Best Home Security Cameras of 2025

Why SimpliSafe?

What’s the main reason you install a security camera? It’s to keep an eye on your property – inside and outside. But SimpliSafe’s Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera takes it a step further. When combined with the Core professional monitoring plan, SimpliSafe agents can remotely access the device to talk to an intruder and attempt to stop the crime.

But why wait until the intruder is inside the house? SimpliSafe also has outdoor cameras that can deter criminals from breaking in. A SimpliSafe agent will intervene, but they can also activate sirens and spotlights to make more of a spectacle. However, this feature requires a more expensive professional monitoring plan.

We wouldn’t say SimpliSafe has the most advanced security cameras on this list, but it’s the equipment we want protecting our home. It has got some decent features like AI detection to determine if it’s a human in your living room or your pet looking for a sunny spot to laze about in. The Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera also verifies alarms before contacting emergency services, which can lead to faster response times.

But just don’t expect the footage to be in crystal-clear 4K. The Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera only captures footage in 1536p HD. The outdoor cameras are in 1080p. It’s not like you’ll be watching pixelated footage, but it’s just not as crisp as the videos from other cameras on this list.

The reason why we want the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera in our house is the Intruder Intervention feature. It does require signing up to SimpliSafe’s Core professional monitoring plan, but the $31.99 per month fee is a small price to pay for this type of protection. Plus you get a 30-day video history for up to 10 cameras.

The SimpliSafe outdoor camera supports a similar feature called Active Guard. If a stranger approaches your house, SimpliSafe agents will intervene and try to get rid of them. However, Active Guard requires a pricier monitoring plan which starts at $49.99 per month. If that’s in your budget, great; if not, the $31.99 Core plan will do just fine.

Are Lorex Cameras Easy to Use?

We were impressed by the durability of our Lorex camera. Some models have heavy-duty metal steel casing and thick wiring that isn’t easy to cut – not that we tried. A criminal would need to make a lot of noise to destroy one during a home invasion. But despite the rugged exterior, Lorex cameras are easy to use and can even store videos locally.

Most Lorex cameras come with a DVR or NVR, and they can record non-stop. Once the recorder is full, they simply write over the oldest clips. We didn’t miss a thing with these Lorex cameras. We had to run cables from our cameras to the recorder though, which took half a day for our system of four Lorex cameras. But it’s all worth it; once they were all set up, we didn’t have to do anything else. We simply enjoyed the 4K resolution, facial recognition, and person detection working in the background to keep our house burglar-free.

One bestselling home-use Lorex camera is the 1080p HD Outdoor Wireless Security Camera. It’s an affordable but dependable camera, retailing for as low as $149. We think this camera really represents Lorex well.

The hardware is impressive. It has a 115-foot night vision range, meaning, it can see as far as 115 feet out in near-total darkness. It can record audio and video, it has a 1080p HD resolution, and the construction itself was solid and rugged. It wasn’t perfect – we would have liked to see a wider field of vision than its 118-degree lens and it doesn’t work in temperatures below zero. However, it’s a perfectly reliable and budget-friendly option, which is true for most Lorex cameras.

The 1080p HD Outdoor Wireless Security Camera is not your only option. Lorex has a deep catalog of security cameras to choose from, and you can mix and match them to build a system that suits your needs. There are even bulk options, with packages featuring up to eight cameras.

Why Ring Has the Best Security Camera Selection Overall

Ring offers four types of security cameras, three of which work outdoors. They are the:

• Ring Indoor Cam
• Ring Stick Up Cam
• Ring Spotlight Cam
• Ring Floodlight Cam

Four doesn’t sound like a lot of options, but there are sub-variants available. For example, for the Indoor Cam, there’s the base model and a model that can pan and tilt. For the Stick Up Cam, there’s a base and Pro model. The base model can either be wired, powered by a battery pack, or plugged into a solar panel. The Pro model has battery and solar options. The same is true for the Spotlight Cam and Floodlight Cam, each with Plus (base model) and Pro versions with different power options available.

