Home Security Cameras Every Homeowner Should Install (2024)

A GH Institute expert favorite for both indoor and outdoor monitoring, Arlo cameras have consistently stood out in Lab tests for exceptional performance. Installing the Arlo on a wall is as simple as screwing in the magnetic base and popping the camera on. Because the camera is wireless, you can attach it anywhere you want within Wi-Fi range, which includes outdoor spaces thanks to its weather-resistant design.

Compatible with a range of smart home ecosystems like Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa and more, control is easy, and all alerts go straight to your phone. We like that this Arlo camera can even capture color videos at night and has an integrated spotlight as well as a built-in siren that you can trigger directly from the app. Plus, it offers some of the highest-quality video resolution.

Just keep in mind that to view all your video recordings in that sharp 2K resolution, you'll need to purchase a $7.99 per month Arlo Secure subscription. Without it, your videos will be in lower resolution. Another alternative to accessing 2K videos is to purchase an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station with a max of 2TB of local storage.

The WyzeCam has a whopping 75,000+ Amazon reviews and starts at under $40! Designed for both indoor and outdoor use thanks to a weather-proof design, it'll record video clips whenever motion is detected and send an alert to your phone. A magnetic mounting kit comes included so you can install your camera anywhere feasible, and all videos are saved on the cloud for 14 days with one of the most affordable subscriptions among home security camera systems at just $2.99 per month.

You can also go subscription-free and opt for storage on a Wyze microSD card so video continues to record even if your Wi-Fi goes out. Our pros love that the v3 comes with great features such as color night vision and Alexa and Google Home compatibility, all at a fantastic price. Reviewers especially love its small size, but note that the Wyze Cam must be plugged into a power source to operate and an outdoor power adapter must be purchased separately if you plan on setting it up outside.

Need surveillance right outside your front door? Look no further than this video doorbell from Google, which impressed our tech experts in tests for its sharp video resolution, wide field of view and excellent night vision. Not only is it easy to view video history from the Google Home app (where you can see all your other smart home devices within the Google ecosystem), but our pros found alerts to be both accurate and timely.

We love that you can both view and communicate with someone at your front door directly from your phone, as well as find out when a package has been dropped off. Just keep in mind that a video doorbell doesn’t provide indoor surveillance, so you’ll need another security camera for that like the Nest Cam.

While this model is battery-powered, you can opt for a wired doorbell if you prefer constant power. Our pros also note that three hours of video history come included with your purchase, but if you need more cloud storage you’ll have to subscribe to Google’s Nest Aware plan for a minimum of $8 per month.

Motion detection, two-way audio, color night vision and impressive 1080p video quality are just a few of the features you’ll get with this spotlight camera created to keep an eye on what’s going on outside your house. While this model is battery-powered and comes with a rechargeable battery pack, it’s also available in a wired version that’s always connected to power or you can automatically extend battery life with the addition of a solar panel.

Our pros found setting up the camera to be easy, and we love how intuitive the Ring app is. There are two LED spotlights located on both sides of the camera to help light up dark areas outside, and in our tests motion detection and alerts were responsive. We were also impressed by the bird’s eye view feature, which gives you access to an aerial view of your home. Though you can always check your live video feed without a Ring Protect subscription, for $4.99 a month you’ll not only have access to live feeds but also 180 days of history. With this subscription, you'll get richer notifications, custom alerts and the ability to save and share videos.

Worried about your home security camera’s battery dying on you? Consider this solar-powered outdoor camera that requires just two hours of direct sunlight a day for continuous power. As soon as motion is detected, a built-in 600 Lumens spotlight will turn on as the camera captures footage in color night vision. “The 2K video resolution and quality was really nice,” comments GH Data Engineer Nik Greenwald, who recently tested the camera.

Greenwald points out how intuitive the Eufy app is, and that the camera held up to water-resistance claims during our rigorous tests by performing without issue even after it was submerged in water. Our pros also like that, unlike other home security cameras, this one comes with 8GB of local storage, which should give you about two months of storage so you can avoid paying another pesky monthly subscription fee. For a newer solar-powered model (sans spotlight), our pros also suggest the SoloCam S220.

