The best home security cameras allow us to protect our homes. Both indoor and outdoor security cameras can bring peace of mind and help homeowners remain vigilant. They allow you to monitor activity from pets roaming the house to people coming and going – 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 full security system packages that also include motion sensors and other devices. Mostly, you can install them yourself and view live video footage, speak through 2-way audio and sound remote alarms to deter intruders.
Our team of experts have compared home security cameras for price, features and overall protection to establish which home security cameras are worth it.
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Home security cameras can bring peace of mind and help homeowners remain vigilant. Security cameras come in all shapes and sizes and offer different levels of protection, and it’s important to find the right one to suit your household needs.
With that being said, the best indoor home security camera is the SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Security Camera with AI-powered motion detection. If your privacy concerns are strictly outdoor, the Ring Spotlight Camera Pro has 2 spotlights and 3D motion detection ensuring you never miss a security alert. Our researchers have also considered budget-friendly options – Hey! Smart Internal Camera is affordable and comes with night vision and 2-way audio function.
What makes a good home security camera?
Home security cameras are a good tool for protection and can act as a deterrent for intruders. There are plenty of home security cameras on the market, but not all of them will fulfil your home security needs.
The best home security cameras will have a minimum of 1080p HD resolution. More advanced cameras offer 2K and 4K resolution, which allow for clearer images. It’s also important to consider a camera’s field of view (FOV) – this means the area in which a camera can image and record movement. Generally speaking, the wider the FOV, the better, as it means your camera can capture more images.
As well as the FOV, night vision should be a high priority. For both indoor and outdoor cameras, night vision is important. Ideally, a camera has full-colour night vision, but the best will include infrared (IR) or IR LED night vision.
The best home security cameras compared
Finding the right home security camera for your home can be a time-consuming task. Our researchers have spent time comparing cameras from the top providers in the UK. We’ve considered both indoor and outdoor cameras, as well as the price and features offered.
| Camera | Price | Resolution | Night vision | Power supply | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Security Camera | £139.99 | 1536p | IR LED night vision | Built-in rechargeable battery | 3 months |
| Ring Spotlight Camera Pro | £199.99 | 1080p | Colour night vision | Rechargeable battery | 6 to 12 months |
| Hey! Smart Internal Camera | £49.99 | 1080p | Yes | Mains connection | N/A |
| Arlo Essential Outdoor Security Camera | £129.99 | 1080p | Colour night vision | Rechargeable battery | 6 months |
| ADT Smart Home Indoor Wifi Camera | POA | 1080p | IR night vision | Wired | N/A |
SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Security Camera: Best overall home security camera
Simple and discreet, this indoor camera is a great balance between DIY installation and the option for professional monitoring. (SimpliSafe)
- Cost: £139.99
- Resolution: Up to 1536p HD video
- Night vision: IR LED night vision
- Powered by: Built-in rechargeable battery
- Battery life: 3 months
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 a plethora 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.
Verdict
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.
Read our full Simplisafe home security review.
Ring Spotlight Camera Pro: Best outdoor camera with spotlight
Ring’s outdoor spotlight camera would suit most homes. (Ring)
- Cost: £199.99
- Resolution: 1080p
- Night vision: Colour night vision
- Powered by: Battery
- Battery life: 6 to 12 months
Ring has become a household name as an affordable and adaptable choice in home security, and its security cameras come with premium features – including the Ring Spotlight Camera Pro. This outdoor security camera’s main draw is its 3D motion detection. When movement is sensed outside your home, the Spotlight Pro’s 1080p HDR video presents a clear picture of exactly who is in your camera’s view. Its colour night vision keeps you protected day and night, and you can map out the area you’d like to detect, as well as configure zones you’d prefer to receive security alerts for.
Another feature that stood out to our researchers was the quick-release battery pack. It might seem like a small benefit, but when you’ve configured your camera to the precise angle, the last thing you want to do is spend hours finding that sweet spot all over again.
Users are also able to interact with whoever is in your camera’s view via the 2-way talk function – a free feature that doesn’t require a subscription. Additionally, there is access to a live feed and instant notifications without a subscription.
However, Ring Protect does provide extra features for a small monthly fee of £3.49 per device. The plan allows you to save and share videos and store them for up to 180 days in the Cloud.
Verdict
For those looking for a customisable outdoor home security camera, the Ring Spotlight Pro is a good fit. With the option to configure zones to receive security alerts, it puts you in control and you’re less likely to be bombarded with necessary notifications.
Read our full Ring home security systems review.
Hey! Smart Internal Camera: Best for budget or small security needs
Hey!’s indoor camera is affordable and versatile. (Hey!)
