Top 10 Best Security Cameras
Security cameras allow you to view and monitor the interior and exterior part of your homes anytime you want. Installing these types of cameras can also help prevent crimes. You can also keep an eye on your kids or pets through these devices. However, not all security cameras are high-quality and efficient. So, what are the features you need to consider?
When buying a security camera, one of the most important features you need to consider is the image quality. As such, opt for a product with a video resolution of 720p or 1080p. Another vital feature is night vision. This feature enables the camera to record images in low-light or no-light situations. Some cameras also have a motion detection feature that will send you notifications or alerts when it detects any movement. Of course, you also want a security camera that connects to a user-friendly app. That way, you can easily view or monitor the camera’s feed on your phone or tablet. Added features, such as a siren, two-way audio, and motion-triggered lights, are also a plus.
What Types of Security Cameras Can I Choose From?
Variety is the spice of life, but when it comes to home security, it’s important to choose the right type of security camera for you. Before you even start researching the flashier specs, you should consider the differences between the following types. They all have their upsides and downsides.
Box-style cameras. Cost-effective and versatile, these are the most common type of security cameras. You’ve likely seen them before in malls, parking lots, and offices; their solid shape and sturdy racks adapt very well to indoor and outdoor conditions alike. Their racks can often be moved remotely, which is ideal if you need to cover more than one angle on a corner. They are not very pretty, however, and rarely offer Wi-Fi connectivity.
Dome cameras. These make for ideal and discreet indoor cameras. They are small and protected by their own dome-shaped box. This also makes for efficient camouflage if placed between halogen lights. They also offer a 360° vision. Some advanced models connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but they rarely have internal memory.
IP Standalone Cameras. Ideal for homeowners who wish to self-monitor, these cameras can connect via the internet and transmit images to your smartphone or tablet in real time.
IP “Smart Home” Systems. These take the live-protection of IP standalone cameras a step further by offering functions such as smartphone alerts, remote panic buttons, or geo-fencing based motion sensors. However, they are often tied to a subscription plan.
With all these features to consider, choosing the right security camera can be confusing, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. That’s why we are here to help you with your search. Here are the top ten security cameras currently on the market.
1. Arlo Pro
The Arlo Pro is one of the best security cameras on the market for various reasons. First, this product is 100% wire-free. Plus, it is weather-resistant, so it can work indoors and outdoors.
Aside from those features, the Arlo Pro also delivers a clear image, whether it’s a sunny day, in the dark, or under artificial light. This is thanks to the camera’s 720p video resolution. Also, this security cam features two-way audio and live streaming that allows you to talk directly with your visitors. Moreover, this product also comes with rechargeable batteries. The best part is that installing this product is super simple.
One of the primary concerns for the Arlo Pro is its oversensitive motion detection that triggered a lot of alerts. So, you may be bombarded with alerts or notifications when there are a lot of people passing through your home.
Pros:
- Wireless
- Indoor/Outdoor
- 720p resolution
- Two-way audio
- Live streaming
- Rechargeable batteries
- Easy installation
Cons:
- Oversensitive motion detector
2. CANARY All-In-One Security Camera
The Canary All-In-One Security Camera may have a simple design, but it is packed with a lot of eye-catching features. For one, it is equipped with HomeHealth Technology that monitors humidity, temperature, and air quality.
For its home security features, this product has a 1080p camera, so it delivers a high-quality image. It also has a built-in 90+ decibel siren that can scare away unwanted visitors. Furthermore, it also has a two-way talk feature that allows you to speak with your visitors from your phone. Lastly, it has one-touch emergency access, so you can contact local emergency services immediately.
With all these great features, the Canary All-In-One Security Camera is definitely an excellent product. However, this product comes with pricey subscription options. Additionally, its night vision range is only about 20 feet, which is low compared to other products on this list.
