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Ring
SecureScore™: 9.2/10
Ring offers a wide range of cameras for just about every need. Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, each piece of equipment is well designed and is flush with top-tier features and provides crystal-clear images day or night. And since many of Ring’s cameras are wireless, setup is a breeze.
Nest offers sophisticated cameras without the hassle of having to deal with wiring. With 24/7 live video, continuous cloud recording, facial recognition, and other advanced features, Google’s security camera offerings are exactly what you’d expect from the tech giant.
Arlo’s wireless security cameras are among the best in the industry, offering advanced features, high resolution, and AI-powered smart detection. Many of their models offer color night vision, and their app-based notifications will help you take immediate action if necessary.
Ring offers a wide range of cameras for just about every need. Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, each piece of equipment is well designed and is flush with top-tier features and provides crystal-clear images day or night. And since many of Ring’s cameras are wireless, setup is a breeze.
Nest offers sophisticated cameras without the hassle of having to deal with wiring. With 24/7 live video, continuous cloud recording, facial recognition, and other advanced features, Google’s security camera offerings are exactly what you’d expect from the tech giant.
Arlo’s wireless security cameras are among the best in the industry, offering advanced features, high resolution, and AI-powered smart detection. Many of their models offer color night vision, and their app-based notifications will help you take immediate action if necessary.
Editor’s Note: We highly recommend getting whole-home security with one of the best wireless home security systems. Each of the systems in that roundup can also include wireless cameras.
When it comes to peace of mind, there’s nothing like having a network of high-quality security cameras installed around your property. Whether you’re keeping an eye out for illegal activity, dissuading would-be intruders, or just making sure the cat sitter actually shows up this weekend, adding cameras to your home security network is always a great idea.
What’s not great, though, is dealing with an involved installation process. If you’re not a certified electrician, sometimes getting your security cameras up and running can be a bit of a headache. Don’t worry, though. There are plenty of security camera manufacturers out there that understand how frustrating hardwiring equipment can be, so they offer great DIY-friendly battery-operated equipment that makes setup a breeze.
We put many of the industry’s top-selling cameras to the test to help you narrow down your search for the perfect security cameras to protect your family and property. Here are our top picks:
Ring’s home security cameras — both indoor and outdoor — will help you keep an eye on things wirelessly. One of the most highly regarded names in the security industry, their equipment is easy to use, highly customizable, and works well with Amazon’s Alexa platform.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Easy DIY installation with minimal wiring
At least 1080p HD video resolution on all models
Designed for indoor and outdoor use
Choose how you want to power your cameras (battery, wired, plugged in, solar)
Enhanced audio for clearer two-way talk
Built-in motion-activated lights on some models
Cons:
No 2K or 4K camera options
Some models cost at least $200 per camera
History of privacy issues and hacking (now resolved)
Design aesthetics could be improved
Our Experience:
To put it simply, Ring’s wireless security cameras are among the best in the business. Whether you’re looking to keep an eye on things inside or monitor what’s going on outdoors, there are several options available for you. To get a more clear understanding of their offerings, we have the breakdown of Ring’s wireless cameras and pricing below:
Ring’s Wireless Equipment Pricing Breakdown
Ring Equipment
Price
Ring Spotlight Cam Plus
$169.99
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro
$229.99
Ring Stick Up Cam
$99.99
Battery Doorbell Plus
$179.99
Video Doorbell 4
$159.99
And speaking of security solutions, Ring is always an innovator in this space. Be on the lookout for their new Always Home cam — a security camera mounted on a drone that will fly around on a predetermined flight path to patrol your home while you’re away — and their car cam which will take video of important moments while you’re on the road.
All of Ring’s cameras are connected through the Ring app — a simple, intuitive platform that will help you manage everything, and through the Ring protect plan, you can enhance the capabilities of your new equipment. Plans start at $40 a year for basic service for one camera and go up to $200 per year, which covers all your equipment and includes professional monitoring.
Recently streamlining its lineup of cameras, Google Nest’s current lineup is heavily focused on the indoor/outdoor battery operated Nest Cam. It’s an exceptional piece of equipment with only a few drawbacks that we’ll discuss below.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Plenty of features
Simple set up and installation
Great UI in app
Exceptional design
Long battery life
Cons:
Somewhat pricey
No color night vision
Resolution just average
Our Experience:
For our money, the Google Nest Cam is one of the best wireless cameras out there. It’s extremely well designed, super durable, and offers all of the features you need in a modern security camera. What do we mean exactly? We’re talking about AI-driven alerts, crystal-clear 1080p resolution, and it even boasts a familiar face feature so you know if mom’s dropping by to say hello or if that person approaching your door is a complete stranger.
