The best nanny camera in 2022
Before deciding which is the best nanny camera for you, it’s important to decide what the words ‘Nanny Camera’ mean to you. For some, it can mean a wider interpretation of baby camera monitor, in which the camera helps the nannying, while others are more concerned with keeping a close eye on their nanny.
Since both involve cameras with remote viewing, this list will help with both, but you should think about what matters to you most; viewing live as it happens or recording. The latter often requires a subscription, though an alternative is an onboard memory card.
Nanny cams need to be viewed with sense; checking in to see a crying child might distress you but your nanny might be out of view because they’re already heating the milk which will stop the tears. If you’re inclined to this kind of worst-case thinking, a multi-camera pack may alleviate it by letting you see more.
Nannies can also bristle to cameras at first so be open about your purpose in placing cameras so insult is minimized. You may be using live view only for fear of missing out (that parental bond must be understandable). If your system makes your nanny or helper feel uncomfortable, be clear about how recorded clips might well exonerate a nanny in an incident, and about how the video is secure, kept only briefly, and not shared except in an incident.
These are our best nanny camera recommendations.
1. Blink Mini
Best budget indoor wi-fi nanny cam
Video: 1920 x 1080px | Display: Via smartphone | Power: Mains (USB) | Night vision: Yes | Size: 50 x 49 x 36mm | Weight: 48g | Storage: Cloud (subscription)
Live or cloud-stored video
Good range of mounts
Good value
Needs power
The Blink Mini makes a great nanny cam thanks to its compact size and unobtrusive aesthetic. Atop that the camera offers a good quality HD camera which works night and day and the unit houses a tiny speaker so you can communicate via two-way-talk. Obviously this isn’t a camera for hiding completely, though you can disable the record light via the app; the small size plays better into the theory that people behave better when they know they’re being watched. You can record clips to a Blink subscription plan ($3/£2.50 a month), or to a USB stick via an optional Blink Add-On Sync Module if you prefer; it’s a good choice to have.
It doesn’t hurt one bit that Blink (an Amazon company) seem to have priced the camera aggressively and offer great package deals as well as comprehensive Alexa integrations.
2. Owlet Dream Duo 2
The ultimate high-end baby monitor
Video: 1920 x 1080px | Display: Via smartphone | Power: Cord | Night vision: Yes | Size: 61 x 61 x 99 mm | Weight: 810g | Storage: Cloud (subscription)
Reassurance for all parents of babies
Magnetic base makes positioning easy
Choose notifications for crying, sound, motion and room comfort
Extensive data for geek-parents
Two-way-talk
Value-for-money factor low
2.4GHz wi-fi only
Notifications can be overwhelming
Owlet warns its smart socks are not ‘a medical product’
The Owlet is a smart cam built for babies. The mount works well on the wall above a cot, from where your camera’s 130˚ field-of-view offers a view of the baby. Night vision means the baby’s sleep won’t be disrupted, and temperature and humidity sensors can provide assurance that the environment is perfect.
As the ‘Owlet Dream Duo 2’, the camera is only part of the package. Fabric socks (which fit babies from birth to 18 months) track heart rate and blood oxygen level. This, combined with the microphone in the camera, can build up sleep trend data all shared by the same app from which the 1080P feed can be watched. This is used by proprietory ‘predictive sleep technology’ which will suggest when – and for how long – your baby will sleep. (The baby, of ocurse, might have other ideas.)
The elegant software also has 4x digital zoom and share functions so if you happen to catch a cute moment while keeping a remote eye on your baby you can post it. There are no subscription costs.
2. Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)
The best use-it-anywhere nanny cam
Video: 1920 x 1080px | Display: Via smartphone | Power: Battery | Night vision: Yes | Size: 83 x 83 x 83mm | Weight: 398g | Storage: Cloud (subscription)
Smart alerts delivered faster
Keeps working in power and connection failures
Magnetic mount
Distinctly pricey
Nest Cam indoor might be more suitable
Using Google’s Nest Cam as you choice of nanny cam has a lot of advantages, not least the camera’s built-in smarts. Many cameras off some form of intelligent alert, but it used to involve processing at remote servers, and was a feature included in the subscription); but putting AI processing on-board the new Nest Cam might not be the cheapest but it’s appreciably quicker with smart alerts (i.e. it won’t warn you about a pet).
There is still the option to invest in cloud storage of clips to review events, though the cameras do offer live view and two-way-chat, and can be picked up and placed anywhere in or out of the home. A wi-fi drop-out is no longer a concern either; on-board storage will keep recording up to an hour’s worth of new clips (potentially quite a while since clips are only recorded during activity).
