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Discover what makes the best home security camera on the market with our expert review that compares and analyses features, installation and cost.
The best home security cameras allow us to protect our homes. They allow you to monitor activity from pets, childrens and visitors roaming the house and, most importantly, alert you to any suspicious activity.
Home security cameras are available at various price points, but tend to be less expensive than home security systems that also include motion sensors and other devices. In this guide, we only include indoor cameras that you can install and monitor yourself so you can compare like-for-like.
There are thousands of home security cameras on the market, but not all of them are worth their weight in gold.
Our home tech experts have reviewed models with at least 1080p HD resolution, all the way up to 2K and 4K for even clearer images. They also rated cameras based on their feature list (think night vision and 2-way talk), their price, their ease of use and installation, and their video storage options.
Our researchers have spent time comparing cameras from the top providers in the UK, and here are the best ones on the market right now:
| Camera | Price | Resolution | Power supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Security Camera | £119.99 | 1536p HD | Built-in rechargeable battery |
| Ring Indoor Camera 2nd Gen | £79.99 | 1080p | Rechargeable battery |
| Arlo Essential 2K Indoor Security Camera (wired) | £49.99 | 2K | Wired |
| Swann EVO Pan-Tilt camera | £49.99 | 2K | Built-in rechargeable battery |
| Blink Indoor Wireless Security Camera | £69.99 | 1080p | Wired |
The SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Security Camera is one that stands out from other indoor cameras. Its AI-powered motion detector promises fewer false alarms as it can differentiate between humans and pets – so that when your alarm is triggered you can be sure it’s less likely to be your furry friend.
The wireless indoor camera has up to 1536p HD video, IR LED night vision and a 2-way microphone to communicate with household members when you’re away from home.
There are times when you might seek privacy from your home security camera. This camera comes with privacy shutters; when opened, an amber LED light lets you know the camera is in use. Your camera feed is also encrypted and your feed can only be accessed by monitoring agents when the alarm is triggered.
With SimpliSafe you can choose to self-monitor or choose a professional monitoring plan – the latter comes with plenty of benefits. The wireless indoor camera has the ability to trigger an alarm and deter intruders with a built-in siren and 2-way audio. For an added layer of security, next-gen technology enables SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring centre to verify threats and send a police dispatch.
Overall, the SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Security Camera provides an excellent level of security. You can monitor your home day and night thanks to its night vision and its AI-powered motion detection allows for fewer false alarms. It’s our best overall home security camera thanks to its advanced AI features and high-tech night vision – but all for a reasonable price.
Ring home security cameras are an affordable and adaptable choice for many homes, and the 2nd Gen Indoor Camera is no exception.
It’s a simple, easy-to-use plug-in camera that comes either wired or wireless depending on your needs. Despite its affordable price tag, it’s still feature-rich, including a night vision, 2-way audio and motion detection. It also has a security shutter that the previous Indoor Camera did not have, which lets the camera rotate away from the desired area, obscuring the lens for added privacy.
As a Ring product, it works well in conjunction with Alexa, and can be voice controlled through the smart home device.
Like other Ring products, the camera can be used without a subscription but it works best if you subscribe to Ring Protect. Without one, you can still access instant notifications, live view and 2-way talk, but subscribing means you can store your footage and share it with others.
With 1080p resolution and a host of features from night vision to 2-way talk, the Ring Indoor Camera 2nd Gen is an affordable choice to effectively protect your home. We like that you can monitor the camera without taking out a subscription, though Ring Protect will unlock video storage options that you can’t get without. For the price, you get a simple, high tech camera that should fulfill most households’ needs.
This Arlo home security camera comes with a whole host of features, from infrared LED night vision to motion detection and 2-way audio. Where it really shines, though, is the number of smart home systems it is compatible with: if you own Alexa, HomeKit, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings or IFTTT devices, you can pair your Arlo camera with them seamlessly.
The Arlo Essential 2K Indoor Security Camera also boasts 2K resolution, which sets it apart from many of its competitors.
The Arlo Essential 2K Indoor Security Camera is a high-res, high-spec indoor camera with a similarly high price tag. It is compatible with the highest number of smart home systems, which tech enthusiasts will love.