It’s certainly not the most affordable camera on our list, but if you read our Nest Cam review, we think you’ll understand why we argue the price is worth it. Also keep in mind that you’re going to need a Nest Aware account to get the most out of these cameras, which will tack on a little more to the bill — $6 per month for the basic package. Here’s a look at what the Nest Cams cost:
Nest Cameras and Prices
Nest Camera
Price
Nest Cam Battery
$179.99
Nest Cam Floodlight
$279.99
Nest Cam Indoor*
$99.99
*This model isn’t wireless.
Also note that Nest offers a full suite of products — from indoor cameras to wireless doorbells. That said, their floodlight cam and their indoor-only Nest Cam are both wired. If you’re looking to go wire free with all of the pieces of equipment in your security system, you might need to look elsewhere to fill in some gaps.
Arlo is another high-tech wireless home security camera system that offers a variety of features that tech-savvy customers will love. The equipment is quite smart and can differentiate between humans, animals, and cars.
Read more about its features and tech in our hands-on review of Arlo.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Detailed 2K resolution
AI-friven detections
Wi-Fi connectivity
Long battery life
Great app experience
Cons:
Expensive
Requires a subscription to access all features
Mounting hardware a little flimsy
Our Experience:
Arlo home security cameras are a great option if you’re looking for a hassle-free, high-tech security camera. The Arlo Ultra 2 boasts stunning 4K resolution, color night vision, and is rated for indoor and outdoor use. It’s integrated spotlight will trigger when something goes bump in the night, and the premium two way audio will make talking with the delivery guy a breeze.
And if you’re looking for total protection, the new Arlo home security system, starting at $199.99, includes their brand new all-in-one sensor with eight different detection modes for comprehensive protections.
Arlo offers a comprehensive app that lets you receive instant notifications when audio or motion is detected at your home. You can then watch the footage live from your smart device. Arlo’s cameras feature “intelligent detection” that can distinguish a person’s movements from a pet’s movements. Arlo also offers “activity zones” which lets you choose a specific area to monitor.
Arlo also offers an video doorbell camera that you can pair with Arlo outdoor cameras to see who is on your front porch anytime day or night. When someone rings the doorbell, you’ll get an instant alert on your phone. Then, if you want to see who is at your door, you can access your outdoor cameras via your phone, as well.
Arlo’s outdoor cameras feature “smart” technology. Person detection provides instant alerts to your phone when the camera detects a person. Package detection notifies you when a package is delivered to your home. Vehicle detection lets you know when a car pulls up. And, animal detection alerts you when an animal passes by the camera’s sensor. Another of Arlo’s features that is very helpful is the Arlo Smart e911. This service connects you with emergency services closest to your home. This may be different from the emergency responders near your cell phone.
Blink’s indoor and outdoor cameras are a great DIY option for folks looking to protect their families and property without having to bust out the power tools. They offer free cloud storage, and there are no monthly monitoring fees, either.
See our Blink analysis for the full scoop on our experience with these cameras.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Fully Wireless Cameras
Easy DIY Installation
Lightweight, Minimalist Design
1080p HD Video Resolution
Two-Way Talk
Infrared Night Vision
Low-Cost Cloud Storage
Local Video Storage
Smart Home Integration
Cons:
Lacks Advanced Motion Features
App Setup Can Be Glitchy
Relies on Wi-Fi Connection
No Continuous Recording
Requires Separate Hub to Connect
Our Experience:
Blink offers two wire-free, ultra affordable home security cameras — one for indoor use, and one for outdoor. If you’re looking for comprehensive protection without breaking the bank, Blink is certainly a manufacturer to consider.
The indoor HD camera is ideal for keeping an eye on things inside your home. Keeping track of your kids, making sure the pet sitter is taking care of Fluffy — Blink can handle it all. If you’re looking for outdoor protections, though, they’ve got you covered, too. The weatherproof outdoor camera is rugged enough to stand guard over your home while standing up to mother nature.