3. Eufy Solo IndoorCam P24
A great nanny cam for a big room
Video: 2K | Display: Via smartphone | Power: Connected | Night vision: Yes | Size: 166 x 89 x 88mm | Weight: 299g | Storage: micro SD
360-degree panning
Detects Crying
Tracks motion
Doesn’t work with Eufy Homebase
2.4GHz wi-fi
The Eufy Solo makes a great nanny cam because it can be placed in a central location in the home and it will either automatically track people as the move, or you can remotely pan it as you choose. Better still, the alerts system is sound-aware, and can be set to detect crying (or, strictly, excessive noise – but the two are often the same thing) so it’s not only a motion-sensitive device.
You do need to be able to provide a 2.4GHz wi-fi signal, but you won’t be subject to a monthly subscription and video will be stored for you on the camera – up to 128GB worth if you place a large enough microSD card inside.
4: Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
A nanny cam you can move around the house easily
Video: 1920 x 1080p | Display: Via smartphone | Power: Connected | Night vision: Yes | Size: 60 x 60 x 97mm | Weight: 299g | Storage: Cloud subscription
Easily portable
Removable battery
Alexa integrations
Doesn’t work with Eufy Homebase
2.4GHz wi-fi
The Stick Up Cam Battery’s nanny cam credentials are similar to other wi-fi cameras – the device allows straightforward connection to a smartphone app for live-view and subscription recording – bolstered by a range of positioning possibilities. The camera is powered by a removable rechargeable battery (indeed if you already use Ring’s doorbells it is interchangeable).
While it isn’t cheap, the third-generation Stick Up Cam can be easily moved around the home and we liked that the included stand makes it easier to place on furniture than the pricier Google battery camera. The Ring software provides live view and two-way-chat as standard, though recording clips will require a cloud subscription.
5. Wyze Cam v3
Affordable nanny cam with recording options
Video: 1920 x 1080p | Display: Via smartphone | Power: Connected | Night vision: Yes, Color | Size: 60 x 60 x 97mm | Weight: 99g | Storage: Cloud or microSD
Subscription and built-in card recording
IP65 weatherproofing
Motion, person and sound detection
No Apple HomeKit support
The Wyze v3’s wide ƒ/1.6 image sensor can capture more light than many of its competitors, reflected in the provision of color night vision. It makes a great nanny cam in large part because of its accessible pricing. Despite the price, there is still two-way-talk and even a built-in siren.
Setup is made straightforward by Wyze’s app, but digging a little deeper and support for IFTTT applets (as well as the usual Alexa integrations) offer a little more interest for tech enthusiasts.
The provision of a microSD slot to record to for free, plus Wyze’s free 14-day event storage is unusually generous, while the upgrade to a paid subscription service (required to enable the intelligent motion detection) isn’t disturbingly pricey either.
Atop all the features, the device is even weatherproof (it’ll cope with rain, if not a dunking), so can be positioned under the eaves outdoors if you choose.
6. Fuvision Picture Frame
Wi-fi spy-camera picture frame
Video: 1080 x 720px | Display: Via smartphone (Yi Eye) | Power: Rechargeable battery | Night vision: Yes | Size: 249 x 203 x 18mm | Weight: 500g | Storage: microSD
Camera well hidden
Wi-fi live view available
Cordless design
Does not support 5GHz wi-fi
App could be better
If you’re looking for a hidden nanny cam that can go in public areas of the home (or to keep an eye on ones you don’t expect to be intruded upon), then this picture frame is ideal. A motion-sensitive camera, powered by a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery, can be left and forgotten about, while the inclusion of a night vision mode is appreciated.
On the downside, the instructions and software could be a little clearer and (because the electronics are well concealed) charging the battery or getting the microSD out do mean taking the back off. The lack of support for 5GHz wi-fi is also a disappointment, though clips are recorded to the microSD card too.
Nonetheless, if you have the right wi-fi available, the option of instant motion alerts, live view and recorded video do set this apart from other picture frame cameras. It’s something to do with a 5 x 7-inch photo!
How we test the best nanny camera
At DCW, we test and review all different types of cameras, including conventional cameras for photography and video, as well as more specialized cameras such as baby monitors. In the latter case, we look at specific camera features, such as battery life, connectivity, night vision, and price, in order to assess how well the camera fulfills its function, and whether it offers good value for money.
Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World.
You might also find our expert guides to the best indoor security cameras and best pet cameras helpful.
