The Best Home Security Cameras on Jogoss.com, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers
While we’ve written about lots of gadgets to give you peace of mind — including dashcams and smart doorbells — here, we’ve rounded up the best security cameras, including one popular doorbell security camera, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Jogoss.com.
Leaving home can be stressful if you're worried about what might happen when you're not there. Fortunately, a home security camera system can help address that issue by allowing you to keep an eye on your property and pets. Moreover, research indicates that many burglars will bypass a house if they see a security camera. And if someone does break-in, having security camera footage can help expedite insurance claims and even help the police catch the perpetrator. Security cameras work even better if they're part of a complete home security system, along with identity theft protection and antivirus software.
If you're looking to keep your home safe and secure, it might be time to invest in a home security camera. There are plenty of excellent security cameras and video surveillance systems to choose from, with cameras that offer features such as two-way communication, motion tracking, night vision, cloud storage, smart notifications, professional monitoring and HD video for top-notch video quality. With numerous options on the market -- including specifically indoor, outdoor, wireless or DIY security cameras -- it can feel daunting to find a perfect match for the camera system you have in mind.
On this page, you can read about the Best Home Security Cameras of 2021 to help narrow down your search. We'll also explain how to decide if you need security cameras, how they work, and what features to look for.
To help protect your home, here are the Best Home Security Cameras of 2021:
#1 Arlo Pro 3
#1 Ring Spotlight Cam Battery
#3 Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
#4 Ring Spotlight Cam
#4 Wyze Cam Pan
#4 Blink Outdoor
#7 Nest Cam IQ Indoor
#7 Ring Indoor Cam
#9 SimpliSafe SimpliCam
#9 Ring Floodlight Cam
#11 Nest Cam Indoor
The Best Home Security Cameras in Detail
We've identified the Best Home Security Cameras of 2021 to help you find the cameras that are best for your situation. Read the descriptions below and follow the links for more information.
Arlo Pro 3: Best High-End Security Camera
Pros:
2K video capability produces clear, crisp video footage
High-quality image processor and 12x digital zoom
Built-in spotlight and siren, plus the option to call 911 from the app
Completely wireless installation and magnetic mounts make it easy to install and adjust
Cons:
Continuous 24/7 recording costs extra
The camera has to be plugged in
The Arlo Pro 3 features 2K video and high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging, which brings out details in the shadows and highlights. Its color night vision and built-in spotlight help you see what's going on at night, and the 12x digital zoom and zoom-and-track feature add even more capability. There's a wide 160-degree field of view, and two-way audio lets you talk to someone on-camera. You can record video locally to a USB drive on the Arlo hub or store footage in the cloud with a subscription. The camera can record video within a certain area or on a particular schedule. For power, the rechargeable battery should last three to six months or you can plug it into the wall. Continuous 24/7 recording is available for a fee.
The Arlo Pro 3 has most of the key features of the more expensive Arlo Ultra. The Ultra has 4K video, but 2K is sufficient for most people. In addition, the Ultra has a slightly wider field of view and can store video on a micro SD card in the camera.
Ring Spotlight Cam (battery powered): Best Battery-Powered Spotlight Security Camera
Pros:
Can be powered by a battery, power cord, or solar
Reasonably wide 140-degree field of view
Built-in LED spotlights
Cons:
No option for continuous recording
Missing some advanced security features like zooming and tracking or package and facial recognition
This outdoor camera can be plugged into the wall or use a battery or solar power. LED spotlights let you see whatever triggers the camera's motion detector. There's also color night vision for seeing in the dark, plus a person-detection mode that's available with a monthly subscription. In addition, the lights will come on and the camera can be programmed to send announcements to Amazon Echo devices when it detects motion. The Ring Spotlight Cam can also broadcast a motion warning when it's plugged into power, and you can use Ring's mobile app to activate a built-in siren. Finally, you can see, hear, and speak to people on camera with select Echo and Fire TV devices.
Ring Stick Up Cam Battery: Most Versatile Security Camera
Pros:
Can be used indoors or outdoors and powered by a battery, power cord, or solar energy
Integration with Alexa and Ring
Option to turn off audio and/or video in the app and set privacy zones
Cons:
One of the narrowest fields of view in our ratings
No option for continuous recording
Lacks some advanced security features like zooming/tracking and package/facial recognition
The Ring Stick Up Cam is supremely versatile and will satisfy the needs of many users. You can place it inside or outside your home, power it with batteries (with or without an optional solar panel) or AC, and even have two sources of power in case one fails. The flexible mounting system lets you place it just about anywhere, and features like color night vision and person detection (with a monthly subscription) add value.