Pros:
- Home Health monitoring
- 1080p resolution
- Siren
- Two-way audio
- Emergency services contact
Cons:
- Expensive subscriptions
- Short night vision range
3. Nest Cam Indoor
With a video resolution of 1080p, the Nest Cam Indoor can deliver a high-quality image, allowing you to monitor a large area of your home. But, that’s not all. This product has other noteworthy features. One, in particular, is its night vision that has a range of 25 feet. Furthermore, this product can also be used as an intercom. Lastly, it can interact with various third-party smart-home devices, like the Nest Protect smoke detector and Nest Thermostat.
Aside from being expensive, another downside for this product is its monthly subscription of $10 or more. By subscribing, you’ll gain access to the camera’s extra features, such as person detection and cloud storage. Another drawback is that its speakers are not powerful.
Pros:
- 1080p resolution
- 25-foot night vision
- Two-way audio
- Smart home integration
Cons:
- Expensive
- Costly subscription for additional features
- Quiet speaker
4. Ring Floodlight Camera
The Ring Floodlight Camera offers a lot of features that make it an excellent home security camera. This product is equipped with two motion-activated ultra-bright LED floodlights that enable you to see your visitors at night. Plus, this security camera also delivers a high-quality video, thanks to its 1080p resolution.
Aside from those features, this security camera is weather-resistant, so you can place it outside your homes. Moreover, it also has a two-way talk feature that allows you to see, hear, and speak to your visitors from your PC, tablet, or smartphone. This security camera also has a built-in siren, which you can activate to scare away suspicious people.
One complaint about this security camera is that you need to pay about $3 per month or $30 per year to save or watch recorded videos.
Pros:
- Includes 2 floodlights
- 1080p resolution
- Indoor/Outdoor
- Two-way audio
- Siren
Cons:
- Subscription for saving footage
5. Wyze Cam Pan
If you’re searching for a budget-friendly security camera, the Wyze Cam Pan is an excellent choice. One reason is that it offers features that are usually found in high-end products. For example, this security camera has a two-way talk feature that allows you to listen and speak to your visitors when you’re not home. Additionally, it also has a motion tracking feature that detects and follows motion within its field of view.
Another great feature of this product is its capability to pan or move a full 360 degrees. As such, it can scan an entire room in under three seconds. Unfortunately, when the camera is moving, it produces a blurred video. However, when it is still, it can deliver a high-quality video even in the dark. This is thanks to the camera’s 1080p resolution and six infrared LEDs that provide a clear image up to 30 feet away at night. The best part is that you can purchase this product for less than $40.
Pros:
- Two-way audio
- 360-degree movement
- 1080p resolution
- 30-foot night vision
Cons:
- Blurred movement when in motion
6. TP-Link Kasa Cam Outdoor
The TP-Link Kasa Cam Outdoor is a popular choice, especially if you’re looking for an outdoor camera. Like most products on this list, this security camera has two-way audio that allows you to talk to your visitors from your phone. Another great feature of this product is it allows you to set up custom activity zones, so you’ll have control on the alerts that you’ll receive. For its video quality, this product can provide a clear video during the day due to its 1080p resolution.
However, the video it produces at night is a bit blurry. Additionally, its camera is weather-resistant, but the connection between its power supply and cable is not. You also need to pay $4 per month or $40 per year to access to its cloud storage.
Pros:
- Indoor/Outdoor
- Two-way audio
- Custom activity zones
- 1080p resolution
- Siren
- Voice commands
Cons:
- Blurry night vision
- Unprotected power input
- Subscription for saving footage
7. Amazon Cloud Cam
The Amazon Cloud Cam is one of the most highly-rated product on this list. This is not surprising because it has several advanced security features. This product has a 1080p camera, giving you a clear view of your home. This camera can also provide high-quality images even in the dark, thanks to its eight infrared LEDs.
For its other features, the Amazon Cloud Cam can detect sound, vibration, and motion. It also has two-way audio that allows you to speak with your visitors from your tablet or phone. Plus, its computer vision technology and motion detection provide customizable notifications, so you’ll only get alerts that matter.
One downside for this product is that only Amazon cloud subscribers can customize motion zones and receive alerts. Furthermore, continuous recording is unavailable even for subscribers.