And there are other ways to save, too. With Blink, you can choose a one, two, three, or five camera system to protect your entire home. Plus, you can add on additional Blink cameras as needed. Since they’re battery operated, you won’t have to fool around with installation, and blink cameras can last up to two years without a charge.
If you’re looking to protect your family and property without breaking the bank, Zmodo has a wide range of affordable options for you. Their cameras are sturdy, well-designed, and their wide range of smart home devices make home automation easy.
Head over to our hands-on Zmodo analysis to see our full experience with these cameras.
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
Low-Cost Cameras
Simple, Discreet Design
No Paid Subscription Required
Clear 1080p Video Quality
Numerous Indoor Camera Options
Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
30-day Money-Back Guarantee
1-year Warranty
Cons:
Limited Features
Some Delay on Wake Time in App
Bulky design
Our Experience:
Just like many of the other manufacturers on our list, Zmodo cameras come in both indoor and outdoor varieties. While many of their cameras are a little bare-bones, you’re not going to be paying tremendous amounts for them either. A single indoor&outdoor Zmodo camera costs less than $30, and offers many of the same core capacities of the other cameras on our list.
If you’re looking for features, The Zmodo Sight 180 features a 180-degree wide viewing angle, night vision, two-way audio and more. Other offerings include the low-priced EZ Cam, which detects motion and lets you see clearly in the dark and the Zmodo 1080p HD Pan and Tilt Camera.
Just as Zmodo offers a whole range of indoor cameras, they also offer a complete selection of outdoor home security cameras, as well. Choose the 1080p Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera for remote viewing day or night. The Zmodo Sight 180 Outdoor features a wide 180-degree viewing angle and smart night vision.
Zmodo’s indoor and outdoor cameras all integrate with the company’s other smart home security solutions. Zmodo offers cloud-recording, time-lapse videos and the ability to share video clips. However, you’ll need a cloud storage plan.
Product Specs:
Connectivity
Wi-fi, ethernet
Power
Wired, battery, PoE
Field of View
Up to 360°
Resolution
Up to 1080p
Storage
Cloud
Smart Platform Compatibility
Alexa and Google Home
How Wireless Security Cameras Work
One of the biggest breakthroughs we’ve observed in our years testing and interacting with security technology is the rise of the wireless camera. Thanks to advances in video surveillance and Wi-Fi speeds, wireless security cameras are now able to connect to most home internet networks through a simple, step-by-step DIY setup process.
Lorex Packaging
This means you’re not going to have to go through the hassle of hardwiring anything to get your new cameras installed. This is a huge time-saver, and also makes it so home security cameras are far more accessible regardless of budget or ability level.
Personally, we’ll take the added convenience of a wireless camera over a wired one any day. As homeowners, we want technology we can tailor to our needs, but more than that, we want technology that moves with us, that can be altered if our needs change.
Of course, the industry is still loaded with wired camera options, if that suits your fancy. In these cameras, once they’re installed, you’ll get stable, uninterrupted performance – which is a huge plus in security equipment. After all, what good is a camera if it doesn’t start recording the moment danger is present? With wireless cameras, there’s always a chance of missing activity, because you just can’t guarantee a seamless connection with the average home Wi-Fi network.
Pro Tip: If you’re interested in how a wired setup would perform in your home, we recommend starting with a classic, full-service security system like ADT, where you can choose your package of cameras, alarms, sensors, and professional monitoring. Check out our full ADT system review for more.
With such a broad selection in this industry, we still think it’s beneficial that so many brands are offering high-quality wired cameras. You might want to look into Ring’s options for wired cameras with motion-activated lighting. Those, we found, offer one of the best ways to secure the outside of your home, since they project ultra-bright LED light in addition to recording powerful HD video.
It’s important to note, though, that some of these models, like Ring’s Floodlight Cam, will still require some hardwiring. Just something to keep in mind, especially if your electrical skills are lacking.
The bottom line here is this: If you’re buying wireless security cameras, you will need a stable internet connection to use them. As long as you understand that going in, we think you’ll end up with a smarter, better system.
From what we’ve seen, there are plenty of affordable wireless devices that’ll do a great job of protecting your home and family. With that said, we hope this guide on how security cameras work has helped you on your journey of finding the perfect fit.
Do Wireless Security Cameras Need Internet?
