7 Best Home Security Cameras, According to Tech Experts

The Arlo Pro 4 is our pros' favorite wireless security camera for both indoor and outdoor monitoring. We’ve tested previous generations of this model in the Media & Tech Lab, which have stood out for exceptional performance. Installing the Arlo on a wall is as simple as screwing in the magnetic base and popping the camera on. Because the camera is wireless, you can attach it anywhere you want in the range of Wi-Fi, which includes outdoors as it’s weather-resistant.

Compatible with a range of smart home ecosystems like Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and more, control is easy, and all alerts go straight to your phone. We like that this Arlo camera can even capture color videos at night and has an integrated spotlight as well as a built-in siren that you can trigger directly from the app. Plus, it offers some of the highest-quality video resolution. Just keep in mind that to view all your video recordings in that sharp 2K resolution, you'll need to purchase a $4.99 per month subscription. Without it, your videos will be in lower resolution. Another alternative to accessing 2K videos is to purchase an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station with a max of 2TB of local storage.

The WyzeCam has a whopping 70,000+ Amazon reviews and starts at just $33! Designed for both indoor and outdoor use thanks to a weather-proof design, it'll record video clips whenever motion is detected and send an alert to your phone. A magnetic mounting kit comes included so you can install your camera anywhere feasible, and all videos are saved on the cloud for 14 days with one of the most affordable subscriptions at just $1.67 per month.

You can also go subscription-free and opt for storage on a Wyze microSD card so video continues to record even if your Wi-Fi goes out. This camera also boasts great features such as color night vision and Alexa and Google Home compatibility. Reviewers especially love its small size, but note that the Wyze Cam must be plugged into a power source to operate and an outdoor power adapter must be purchased separately if you plan on setting it up outside.

Motion detection, two-way audio, color night vision and impressive 1080p video quality are just a few of the features you’ll get with this spotlight camera created to keep an eye on what’s going on outside your house. While this model is battery-powered and comes with a rechargeable battery pack, it’s also available in a wired version that’s always connected to power or you can automatically extend battery life with the addition of a solar panel.

Our pros found the setup of the camera easy, and love how intuitive the Ring app is. There are two LED spotlights located on both sides of the camera to help light up dark areas outside, and we found motion detection responsive. We were also impressed by the bird’s eye view feature, which gives you access to an aerial view of your home. Though you can always check your live video feed without a Ring Protect subscription, for $3.99 a month you’ll not only have access to live feeds but also 180 days of history. With this subscription, you'll get richer notifications, custom alerts and the ability to save and share videos.

Worried about your home security camera’s battery dying on you? Consider this solar-powered outdoor camera that requires just two hours of direct sunlight a day for continuous power. As soon as motion is detected, a built-in 600 Lumens spotlight will turn on as the camera captures footage in color night vision. “The 2K video resolution and quality was really nice,” comments Lab Assistant Nik Greenwald, who recently tested the camera in the Media & Tech Lab.

Greenwald points out how intuitive the Eufy app is, and that the camera held up to water-resistance claims during our rigorous tests by performing without issue even after it was submerged in water. Our pros also like that, unlike other home security cameras, this one comes with 8GB of local storage, which should give you about two months of storage so you can avoid paying another pesky monthly subscription fee.

Crisp 1536 x 1536 resolution, a 180-degree viewing angle and two-way audio make this video doorbell from Arlo a top choice for those looking for 24/7 surveillance right outside their door. You’ll be immediately notified as guests approach your home or when packages are dropped off thanks to responsive motion detection. In fact, the Arlo doorbell can distinguish among people, animals and cars to provide the most accurate notifications.

Set up of the Arlo is intuitive and hassle-free thanks to its wireless design. Video footage can be stored locally, or you can opt for a $4.99 per month subscription for 30 days of video cloud storage so you can access your surveillance history directly from your phone. If you use smart assistants, Arlo is compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant as well as IFTTT (If This Then That), which allows you to create chain reactions like having a porch light turn on when someone rings the doorbell.

In our testing, this camera scored among the highest for accurate motion detection and alerts, making it a great choice to keep an eye on pets and kids. While it can be used both indoors and outdoors, our pros like this plug-in version for indoor use as you’re able to set up motion zones and privacy zones to really customize surveillance where you need it. We like the wide 130-degree field of view, but if you want full 360-degree coverage to scan the entire room you can always purchase the addition of a pan-tilt plug-in.

According to our pros, installation is super easy: The camera is packaged alongside all the tools you'll need with a clear step-by-step guide. You also have options for how you power it, including a six to 12 month battery, a USB cable or the additional purchase of a solar panel. A Ring Protect subscription lets you save and share videos captured on Ring devices for up to 180 days, making it easier than ever to set up your entire wireless home security system with Ring.

Once this outdoor Nest Cam detects people, vehicles or animals, it not only notifies you on your phone but can also shine two bright built-in included LED lights to light up that area so you’re always aware of who or what is outside your home. It’s weather-resistant and packs excellent video quality at 1080p, as well as two-way audio so you can speak to your guests or delivery service from anywhere. During their in-Lab analysis, our experts were impressed by the quality of construction of the camera; it weighs in at 3.45 pounds, which is several times heavier than most security cameras. Between its heft and the fact that it must be hardwired, you may need a professional to install it for you, though replacing an existing wired floodlight with the Nest Cam might be doable for experienced DIYers.

Thanks to a constant connection, your camera is able to record 24/7 so you'll never miss someone passing through the yard. We like that the optional $6 per month Nest Aware subscription offers facial recognition to avoid unnecessary alerts for family or friends approaching, though if you choose to skip the subscription you’ll still have access to three hours of event video history. While this floodlight is for outdoor use only, our pros also recommend the wired Nest Cam if you want surveillance indoors.