Home Security Cameras: A U.S. News Guide
U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.
Popular DIY Home Security Systems
One of the best things you can do for peace of mind while you're away from home is to install home security cameras. Not only can you keep an eye on your property and pets, but studies show that security cameras can deter burglars. Plus, if something does happen, you'll have video evidence for the police and/or your homeowners insurance or renters insurance company.
However, security cameras can be confusing. Home security companies add new features to their cameras regularly, and it can be hard to tell which features you really need and which you can skip. How high should a security camera's resolution be? Do you need features like person detection, which can differentiate people from animals, and two-way talk, which allows you to talk to the person on-camera? How do you protect your security cameras from being hacked?
This page and the guides it links to will walk you through all of these issues. We'll explain what to look for in a home security camera, how much they cost, what benefits they have, and how to secure them from hackers. We'll also discuss the Best Security Cameras of 2021 to help you find the ones that are best for your needs. For whole-home security, it's best to get a complete home security system. But if you're just looking for home security cameras, read on.
(Arlo)
We've listed the top nine home security cameras below. Follow the links in the companies' names to read our full reviews. You can also read more about the best home security cameras here.
The Best Home Security Cameras of 2021
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Company | Price | Trial Period | Wireless | Learn More |
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| Arlo Pro 3 » 4.1 out of 5 | $499.99 | 30 Days | View Options » | |
| Arlo Ultra » 4.1 out of 5 | $399.99 | 30 Days | View Options » | |
| Ring Indoor Cam » 4.0 out of 5 | $59.99 | 30 Days | View Options » | |
| Nest Cam Indoor » 4.0 out of 5 | $199.00 | 30 Days | View Options » | |
| Nest Cam Outdoor » 4.0 out of 5 | $199.00 | 30 Days | View Options » |
- Arlo Pro 3: The Arlo Pro 3 can record and stream in 2K video quality with high-dynamic range (HDR) imaging, which shows highlights and shadows better. It has a spotlight, color night vision, a zoom and track feature, 12 times magnification digital zoom, a wide field of view, and two-way audio. Video storage costs extra.
- Arlo Ultra: The Arlo Ultra records in 4K video quality and HDR (with an Arlo Smart subscription), and you can easily zoom in on key details with the 12 time magnification zoom feature. Its field of view is the widest currently available at 180 degrees, and it has motion-triggered recording. An integrated spotlight helps provide color to the camera’s infrared night vision. Dual microphones and noise cancellation provide clear two-way audio. Mounting options are flexible and the rechargeable battery should last three to six months.
- Ring Indoor Cam: Ring’s Indoor Cam is a compact security camera meant for indoor use only and must be plugged into a wall outlet. It's small and relatively inexpensive at $59.99. It features up to 1080p full HD video, night vision, a 140-degree diagonal field of view, motion-activated recording, and two-way talk.
- Nest Cam Indoor: At $129.99, this is the least expensive camera from Nest. It has a magnetic base and is smaller and lighter than the Nest Cam Indoor IQ. However, it has a lower-resolution 3-megapixel sensor and only an 8 time magnification digital zoom. It also features Person Detection with a Nest Aware subscription.
- Nest Cam Outdoor: The Nest Cam Outdoor ($199) has many of the same specifications as the indoor camera. However, it's weather-resistant and can withstand dust, rain, snow, and temperatures between minus 4 degrees and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. It also comes with a magnetic mount or magnetic wall plate for easy installation. In addition, it features 25 feet of weather-resistant cable and an outdoor power adapter, making it the only Nest camera that can be used entirely outside. (The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor has to be plugged in inside). It doesn’t have Familiar Face Alerts, although you can enable Person Detection with a Nest Aware subscription.
- Arlo Pro 2: The battery-powered Pro 2 comes with seven days of cloud storage for free, streams HD video, and has a fairly wide 130-degree field of view and good quality two-way audio. There's motion-activated recording, and a geofencing feature allows you to set the camera to record automatically when you're away. There's also an optional solar panel and indoor-rated power cord, and Arlo says the batteries should last four to six months before needing to be recharged.
- Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In: Ring’s Stick Up Camera ($99.99) is a security camera that works both indoors and outdoors. Motion detection, night vision, two-way audio, and up to 1080p full HD video with a 130-degree field of view round out the feature package of this outdoor camera. You can place the Stick Up Cam on a table or shelf, mount it to a wall, and place it inside or outside.
- Nest Cam IQ Outdoor: The most expensive Nest Cam, the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, costs $399 and has a lot of upgrades over the regular Nest Cam Outdoor. For example, this outdoor camera can withstand lower temperatures (down to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit), includes a hex key to make it more vandal-proof, has an 8-megapixel sensor that produces 4K video with HDR imaging. Like the Nest Cam IQ Indoor, it has three microphones instead of two, which means clearer two-way talk. The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor comes with Person Detection for free. If you pay for Nest Aware, you get Familiar Face Alerts, which can learn people's faces and alert you when the camera sees someone you know. The Nest Cam IQ outdoor can also use sound detection to listen for specific sounds.
- Nest Cam IQ Indoor: The Nest Cam IQ Indoor ($299) has several hardware upgrades over the standard Nest Cam Indoor camera. In particular, the IQ version offers a 3-megapixel sensor for 4K video, a 12 times magnification digital zoom, and three separate microphones for enhanced two-way talk. The Person Detection feature is free with the Nest Cam IQ. If you pay for Nest Aware, you get Familiar Face Alerts. The IQ Indoor camera can listen for specific sounds and has Google Assistant built in.
Popular Home Security Systems
Best Pro-Installed
- 360 Overall Rating
4.0 out of 5
- Base Price
- $599
- Monthly Fees
- $29.99 and up
- Plan Lock
- No
- Installation
- Professional
Best Overall (tie)
- 360 Overall Rating
4.1 out of 5
- Base Price
- $229 and up
- Monthly Fees
- $14.99 and up
- Plan Lock
- No
- Installation
- DIY
- 360 Overall Rating
3.6 out of 5
- Base Price
- No upfront cost.
- Monthly Fees
- $28.99 and Up
- Plan Lock
- 36-Month Contract
- Installation
- Professional
To purchase a home security camera, follow these steps:
- Decide what parts of your home you want to protect. Make sure to cover all the places a burglar could enter your home, as well as the main areas that an intruder would have to walk through.
- Choose your power source. Wireless cameras need nearby outlets or batteries to operate. Wired cameras may require drilling through walls to run the wires.
- Determine your budget. Prices for a single camera in our ratings range from $59 up to $399. If you need multiple cameras, the purchase cost and video storage fees can add up quickly.
- Pick the right features. Choose features that meet your specific needs, such as the ability to differentiate people from animals, monitor specific activity zones, see in the dark with night vision, or record video continuously. On the other hand, don't pay for features you won't use.
- Consider your privacy. Look for privacy and security features such as two-factor authentication, which sends you a text or email with a special code after you type in your password to guard against hacking.
Price Comparison
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Company | Price | Trial Period | Pro Install | Learn More |
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| Arlo Pro 3 » | $499.99 | 30 Days | View Options » | |
| Arlo Ultra » | $399.99 | 30 Days | View Options » | |
| Ring Indoor Cam » | $59.99 | 30 Days | View Options » | |
| Nest Cam Indoor » | $199.00 | 30 Days | View Options » | |
| Nest Cam Outdoor » | $199.00 | 30 Days | View Options » |
For more information, see our guide on How to Buy Home Security Cameras.
A home security camera records video footage of your home and property that you can view on a smartphone, tablet, or computer from anywhere using an internet connection. Many home security cameras record when they detect motion as opposed to recording continuously, and they can send an alert to your mobile device when they have been activated. A good home security camera will have enough resolution (at least 1080p or HD video) to see essential details, the ability to detect motion, night vision for seeing in the dark, microphones that provide two-way audio, and a wide enough field of view to cover the parts of your home that need protecting.