As the home security industry has evolved over the years, we’ve really seen an explosion in demand for wireless cameras. This doesn’t surprise us; as mentioned, wireless cameras install easier than wired systems in most cases, since they rely on the Internet rather than physical wires to work.
So that’s something to remember about wireless cameras: In most cases, they do need the Internet. A standard home Wi-Fi network usually does the trick.
And as far as the connection itself, keep in mind that almost every camera we test these days has app-guided setups to connect the cameras to our Wi-Fi with very little work required on our end. We just need to enter our Wi-Fi credentials and wait a few minutes for the camera’s firmware to update.
Arlo App Battery Instructions
The Amazon-owned Blink camera system, with its simple, minimalist build and wire-free, super-easy installation, connected to our home Internet in under three minutes per camera. That kind of convenience is hard to beat, but this is the beauty of a wireless camera: They’re made for almost anyone, regardless of your home Wi-Fi’s signal strength or your individual tech skills, to set up and use.
You’ll get a decent upgrade in technology over Blink by going with a Google Nest or Arlo camera, if Blink cams seem a bit too simplistic. And of course, keep in mind that Ring is our top pick for wireless cameras. But regardless of brand or model, if it’s labeled “wireless,” this always means the security camera needs an Internet connection.
Features of Wireless Home Security Cameras
If you are looking for a wireless home security camera system for your home, then you will want to make sure it has all of the features that you need. Here are some of the most important features to look for when choosing a wireless home security camera.
Motion Detection
Most wireless security cameras come with built-in motion detection. This feature automatically records video when the motion sensor is tripped. Many wireless cams with motion detection boast a number of impressive functions, not the least of which are two-way voice and automatic alerts to your smart device. Some can even differentiate between people and pets.
Two-Way Voice
Many of today’s wireless cameras come with two-way voice. Now you can listen in on the happenings of your home, anytime, from anywhere. This feature also lets you talk to those within earshot of your wireless camera. Going wireless is all about simplicity, and two-way voice truly makes it simple to secure your home.
Night Vision Cameras
Night vision is a powerful feature to look for in a wireless security camera. Night vision delivers crisp, clear images when you need it most — in the ink-black middle of the night. Don’t let criminals have their way. Get a wireless cam with night vision. Better yet, spring for infrared LED night vision for the clearest picture.
App Control
Control your wireless security camera with app control — from Boston to Beijing, and anywhere in-between. Cameras with this feature put home protection at your fingertips. Simply open the app on your smartphone and voilà! Many wireless cameras let you arm and disarm the system, view live-streaming video, and the list goes on.
High Resolution
Wireless cameras and high resolution go hand-in-hand. Companies offer these easy-install DIY cameras without sacrificing on quality imaging. Look for a security camera with HD 1080p resolution. Some even offer full color video, day or night. Because the last thing you want is a blurry burglar. Catch the bad guys with high resolution.
Video Recording
Video recording comes built-in to many wireless security cameras. You’ll find that certain cams offer continuous recording, while others deliver on-demand recording when it detects activity in the field of view. Video recording unlocks a whole new level of home protection. So be sure that your wireless camera comes stacked with this valuable feature.
Cloud Storage
Gone are the days of having to store footage on SD cards and hard drives. Cloud storage is the simple way to store video recordings. With cloud storage, you can safely and securely keep loads of surveillance video. Sure, it costs a little extra each month, but a wireless camera that sends footage to the cloud is a must have.
Live View
Keep a finger on the pulse of your home security with Live View. This feature allows you to pop in to see live-stream video of your wireless camera. It’s especially useful for those who travel often, or for those who wish to monitor activity in and around their home. Stop intruders in their tracks with live view.
Easy Set-Up
Easy does it. Wireless cameras are all about simple setup and ease-of-use. In fact, some security companies pride themselves on offering DIY cameras that take mere minutes to set up. In the time it takes to scarf down breakfast, you can have your wireless cameras up and running. (Psssst… don’t skip breakfast).
Jaime Fraze has 16 years of writing and editing experience, with seven years spent writing about emerging technologies. As our home security camera expert, she has hand-tested and reviewed every major security camera brand and has written more than 300 articles on the topic. Previously, Jaime has contributed to award-winning media outlets such as the Rocky Mount Telegram and the Daytona Beach News-Journal. As a homeowner and mother of two, Jaime is constantly looking for ways to keep her home and family safe. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism from the University of Delaware.
