

Even brands that tend to skew somewhat higher-end, such as Arlo, Google, and Ring, have released wireless security cameras that cost less than $100. And the budget smart home company Wyze makes a $36 wireless security camera, a $30 video doorbell, and a $100 floodlight camera. Amazon-owned Blink now makes a $35 wireless security camera, an $85 video doorbell, and a $100 floodlight camera. It’s now possible to get a decent security camera or video doorbell for under $100 and a good-quality floodlight camera for under $200. In addition to new products, manufacturers are competing heavily on price. Even Google hopped on the floodlight bandwagon, releasing its Nest Cam with Floodlight in 2021. Now, these devices are widely available from a number of security camera manufacturers, including Amcrest, Arlo, Blink, Eufy, Lorex, Netatmo, Swann, and Wyze. Years before it was acquired by Amazon, Ring was one of the first players in both the video doorbell and floodlight camera markets. And two new categories-video doorbells and floodlight cameras-have essentially materialized out of thin air.

Speedy home internet, smaller camera sensors, and cheaper WiFi chips have caused these cameras to gain mass-market appeal in a relatively short amount of time. The world of home security cameras has changed rapidly in the past decade. Here, we break down everything you need to know to find the right security camera to protect your home. With so many types of models and features, it can be hard to know what to look for.
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And companies keep making these cameras smarter through software updates that add new features, such as package detection and facial recognition. That’s not to say home security cameras can’t provide peace of mind, for example, by letting you see that your kids arrived home safely from school, the dog walker showed up as scheduled, or a package was delivered. And many models require you to pay monthly fees for some of the most important features, such as cloud video storage and monitoring zones (the ability to focus on or ignore motion within a designated area of the camera’s field of view). We found that most of the models we tested don’t deliver the high-definition video quality their manufacturers promise under all situations. While these new breeds of security cameras offer greater convenience than ever before, the products are far from perfect. As the name implies, these devices combine a wireless security camera with the bright lights (and usually constant power source) of a floodlight to more easily monitor outdoor areas at night. In addition to wireless security cameras and video doorbells, a third type of home security camera has begun to grow in popularity: floodlight security cameras. And because most traditional doorbells run on low-voltage wiring, there’s a steady stream of power available for a video doorbell. They do double duty: If you have a video doorbell, you probably don’t also need a wireless security camera covering the front door. Video doorbells offer all the features of a wireless security camera while also alerting you if someone rings the doorbell. (The term “wireless” in the name refers to WiFi, not their power supply.) Some models also work with small solar panels, which can charge the camera during the day to keep its battery from dying. Wireless security cameras connect to WiFi and can be plugged in for power or run off a rechargeable battery.

Home security cameras are mainly available in two forms: wireless security cameras and video doorbells.
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But some security camera makers, such as Ring, SimpliSafe, and Wyze, have begun offering professional monitoring services for their cameras, where monitoring agents check for intruders if the cameras detect motion and notify the police. (If you’re interested in a professionally monitored home security system, check out our DIY home security system ratings, which feature many models with optional professional monitoring.) While they can save you from installation and monitoring fees, you generally forgo a 24/7 response team and have to self-monitor through alerts and video feeds that pop up on your phone. Home security cameras are usually DIY devices, meaning you set up and monitor them yourself rather than hiring a security company to do the work and the watching.
