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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
A home should be safe and secure. That’s all part of what makes it a home. And in the 21st Century, being safe and secure home means upgrading your home the latest and greatest smart tech. In other words, you need a smart security camera.
Security cameras are not only a great deterrent for break-ins and unwanted visitors, they’re also an excellent means of monitoring what’s happening around your home. It’s little wonder that smart security cameras have become increasingly popular, which is evidenced by the rapidly advancing technology and the numerous models available.
But how do you know which home security camera is the best for you and your family? Selecting any technology for your home is hard. It’s easy to get blindsided by specifications, added to the fact that everyone’s home and routine is different. But don’t fret: We’re here to help secure your home with some helpful information and a roundup of the best security cameras currently available.
What is a smart security camera?
A smart security camera connects to an app or to your WiFi. They tend to stream live video directly to your smart device (such as a phone or tablet) and will generally have features that can be controlled remotely or via a voice assistant, They may even be powered by AI technology, with features such as automatic motion detection. You don’t have to choose a smart security camera, of course, though all of the cameras on this roundup have smart technology. It’s pretty much the standard now.
What’s the difference between indoor and outdoor security cameras?
Outdoor cameras must be robust enough to withstand changes in temperature and a variety of weather conditions. And when it comes to indoor cameras, most people prefer devices that easily blend into their home/decor. You don’t want anyone to be aware that they’re being recorded. After all, intruders are notoriously camera shy!
Are wireless security cameras reliable?
It’s important to consider what kind of “juice” a camera needs to operate. Does it rely on batteries or does it require a power source? You might face constraints as to where you can place a camera that needs a power source. Conversely, batteries obviously have a limited life. We can say with a moderate degree of confidence that a dead camera isn’t incredibly useful. It’s not a case of which is best, but which type better suits you.
Do security cameras have audio?
Some cameras do indeed offer audio surveillance as well as imagery. Some options will simply have a microphone that allows them to capture sound. Others can both capture and emit sound, turning them into a sort-of intercom with two-way audio.
Do security cameras require WiFi?
Like the vast majority of technology today, many security cameras available have WiFi capability. This is great for a handful of reasons including the fact that it’s harder to disable them. Moreover, most cameras with WiFi allow you to turn your house into a smart home. They can integrate with Amazon and Google and even potentially let you remotely lock your door, control your lights, as well as sending you texts/alerts.
Though some cameras come with microSD cards, many models don’t store their footage themselves. Instead, they rely on cloud services for storage and offer you remote access. Keep in mind that not all storage is alike. Some might save footage for a month, others only a week. Additionally, you may have to pay a subscription fee for the cloud service. It’s important to consider that when pricing your options.
What is the best security camera?
It’s all about which security camera suits you and your home. Your lifestyle or comings and goings may require a part spec. What you need are options. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and pulled together some top picks.
These are the best security cameras in 2024.
The Netgear Arlo Pro 5 is a top choice overall. It’s certainly not the cheapest option in this roundup but it’s a premium offering, with the features and performance to back up that price point.
The Arlo can be used both indoors or outdoors, though it’s really built for the outdoor use thanks to water resistance and a range of features designed for capturing footage over expansive exterior areas.
It captures crisp 2K images — which is even clearer than the standard HD — with a 160-degree field of view and enhanced colour night vision. There’s also motion detection that works up to 7.5m and a smart siren to scare off intruders. The siren is triggered by either motion detection or via the Arlo Secure App.
Regular Arlo users will notice the app has been updated. It’s a bit fiddlier than before but you still have anytime access to a smooth live feed.
And there’s even more: Two-way audio that allows you to speak to visitors or warn off unwanted persons, plus package detection and cloud video storage for up to 60 days with a subscription. While there’s no obligation to subscribe, features are limited without a subscription.
Another bonus is its compatibility with other systems, with support for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. Apple HomeKit connectivity, however, requires several additional hubs.
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The Google-powered Nest is a leader in the home security camera market. This indoor model is especially easy to use: Just plug it in and find a good spot.
Moreover, Nest offers 24/7 live streaming so you can know what’s happening in your home at any moment. It sends 1080p HD resolution footage (which includes night vision) straight to the Google Home app.
The Nest stores three hours’ worth of footage, so you rewind and investigate any incidents. And with a Nest Aware subscription (beginning at £6 per month) you’ll be able to access up to 60 days’ worth of Nest video history.
The Nest doesn’t just stop at images. It also comes with a built-in speaker and microphone. In other words, you can hear everything and even yell at your dog/kids/roommates/intruder to behave. On that point, the Nest detects general movement but it can also tell the difference between people and pets, which prevents unnecessary alerts.
