Securing your home is a top priority for most homeowners. With crime on the rise in many areas, home security cameras provide an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.
I‘ve tested and reviewed dozens of home security cameras to help you find the very best options to safeguard your property. Based on factors like video quality, features, reliability and value, here are my picks for the 7 best home security cameras on the market today.
1. Google Nest Cam – Best Overall
The Google Nest Cam takes the top spot as the best overall home security camera thanks to its intelligent detection, ease of use and integration with other smart home devices.
This 1080p outdoor/indoor security camera stands out for its ability to automatically recognize people, animals and vehicles. You‘ll get custom alerts when the camera detects a person versus a stray cat wandering across your yard. Face recognition even allows you to set up special alerts for familiar faces like family members.
Installation is a breeze with the magnetic mount and no wiring required. The Nest Cam‘s wireless connectivity and battery power give you flexibility for placement anywhere inside or outside your home.
Other highlights include night vision, two-way talk, activity zones to customize motion alerts and three hours of free video history. Subscription plans are available for expanded recording storage and intelligent analytics.
For its smart capabilities, flexible power options and overall reliable performance, the Nest Cam is my top recommendation for most homeowners.
Key Features:
- 1080p video with HDR
- Intelligent alerts for people, animals and vehicles
- Battery-powered and wireless
- Face recognition
- Customizable activity zones
- Works with Google Assistant
2. Ring Indoor Cam – Best Indoor Security Camera
Ring is synonymous with home security, and the Ring Indoor Cam is their best camera for monitoring inside your home.
This compact 1080p camera simply plugs into any indoor outlet. Setup takes just minutes with the Ring app. Motion detection triggers alerts to your phone and lets you view a live feed.
Two-way talk allows you to communicate through the camera using your phone, so you can interact with any visitors, family members or even pets at home.
For storage and advanced features, you can add a Ring Protect subscription plan and save video recordings for up to 60 days. But the basic camera functionality works great even without a paid subscription.
If you want an easy-to-install wired camera to keep watch inside your home, the Ring Indoor Cam is a superb choice.
Key Features
- 1080p HD wired indoor camera
- Motion alerts
- Two-way talk
- Customizable privacy zones
- Ring app for alerts, live view and playback
3. Ring Floodlight Cam – Best Floodlight Camera
The Ring Floodlight Cam combines a powerful LED floodlight with a full-featured home security camera for the ultimate in exterior protection.
In addition to its 1080p HD camera, this device has two adjustable LED floodlights that can blanket up to 3,000 square feet in bright light. The lights activate based on motion detection from the camera. This high-powered illumination serves as both a deterrent and a helpful spotlight when the camera captures video activity.
Like other Ring cameras, you‘ll get customizable motion alerts and live view access from your phone. For an added layer of protection, the Floodlight Cam has a loud built-in siren to help scare off any unwanted visitors.
Hardwired installation provides continuous power to ensure the camera and floodlights are always at the ready. For full access to video recording and other features, add the Ring Protect plan.
If you need maximum exterior lighting paired with security camera surveillance, the Ring Floodlight Cam delivers.
Key Features:
- 1080p security camera
- Two powerful adjustable LED floodlights
- Motion-activated floodlights
- 105 dB siren
- Customizable motion zones
- Ring app connectivity
4. Arlo Essential Video Doorbell – Best Doorbell Camera
The Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell offers front door security in a slim, smart design. This battery-powered doorbell camera installs in minutes and captures what traditional peepholes miss.
Get a complete head to toe view of guests at your door with the Arlo‘s 180-degree field of view. The 1:1 aspect ratio nicely fills phone screens for a better look at any visitors. Video records in crisp 1080p HDR quality.
This doorbell really shines thanks to the intelligent Arlo Foresight feature. The camera pre-records a few seconds of black and white video before each motion trigger. This ensures you get the full story of every visitor‘s approach to your doorstep.
The built-in siren sounds automatically if the device detects a package theft. Two-way audio allows you to speak to anyone at your door directly from the Arlo app.
For full use of Arlo‘s smart analytics, sign up for an Arlo Secure subscription plan. But standard motion alerts work without paying a monthly fee.
For it‘s innovative pre-roll recording, customizable alerts and sleek design, the Arlo Essential Video Doorbell is a great addition for home entryways.
Key Features:
- Wire-free video doorbell camera
- 180° diagonal field of view
- 1080p video with HDR
- Smart Arlo Foresight
- Customizable motion alerts
- Works with or without paid subscription
5. Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera – Best Outdoor Security Camera
The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera tops my list as the best outdoor security camera option on the market now. This wire-free 1080p camera has best-in-class video quality and smart analytics.
Crisp 2K video capture with HDR provides stunning image detail that easily outperforms standard 1080p resolution. A built-in spotlight automatically turns on when motion is detected to illuminate activity outside after dark.
