We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›
We’ve updated this guide to add our new top pick for the best doorbell camera, the Google Nest Doorbell. Bi-Spectrum PTZ Cameras
Wi-Fi security cameras let you keep tabs on packages outside your home, pets on the couch, and even prowlers raiding your refrigerator. We’ve done hundreds of hours of research and testing on outdoor, indoor, hardwired, wireless, and doorbell Wi-Fi cameras, searching for the best models to fit a variety of homes, budgets, and security needs. If you want to know what’s going on when you’re away, one of our camera recommendations will do the job.
This 1080p camera can distinguish between people and other moving objects and is powered by an included weather-resistant cord (or an add-on battery).
People who want to keep tabs on welcome or unwelcome guests at the front porch, back deck, garage, pool area, driveway, or anywhere else outside.
The Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In Wi-Fi camera comes with a lengthy, weather-resistant power cord but can also run on a battery (sold separately). We prefer the cord, which enables the camera’s ability to record longer clips and more accurately capture motion events. The camera delivers crisp two-way audio and 1080p video, with a 130-degree field of view. A Ring Protect Basic plan (which starts at $4 per month or $40 per year) is required to store camera recordings, but it also enables person alerts and smartphone notifications with video stills. Also, despite some previous issues, Ring now provides more privacy and security measures than any other camera manufacturer whose models we tested.
Ring’s camera can detect people and general motion, but not at the same time. Also, it doesn’t offer the specialized detection that some other cameras do, such as animal, package, and vehicle detection.
Learn more in our full review of the best outdoor security camera.
This 2K-resolution model is fully wireless, so you can install it just about anywhere. Its battery pack should last a couple of months, depending on use.
People who don’t have an outdoor outlet or who want maximum flexibility when installing an outdoor camera.
The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera captures sharp 2K video and includes a rechargeable battery so you can install it anywhere within reach of your Wi-Fi signal—we especially like that it allows you to pull the battery out for recharging, instead of having to uninstall the whole camera. To save your recordings, you need to subscribe to the Arlo Secure cloud service (starting at $5 per month for one camera), which also adds AI-powered features like the ability to distinguish between people, animals, vehicles, packages, and general motion. In addition, the system has a 6,500 K spotlight for color night vision, as well as a siren that peaks at 95 dB (based on our measurements), which you can set up to trigger automatically based on movement or in an emergency with a touch of a button in the app.
Because the Arlo Pro 4 is battery-powered, it needs regular charging: Although Arlo claims a charge length of six months, our testing suggests that a one- to two-month estimate is closer, depending on how often the camera is triggered.
Learn more in our full review of the best outdoor security camera.
This 2K-resolution floodlight camera allows you to store video on a memory card for free or in the cloud for a fee, and it has bright, adjustable lighting.
People who want to capture nighttime images with a brighter image or who need a light to guide them to the door or to scare critters away from trash cans.
The Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro combines a bright outdoor light with a surveillance camera. Three integrated LED panels capable of blasting 3,000 lumens of brightness can be turned on and off or tweaked via the Eufy app or voice control. This Eufy model is also the only floodlight we’ve reviewed that allows for color-temperature adjustments, from 3,000 to 5,700 Kelvin, so you can choose between cool and warm whites. The camera can pan and tilt 360 degrees horizontally and 130 degrees vertically, capturing stellar 2K images day and night—both with and without color night vision. And it can store that video locally on 8 gigabytes’ worth of internal storage or in the cloud (for a fee starting at $3 per month); the cloud option downgrades the recordings to 1080p, though.
Of all the floodlight cameras we tested, the Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro is the least attractive, resembling a small spaceship (which some people may find cool). Still, its excellent features outweigh its aesthetic shortcomings.
Learn more in our full review of the best outdoor security camera.
This camera delivers high-resolution images and can distinguish between people, pets, and motion, a feature usually available on high-priced models.
People who want to keep tabs on what’s going on inside, whether they’re checking in on kids and pets or watching for unidentified houseguests.
The Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 captures 2K images day and night, a massive upgrade from 1080p resolution, which has long been considered the gold standard. It can detect motion, tell the difference between people and pets, and even hear crying. You can store clips in one of four ways, including locally on a microSD card or NAS (network-attached storage, which you can set to capture just motion-triggered events or to record everything 24/7) and in the cloud via a paid subscription to Eufy Cloud or Apple HomeKit Secure Video. The C24 is also the least expensive, best-performing camera we’ve reviewed that supports Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, and Google Home.
Although the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 delivers vivid 2K images for live viewing or recording to a microSD card, it downgrades clips stored on NAS devices and in the cloud to 1080p resolution. In our tests we always found its images to be sharp regardless of the storage method, but if 2K resolution is important to you, opt to use a microSD card.
Learn more in our full review of the best indoor security camera.
This doorbell captures clear audio and video, sends fast alerts, and offers free and paid cloud storage—including an option for 24/7 recording.
People who want a permanently installed way to screen visitors at the door, whether they’re on the other side of the door or the other side of the world.
The Google Nest Doorbell was the most accurate when it came to identifying types of motion (person, animal, vehicle, or package), and reacted quickly when sending smartphone alerts and displaying live views. The image resolution is only 960×1280, which is lower than our other picks, but the picture is clear, and the low-res actually ends up being easier on your Wi-Fi network to allow for smoother streaming. Audio was always clear on either end, with adjustable volume and the ability to switch off the microphone when necessary. While it offers free cloud storage, you’ll only be able to access footage from the past 3 hours . If you want to keep it longer, the Nest Aware plan (starting at $8 per month or $80 per year) can store video up to 30 days, and adds in Familiar Face Detection. In addition, if you want 24/7 recording to the cloud, you’ll have to shell out $15 a month or $150 annually for the Nest Aware Plus plan.
The Familiar Face Detection feature (a feature that “recognizes” and names frequent visitors) included with the Nest Aware subscription can be faulty. It needs a good look at your visitors to work properly–and even then it still gets some wrong. The Nest doorbell also isn’t compatible with the old Nest app since newer Google products have switched to using Google Home. However, useful Nest app features like the ability to “favorite” the doorbell so you can view the live feed upon opening Google Home have made the transition easier.
Learn more in our full review of the best smart doorbell camera.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
Rachel Cericola is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter who has been covering smart-home technology since the days of X10. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, Men’s Health, USA Today, and others. She hopes her neighbors read this bio because it would explain why she always has four video doorbells running simultaneously outside her home.
A home security system is all about peace of mind. It can alert you to an open door or window, frighten away prowlers, and call for help should you need it.
Apple’s cloud service for security cameras has many great features, including the price—but we don’t recommend it for most people.
A smart doorbell camera allows you to see who’s on the other side of your front door so you can screen visitors and package deliveries—even if you aren’t home.
You should occasionally clean your Wi-Fi cameras to keep them free from dead bugs, water stains, and other debris that might alter their function.
Usb 3.0 Video Output Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).