The best security cameras of 2023: Protect your home

Pros

• Flexible and quick setups
• Professional monitoring available
• Bolt-on ecosystem additions available, including outdoor cameras

Cons

• Multiple camera costs can be high

Ring Stick Up Cam Solar features: Two-way audio | Motion activated | 1080p video | Flexible mounting

Heavy-duty, wired surveillance systems used to be the only option to protect a home or business. Times have changed, and with the explosion in mobile solutions and the increased bandwidth offered by broadband and 4G/5G, there are mobile-friendly options for people seeking a budget-conscious security option. 

 

The benefit of the Ring camera range, including indoor, outdoor, stickup, and floodlights, lies within its flexibility. Each camera can be connected to the same account and accessed via smartphone, alerting users to motion from all areas.

 

Ring’s stylish stick up cams can be placed inside or outdoors and on horizontal or vertical surfaces. Battery and wired options are available as well as devices that come with a solar panel and a backup battery pack. The Spotlight and Floodlight models are also worth considering, given their built-in security sirens.  

There are a variety of different cameras users can choose from, so you can design a mix-and-match setup. You can also purchase gutter and pole mounts. 

Pros

• Easy setup
• Mobile device monitoring and access
• Flexible options

Cons

• Expensive for single cameras

Google Nest Cam features: Three color options | Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa | 135-degree field of view | Records for up to one hour during a power outage

Google Nest cameras will be of interest to homeowners already in the Nest ecosystem — including users of the Nest Thermostat, Nest CO2 alarms, and Nest X Yale Locks. 

The Nest Cam Indoor and Outdoor cameras are mobile options for on-premise security. They are best suited for budget-friendly users that need basic security measures in place. The cameras can record footage in 1080p HD, and when it comes to the outdoor version, this quality is maintained at night through infrared LEDs. You can pick up battery or wire-powered options.

 

Both versions have built-in speakers and will alert users via their mobile devices when suspicious activity or visitors are detected by motion and noise sensors. Once the app has been installed, and an account has been set up, monitoring begins. 

 

Subscriptions vary.

Pros

• Additional security products create a wider security network
• Small, compact design
• Budget friendly

Cons

• Limited cloud storage included unless subscribed

Wyze Cam v3 features: Color night vision | Motion and sound detection | 32GB of storage | Works with Alexa, Google Assistant

If you want to dip a toe into the world of IoT and intelligent home security devices, you may want to consider the Wyze Cam v3, one of the most affordable options on the market today.

The Wyze Cam v3 is a $35 internet-connected camera offering 1080p recording, an IP65 rating for water resistance during indoor or outdoor use, a CMOS sensor designed to improve nighttime vision, a siren, and two-way communication.

The camera can become part of a broader Wyze security ecosystem, which includes outdoor cameras, motion sensors, leak sensors, keypads, and entry monitors. 

Pros

• Color night vision
• Magnetic mounts
• Activity zones

Cons

• Arlo Secure subscription is required for premium features

Arlo Pro 4 features: 12x zoom | Built-in siren | Noise-canceling audio | Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit compatible | Color night vision 

The Arlo Pro 4 is another one of my favorite security cameras. This slimline option can be used indoors or outdoors, being a weather-resistant model with a variety of mounting options that can detect sound and motion.

 

The Arlo Pro 4, available in black or white, can work as a day-to-day camera on the shop floor, as a discreet camera placed outside as a night watchman, or as a part of a full camera network in a large workplace. A spotlight to improve low-light recording is included alongside object scanning and detection. 

Users will receive real-time alerts whenever motion or sound is detected, and footage is captured in up to 2K HDR resolution. The vendor also has implemented Activity Zones, which can be set to reduce unwanted or nuisance notifications. Arlo’s subscription plan also provides the ability to call a friend or contact emergency services. Arlo’s camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.

At the time of writing, this camera is on sale at Best Buy and Amazon. You can save $40 on a single camera.

Pros

• Built-in siren
• Stylish design

Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus features: 1080p HD video | Built-in 105dB siren | Motion-activated floodlights | two-way talk | Color night vision

The perfect camera for protecting large areas outside, such as a yard or driveway, is the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus. This new model can record in 1080p HD and has a built-in 105dB siren — likely to grab the attention of any unwanted intruder on your property. 

The Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus is equipped with ultra-bright LED floodlights, which are triggered when motion is detected. You can also take advantage of color night vision when you check in via your mobile phone, allowing you to see exactly what’s happening, no matter the time of day.