The Arlo Pro 3 outperforms most competitors with a wireless design you can install anywhere inside your home or overlooking your property outdoors. It’s easy to install and its excellent 2K video quality captures fine details normally absent on 1080p security cameras.
After researching everything from video resolution to smart home compatibility, we also nailed down some formidable runners-up. Check out our top security camera picks and what features you should look for before buying.
Here are the best home security cameras
Compare the Best Home Security Cameras
| Wireless pick | Motion pick | Outdoor pick | Monitored pick | Best image | Easy setup | Most versatile | Best baby monitor | Best night vision | Best pan-and-tilt | |
| Product | Arlo Pro 3 | Wyze Cam Pan | Ring Spotlight Cam | Vivint’s Ping Indoor Camera † |
Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor‡ | Vimtag Indoor Cam-CP3 | Canary Flex | YI 1080p Indoor Security Camera | SereneLife Indoor IP Camera | Wansview Q5 |
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| Price* | $299.99 (2-pack) | $37.98 | $199.99 | $199.99† | $299.00 | $42.99 | $139.99 | $22.49 | $54.99 | $29.99 |
| Video resolution | 1440p (2K) | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p |
| Pan and tilt | Digital only | None | None | None | None | Both | None | Pan only | Both | Both |
| Field of view (degrees) | 160° | 120° | 140° | 155° | 130° | 92° | 116° | 112° | 90° | 105° |
| Smart home compatibility | Amazon Alexa Google Assistant IFTTT Samsung SmartThings |
Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa Google Assistant |
Amazon Alexa Google Assistant Nest |
Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa Google Assistant |
None | None | Amazon Alexa |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Vivint | View on Home Depot | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
*Amazon.com list price as of 04/28/2021 at 9:45 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
†Vivint Indoor Camera not sold separately; requires a Vivint home security system.
‡Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, Google Home, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
Our approach
We've reviewed many cameras across a variety of price points and types so it can get a bit overwhelming to collect all of those in one place. Instead, we selected our favorite cameras from all of those other lists to give you a broad overview of what to look for in a security camera.
Our conclusions about each camera come from years of experience, thousands of customer reviews, manufacturer specifications, and—in many cases—physical testing. You can learn more about we review products by checking out our methodology.
Best security camera reviews
1. Arlo Pro 3: Best wireless home security camera
The Arlo Pro 3 is a SafeWise favorite. It builds on the previous two versions by introducing 2K video quality and a bright spotlight for color night vision video. It also tops our list of the best wireless security cameras.
100% wire-free operation Quick, easy setup Sensitive motion detector Indoor/outdoor durability
Required base station Limited configurations and settingsThe Arlo Pro 3 is a solid all-around camera that works inside or out, and it’s super easy to install. The biggest drawback is the investment. You need to purchase a base station in addition to two cameras, which makes the up-front cost more hefty than other cameras.
Read our full Arlo security camera review to get all the details.
2. Wyze Cam Pan: Best motion-activated home security camera
The Wyze Cam Pan has quickly become a staff favorite. Whether you want to use it as a baby monitor (like one of our testers did) or as a means to keep Fido off the sofa (like me), this camera’s advanced motion tracking won’t disappoint.
Affordable price 360° coverage Motion tracking Free cloud storage
No email alerts Glitchy sound qualityInstant alerts plus motion tracking let you see exactly what’s happening while it’s happening. And two-way talk is a great way to settle down upset kiddos or excited pets—not to mention scaring away would-be burglars.
Learn more in our complete Wyze Cam Pan review.
3. Ring Spotlight Cam: Best outdoor security camera
You might recognize the Ring brand for its doorbell cameras. But the company has branched out and added its smart surveillance technology to this compact outdoor security camera.
Because it can be difficult to find power sources for outside cameras, we like that the Ring Spotlight Cam has three power options: battery, hardwired, or solar.
Battery, wired, or solar power options Built-in motion light Voice control with Alexa Loud siren
High cost Limited battery lifeIt also has a built-in, motion-activated spotlight that will stop trespassers in their tracks. Plus added features like two-way audio, a 110-decibel siren, and integration with Amazon Alexa make this camera a leader in outdoor surveillance. That’s why the Ring Spotlight Cam was ranked our number one choice for outdoor security cameras.
Read our full Ring Spotlight Cam review.
