Best Home Security Cameras of 2024

Simply put, the SimpliSafe Camera lineup is one of the best out there. They strike a near perfect balance between functionality and affordability, they’re easy to install, and even easier to use on a day to day basis.

We really appreciate this uncomplicated approach. There’s not going to be a mile-long list of cameras to choose from with features you’re never going to need. SimpliSafe now offers two indoor models to choose from – the original wired model (previously known as the SimpliCam) and a new wireless indoor model. The latter is compatible with their new Fast Protect Monitoring service — $29.99 per month — and we have to say, it adds a pretty impressive layer of security. There’s still just one outdoor model, though, so no complicated choices there. There’s more information in our updated SimpliSafe review, but the long and short of it is this: When your alarm is tripped, a SimpliSafe Security professional will be able to take a look at the situation through the camera and relay important information to the authorities.

The outdoor model is pretty standard, but don’t let that fool you. This is a really solid camera for the money. We’d much prefer the simplicity of a camera that just does what you need it to when you need it over a much more expensive model with overly complicated bells and whistles. That said, here’s a quick look at how SimpliSafe’s cameras stack up against each other:

At the end of the day, a SimpliCam combined with other SimpliSafe security products can provide you with that invaluable peace of mind you’re looking for. It’s not the perfect security camera, but when the rubber meets the road, it is our favorite.

The Lorex security camera system includes some serious tech. The company offers models with Power over Ethernet (PoE) for instance, a little outside the norm in the home security business. The truth is, Lorex began life providing security solutions for businesses, and that means its cameras a somewhat more sophisticated than most. That can actually be a little intimidating to some homeowners. And there’s no question installing and maintaining these cameras does take a little know-how. If you’re looking for the highest quality cameras on the market though, Lorex is difficult to beat.

The other aspect of Lorex that’s hard to beat is their list of options. Whether you’re just looking for a simple wireless camera to keep an eye on your front yard, or if you need a professional grade IP camera network with on-site storage, Lorex has you covered. And they’ve got several dozen other options to choose from as well. And you’re usually going to be able to find what you need on sale. Their discount section is always filled to the brim — more on that in our guide to Lorex’s sales and deals. Of course, this too can be a little intimidating. It’s easy to get lost on their website. Generally speaking, though, we like lots of options and we prefer having them to the alternative.

Read more about our thoughts with our Lorex camera review.

In contrast to Lorex cameras, Ring security cameras are exceptionally easy to use. That includes both setup and maintenance. We also like the fact that they’re part of an entire smart home security ecosystem. That’s another difference from Lorex. Aside from security cameras, Ring offers several smart video doorbells, sensors, and even smart plugs–everything you need to automate your house. On top of that, Ring is owned by Amazon, which means its products work well with Alexa smart speakers and displays.

Ring security cameras are an all-around good investment for property owners because they’re designed to provide the features most folks want. That includes two-way talk, notifications triggered by motion, smooth live playback, and an easy-to-install design.

As a provider of security cameras, Ring’s reliability and affordability make them a great choice for many homeowners. Their most expensive camera, the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro is just $249.99 at its retail price, and Ring also offers tons of deals throughout the year. If you’re looking for a seamless, affordable way to monitor your property, Ring is a strong contender.

Read our full Ring security camera review.

With ADT’s traditional system, you can’t just buy an ADT camera, hook it up yourself, and self-monitor. It is a full-service home security company that does it all for you. You are required to use their professional installers to set up your system. On the plus side, every ADT plan includes full-service 24/7 monitoring, so you can rest assured that trained emergency personnel are always at the ready.

ADT cameras include all the features you’d expect from a company that’s been in business for 145 years. They include 1080p HD resolution, two-way audio, and infrared night vision. Both the indoor and outdoor cameras utilize person detection to cut down on false alarms. The outdoor camera is designed for all kinds of weather. It’s rated IP65, which means it is dust-tight and can handle low-pressure water jets. In addition, it has a built-in heater that allows it to work in temperatures of up to 40 degrees below Fahrenheit.

Read more about ADT and camera features in our ADT review.

Wyze is another one of those companies, like Lorex, that’s dedicated to security cameras and offers an absolutely huge line of models. In fact, we feel pretty confident saying that no matter what your security needs the odds are you can find a Wyze camera that will work for you. Plus, All Wyze cameras include the latest innovations in security technology. And, they’re all relatively affordable.

