The best security cameras
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24/01/2022
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The best home security cameras can see everything in any lighting scenario, deliver alerts to
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your phone, and they're easy to set up and connect.
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One of the best steps you can take to protect your home and your belongings is to install one of the best security cameras. They will help deter anyone from taking your property, and if they do, they will be caught in the act, making it much more likely that anything taken will be reclaimed by the authorities.
The best security cameras aren't just great for keeping criminals away. They're also useful for keeping an eye on pets when you're away from home, monitoring sleeping babies, or monitoring courier deliveries.
You don't have to spend a lot to get one of the best security cameras either. Affordable options still give you high-quality video, night vision, and smart integration with various connected devices and apps. Here are the best security cameras you can buy today.
Best Overall Security Camera:
Arlo Pro 4
Best Outdoor Security Camera:
< p>Ring Spotlight Cam WiredBest indoor security camera:
Google Nest Cam Indoor
Best Wireless Security Camera:
Arlo Ultra 24K
Best Budget Security Camera:
Wyze Cam V3
Best Surveillance Security Camera:
Deep Sentinel Live Safe
Best doorbell security camera:
Ring Doorbell Gen 2
Best smart security camera:
Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor
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Best Overall Security Camera
Alro Pro 4
Amazon
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera - 1 Pack
BUY ON AMAZON
Resolution: p>
1440p
Interior Exterior:
Inside and outside
The Arlo 4 Spotlight camera is the best security camera you can buy in 2021, combining fantastic image quality, with a staggering feature set and excellent build quality, all at a relatively affordable price. 2K video quality elevates it above standard 1080p cameras, adding extra detail for remote viewing and enabling better video quality at the extremes of its 12x digital zoom.
It's weatherproof, compact, and has a built-in battery that can last up to six months between charges. You can detach it from its installation base with the press of a single button and it charges using the included magnetic USB cable.
You don't need a smart hub to use the Arlo Pro 4 as you can connect directly using the app. If you have the hub, you can save footage to a USB stick when the motion sensor is triggered, or save to a cloud storage account if you pay $2.99 a month for Arlo's Premier Smart plan.
Best Outdoor Security Camera
Spotlight Cam Wired Ring
BestBuy
Ring - Spotlight Cam Wired (Plug-In) - White - White
BUY ON BESTBUY
Resolution:
1080p
Interior Exterior:
Inside and outside
There are a few different versions of the Ring camera and all of them are very popular, but for an outdoor camera, the Spotlight wired version is one of the best security cameras you can choose from. Requiring the wired connection can make setup a little tricky, but that means it'll never run out of power and doesn't require regular battery changes - this can be a hassle if it's in a tricky area to reach. If you prefer, there's always a battery-powered option.
The camera itself is rugged and IPX5 rated to give it all the protection it needs against even the heaviest torrential downpours. Just don't try to use it underwater. Connect to the Ring Spotlight Cam via your Wi-Fi connection and the app can guide you through setup. It also gives you convenient access to the camera's live feed, as well as its range of options.
Its only downside is the lack of local storage options, which means you'll have to pay Ring subscription fees to enable cloud storage and playback. It's just $3 a month for the basic plan, which gives you 60 days of storage, and there's a 30-day trial you can use if you want to try before you buy.
Best Indoor Security Camera p>
Google Nest Indoor
Amazon
Google Nest Cam Indoor - Wired Indoor Camera for Home Security
BUY ON AMAZON
Resolution:
1080p
Interior Exterior:
Interior
Whether you're looking to improve your indoor home security, or want a high-quality smart camera to keep tabs on kids and pets, the Google Nest Cam is one of the best security cameras you can use. It offers high-quality 1080p video, two-way audio, and its night vision is impressively rugged, making it easy to monitor any part of your home day or night.
The NestCam can integrate well with Alexa and Google Assistant, giving you the ability for voice commands and linking with existing smart home network devices such as Nest Protect and Nest Thermostat. This small camera is easy to install and has robust mobile apps for convenient control. You'll need a monthly subscription for event recording and reporting, but the basic plan costs just a few dollars a month and can be used with multiple Nest cameras in your home.
Best wireless security camera
Arlo Ultra 2 4K
Amazon
Arlo Ultra - 4K UHD 2 Wire-Free Security Camera System
BUY ON AMAZON p>
Resolution:
4K
Interior Exterior:
Inside and outside
The Arlo Ultra 4K Wire-Free Security Camera System has a feature set that few can even come close to, let alone match. It offers higher video recording resolution than any other security camera - with the ability to record locally or stream to the cloud at up to 4K resolution (but not both simultaneously at UHD resolution) - and uses a fisheye lens cleverly corrected to provide a natural 180 degree field of view.
The cameras each have a powerful built-in spotlight to highlight movement at night and can record all the time, or only when triggered. There's even auto-zoom and tracking that can track potential security risks so they're always in focus.
Completely wireless, these battery-powered security cameras can last up to six months on a single charge, and can connect wirelessly to the Arlo base station to enable local recording, cloud streaming and smart functions such as area mapping. They also benefit from two-way audio and are rain resistant.