Feed recorded video clips are securely stored in the cloud when you subscribe to an Arlo Smart plan. You get 30 days of rolling storage to look back through past recordings as needed without filling up your phone‘s storage.
Deep learning AI allows the camera to differentiate between vehicles, animals, people and packages. Receive custom alerts based on what the camera sees. Two-way audio allows you to warn off intruders.
The completely wireless and weatherproof Arlo Pro 4 installs easily with included mount. Position it anywhere outside your home – no electrical outlet required within 300 feet of your WiFi router. It‘s built to withstand heat, cold, rain and snow.
For it‘s superior 2K video quality, smart spotlight and intelligent tracking capabilities, the Arlo Pro 4 is my recommendation as the best outdoor security camera on the market today.
Key Features:
- Wire-free 1080p/2K camera
- Color night vision
- Built-in spotlight
- 160-degree viewing angle
- 2K video with HDR
- Smart notifications
- Weatherproof
6. eufy SoloCam S40 – Best Battery Powered Camera
When it comes to reliable battery-powered cameras, the eufy SoloCam S40 stands above other wireless options thanks to its innovative solar panel charging capabilities.
This camera captures activity outside your home in crisp 2K clarity. It has 256-bit AES data encryption for your security and privacy.
Built-in infrared night vision paired with an LED spotlight allow the SoloCam S40 to see up to 30 feet in the dark. Sound and motion-triggered recording ensure the camera only records relevant clips.
The real advantage comes from the integrated solar panel in this device. Sunlight charges the internal battery, removing the need to manually recharge or replace batteries every few months like other battery cameras require. Backup charging can occur via micro USB.
Install your eufy SoloCam S40 anywhere outside with the included mount. You’ll get rich notifications when the camera detects people, pets or cars in your designated activity zones. No hub or monthly fees are required.
For innovative solar charging and sharp 2K HD footage, the eufy SoloCam S40 is my top recommendation for long-lasting wireless security.
Key Features:
- Solar-powered battery camera
- 2K resolution with HDR
- 256-bit encryption
- Customizable activity zones
- No monthly fees
7. Wyze Cam Pan v2 – Best Budget Camera
You don‘t have to spend a fortune to get solid home security camera coverage. The Wyze Cam Pan v2 packs impressive features into an affordable package.
This handy pan/tilt camera records 1080p HD video with night vision. Motion and sound detection triggers can be customized based on zones you define in the camera‘s 360-degree view.
Unique for the price, the camera rotates a full 360 degrees horizontally and tilts 93 degrees vertically. So if you hear a noise across the room, you can move the camera via the app to look in that direction and see what’s happening. This versatility makes it easy to survey an entire room with just one camera.
Alexa and Google Home integration allow for voice control. Alerts and live stream playback occur directly through the easy-to-use Wyze app.
Local storage saves clips to an SD card inside the camera if you want continuous recording without a paid cam plus subscription.
For its 360-degree panning, motion tracking smarts and ultra-affordable price all wrapped into one, the Wyze Cam Pan v2 is my favorite budget-friendly security camera.
Key Features:
- 1080p HD resolution
- 360° horizontal pan
- 93° vertical tilt
- Alexa + Google Home compatible
- Local storage via SD card
- Motion tracking
What To Look For When Buying Home Security Cameras
With countless home security cameras to choose from, it helps to know what features matter most so you pick the right camera to meet your needs. Here are key factors I evaluate when selecting and recommending the best home security cameras:
Video Quality – Higher resolution captures more detail. Look for 1080p or 4K cameras. High dynamic range (HDR) also improves video quality.
Power Source – Battery, solar or wired power each have pros and cons. Battery cameras are most flexible but require periodic charging. Wired cameras have continuous power but limit placement.
Alerts – Instant alerts when the camera detects motion or sound provide home protection. Smart alerts that differentiate people, vehicles and animals provide extra information.
Storage – Local storage saves video clips onto a memory card in the camera. Cloud storage securely saves recordings to the company’s servers with more capacity, allowing you to look back further.
Field of View – Wider viewing angles allow a single camera to see more of an area. Look for at least 130 degrees FOV. 360 degrees is best for full room coverage.
Night Vision – Infrared (IR) night vision allows cameras to see in the dark, but image quality is poorer than daytime footage. Look for models with spotlights or color night vision for the best low light video.
Final Thoughts
Installing home security cameras is one of the best things you can do to protect your property and gain peace of mind. I recommend the Google Nest Cam as the best overall camera that balances intelligent detection, ease of use and compatibility with other smart devices.
The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight also stands out for its crystal clear 2K HDR video and smart analytics to differentiate people from vehicles or stray animals. This makes alerts more meaningful so you only get notified when people actually approach your home.
No matter which camera you choose from the options above, you can rest assured you’re getting one of the best home security cameras available today. Place cameras at entryways, glancing over front yards and looking in on valuables inside your home for full perimeter protection.
