | Weather resistant : Yes | Smart home compatibility : Amazon Echo, FireTV OS, iOS, Android | Audio: 2-Way | Storage : Cloud | Night vision : Yes, color Best for : Easy set up for remotely monitoring the outside of your home. Using 3D motion detection, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro notices when things are moving outside of your home, but since it can detect people, animals and vehicles, for example, false alerts are greatly reduced.

The camera has built in lights, but they’re not floodlights, so their range is limited. However, the camera does offer full-color night vision. And if you notice an intruder, you can remotely activate a security siren from your smartphone or home hub.

The Ring Spotlight Cam Pro works in conjunction with other Ring home security gear along with the Ring mobile app. To unlock all of the camera’s features, plan on subscribing to the Ring Protect Plan, which is priced at $40, $100 or $200 per year, depending on the service level you choose. Because the camera is wireless, setup takes less than 15 minutes.

The camera needs to be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network to upload recording content to the cloud and allow for real-time viewing via the mobile app or a compatible home hub. Pros : Good video resolution with a wide field of view Mount and one rechargeable battery included Weather resistant Cons : Ring Protect Plan subscription required to use many of the camera’s features Camera battery requires charging rather frequently Best Indoor Home Security Camera Two Cameras Are Better Than One Amazon EufyCam 2C Pro 2-Cam Kit Resolution : 2K | Field of view: 135-degrees | Mount : Included | Power : Battery | Weather resistant : Yes | Smart home compatibility : Eufy app, Amazon Alexa devices | Audio: 2-way | Storage : Local hard drive | Night vision : Yes, color Best for : Remotely monitoring at least two distinct areas inside or outside your home with no monthly fees. This home security camera kit comes with a hub and two wireless (battery powered) cameras.

The cameras have 2K resolution with a 135-degree field of view. You also get color night vision, a small built-in spotlight and 2-way audio. The mobile app is able to differentiate between people, animals and objects, but what sets it apart is the the ability to create “smart detect zones.

” For example, you can set up a zone so the security system alerts you to motion on your porch, but ignores motion on the sidewalk. Another big difference between these cameras and the competition is that all video and audio is stored locally on an included 16GB storage device that connects wirelessly with the cameras via your home’s Wi-Fi network. This allows you to retain up to three months of recordings for free—with no ongoing subscription fees.

The cameras also work seamlessly with other Eufy smart home security gear, as well as Amazon Echo home hubs. Pros : High video resolution No monthly subscription fee required Retains up to 3 months of video and audio recordings Cons : Storage hard drive is not expandable Best Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Camera See What’s Happening Inside Or Outside Your Home Amazon Ring Stick Up Cam Resolution : 1080p | Field of view: 130-degree (diagonal) | Mount : Included | Power : Battery | Weather resistant : Yes | Smart home compatibility : Alexa-enabled devices, iOS and Android mobile devices | Audio: 2-way | Storage : Cloud | Night vision : Yes, color Best for : Monitoring an inside or outdoor space. From the company that made the video doorbell popular comes an easy-to-install home security camera.

This camera is battery powered and wireless, and it’s also easy to use. Thanks to the built-in motion sensor, your smartphone can receive automatic alerts. The camera is compatible with all Alexa Echo smart home hubs, as well as Android and iOS smartphones and tablets.

One benefit of this camera is that it works with the Ring app, which you can also use to control other Ring home security products, including additional cameras and a video doorbell, for example. Pros : Camera can be set up indoors or outdoors Good resolution with a wide field of view Works with the Ring mobile app Cons : Ring Protection Plan subscription required to use all of the camera’s features (starting at $3. 99/month) No digital zoom capabilities Best Budget Home Security Camera Full-Color Night Vision And More At A Cheaper Price Amazon Wyze Cam v3 Resolution : 1080p | Field of view: 130-degrees | Mount : Built in base | Power : Wired | Weather resistant : Yes | Smart home compatibility : Alexa, Google, IFTTT, iOS, Android | Audio: 2-way | Storage : microSD memory card, cloud | Night vision : Yes, color Best for : Monitoring an indoor or outdoor area of your home for less than $40.

