Home security cameras have become an essential part of a smart home setup — often, it's the first device that people will buy after a smart lock or a video doorbell. We've been testing cameras for more than a decade, starting with some of the first Nest, Arlo, and Ring cameras, and have seen them grow in capabilities with better resolution, night vision, and now, AI-enhanced features to let you better know who — or what — is lurking outside your house. After testing dozens upon dozens of cameras in our own homes, both indoors and out, we think the best indoor camera is the Nest Cam , while the best outdoor camera is the Nest Cam battery.
Both are elegant, easy to set up, deliver excellent video, and are reasonably priced. Plus, they offer three hours of video storage without a subscription. However, to get the most out of Nest and Wyze cameras, you're going to need to sign up for a subscription; if you'd rather not do that, then we recommend Eufy's cameras; while some may cost more upfront, they'll be cheaper over the long run.
This guide includes security cameras for both indoors and outdoors, though we also have a more comprehensive guide to the best outdoor security cameras if you're looking for a deeper dive. Best indoor security camera.
High-quality video, free person detection, and three hours of video history without a subscription make this our favorite indoor security camera. Best cheap indoor camera. This camera can be used indoors or out, but wherever you put it, you'll get good video at a fraction of the price, as well as facial recognition. And, we like that it has local storage, too. Best outdoor security camera. The same reasons we liked Nest's indoor camera apply here: Great video and great features at a good price.
Plus, the outdoor version is very easy to set up and place just about anywhere you want. Best cheap outdoor camera. The Blink Outdoor 4 camera offers great video quality for the price. You can also mount it almost anywhere, and its batteries will last up to two years on a charge. While the EufyCam costs more upfront, the company doesn't charge a subscription for storing video or for features, making this very economical in the long run. And, it's an excellent camera, too. Best 4K camera.