Several Ring Alarm and camera users have reported breaches in their accounts that allowed a stranger to use the two-way communication to intimidate them. This is a risk every user takes when they use any internet-connected wireless system.The good news is you can minimize the risk with proper internet security.
Here are a few easy tips for securing your system from online threats:
- Use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts
- Opt for extra security measures like two-factor authentication
- Add shared users instead of sharing login credentials
- Change your home Wi-Fi password frequently
We still confidently recommend Ring and other similar wireless internet-connected systems. And while these threats are real, they can be avoided with a few extra precautions.
4. Vivint Indoor Camera: Best monitored home security camera
Vivint has a reputation for innovative home security solutions, and the Indoor Camera (formerly known as the Vivint Ping Camera) doesn’t disappoint.
This home security camera stands out with customized notifications, video analytics, and seamless integration with the Vivint app and smart home platforms from Google and Amazon. And if you’ve got kids or parents at home, you’ll love the one-touch callout that lets family members call your cellphone right from the camera with the touch a button.
Two-way communication Personalized alerts One-touch calling 45 days of free recorded footage
Only available with home security system purchaseBut you can't buy this camera on its own—you need to add to a full Vivint home security system.
See all the home security cameras from this company in our Vivint cameras review.
Vivint is open for business during the coronavirus pandemic and taking steps to protect the health of customers and employees alike. The company conducts daily health assessments on all employees and installers. It’s also rescheduling appointments as necessary if customers become sick. You can see what else Vivint’s doing about COVID-19 at Vivint.com.
5. Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor: Best image and video quality
While the Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor is one of the more expensive stand-alone security cameras for home use, it makes our list for crisp image resolution and its forward-thinking smart home design.
The Nest Cam IQ comes with a built-in Google Assistant and integrates seamlessly with the rest of the Nest home automation suite. The smart security camera stands out with an 8x digital zoom feature and large 130° field of view.
High resolution Supersight zooming and tracking Person alerts Built-in Google Assistant Up to 50 ft. night vision range
Expensive price point No pan-and-tilt capability Required subscription to use all featuresBut there is no pan-and-tilt capability, and you need to get a Nest Aware subscription ($6 to $12/month) to access advanced features like facial recognition.
Learn more in our Nest Cam IQ product review.
More security cameras we considered
6. Vimtag Indoor Cam-CP3: Best for easy setup
The Vimtag Indoor Cam-CP3 is a little security camera that delivers a lot at a reasonable price point. You get pan-and-tilt functionality, two-way voice, 8x digital zoom, and clear night vision—all for under $50. The Vimtag CP3 is plug-and-play with built-in Wi-Fi to make setup a breeze. Read more about this brand in our Vimtag P1 review.
7. Canary Flex: Most versatile home security camera
This Canary Flex is a home security camera that packs a big punch in a little package. It works either connected to power or with its built-in battery—and it's the only Canary camera that you can use inside and outdoors. It also features other home security perks like a built-in Noonlight safety panic button and person detection alerts.
8. YI 1080p Indoor Security Camera: Best baby monitoring camera
If you want a security camera that doubles as a nanny cam, then you’ll love the YI 1080p Indoor Security Camera. This camera features baby crying detection that sends you a push notification when it picks up the sound of your little one giving their lungs a workout. And you get free app-sharing with up to five family members, plus seven days of free storage in the YI cloud.
Read our review of the Yi Smart Home Camera 3 to see how it compares.
9. SereneLife Indoor IP Camera: Best night vision camera
The SereneLife Indoor IP Camera offers superb image quality that doesn't compromise once the lights go out. Time and again, customer reviews praise the night vision on this camera, and it delivers a crisp picture up to 32 feet. Although the app and software are easy to work with, it’s a letdown that you can’t integrate this camera with any smart home hubs or gadgets.
10. Wansview Q5: Best pan-and-tilt security camera
The Wansview Q5 makes it easy to scan an entire room with its advanced pan-and-tilt capabilities. You can use the Wansview mobile app to scan the room by simply swiping your finger in the direction of whatever you want to check out. So if you have a sneaking suspicion of your kitty clawing the ottoman, you can catch her in the act with a flick of your finger.
