Best Home Security Cameras of 2025

Our Experience with SimpliSafe Security Cameras

Camera Options

SimpliSafe offers one wireless indoor camera, one wireless outdoor camera, and one video doorbell. All three are hardy and reliable, and they all include 1080p HD resolution and two-way talk. You also get real-time alerts and access to live footage. And if you sign up for one of SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring plans with Intruder Intervention, you unlock powerful tools like video verification and agent intervention.

SimpliSafe doesn’t just offer cameras. Those cameras work best as part of a full SimpliSafe home security system. Choose from a wide range of devices, including entry sensors, smoke detectors, and even smart locks.

We liked to make sure the privacy shutter was closed on our SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Camera when we were home

You can also choose how you use SimpliSafe’s cameras. SimpliSafe has always offered great self-monitoring options, but we prefer its professional monitoring services. The outdoor cameras can use features like Active Guard Outdoor Protection. Access to this feature starts at $50 per month, which is almost half the price compared to the competitors. Here’s how it works:

1. The camera detects movement
2. It uses A.I. to verify it was human movement
3. The camera alerts SimpliSafe and opens a live video and two-way audio link
4. A security professional assesses the situation (and uses two-way talk to attempt to scare away a burglar if there is an active break-in)
5. If they need to, this security professional reports the incident to law enforcement, including relevant information and video verification.

For just $32 per month, SimpliSafe offers Intruder Intervention, a similar feature for their Wireless Indoor Camera. It only triggers during active alarms to ensure your privacy. While competitors like Ring offer comparable coverage for $19.99 per month, active monitoring features require a $99 per month add-on.

One note: these SimpliSafe plans require you purchase a wireless indoor camera or an outdoor camera. The active monitoring features do not work with the Video Doorbell Pro on its own.

>> Read More: SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera Review

Equipment and Subscription Costs

With SimpliSafe, you can put together a low-cost home security system, or, if you’re willing to pay premium prices, you can put together a sophisticated one. Flexibility and options are the name of the game.

SimpliSafe offers packages that range in price from $250 to $730, but these are normal everyday retail prices. SimpliSafe rarely charges the full price. Instead, you can usually find devices listed at between 20 and 60 percent off. That includes SimpliSafe’s wireless indoor camera and its outdoor camera. Both feature two-way talk and AI-powered person detection. The Wireless Indoor normally costs $150, while the Wireless Outdoor costs $200.

Here’s a quick look at SimpliSafer’s various camera offerings.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera on Garage

You have even more options when it comes to monitoring with SimpliSafe. If you’re looking to save money, SimpliSafe lets you self-monitor for free. Of course, no-cost monitoring doesn’t include video recordings, but you can add that service for just $10 a month.

If you’re serious about your home security, though, you’ll want to consider a SimpliSafe plan that includes professional monitoring. For just $32 a month, the Core plan includes video verification services for priority dispatch in the event of an emergency. Or invest in a plan that features SimpliSafe’s Active Guard Outdoor Protection. The Pro Plan ($50 a month) provides AI detection and agent intervention during nighttime hours, while the Pro Plus Plan ($80 a month) extends this coverage to 24 hours.

Here’s an overview of SimpliSafe’s most popular subscriptions for systems that include security cameras.

Home Security Compatibility

We were intrigued by the fact that SimpliSafe cameras come from a well-established security system brand, unlike options like Lorex and Swann that solely offer security cameras. But that aspect proved to be a double-edged sword.

There are serious advantages to using a camera as part of a home security system, and SimpliSafe isn’t just any system. It’s one of our top-rated security systems. That means we didn’t just have video feeds. We had a network of sensors and detectors that created a net of security around our home. Components worked in sync to keep us more protected than cameras alone.

That said, SimpliSafe doesn’t offer any free storage options like Lorex does. In fact, if you really want the most out of its cameras, you need to invest in a full professional monitoring plan, and that can get pricey. If you’re just looking to rely on cameras, SimpliSafe may not be for you. If you’re looking for a whole-home security system, though, SimpliSafe is a solid choice.

SimpliSafe’s Outdoor Camera video on the app

Our Experience with ADT Security Cameras

Camera Options

ADT offers four cameras from the Google Nest range. They are:

• Google Nest Doorbell (battery)
• Google Nest Cam (indoor, wired)
• Google Nest Cam (indoor or outdoor, battery)
• Google Nest Cam with floodlight

We recommend purchasing a mix of these devices for the best possible coverage of your home. We positioned a Google Nest Indoor (Wired) just where our entry hallway opened into our living room. A Google Nest Doorbell alerted us to guests on our front porch, while the Google Nest Floodlight captured video and let us startle troublemakers away from our property.

We should note that the Floodlight requires a bit of extra wiring. We signed up for ADT professional installation, though, so we didn’t have to tackle the problem at all. ADT is one of the best professionally installed security systems. Of course, you can also just purchase a battery-powered Nest Cam. There’s no attached floodlight, but this device offers the flexibility of working both indoors and outdoors.

