Best Nanny Cams of 2022
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Whether you’re keeping an eye on the kids or their caretakers, nanny cams are a great home security tool.
For your best option, we think the Reolink E1 Zoom takes the prize with its quality picture, low price, and easy app. It has impressive pan/tilt/zoom features thanks to its swiveling base and moving camera eye. But a few other cameras stood out for features like battery power and local storage capacity.
Here's our roundup of the best nanny cams
- : Best overall
- : Best wire-free option
- : Best for budgets
- : Best local storage
- : Best audio detection
Compare the best nanny cameras
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Brand
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Price
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Cloud storage
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Video resolution
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Zoom
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Learn more
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| Best overall |
 |
$75.99 | $0.00–$25.00/mo. | 1920p | 3x | View on Amazon | Read review |
| Best wire-free option |
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$199.99 | $2.99–$14.99/mo. | 1440p | 12x | View on Amazon | Read review |
| Best for budgets |
 |
$49.98 | $0.00–$1.99/mo. | 1080p | 8x | View on Amazon | Read review |
| Best local storage |
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$32.98 | $5.99–$8.99/mo. | 1080p | 8x | View on Amazon | Read review |
| Best audio detection |
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$26.99 | $3.33–$12.50/mo. | 1080p | 4x | View on Amazon | Read review |
*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
1. Reolink E1 Zoom: Best overall
The Reolink E1 Zoom is one of our favorite indoor security cameras, and there's no reason it can't double as a nanny cam. You'll love its sharp image quality when checking on the kids day and night.
Compatible with Amazon and Google Adjustable resolution, frame rate, and bitrate Free cloud storage Dual-band Wi-Fi 2-year warranty
Wired onlyWe chose this model out of the Reolink camera line-up thanks to its pan-and-tilt capabilities, which come in handy when your kids end up playing or napping in a random corner of the room.
Entry-level cloud storage is free, but the E1 Zoom supports microSD cards up to 128 GB if you'd rather store footage locally.
Get the full scoop in our Reolink cameras review.
2. Arlo Pro 4: Best wire-free option
Compared to other nanny cam options, the Arlo Pro 4 is admittedly expensive. But you get exceptional image quality and an all-purpose home security camera with options galore.
You'll love the Arlo Pro 4's 12x zoom when you're not sure what your child is up to. This is also one of our favorite wireless cameras, so you don't have to worry about creating a possible playroom hazard by leaving its cord plugged in.
Compatible with 4+ smart home hubs Adjustable resolution Wired, battery, and solar options 12x zoom
No pan-and-tilt Local storage requires base stationIf you want to keep an eye on your kids when they're playing in the backyard, buy the Arlo Pro 4's solar panel accessory and easily convert this weatherproof camera into an outdoor nanny cam.
This smart camera works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Homekit, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT for coordinated notifications and routines. And while it's not a pan-and-tilt camera, its 160° field of view is large enough to capture activity zones in most rooms.
You'll need to purchase the Arlo SmartHub Base Station if you want to save footage to a USB drive. Otherwise, you're stuck with cloud storage.
Learn more in our full Arlo Pro 4 review.
3. Wyze Cam Pan v2: Best for budgets
Despite a sub-$50 price tag, the Wyze Cam Pan v2 isn't the cheapest nanny camera on our list. But we chose it as our "best for budgets" pick thanks to its free cloud storage.
It has smooth pan, tilt, and zoom action, so you can easily look around the room to see your kids and their nanny.
Works with Alexa and Google Simple installation 360° field of view 8x zoom Free cloud storage
No adjustable video settings Not wire-freeSetup is easy with Wyze too. Simply plug in the camera and download the Wyze app onto your smart device. Connecting is a snap, but there are step-by-step videos if you need help along the way.
From the app, you can watch past videos, adjust settings, and use the two-way audio to talk to anyone on the other side. Once you’ve set the camera to your preferences, you’re good to go.
Read our full Wyze Cam Pan review for more details.
4. EZViz C6CN: Best local storage
As a 1080p pan-and-tilt camera with 8x zoom, the EZViz C6CN rivals the Wyze Cam Pan in both functionality and price.
The C6CN excels when it comes to local storage, supporting microSD cards up to 256 GB—more than any other nanny camera on our list. It also has an ethernet port for a more reliable internet connection.
Pan-and-tilt with 8x zoom Ethernet port 256 GB local storage Adjustable frame rate and bitrate Works with Amazon, Google, IFTTT
Pricey cloud storage No battery optionTo take advantage of those options, you'll need to buy an ethernet cable and/or microSD card separately.
Learn more about the C6CN in our full EZViz cameras review.
5. Yi Home Camera 3: Best audio detection
The Yi Home Camera 3 has a unique feature that makes it well-suited as a nanny cam: audio detection. If your baby's crying, this camera sends an alert.
Works with Amazon and Google Detects crying 4x zoom Local storage up to 64 GB
No adjustable video options No pan-and-tilt Cloud storage for just 7 daysBecause it has a longer functional life than most baby monitors, the Yi Home Camera 3 is a great investment. Use it as a nanny cam anywhere in the home, or put it to use as a general home security camera. Its built-in glass-break sensor will let you know if someone's breaking in.
When we tested this budget camera hands-on, we were surprised its night vision was on par with many others, including the Wyze Cam Pan. It supports microSD cards up to 64 GB, so the paid cloud storage plan is optional.
Learn more in our full Yi Home Camera 3 review.
