2020 Best home security cameras
Whether you’re concerned about home intruders or just need to spy on your dog, these cameras can stream a live video feed straight to your smartphone.2020 Best home security cameras can save guard you.
When you’re looking for the 2020 Best home security cameras, you have a lot of options, many of which cost less than $100. This is both good and bad; there are a lot of great budget models, but there are also just as many that have blurry video and limited features. So it’s good to do your research before buying a security camera. There are plenty of great options to choose from, with features such as two-way communication, night vision, cloud storage, and HD video for prime video quality. But it can feel daunting to sift through everything out there to find a good match.
Apart from providing a quality image day or night, the best home security cameras are easy to set up; can stream video to your phone, tablet or PC; and will send you alerts if they detect motion or loud noises. Most cameras also provide night vision and automatic motion-activated recording, and some even have built-in speakers, so you can talk with whoever you see, or sound an alarm.
Some of the 2020 Best home security cameras can be connected to other products, such as smart locks and smart lights. So, for example, if a camera detects motion, it can automatically turn on your lights, to ward off intruders or welcome guests.
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What are the 2020 Best home security cameras?
1. Arlo Pro 3: Best Wire-Free Camera
The Arlo Pro 3, 2020 Best home security cameras, is our pick for the best wireless security camera because it doesn’t need a power cord and still manages to outperform the competition. We think the Arlo Pro 3 is an excellent choice for most people, especially if you want a quick setup, multiple cameras, and outstanding video quality.
Its 2K video captures more detail than 1080p cameras and records clear video any time of day thanks to infrared night vision and a built-in spotlight. A helpful tutorial in the Arlo app makes it incredibly easy to set up. And the magnetic wall mount makes it easy to install anywhere.
The biggest drawback of Arlo Pro 3 is that it requires a base station that you get only when buying two or more cameras. This makes it an expensive choice, but it balances out if you need more than one camera.
Pros
- 2K video resolution
- 100% wire-free design
- Indoor/outdoor versatility
- Smart home integration
Cons
- High price
- 2 cameras required to get base station
2. Wyze Cam Pan: Best Budget Indoor Camera
This little Wi-Fi camera can scan an entire room in just three seconds. You can adjust settings with the Pan Scan feature to automatically scan an area to your specifications.
The Wyze Cam’s motion tracking is also cool—if a kid or dog runs through the room, the camera will follow all the action. (No more arguments about who broke the lamp.) Plus, you can pick up the Wyze Cam for under $40 (2020 Best home security cameras).
One of the only things we don’t like is that you need a power cord, which limits placement options.
Pros
- Affordable price
- 360° coverage with Pan Scan
- Smart motion tracking
- Free rolling 14-day cloud storage
Cons
- Wired power cord
- Hit-and-miss motion alerts
Wyze Cam Donations
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Wyze announced that it would donate free security cameras to small business owners in Washington state. Wyze operates out of Seattle, Washington and we applaud the company’s commitment to help its local community. If you have a small business in Washington state, you can fill out an application for a free camera on Wyze’s website.
3. Canary Pro: Best Smart Home Camera
Canary Pro, 2020 Best home security cameras, combines home security features like a siren and environmental sensors with a smart home security camera. And don’t let the small, unobtrusive design fool you.
Canary has packed enough security features into this Wi-Fi camera to make it qualify for home insurance discounts from many major insurers.
The Canary Pro can sense if the fireplace isn’t fully out or let you know if someone left the tub running. We wish it had a little more power when it comes to night vision, though—it only sees about 20 feet in the dark.
Pros
- Camera, siren, and climate monitor
- Learning tech to adjust to your habits
- Alexa and Google integration
- Direct connection to emergency services
Cons
- Only 20-foot range for night vision
- Subscription required for some features
- Buggy mobile app
4. Ring Stick Up Cam: Outdoor Budget Pick
The Ring Stick Up Cam Battery, 2020 Best home security cameras, is completely wire-free so you have a ton of flexibility in where you put it. And it costs around $100, making it one of the most affordable security cameras you can use both indoors and outdoors. As a result, we think the Stick Up Cam Battery is best for people that need a wireless outdoor camera on a budget.
