Best Home Security Cameras

Choosing the best home security cameras for your property means looking for a system that is easy to install and one designed to provide you with outstanding flexibility. A simple camera placed at just the right location can provide incredible insight into who is coming close to your home, accessing your doors or even looking into your home’s windows. A wide range of home security cameras are available today, many offering advanced features and connectivity. When choosing a model, it is critical to think about pricing, but also to consider durability and customer service. You need to also consider the brand’s reputation and customer reviews.

Here’s our breakdown of the best home security cameras for 2018. Any of these systems could provide you with exactly what you need.

1. Nest

The Nest Cam is perhaps one of the most recognizable names in home security cameras today. It offers a wide range of benefits including exceptional durability and overall ease of installation. Nest lets users access their camera from any location with their phone. It works well even when it is dark, raining, or bright sun. It offers a variety of features that make securing your home a bit easier to do.

The Nest Cam is the type of home security camera you need when it comes to protecting your home. The company’s security camera is highly reliable and quickly recognizes actions occurring in a space. It provides an immediate alert to the user’s smartphone. And, from there, the user has options. He or she can simply contact the police, or they can use the voice component to interact with the person at the house. This can scare away an intruder, or it can help to clarify why someone is present.

The overall system is reliable and built to last. It has a waterproof housing to ensure it keeps working through any type of weather. The unique lens and structure helps to minimize the amount of damage to the camera as well as keeps it clear. In addition to this, the system records everything. Once it is activated, it will continue to work and record. The Nest Cam can record for up to 30 days straight. It stores all of this video content in the cloud. This ensures it remains accessible to those who need it.

Perhaps one of the best features that help make the Nest Camera stand out is that it can distinguish between a person and a thing. It knows how to pick up activity and record it. This means there are less false alarms present. In addition to this, the system offers a special alert when someone is walking up the steps or approaching the home. Users can set activity zones, too, which means areas like the driveway or the backdoor get constant monitoring.

In addition to purchasing just the Nest cameras, many will want to upgrade to more automation. You can select from several packages and services available. Automate everything from your home’s security to the thermostat inside. It’s highly diverse and provides good overall access to your home from a distance.

2. Arlo

The Arlo home security camera can be a very good option for many reasons – it is very easy to use, simple to access, and it takes less than 30 minutes to set up. Homeowners also get a wide range of camera options to choose from (with budget-friendly options). The company’s system is completely wireless and offers night vision. Here’s our breakdown of the home security cameras from Arlo.

The Arlo home security camera is a good option for nearly anyone. It is a system you can install on your own. You can use it for both indoor and outdoor surveillance. As a completely wireless system, you do not have to worry about the overall installation process.  The system is durable and has a sound reputation of having solid, well-built equipment. The company also offers several camera options to choose from, which can make it a good option for those who want flexibility in selecting what is right for their needs. Options include the Arlo, Arlo Pro, Arlo Pro 2, Arlo Go, Arlo Q, Arlo Q Plus, Arlo Baby, and the Arlo Security Light.

Once the cameras are in place, they will turn on when they sense any type of motion. The company provides three subscription options for users to choose from. For many who are just starting out, the Basic plan is a good place to be. The Basic plan does not have a monthly fee, but you will pay upfront equipment costs. Other versions include a Premier and Elite plan, both of which have equipment costs. However, the equipment is customized, so you really get your money’s worth here.

The Arlo system’s best features include unlimited support for the higher level plans and the ability to record on numerous cameras. The Basic plan offers five, the Premier plan offers 10, and the Elite plan gives you 15 cameras. You can tap into continuous video recording if you would like to. The Basic plan stores your video for up to seven days in the cloud with no cost. The Elite option gives you 60 days. Overall, this home security camera option works well for those who want flexibility at a low price.

3. Blink

What makes Blink home security cameras ideal is the low cost. The cameras do not have a contract requirement, which makes them easy for most people to invest in. They are also wireless and easy to maintain. Overall, this system offers nice benefits including integration with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. Here’s our take on the 2018 Blink home security camera:

Blink is a solid product. The company is smaller having been started on Kickstarter with just a basic product. However, it has now become one of the more sought after options available. It is a true plug and play style system that is fully wireless. You do not have to worry about complex installation here. The process takes about 30 minutes to complete.

When it comes to the company’s product, a nice feature is the affordability. The equipment itself is affordable, but there is also no required monthly fee. You can upgrade to a larger plan for a moderate price, though.  The value of the Blink home security system is clear. It is a lower costing product.

