16 Best Smart Indoor Security Cameras of 2022
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The optional, Nest Aware subscription provides the best experience by adding even more video recording and alert features. Upon purchasing the camera and downloading the app, you should have free access to many features such as live video viewing, push notifications, night vision and possibly two-way audio. Paying a little extra -- often between $2 and $6 for a single camera -- can unlock extra perks like more cloud storage, facial recognition, emergency calling and more. Arlo’s $99.99 Essential Indoor Security Camera offers intelligent alerts, voice control, and works with a wide assortment of third-party smart home devices for a lot less money than the company's $199.99 Pro 4 model.
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The Swann Tracker includes plenty of features, but unfortunately also forces users to deal with some frustrating communication delay and issues with settings. Sometimes, the camera light refused to shut off when it was supposed to, and there was also some lag in terms of live viewing. During initial setup, the camera failed to make a connection until multiple restarts were performed.
However, it’s easy to adjust the sensitivity of these alerts in the Nooie app. Push notifications come in a timely manner, but there are no photo or video preview options for you to quickly check and see what’s happening. Paid cloud storage is available if you don’t want to use a microSD card to back up your camera’s event history. The camera comes with a 30-day free trial to Cam Cync, a paid subscription that gets you 14 days of unlimited clip storage. With the $3 monthly plan, you can also filter clips by motion, sound, or people, and download clips to share with friends and family as well.
What should I look for when buying an indoor security camera?
The camera features a siren that can be triggered remotely from the Lorex Home app or automatically when motion is detected, but the siren is too soft to deter unwanted guests. The Lorex app also does not offer two-factor authentication, so consider other options in our guide. The Eufy Indoor Security Camera is a slick, modern-looking option that features 2K resolution and runs off of AC power. Its motion detector is quite accurate, and since the camera itself is simple to install, you can put it just about anywhere in your home. Another important feature is two-way talk, which is readily available on most smart cameras. This means you can speak from the companion app to the camera and vice versa.
Like any Wi-Fi-connected smart home device, security cameras are vulnerable to hacking, potentially granting unauthorized access to your camera feed, stored videos and account information. Not only that, but cameras without end-to-end encryption could leave your footage exposed to outside interception as it travels from one endpoint to another. We've also tried out a number of other low-cost, high-quality cameras including the GE Cync Indoor Stickup Camera and the Kasa KC410S, both of which made our list for the best indoor cameras. We make an effort to test every major camera as it comes out and will update this list as more cheap cameras hit the market. There is perhaps no price too high when it comes to protecting your home and monitoring for unsafe or criminal activity.
Best nanny cam or pet cam
Places like your kitchen and living room are good spots for hiding indoor security cameras, as well, because thieves will often target the high-end entertainment products found in those spots. A camera with a wide field of view in the kitchen or living room will capture more potential footage than other spots in the house. It works with Google Assistant and the Nest Hub, though you don’t get much in the way of third-party integrations and you have to pay to get access to recorded video that's more than three hours old. For $6 per month or $60 per year, the Nest Aware plan provides 30 days of video history, while for $12 per month or $120 per year, the Nest Aware Plus plan gives you 60 days of video history.
It’s compatible with Alexa, Ok Google, SmartThings and IFTTT and is protected by a one-year hardware warranty. We've tested lots of home surveillance cameras over the years, so we know what's important to consider. First and foremost, you should choose a camera that's simple to set up and use. It's important that the camera is unobtrusive to your design tastes and, depending on your needs, you may not want it to stand out too much, either. Our favorite cameras allow you to check in from anywhere, such as from your phone or via a web browser. If you're in search of a super-affordable security cam with a 360 view, the TP-Link Kasa Spot Pan Tilt is a top choice.
Most security cameras send a simple notification when they detect any type of activity. Google Nest Cam models even offer face-recognition technology that helps eliminate unnecessary alerts. They automatically zoom in on people who enter the field of view and can send alerts both when they recognize a face and when they don't. If you're in search of ultra-affordable 2K security, it's hard to beat the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24. We also experienced some other issues, which caused the camera to rank toward the bottom of our guide. The camera’s 1080p video is clear during the day, but sometimes it looks washed out if there’s too much light.
Surveillance cameras are reserved for governmental agencies and not typically allowed for personal use. For emergencies, the Canary View is also equipped with a 90db siren and can connect you to the proper authorities through their smartphone app. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions.See how we test.
Despite offering the same 1080p video resolution as most other indoor cameras, Kasa's motion-tracking camera offers a remarkably clear view during day and night. The remote pan/tilt function mostly works well, though it lags behind a bit when you're controlling the camera directly from the Kasa app. In the Wyze app, you can customize motion detection, event recording, scheduling, and more. The app promptly alerts you to firmware updates and comes with two-factor authentication to secure your account.
The version we tested comes with a USB cord and plug for power, but Ring also sells a battery-powered model. Nevertheless, the Nest Cam’s impressive array of no-cost smarts is hard to beat. Intelligent alerts like person, vehicle, motion, and animal detection (as well as a three-hour video event history) are available for free, when previously you needed a paid Nest Aware subscription to get these. Its ability to detect and differentiate between motion events is impressive, too, and alerts are sent right away. It can listen for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and quickly alert you if these sounds are detected.
Additionally, Eufy has added two-factor authentication, an important security feature, to the Eufy Security app. On the other hand, if you want to mount a camera to a wall or the ceiling, most will come with a detachable base and mounting hardware . This makes the installation fairly quick and easy, but keep in mind that the majority of cameras are wired, so you may have an unsightly power cord trailing down the wall when mounting your camera. If you'd rather not have to deal with the power cord, consider a wireless camera like the Blink Outdoor Security Camera.
Even with strong security measures, your camera will never be completely impervious to security threats. A best practice is to treat your camera as if it has already been compromised and avoid placing it where you wouldn't want the view to be seen or shared by others. The $100 kit, now on sale for just $60, includes the wireless camera, two AA lithium batteries, a Blink Sync Module 2, charging cables and mounting hardware. Even on sale, it's a bit more expensive than other cameras on the list, but I'd say the convenience of not having to plug anything in is worth the extra cost.
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