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These clever devices watch over your home when you’re not around Blind Spot Cameras
We updated this roundup in March 2024 to guarantee that our best wifi security camera picks are in stock and reflect up-to-date prices.
We all know how frustrating it feels when we miss that crucial delivery or how we keep worrying that our home isn't secure while we're out – and that’s especially true if you’re plagued with concerns while you’re meant to be relaxing on holiday. The best wifi security cameras can help with these concerns, keeping an eye on your smart home when it's unattended like the best smart burglar alarm systems do.
The best wifi security cameras will be simple to install, have long battery life and record sharp high-quality videos when they sense motion.
Whether you’re on holiday, just popping down to the shops or waiting on a package, a wifi security camera can help you know what’s happening at home. Whatever your specific needs and budget, there’ll be an option for you, and we’ve rounded up the best models below.
Much like a smart video doorbell, a wifi security camera records anything within its field of view, so you can check in on it and watch a live stream (via an app) while you’re out. It’ll also detect any motion – whether caused by a person, animal or vehicle – and can notify you. Some wifi security cameras can recognise what caused the motion too. With these, you can choose to get a warning for a human, for example, but not every time the neighbour’s cat runs through your garden.
The cameras save videos (either in the cloud or on the device itself) and because they’re wireless, you won’t require cables running all over your property or a central unit, as you would with a conventional CCTV system. Some connect to your internet connection while others need a base station that plugs into your router and remains in your home.
Our best wifi security camera picks are:
Our experts evaluated the performance, ease of use and design of some of the best wifi security cameras available to find the right one for you. We looked at the quality of the video, during the day and at night, and how clear the audio is, including the microphone that lets you talk to people at your property as well as hear them.
We also looked at extra features such as sirens, how simple the app is to navigate, how long the battery will last and whether it pairs with smart home platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit. Every camera isn't cut out for every need, though, so we’ve weighed up which ones are the best if you’re on a budget, whether you would like to record indoors, and if you need something weather-proofed for use outdoors. This list contains top-performing models vetted by our testers, along with the expert picks from our rigorous research.
We've also run through all the key things to consider when buying a wifi security camera below our list.
If you want to try out a wifi security camera without spending a lot, go with the compact £30 Blink Mini. It records detailed video clips if it spots any motion both during the day and at night. Once it does, it’ll notify you via the smartphone app.
During testing, it didn’t send alerts for false positives (motion created by shadows or reflections) but when we put it opposite a window, we found the image became unclear.
Video storage: Cloud storage with a Blink Subscription Plan and local storage that’s available via the Blink Sync Module 2
Subscription cost: Comes with a free trial (Blink says you’ll get at least 30 days’ notice when the free trial is due to end), this allows you to save video clips to the cloud – once the trial ends you can pick either the “Basic” plan (£2.50 per month) or the “Plus” plan (£8 per month), the cheaper plan supports one camera while the “Plus” plan works with unlimited Blink cameras
This mains-powered security camera records clear HD video both in the daytime and at night, but the picture does get a little fuzzy when it’s placed opposite a large light source like a window. There’s a pan and tilt function though, so you can move the camera lens around using the app when you’re not there.
It identifies whether a person has moved within its field of view, it can alert you if it notices abnormal sounds, and we like how that can trigger its siren too (a feature that’s rare on indoor models).
Video storage: Local storage only with a micro SD card – the camera can hold up to a 256GB card (not included)
If you love the idea of a subscription-free wifi security camera but don’t want a system that includes a base station, this Eufy model is the one to buy. It stores footage captured when motion is detected on 8GB of memory built into the camera itself - Eufy says this is enough for two months’ worth of video clips.
The camera records clear colour video during the day, although the absence of a spotlight means that the footage is black and white at night. On test, we found the camera simple to set up and intuitive to use, so even if you don’t consider yourself to be tech-savvy, you will be able to install this camera without the need for additional help. It can even identify whether the motion it spots was created by a person or another source.
Unlike more expensive battery-powered cameras on the market, the battery isn’t removable. It lasts for up to four months but this meant we had to remove the camera from its mount and bring it indoors to recharge it, leaving it out of action for around eight hours.
Video storage: Local storage is built into the camera, which is enough to store up to two months' worth of recordings
Just like its predecessor and our previous top pick, the Arlo Ultra, the newer Arlo Ultra 2 records colour video at 4K resolution, and we found the footage was sharper than any captured by HD cameras. This is the only 4K model on our list, and the colour footage it records is far clearer than any HD rival. We were able to see car number plates, even when the camera was mounted at the level of the first storey of our property.