If you want to see what’s happening in a specific room, just ask Google or Alexa. Brilliantly simple. While it uses wireless connectivity tech — both Bluetooth and WiFi — it does need a wall socket for power.
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If you’re looking for a sleek and subtle doorbell camera, the Ring Pro 2 is definitely the way to go. It’s particularly good for Alexa users as it’s from the same Amazon-made brand of smart home tech. It’s easily compatible with Alexa and select Alexa-powered devices.
It offers Hi-Def 1536p resolution video, with an impressive 150-degree field of view and colour night vision. It also has a bird’s eye view feature, which uses 3D motion detection to map out the exterior of your home and show how motion events have played out (i.e. from which direction and at what speed an intruder/innocent delivery driver approached your home).
The Ring Pro 2 sends alerts to your phone, computer, and/or tablet whenever anyone triggers the motion sensors or rings your bell. And with the Ring app, you can connect to your doorbell and see what’s happening remotely, or adjust motion settings and watch over your home in real time.
The Ring Pro is also equipped with two-way communication capabilities: You can quickly speak with visitors via your mobile device. And since it connects to your doorbell wiring, you don’t have to worry about batteries.
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The YI Dome Guard Camera is designed with eight infrared LEDs that can extend up to 30 feet in the dark and easily capture images from low-light or even no-light areas. Beyond that, the camera has two-way audio so you can converse with/scare off loved ones and intruders alike.
There’s also a strong motion detection system that sends you notifications when movement is detected — and it’s smart enough to know if that motion has been caused by an actual person. It offers sound detection too.
While the camera has a relatively limited view 110 degrees, the dome shaped head allows you to pan, tilt, and turn the camera a full 360 degrees – all of which is controlled via the app. Every corner of the room is covered.
While more expensive options require a subscription for video storage, the YI Dome Guard Camera allows you to keep storage on a micro SD card.
As an added bonus, the YI Home has technology that will alert you when your baby (or any baby currently in your home) is crying. So feel free to put your baby down and take a much needed break.
Overall, it has some limitations though it has most of the basic features you need from a home security camera — and at a significantly reduced price.
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It’s incredible how much the Tapo C520WS packs in for its relatively low price. Built for outdoor use, it’s designed to be attached to a wall or ceiling. It will require someone who’s handy with their toolset to install it, but once it’s up there you’re covered all-around, with a rotating 360-degree view and vertical range of 130-degree. The camera uses high-speed rotation to track objects or people.
It’s equipped with “Starlight” night vision, which is part of the camera’s multi-mode night vision capabilities. In the most basic terms it uses a large-aperture lens and starlight sensor for enhanced colour night vision.
It has local video storage via a microSD card, though you can also sign up for its relatively cheap subscription (£2.49 per month) for seven days of storage.
It uses AI to identify visitors and others, and has the smarts to distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles. It sends notifications and has customisable motion detection. Compared to other cameras on this list, the thing that’s most obviously missing is two-way audio, but the price is so much lower than its closest competitor that it’s a worthwhile tradeoff.
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OK, so we’ve already recommended an excellent indoor camera, bur we’d be remiss to not mention the eufy S350 Security Indoor Cam. It’s more expensive, but that’s because it offers even more, including sharper-than-sharp 4K video and even more settings.
It covers your home with a 360-degree pan and tilt function, which is further boosted by an 8x zoom. Best of all, it automatically adjusts zoom, pan, and tilt thanks to AI motion detection. In fact, it can detect humans up to 30 feet away.
There are extra details, such as a split screen capability that allows you to view an image both zoomed in and zoomed out within the app. Indeed, it’s all controlled with the eufy app, or via Alexa or Google Assistant if you prefer.
Unlike other cameras on this list, there’s no subscription fee required. It stores your footage locally in a microSD card, which inserts into the base.
If you want the kind of high resolution this camera offers, the only real drawback is that it’s for indoors only. However, eufy has alternative models for outdoor use, such as this 3K outdoor camera plus foodlight.
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Joseph Green
Global Shopping Editor
Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming services, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable’s sister site, AskMen.
Haley Henschel
Senior Shopping Reporter
Haley Henschel is a Chicago-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what’s actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12-foot skeletons.
Haley received a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and honed her sifting and winnowing skills at The Daily Cardinal. She previously covered politics for The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, investigated exotic pet ownership for Wisconsin Watch, and blogged for some of your favorite reality stars.
In her free time, Haley enjoys playing video games, drawing, taking walks on Lake Michigan, and spending time with her parrot (Melon) and dog (Pierogi). She really, really wants to get back into horseback riding. You can follow her on X at @haleyhenschel or reach her via email at .
