Top 5 Best Home Security Cameras in 2025

You can relax knowing that your family and property are safe when you have one of the best home security cameras installed. Both indoor and outdoor cameras are available to keep your home safe, whether you live in a large home or a rental apartment.

we evaluate a wide range of home security cameras, from well-known brands like Ring and Arlo to upstart businesses with creative concepts. We set up each camera in our own homes and test it in real-world scenarios, recording in various lighting scenarios, evaluating the quality of the footage with a mobile app, and examining how well it integrates with the other smart home appliances.

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Last update on 2025-03-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Home Security Cameras in 2025

1.Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight Camera

Last update on 2025-03-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Pro 5S 2K shares the same appearance as the Pro 4. The weather-resistant enclosure, which measures 3.5 by 2.0 by 3.0 inches (HWD), comes in a choice of white or black finish (Arlo did not provide an IP rating as of this writing). A detachable, rechargeable battery pack is housed in the gleaming black slide-in camera assembly. The base features a button that releases the camera assembly and a magnetic charging port, and the back features a threaded hole for attaching the camera to the mounting bracket that comes with it.

The imaging specifications remain the same: it is a 4MP HDR camera with a field of view of 160 degrees, a motion-activated spotlight (Arlo did not specify the brightness in lumens), a 12x digital zoom, and the ability to record 2K (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) video. It also incorporates color night vision. A motion sensor with a 130-degree range, a speaker, a noise-cancelling microphone, and two infrared LEDs for black-and-white night vision are also included in the assembly. The device also has an 80dB siren and a dual-band Wi-Fi radio.

When the camera detects motion or sound, it records video and sends push and email alerts. You can see the offending subject more clearly thanks to auto-zoom and motion tracking features, and a subscription-locked smart motion detection feature can distinguish between people, pets, cars, and packages.

If the camera is attached to a Arlo Smart Hub (which accepts external USB drives), you can set it up to store recordings locally. In contrast, the TP-Link Tapo C420S2’s microSD card slot greatly simplifies local storage.Because the Pro 5S 2K supports IFTTT applets, it can communicate with a wide range of other smart devices made by other companies. It is compatible with the SmartThings home automation platform, Google Assistant, and Alexa voice services; however, Arlo did not include support for Apple HomeKit. If the prior model is still available at retail, this omission is a compelling argument for using it. It’s unclear if the camera supports Matter.

You can use Arlo’s SecureLink feature, which keeps the camera online in the event that your Wi-Fi goes down and helps prolong its battery life by offloading connectivity tasks, or you can use Wi-Fi to connect the camera to the hub of your Arlo home security system.

Like other devices from the company, the Pro 5S makes use of the Arlo Secure mobile app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android. You can quickly apply a set of rules using the Arm Away, Arm Home, and Standby buttons on the Dashboard screen, as well as widgets for each Arlo device you own.

The Dashboard, Feed, Emergency, Devices, and Routines icons are located in the app’s bottom menu. No matter where you are in the app, you can return to the main screen by clicking the Dashboard button. You can view thumbnails of event recordings from all of your devices by clicking the Feed button. Just tap the thumbnail to play, share, download, or remove a video. To sound the siren and call the people on your Call a Friend list, select the Emergency button.

To view all of your connected Arlo hardware, click the Devices button. Here, a dedicated panel featuring the most recent still image capture and a play icon that initiates a live stream is where the Pro 5S 2K is visible. You can take a picture, manually record video, start a two-way conversation, turn on the spotlight, and muffle the sound using the function buttons beneath the live feed. You can play, share, download, or remove event recordings by tapping anywhere on the panel to view thumbnails of those recordings.

2.Reolink Duo 3 PoE

Last update on 2025-03-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Reolink Duo 3 PoE is an innovative dual-lens security camera designed to provide a seamless 180° panoramic view without the fisheye distortion seen in traditional wide-angle cameras. With 4K Ultra HD resolution, the camera delivers crisp and detailed images, ensuring that every part of your surveillance area is covered with exceptional clarity. Its Power over Ethernet (PoE) functionality simplifies installation by allowing both power and data transmission through a single Ethernet cable, reducing cable clutter and enhancing stability.

One of the standout features of the Reolink Duo 3 PoE is its AI-powered person, vehicle, and pet detection, which minimizes false alerts by accurately identifying objects. The camera also supports color night vision, thanks to its built-in spotlights, ensuring that footage remains clear even in complete darkness. Additionally, its two-way audio capability allows for real-time communication, making it useful for both security and general monitoring purposes. The IP66 weatherproof rating ensures durability against harsh outdoor conditions, making it a reliable choice for year-round surveillance.

Storage options on the Duo 3 PoE are versatile, with support for microSD cards (up to 256GB), Reolink NVRs, and FTP servers, allowing users to choose a method that best suits their needs. The camera can be accessed via the Reolink app or client software, providing remote viewing and playback from anywhere. Additionally, it integrates with smart home systems like Google Assistant, allowing for voice-controlled monitoring.