Like the Ring Spotlight Cam, there's a built-in siren that you can activate through the app, and you can see, hear and speak to people on camera with select Echo and Fire TV devices.
Downsides include one of the smallest fields of view in our ratings at 115 degrees, some missing features that higher-end cameras offer, and a 30-second limitation on recorded video clips when using battery power.
Ring Spotlight Cam (AC powered): Best AC-Powered Spotlight Security Camera
Pros:
Can be powered by a battery, power cord, or solar
Reasonably wide 140-degree field of view
Built-in LED spotlights
Cons:
No option for continuous recording
Missing some advanced security features like zooming and tracking or package and facial recognition
This is the AC-powered version of the Ring Spotlight Cam reviewed above. Other than needing to be plugged into a wall outlet, it has the same features.
This is the AC-powered version of the Ring Spotlight Cam reviewed above. Other than needing to be plugged into a wall outlet, it has the same features.
Wyze Cam Pan: Best Budget Security Camera With Google Assistant
Pros:
The least expensive camera in our ratings
Doesn’t require a subscription fee to view recorded footage
The only camera in our rating that can physically pan and tilt to give you a 360-degree field of view
Option (with additional hardware) to record continuous video in high definition for up to three days with no extra fees
Cons:
Built-in speaker isn't very loud
Reviewers say the video quality is good but not great
No option to automatically disarm the camera when you arrive home and turn it back on when you leave
Can't record if the power goes out as there is no battery backup in the device
Reviewers praise this indoor, AC-powered camera for its ability to physically move its lens 360-degrees horizontally and 93-degrees vertically, which lets you see almost an entire room. Other useful features include automatic motion tracking, motion- and sound-triggered recording, and the ability to scan custom areas. The camera is very small and can be placed on a flat surface or mounted on a wall or ceiling. It integrates with Amazon’s Alexa so you can see footage on Fire TVs and select Echo devices, and it can alert you through Echo speakers when it detects motion. It also works with Google Assistant, allowing you to stream footage through any Google Home Hub or Chromecast-enabled TV. On the downside, the sound and video quality don't match higher-end cameras.
Blink Outdoor: Best Budget Outdoor Security Camera
Pros:
The least expensive outdoor camera in our ratings
No monthly fee if you use local storage
IP65 weather resistance rating for outdoor use in any weather
The only camera in our ratings that has a built-in temperature sensor
No wiring or professional installation required
Ability to turn on and off on a schedule and set privacy zones
Cons:
No advanced imaging features such as HDR or color night vision to improve clarity
Narrowest field of view of any camera in our ratings
No option for continuous recording
No person detection or zoom and track
The Blink Outdoor Camera is versatile (it can be used indoors or out and be ceiling or wall-mounted), and the battery lasts up to two years. It can record video clips of between 5 and 60 seconds after detecting motion. It's rated to operate in all sorts of weather and features customizable privacy zones and activity zones so you only get notifications for areas you want to cover.
On the downside, HDR imaging and other advanced video features are missing, so look elsewhere if you want the highest video quality. The camera also can't distinguish between people, animals, and vehicles when sensing motion, which means you'll have to check alerts more often to see if there's something of interest. Finally, the field of view is only 110 degrees – the smallest in our rating.
Nest Cam IQ Indoor: Best Nest-Integrated Security Camera
Pros:
Ability to tailor your alerts for people, sounds, and/or motion
Integrated, high-quality speaker and microphone
Ability to tell you if your dog is barking
One of three indoor cameras in our rating that offers continuous video recording
Cons:
One of the higher-priced cameras in our rating
No built-in light or siren
24/7 recording in 4K consumes a lot of data
The wireless Nest Cam IQ Indoor is larger than the regular Nest Cam (see below) and has better hardware. This includes 4K video and 12x digital zoom, which offers a clearer picture of far-away objects. There are also three microphones instead of one for better audio, along with the ability to zoom and track to follow an object when it detects motion. You get person detection for free with the Nest Cam IQ, and your Nest Aware subscription provides notifications for specific sounds. It even offers a feature called Familiar Face Alerts, which tells you if someone who comes to the door is an acquaintance or stranger. Google Assistant is included with the Nest Cam IQ, which means you can use it like a smart speaker (although you can't control the camera with your voice).