There are reports of short battery life on Ring products (some say it lasts about a month), and recharging the Stick Up Cam is a tedious process since you need to remove the battery each time. You can get a solar panel accessory so you don’t need to remove the battery as often, but it’ll cost you extra.
Pros
- No power cables to wrangle
- Indoor/outdoor capability
- Motion-activated sensors
- Smart home compatibility
Cons
- Tedious process to recharge battery
- Short battery life
Avoiding Breaches
Some Ring users have reported security breaches in their devices that allow bad actors to use the two-way communication and view the video feed. In a statement to SafeWise, Ring noted that these breaches can be avoided by using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, changing passwords regularly, and adding authorized users instead of sharing credentials.
We still like Ring products, but we also recommend users follow security best practices for all internet-connected devices.
5. Reolink Argus 2: Indoor-Outdoor Pick
We like the Reolink Argus 2, 2020 Best home security cameras, because it works just as well indoors as it does outside. Its starlight night vision gives you clear images up to thirty-six feet without any extra ambient light.
This camera uses a rechargeable battery or solar power, so you have a lot of flexibility about where to place it. In our experience, the battery drains fairly quickly if you don’t use the solar panel accessory.
Setup is easy using the mobile app, but the camera doesn’t have a very stable Wi-Fi connection at times, which leads to choppy video playback.
Pros
- Email and push notifications
- Built-in microSD card slot
- Free video playback via Reolink app
- No base station
Cons
- Wi-Fi connectivity issues
- No web viewing capability
- Motion detection delays
6. Amcrest 4MP UltraHD Indoor: Free Storage Pick
Amcrest, 2020 Best home security cameras, wireless indoor security camera doesn’t disappoint. Its remote pan and tilt function, easy setup, and variety of video storage options make this one of the best cameras available for under $100.
While this camera records video without issues, there’s a noticeable lag when you stream live video. Unfortunately, the user manual is hard to follow, and mounting the Amcrest 4MP UltraHD on the wall limits the camera’s rotation options.
But we still like the free cloud storage and the addition of two-way talk.
Pros
- Remote pan and tilt
- Multiple storage options
- Two-way communication
- Smart digital zoom
Cons
- Limited rotation when mounted
- Confusing user manual
- Laggy live streaming
7. Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor: Best High-Tech Camera
The Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor, 2020 Best home security cameras, is awesome when it comes to image, video, and sound quality. Plus it has person alerts and built-in Google Assistant so you can use it as a virtual assistant to control your smart home.
For some, that may be worth the $300 price tag. But while we like the smart functions and home automation compatibility of the Nest Cam IQ, many of the cameras we looked at offer the same perks at a more reasonable price.
The fact that you can’t use many of the best features (including video recording) unless you sign up for a monthly subscription is a big downer.
Pros
- Great video quality
- Compatibility with Google Assistant, Alexa, and other Nest products
- Crystal clear two-way audio
- Quality design and aesthetic
Cons
- High price point
- Required Nest Aware subscription for coolest features
8. YI Dome Camera: Audio Quality Pick
This wireless security camera makes us think of R2-D2. It’s cute and looks like the type of tech you can count on to stay in touch with kids and pets when you can’t be at home.
The antinoise filter makes it easy to listen for baby’s cries or chat with kids about homework after school. You can even tell Rover to get off the sofa. Another great feature of the YI Dome Camera, 2020 Best home security cameras, is unlimited free cloud storage.
But watch out if you’re an Android user—there are several reported issues with the Android app.
Pros
- Cute design
- Motion tracking
- Antinoise filter for clear audio
- No cloud storage limit
Cons
- Limited night vision range
- Android issues
- Difficult setup
9. Abode Iota: Home Security Pick
The Abode Iota, 2020 Best home security cameras, is a high-end home security camera and security system in one. This compact device delivers two-way talk, high video quality, and sensitive motion detection.
