This year is all about smart cameras taking the lead in home security.
Consumers are abandoning wired security camera systems for smart home security technology.
Two of the reasons they are so popular is because smart security cameras are less expensive to operate and they also offer homeowners convenience.
The new wave of smart surveillance camera systems gives the contemporary family who relies on smart home devices through a Wi-Fi connection an alternative solution to home security that matches their lifestyle.
But with the abundance of brands on the market, how do you know which ones offer the best home security cameras?
So you don't have to rack your brain, we've done the research for you.
Here are the best home security cameras of 2021.
Questions You Need to Answer Before You Buy Security Cameras
Before purchasing a home security camera, here are the main questions you need to consider:
- How will you use the camera?
- Do you need a baby monitor or pet monitor?
- Where will you place your camera?
- Do you want it to work with your smart devices?
- Do you want to pay a subscription fee for extra storage or facial recognition?
Differences Between Security Cameras
While most cameras come with night vision, motion sensors, two-way talk, an app that gives you a live feed of what the camera sees, there are features that you want to know about.
These differences include field of view, video resolution, storage options and compatibility options that could make a difference to your family.
When Looking For Compatibility
Does your home already have smart home devices like smart TVs or smart speakers that you want your security cameras to work with?
This is an important quality to consider.
If you own Alexa or other smart technology, you might want to pull up a live feed from the camera to your speaker or TV that's compatible with your smart devices.
Price Point
What you pay for home security cameras depends on the app experiences and smart compatibility, better image quality and some advanced features that you may not even need.
You can still buy the lower and mid-price range models that offer the same 24/7 live feed, motion alerts, two-way-talk and night vision as the more expensive models do.
Subscription Fees
Some of the more expensive models have monthly and yearly subscription fees that enable you to gain access to advanced features.
Some of these features include facial recognition, video and clip sharing and alerts as well as cloud storage. For a subscription, you're likely to pay up to $10 a month to access up to a month of saved data.
Battery Replacement
Most smart home security cameras need a continuous Wi-Fi connection. Luckily not all smart technology like speakers need to be plugged into a wall outlet.
While there are some models that come with rechargeable batteries, many portable security cameras don't. And you'll need to replace the batteries.
Here are the best indoor and outdoor home security cameras.
Home Security Cameras For the Outdoors
First, let's talk about outdoor security cams.
Nest Cam Outdoor
A tough camera to withstand the elements. Its IP65 helps it handle rain without being placed in the shelter. This home security camera can also withstand temperatures from below zero to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nest Cam Outdoor comes with night vision, a motion sensor, sound alerts, and 24/7 live feed access.
Good To Know:
Since this runs on a Wi-Fi networking system it needs to be placed close to your home. This model does not have face recognition or zoom and it can't track people in a frame. It also doesn't come with an integrated virtual assistant.
Video resolution: 1080p
Field of view 130-degrees
Cloud storage
Chromecast compatible, but Google Assistant is not built in
Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor comes with a 4K sensor with the capability of 12x digital zoom. This intuitive model recognizes faces of humans and pets. Its Supersight features enable it to track everything in its frame.
The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor has a built-in speaker and microphone and is Google Assistant integrated. This feature makes it simple to talk to the camera without music playback.
Compatible with Alexa and its speaker is 15 times louder than the Nest Cam IQ Indoor speaker. People in the yard will be able to hear you loud and clearly.
Good to Know:
This model is pricey. Many features require a Nest Aware subscription and you need to drill a hole in your wall during installation.
Video resolution: 1080
Field of view: 130-degrees
Cloud storage
Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Logitech Circle 2
The Logitech Circle 2 comes in a wired or wire-free model ($200) for portability. It's an outdoor camera that's totally weatherproof and includes a mega-wide 180-degree field of view.
While it's similar to other home security cameras, what makes it shine is it's compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa. What's really rare is it's also compatible with Apple HomeKit.
Good to Know:
The camera will emit motion alerts, but you need to pay a subscription fee to receive person alerts which will also enable you to set up Activity Zones. Does not include local storage.
There's no charge to access the camera's 24-hour history, but it doesn't include continuous action. This needs action to record clips.
Video resolution: 1080p
Field of view: 180-degrees
Cloud storage
Compatible with Apple Home Kit. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
Netgear Arlo Pro 2
Both an indoor and outdoor camera system. Netgear Arlo Pro 2 depends on a base station connected to your router by an Ethernet connection. But this one broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal to each of its satellite cameras on its own.
These individual cameras are IP65-rated and feature motion, two-way talk, night vision and sound alerts.
The great thing about the Netgear Arlo Pro 2 is that each of its cameras is portable.
Put it anywhere within range of your Wi-Fi. Each camera comes with a rechargeable battery that actually lasts for months on end. Of course, depending on its activity.
You get access to the last seven days of recordings free of charge. The Arlo Pro 2 has both cloud and local storage that comes as an option.
It's compatible with a variety of smart technology, including Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT.
Another big feature is that it gives you can access to recordings from the past seven days for free. It has cloud and optional local storage.
And the system is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT and Samsung SmartThings.
Good To Know:
The Netgear Arlo Pro 2 is considered a system which makes set up more complex than other smart home security cameras.
Due to the preservation of each individual camera 's battery life, it does not record continuous motion. The Netgear Arlo Pro 2 is higher end, so it's more expensive than other systems.
