Best pet camera in 2022: talk and play with your dog or cat remotely
The best pet cameras mean you can leave home without worrying about your cat or dog. They allow you to check up on them remotely, and some of them even can even toss treats from afar at the touch of a button.
Any new pet owner will understand the difficulty of leaving their furry pal at home alone, and a pet camera will go some way to alleviate the worry. But given the number of options out there, how do you choose the right model? There are a number of factors to consider, and we've picked the best cameras below.
The best pet camera: what to look for
Like the best indoor security cameras and the best baby camera monitors, the best pet camera will essentially keep an eye on your precious things – in this case, your pets. As with any type of camera, the resolution is important. You probably don't need 4K or cinematic quality, but Full HD 1080p will make a big difference. (If you're on a budget, 720p HD will do the job, but we'd advise against going lower.)
There are other features to think about. Do you want a camera that can move? Do you want it to be able to record high-quality audio? Do you need cloud storage for all your images and videos? Do you want a camera that can toss treats at the press of a button? Some cameras have smart features that will give you push notifications if your pet starts barking, which can be helpful if you're in the process of leaving them at home alone.
With all this in mind, here are the best pet cameras on the market right now, based on video resolution, features, build quality, and price.
The best pet camera in 2022
1. Furbo 360° Dog Camera
The best pet camera for dog owners has a 360-degree view
Size: 5.24 x 4.92 x 9.17 inches | Weight: 2.42 lbs | Resolution: 1080p Full HD | Lens: 360-degree wide-angle view with 4x digital zoom and night vision | Features: Treat dispenser, bark notifications, Alexa control
Feature-packed
1080p video
Attractive design
Expensive
Quite large
The best pet camera for dogs right now is the Furbo 360° Dog Camera, which is an improvement on the original Furbo and packed full of features. It still has a full 1080p Full HD camera with night vision and two-way audio (so you and your pet and both hear each other), plus a system that alerts you via a smartphone notification when it hears barking.
You can also use the smartphone app (available for iOS and Android) to throw treats at your pet, and the all-new Treat Toss allows you to adjust the size of treats size to suit your dog's needs (the OG Furbo had space to store 100, up to 1cm in size).
Key to this product is the 360-degree rotating view, which offers full room coverage should your dog be roaming around – and let's be honest, that's what they do. The Furbo is larger than some alternatives, but thanks to the white and bamboo design it blends into the decor of homes quite nicely. Plus, the size can be helpful if you’re positioning directly on the floor.
2. Petcube Bites 2
The best pet camera for dispensing treats
Size: 14.5 x 7.6 x 26.7 cm | Weight: 2.8kg | Resolution: 1080p Full HD | Lens: 160-degree wide angle with 4x digital zoom | Features: Alexa control, night vision, free cloud storage, treat dispenser, automated treat ordering | Two-way audio: Yes
Can be used as a training aid
Cloud video storage
2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi for high compatibility
Quite large
Several features require subscription
This aluminum pet camera by Petcube is pretty large, but its size means it can store a lot of treats. The system even brings choice (via the app) in terms of the distance treats are thrown. There is also a scheduling feature to throw treats at set times during the day. And it can even re-order treats with Amazon Dash Replenishment service when they run low.
This pet camera sports a four-microphone array and speaker bar, improving audio quality and making for more reliable bark and meow detection as well as two-way “chats” with pets. It can be set up to do the same with your vet.
When it comes to visuals, it offers a 1080p Full HD resolution, a wide 160-degree lens, and there is night vision too, so you can still see your pet once it gets dark. Wall-mounted or sat on a low table, the Petcube Bites records video to the cloud and can be controlled by speaking to Alexa.