Final word
The Arlo Pro 3 is one of the best tools for watching over your home. Its wire-free design, high-resolution video surveillance, and affordable cloud monitoring help it stand above the competition. Still, it's one of the most expensive security cameras you can buy, so we think the Wyze Cam Pan is a good alternative if you're aiming to save some dough.
You don’t fool around when it comes to keeping your home and family safe, and neither do we. A home security camera is just one part of protecting what matters. If you’re ready for a full-on defense against burglars, vandals, and porch pirates, check out our comprehensive collection of safety tips and expert advice.
Security camera FAQ
What are the different types of security cameras?
There are a lot of security cameras to choose from—many work well in a compatible home security system or as stand-alone units. Understanding the differences will help you find one that fits your needs. Here are five kinds of security cameras you're likely to encounter.
Indoor security cameras
Select an indoor camera to watch what’s happening inside your home, particularly one with two-way audio. You can check in with kids after school, tell Rover to get off your favorite chair, or scare the daylights out of an intruder who doesn’t belong in your home (plus you’ll have their picture, to boot!).
Outdoor security cameras
An outdoor camera relies on a high weatherproof rating that stands up to the elements and drastic changes in temperature. Another big feature is night vision. You might also consider a camera with a built-in motion-activated light—all the better to scare you with, my dear!
Doorbell cameras
A doorbell camera is essentially an outdoor camera for watching over your front porch. A video doorbell uses two-way audio so you can talk to guests and are a good way to make sure packages don’t walk off unnoticed.
Wireless security cameras
As a concept, wireless cameras are confusing. “Wireless” can either mean cameras with a Wi-Fi connection or that they run off a battery. We lean toward cameras that are 100% wire-free, with both Wi-Fi and a wireless power source. But we include some of both types in our wireless camera roundup.
Monitored security cameras
Security cameras in a monitored security system usually have the same features and options as stand-alone units. But you can tap into the expertise of the home security company to pick the right one. They work with your security system, so there's always an extra set of eyes looking out for trouble 24/7.
Beware of using an indoor camera to look outside through a window. They can’t capture images after dark because the night vision LEDs reflect off the glass, blinding the camera.
What should I look for when buying a security camera?
Here are some important features to consider when buying home security cameras:
Video resolution
Resolution directly affects the quality of the home security footage your camera produces. A clear image provides crucial details to help identify faces, vehicles, and items in a recording. At a minimum, choose a camera with 720p resolution, but we suggest 1080p or higher.
Field of view
Field of view refers to how much area a camera sees through its lens. It affects how many cameras you need and where you should place them. In general, choose a camera with a field of view that's at least 110º, though wider angles than this are usually better.
Motion detection
Most security cameras offer motion alerts to help prevent break-ins and keep deliveries safe. You receive notifications when a camera observes movement, so you can react appropriately. Choose a motion sensor camera with many settings to get the most from its motion detection.
Night vision
Security camera footage that is too dark to make out any details is practically useless. The distance your camera can see in low- to no-light situations impacts its effectiveness after the sun sets. To cover your bases, choose a camera with an adequate night vision range.
Two-way audio
Cameras with two-way communication have a microphone and speaker for interacting with people or pets on the other end. Two-way talk effectively turns your home security camera into an intercom for addressing a delivery driver or checking in on the kids after school.
Pan and tilt
A pan-and-tilt camera has motors that allow you to reposition the camera's lens remotely. This feature records a larger area than a static camera and reduces the number of cameras you need to observe a particular area.
Some pan-and-tilt cameras use smart motion detection to follow action in a room automatically, whether it’s a pet racing around the living room or a youngster toddling toward trouble.
Are home security cameras worth it?
Absolutely! Home security cameras allow you to more effectively watch over your home in two primary ways:
- Deter: A surveillance camera in a highly visible location can make burglars think twice about attempting to enter your home.
- Describe: Security cameras can collect information about burglars and the items they take. This makes it easier to file police reports and insurance claims.
The best part is that you choose how much to spend on security cameras for your home.
In 2019, burglaries cost Americans around $3 billion in property losses, for an average loss of $2,661 per offense.¹ With so much money on the line, we were surprised to find that only 25% of Americans use a security camera to protect their property and even fewer (24%) use a home security system.²
See which cities in America have the most burglaries in our exclusive report below.
How much should I spend on a security camera?