Pros:
- 1080p resolution
- Clear night vision
- Sound, vibration, and motion detection
- Two-way audio
- Customizable notifications
Cons:
- Requires subscription for advanced features
- No continuous recording available
8. Logitech Circle 2
The Logitech Circle 2 can capture a wide angle of your home, thanks to its 180-degree field of view. But, that’s not all. This security camera also has a 1080p resolution with night vision, so you can expect a crystal-clear video from this device.
For its other features, this product has a built-in microphone and speaker; thus, you can use it as an intercom. Additionally, it also has a motion filtering feature that monitors strange activities within a motion zone. From there, the device will send smart alerts on your phone based on your customization. Lastly, this product can also withstand harsh climates. As such, it is suitable for outdoor and indoor use. However, it uses an adapter for power instead of batteries, so when the power goes out, so does your security camera.
Pros:
- Indoor/Outdoor
- 1080p resolution
- Night vision
- Two-way audio
- Customized alerts
Cons:
- No batteries
9. Amcrest ProHD
Another budget-friendly product on this list is the Amcrest ProHD. Although it has a price of less than $60, this security camera can provide amazing features. For one, it provides a clear picture, whether its day or night. This is thanks to the camera’s 1080p resolution and IR LED lights that can provide a high-quality image up to 32 feet in the dark. Its camera can also pan through 360 degrees, giving you a clear view of an entire room. Also, you can receive text or email notifications whenever the camera detects motion via the Amcrest View Pro app.
Unfortunately, this product’s user manual is hard to understand. Furthermore, its digital zoom function is a bit blurry once it’s at 4X.
Pros:
- 1080p resolution
- Night vision
- 360-degree movement
Cons:
- Difficult to understand instruction manual
- Blurry zoom function
10. Ring Spotlight Security Camera
The Ring Spotlight Security Camera prioritizes crime prevention. It has a built-in motion detector that will start recording a video once it detects a movement in your property. Additionally, it also has a 110-decibel siren that you can activate to scare unwanted visitors.
Aside from those features, this security cam also allows you to listen and speak to your visitors from your phone, PC, or tablet. Also, it has 1080p resolution and infrared night vision, so it can provide a high-quality video, whether its day or night.
Overall, this product is definitely one of the best security cameras available on the market. However, it has a high price tag of more than $190. Aside from that, some reviews have noted that it has a short battery life, and some experienced Wi-Fi connection problems.
Pros:
- 1080p resolution
- Night vision
- Two-way audio
- Siren
- Voice command
Cons:
- Short battery life
- Expensive
What to Consider when Shopping for a Security Camera?
Shopping for value is never just about price; it’s also about getting something that meets all your needs without going overboard. A security camera’s efficiency is affected by all the following factors.
Resolution. Most IP cameras now offer HD-worthy resolution (720 to 1080 pixels). This may seem like overkill for outdoor cameras, but it can often mean the difference between a group of blurry pixels and the actual face of the perp.
Motion detection. If you will be self-monitoring rather than relying on a security company, motion detection is a must. This feature will activate the cameras (and possibly send you an email or smartphone alert) only when movement is detected, saving you from having to keep an eye glued to your screen.
Audio capabilities. Many models offer the possibility to record or transmit audio during a break-in. Newer models still offer two-way audio, which would allow you to send verbal messages or instructions in case of an emergency. If you have children or a sick person at home, this can be a blessing for their caretaker.
Sirens. These are not technically included within “two-way audio” capabilities, as you won’t be able to actually speak; it will just play a loud noise that will hopefully alert the neighbors or scare the perps away. Do check with your local authorities regarding any noise regulations before paying extra for a camera with a loud siren.
Voice command and programming capabilities. Many “smart” security cameras can also respond to voice commands, usually via Alexa, Google Home, or the Apple Home Suite. These commands are often very basic, but if you also have IFTTT (If This Then That) compatibility, you can create more complex series of tasks (for example, for patio lights to turn off if any movement is detected nearby).
Outdoor capabilities. If you have a full-sized home rather than just a flat, you will probably want to place an additional camera in your back porch, garden, or driveway. Outdoor cameras benefit greatly from enhanced night vision options and environmental protection (at the very least, a case to protect them from rain and dust).