3. Petcube Bites 2 Lite
A more affordable treat tossing Petcube, but it still has smarts
Size: 14.5 x 7.3 x 26.8 cm | Weight: 1.33kg | Resolution: 1080p Full HD | Lens: 160-degree wide angle with 4x digital zoom | Features: Alexa control, night vision, treat dispenser, real-time alerts | Two-way audio: Yes
Cheap
Compact
Only one mic
No built-in Alexa
If you like the sound of the Petcube Bites 2, number two on our list, but want to save cash, the Petcube Bites 2 Lite is cheaper but actually very similar. The main difference is that the former has Alexa built-in, and four microphones, while the latter only has one. The Bites 2 has a sturdier and more durable build, too, being made of aluminum and plastic, while the Lite is all plastic.
On the plus side, the Petcube Bites 2 Lite still offers the same 1080p resolution, 160° wide‑angle view, ability to toss treats, night vision, real-time sound and motion detection, and 4x digital zoom as its pricier cousin, but at a much lower price. So if you're not bothered about built-in Alexa, and are willing to compromise on audio quality, you can save a huge wad of money with the Petcube Bites 2 Lite.
4. Skymee Dog Camera Treat Dispenser
A great all-round pet camera the whole family can use
Size: 14.3 x 14.3 x 23.9 cm | Weight: 1.66kg | Resolution: 1080p Full HD | Lens: 120-degree wide angle with 4x digital zoom | Features: Alexa control, night vision, treat dispenser | Two-way audio: Yes
1080p video
Good app functionality
No cloud storage
2.4G Wi-Fi only
The Skymee Dog Camera is a good one for covering all your bases: with night vision, two-way audio, a treat dispenser and Alexa control on offer, it has pretty much everything a pet owner could want.
Mobile control works well on both iPhone and Android devices, and you can have up to eight devices logged in, meaning the whole family can get in on the action. It also makes it easy to share images and videos to social media.
The camera provides 1080p video and a useful 4x digital zoom. It connects via Wi-Fi, though bear in mind it only works with a 2.4G Wi-Fi connection, not 5G. Still, being able to toss treats to your pet with wild abandon is a great way to keep them entertained, all the while offering encouragement via the two-way audio connection.
5. Neos SmartCam
Cheap security camera that can double as a pet cam
Size: 5 x 5 x 5.6cm | Weight: 100g | Resolution: 1080p HD | Lens: 110-degree with 8x digital zoom | Features: Very compact design, Alexa control, IR night vision | Two-way audio: Yes
Very cheap and compact
Full HD with night vision
Alexa integration
No treat dispenser
IFTTT integration not available yet
If you're on a budget, you can save some cash by not actually buying a dedicated pet camera, because a simple indoor security camera can also work well. As long as you don't need advanced features like dispensing treats or playing with your pet, and just want to check up on your pet remotely, this very affordable smartcam from Neos will still do a great job.
Despite the low price, it has a 1080p Full HD image sensor with 110-degree lens, night vision, two-way audio, and it works with Amazon Alexa. Videos can be recorded continuously and are stored online for free for 14 days, so you can log on and see that your pet has been up to in the past, or watch a live video feed on your phone. The base is magnetic and the camera also comes with adhesive pads, so it can be fixed to any wall and at any height.
6. Wyze Cam Pan
Low-priced security camera with Alexa and panning function
Size: 6.1 x 6.1 x 12.7cm | Weight: 249g | Resolution: 1080p HD | Lens: 120 degree with 360 degree rotation | Features: Alexa and Google Assistant, can rotate 360 degrees, continuous video recording | Two-way audio: Yes
Low price
360-degree rotation
Alexa and Google Assistant
No pet-specific features
The Wyze Cam Pan is a low-priced home security wifi camera that you could use to keep an eye on your pet. The camera records in 1080p Full HD, can be controlled by speaking to Alexa or Google Assistant, and the camera can be panned, tilted and zoomed using the smartphone app.