Blink Indoor and Blink Mini: Best for hiding
None of the Blink cameras made it to our top five due to average night vision, no pan-and-tilt or zoom capabilities, and limited smart home compatibility. But they're tiny and easy to hide. The Blink Indoor is battery-powered and the pill-bottle-sized Blink Mini needs to stay plugged in.
Learn more in our full Blink cameras review.
All 50 states allow recording without sound, but only a few allow video and audio. Check your state’s laws before you start recording to ensure any evidence or clips you capture can hold up in court.
Google Nest Indoor Cam: Best two-way communication
†Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
The Google Nest Indoor Cam is a nice camera—we don't give out four stars willy-nilly. But other cameras deliver a better combination of nanny-cam features at a lower price, so it didn't make it to our top five.
That said, the Google Nest Indoor Cam has a clear picture and two-way communication to produce smooth video in the mobile app.
It's also small enough to fit on most shelves, tables, nooks, and crannies, making it easy to hide from anyone who might tamper with it. You can even find cute silicone covers for it.
Learn more about the entire family of Google Nest Cameras for indoors and out.
Things to consider before you buy a nanny camera
While there are plenty of hidden nanny cams on the market, we looked into the more conspicuous options.
Hidden nanny cams and spy cams can fall under hazy legal territory, so we feel it’s best to be open with your nanny or any in-home caretaker about your monitoring system. This helps build a trusting relationship and makes better use of the camera itself.
For example, your babysitter can reach you through the nanny cam’s two-way audio when needed or help you find important clips in case of an emergency.
Before you get a nanny cam, you should hire a nanny you can trust to watch your children. Nanny cameras make sense if you have reason to suspect something’s wrong, but they aren’t usually necessary when you have a trustworthy child care provider.
Do you know the nanny cam laws in your state? We gathered them in our FAQ.
Want inspiration for building a smart home that benefits your baby? These will help:
Final word
We like the Reolink E1 Zoom best for its 360° field of view, affordable price point, and pan/tilt/zoom prowess. Whether you’re checking in on your child’s safety or ensuring they ate their veggies while you’re out, this nanny cam keep tabs on your kiddo and their caretaker.
Our other favorites are close contenders:
- The Arlo Pro 4 camera’s wire-free design makes it easy to move from room to room.
- The Wyze Cam Pan boasts free cloud storage and an affordable upfront price.
- The EZViz C6CN offers the best local storage capacity and an incredible up-front price.
- The YI Home Camera 3 includes crying detection and other audio alerts.
Nanny camera FAQ
Different rules apply to hidden and exposed nanny cams. Hidden nanny cams can be cleverly disguised in devices like alarm clocks and picture frames to monitor your nanny without their consent.
It’s legal in all 50 states to record video-only footage in your home from a hidden camera as long as it isn’t set up in a private space.1 That said, there are 11 states that require “two-party consent” for video and audio footage in public or private spaces.2
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- Hawaii
Even if you don’t live in one of these states, we recommend getting consent from your nanny before recording audio, video, or both. Their consent can also help you avoid prosecution and loss of evidence.3
In other words, without their permission, you could be sued, and your footage won’t be admissible in court.
Picture resolution is simply a pixel count on your camera. Numbers like 1080p refer to the vertical lines of pixels lined up across your camera’s view. Generally, the more pixels create a sharper picture, but this can change based on how closely you zoom or the size of the screen you watch a video on.
Most smartphones screens are 1080p and up, so it’s best to find a nanny cam with a similar resolution for a clear picture.
It varies from camera to camera, but most nanny cams use a separate SD memory card or send videos to a cloud that you can access online. Both can be uploaded and shared to different devices.
Battery-powered nanny cams can hide almost anywhere. Spots like potted plants, bookshelves, stuffed animals, kitchen cabinets, and out in the open can all give you a good view of your home and anyone inside.
Nanny cameras powered by cables are more restricted because they need to stay plugged in to work. Cables can also give away your hiding spot if they aren’t concealed properly.
All 50 states allow silent video recording within your own home. But we still think it’s best to tell your nanny that you’re recording. If they consent to be filmed and recorded, you can use audio in addition to your video. You don’t have to tell them where you’ve hidden the camera, but if you want audio, most states require their permission.
How we reviewed the best nanny cams
To find the best nanny cameras, we narrowed down the features that are important for checking on the children:
- Two-way audio
- Pan-and-tilt or a wide field of view
- Excellent zoom capabilities and quality
- Superior video quality
- Excellent night vision
- Local storage capacity
- Affordable cloud storage
We didn't want to limit ourselves to cameras specifically marketed as baby monitors or nanny cams. We chose the best contenders from our years of testing and reviewing home security cameras.
We tested the Reolink E1 Zoom, Arlo Pro 4, Wyze Cam Pan, Yi Home Camera 3, Nest Cam, and Blink Indoor in-house. For the most authentic experience, we set up each camera and proceeded with our day as usual. When we got alerts from each camera, we used the apps to check the footage, speak through the cameras, and share footage.
We selected the EZViz C6CN based on top user reviews and product specs that fit our standards for quality nanny cams. Learn more about how we test and research by reading our full methodology.
Related articles on SafeWise
Sources
- Upcounsel, “Video Surveillance Laws by State: Everything You Need to Know,” Published June 2020. Accessed November 29, 2021.
- Digital Media Law Project, “Recording Phone Calls and Conversations,” Accessed November 29, 2021.
- United States Department of Justice, “1050. Scope of 18 U.S.C. § 2511 Prohibitions,” Published January 2020. Accessed November 29, 2021.
Disclaimers
*Amazon.com list price as of post date. 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.
†Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
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