Video resolution: 1080p
Field of view: 130-degrees
Cloud and local storage
Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings
Ring Floodlight Cam
Ring manufactures a variety of good home security cameras that work well outdoors, but the Floodlight Cam is sensational.
While it has night vision similar to other security cameras, it features two powerful large LED lights. You can turn them on when the camera senses movement.
Get this: it scares away predators while it records them while they attempt to enter your yard or climb on your porch.
Rings Neighborhoods app allows you to warn your neighbors of any suspicious activity. Just share any videos activity with neighbors that live within a 5-mile radius.
Good to Know:
The Ring is higher in price and you need to subscribe to its protection plans to record and share videos. Installation can be a bit complex.
Video resolution: 1080p
Field of view: 140-degrees
Cloud storage
Compatible with Amazon Alexa
Indoor Home Security Cameras
Wyze Cam v2
At just $20 this home security camera provides the majority of features as high priced smart security cameras.
You don't need to pay for a subscription service and there are no add-on costs E Ronce you purchase the WyzeCam v2.
This security camera records in both HD and SD video formats and also captures photos. You get 2-way audio which enables you to talk with others in the room with the smart app.
Wyze cam is compatible with Alexa. The camera's flexible hinge system enables the camera to point in multiple directions.
It comes with a magnetic sticker base which means installing the speaker is simple since it doesn't require screws. A great buy.
Good to know:
The Wyze Cam's free cloud storage is only good for two days. You'll need to purchase a micro-SD card for more storage, or if you wish to save photos and clips.
But this only adds around $10 to your bill.
This model camera does not include advanced features like facial recognition or tracking. The camera can't detect when you're on your way home because it doesn't come with geofencing.
Sound quality can sound harsh and the companion app doesn't seem as good some of the more expensive camera apps. Also has a cheap look.
Video resolution: 1080p
Field of view: 110-degrees
Cloud storage and local SD card
Compatible with Amazon Alexa
Best Panoramic: Wyze Cam Pan
The Wyze Cam Panoramic has the same features as the Wyze Cam has, including night vision, two-way audio, push notifications, cloud, and onboard storage.
And it's available for the same low price. You also don't need a subscription service. But what's better about the Wyze Cam Panoramic security camera is it boasts a 120-degree field of view and can track objects that come into its frame.
Even better, the camera zooms, pans and tilts all with its app. This gives you a full 360- degree view of the room with just one small camera.
Good to Know:
Similar to the Wyze Cam v2, this indoor security camera has a fairly cheap look and the audio lacks in quality compared to higher priced cameras.
It doesn't offer facial recognition. And unlike the Wyze Cam v2, it doesn't come with a magnetic sticker base. If you wish to mount the camera on the wall, you will need to install it with screws.
Video resolution: 1080p
Field of view: 120-degrees
Cloud storage and local SD card
Compatible with Amazon Alexa
Nest Cam Indoor
The Nest Cam Indoor is one of the most reasonably priced smart home security cameras, and it's made by Google which means it's highly compatible with Google Assistant.
Although it doesn't come with a 4K sensor, which means it can't recognize faces, zoom or track people or pets in a frame, it has many of the same features the Nest Cam IQ has.
Nest Cam indoor can access a 24/7 live feed, night vision, motion, two-way talk and sound alerts.
Good to Know:
This model is still expensive for what it offers and its picture and audio quality can be compromised due to its lower quality sensor.
On the positive side, if you're a Nest Aware subscriber, the Nest Cam Indoor will send you push notifications for person alerts.
Video resolution: 1080p
Field of view: 130-degrees
Cloud storage
Compatible with Chromecast, but does not have Google Assistant built-in
Nest Cam IQ Indoor
Great for people tracking. This is Nest's cream of the crop in indoor smart security cameras. Its facial recognition technology allows it to recognize the difference between your friends, family pets, and strangers.
With its special facial tracking feature, once the camera spots something in its frame, it will digitally zoom in and track it while it's in the frame.
This home security camera comes with Google Assistant built into it. So ask it questions as you would ask a smart speaker like Google Home. You can also stream live footage with your Nest right to your smart TV.
Good to Know:
You need a Nest Aware subscription to use its facial recognition, tracking and sound alerts features. Nest Cam IQ does not have music playback.
Video resolution: 1080p
Field of view: 130-degrees
Cloud storage
Compatible with Google Assistant
Amazon Cloud Cam
This home security camera is one of the best and most reasonably priced.
It comes with the usual 24/7 live feed, motion detection, two-way talk, night vision, and alerts.
What's cool about the Cloud Cam is you can rotate it 180-degrees to see the whole room with its app.
It contains Alexa voice assistant which gives it similar interaction as you would get with Amazon Echo with the exception of playing music.
Summon a live feed to your Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV streaming stick, Echo Show or Echo Dot.
Good to Know:
You don't get facial recognition and digital zoom like you would get with higher priced models. You also need to have a subscription to use the camera's advanced features such as person detection alerts and to access more cloud storage.
Video resolution: 1080p
Field of view: 130-degrees
Cloud storage
Compatible with Google Assistant
Final Thoughts On The Best Home Security Cameras of 2021
Now you know ten of the best home security cameras for 2021. Whether you need an indoor baby monitor or want to keep your family safe from break-ins with an outdoor security camera, you know that best on the market.
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