It also comes with the option to add 24/7 professional monitoring. That gives you a direct link to help through a monitoring center without buying any additional security equipment.
Pros
- 24/7 monitoring available
- Built-in siren
- Entry sensors
- Key fob control
Cons
- Small size that limits security range
- Poor sound quality
10. Amazon Cloud Cam: Delivery Protection Pick
Amazon stopped selling the Cloud Cam as a standalone device, but you can still get it as part of an Amazon Key kit. This lets Prime members pair the camera with a smart lock or garage door opener to get unattended deliveries inside your home.
It’s no surprise that Amazon’s wireless security camera would be besties with Amazon’s Alexa. But we’re bummed that you can’t use some of the camera’s coolest features (video storage, motion zones, person detection, and audio detection) without a Cloud Cam subscription.
You get 24 hours of video clips stored for free, but you need the subscription to support multiple cameras, use person detection, or set motion zones to limit false alarms.
Even without the extra perks, it’s still a good camera to keep an eye on kids and pets when you’re away.
Pros
- 24 hours of free video clips
- Compatibility with Alexa, Fire TV
- Viewing options on mobile device or PC
- Unattended deliveries for Prime members
Cons
- Required kit to buy the camera
- Required Cloud Cam subscription for full function
- Required Amazon Prime subscription to use Amazon Key
How to buy 2020 Best home security cameras?
Most home security cameras perform the same basic functions—they detect an event, record the event, and send you an alert—but they don’t all perform them the same way. And some cameras have special features that go beyond those basics. Here are some common features you’ll encounter while shopping and why they’re important (we’ve listed them in alphabetical order). In each of the reviews that follow this buyers’ guide, we’ll discuss how each camera delivers on these features.
Alerts: Home security cameras push notifications to your smartphone when they detect events. Without watching the live feed all day, this is the only way to keep tabs on your home in relative real time. Depending on the camera, it may send text alerts when it detects motion, sound, a face (known or unrecognized), or all three. Some can send alerts to multiple people, usually anyone else in the household using that product’s app; others will send emails in addition to text messages as a fail safe in the event you can’t access your mobile device.
Battery backup: Power outages happen, and clever burglars cut electricity before breaking into your home. When that happens, your camera goes dark and, if there’s a crime taking place, you lose all forensic evidence. For this reason, some cameras can also run for a short time on battery power. It’s a feature worth looking for.
Cloud recording: Many manufacturers offer cloud storage plans with their camera. With one of these, your recorded video is sent to a remote server and stored for a predetermined time— usually anywhere from 24 hours to a week—and then deleted to make space for new videos. Though sometimes free, these cloud plans usually require a monthly subscription, but are worth it both for their convenience and if you want a surveillance record during a vacation or other extended time away from home.
Environmental monitoring: This is the feature that sets all-in-one home monitors apart from strictly-security cameras. Though the home “vitals” that these units track vary by model—we’ve seen everything from motion to luminosity included in home health profiles—three tend to be ubiquitous:
- Temperature monitors for spikes and dips in indoor temperature and alerts when it falls outside a range you define.
- Humidity tracks relative humidity inside your home. Humidity outside optimal levels—usually defined as between 30 and 50 percent—can contribute to problems such as static electricity, sinus irritation, and mold growth.
- Air quality tracks pollutants ranging from cooking odors to carbon monoxide. However, most monitors don’t identify the pollutant in their alerts, merely warning that the air quality is “abnormal.” Because of that, this feature should not be considered a substitute for potentially life-saving devices like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Facial recognition: A few newer cameras are experimenting with facial recognition. This feature could more accurately be called “facial identification,” as in practice it’s much better at distinguishing a face from, say, a lamp, than it is at actually distinguishing between one person’s face and another’s. If you opt for a camera with this feature, know that it typically learns faces through increasing exposure to them, so be prepared to spend a lot of time in front of the lens.
