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Our outdoor camera pick, the Google Nest Cam Outdoor, has been discontinued. Google says it will continue to support the camera for existing owners but doesn’t say for how long.
Wi-Fi security cameras let you keep tabs on your home from anywhere in the world. We’ve done hundreds of hours of research and testing on indoor, outdoor, hardwired, wireless, and doorbell Wi-Fi cameras, searching for the best ones 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 camera is completely waterproof, provides crystal-clear 1080p images, and has options for motion-only or 24/7 recording.
May be out of stock
*At the time of publishing, the price was $200.
Who this is for: People who want to keep tabs on welcome or unwelcome guests on the front porch, back deck, garage, pool area, driveway, or anywhere else outside.
Why we like it: With the Google Nest Cam Outdoor, you get crystal-clear 1080p video whenever motion is detected or a full 24/7 recording of everything, depending on your Nest Aware subscription plan (required if you want to view your footage). The camera sends smartphone alerts and keeps a detailed in-app timeline when motion occurs. More importantly, the Nest Cam Outdoor is completely waterproof, which includes the power cord and adapter. That means it can withstand the outdoor elements a lot longer than you can.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Without the Nest Aware service, this outdoor camera is basically limited to live viewing, so expect to pay a minimum of $6 per month on top of the purchase price for hardware. Also, if you don’t want to run wires or have an outdoor outlet nearby, placement will be limited.
Subscription: required (no free video storage) Power: corded Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings
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 seen on high-priced models.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $40.
Who this is for: 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.
Why we like it: 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. Clips can be stored 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 Eufy C24 is also the least expensive, best-performing camera we’ve reviewed that supports HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 delivers vivid 2K images while live viewing or recording to a microSD card, clips stored on NAS devices and in the cloud are downgraded to 1080p resolution. We always found images to be sharp, regardless of storage, but if 2K is important to you, opt to use a microSD card.
Subscription: optional (local storage is free) Power: corded Works with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant
Learn more in our full review of the best indoor security camera.
This 2K camera is wireless in every way; it uses a battery pack that can deliver one to two months of use anywhere you need it.
Who this is for: People who don’t have an outdoor outlet or want maximum flexibility when placing an outdoor camera.
Why we like it: The Arlo Pro 4 delivers sharp 2K images and includes a rechargeable battery so you can place it anywhere within reach of your Wi-Fi signal; we especially like that you can pull the battery out for recharging, instead of having to move the whole camera. To save footage, you’ll need to subscribe to the Arlo Secure cloud service, but that also adds to the ability to distinguish between people, animals, vehicles, packages, and general motion. The system also has a 6,500K spotlight for color night vision, as well as a siren that peaks at 95 dB (based on our measurements), which can be triggered automatically based on movement or a touch of a button in the app.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Because it’s battery-powered, it will need to be charged regularly. The company says that battery can last up to 6 months, though our testing suggests it’s more like one to two months per charge, depending on usage.
Subscription: required (no free video storage) Power: cordless, rechargeable battery Works with: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit (with a compatible base station), Google Assistant, IFTTT
Learn more in our full review of the best outdoor security camera.
This slick doorbell can alert you to people, packages, animals, and cars going by. Its wide, 180-degree field of view and square aspect ratio reduce blind spots so you can see people or packages.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $113.
Who this is for: 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.
Why we like it: Along with its great hardware and fast response times, the Arlo Video Doorbell was the only model we tested that could distinguish among people, animals, vehicles, or packages. This meant it also kept false alerts—a problem with many models—to a minimum. That advanced sensing and the ability to capture video clips up to five minutes long require a $3 monthly Arlo Secure subscription, but we think these features are essential, and the price is fair (otherwise you’re restricted to motion/bell alerts and live video streaming). Local storage cuts out that monthly fee, but also the advanced motion detection features. The Arlo also captures crisp video, with a 1536×1536 resolution and a wide, 180-degree viewing angle in a square format: This provides a comprehensive vertical and horizontal view of what’s going on in front of your door, whether it’s deliveries or visiting raccoons.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Even though the Arlo Video Doorbell has a battery backup, it needs wiring to function on a daily basis. We found the battery lasts only about five minutes and is intended for emergencies, so you can catch whoever is trying to steal your doorbell. If you don’t have an existing doorbell and aren’t comfortable with wiring, hire an electrician.
Subscription: required (no free video storage) Power: hardwired Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
Learn more in our full review of the best smart doorbell camera.
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.
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