That said, all of this functionality means it is double the price of the Ring camera above, so households on a budget may want to steer clear of it.
Real our full Arlo home security systems review.
The Swann EVO Pan & Tilt Camera is a compact wireless camera with a fun, bubble-like design. Its main attraction is its huge field of view, panning 355 degrees horizontally and 65 degrees vertically so you can monitor a whole room with just camera.
It is also a really affordable camera considering it offers a host of features, from 2K HD video resolution to low light and night vision and 2-way audio.
As with other Swann products, this is easy to install and monitor yourself. It runs off a rechargeable battery, which some users will only last a few days – something to bear in mind if you’re deciding where to place the camera, as it may need to remain near a mains outlet. You’ll also need to invest in a MicroSD card if you want to store your footage locally, as it doesn’t come included with the camera.
For an affordable camera, the Swann EVO Pan & Tilt looks different and is packed full of features which are bound to put your mind at ease. The high video resolution and large field of view reduce the number of cameras you need to protect your home, further saving you money despite the fact you have to buy a MicroSD card to save your footage.
For more information, read our Swann home security systems review.
The Blink Indoor camera comes with 1080p HD resolution, so not as high as some of its competitors, and a range of features like infrared night vision and 2-way audio.
Blink home security cameras are known for their affordability and ease of use. Whether wired or wireless, they can simply be plugged in, connected to the Sync Module (which comes with any kits purchased), and you can start monitoring them through the Blink app. While you can use most functionality without a subscription, a Blink membership allows you to store video footage in the cloud.
As Blink is an Amazon brand, this camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa, which might appeal to those who already own products in the range. That said, it is not compatible with any other smart home ecosystem, which is a shame.
This camera is an affordable option for those looking for a standard yet reliable home security camera. It’s not the cheapest on this list, as it’s beaten out by Ring, but you do get a Sync Module in the 1-camera kit too.
The 3 most important factors to consider when choosing a home security camera are price, reliability and customer support.
If you have a budget, stick to it. It’s best to start by researching what types of cameras are available and their features. By browsing cameras from a wide range of home security brands you’ll be able to get a feel for the different price points. Once you’re aware of what’s available you’ll be able to decide what your budget should be for the type of camera you require and features you’d like it to include.
There are lots of security cameras available to suit all types of budgets, and different features will affect the price. Make sure you need and will use the features a camera is offering before purchasing to avoid overspending unnecessarily. Also, ensure you shop around and compare before making any financial commitments. If you’re looking for the best deals, it’s a good idea to consider purchasing during a time of year when cameras are on sale, such as Black Friday or Boxing Day.
Consider how reliable the product is. Is it going to suit your home security needs and effectively safeguard your home? A reliable product should ensure consistent protection, peace of mind and trust in the product via customer support. Customer support is important, especially if you are subscribing to a monthly professional-monitoring plan. If you’re unfamiliar with a home security brand you might find it useful to explore Trustpilot reviews. This gives you an insight into customer’s experiences, both good and bad.
Not all home security cameras require Wi-Fi, but make sure to check the specs of each camera you’re considering to see if it is. Installing a home security camera that doesn’t need wifi can be particularly useful if you receive a poor wifi signal in your home and are worried this could affect how your camera functions. Cameras not connected to the internet will instead record footage to a micro-SD card or hard drive, where you can view the footage at any time.
A home security camera is not a fool-proof way to protect your home from burglars. However, the presence of a security camera is a good way to show that your home is well protected, especially outdoor cameras placed on the outside of your house with a motion-activated floodlight.
Some indoor home security cameras might be able to detect pixels and movement through glass windows, but the images will never be as clear as outdoor home security cameras. That said, if you’re set on finding an indoor camera that can record out of your window, look for one with as high a resolution as possible, and if possible, a motion sensor to detect movement outside of your house.
Yes, the rise in home security concerns is widespread and many homeowners have opted to install home security measures. However, you might wish to consider the privacy of members of your household. If you’d like to protect your home, but are concerned about internal privacy, the SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Security Camera comes with privacy shutters for the right balance between protection and privacy.