You can use any of these Ring cameras out of the box to access live footage and receive real-time notifications. But we recommend signing up for a Ring Home plan. Ring plans start from just $4.99 per month and come with 180 days of video event history, person and package alerts, and discounted purchases from Ring.com. There are even paid add-ons for professional monitoring and virtual security guards.

The Spotlight Cam is Ring’s most versatile camera. As the name suggests, it has built-in spotlights, which you can program to turn on when it detects motion. A 110 decibel siren is also there. Those are great for deterring crime, except that you’d have to manually trigger the siren using the Ring app. We guess Ring doesn’t want our neighbors filing noise complaints in case there are any false alarms.

The spotlight and the siren were the Spotlight Cam’s primary crime-deterrents. It has more advanced features to help with monitoring. For example, it has 3D motion detection that uses radar to accurately track an intruder’s movement. It can also enable Bird’s Eye View – a simulated top-view of your property that plots the steps of anyone who sets foot on your property.

Not all Ring cameras are super-advanced, though. There are also ones that are more low-tech but very reliable and affordable. One example is the Ring Indoor Cam, Ring’s most affordable security camera to date. The Ring Indoor Cam is comparable to our top-pick, the SimpliCam. It plugs into an outlet, streams and records videos, and detects motion. And at just over $50, it’s an affordable option for those who prefer Ring’s catalog of Wi-Fi cameras.

Why ADT Cameras are Best if You’re Looking for a Complete Home Security System

As you probably know, ADT offers more than just security cameras. In fact, you can only buy ADT security cameras as a part of the ADT home security system. That makes a lot of sense, though. Its alarm monitoring is easily one of ADT’s best traits. By pairing its cameras with a monitored security system, you get a cohesive system that detects, alerts you of, and deters crime.

One of ADT’s premium monitoring features that we tested to work well with its cameras is called video verification. While the monitoring center doesn’t monitor cameras, monitoring agents can verify alerts from ADT sensors using live camera footage. Verified alerts are often prioritized by police and emergency responders. That’s one example of how ADT cameras work with ADT systems, and why we recommend ADT if you’re looking for a well-rounded security system.

ADT has an impressive selection of ADT-branded security cameras. These devices are built to last as they are waterproof and dustproof. In fact, ADT’s security cameras will continue to film no matter how hot or cold the weather gets. The video quality isn’t as good as some of the other cameras on this list, and it’s missing a few features, but at least you won’t have to worry about your equipment shutting down during the cold winters.

However, we prefer ADT’s newer security camera offering. The cameras are from Google Nest; you’ll meet them later on because they also made this list. The difference if you buy them from ADT though is that you’ll get professional installation, which is required for most ADT security systems (except for the ADT Self Setup system).

ADT’s greatest selling point is that it’s not just a security camera system. It’s a complete home security system, and a monitored one at that. ADT’s sensors can help detect other dangers that security cameras might not be able to.

On top of that, ADT’s monitoring service is top-notch. It’s one of the reasons we gave ADT a high overall rating. And because video monitoring automatically activates if you connect cameras to your ADT, you’ll be able to integrate video security seamlessly with your home security system.

How Affordable Were the Wyze Cameras?

Wyze is our budget pick, and it’s easy to see why. The cheapest camera from Wyze costs $30, and that’s an indoor/outdoor camera. If you add in functionality like pan-and-tilt, the cost rises to about $40. Those prices outpace the most affordable indoor cameras, let alone outdoor cameras.

Wyze is more impressive if we consider the fact that it’s loaded with advanced features, like motion detection zones, Alexa and Google Home compatibility, and the ability to detect specific audio frequencies. The last one makes the cameras capable of alerting you when it hears the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Wyze started venturing into the home security system industry with its Wyze Home Monitoring System. So it’s not just a security camera brand now. If you need sensors like motion sensors and entry sensors, Wyze can provide those too.