Overall, the Reolink Duo 3 PoE is a powerful and feature-rich security camera ideal for homeowners and businesses seeking a wide-angle, high-resolution, and AI-enhanced surveillance solution. Its combination of dual-lens technology, PoE convenience, smart detection, and rugged build quality makes it a strong competitor in the security camera market.

3.Google Nest Indoor/Outdoor Cam (2nd-gen)

Last update on 2025-03-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

With a maple wood base, the indoor Nest Cam is 3.8 by 2.5 by 2.2 inches (HWD) and is available in four different colors: snow, fog, linen, or sand. You can tilt and swivel the camera thanks to a thin metal arm that attaches the camera enclosure to a semi-round base. The base allows you to mount the camera to a wall or set it on a desktop.

Google includes a user manual, a USB AC power adapter, and mounting screws and anchors in the box with the camera. A status LED and a microphone are located on the front of the camera. A speaker and a 10-foot, hardwired USB power cable are located around the back.

The Nest Cam’s video feed and settings can be accessed through the Google Home mobile app on iOS and Android smartphones. To view a live feed, tap the camera icon on the home screen, which is located in a panel for the room where you installed the camera. There is a two-way talk button beneath the video panel. Buttons for History, Live, and More are located beneath that.

By selecting the History button, a screen with a timeline of events and videos of each event can be viewed. The list of events with thumbnails for each clip appears when you tap the Full History button.While the gear button (also located in the upper right corner) leads to a Settings screen where you can create activity zones, change the video quality and night vision settings, enable or disable audio recording, and enable intelligent notifications, the More button allows you to turn the camera on and off. You will also see a menu option for managing your Familiar Faces (face recognition) library if you have a Nest Aware plan.

The Nest Cam does not recognize Alexa voice commands, but it can be controlled with Google Assistant voice commands and video from the Nest Cam can be viewed on a Nest Hub device. Furthermore, the camera does not support IFTTT applets or integrate with Apple HomeKit configurations.

The Nest Cam is easy and painless to install. Although I already had the Google Home app on my phone, you will need to download it, link your account, and create a home if this is your first Google or Nest device. I tapped the + icon in the top left corner of the home screen, chose Set Up Device from the menu, and then chose New Devices to proceed with the setup.

4.Ring Indoor/Outdoor Stick Up Cam Pro

Last update on 2025-03-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Though it is significantly larger, measuring 6.0 inches tall by 2.7 inches wide (as opposed to 4.9 by 2.3 inches), the weatherproof Stick Up Cam Pro keeps the same cylindrical shape as the Stick Up Cam. The camera, which is available in black or white, is mounted on a circular base that has a hinge that allows for a 45-degree backward tilt. With the included mounting hardware, the base can be positioned on a wall, outdoor soffit, or ceiling or used as a desktop stand. A USB-C power port on the back of the camera can be used with an optional AC power adapter.

The front of the Stick Up Cam Pro contains the camera assembly, a motion sensor, a speaker, and a microphone. New to this model is Ring’s Audio+ technology, which offers advanced noise cancellation for cleaner two-way talk. The 1080p camera uses HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology to deliver enhanced contrast with more detail in dark shadows and bright highlights. It has a 155-degree diagonal field of view and uses two infrared LEDS for black-and-white night vision. With enough ambient light, it can also capture color night video. Under the hood is a dual-band Wi-Fi radio and an 85dB siren.

If you intend to use the Stick Up Cam Pro outside, its lack of an integrated light could be a disadvantage. Our top choice for floodlight cameras is the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera, which is a little more expensive at but shines brightly on anything moving around your property and records it in crisp 2K.

Similar to the Floodlight Cam Pro, the Stick Up Cam Pro has the 3D Motion Detection and Bird’s Eye View features that were first introduced on the Video Doorbell 2 Pro. Compared to a standard camera, 3D Motion Detection uses radar to determine an object’s distance, improving accuracy and reducing false alarms.

The Bird’s Eye aerial view feature, which allows you to see where guests have gone while on your property, is also powered by this technology. On an aerial map displayed in picture-in-picture format, Bird’s Eye events show up as dots that trace the visitor’s journey.

In addition to supporting color pre-roll, which records the six seconds of video before an event is triggered, the camera records video when it detects motion. You must purchase a Ring Protect plan in order to access your recordings because it does not support local video storage.

The Stick Up Cam Pro lacks native support for Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant, which are integrations that are available on the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight, but it does work with Alexa voice commands and many third-party smart devices through IFTTT applets. It appears on the dashboard screen in a separate panel with the camera name and a still image of the most recent motion event, and it utilizes the same iOS and Android mobile app as all other Ring devices.

When you tap into the app’s camera section, a screen featuring a video panel and a timeline of motion events that have been recorded appears. The Birds’ Eye view will show up in a smaller box inside the video if it is enabled. Below the video panel are buttons for two-way talk, muting the speaker, ending the stream, activating the siren, and launching a Quick Controls panel that lets you turn other Ring devices on and off.

Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to access the camera settings. Here are buttons to start a live view, turn on the siren, and enable or disable motion detection and alerts. Tiles to view an Event History list with thumbnails for every recorded event, modify Mode Settings (for Home, Away, or Disarmed modes), connect additional Ring devices to the camera, and view Device Health statistics (such as MAC address, network status, and signal strength) are located at the bottom of this screen.

5.Eufy 4G “Starlight” Camera S230

Last update on 2025-03-11 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

At 2.4 by 2.4 by 4.5 inches (HWD), the 4G LTE Starlight Camera is slightly bigger than its predecessor (2.2 by 2.2 by 4.2 inches), but it still has a nearly identical appearance to the original EufyCam. With its IP67 weather-resistance rating, the white-and-gray enclosure shields the camera from dust, rain, and extremely high or low temperatures. In addition to the camera, the package includes a charging cable, a weatherproof solar panel cable, mounting screws, a mounting bracket, and a setup manual. It does not include the optional solar panel.

The camera lens, an LED indicator, a spotlight, a microphone, and a motion sensor sit inside the front housing. An embedded GPS radio ensures you can locate the device if someone steals it. A speaker on the bottom of the camera enables two-way audio, and a Sync button sits on top. Behind the rubber cover on the back you’ll find the charging port and a SIM card slot. The back of the camera also houses a screw-in hole for a mounting bracket.

There is no Wi-Fi radio on the 4G LTE Starlight Camera. Rather, it connects to Alexa and Google Assistant devices and the mobile app via an LTE 4G cellular radio. This implies that in order to use this camera, you will need to provide a SIM card from AT&T or T-Mobile and sign up for a data plan. You can determine what kind of data plan you require by using Eufy’s estimate that the device requires approximately 128MB of cellular data to stream five minutes of live 2K video.

The security device uses 8GB of onboard space to store the high-resolution 2K or 1080p video clips that are recorded. This works well for roughly 24 minutes of 2K video recording. The camera doesn’t connect to the cloud or save information there. It can be set up to record only human motion or to record video whenever it detects any motion. At night, the camera can also use its spotlight to see in color; otherwise, it uses an infrared LED to see in black and white.

As previously stated, the camera is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa devices, but not with Apple’s HomeKit platform. The Arlo Pro 4, which supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and IFTTT, is a good choice if you require additional connectivity options.

The Eufy Security app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android, is used by the Starlight and other Eufy security devices, such as the Eufy Floodlight Camera. It displays a still image of the most recent video clip in a special panel on the app’s home screen. To start a live stream of the camera feed, press the play arrow.

Buttons for turning on the spotlight, snapping a picture, manually recording video, turning off the speaker, and starting a two-way conversation are located beneath the video panel. Additionally, you can broaden the selection to include buttons that allow you to access the Settings screen, activate the siren, activate color or black-and-white night vision, and view an Events screen with thumbnails of recorded video.

Here, you can also enable the Anti-Theft Detection option (it sets off the siren if someone tries to move or tamper with the camera); select a battery-life mode (optimal battery, optimal surveillance, or custom); toggle motion detection; configure motion and notification settings; adjust video and audio settings; and share camera access with other users.

Buying Guide: The Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras for 2025

How Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work?

The majority of smart outdoor security cameras connect to your home network via an integrated Wi-Fi radio, so you can use a mobile app to access them from anywhere. Some models connect to a mobile app or a dedicated hub via Ethernet, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or a proprietary wireless technology.

Wi-Fi cameras are simpler to install than their wired counterparts because you don’t have to place them near an Ethernet port or run any wiring. Battery-powered Wi-Fi cameras are the easiest to install because you can put them just about anywhere (as long as they can connect to your network) without having to snake a power cable around your home to plug into an outlet. These types of cameras typically use batteries that you can easily pop out and recharge with a USB cable, but they tend to drain quickly in colder weather. Bluetooth cameras are also simple to install, but you have to stay within 30 feet or so to connect to them via your phone.

What Type of Weather Can Outdoor Security Cameras Handle?

Any outdoor camera worth its salt needs to have an Ingress Protection (IP) rating and be able to survive exposure to the weather. Two-digit IP ratings indicate how well a camera performs in the majority of weather scenarios. The first number after the IP prefix, which goes from 0 (no protection) to 6 (total protection against dust and dirt), indicates how resistant the camera is to the entry of solid objects like wind-blown dust. The second one, which goes from 0 (no protection) to 9 (protected against close-range, high-pressure sprays from all angles), indicates how moisture-resistant the camera is.

What Resolution Should an Outdoor Security Camera Have?

If you can’t identify who or what an outdoor security camera is recording, it’s not very helpful. The most common video camera resolution is 1080p, which provides more detail than 720p and is compatible with almost all phones, tablets, and PCs. 1080p recordings also don’t take up much storage space.