Thanks to its improved wireless coverage (it supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi bands unlike the older Arlo Ultra, which only supports 2.4GHz) you can position it further away from the SmartHub, making it a better choice for those with larger homes.
It’s also available in a supersized XL version, which sees the battery life last up to 12 months, although this is more expensive at £669. The Ultra 2 comes with a three-month free trial of Arlo’s cloud storage subscription, which we found was accurate at identifying whether a person, animal or car was responsible for a motion alert.
Video storage: Cloud storage and local storage with a micro SD card (not included)
Subscription cost: 90-day free trial of 30-day online storage, £2.79 a month for a single camera and £8.99 a month for multiple
This battery-powered wireless security camera isn’t only affordable and compact, but it’s also powered by AA batteries, which can last up to two years before they need changing.
It’s weatherproof so can be used outdoors, so we think it is the perfect option for those who want a wifi security camera they really can set and forget.
It records clear Full HD footage in colour during the day and at night, although it can’t distinguish the course of a motion alert. It also has the ability to store footage locally for no extra cost via the Blink Add-On Sync Module 2 (which costs £30). Once you’ve added a USB flash drive (up to 256GB) to the module, it can save videos from up to ten Blink cameras.
Video storage: Cloud storage with a Blink Subscription Plan and local storage that’s available via the Blink Sync Module 2
Subscription cost: Comes with a free trial (Blink says you’ll get at least 30 days' notice when the free trial is due to end), this allows you to save video clips to the cloud – once the trial ends you can pick either the “Basic” plan (£2.50 per month) or the “Plus” plan (£8 per month), the cheaper plan supports one camera while the “Plus” plan works with unlimited Blink cameras
This compact and affordable mains-powered security camera from Ring is a great way to keep an eye on your pets when you’re not around. If you already have a Ring Video Doorbell, it will let you expand your security monitoring to the inside of your home without the need for an additional app.
The results are in Full HD so the video was clear and easy to see when we tested it out. The camera records in colour during the day, and black and white at night. We found the handy 'people-only' mode, filtered out motion from pets, headlights or sunlight reducing the number of false-positive alerts we received during testing.
The wifi security camera works with Alexa, and we were easily able to arm or disarm the camera by uttering one phrase to our smart speaker. We also found that using an Amazon Echo to talk with people (and pets) within the camera’s field of view was straightforward and easy.
Subscription cost: 30-day free trial of 30-day online storage, £3.49 for a single camera and £8 a month for multiple
If you want a wifi security camera with a floodlight that runs on a battery, this is the one to go for. And, if you prefer, it also can be mains-powered using the included weatherproof cable. It comes with two bright floodlights that you can turn on manually or trigger when it detects motion.
On test, the colour video was sharp, but you need to subscribe to watch anything it records. The Pro 3 Floodlight can identify if a person, animal, vehicle or another source caused the motion it sees, and it’s got an 80db siren and a two-way microphone.
Video storage: Cloud storage with a subscription to keep videos for 30 days, base station required for local storage
Subscription cost: 90-day free trial of 30-day online storage, £2.79 a month for a single camera and £8.99 a month for multiple
Like the other Eufy models on our list, this system is another one of the best wifi security cameras you can buy without the burden of ongoing subscription costs. It’s affordable and weatherproof, so it works both indoors and outdoors.
The battery should last for 180 days, and its built-in storage can hold up to a year’s worth of HD video clips. You can view these recordings via an app on your phone too. The bundle we’ve featured here comes with two cameras and a base station. You can buy more add-on Eufy cameras for £90 each.
Video storage: It comes with 16GB EMMC digital storage, which is enough to store up to a year's worth of recordings
If you’re never away from the house for more than a couple of hours, this weatherproof wireless security camera will let you keep an eye on your property without having to fork out for a subscription. It stores footage of any motion it detects for up to three hours for no extra cost.
On test, it recorded clear Full HD video in colour during the day, and in black and white at night. We found it was accurate at identifying whether an activity alert had been caused by a person or other source, and the magnetic mount makes it simple to remove the camera when it needs recharging. The battery-powered camera is simple to use and if your wifi goes down, it will store up to 60 minutes of footage locally, uploading it to the cloud when your internet access is restored.
Unlike some rivals, you don’t need to sign up for a subscription package to get the most out of it. As mentioned, it stores some local video and has video recognition features (the ability to identify people, vehicles and animals) that you’d have to pay for monthly with certain rivals.