Even though it’s a budget security brand, Wyze has a lot of high-tech cameras. You can get indoor and outdoor cameras that pan and tilt mechanically. There are even options with spotlights or floodlights to blind intruders and scare them off. Even with these features, Wyze’s security cameras are still some of the most affordable equipment available.

One example is the Wyze Cam Floodlight, which as the name implies, comes with built-in floodlights. It’s nothing to sneeze at; the floodlights are 2,600 lumens bright but dimmable, it comes with a 105 dB siren, it has a 270-degree motion detection range, and it has all the smart features of the Wyze Cam v3 like person and pet detection. In terms of price, though, it costs half of most floodlight cameras. The Ring Floodlight Cam costs $200 and up, while the Wyze Cam Floodlight costs only $93.99.

How Arlo Has the Best Security Video And Storage

The standard for high-definition security video is 1080p resolution. Arlo pushed the envelope with 4K ultra-high-definition on the weatherproof Ultra security camera, which costs $299. During our evaluations, the Arlo doorbell cameras, indoor cameras, and outdoor cameras automatically lowered their resolution if they detected low bandwidth.

Arlo loaded each camera with special features such as two-way voice, a siren with remote control, and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Multiple setup options made Arlo cameras famous, too; cameras plugged in or operated wire-free, and magnetic mounts made setup hassle-free. The video was saved locally on a USB or to the cloud, free for seven days. Arlo cameras work best when grouped together to create an integrated network of security cameras.

While the Arlo Ultra offers the most impressive video resolution in Arlo’s lineup, there are more affordable options. Those options offer lower video resolutions – 1080p and 2K – which is perfect since not all homes are well-equipped to support 4K. With Arlo, you can mix and match cameras with different video resolutions depending on your needs.

The Arlo Pro 4 stood out to us. It’s a wireless indoor and outdoor camera that runs on batteries. We thought it improved on the Arlo Pro 3, which we’ve also reviewed.

The Arlo Pro 4 features a 2K HD resolution; slightly lower than the Ultra, but still above industry average. While it costs less than half the latest Arlo Ultra, it provides similar features such as an integrated spotlight and color night vision. It’s also quite rugged for a security camera as sleek-looking; it’s resistant to rain and sun (it has UV protection, too), and it can operate in temperatures as low as minus four degrees Fahrenheit.

Why Nest Is Best for Google Home Security Cams

While our Ring paired naturally with Amazon Alexa, Nest was best with Google Assistant and other Google Home products. Nest cams work intuitively with Google Home speakers. For example, we could say, “Hey Google, play the backyard camera on the kitchen Chromecast,” and it would perform the task.

The Nest Cam options include the plugged-in indoor model, the battery-powered weatherproof model, and the floodlight-equipped model. There are also wired and wireless video doorbell options. All these cameras share the same core features, including motion detection, person detection, and activity zones. Each can also be added to a Nest Aware subscription, which enables cloud recording plus up to 10 days of continuous recording at the highest tier. But even without Nest Aware, we still enjoyed mobile notifications from the cameras and three hours of event history with snapshots. That being said, we chose to keep our Nest Aware subscription because of facial recognition.

All Nest Cam models come with facial recognition technology, which Google calls Familiar Face Alerts. But you’ll need a Nest Aware subscription to access the feature. It’s worth it, as it can improve your home security and reduce the number of times you get up to answer the door to someone you’re avoiding.

The Nest Cam starts by cataloging all the faces it sees, and then, it relies on you to put a name to those faces using the accompanying app. Nest’s AI is powered by Google, so you know that recognizing faces is no hard task for the camera.

Now, once it has a database of Familiar Faces (don’t worry, your camera’s Familiar Faces stays on your account and won’t be used in facial recognition of other Nest users), you’ll be able to really configure your notifications. For instance, you can tell Nest to notify you if this particular person is seen, let’s say your kid, so you know they got home safe from school. It’s that kind of personalization that makes Nest an incredible partner in home security.

Why Blink Is Easiest to Use

Blink sells easy-to-use wireless cameras for indoor and outdoor use. These are low-priced at $35 and up, yet excellent quality. Special features on Blink cameras include one-way or two-way audio, a motion sensor, customizable motion zones, a temperature sensor, and the option to use Amazon Alexa for arming and disarming by voice.

The Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor, which are both battery-powered cameras, feature a PIR motion sensor. Although it doesn’t sound as impressive as person detection or facial recognition, the PIR sensor is the perfect sensor for these cameras.

PIR motion sensors read heat signatures and are only triggered when the moving object produces body heat. That’s another way of saying that it’s only triggered by living things. It reduces false alarms, not to mention, saves a ton of battery power compared to motion detection facilitated by the camera’s computer vision itself.

Blink provides affordable cloud storage with pricing similar to that of Ring ($3 per month for one camera and $10 for all cameras). You can also access local recording without monthly fees with a Sync Module 2 hub and a USB flash drive.

Why Swann Was Best for Local Video Storage

Swann sells high-quality indoor/outdoor cameras and video doorbells for do-it-yourself monitoring only. Swann cameras feature impressive color night vision, heat sensing, two-way talk, floodlights, competitive pricing, long-range even at night, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Local storage and cloud storage is available for Swann security cams. With free local memory, owners can save each clip for seven days. Camera ownership also includes two days of free cloud storage per clip.

The Floodlight Security Camera, costing $179, shows off lots of Swann technology. The 1080p camera has a 125-degree lens, color night vision, a heat sensor, two-way talk, a siren, and a motion-triggered floodlight with dimmer. It clearly records nighttime action up to 100 feet away, and with its max floodlight brightness of 2500 lumens, criminals will have trouble finding cover!

Why the eufy 2K is Best for Apple HomeKit

Although we use Siri for everything on our iPhones, a security camera rarely works with Apple’s voice assistant…that is, until the eufy 2K indoor camera. It works with Siri, so we were able to view the live feed on our phones by asking our trusted voice assistant, in addition to Alexa and Google Assistant. Siri also provides end-to-end encryption for footage along with a whopping ten days of extra cloud storage through HomeKit Secure Video. As iPhone or iPad users, we loved using Siri with the eufy 2K camera.

The eufy 2K is a very affordable indoor camera, at only $40. Typically, we shell out over $100 for similar devices. We set it up in our living room, and because we had pet detection turned off, we didn’t get notified every time our kitten played with its ball of yarn. Instead, we only got notifications about people. All our footage was recorded directly to our 128 GB micro-SD card in 2K resolution.

With the Eufy Security app, we easily checked in at home from anywhere with Internet access, arming and disarming our camera remotely (or creating an automated schedule). We could count on getting notifications when any people came near our home, which thankfully didn’t include any intruders.

Why Zmodo Had the Best Security Camera Selection

Zmodo sells a wide selection of smart doorbell cameras, indoor-only cameras, and weatherproof surveillance cameras for DIY monitoring. We chose these cameras to serve as crime deterrents, but we had friends who used the Zmodo video cams for keeping an eye on their dependents. Some Zmodo cameras are hardwired, and others are wire-free.

A four-pack of Zmodo Mini Cams costs just $99.99. These indoor cameras have night vision, two-way audio, Alexa compatibility, and optional continuous recording in 720p HD. With free service, we were able to review alert clips from the previous 36 hours. Longer-term cloud storage required a $9.99 per month payment.

Another cheap but effective option is the $39.99 Zmodo 1080p Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera. Along with HD color vision in daylight, it creates crisp low-light recordings with up to 65-feet depth of field. The option to set motion detection zones helps limit false alerts.

Zmodo security equipment carries an impressive three-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Why the ecobee SmartCamera is the Best for Person Detection

A lot of cameras have person detection, which differentiates between different types of movement from people, animals, cars, and inanimate objects. However, the ecobee SmartCamera takes things a step further. Not only does it detect people, but with a panning function, it’ll actually follow them around, keeping them in the center of the frame. This feature, Smart Focus, isn’t something we’ve seen from any other security camera, so with its 180-degree field of view, you’re sure not to miss anything that goes on at your home.