The WYZE Cam v3 needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet to function, but it still has a nice set of features. That includes full-color night vision, along with sound and motion detection, so it can alert your phone if it senses anything unusual while you’re away. All video and audio content is stored locally, using a microSD memory card (not the cloud).

The benefit to this is that there’s no ongoing subscription fee required to use all of the camera’s features. The drawback is that if the intruder steals this small camera, there’s no cloud-based photos or recordings available. Unlimited cloud storage is available if you subscribe to the Cam Plus service.

Other perks are that the camera is small, very easy to install and it works seamlessly with other Wyze home security products. It also has a siren that can be activated remotely. If you opt to use this camera outdoors, a separate weather-resistant power adapter must be purchased.

Pros : Very affordable, with no subscription required Camera is IP65 rated for water resistance Works with other Wyze home security products Cons : Cloud storage option costs extra Must be plugged into an electrical outlet Best Smart Home Security Camera Smart In So Many Ways eufy Eufy SoloCam S340 Buy From Eufy Resolution : 3K | Field of view: 360-degrees | Mount : Included | Power : Solar/Battery | Weather resistant : Yes | Smart home compatibility : Google, Alexa | Audio: 2-way | Storage : microSD memory card, cloud (optional) | Night vision : Yes, color Best for : Keeping a view of your entire yard The word “smart” gets thrown around a lot these days, but in this case, we’re hardly using it gratuitously. That’s because, first and foremost, this is a very smart camera. With AI-assisted motion detection, person detection and vehicle detection, not only does this thing know it’s seeing something, it can usually tell what.

And then it can tell you what it saw, depending on how you have alerts configured. It’s also smart—in the traditional way—thanks to an included solar panel that may mean you never have to charge the battery once. And because it can pan and tilt enough to give you a 360-degree view, covering the entirety of your front yard and driveway or the whole rear of your property.

Also pretty darn smart is the fact that the SoloCam S340 has two cameras, one that’s in super high-def 3K and offers a wide field of view, while the other has a 2K resolution and 3X optical zoom that can focus in on things like license plates. 8GB of local storage at no extra cost means you can cache plenty of video clips for later review, and the weather resistant camera can safely do all that in temperatures as cold as -4º or as hot as 122º Fahrenheit. Pros : Two cameras offer wide field of view and zoom 360-degree panning and 70-degree vertical tilt AI motion, person and vehicle detection Cons : No built in digital zoom or security siren MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Mini Fridges To Keep Your Cold Ones Close By By Leah Koenig Contributor This Month Is The Best Time To Buy A New Mattress And Save Big By Jessica Timmons Contributor How We Chose The Best Home Security Cameras We approached this product category just like you would have: as homeowners seeking to protect our homes 24/7.

We researched and read up on the best home security cameras, we cross-referenced claims made by the companies with comments left by past customers and then we narrowed things down to a select few cameras that made the cut. Then, we secured multiple cameras and put them to the test firsthand. In the course of that testing, we noted things like ease of setup—both of the app and of the hardware itself—we tried the cameras in daylight and darkness, we sounded the sirens, we shined the lights and we noted the accuracy of motion detection alerts and the ease of accessing video recordings.

And we played with special features like motion detection zones, package detection and more. Finally, when it comes to security for your home or place of business, it’s hard to put a price on things—but of course cost is a factor here. So, while a few of the camera featured will set you back by around $200 (not to mention the added and on-going cost of subscriptions), most of the cameras are actually quite affordable, and that’s by design.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted tech team is made up of of accomplished tech experts, many of whom have (literally) written books on the subjects. (A couple of staffers, including Dave Johnson , deputy editor, have in fact authored multiple books on the subject. ) The tech vertical is overseen by Rebecca Isaacs , the consumer tech and electronics editor at Forbes Vetted.