- Cost: £49.99
- Resolution: 1080p
- Night vision: Yes
- Powered by: Power cable
- Battery life: N/A
The Hey! Smart Internal Camera is compact and good for small home security needs. Its discreet design is great for space saving – measuring just 12cm tall, 5cm wide and 4cm in depth – and its small price tag is wallet-friendly. The Smart Internal Camera plugs into a mains-powered socket, so might not be suitable for those looking for a wireless camera. However, it’s versatile in that it has an adhesive base meaning you can DIY install it wherever you prefer.
With an adjustable motion detection range of up to 12 metres, HD live video and night vision means you can rely on the live feed that you can view via your smartphone on the Hey! App. It comes with a 2-way audio function, allowing you to communicate with household members from wherever you are.
You can opt for a Cloud storage service, which starts from £3.49 per month, or you can purchase an SD card of up to 128GB to avoid monthly fees. None of Hey! Security cameras come with a professional monitoring option.
Verdict
Hey! Smart Internal Camera is compact and affordable. You shouldn’t expect all the bells and whistles, such as professional monitoring, but it does allow you to view a live feed and comes with motion detection and night vision, like most other cameras we have reviewed.
Read our full Hey! home security system review.
Arlo Essential Outdoor Security Camera: Best for large outdoor spaces
Arlo’s wide field of view is ideal for home with larger driveways or gardens. (Arlo)
- Cost: £129.99
- Resolution: 1080p
- Night vision: Yes
- Powered by: Rechargeable battery
- Battery life: 6 months
The Arlo Essential Outdoor Security Camera is battery-powered with a decent 6 months of battery life. The camera covers a wide area – 130 degrees – which makes it ideal for outdoor spaces that are not enclosed. Its camera quality is good with up to 1080p and an integrated spotlight – providing clear images day and night.
The best feature here is the ability to sound an alarm remotely. The camera’s motion detection can sense movement and send alerts via the Arlo app. The app allows you to sound an alarm remotely to deter any unwanted visitors, as well as communicate via a 2-way audio feature.
The Arlo camera app is free and allows for live streaming and 2-way audio features. However, with a paid monthly subscription starting at £2.79, you’ll have full access to your Arlo camera features such as cloud storage and its call a friend function.
Verdict
This camera is great for outdoor spaces in which you need a wide camera view. Not only can you protect a spacious area, but via the Arlo app you’re able to sound a remote alarm to deter intruders. It’s perfect if you’ll be away from home for extended periods but equally works well for communicating with delivery couriers via the 2-way audio function.
Real our full Arlo home security systems review.
ADT Smart Home Indoor Wifi Camera: Best for infrared night vision
ADT’s indoor camera comes with great features that stand out from the rest. (ADT)
- Cost: POA
- Resolution: 1080p
- Night vision: Yes, up to 5 metres infrared range
- Powered by: Wired
- Battery life: N/A
ADT is a well-known home security brand and its cameras offer premium features such as built-in video analytics. The Smart Home Indoor Wifi Camera has built-in image editing software that can adjust brightness, and contrast levels and increase sharpness. For those concerned with safety, especially at night time, this camera has full-colour night vision and up to 5 metres of infrared range.
This camera requires professional installation before you can connect the device to your home wifi and download the ADT smart services app to start receiving alerts. You can view live video and record footage from your smartphone no matter where you are and videos are saved to the Cloud for space saving. Its in-built motion detectors ensure you’re aware of any activity in your home – when motion is detected you’ll receive notifications via the app.
Verdict
For homeowners looking for an advanced home security camera, ADT’s Smart Home Indoor Wifi Camera is an excellent choice. It has outstanding night vision with an infrared range of up to five metres and built-in editing software, all considered advanced features. If your privacy concerns are not extensive, a less advanced and cheaper option might be better suited. This camera comes with built-in image editing software that can adjust brightness and contrast levels to provide clever images – something that not all cameras provide and a feature that is sure to bump up the price.
Read our full ADT home security review.
What to consider when buying a home security camera
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, the good and the bad.
How we chose these cameras
Our experts have conducted hours of research to compile a list of the best security systems. There are many options on the market and they all have their pros and cons. However, our list includes some of the best security systems to consider for every need. Whether you are looking for a security system on a budget, easy installation, or a customisable package, one of the security systems above will surely be an excellent choice.
A home security system is an investment in your protection. After all, the best home security system aims to keep your family and property safe and protected from burglary, fire, home intrusion, and flood, among other threats.
We considered the following factors:
- Reputation, including customer reviews
- Variety of packages available
- Security features and functionality
- Upfront and contract pricing
- Usability
For more information, read our article on how we review home security systems.