The camera can spin through a full 360 degrees, so you should be able to see your pet no matter where they have gone, and there’s also night vision for watching them after dark, and two-way audio for interacting with them too. The camera pans quickly, spinning through a full 360 degrees in just under three seconds, and the lens captures 93 degrees of vertical range, too. Six infrared LEDs provide a clear image at night from up to 30 feet away.
As well as being controlled manually, the camera can be set to follow movement, so it will pan from one side to the other to keep your pet in the frame as they walk past.
A person detection system (powered by on-camera artificial intelligence) alerts you via the phone app and records video for 12 seconds, which is then stored to an SD card in the camera (up to 32GB). Video is also stored online, where it can be accessed for free for up to 14 days.
7. WoPet Smart Pet Camera
Talk to your pet and toss them treats, with this smart pet camera
Size: 29.21 x 16.79 x 16.61 cm | Weight: 1.42kg | Resolution: 1080p HD | Lens: 165 degree | Features: Alexa, night vision mode, 4x digital zoom, treat dispenser | Two-way audio: Yes
Strong picture quality
Good night vision
Gives treats
Not the cheapest
WOpet Smart Pet Camera is an interactive pet camera that ticks an awful lot of our boxes. With a 165-degree, wide angle lens, 4x digital zoom, and 1080p Full HD resolution, the picture quality from the camera is excellent. There's good night vision too, because pets don't necessary go to sleep when the lights go out.
You can use it to give treats, and talk to your pet using two-way audio. It's compatible with Alexa, and connects to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, too. This isn't the cheapest pet camera on the market, but overall it does a good job.
8. Petcube Pet Camera
An affordable option if you don't need a treat dispenser
Size: 60.6 x 54 x 81.78 mm | Lens: 110 degree | Connectivity: 2.4GHz WiFi, iOS 11.1 and higher, Android 7.1.2 and higher | Included: 2m USB cable, Petcube power adapter, magnetic foot, 3M tape, Quick start guide | Resolution: 1080p HD, 8x digital zoom | Audio: Two-way full-duplex sound | Night vision: Up to 30 ft
Simple and compact design
Easy to setup
Affordable option
App is still glitchy
Picture not amazing
Won't track pets
The Petcube Pet Camera is the company's simplest smart pet camera. Doing without a treat dispenser makes this model much smaller and more affordable than the Petcube Bites 2, but you still get two-way audio (a microphone and a speaker) so that you can talk to your pet and hear what they're up to.
The camera offers 1080p HD video, with a 110-degree wide-angle view, as well as night vision that is said to work up to 10 meters. Working alongside the free Petcube app, the camera connects to your home Wi-Fi so that you can view and monitor your pet while you're out. The app will also send you notifications when it detects your pet moving around or barking.
The simple design and feature set of the Petcube Cam is what sets it apart in price and size from its competitors. If you don't need the bells and whistles of the Furbo 360 or the Petcube Bites 2, it's a great model for occasional check-ins.
9. Nooie Pet Camera 2K
The best pet camera with vertical and horizontal rotation
Size: 17.1 x 9.3 x 9.2 cm | Lens: 355 degree | Connectivity: WiFi, Google and Alexa | Included: Power Adaptor, Power Cable, Wall Mount Plate, Screws & Anchor | Resolution: 2K, 8x digital zoom | Audio: Noise-cancelling mic and speaker | Night vision: Up to 32ft (10m)
Pan and tilt motion
Easy to setup
Affordable option
App isn't great
Picture not the best
No treat dispensing
The Nooie Pet Camera 2K has been created for pets and babies. Compact and sleek in design, this 2K camera will follow your pets around the room, automatically senses and tracks movements and can rotate 355° horizontally and 94° vertically. You can also pan and tilt easily with the Nooie App on a smartphone, although users do report this app being quick glitchy and unresponsive at times.
This is a very affordable pet camera compared to the premium options from Furbo and Petcube, but like them, you can talk to your pet with the built-in mic and speaker. It offers many of the same features for a fraction of the price, including night vision, and is the best pet camera on a budget.