This story was written by contributors Jason Rich and Steven John , both accomplished writers, journalists, photographers and experienced product testers. In addition to covering dozens of tech topics, Jason has written several of our TV best lists (listed below). Over his career, he has accumulated hours of in-depth product research and has conducted firsthand testing, including for the writing of this story.

Steven has written many articles covering everything from camping gear to kitchen hardware to DIY tools and more. He’s an expert in the smart home space, from providing top recommendations on the best robot vacuums for carpets to testing out the best smart lights for your home. We know tech tends to become quickly outdated.

To keep this piece fresh and accurate, it will be regularly updated; its current iteration is from November 2023. What Is The Ideal Placement For Home Security Cameras? The ideal placement of home security cameras is strategic and depends on your specific needs. For the front door, placing a camera at eye level can capture clear facial footage of guests, delivery staff and even potential porch pirates.

If you prefer wide coverage of the front yard, choose a wide-angle camera or a doorbell camera with a motion sensor. At the rear of your home, position cameras to cover entry points such as doors and windows. You will want to ensure all blind spots are covered, as intruders often exploit these areas.

Indoors, we recommend installing cameras in common areas and near valuable assets. The garage and basement are also important areas to consider. Always point your cameras away from direct sunlight to prevent glare and aim them to capture the most useful angles.

How Can I Keep Captured Footage Secure? Securing the footage captured by your home security cameras is paramount to protect your privacy. To ensure security, change the default passwords on your cameras and use strong, unique passwords. Regularly update the camera’s firmware to patch any vulnerabilities and stay protected from potential hacks.

You’ll also want to enable encryption for your camera’s live feed and recordings. Consider using a secure cloud storage option or a local network-attached storage (NAS) device to store your video footage. The good news is most options in our top picks already offer these protections, thus reducing the risk of data breaches.

Additionally, set up access controls and user permissions, allowing only trusted individuals to view the camera feed. What Is The Difference Between Wired And Wireless Home Security Cameras? Wired and wireless home security cameras each have their advantages. Wired cameras require a physical connection to a power source and, optionally, to a network via Ethernet cables.

Generally, they’re more reliable as they don’t require recharging and are less likely to suffer from signal interference. However, installation can be more complex because you need to route cables. Wireless cameras, on the other hand, run on batteries or can be powered through a cable, making installation easier and more flexible.

If you choose to run them on batteries, keep in mind that they’ll need to be pulled down and charged every so often. They connect to your network via Wi-Fi, but may experience signal disruptions, affecting video quality. The choice between wired and wireless cameras depends on your preferences, installation convenience and your willingness to manage batteries or cables.

Can I Access My Home Security Camera Footage Remotely? Most home security cameras, including all on our list, offer remote access through mobile apps or web interfaces. You can view live video feeds, receive motion alerts and access recorded footage from anywhere so long as you have an internet connection. To enable remote access, you typically need to set up the camera to connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network and configure the camera’s app on your smartphone or tablet.

This feature is extremely beneficial for keeping an eye on your property while you’re away or traveling. Do Home Security Cameras Require A Monthly Subscription? The need for a monthly subscription with home security cameras depends on the brand and the features you want. Many cameras offer free basic cloud storage for a limited period while others only offer a complimentary live feed.

If you want longer storage, additional features like person detection or professional monitoring, you may need to subscribe to a paid plan. These plans can range from a few dollars to more comprehensive packages ranging upwards of $20, depending on the brand, the number of cameras on your property and the level of service you desire. Before purchasing cameras, carefully review the terms and costs associated with the subscription plans before making your decision.

Some cameras will offer free local storage while others will require a subscription, and it’ll say in the fine print. We’ve made sure to mention whether a camera has a subscription for our top picks to help you make an informed buying choice. Other Articles You Might Like Forbes Vetted regularly covers all types of consumer electronics and then reviews and recommends the best products in specific categories.

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