Best Motion Sensor Security Cameras

1. Nest Cam – Best Motion Detection Cameras Overall

The Nest cams are made by Google and just like any other Google product, they are designed with the end-user experience in mind. This means you pretty much never have to worry about being disappointed or frustrated with installing or using them. The Nest Cam is a plug-in-and-go wireless DIY camera installation that uses a Wi-Fi signal to communicate.

The Nest Cam is not only a great camera, but it also works well if you want to use it as part of a larger home security, home automation system. This is because the Nest Cam works well with Alexa voice control and other third-party equipment so no worries there.

The Nest Cam doesn’t require a hub or base station to work, you simply download the Nest app and you’re good to go. Additionally, the Nest Cam is one of the best motion-sensing cameras on the market because it has an intelligent sensing feature that can pick out different types of activities, which makes the alerts more accurate. The Nest Cam also has a built-in speaker and microphone. This means you can hear everything going on in your home at all times, and you can speak and be heard if need be. For example, if your kids are getting into something they shouldn’t or if you need to tell your dog to get off the couch, etc.

2. Ring – Best Motion Camera with Light

Ring offers an extremely affordable DIY home security camera. With Ring, you can build your own home security/automation system into as elaborate of a network as you’d like. Ring now offers a wide variety of options from which you can choose. You can opt for home security, any number of environmental sensors, a panic button, and they have top of the line motion detectors. And, Ring products work nicely with many third-party devices as well.

There is a lot of confusion out there about Ring and what third-party products are and aren’t compatible with their system. However, Ring is continually broadening their scope of compatibility; therefore, you have to periodically check their website for the latest information. The Ring home security products, doorbell, and home automation features are now compatible with a variety of third-party products.

Ring has some great motion-detecting products that are easily mounted to room corners or flat against any wall. Ring offers two different types of motion detection, standard and advanced. The Standard Motion Detection uses a passive infrared sensor that is optimized for low-power operations, which will help save your batteries. This three-sensor system provides a significant amount of customization. The Advanced Motion Detection uses a camera for their motion detection rather than using heat signatures such as the ones that are used by a passive infrared sensor. These AC-powered components are optimized to provide the user with more features and a greater ability to customize.

3. Arlo – Best Outdoor Motion Cameras

What makes Arlo one of our top picks for exceptional wireless motion sensors is that they turn on immediately upon sensing any kind of motion and begin recording while sending an alert to your Arlo mobile app. And, the Arlo system gives you seven days of recording for free while most competitors only give you 24 hours free. More recording storage is available, however, but you will need to upgrade to get that. Additionally, with Arlo, it’s easy to scale up to multiple cameras.

Arlo has some great cameras, but the motion detection sensors function differently for each of them. The Arlo, as well as the Pro 2, and the Pro, Ultra, Go, and the wire-free cameras all trigger when the infrared feature detects something that has a warmer heat signature than its surrounding environment. So it is more sensitive to movement that goes side to side across the camera’s field of vision than it is for any movement that is moving towards or away from the camera These cameras have sensitivity ranges from one, which is low sensitivity, to 100, which is high sensitivity.

The Arlo Q Plus, and the Q, and even the Baby Arlo motion detection feature work differently. These cameras evaluate all the changes in each of the video clips to determine whether or not to send you motion detection alerts and video recordings. These cameras have motion sensitivity setting ranges from one, which is low sensitivity, to nine, which is high sensitivity. These cameras also enable you to create up to three activity zones. This will allow you to focus your cameras on a specific area, which will then trigger snapshots or recorded videos.

Arlo offers high-quality cameras, motion-activated, wireless, weather-resistant, and customizable security lights, audio doorbells, and even a baby monitor. And, as we mentioned above, Arlo has exceptionally advanced objection detection features that can distinguish between people, vehicles, and animals.

4. Blink – Most Affordable Motion Activated Cameras

Blink is owned by Amazon. They have indoor and outdoor equipment that is wireless and very easy to set up. And, they are a one-time purchase with no contracts and no ongoing costs; however, that does mean you will have to do the monitoring yourself. But Blink security makes it easy with their mobile app.

Blink is a great wireless, low-maintenance, no contract, affordable option in home security. Blink doesn’t offer any home automation features; however, it can be integrated with third-party products such as Alexa, August Locks, and Philips Hue. It also supports IFTTT technology so you can link automated actions among your Blink and smart home devices. And Alexa even has support for the Blink system already built-in.

Blink has a two-year battery which is longer than its competitors. And the Blink motion alerts are sent directly to your mobile device. You can check in with live HD video and audio streaming from up to 10 Blink cameras. Additionally, the Blink cameras have XT infrared night vision or LED illumination depending on which camera you choose. And, the recorded motion audio and video are crystal clear.

5. Kuna – Best Motion Activated Hidden Camera

Kuna is a DIY installation and their services don’t require any contracts nor do they have any monthly fees. The Kuna basic home security features are free to use and the paid plan will expand your functionality by giving you access to their AI technology, as well as unlimited downloads and more.

The Kuna equipment is well camouflaged which helps prevent a criminal from disabling it to avoid being recorded. Additionally, the Kuna smart sensors are able to detect different objects, so, because of its AI technology, the equipment on the Kuna paid plan knows when to notify you of an event, or not. This is appreciated by those who don’t want to receive false alarms from cars driving by, etc. Kuna’s smart sensors know the difference between normal activity and unusual activity, which is the beauty of having smart sensors versus motion sensors that don’t have this feature. However, if your Kuna device is missing people or experiencing too many false alarms, it can easily be adjusted using your mobile app to fine-tune the sensitivity setting by adjusting the sensitivity slider up or down.

Features of Motion Sensing Security Camera Systems