If a camera costs so much that you can no longer afford the valuables you’re trying to protect, then it doesn’t serve a purpose.
Fortunately, we live in an age where practically everyone can afford security cameras. In fact, many cheap security cameras cost less than $50 while providing HD video, motion detection, smartphone apps, and two-way audio. They're even cheap enough that you can buy multiple cameras.
With more expensive cameras, you can expect better features and stronger customer support. Ultimately, it's your choice how much you want to invest for a certain level of security.
Monitored security cameras are more expensive because they come as part of a professionally-monitored security system that watches your home 24/7.
Do you need Wi-Fi for security cameras?
Most of the time. Modern security cameras use Wi-Fi for five tasks:
- Streaming live video
- Storing video footage in the cloud
- Mobile device controls and alerts
- Two-way audio
- Communication with smart home devices
The majority of consumer security cameras use Wi-Fi to connect to your home network, but some models use cables to connect to your internet router or a DVR for security cameras. We recommend using Wi-Fi security cameras since they are typically the easiest kind to install.
If you have an internet data usage cap, make sure you understand how your security camera(s) could impact your monthly bill. You should also verify that your router can handle the extra devices and output.
Can I use security cameras with my smart home devices?
Many of the best security camera systems also help turn your house into a smart home. Security cameras often integrate with a smart home hub like Amazon Echo or Google Home.
This can give you a huge home security advantage—the ability to remotely control lights, door locks, and your security cameras. You can also program your system to boost security measures when you’re out of town or during the holidays when lots of packages arrive.
The most-burglarized city in every state
We found the most-burglarized city in every state and the results may surprise you—it looks like burglars prefer small towns over big cities.
Among the cities with the most burglaries per capita, only nine (19%) have populations higher than 15,000 people. On the flipside, another nine (19%) are home to fewer than 1,000 residents.
Nationwide, burglary is the second-most common property crime, accounting for 16% of all reported incidents. But in the most-burglarized cities, that jumps up to 23%.
See where burglars are busiest in your state (and where a new security cam might help out the most) in the full list below.
A closer look at the most-burglarized cities in every state
- The top 5 cities with the most burglaries per capita are Vernon, California; Sauget, Illinois; Maggie Valley, North Carolina; Berry Hill, Tennessee; and Quincy, Florida.
- Vernon, California is a major outlier, with more burglaries reported than there are people who live there. In 2019, this tiny California town reported 133 burglaries among its 112 residents. That works out to 118.8 burglaries per 100 people—more than 111 incidents higher than the next-closest town of Sauget, Illinois with 7.32 burglaries per 100.
- 36 (75%) of the cities on the list had fewer than two burglaries per 100 people.
- 14 cities (29%) reported fewer than one burglary per 100 people.
- Vernon, California is the smallest city on the list with 112 residents. Des Moines, Iowa is the most populous with 218,384—but Des Moines has 99% fewer burglaries per 100 people than Vernon (1.05 versus 118.75, respectively).
- Only 9 of the most-burglarized cities (19%) have populations above 15,000—the threshold we use to rank the 100 Safest Cities in America.
- 81% of the cities (39) have populations below 15,000.
- 60% of the top 5 most-burglarized cities are in the south.
- Burglars are less busy in New England. Even the most-burglarized cities in New England states report fewer than one burglary per 100 residents.
The full list: Find your state's most-burglarized city
Methodology
To find the most-burglarized city in each state, we analyzed the most recent FBI burglary statistics and population data.2 We excluded cities with populations below 100 and any that didn’t report complete data to the FBI in 2019 (the most recent year for which data was available).
To even the playing field, we calculated the number of burglaries reported per 100 people in each city that qualified in every state. The city with the highest number of burglaries per 100 people for each state landed on our list.
Alabama and Hawaii were excluded because there weren’t enough city data to analyze; only one city in each state provided burglary data in 2019. Washington, D.C. was also excluded.
Sources
- FBI, Unified Crime Reporting, “2019 Crime in the United States, Burglary,” October 2020. Accessed January 25, 2021.
- SafeWise, “The State of Safety in America 2020,” March 2020. Accessed January 25, 2021.
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Disclaimers
*Amazon.com list price as of 04/28/2021 at 9:45 a.m. (MT). Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
†Vivint Indoor Camera not sold separately; requires a Vivint home security system.
‡Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, Google Home, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
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