Ring Indoor Cam: Best AC-Powered Indoor Security Camera
Pros:
The least expensive camera in our rating
Includes many of the core features that consumers look for
Cons:
Can only be used indoors
Lacks some features of other Ring cameras, such as a built-in light, battery power, and Amazon Alexa integration
At $59.99, the AC-powered Ring Indoor Cam is the cheapest Ring security camera in our rating. That said, it includes all the basics, such as full HD video, night vision, two-way talk, a relatively wide 140-degree field of view, motion detection, and customizable motion zones and motion warnings. You can control the Ring Indoor Cam with the company's mobile app like you can its other cameras. This inexpensive security camera is all many people will need if they just want to keep track of what's happening in their home.
SimpliSafe SimpliCam: Best for Privacy
Pros:
The only camera that integrates with the SimpliSafe alarm system
Built-in physical privacy shutter that can be controlled in the app or by the alarm system
When paired with a SimpliSafe alarm system, footage can be sent to the monitoring center for visual verification
Cons:
No battery backup, so it can't record if the power goes out
Starts recording based on motion or events from other SimpliSafe devices rather than continuously
No advanced imaging capabilities such HDR or digital zoom
No option to set activity zones or get alerts only when the camera detects people
No compatibility with Alexa, Google Home, or other third-party smart home systems
The AC-powered SimpliCam is primarily an indoor camera, although it can be used outdoors with an optional outdoor converter kit. It can be used with or without a SimpliSafe security system and records if it detects motion, if any connected SimpliSafe device is triggered, or on command. The infrared motion sensor can distinguish people from animals. There's a physical privacy shutter for when you're home, and the camera can send visual verification of an event to the monitoring center if you have a SimpliSafe home security system with a monitoring plan. The camera can easily be stand- or wall-mounted, and you can access the live view through the mobile app or a web portal.
On the downside, viewing recorded footage requires a cloud subscription starting at $4.99 per month. Also, certain features are missing that other cameras offer, like digital zoom, activity zones, HDR, and more advanced AI-based person detection.
Ring Floodlight Cam: Best for Lighting a Wide Area
Pros:
Two powerful, motion-activated floodlights
Wide 140-degree field of view
Cons:
No option for continuous recording
Lacks some advanced security features like zooming and tracking or package and facial recognition
Must be plugged into a wall outlet because of the powerful floodlight
The Floodlight Cam and Spotlight Cam share the same features except for one: the built-in light. Unlike the Spotlight Cam, the Floodlight Cam has two 1,800-lumen, motion-activated floodlights, which can really light up large areas outside your home. Like the Spotlight cam, the Floodlight Cam lets you see, hear, and speak to people with some Echo and Fire TV devices, and you can receive motion alerts. Note that the FloodLight Cam must be plugged into a wall outlet because its lights use more electricity.
Nest Cam Indoor: Best Budget Nest-Integrated Security Camera
Pros:
Ability to tailor settings to be alerted to people, sounds, and/or motion
Least expensive indoor camera in our rating that offers continuous, cloud-based video recording (with a subscription)
Easy mounting and adjustment, pivoting base, long power cable, and magnetic mount
Ability to "hear" a dog barking (with a subscription)
Cons:
24/7 recording consumes a lot of data
No built-in light or siren
Average speakers and microphones
This is the least expensive Nest camera at $129.99. It has regular high-definition video compared to the Nest Cam IQ's 4K resolution, along with an 8x digital zoom rather than 12x. The field of view is 130 degrees, and the camera offers night vision. It’s slimmer, shorter, and lighter than the Nest Cam Indoor IQ, which means that placement is a bit more flexible, but it comes only in black. With a Nest Aware subscription, you get Person Detection and notifications for specific sounds, including a dog barking and a person talking. As with the Nest Cam IQ, there are several mounting options.
The Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras of 2021
For complete coverage of your home, you need cameras outside as well as inside. Plus, many people only want cameras outside for privacy reasons. When shopping for an outdoor security camera, be sure to read our list of the Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras of 2021.
#1 Arlo Pro 3
#1 Ring Spotlight Cam Battery
#3 Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
#4 Ring Spotlight Cam
#4 Blink Outdoor
#6 Ring Floodlight Cam
The Best Wireless Security Cameras of 2021
Wireless home security cameras are easier to install than those requiring AC power because you don't need to place them near an outlet. If you're in the market for a wireless home security camera, check out our rating of the Best Wireless Home Security Cameras of 2021.
#1 Arlo Pro 3
#1 Ring Spotlight Cam Battery
#3 Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
#4 Blink Outdoor