We love a good floodlight, for instance. Nothing scares away potential intruders like a powerful floodlight. Trouble is, our neighbors don’t always like our floodlights as much as we do, especially when they pop on for no reason in the middle of the night. Wyze’s AI technology meant we could set the floodlights to come on only when they detected a person. The cameras are that smart. Yet, they are far more affordable than comparable cameras from competitors like Ring and Google Nest. Ring and Google’s floodlight cams are nearly $300 a piece. The Wyze version? $149.98.

Also new to the Wyze lineup is the Wyze Cam v3 Blue edition. While it doesn’t have any new features or anything, it does have a snazzy blue paint job — you know, if you’re looking for a little flair compared to the standard white or black security cameras on the market today.

The most exciting news in Wyze cams, though, is the company’s introduction of a 24/7 professional home monitoring option. For years, we’ve sung Wyze’s praises as a self-monitoring system. The fact is, though, that systems with professional monitoring plans are always the better choice since they ensure that your home is protected even if you’re in the middle of a root canal. At long last, Wyze has partnered with Noonlight to offer 24/7 eyes on your property. You get a text in seconds, a phone call in around 20 seconds, and if you don’t respond after a minute, Noonlight calls 911 for you. Plus, that coverage comes at one of the lowest prices on the market, just $9.99 a month with an annual subscription.

While these cameras aren’t going to blow you away with cutting-edge technology, they’re going to do exactly what you need them to at a more than reasonable price point. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Wyze Camera Costs

There’s free cloud storage, too, which makes it perfect if you want to avoid monthly fees. And if you’re a fan of smart home tech, Wyze cameras play well with Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and a bunch of other smart home brands.

Of course, the setup is completely DIY, but the Wyze cameras are simple plug-and-play devices. Just download the Wyze app and from there, you can add and monitor any number of cameras.

However, keep in mind these cameras are plug-in devices and don’t have batteries, with the exception of the Wyze Cam Outdoor. So if the power goes out, you’re out of luck for video monitoring. Finally, the customer service experience could use some minor improvements. But all things considered, it’s a great camera option — especially considering the rock-bottom prices.

Read more in our Wyze camera review.

Sometimes we go into Starbucks, and we’re so thankful to have the choice to get a Quad Venti White Mocha Frappaccino. Sometimes, though, we just want a plain old regular cup of coffee. Black. The same logic is at place when it comes to security cameras. Yes, you can go with Lorex or Reolink, both of which offer a mind-bending number of camera models. Seriously, it melts our brain sometimes just visiting their new model pages.

On the other hand, there’s something nice about Canary cameras. There are only three to choose from: the Flex, the View, and the Pro. All three are discreet though, designed with both style and simplicity in mind. Yet, underneath all that simplicity, they each work as mini-security systems. There’s something very refreshing about that. How could we not recommend these cameras?

Canary’s all-in-one security approach includes air quality monitoring, which is something you don’t see every day in traditional cameras. With the brand’s robust premium service plan, Canary also offers a useful panic button option that can be activated if you ever feel unsafe.

The brand’s panic button feature accessed through the app is a refreshing addition. Wherever you may be, you’re always just one button away from help. This proves that Canary is a forward-thinking player not just in home security but personal safety.

See if Canary is right for you with our full Canary review.

The Nest Cam is perhaps one of the most recognizable names in home security cameras today. You might also have noticed that ADT recently started offering Nest cameras to all its home security customers. That’s a pretty good endorsement. Why are Nest cameras so well known? They offer a wide range of benefits including exceptional durability and overall ease of installation. Nest lets users access their cameras 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.

Read our full Nest Cam review.

The keyword with Arlo home security cameras is versatility. As a starting point, there are four models to choose from: the Essential, the Pro, the Ultra, and the Go. These fit every budget. The more you pay, the more features you get. And keep in mind there are wired and wireless versions of most models, and you can get additional features like spotlight attachments. Most cameras are hardy enough to work inside or outside, so you can use them anywhere from an apartment in the city to a remote cabin (we used ours in the suburbs). You don’t even need a Wi-Fi connection if you choose the Arlo Go. It transmits video using 4G LTE.

Add to this versatility the fact that Arlo cameras are among the easiest to set up. It took us no more than 30 minutes to get our entire system up and running. The app is simple and straightforward as well. It’s easy to set up instant alerts and to review footage.

All-in-all, we had a great experience with our Arlo cameras. See more of our thoughts with our Arlo camera review.