Best Budget Security Camera
Wyze Cam V3
Amazon
Wyze Cam Indoor/Outdoor Video Camera v3 1080p HD for Security
BUY ON AMAZON
Resolution:
1080p
Indoor/outdoor: p>
Inside and outside
If you're looking for a decidedly affordable camera, the Wyze Cam is the way to go. The camera has a simple design and is small enough to sit anywhere, but at just $30 it's the best budget security camera you can buy.
Despite its cheap price, the camera supports Full HD 1080p resolution and allows for video and audio recording. There's even a night mode, so you can view recorded videos in the dark. If you want to store content locally, it works with a MicroSD card to back up the videos, or you can get a Wyze subscription to store your videos in the cloud. It comes with a 14-day free trial if you want to try out the service.
Unlike previous versions of the Wyze Cam, this one has been upgraded with an impressive IP65 resistance. This gives it protection against dust and rain, which means you can use it indoors and outdoors.
Best Surveillance Security Camera
Deep Sentinel Smart Live Protection
Amazon< /p>
Deep Sentinel Smart Live Protection Security Monitoring Package
BUY ON AMAZON
Resolution:
1080p
Interior Exterior:
Inside and outside
All of the best security cameras can give you some peace of mind when it comes to protecting your property, but there's nothing like having the eyes of a true security professional to ensure your safety and that of yours. The Deep Sentinel Smart Live Surveillance Package goes far beyond standalone camera security by allowing live guards to view your security footage whenever an alert is triggered.
When the AI system detects suspicious activity, a live alert is immediately sent to the Deep Sentinel team, where a real human guard will review the footage to see if not only a crime is in progress, but may be on the point of being committed, in which case they will inform the authorities and the owner of the house. They can also speak directly with couriers or nosy neighbors to pass on important information (or warnings) if necessary.
You'll need to subscribe to the $100-a-month live service to take full advantage of it, but for the best home surveillance security cameras, the Deep Sentinel Live protection package is a cut above the rest.
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Best Doorbell Security Camera
Ring Doorbell Gen 2
walmart.com
Video Doorbell Gen 2 with HD Video
BUY ON WALMART.COM
Resolution:
1080p
Interior Exterior:
Inside and outside
Combining a smart doorbell with an outdoor security and notification camera, the Ring Doorbell Gen 2 is a great solution for seeing who's trying to enter your property or get your attention. It's a smart, modern way to ask a courier to leave a package outside or connect your smart home network to let a friend or family member in without needing to walk to the door. .
Setup is straightforward, but if you're looking to link the Ring to a number of other smart devices, full integration might take a bit longer. It has its own smart apps for easy control and it's weatherproof, so you don't have to worry about rainstorms or even hurricanes (per Ring's FAQ).
Motion tracking on the Ring Doorbell is excellent, so even if someone doesn't press the doorbell, you'll know someone is there. This makes it both a useful tool for keeping tabs on friends and for anyone who might peek through your window or mailbox for more nefarious purposes.
Best smart security camera
Google Nest Indoor IQ
walmart.com
Google Nest Cam IQ indoor security camera
BUY AT WALMART
Resolution: p>
1080p (4K for zoom)
Interior Exterior:
Interior
Like the Google Nest, but better, the Google Nest cam IQ comes with a number of significant upgrades. Although you only get access to 1080p footage directly, it records in 4K, giving you excellent clarity on zooms and improving its facial recognition - the IQ's real selling point.
This face tracking gives the Nest Cam IQ the ability to differentiate between people and objects, and even different people. If you want to automate your home to respond to different people in different ways, the NestCamIQ is the best security camera for the job.
As it connects to Alexa, Google Assistant and PhillipsHue lighting, you can have your smart home change the lights and music to your liking when you come home, and have it respond completely differently for your spouse or your children. Expand the functionality of your NestCamIQ with a NestAware subscription. You can access video footage saved in the cloud, set up activity zones and smart alerts with snapshots to tell you why it triggered.
Don Reisinger
I'm a freelance journalist in technology, video games and entertainment. I've written about the world of technology, video games, and entertainment for the past decade.
...
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I'm a freelance journalist in technology, video games and entertainment. I've written about the world of technology, video games, and entertainment for the past decade. If you've seen my work on the web, you've probably found me analyzing and reviewing your favorite smartphones, TVs, and video games. And if you're on Twitter, you probably see me asking for movie recommendations and complaining that the technology in my life isn't working the way it should. In my spare time, I usually tinker with technology, improve my surround sound setup, and insatiably consume everyone in tech, gaming, and geek culture. I write for Forbes Finds. If you buy something using a link on my posts, Forbes Finds may receive a small share of that sale.
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Jon Martindale
I am a technical journalist working and living in Gloucestershire, UK. I ran my own hardware review website for many years before going freelance
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I am a technical journalist working and living in Gloucestershire, UK. I ran my own hardware review website for many years before I moved into freelance writing. I've covered everything from the rise of Bitcoin and the encroachment of anti-privacy laws to tabletop wargaming and advances in virtual reality. I've written, written, edited, and written for a wide range of top publications, including Digital Trends, Lifewire, PCGamer, The Inquirer, and KitGuru. I've also written two novels and contributed backstory and dialogue to a few games. I'm passionate about all the cutting-edge hardware inside and out of the latest gadgets, PCs, and consoles, even though I can't always afford them.
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