Local storage: Some cameras include memory-card slots in lieu of, or in addition to, cloud storage, so you can store video right on the device. It’s an attractive feature as it can eliminate the cost of monthly storage fees. The downside (if there isn’t a cloud backup) is that if a crook steals your camera, he takes your forensic evidence with it.
Mobile app: Most of today’s home security camera’s are accessed primarily through a smartphone/tablet app. In addition to offering you a reliable way to view the camera’s live feed, it should offer plenty of options for customizing the way the camera performs. The ability to customize notifications, adjust motion and sound detection sensitivity, and set detection areas are some of the key features to look for. The app should also be intuitive and easy to master.
Motion detection: Assuming you’re monitoring your home when it’s empty, motion detection is one of the most desirable features in a security camera. Built-in sensors pick up movement within the camera’s field of view and trigger video recording.
Because these sensors are sensitive to any movement—even a shift in lighting or leaves blowing outside a window—it’s important the camera system also offer the ability to narrow the range of detection, adjust the sensor’s sensitivity, or otherwise customize this feature to cut down on false alerts.
Night vision: Most break-ins occur after dark, so this feature is nearly as important as motion detection. Technically, most home security cameras support infrared LED illumination, versus true night vision based on image intensification or thermal vision. Be that as it may, some camera’s will switch to night vision automatically in low-light conditions, while others allow you to customize when and how it should be activated.
Pan/Tilt/Swivel: Most security cameras—including all the ones in this guide—can be manually tilted and swiveled to focus on a certain viewing area, but this is a purely set-it-and-forget it feature. A true pan/tilt camera is equipped with a motor so that you can move its lens—or even follow a moving object if you’re watching a live feed—using its app or browser-based app.
Resolution: No amount of security video will help you if it’s blurry, jittery, or otherwise distorted. Look for a camera that offers the highest possible resolution. Most currently offer 720p (often referred to as “high definition” or HD), but some newer cameras are coming out with 1080p (often referred to as “full HD”). Keep in mind higher-res cameras use more internet and Wi-Fi bandwidth and battery life. Many cameras also offer a software zoom feature (which is not the same thing as having a physical zoom lens).
Scheduling: Scheduling features allow you to tell the camera to turn on and off, detect motion, and/or send alerts at specified times. This is useful when you, say, only want to be notified when your kids get home from school or just want to monitor your home when you’re away. It also reduces the amount of false alerts.
Security: There have been plenty of headlines about hackers compromising home cameras, baby monitors, and other Wi-Fi devices to spy on people, so be sure to check what steps has each manufacturer taken to eliminate this problem. Look for a camera that supports up-to-date wireless security protocols, such as WPA2, and make sure it encrypts internet transmission of your user name, your password, and the live feeds. Never install a security camera (or a router or any other device on your home network) without changing its default user ID and password.
Smart device integration: If you have a home full of smart devices, consider looking for a security camera or an all-in-one home monitor that includes a Z-Wave, ZigBee, or—eventually a Thread—radio that can connect them. Support for an automation service such as IFTTT or Stringify is also useful. This allows the camera or monitor to react to various scenarios, such as taking a picture when your Nest Protect detects smoke, or telling your Philips Hue smart bulb to turn on when unexpected sounds are detected.
Two-way audio: While the idea of a security camera implies eyes-on monitoring, the ability to also hear what’s going on gives you a more complete picture of what’s happening on the home front when you’re away. It can also alert you to something occurring out of the camera’s field of vision. This feature can also allow you to speak through the camera, a great tool for remotely commanding an unruly pet or startling an intruder in the act, but be aware that you might need to plug in a powered speaker for this feature to work.