What makes the Blink home security camera system 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.

Despite its low cost, Blink offers solid products. The company began on Kickstarter with just one option, but today they have indoor, outdoor, and mini camera models, plus extras like a solar panel mount and a floodlight. And Blink is always working to improve its technology. The most recent addition to the camera line, the Blink Outdoor 4 features person detection to help cut down on false notifications. We don’t always need fancy AI to be impressed, though. We’re just as excited that Blink cameras can run for up to two years on battery power alone, depending on how you use them, of course.

Blink’s cameras remain easy to install, though. All their products are plug-and-play. The entire set-up process took us no more than 30 minutes. It helped that there were no complicated wires to slow things down. Before we knew it, we were in the Blink app and fiddling with features.

Read more about Blink in our full review.

Kuna is unique in the home security world for offering some unusual camera models. The company offers a traditional video doorbell, or you can purchase an outdoor camera with a spotlight. Kuna’s biggest sellers, though, are its porchlight cameras. These are exactly what they sound like – attractive porchlights that include an outdoor camera.

All of these cameras include advanced features like HD video and smart detection technology. And, you can get basic self-monitoring for no cost. That includes three video downloads a month. Or invest in a subscription plan and get up to 14 days of video lookback, unlimited downloads, two-way talk, and custom greetings.

The downside of Kuna is that the company’s camera selection is fairly limited. In fact, all its cameras are made for the outdoors. If you’re in the market for outdoor home security, though, Kuna offers some home decor options you just won’t find with other companies.

Get more info in our Kuna security camera review.

The Zmodo security camera system is known for its reliability. For those who want a simple system to set up and that they can begin using right away, Zmodo is a great choice. 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 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.

Zmodo is also willing to back up the quality of its cameras with some rock-solid guarantees. You can return Zmodo cameras up to 60 days after you purchase them, as long as any other provider on the market. The equipment itself comes with a three-year warranty. Compare that to Ring’s one-year warranty. Plus, you get free support for the lifetime of your devices should you ever need a little help troubleshooting them.

A few nice features about the brand stand out. 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.

See our full review of Zomdo cameras.

Night Owl offers features like night vision, two-way audio, and easy pairing with Google Assistant. If you can look past the buggy mobile app, these indoor/outdoor cams might be a great fit to secure your home.

If you like options, you’ll like Night Owl. In fact, this company offers so many options that it can be difficult to decide on a package. They have analog and HD cameras, wired and wireless cameras, single cams, and multi-packs, and the list goes on. But don’t worry, if you get overwhelmed easily, Night Owl will be there with their “pre-sales support” team to help you along. And, once you’ve made your equipment choices, you never have to worry about paying a single penny, since monitoring is entirely DIY.

The standout features are easy DIY installation (setup only takes 2 minutes per camera), night vision, two-way talk, dual-sensor technology (heat detection!), and a well-designed mobile app for smartphone controls. But remember, Night Owl doesn’t offer a professional monitoring option, so this truly is a DIY system through and through. You can learn more with in-depth Night Owl camera review.

Reolink continues to expand its camera line, and now offers one of the wider selections in the industry. Despite the fact that The Reolink camera system has been in the home security game for a while now, it’s nice to know that they’re still committed to innovation. You can still invest in the company’s flagship Argus series, of course, or mobile Go series. You can get dual-lens cameras, PoE cameras, and a number of 2K and 4K wireless models. But all of those series have new entries as well.

Take the Argus Eco Pro, for instance. It’s still got the crystal clear resolution you expect from other Reolink Argus cameras, up to 5MP 2K Super HD in fact. It comes with full-color night vision and smart detection capabilities. It’s rated IP66, which means it’s dust-tight and can withstand powerful water jets. This Argus, though, is good for the environment, hence the Eco tag. It comes with a rechargeable battery, but ordinarily shouldn’t need that, since it also comes with its own solar panel.

There’s a new Go Ultra and an Argus Track, both with up to 4K resolution. There’s a new Lite version of the the Argus Pan and Tilt. Heck, ReoLink even has a new wildlife model, the Ranger Go PT, with camouflage and solar charging. The only problem? It is easy to get overwhelmed with Reolink’s many options. They sell enough products, accessories, and upgrades to make your head spin. This is another company with DIY monitoring as well, so you want to make sure you’re prepared to keep an eye on your home security yourself. But overall, their lineup of cameras might be worth a closer look. We go more into all of it with our Reolink camera review for you.