If you do opt for the Nest Aware subscription, not only can you review footage recorded by the camera for up to 30 days but it also allows you to assign names to people detected by the camera. This way, you can get alerts each time they arrive or leave – it’s ideal for checking if your teens have come home from school, for example.
Subscription cost: Three hours of online storage is free, £5 per month for 30-day online storage and £10 per month for 60-day online storage including up to 10 days of continuous recording.
This Arlo wifi security camera doesn’t require a SmartHub, which means you don’t have to worry about where to place an additional device (or find a spare port on your router to use it).
Instead, you can connect it straight to your home wifi network through the app. It may look identical to the Arlo Ultra or Arlo Ultra 2, but it records in a slightly lower 2K resolution, making it more affordable too.
The results were clear and in colour both during the day and at night (providing the spotlight is triggered when it detects motion), and like all Arlo cameras, the clips vary in length depending upon the duration of the motion that triggered the recording.
The 2K quality is still far better than HD options on our list, and we were able to read street signs when the camera was mounted at first floor level on the exterior of a building. If you’re after the best resolution, of course, the image wasn’t as sharp as what we recorded with the Arlo Ultra 2.
With no base station, there’s no option for local storage but it does come with a three-month trial of Arlo’s cloud storage subscription, which was accurate when flagging whether the source of the motion was a person, animal or car. Just like the Arlo Ultra 2, it’s also available in a bigger XL version, which extends the battery life by a further six months, although this is priced at £227.23.
Subscription cost: 90-day free trial of 30-day online storage, £2.79 a month for a single camera and £8.99 a month for multiple
If you like the idea of facial recognition but not a sky-high price tag, this offers similar tech for less than the Google model. On test, we found it only alerted us to sound and movement caused by people and the video it recorded was sharp and detailed (even if bright lights like windows were a bit fuzzy).
We were impressed that footage is saved to a secure area online for seven days at no extra charge and we like how it’s battery-powered and weather-proof, so can be used outdoors.
Video storage: Free secure cloud storage, video clips are stored for seven days
Subscription cost: If you need 60-day video storage, you can buy a subscription for £2.99 a month for a single camera and £8.99 a month for multiple, this also includes extra features like package, vehicle and pet detection
While all the security cameras on this list connect to wifi – and this one’s no exception – there is one thing that sets the Arlo Go 2 apart from its rivals, and that’s its ability to add a 4G SIM card and take it absolutely anywhere.
If you’re going on a camping trip, are after a camera for a caravan, need security in an area where the wifi doesn’t reach, or you’re away on a weekend break in an unfamiliar location, this camera can work as a way to keep an eye on your belongings, whether it's indoors or outdoors.
It records in Full HD with a wide 130-degree field of view, which means it has a slightly lower resolution and range than other Arlo cameras like the Ultra 2 and Pro 4. It has a lot in common with Arlo’s entry-level Essential camera, but it’s far more versatile. Unlike the original Go, this now has colour night vision, a spotlight, and a built-in 80db siren to scare off would-be burglars. It also has GPS, so you won’t forget where you put it.
We’ve included a link to Amazon above, but we'd recommend buying through BT if you want to bundle it up with a preloaded 120GB EE SIM card, a solar panel charger and two years of the Arlo Secure subscription, you can get it all for £329.98. As with all Arlo models, you’ll need that subscription if you want to get to your footage in the cloud or take advantage of the camera's intelligent person, animal, and vehicle detection features.
Video storage: Cloud storage, and optional local storage with a Micro SD card (up to 32GB)
Subscription cost: 90-day free trial of 30-day online storage, £2.79 a month for a single camera and £8.99 a month for multiple
This Arlo model is still expensive but not quite as pricey as the Arlo Ultra 2. It’s just as simple to use and has all the same great smart features. The colour footage, which again varies in length depending upon how long it detects motion, isn’t quite as sharp but at 2K quality, it is still leaps and bounds above other options. Compared to our top pick for most users, it does have one slight disadvantage.
The Pro 3 requires an Arlo SmartHub while the Pro 4 doesn't, making the upgraded model easier to install. However, we still think this makes a great starter kit as it comes with two cameras and a hub.
Video storage: Cloud storage and local storage with a USB drive (not included)
Subscription cost: 90-day free trial of 30-day online storage, £2.79 a month for a single camera and £8.99 a month for multiple
If you want a wifi security camera that doesn’t come with the burden of a monthly subscription, this system from Eufy is a must-have. It comes with two battery-operated cameras, and they store footage on 12GB of memory in the base station. That’s enough room for around three months' worth of video, without the need for any ongoing cost.