Another nice feature is that the company’s equipment is long lasting. It has batteries that last for up to two years. Which means you do not have to worry about electrical outlets where you place it. You can set them up both indoors and outdoors as well. The product options are somewhat limited in terms of flexible equipment. However, they are more affordable than other products. Because they offer limited options, this type of video security system tends to be better for smaller homes and renters rather than large properties. You can add components to it, with limited options. This includes additional cameras and a doorbell.

Some people may wish to upgrade to the professional monitoring component. At the time of this writing, this plan was an additional $19.99 a month and professionals ongoing monitoring of your home. That’s a nice feature for anyone who wants ample security.

4. Kuna

The Kuna home security camera is a top performer for a variety of reasons. First, it is very easy to install. It also has basic features that are free to use so you do not have to pay a monthly fee. There are also several ways to upgrade it. A good overall buy, the Kuna system is a reliable product with basic level features. Here’s our look at how well it fits your needs:

The Kuna home security camera is a key part of the security service this company offers. The camera quality is good, though the company only offers a handful of equipment options for you to choose from. Nevertheless, there are some nice benefits of this hardware. This includes HD and smart detection technology. It also allows three video downloads each month (without cost for it). There are also nice features like a two-hour even look back so you can see what happened, as well as a two-way talk tool so you can communicate with someone at your door.

Perhaps the best thing about the Kuna system is that you do not have to pay a subscription fee if you do not want to do so. The price of the equipment is a bit higher than other products, but the system itself is more affordable. Most of the features mentioned here come with the basic free package. If you decide to increase the service you obtain, such as with seven-day look back with unlimited downloads, you will pay more for the subscription. However, this cost is not high.

There are equipment add-on options. This includes a floodlight, security light, and a surveillance kit. However, most users will not need these to really get the most out of the Kuna system. It is quite versatile and easy to use, too. You only need about 30 minutes to install the system if you are handy. Once in place, you can begin using the app with ease.

5. Zmodo

The Zmodo home security camera, called Zmodo Greet, is a reliable product. It is also a low costing product. For those who want a simple system to set up that they can begin using right away, this product works well. The equipment is of good quality and the system remains overall easy to use. Here’s our look at what you can expect:

The Zmodo camera is a good option for those who want a simple product. The system will allow you to capture the images reliably. One of the nice features about it is the range of camera options on the market. There are numerous options – the Greet Pro Smart Doorbell, Greet Universal Smart Doorbell, and the Greet Smart Doorbell are basic options. Additionally, users can select the Outdoor Camera Pro with various pixel qualities. In traditional security cameras, users can select from the Pivot Cloud, Pivo, Pan & Tilt Camera, EZCam Pro, Sight, and EZCam. The range of options means every area has something for it. But, at the same time, this can confuse some buyers.

A few nice features about the brand stand out, though. The company offers a long 60-day money back guarantee. This is longer than many other providers. What’s more, users get free lifetime support (which can come in handy for troubleshooting some of the connectivity errors this company’s products seem to have). The equipment also has a three-year warranty.

The name brand is known for its quality and overall functionality. As noted, you can upgrade it to other smart features and automation options. It is wireless, which makes installation easy for most needs. Overall, this product is good for those who want flexibility and overall simplistic use, but they want flexible options for any area.

You can store videos on disk storage or in cloud storage. Cloud storage costs are minor as well. The company does have a live stream option for many of its cameras. This type of flexibility makes it a good choice for those who want a customizable system.

6. Netatmo

The Netatmo home security camera is perhaps one of the most sought after products for its recent reviews. This company has a strong level of customer service and a good reputation for providing a solid product. It does have durable, well-built equipment and some flexibility in its product lineup. Here’s a closer look.

Netatmo provides several options for those who are looking for home security you can install yourself. Perhaps the most well-known product is its indoor security camera (one of the most talked about options). However, the company has several additional options including the Netatmo Outdoor Security Camera. It plans to release additional products soon.

The outdoor security camera from Netatmo, called the Netatmo Welcome, is a reliable product that is sleek and simplistic looking, but it provides the features you want and need. This includes easy detection – it can recognize people, cars, and animals and alerts you through an app on your phone. The product works well throughout the day and night and features night vision. The indoor security camera offers a quality design and facial recognition, which makes it highly usable.

The product does not have a battery backup, which can be limited in some cases. It is easy to install, and the app access is free to use. There are no monthly fees here. Rather, you will pay for the product itself. However, it also does not have any type of ongoing live monitoring. Individuals can control their access and take action as necessary.

The system works well and records video at 1080p resolution (the highest quality available). There is a subscription service for the storage of video. However, you do not have to use this. You can store video on a microSD as well as link it to your Dropbox account or FTP server.

