We’ve collected together all of the best smart security cameras for keeping your house safe when you’re not around.
Smart security cameras designed for both inside and outside your home are a must if you want to know what’s happening when you’re not around.
Unlike basic security cameras, which store data to a small PC, or enterprise systems that charge you for a subscription package, smart cameras use both cloud storage and a real-time video feed. This provides you with the flexibility to check on your property whenever you like and wherever you are.
What’s more, most smart cams can often be controlled from your other smart devices, like your Amazon Echo Show or Google Home Hub. Which means they’re quickly becoming a smart home staple.
That said, the security camera you choose to buy shouldn’t be the only line of defense for your home (don’t forget to grab a smart lock, a smart doorbell like the Nest Hello or Ring Video Doorbell Pro and an alarm system, too). Instead, it should be part of a defensive strategy that keeps you and your family safe.
There are plenty of different security devices out there for you to choose from and in this guide we’ll talk you through the best smart security cameras that we’ve tried out.
We’ll be adding to this list with new devices as we review them, so keep checking back throughout the year.
Resolution: up to 1080p| Footage recording: As much fits onto a 16GB BaseStation| Audio: HD two-way
In the world of smart security cameras, the Anker Eufycam 2 is known for being a solid mid-range option at an affordable price. It has a seriously large feature set and while it doesn’t offer 24/7 monitoring, it also doesn’t require a month subscription whatsoever.
Eufy’s wireless outdoor camera offers an IP67 rating that makes it almost entirely weatherproof and a claimed 365-day battery life that never seems to quit. It also stores all of its encoded clips directly to the included BaseStation in your living room, which means you don’t have to worry about someone somewhere else in the world looking at your clips.
Bottom line? If you want a system that doesn’t cost anything to maintain and love being in charge of how/where the video is stored, the Eufy Video Doorbell is great. It gives you complete control with no overhead cost.
Read our full review: Anker Eufycam 2
Resolution: up to 2K (2560×1440)| Footage recording: Free cloud recordings for seven days| Audio: HD two-way
With a classy weatherproof design, a host of awesome smart home features, the Arlo Pro 2 quickly rose as one of the best security cameras out there.
Now, however, there’s a new boss in town in the 2K, HDR-compatible Arlo Pro 3, a successor to the Arlo Pro 2 with a number of refinements and improvements.
The Arlo Pro 3 is aimed at improving on the Arlo Pro 2, but not stepping on the toes of the 4K-capable Arlo Ultra. As such, you won’t get a 4K resolution here – but you will get plenty of other great features that make this camera a super solid choice for those who don’t want to spend top dollar on a security system.
Read our full review: Arlo Pro 3
Resolution: Up to 1080p HD| Footage recording: 24 hour as standard,30 days with subscription| Audio: Two-way
The Hive View is the latest camera from the smart home manufacturer behind the well-regarded range of heating control kits. A collaboration with designer Yves Béhar, the Hive View is one of the few security cameras we’ve ever seen that actually looks stylish, coming as it does in a choice of ‘champagne gold’ or black and ‘brushed copper’ finishes.
Thankfully, as much effort has gone into the substance as the style, and the Hive View comes with some really cool features. Most notable is its detachable head, which allows you to temporarily move the camera – with its HD 180 degree field of vision – to anywhere you’d like in the house for as long as the on-board battery lasts, which is about an hour.