The footage is in Full HD quality, although without a built-in spotlight, its nighttime video won’t be in colour. It can also identify whether a person caused a motion alert, or if it was another source.
Simple to set up and use, the EufyCam 2 has double the battery life of the EufyCam 2C that's also on our list, so it will last up to one year before it needs recharging. It also has a slightly wider viewing angle than the 2C, which means it doesn’t need to be mounted as high to capture an entire room.
Video storage: It comes with 16GB EMMC local storage, which is enough to store up to three month’s worth of recordings
Outdoor cameras are weatherproof and can be installed on the exterior of your home. You may need to do a little DIY, such as drilling holes in a wall to fix the camera to it. You should also put them at a high level so that nobody can steal your camera.
These are great at acting as a deterrent to intruders and are also handy if you want to keep an eye on your garage, shed, or car on your driveway. If the worst does happen, you’ll have footage that you can give to the police to help them identify and prosecute the perpetrator.
There are both mains-powered and battery-powered outdoor cameras on the market. Mains-powered ones are harder to install, though. How often you'll have to replace or charge up the batteries (either rechargeable lithium-ion or standard alkaline) on wireless models will depend on if you use live-view and how many times the camera detects motion. Expect to get anywhere between three months to a year.
As the name suggests, indoor wifi security cameras go in your home and won’t be weatherproof. They’re often mains-powered, but there are some battery-operated indoor cameras that are handy if you need to move them around.
If you live in a flat or rented accommodation where you’re not permitted to install cameras on the exterior of the property, get an indoor model. These can also be useful if you want to check in on your pets when you’re not around or to confirm the kids are home from school.
There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to selecting a wireless home security camera, but there are two main types you need to consider: outdoor and indoor
Most cameras store your videos in a secure “cloud” online. Some give you free access to video clips for a short time (24 hours, for example), but if you want to view or download them to your phone up to 30 days later, you’ll need to subscribe to a monthly service that can cost anywhere from £3 to £7.
For some others, you must have a subscription to view footage, and some come with a free trial. Or, some cameras have local storage and allow you to save the footage to a micro SD card (either in the camera or base station).
Each camera records video at different resolutions. Look for one that records in at least Full HD (or 1920x1080 pixels). If it’s lower than this, it might not be clear or detailed enough.
A 2K camera with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels will be sharper still, and high-end systems with 4K quality (that’s 3840x2160 pixels) deliver the most vivid and detailed videos.
Different cameras have different fields of view, which refers to the area covered by the lens. The larger this is, the more the camera will see. Think about where you put the camera and whether its field of view will cover everything you need.
Most only offer black-and-white night vision, but some cameras have colour night vision. This can be beneficial if you need to give a more detailed description of someone suspicious on your property.
Many wifi security cameras also include a built-in microphone and speaker. This means you can talk to and hear anyone in view of the camera. This is as handy for shouting at trespassers to get off your property as it is for talking to your pets when you’re not home.
Some models are available in kits that include two or more cameras. These are ideal if you want to cover more areas of your property than one camera’s field of view can reach.
It can be better value to get a kit with a few cameras instead of going for a single-camera kit and buying extra cameras at a later date.
Some wifi security cameras have a built-in siren that you can turn on from the app or set to go off when it sees any motion.
Simon Cocks is Hearst UK’s Technology Ecommerce Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy across a range of titles including Good Housekeeping UK, Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, ebook readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram at @simonrcocks, on Threads at @simonrcocks, and on Twitter/X at @simoncocks.
Carrie-Ann Skinner is a technology and smart home expert with over 16 years of experience reviewing the latest gadgets and gizmos.
She's tested everything from smartphones, tablets and laptops to headphones, speakers and smart home kit such as wi-fi security cameras and video doorbells, making her best placed to offer advice on the gadgets to buy, how to use them, and how to get better deals.
Carrie once headed up the tech testing team at the Good Housekeeping Institute, and during her nine-year tenure (2011 to 2020) put the latest consumer and home tech through its paces for hundreds of reviews, and wrote detailed advice on how to buy the best tech and get the most out of it.
Carrie is also the former Homes Editor at TechRadar, where she focussed on finding the best kit to automate the home, and she has written for Tech Advisor (when it was known as PC Advisor), Ideal Home and Sound Advice.
When not getting hands-on with new technology, Carrie can be found on Instagram offering up simple tech tips, uncovering the best hidden features in the most popular gadgets at @tech_ing_it_easy, and indulging her passion for baking.
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