The Best Security Cameras for Homes (2023)

Even if you live in a relatively safe area, you can’t put a price on home safety. Many homeowners invest in security cameras so they can keep an eye on their properties while on vacation — and so they have peace of mind while they sleep soundly at night.

To make sure you purchase the best home security camera for your property, consider these factors:

• Does the camera have color night vision? This is especially important for outdoor security cameras.
• Where can the camera be mounted? Video doorbell cameras, for example, are mounted right above your doorbell.
• Does the camera have local storage or cloud storage? If it’s the latter, odds are you’ll have to pay extra to store your video footage. Local video storage can be saved on a microSD card.
• Is it easy to install? DIY indoor security cameras are usually quick and simple to set up, while an outdoor security camera system may require wired connections and a more intensive setup.
• Is the surveillance camera weather-resistant? Again, this is important for outdoor cameras.
• What’s the camera video resolution? 1080p is the default for most high-quality cameras.
• Do you need more cutting-edge camera features? For extra security, you may want a camera that has facial recognition and activity zones.

Let’s break down the best security cameras for homes you can purchase in 2023.

1. Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera

Best for: Full outdoor security

Key specs: Three cameras, 1080p

The Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera is one of the best choices in terms of pure outdoor security, partially thanks to the fact that it has three cameras along with other excellent features.

Pros

These cameras can record footage with color night vision and feature dedicated motion sensors, so they won’t produce very many false alarms. Purchase an extra Arlo Secure plan, and you get smart notifications on your phone.

Each camera benefits from a built-in spotlight and a wide 130-degree viewing angle. Plus, the cameras are 100% wireless. That makes it easy for you to set them up to cover any territory outdoors or indoors, depending on your preferences.

Cons

However, to get the full value out of this Arlo camera set, you have to purchase an extra security plan, which is a bit of a downside. Extra monitoring and cloud recording also come at an extra price. All in all, it’s not the most affordable security camera set on the market.

2. Ring Stick Up Cam

Best for: Simple setup

Key specs: One camera, 1080p

The Ring Stick Up Cam is a bit different, as it’s an easy-to-set-up single camera, although extra cameras can be purchased for more money should you so choose.

Pros

If you stick with the first camera, you’ll get live-view functionality and the ability to record all of your videos with a Ring Protect Plan. It’s easy to stick on any flat surface, thanks to the versatile mounting base station.

The battery pack allows the camera to instantly connect to your home Wi-Fi network, and you can connect it to your Amazon Echo device if you want to integrate it with your smart home network.

Cons

A tablet is required to use this camera to the maximum extent, and you’ll be better off with several cameras that have a pan tilt functionality. Like many of the best security cameras, you’ll have to spend a bit more money than the plain price tag suggests to experience total security in your home.

3. Wyze Cam

Best for: Smart home integration

Key specs: One camera, 1080p

Wyze’s Cam is perhaps the best security camera for homes with smart home networks, like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. There are several big reasons for this.

Pros

Although this is a wired camera and it only comes with one device, it allows 24/7 continuous recording, and it’s certified to connect many apps and devices. It records video whenever motion or sound is detected and sends alerts to your home, and the proprietary Starlight Sensor can record nighttime video in vivid color.

Add to that IP65 weatherproof rating, and it’s clear that this is a solid choice for fans of interconnected devices that can be controlled from anywhere.

Cons

On the downside, you only get one camera for your purchase, though this can be remediated with a few extra cameras. In addition, it’s a wired security camera, so you’ll have to make sure that you have a good installation point for this device since it’s not as flexible as wireless alternatives.

4. Google Nest Cam

Best for: Google fans

Key specs: Two cameras, 1080p

The Google Nest Cam is the overall best choice for Google fans, both because it comes with many of the functions you expect in a camera and because they are high quality.

Pros

This pair of cameras feature built-in intelligence, so they can easily tell the difference between people, animals, and vehicles. It will send you alerts straight through your Google Home with no extra subscription required, so there’s excellent value for money here.

You can install the battery-powered cameras anywhere, and they offer 1080p HD or video with night vision functionality. Of course, it offers compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, enabling hands-free control and functionality.

Cons

You do need the Google Home app and a Google account in order to use these security cameras. Furthermore, they are quite pricey. Still, you might save more money purchasing this set of cameras as opposed to buying other camera sets.

5. Blink Outdoor

Best for: All-weather security

Key specs: One camera, 1080p

The Blink Outdoor camera, as its name suggests, is the best security camera for homes and homeowners with a lot of outdoor territory to cover.

Pros

This is a durable and weatherproof camera with a battery life of up to two years with two simple AA lithium batteries. You can set up one or several of these relatively affordable cameras around your outdoor property, and rest assured they will record video footage consistently.

The cameras are built to facilitate real-time video viewing and two-way audio, and they work with Alexa.

Cons

On the downside, you do need to purchase the Blink Sync Module to use this camera in the first place, which is a separate purchase. You’ll also need a Blink Subscription Plan to store video clips and photos on the cloud. Still, there’s a lot of value included with this purchase.

