Best Smart Security Cameras in 2021: Protect your home
Wireless home security cameras make up one of the most popular smart home market segments, and it’s easy to see why. These awesome devices let you see exactly what’s going on in and around your home at any time, from anywhere in the world. They can even alert you when there’s movement in certain areas and automatically capture video. You can sync these up with your other smart home devices to show you what’s happening.
Because home security cameras are popular, there are so many options out there. It can be difficult to figure out which one is right for you. That’s why we’re here. We have hand-selected five of our favorite home security cameras to give you an idea of the top choices. Here are our picks for the best smart security cameras.
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Best entry-level camera: WYZE Cam v3
WYZE/Amazon
Pros: No subscription required, can be used indoors or outdoors
Cons: Has to be plugged in
The original WYZE Cam was nothing short of a game-changer in the home security camera market. But the WYZE Cam v3 is even better. It offers the same great features as much more expensive models, but for a small fraction of the price. This has 14 days of recordings stored in the WYZE Cam app. You’ll be able to record nighttime videos in full, vivid color. The Starlight Sensor works in 25x darker environments.
There is no subscription required, saving you additional fees. This is one of the best smart security cameras because it has both motion and sound detection and can send alerts straight to your phone. It will continuously record for 24 hours a day. It is also IP65 weather-resistant, so you can keep it in the rain.
Best wire-free camera: Blink Outdoor
Blink/Amazon
Pros: Two-year battery life, infrared night vision
Cons: Stores locally on a flash drive that you have to provide
Wireless security cameras are terrific because they’re easy to set up, but wire-free cameras take that convenience to the next level. Since they’re powered by batteries, they don’t need to be plugged into a wall. Most battery-powered cameras last just a few months before needing to be recharged, but cameras in the Blink Outdoor last for a class-leading 2 years before it needs new batteries. You can set this up in minutes.
This will store clips and photos in the cloud with a Blink Subscription Plan. You’ll get motion detection alerts on your phone and you can customize them. This features two-way audio as well, used through the Blink Home Monitor app. You can also use Alexa to control it with your voice. There’s no wiring for this.
Best smart security cameras for panning: YI 2K Indoor Security Camera
YI/Amazon
Pros: 360° rotation and 90° tilt, upgraded 3 million pixels
Cons: Privacy concerns
The YI 2K Indoor Security Camera lets you see all around you. This will give you important alerts and help you differentiate between humans and pets. This has a 360° rotation and the ability to tilt 90°, allowing you to see more of what’s going on. You can view everything in 2K super clear image quality. There are upgraded 3 million pixels for clarity at every angle. The YI Home App allows you to play back the recordings or watch your home in real-time.
The non-invasive night vision keeps an eye on your room day or night. The 940-nm infrared light with an invisible red glow leaves you and your loved ones’ rests undisturbed. There is a highly sensitive image sensor to display color video in low lighting. You can choose between dual storage options, either in an SD card or in the cloud. You can communicate from the app to the camera with two-way audio and sound detection. Also, it connects with Alexa for voice controls.
Best smart security cameras pack: Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera – 3 Pack
Arlo/Amazon
Pros: No hub required, all kinds of notifications
Cons: Charging them can be an issue
Set up more of your cameras to cover more ground with the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera – 3 Pack. These can be connected directly to Wi-Fi. The wire-free setup delivers increased installation flexibility. This will record video in 1080p for a clear picture, no matter the time of day. The two-way audio is also fast.
This comes with three cameras, allowing you to strategically place them around your home. The cameras can see faces or license plates in full color, day or night. You’ll get notifications about people, vehicles, packages, or more. There are also local storage options. This has functions that are great, as you can call a friend or even dial an emergency number if necessary.
Best indoor security camera: Google Nest Cam Indoor
Google/Amazon
Pros: Privacy and security for your feed, three-hour snapshot history
Cons: Subscription required,
The Google Nest Cam Indoor keeps an eye on your rooms. This gives you a 24/7 live stream in full 1080p HD. It connects to your Wi-Fi and lets you send clips to your family and friends. The night vision features eight high-powered infrared LEDs for clear video. There are mobile alerts and notifications that let you know as soon as the activity is spotted.
This works with a free trial of Nest Aware for 30 days and then you can pay $6 per month for a storage subscription. The two-way audio works well. You can also set this up with no problem. It can be mounted and there is flexibility where you do so. The Nest app allows you to communicate with those who are in the view of the camera.
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