Viewing angle: The camera’s field of view determines how much it can see. As you’re probably monitoring a single room, you want a wide viewing angle. Most current cameras fall in the 130-degree range. These wide angles can sometimes cause image distortion at the edges in the form of a fisheye effect, particularly when used in smaller rooms, but it’s not like you’re going to use a security to capture snapshots for your photo album.
Web client: Many cameras can be accessed through a web portal as well. This is useful for times when you don’t have access to your mobile device or a wireless connection. The web app should closely mirror its mobile counterpart, so you don’t need to learn a whole new set of controls.
Wireless range: One of the benefits wireless cameras offer is the ability to move them around your home. Ideally, your home security camera should be able to maintain a Wi-Fi connection no matter how far you move it from your router, even in a large home. Some cameras come with an ethernet port as well, so you have the option of hardwiring it to your local network. A camera that supports power-over-ethernet (PoE) eliminates the need for an AC adapter and relies on just one cable (but your router or switch will also need to support PoE. Another alternative would be to use a PoE injector.)
Customers usually asks
How Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work?
Most smart outdoor security cameras use a Wi-Fi radio to connect to your home network, allowing you to access them from anywhere using a mobile app. But there are also models that can use wired Ethernet, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or a proprietary wireless technology to connect to a mobile app or a dedicated hub.
Wi-Fi cameras are easier to install than their wired counterparts because they don’t have to be located near an Ethernet port and don’t require wiring. Battery-powered Wi-Fi cameras are the easiest to install because you can put them just about anywhere (as long as they can connect to your router) without having to snake a power cable into your home to plug into an outlet. These types of cameras typically use rechargeable batteries that can be easily popped out and taken indoors for charging with a USB cable, but they tend to drain quickly in colder weather. Bluetooth cameras are also easy to install, but you have to stay within 40 feet or so to connect to them with your phone.
Look for an outdoor Wi-Fi camera that can connect to either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio band to alleviate network congestion. If you’re having trouble getting a good signal outside, try pumping it up with a wireless range extender.
What Type of Weather Can Outdoor Security Cameras Handle?
Any outdoor camera worth its salt must be able to withstand exposure to the elements and should carry an IP (Ingress Protection) rating. IP ratings contain two digits that tell you just how well the camera will hold up under most weather conditions. The first digit following the IP prefix tells you how resistant the camera is to the ingress of solid objects such as wind-blown dust and ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (total protection against dust and dirt). The second number tells you how resistant the camera is to moisture and ranges from 0 (no protection) to 9 (protected against close range, high pressure spray downs from all angles).
Most outdoor security cameras have an IP66 rating, which means they offer complete protection from dust ingress and can handle water jets from any direction, but shouldn’t be immersed in water. They’re typically safe from rain, snow, heat, and cold.
What Resolution Do You Want?
There’s no use in having an outdoor security camera if you can’t recognize who or what the camera is looking at. A camera that captures video at 720p will usually offer a fairly sharp picture, but 1080p video offers more detail and is the most popular resolution for these devices; it doesn’t require lots of storage capacity and can be viewed on nearly all phones, tablets, and PCs.
Cameras that capture 4K (Ultra HD) video are also available, but you’ll need a very strong network connection to stream it without experiencing choppiness or lag, and you’ll need lots of room to store recorded video, which may result in expensive cloud storage fees.
No matter the resolution, try to choose a camera with a relatively wide field of view (viewing angle) and make sure it can capture clear night vision video. Most cameras use IR (infrared) LEDs to deliver black-and-white night video, but there are a few out there that use white light to deliver full-color night video. Look for a camera with a night vision range of at least 30 feet.
Do You Need Motion and Sound Detection?
Nearly all outdoor security cameras are equipped with a motion sensor that will trigger the camera to record video when motion is detected. The sensor can also initiate a push alert to your phone when activity is taking place, and some will also generate an email alert. For an extra layer of security, look for a camera with sound detection that can let you know if somebody is out there even if they’re out of range of the camera lens and the motion sensor. Fair warning: You’ll probably have to tweak the sound sensitivity settings to avoid alerts from barking dogs, loud cars, and other random noises.