Once this outdoor Nest Cam detects people, vehicles or animals, it not only notifies you on your phone but can also shine two bright built-in LED lights to light up that area so you’re always aware of who or what is outside your home. The GH Home Reno Award winner is weather-resistant and packs excellent video quality at 1080p, as well as two-way audio so you can speak to your guests or delivery service from anywhere. During in-Lab evaluations, our experts were impressed by the camera's high-quality construction, though keep in mind that it's heavier than most at 3.45 pounds. Between its heft and the fact that it must be hardwired, you may need a professional to install it for you, though replacing an existing wired floodlight with the Nest Cam might be doable for experienced DIYers.

Thanks to a constant connection, your camera is able to record 24/7 so you'll never miss someone passing through the yard. We like that the optional $8 per month Nest Aware subscription offers facial recognition to avoid unnecessary alerts for family or friends approaching, though if you choose to skip the subscription you’ll still have access to three hours of event video history. While this floodlight is for outdoor use only, our pros also recommend this Nest Cam that is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use (should you not need floodlights).

✔️ Video resolution: Our pros recommend a home security camera with video resolution that's at least 720 pixels, though if you want clearer footage, consider opting for 1080 pixels. If you’re looking for the sharpest and most detailed video quality, you'll want to opt for 2K resolution.

✔️ Local vs. cloud storage: Home security cameras store video footage either locally on the device (usually with a microSD card) or in a cloud. Typically cloud storage requires a monthly subscription, while local storage may be more affordable and easier to download footage from.

✔️ Wired vs. wireless: Home security cameras can be wired, meaning they need to be plugged in, or they can be wireless and cord-free. Wireless cameras are powered by a battery that needs to be recharged every few months (unless you’re using it alongside a solar panel that charges it in direct sunlight). Wired cameras, on the other hand, are reliable and constantly connected to power so you don’t have to recharge them, but they may be harder to initially set up. Most online reviewers prefer wireless cameras as they're easier to move around and switch locations when needed. One thing to note is that wireless security cameras may be more prone to hacking, though most major brands these days offer high-end encryption to protect your privacy.

✔️ Field of view: Typically, the wider the field of view, the better. A larger field of views means you'll be able to see more of the room or outdoor space (i.e., your front porch). If your camera doesn’t pan or tilt to see other areas (like 360° cameras that show you the entire surrounding area), we recommend choosing one with a field of view anywhere from 130° to 160°, though 180° is ideal.

✔️ Indoor vs. outdoor: If your main goal is to prevent theft, go with an outdoor camera as it'll capture footage before someone enters your home and can deter a burglar with motion-activated technology or built-in lights that switch on. Indoor cameras are a great way to supervise any mischievous pets or kids while also maintaining a level of security. Most outdoor cameras can also be used indoors, but indoor cameras that are not weatherproof must be kept inside.

✔️ Subscription fees: Before buying a home security camera, you should know that most home security cameras require a subscription for complete access to all footage the camera captures. Though you may have enough for your needs without a subscription and should usually be able to access live video streams and receive notifications, you likely will have to pay extra for access to all features. For most of the home security cameras above, brands offer a monthly or yearly subscription that gives you full access to all video footage instead of shorter clips, on top of other advanced perks such as facial detection, so you won't get intruder alerts for your babysitter or family members.

✔️ Smart home compatibility: Many home security cameras today are compatible with your favorite voice assistants, like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. If you already use a voice assistant, try to find a home security camera that supports it so you can access handy voice commands and take advantage of easy integration within your ecosystem.

The Good Housekeeping Home Improvement Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, from setting up home security systems to installing smart plugs.

This guide was originally written by Senior Product Analyst, Emma Seymour. GH Institute writer and product analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from consumer electronics to home, fitness, travel and more and frequently collaborates with the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab.

To update this review, she worked with the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico, who brings more than 20 years of experience to the GH Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports. During his time at the Institute, he has evaluated all types of security cameras and home security systems.