7. Guardzilla

The Guardzilla home security camera is a good overall option for many homeowners. The system comes with three different camera options. This does provide a wide range of benefits for the user. In addition to this, it is customizable across several plans. For those who want a quality product, Guardzilla works well.

Guardzilla may not be a recognizable name, but the home security system has a lot to offer today’s homeowners. It is very easy to install, and it provides a high quality, durable system. It is considered a budget-friendly home security camera. The equipment has a one-year limited warranty. It does off has some limited viewing range with the camera, but this can be overcome. Updated HD cameras can help to minimize this need.

The Guardzilla home security camera is a self-monitored system, though. That is, there are no ongoing monitoring services available. This helps to keep the system’s costs lower, though. You can choose from the subscription options – which add a few nice features. For example, the basic plan has two-day video cloud storage available to you for no additional costs. If you want up to 30 days of video cloud storage (along with audio clips), you can pay $8.99 per month to access it.

The home security system from Guardzilla comes with HD security along with a built-in speaker, auto-arm features, and night vision. It operates a 10db siren which can help you to scare away those who come close to the home. It also operates with motion detection, which most customers state is very easy to use and reliable. The voice response feature is compatible with Amazon Alexa, which means you can automate your system in a variety of ways. Once in place, users get mobile alerts whenever there is motion detected. It is simple, easy to use, and easy to install.

8. Oco

Oco home security cameras can be a very good option overall. They are both indoor and outdoor security cameras. The system has high-quality cameras that can handle most types of weather (they remain pretty clear even in bad weather events). Additionally, the cameras themselves are flexible. The company has several product options including the Oco, Oco HD, Oco2, Oco Pro Bullet, and the Oco Pro Dome. The options help make this the type of camera you can customize to your budget and your needs.

The system is easy to install. Once in place, it will provide 23-hour cloud storage of video footage (at the lowest price point of $4 per month). This basic plan also includes shared private access with two users, unlimited number of event clips and alerts sent to a smartphone app. It also has some important features including night vision and two-way talk. This allows users to communicate with the person who is at their door. Other plans offer more storage and more access. All systems can have additional cameras added to the lineup, giving you more flexibility to protect your home.

Users can also store their video on a microSD card. It offers both Wi-Fi and 3G cell alerts as well. This means you can know what is happening anywhere. Home automation features are easy here. The company’s system is wireless, but it can also be hardwired in for more security.

9. Lorex

The Lorex home security system is a quality product, but it is a bit more high tech than others on the market. For some, this is perfect. For others, it can be a bit more intimidating to install and to manage. Nevertheless, the quality is outstanding.

The Lorex home security system is a wide range product. That is, users can select from numerous camera options to fit their needs. Its product line up includes outdoor cameras, HD security cameras (more commonly used for commercial needs) as well as HD IP cameras. The wireless security cameras available from the company are some of the best they offer for home security. They are reliable and they are well made, which means they can function well even in tough conditions. The daytime video capture quality is excellent, though the nighttime video is not as good as others.

These are top-of-the-line systems with long lasting batteries (allowing for wireless installation). They also are very weather resistant and very reliable. They come with a DVR system to store data. This does add to the cost of the system, making it more expensive. It also makes it a bit more difficult to install for some users.

However, the design of the system means there are no necessary long term contracts or monthly subscription or costly monthly bills to pay for storage. At the same time, this system offers real-time video access and FHSS technology. It includes listen-in audio due to the built-in microphone on it. And, SignalGuard is another nice feature that helps improve the reliability of the connection.

10. Ezviz

The Ezviz is a home security system that is for both indoor and outdoor use. Like several other brands, the company offers a range of product options, giving users the flexibility they need to really protect their home the way they want to. It has good features and a reliable design, too. Here’s our take on the system as a whole:

Ezviz has launched its 3.0 design of products and with it comes more connectivity and better features for users. The company offers several camera and home security setups. This includes the wire-free cameras it is known for as well as Wi-Fi cameras, wired kits, and action cameras. In each area, it offers several camera options to select from.

In all cases, the Ezviz has the tools and features people want, such as numerous cameras per system. It also uses what it calls High Dynamic Algorithm video technology to improve the overall function and video quality. The battery life is long, lasting for at least nine months. The wireless systems are easier to install, though the wired systems (those with numerous cameras) are more complex. The company’s system records when it detects motion. It allows for local storage of up to 128 GB on a microSD card. This helps to eliminate the need for costly cloud storage plans.

The equipment itself is a bit more pricey, but it comes with no long term subscription costs. And, it offers nice benefits such as audio recording and night vision. This motion alert system connects to your smartphone app, and it offers automation features, too.