6. eufy Security, eufyCam 2C 2-Cam Kit

Best for: Smart alerts

Key specs: Two cameras, 1080p

Eufy’s Security 2-Cam Kit is a great choice if you want to take full advantage of smart alerts sent straight to your smartphone or other mobile device.

Pros

This set of two cameras gives you a half year of security with just a single battery charge (up to 180 days of battery life). They also produce detailed night vision.

Most importantly, this set of security cameras uses person detection technology to see face patterns and body shapes, guaranteeing that you will only be alerted when a person approaches instead of a stray cat or debris. Of course, these cameras are also IP67-rated for weatherproof functionality.

Cons

While there are plenty of good things about this camera set, upgrading for just one more camera is quite expensive. There’s no monthly fee to worry about, though, so if you have enough money for a pricey upfront purchase, this could be one of the most cost-effective security camera setups for your home in the long run.

7. Ring Floodlight Cam

Best for: Floodlight security

Key specs: One camera, 1080p

This Ring camera is a prime choice for homeowners concerned with outdoor security. The camera comes with twin spotlights to immediately beam illumination onto a target.

Pros

This could be a perfect choice for monitoring your garage or front door. The camera comes with motion-activated LED floodlights, two-way talking functionality, and a 3-D motion detection suite.

The built-in 110-decibel security siren is another nice touch, as it could scare off intruders or animals once you decide they don’t need to stick around. It can be paired with Alexa and a Ring Protect Plan, which is sold separately. It also has 2.4 or 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity.

Cons

The floodlights need to be connected with a hard wire, which could limit the installation spots you have to choose from. In addition, you won’t be capable of video recording or sharing unless you sign up for an extra monthly subscription plan, which increases the money you spend on security.

8. SimpliSafe Indoor Camera

Best for: Affordable indoor security

Key specs: One camera, 1080p

The SimpliSafe Indoor Camera is a perfect pick if you want to protect your home without breaking the bank.

Pros

This affordable indoor camera is compatible with the home security system from the same brand, and it streams crystal-clear HD video quality straight to your mobile device of choice.

Intelligent detection algorithms can detect heat signatures, so you won’t have to worry about false alarms all that often, if at all. Night vision functionality is included, as well.

Cons

This wireless security camera isn’t quite as good as pricier alternatives on the market. On top of that, you do have to pay extra for interactive monitoring and camera recordings, so it’s not truly as affordable as it seems initially.

9. Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) | Charcoal with Blink Mini Indoor Smart Security Camera

Best for: Premium indoor security

Key specs: One camera, 1080p

If price is no object, the Echo Show 10 Camera is a perfect pick, particularly for maximizing indoor security.

Pros

That’s because this is a plug-in security camera that integrates easily with Amazon Alexa and other smart home devices. The purchase comes with both a security camera and a viewing tablet, so you have everything you need to monitor the interior of your home from afar.

The 13-megapixel camera has auto-framing and motion detection features. Plus, you can connect with others in your home through two-way audio. It’s a good camera for homeowners concerned about privacy, as you can disconnect the microphones and camera with the press of a single button.

Cons

This is a pretty expensive home camera purchase, and you may not want to have to spend money on a tablet if you already have a suitable mobile device that can get the job done.

10. Google Nest Doorbell Camera

Best for: Doorstep monitoring

Key specs: One camera, 1080p

The Google Nest Doorbell Camera is only a single device, but it does a fantastic job of keeping your doorbell and front porch monitored 24/7.

Pros

The doorbell camera can be checked in on from anywhere with live HD video and night vision functionality. You get three hours of free event video history without any extra spending, and it features built-in intelligence so it can tell the difference between people, packages, animals, and vehicles.

It is battery-powered, so you can set it up anywhere, and it even stores one hour of recorded events if your home Wi-Fi goes down or there’s an unexpected power outage. Two-way audio functionality allows you to talk to and listen to visitors at your door.

Cons

The camera doesn’t have a very wide field of view, and it’s only suitable for improving security on your doorstep. Other cameras will be needed for whole-home monitoring. Plus, you may need a Nest Aware subscription to get the most out of your camera.

The Bottom Line

Your best bet to pick up the ideal security cameras for your home is to consider your unique needs. The Google Nest Doorbell Camera is great if you’re only concerned about doorstep security, for example, while the Echo Show 10 Camera may be a better choice if you want indoor security footage, as well. Consider your camera choices carefully to narrow down your top picks, then set up your security network and sleep better than ever!

Sources:

• What is IP65 water resistance? | Trusted Reviews
• Full-color night vision is almost a reality after a deep learning breakthrough | Interesting Engineering
• What Are Lithium-Ion Batteries? | UL Research Institutes
• Learn About LED Lighting | ENERGY STAR

This story was originally published October 5, 2023 at 8:30 AM with the headline "The Best Security Cameras for Homes (2023)."