The Google Nest Cam with floodlight is the only device in our ADT system that needed professional installation.

Equipment and Subscription Costs

ADT’s Wired Indoor Nest Cam starts at $99.99. That’s roughly the same price you’d pay for one of Ring’s wired security cameras. As for the rest of ADT’s inventory, here’s what you can expect to pay for all Google Nest cameras.

ADT’s wireless cameras cost more than our top pick, SimpliSafe. However, ADT offers more options. When we reviewed ADT, we tested both wired and wireless Nest Cams. The wireless device has more placement flexibility, but the wired one is easier to install – we just plugged it in. It’s also reliable if your internet tends to drop out.

>> Read More: ADT Home Security Cameras Review

Unfortunately, ADT’s professional monitoring plans are more restrictive than those of SimpliSafe. Security camera requires ADT’s top plan, which starts at $39.99 per month. You’ll get 24/7 professional monitoring, cellular backup, and smart home automation. But our favorite feature is SMART monitoring, which sends a text message when an alarm is triggered. From there, you can open the ADT+ app to check your camera footage, and then reply to confirm or cancel the alert. If there’s no response, ADT will call to follow up.

Home Security Compatibility

We’ve come across one or two home security companies that offer third-party equipment. Often, that means installing two separate apps, which doesn’t exactly make for easy system operation. We’re looking at you, Cove. No need to worry about that with ADT. The same ADT+ app controls all your ADT devices and all your Nest cameras. In fact, you can even add other Nest products to your list of devices, including thermostats and front door smart locks.

You can access all of Nest’s high-tech features in the app. Activity Zones reduce false alarms. Familiar Faces sends personalized notifications of regular guests. Connect ADT’s Trusted Neighbor feature to Familiar Faces Nest’s and you can set your system to disarm and open smart locks any time friends and family arrive at your home. We added our sister to the program while we were on vacation so she could get in and out to feed our fish.

Our Experience with Lorex Security Cameras

Camera Options

Lorex presents the opposite problem to SimpliSafe. SimpliSafe’s selection is limited; Lorex’s is so large that you need a compass and a map to pick out a security camera. It’s not just about choosing between indoor and outdoor models. Lorex has bullet cameras, dome cameras, wireless cameras, wired cameras, PoE cameras, cameras with onboard video storage, cameras with NVR connections – you name it, they have it.

Lorex cameras

Of course, if you’re looking for a camera that’s going to do its job, one that simply works to keep your family safe, that many options can be intimidating. Here are a couple of good suggestions, though.

We’re fans of Lorex’s Fusion Collection, for example. These cameras make use of NVR storage, so you never have to worry about paying a monthly fee to record and save videos. Cameras come in wired and wireless versions, but both work smoothly with the NVR. You can read more about our experience in our Lorex review, but here’s a quick specs highlight:

If you’re looking for cameras with more features, we’d suggest Lorex’s 4K outdoor cameras. In addition to 4K resolution sharp enough to count the hairs on your neighbors’ dog, these cameras include a feature Lorex refers to as Smart Deterrence. Here’s how it works:

• Motion detection and person detection combine to detect human movement.
• Once the camera verifies someone is approaching, it activates built-in spotlights to startle any potential intruder.
• The camera then sends an alert to your phone.
• Once you open the Lorex app, you have the option to trigger a built-in siren. You can also use the app to modify the siren’s volume, intensity, and tone.

Smart Deterrence makes DIY monitoring significantly easier. It cuts down on false alerts and automates a response. That way, by the time you pull up your live feed, any threats will already be scurrying away. Plus, local recording options mean you can store the evidence without paying a monthly fee. These features are what put Lorex on our list of the best 4K cameras.

Keep in mind that Smart Deterrence doesn’t offer the same level of protection as SimpliSafe’s active monitoring features. Professional agents won’t be checking your cameras or using their two-way talk to let the perpetrator know cops are on the way. It also means Lorex doesn’t charge $32 to $80 per month for their Smart Deterrence feature.

Motion Events on the Lorex app

Equipment and Subscription Cost

Most Lorex cameras cost $80 to $150. There are cheaper models, like the $39.99 Smart Wi-Fi Indoor Camera. That’s only $5 more than the Blink Mini we tested ($35) and $10 more than Wyze’s low-cost cameras ($20-$30). Similarly, Lorex’s premium 4K Dual Lens Wi-Fi cameras cost up to $200.

That said, Lorex offers bulk discounts that reduce camera costs when bought in a package. Here’s a quick look at a few of Lorex’s camera packages:

Keep in mind that external equipment like NVRs costs extra. As a result, we recommend investing in a total Lorex package rather than single cameras. In the long run, package deals are cheaper. An NVR and two cameras, for instance, starts at around $300. Here are a couple of more package examples. Balance these costs, though, against the fact that you don’t ever have to pay for monthly monitoring. And did we mention that Lorex installation is entirely DIY? That saves additional money.

