Best Motion Sensor Security Cameras

In any good security camera, the motion detector sets the tone for the overall performance of the camera. Without a quality motion sensor to detect property threats, that up-to-the-minute feedback I rely on so heavily as a homeowner wouldn’t be worth much.

With upgrades and advances in equipment and technology, most security cameras handle motion detection pretty smoothly, providing real-time insight and footage that can be monitored, stored, and shared with ease.

Features of Motion Sensing Security Camera Systems

Motion Detection

Since it’s really the backbone of any security camera, you’re going to want a camera with effective motion detection. The most common motion sensor we see in cameras is a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, which detects heat (infrared energy) that humans and animals release from their bodies.

Night Vision

You can’t have truly effective motion detection without decent night vision in today’s security cameras. Have a look at what I discovered when I installed a Ring Floodlight Camera in my backyard:

A family of deer travels across our property.

Not every camera out there has color night vision, though, so you might not get crisp images like this in every motion sensor camera. Arlo’s cameras have full color night vision, too, but you do get what you pay for with those, and the price is not necessarily cheap.

App Control

Every security camera comes with an app these days – as an iPhone user, I’ve found that they’re by and large easy to use across most brands. The best apps I’ve used present the camera’s motion detection features in an intuitive, logical way, so when I check on what time my kids’ school bus arrives, it takes me just a swipe or two to locate the footage.

High Resolution

The majority of security cameras, under the most ideal conditions, will record video at 1080p HD resolution. You’ll see it most often when your Wi-Fi signal is running at full strength.

But getting the best motion detection from your cameras doesn’t necessarily require a high video resolution, so remember that a super or ultra HD resolution (2K or 4K) camera like the Arlo Ultra or Arlo Pro 3 might not detect motion as quickly or as efficiently as, say, a 1080p Blink Outdoor cam.

Field of View

Another important component of motion-sensing cameras is the viewing angle, or field of view. This, in layman’s terms, is the angle between the two horizontal edges of the camera’s display.

The smaller the view, the less motion you’re going to capture from your camera. This is a crucial thing to consider in cameras, as not all viewing angles are the same. Ring’s 110-degree Indoor cam, for example, won’t get you the same viewing possibilities as the E1 Outdoor, one of Reolink’s cameras. With PTZ action, you can stretch out that view to a whopping 350 degrees.

Smart Home Integration

With smart home automation features, security cameras are now functioning less as standalone devices and more like components in a larger smart home setup. For the most part, security cameras today are compatible with at least two smart home platforms. Usually, that’s Amazon Alexa and OK Google. But many other cameras, including Zmodo’s super affordable cameras and Swann’s NVR-based systems, are compatible with Z-Wave, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, and other smart home ecosystems, too.

Final Thoughts on the Best Motion Sensor Security Cameras

The bottom line on motion sensors in security cameras is that, though they all work basically the same way, some cameras do handle this better than others. Factors like camera location, storage space, and video quality can all affect the performance of a camera’s motion sensor.

That said, you don’t want to skimp on technology like this, either. While advanced features I see in Nest and Arlo cameras do cost more than basic cameras, I can’t overstate the importance of solid, effective motion detection. Hopefully this comprehensive guide helps you to find the perfect camera solution for your home and family.