If the camera has a microphone for sound detection, chances are it has a speaker as well and offers two-way audio communication that allows you to speak with (and listen to) whoever is outside. This comes in handy when dealing with annoying solicitors and can be used to scare off porch pirates and other unwanted visitors.
How Do Security Cameras Store Video?
Recorded video can be stored in a number of ways. Many cameras offer free cloud storage for a limited number of days (typically seven) before it is overwritten or deleted, while others are strictly subscription based. If you require more than a week’s worth of video storage, you can subscribe to a 30-day plan and not have to worry about losing important footage before you’ve had a chance to review it and download it.
If you’re concerned about privacy and would rather not store your video in the cloud, look for a camera equipped with a microSD card slot so you can store it locally. A few cameras will even let you save video to a portable USB or NAS drive, but these devices are few and far between.
And if you want the ability to go back and see everything that’s been going on around the outside of your house, look for a camera that offers a CVR (Continuous Video Recording) plan where the camera is always recording and will store up to 30 days of 24/7 video in the cloud.
What Else Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work With?
For an outdoor camera that does more than record video and send alerts, make sure it works with other smart devices. Many recent outdoor Wi-Fi cameras offer support for IFTTT (If This Then That), an internet service that uses mini programs (applets) that you create to have the camera interact with other IFTTT-enabled devices. For example, you can have a smart plug turn on a lamp indoors or activate an external siren when the camera detects motion.
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands are also finding their way into many of the latest cameras, and allow you to do things like display video from the camera on a compatible smart display. If you have a home automation hub, look for a camera that you can integrate into your smart home to have it work with other smart devices like door locks.
Can my security camera be hacked?
The unfortunate truth is that, yes, security cameras can be vulnerable to hacking—but the good news is that you can do things to keep hackers out.
Nearly every security camera we looked at supports encryption. This protects the camera’s data stream (like videos of your kids after school) from prying eyes.
No matter what security features come with your camera, these tips can help you maximize the privacy of your security cameras:
- Buy a camera with a recognizable name and purchase it from a trustworthy seller.
- Make sure your home Wi-Fi network is secure.
- Create unique, strong passwords for your camera and any apps you use to access it.
- Keep firmware up-to-date on your camera and your Wi-Fi router.
- Turn off remote viewing when you don’t need it.
- Block the lens of your camera when you’re not using it—a post-it or a piece of painters tape will work.
Will a security camera work as a baby/kid/pet monitor?
We’ve learned that many people want a wireless security camera to keep an eye on the people and pets they love. If this is your goal, here are some things to consider:
- Two-way communication: This lets you listen in and talk to the pets or people at home.
- Night vision: Clear images in low light are especially important if you want to use the camera as a baby monitor.
- Field of view: Most security cameras use a wide-angle lens, while baby monitors and nanny cams often use a more narrow range of vision to focus on the baby.
- Pan and tilt: If you’re viewing pets or older kids remotely from the office or on a beach, you may want to be able to move the camera angle.
Can an indoor camera do double duty looking out a window?
Wireless cameras can’t have it all—watch things inside by day, and keep an eye on what’s going on outside after dark. It rarely works.
Most indoor security cameras will pick up glares and reflections when aimed out a window. This obscures the outside view, making it useless.
If security both outdoors and indoors is a priority for you, we recommend getting the right type of camera for each area. You may be able to find an indoor camera that claims to be specifically designed to minimize the glare and reflection of a window, but be sure to read a lot of customer reviews to verify that those claims are accurate.
Is an indoor wireless camera enough security?
If your goal is to protect against intruders, we recommend an outdoor camera first and foremost.
Outdoor security cameras can deter criminals and provide an early warning before someone enters your home. While indoor security cameras often help people catch a burglar after the fact, you have a better chance of sending a thief running with an outdoor camera.
And if you want to be connected to the police, you should look into security cameras that come with an option to add professional monitoring.