Home Security Compatibility

ADT, SimpliSafe, and Ring all offer complete home security systems. Lorex, however, specializes in cameras. Lorex doesn’t offer professional monitoring or connected systems with sensors. That’s not a dealbreaker for us. Lorex’s cameras are reliable and feature-rich, like their built-in motion sensors.

Plus, Lorex integrates well with a number of smart home devices, and many of these – from smart door locks to garage door openers – can significantly improve your security. Connect your system to your Alexa device or Google Home, and you get the convenience of voice activation. The fact is, when operating your system is easier, you’re more likely to use it properly and effectively, and that’s going to keep you safer.

We tested our Lorex NVR with our Echo Show 8, and discovered a handy list of Alexa commands:

• “Talk to the front porch”: Initiated a two-way audio link between our Echo Show 8 and the wireless outdoor camera.
• “Turn off front porch light”: Turned off the spotlight after Smart Deterrence was triggered.
• “Show me the backyard”: Streamed live footage from the 4K camera in our backyard on our Echo Show 8’s screen. (The video quality was fuzzy due to our Echo Show 8’s screen resolution – 1280*800 pixels.)

We should note that while those voice commands worked the majority of the time, they didn’t always fire up instantaneously. There was about a five- to 10-second delay between us giving the command and Alexa responding. Nine times out of ten, that’s just going to be an annoyance. Every once in a while, though, it could delay your response to a real emergency. So while we’re thrilled that Lorex works with smart home platforms, we’re not big fans of how well those integrations work.

Our Experience with Ring Security Cameras

Camera Options

Ring’s Spotlight Cam, Stick Up Cam, and Indoor Cam

Ring’s range of models is a bit more limited than Lorex’s. For example, Ring doesn’t offer any cameras with 2K or 4K resolution. In addition, all the company’s models all look roughly the same. There are no dome models, for instance, or bullet cameras. Ring does offer several levels of features, though. In addition, you can get models that work through a variety of different power options, including solar. Plus, Ring leads the way when it comes to outdoor lighting options, with both a Spotlight Cam and a Floodlight Cam. Here’s a list of some of the company’s most popular offerings.

Most of Ring’s cameras are 1080p HD, but they’ve recently introduced a 2K model. But even with 1080p HD, the cameras capture clear footage, especially with the added HDR. In our testing, for example, we could see everything from the neighbor’s dog nosing around our trash cans to the license plate on a speeding Camaro. All of Ring’s outdoor cameras come with night vision, so we didn’t have to worry about missing events at night. And with added spotlights and floodlights, we were able to startle that nosy dog away. Plus, all of the Ring security cameras we tested featured easy DIY installation that took us just minutes to complete. Lorex cameras can sometimes be tricky to get set up.

Ring Spotlight Cam Video Quality

Of course, these aren’t perfect cameras. What cameras are? One of our biggest complaints is the fact that Ring’s built-in motion sensors don’t automatically trigger the available siren. You get a text alert, and you can turn the siren on yourself. And again, if you have a Floodlight or Spotlight Cam, those lights will come on immediately. Seems like in a real crisis, though, you might want the siren to come on automatically.

Equipment and Subscription Cost

When you buy a Ring camera, you get what you pay for. They offer cameras at almost any price point. On the low end, Ring charges $59 for its Wired Indoor Cam, $40 less than a comparable camera from SimpliSafe. Then, there’s the Floodlight Cam, which starts at $179.99, $100 less than a Nest Floodlight Cam. At both ends of the spectrum, Ring offers solid value. Here’s a more complete pricing overview.

Ring Floodlight

As for monitoring options, Ring – like SimpliSafe – lets you choose between self-monitoring and professional monitoring. Complete self-monitoring, without recording, won’t cost you a dime. Cloud storage for a single camera costs $5 a month, or you can store footage from an unlimited number of cameras for $10 a month.

Ring’s professional plan includes an impressive array of features, but you’re not going to get a trained, experienced monitor taking a look at your camera footage. You’re not going to get video verification service either. This can mean more false alarms and it may take emergency personnel longer to get to your home. Ring does offer a similar service, but it charges $99 a month.

Home Security Compatibility

Ring began life as a video doorbell company. It has grown into a full-service home security company, though, offering every kind of device you could need, from entry sensors to smoke detectors, as well as a large selection of indoor and outdoor cameras. All of this equipment is up to the same high standards as Ring’s video doorbell. And all of it works seamlessly together.

As you might expect, Ring also works particularly well with Amazon’s Echo. This means you can operate everything with nothing but your voice. Our system told us someone was at the door while we were washing dishes one evening, and we managed to pull up the live feed and tell the guy selling newspaper subscriptions that we weren’t interested without ever having to towel off. Don’t worry, Ring is completely compatible with Google Home as well.