Notifications, Connectivity, and Storage
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Company | Notifications | Connectivity | Storage |
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| Arlo Pro 3 » | Push | Wi-Fi | Cloud, Local |
| Arlo Ultra » | Push | Wi-Fi | Cloud, Local |
| Ring Indoor Cam » | Push | Wi-Fi | Cloud |
| Nest Cam Indoor » | Push, E-mail | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Cloud, with Nest Aware subscription |
| Nest Cam Outdoor » | Push, E-mail | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Cloud |
For more information, see How do Home Security Cameras Work?
According to research by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, security cameras were the most effective deterrents to break-ins. In fact, half of the former burglars interviewed said they would find another target if they spotted a security camera. And although many burglars wear masks to prevent being identified on video, a recording of a break-in can help expedite insurance claims.
Home security cameras can give you peace of mind in other ways, too. For example, they can help you keep tabs on a child or pet or speak to someone in your home (via the two-way talk feature) when you're away or in another part of the house. And a video doorbell can tell you when your child comes home from school or a package arrives. However, security cameras aren't a panacea. Jordan Frankel, vice president of security consulting firm Global Security Experts Inc., notes that burglars are aware that many homes have security cameras and will cover their faces when they break in. So although you'll have a record of the crime, it's unlikely that you'll be able to identify the perpetrator.
Functionality Specifications
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Company | Field of View / Resolution | Two-Way Audio | Night Vision | Built-In Alarm |
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| Arlo Pro 3 » | 160 Degrees/2k | |||
| Arlo Ultra » | 180 Degrees/4K | |||
| Ring Indoor Cam » | 140 Degrees/1080p | |||
| Nest Cam Indoor » | 130 Degrees/1080p | |||
| Nest Cam Outdoor » | 130 Degrees/1080p |
For more information, see the Why Get Security Cameras?
Home security cameras come in two primary varieties: indoor and outdoor. An outdoor security camera is weather-resistant, though some are designed to be used both indoors and out. Both indoor and outdoor security cameras can be either wired or wireless and powered by batteries or a wall outlet. In addition, floodlight cameras have lights on them that come on when the camera starts recording to scare away intruders. Finally, doorbell cameras keep an eye on your front door so you can see who's visiting or whether a package has been dropped off. Whatever types of cameras you get, be sure to cover the first floor of your home; according to a report by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, 81% of burglars enter through the first floor.
For more information, see Types of Home Security Cameras.
A wireless security camera, otherwise known as a Wi-Fi camera, uses cloud storage; that is, it uses Wi-Fi to transmit surveillance footage to a cloud-based server over the internet. This allows you to view the footage on any internet-connected device. Some wireless cameras can also connect to a smart home system like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. In addition, many wireless cameras have advanced features like the ability to distinguish people from animals or whether someone walks back and forth in front of your home multiple times, says Jeff Welch, a former corrections officer and founder of Grab The Axe Security Consulting LLC.
By contrast, wired home security cameras don't use Wi-Fi. Instead, they're physically wired to a video recording device in your home and typically don't integrate with smart home systems. Wired cameras are harder to hack and often get a more reliable signal because they don't depend on Wi-Fi. However, they tend to have fewer advanced features and are often harder to install because you have to run wires to power outlets, which could involve drilling through exterior walls.
For more information, see Wired vs. Wireless Home Security Cameras.
If your cameras are connected to the internet, like all other internet-connected devices, they're potentially vulnerable to hackers. If someone gains control of your cameras, they can invade your privacy, monitor your every move, and learn much more about you than you'd like them to. Fortunately, there are relatively easy ways to protect your security cameras from hacking. These include choosing a router with strong data encryption, setting strong passwords for your cameras and router, using two-factor authentication, and keeping your cameras' firmware up to date.
For more information, see How to Keep Your Home Security Cameras Safe.
Learn More
For more information about home security cameras, see the following guides.
We explain what matters most to consumers, experts, and professional reviewers when it comes to home security cameras. Then we provide an unbiased evaluation of the cameras available at the time of review. Our goal is to empower consumers with the information and tools they need to make informed decisions. More information about our 360 Reviews methodology for evaluating home security cameras is here.
U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.