Best Battery-Powered Security Cameras

The Nest Cam is tiny, but it’s packed with a lot of features when combined with an ADT professional monitoring plan.

ADT’s Google Nest range might be smaller than our next pick, Lorex, so you won’t be overwhelmed with choices. The Nest Cam (battery) is our top pick as it works indoors and outdoors. It’s also easy to install. We chose our spots, mounted the wall plates, and secured them with the included loop. Lastly, we synced the cameras with our ADT security system using the smartphone app – and that’s when we saw what the Nest Cam and ADT can do.

>> Learn More: ADT 2025 Home Security Review

Nest Cams send personalized notifications for people, pets, packages, and vehicles. You can manage these alerts via the ADT+ app. We disabled the pet and vehicle alerts we weren’t using. The technology can even distinguish between regular visitors and random strangers. We got one notification telling us our brother was waiting outside and a separate one when a random stranger was at the door – it turned out to be a sales person.

You need an ADT professional monitoring plan to access these features. ADT plans with camera support start at $39.99 per month, and include cellular backup, video verification, and smart home automations. You’ll also get 30 days of video event history accessible in the ADT+ app.

Lorex only makes cameras and they do it really well. All models come with at least 1080p HD resolution, and a number feature 2K or even 4K resolution. That means crystal-clear images sharp enough to read the labels off the packages on your porch. With night vision standard, recordings were just as clear after the sun went down. Best of all, all those recordings were free since Lorex cameras all come with local storage options.

We’ve tested both wired and wire-free Lorex cameras, and they’re all built to last. The cameras we ordered were rated IP66 — they were dust-tight and could withstand powerful water jets, making them perfect for use outdoors. Newer models utilize Wi-fi 6 connections, so even with our router in the middle of our house, our backyard camera had no trouble getting a signal.

We should note that Lorex is a bit weak when it comes to software. The Lorex app can be unwieldy and difficult to navigate. It doesn’t help that different cameras often require different apps. We had to install three separate apps and moving back and forth between them was a real chore. We recommend reading the user manual of every camera before buying. These are downloadable, and they tell you which app models work with.

All Ring cameras are available in battery-powered models, including outdoor cameras like the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro and the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus. Battery power not flexible enough for you? Ring also sells solar panels so you can mount a device and never have to worry about changing batteries. Plus, unlike Lorex, Ring sells a wide range of home security equipment. We added entry sensors, motion sensors, and smoke detectors to our cameras, giving us a complete home security system.

Ring cameras are surprisingly affordable, and we were pleased to find that battery-powered and plug-in models cost exactly the same. Both versions of the Spotlight Cam Plus, for example, are available for $169.99. Keep in mind that Ring runs frequent sales, so you might be able to whittle a few dollars off that price. Our guide to Ring’s deals and sales can keep you updated on all the details. As for monthly subscription charges, you can self-monitor for free if you don’t need video storage. Cloud storage plans cost $4.99 for one camera and $9.99 for unlimited cameras. Of course, we also choose professional monitoring since we never know when a system alert will pop up while we’re getting a root canal. It’s a $10 per month add-on with the Standard and Premium plans.

Arlo cameras are among the easiest cameras we’ve installed. Besides the fact that they were wire-free, they came with peel-and-stick applications, so we didn’t have to break out a screwdriver (don’t worry, there’s mounting equipment included if that’s your preferred approach). No complicated battery instructions either. The battery chamber simply popped out, so we could change batteries out with zero hassle.

How do these cameras perform? The Essential Indoor we purchased came with features like night vision, two-way talk, and a privacy shield. It also included 2K resolution, so we had a crystal clear view of our puppy when he decided to drag out one of our tennis shoes one afternoon and chew the sole off of it. All of this for just $80. Arlo cameras also hold up well outdoors in just about any climate. All cameras are rated for temperatures down to negative four below Fahrenheit, and as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

Arlo is relatively unique in that you can set it up as a basic system or you can turn it into a premium system, depending on how much you want to spend. Starter kits, without cameras, cost $200, and you can add a low-cost camera from the Essential line for as little as $50. You’re not going to do much better than a complete system for $250. On the other hand, Arlo’s best camera, the Ultra 2, costs $300. It’s got the type of features that will elevate your home security, but adding it to the mix means a $500 bottom line. So whether you’re looking for dependable workhorse cameras or top-tier high-tech equipment with all the bells and whistles, Arlo has you covered.

The Blink camera system is lean and mean, and we like that. The company has done away with bulky system hubs. All of our cameras worked through one small sync module. That allowed us to take advantage of the battery powered cameras. We placed them in discreet spots in and around our home, and we didn’t have to worry about a hub drawing attention to them. We didn’t lose a step when it came to accessing, monitoring, and controlling our equipment. Even from work, we were able to keep an eye out for the car radio we ordered online and make sure it didn’t fall victim to porch pirates.

To be sure, these cameras won’t do the sorts of tricks you’d find with a Vivint camera or a Nest device. There’s no facial recognition, for example, and there’s no real AI built into Blink cameras. Still, these aren’t exactly stripped-down cameras either. The Blink Outdoor, for instance, offers two-way audio, infrared night vision, motion detection and alerts sent to your phone. Those are all solid tools that will not only keep you safer but make it easier and more convenient to protect your family. Simply put, you get everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

Of course, the biggest upside to a workhorse camera is its lower price tag. Blink’s equipment is all extremely affordable, with the 3rd generation Blink Outdoor Camera costing just $99.99, and the latest-and-greatest 4th gen camera only running $119.99. If you’re looking to outfit a large property with a network of security cameras without dipping into the kid’s college fund, this is a great way to do it.

Before we go much further, we should point out that most of ReoLink’s most impressive technology doesn’t make it into its battery-powered camera lineup. Missing high-end features include things like person detection and 24/7 recording options; few battery-powered cameras allow for continuous recording. Still, we found all the battery-powered models to be dependable cameras.

When we say dependable, we mean whatever the conditions. We like using battery-powered cameras outdoors since that’s where we always have trouble finding an outlet. During last January’s snowstorm, we had a crystal clear 1080p HD image from start to finish, including a color vision at night. OK, so everything was white, but we could see it all.

The bottom line is that ReoLink offers a broad range of solid cameras, all at a reasonable price. In fact, right now most of the company’s inventory is marked down even more than usual in honor of Valentine’s Day.