Best of Open Security Camera Feed
Best corded outdoor security camera
Our pick
- Subscription: required (no free video storage)
- Power: corded
- Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Works With Ring, Google Assistant, SmartThings
Who this is for
People who want to keep tabs on welcome or unwelcome guests at the front porch, back deck, garage, pool area, driveway, or anywhere else outside.
Why we like it
The Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In Wi-Fi camera comes with a lengthy, weather-resistant power cord but can also run on a battery (sold separately). We prefer the cord, which enables the camera's ability to record longer clips and more accurately capture motion events. The camera delivers crisp two-way audio and 1080p video, with a 130-degree field of view. A Ring Protect Basic plan (which starts at $4 per month or $40 per year) is required to store camera recordings, but it also enables person alerts and smartphone notifications with video stills. Also, despite some previous issues, Ring now provides more privacy and security measures than any other camera manufacturer whose models we tested.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Ring's camera can detect people and general motion, but not at the same time. Also, it doesn't offer the specialized detection that some other cameras do, such as animal, package, and vehicle detection.
Best cordless outdoor security camera
Our pick
- Subscription: required (no free video storage)
- Power: cordless, rechargeable battery
- Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit (with a compatible base station), Google Assistant, IFTTT
Who this is for
People who don't have an outdoor outlet or who want maximum flexibility when installing an outdoor camera.
Why we like it
The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera captures sharp 2K video and includes a rechargeable battery so you can install it anywhere within reach of your Wi-Fi signal—we especially like that it allows you to pull the battery out for recharging, instead of having to uninstall the whole camera. To save your recordings, you need to subscribe to the Arlo Secure cloud service, which also adds AI-powered features like the ability to distinguish between people, animals, vehicles, packages, and general motion. In addition, the system has a 6,500 K spotlight for color night vision, as well as a siren that peaks at 95 dB (based on our measurements), which you can set up to trigger automatically based on movement or in an emergency with a touch of a button in the app.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Because the Arlo Pro 4 is battery-powered, it needs regular charging: Although Arlo claims a charge length of six months, our testing suggests that a one- to two-month estimate is closer, depending on how often the camera is triggered.
Best floodlight security camera
Our pick
- Subscription: optional (local storage is free)
- Power: hardwired
- Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Who this is for
People who want to capture nighttime images with a brighter image or who need a light to guide them to the door or to scare critters away from trash cans.
Why we like it
The Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro combines a bright outdoor light with a surveillance camera. Three integrated LED panels capable of blasting 3,000 lumens of brightness can be turned on and off or tweaked via the Eufy app or voice control. This Eufy model is also the only floodlight we've reviewed that allows for color-temperature adjustments, from 3,000 to 5,700 Kelvin, so you can choose between cool and warm whites. The camera can pan and tilt 360 degrees horizontally and 130 degrees vertically, capturing stellar 2K images day and night—both with and without color night vision. And it can store that video locally on 8 gigabytes' worth of internal storage or in the cloud (for a fee starting at $3 per month); the cloud option downgrades the recordings to 1080p, though.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Of all the floodlight cameras we tested, the Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro is the least attractive, resembling a small spaceship (which some people may find cool). Still, its excellent features outweigh its aesthetic shortcomings.
Best indoor security camera
Our pick
- Subscription: optional (local storage is free)
- Power: corded
- Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant
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. You can store clips 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 C24 is also the least expensive, best-performing camera we've reviewed that supports Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Although the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 delivers vivid 2K images for live viewing or recording to a microSD card, it downgrades clips stored on NAS devices and in the cloud to 1080p resolution. In our tests we always found its images to be sharp regardless of the storage method, but if 2K resolution is important to you, opt to use a microSD card.
Best doorbell camera
Our pick
- Subscription: required (no free video storage)
- Power: hardwired
- Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
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 Essential Video Doorbell Wired can accurately distinguish between people, animals, vehicles, and packages. In our tests, that ability also allowed it to keep false alerts—a problem with many doorbell cameras—to a minimum. That advanced sensing and the camera's 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 and bell alerts and live video streaming). Local storage cuts out the monthly fee but also the advanced motion-detection features. This Arlo model captures crisp video with a 1536×1536 resolution and a wide, 180-degree viewing angle in a square format, providing a comprehensive vertical and horizontal view of what's going on in front of your door, whether it's deliveries or the antics of visiting raccoons.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Using the Arlo app involves a bit of a learning curve. Answering the doorbell, live viewing, and accessing recorded clips are all easy to figure out, but it would be great if Arlo streamlined the settings to make them easier to use.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-security-cameras-for-your-home/
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