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In recent Lab tests, our pros were not only impressed by the camera’s video quality but also appreciated the built-in 600 Lumens spotlight that wil shine a light on any visitors approaching your home. 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 LED lights to light up that area so you’re always aware of who or what is outside your home. The GH Home Reno Award winner is 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 in-Lab evaluations, our experts were impressed by the camera's high-quality construction, though keep in mind that it's heavier than most at 3.45 pounds. 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.
Best budget home security camera
I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news.

Lorex 1080p Smart Indoor Wi-Fi Security Camera
It also comes with the ability to split live viewing between two different devices at the same time, so both people can look through the cam at once. Don't use an indoor security camera outside unless it’s rated for outside weather. Some security cams are “indoor/outdoor” models that can handle some rain and lower temperatures, but most indoor cams aren’t rated for outdoor use and will fail. Motion detection turns on the camera only when it detects movement, especially movement by humans, so it’s a necessary feature to save on video storage and battery life. Detection pairs well with alerts for your phone while away from home, but you’ll want smart alerts that can recognize people or specific situations like alarms, pets barking, etc.
Best outdoor security camera
This camera delivers high-resolution images and can distinguish between people, pets, and motion, a feature usually available on high-priced models. Indoor cameras work well with wired models because there’s usually an outlet near the shelf or table where you want to place a cam. However, in some cases, there may not be any nearby outlets, or you may want to move the camera to the deck, patio, sunroom or playroom for an afternoon, then move it back. The battery-powered Ring Stick Up Cam (rated for 1,000 activations before recharging) is the answer here. While we like it most indoors, it’s weather-resistant enough that if you leave it outside overnight in the rain by accident, you don’t have anything to worry about. Some cameras can now even record in 4K, which not only means much sharper quality, but also means you can zoom in and still see features clearly.
Best for Intelligent Alerts
To find a detailed breakdown of what each company offers, check out our guide on security camera storage plans. High-quality video, free person detection, and three hours of video history without a subscription make this our favorite indoor security camera. Most security cameras send a simple notification when they detect any type of activity. Google Nest Cam models even offer face-recognition technology that helps eliminate unnecessary alerts. They automatically zoom in on people who enter the field of view and can send alerts both when they recognize a face and when they don't. Thanks to a constant connection, your camera is able to record 24/7 so you'll never miss someone passing through the yard.
Battery or wired power
Unlike indoor security cameras, this one features two LED spotlights to help light up dark walkways or corners and can handle temperatures well below freezing. And thanks to durable, weather-resistant design, you can leave them outside year-round. 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.
Runner-UpArlo Essential Indoor Security Camera (2nd Gen)Read more
The best outdoor home security cameras of 2024, tested by editors - CNN Underscored
The best outdoor home security cameras of 2024, tested by editors.
Posted: Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The Ring Stick Up Cam also comes with a bevy of important features including night vision, two-way audio and a siren. The motion detection includes customizable privacy zones, although there’s no sound detection on this model. Since it’s a Ring product, full Alexa support is included, like the ability to watch through an Echo Show.
Video resolution
I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. Discover the ins and outs of the Luma app including how to access remote playback and view your live feed with this convenient manual. While many cameras can be used interchangeably for indoor or outdoor purposes, some cameras are solely made for indoor usage, like the Wyze Cam Pan v2, so make sure you're buying cameras that can handle the outdoor elements. People who don’t have an outdoor outlet or who want maximum flexibility when installing an outdoor camera.
The 3 Best Security Cameras for Your Home of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter - The New York Times
The 3 Best Security Cameras for Your Home of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter.
Posted: Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Be sure to check out our many other guides, including the Best Outdoor Security Cameras, Best Pet Cameras, and Best Password Managers. If you want more smart home products, we have guides on smart plugs and light bulbs, too. People who want to keep tabs on what’s going on inside, whether they’re checking in on kids and pets or watching for unidentified houseguests.
Luma recorders keep everything on hard drives for secure and convenient access. Regardless of the model you choose, read our guide on how to prevent security cameras from being hacked. For more information on our testing and for advice on how to choose a security camera, see our home security camera buying guide.
The Google Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired) is built for the long haul—and longer, more advanced recordings. It captures the longest clips of our picks (up to five minutes), it can record 24/7 to the cloud (a subscription is required), and it can distinguish among people, pets, and vehicles. Nest also has the most cost-effective subscription pricing for owners of multiple cameras, starting at $8 per month for unlimited cameras—and signing up for a sub adds facial recognition.

Just keep in mind that a video doorbell doesn’t provide indoor surveillance, so you’ll need another security camera for that like the Nest Cam. For results on over 80 security cameras from more than 30 brands, go to our complete home security camera ratings. Some Wired home security cameras (like the Google Nest Cam Indoor) typically have better video and audio quality.
Our data privacy and data security tests are based on the Digital Standard, an open-source standard that CR created with other organizations to promote digital privacy and security in consumer products and services. Using the Digital Standard, we conduct more than 70 data privacy and security tests for each camera. Below you’ll find reviews of the 10 best wireless security cameras from our ratings. On the list, in alphabetical order, are models made by Arlo, Eufy, Lorex, Ring, TP-Link, and Wyze.
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