Indoor security cameras have a myriad of uses in a home or business. They can watch out for intruders, keep an eye on pets, serve as baby monitors, help guide guests, and generally keep an eye out for anything unusual. If you’re interested in an indoor camera that can do it all, these are the best smart picks from the best brands on the market!
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Wyze Camera v3
advantages
Very accessible
It works both indoors and outdoors.
More detail with color night vision
Tons of security checks
This indoor/outdoor camera is ready for just about anything, including outdoor security. The 1080p camera is equipped with an improved Starlight sensor that has full color night vision and a new lens that can capture even more light in dark areas. There are motion and sound sensors for alerts, and users can carefully adjust motion zones and detection levels to prevent false alarms in a specific environment.
Like many of our picks, the Wyze Cam v3 works with Alexa and Google Assistant and is also certified for IFTTT if you want to create more advanced routines using the camera and its alerts. You’ll need a microSD card for local storage, but there’s free cloud storage for 14 days to temporarily save video when you’re away – one of the best cloud storage packages available for security cameras today.
John Velasco / Digital Trends
Nest Cam indoor/outdoor (battery)
advantages
It works both indoors and outdoors.
Store three hours of video history for free
Great contrast with HDR video
The magnetic plate has a strong connection.
cons
bulky design
Details are a bit soft.
In this latest Google camera, Nest’s simple design hides cutting-edge technology: a wireless model that you can set up almost anywhere. 1080p video includes HDR support and night vision. There’s two-way audio for communication, motion detection, and some really smart machine learning at work. The camera can detect people, animals, and vehicles, and if you opt for the Nest Aware bundle, it can even learn familiar faces so you can personalize all your alerts. Google Assistant compatibility is a given, but don’t expect Nest cameras to work with Alexa.
Nest Cam (battery) comes with the ability to save up to three hours of alert-based history for free, or more with an Aware subscription. The downside to all of Google’s advanced tech is that this Nest Cam is significantly more expensive than anything we’ve discussed so far. You get some of the best features available, but you have to pay as much as you would for a suite of other security cameras.
Nest Cam indoor/outdoor (battery)
ring inner chamber
advantages
very very small
It has a wide range of vision.
More affordable than Cam IQ
cons
Double the price of the Wyze Cam
Lacks some necessary features
Ring’s Indoor Camera is another high-quality option if you don’t mind installing a wired camera on a nearby shelf or wired wall mount. This model includes many of Ring’s camera features, including 1080p images, two-way audio with noise cancellation, night vision, and motion detectors. There’s even a panic alarm to help scare off intruders.
The biggest problem with the Ring Indoor Cam is that there’s no easy way to directly store video or photos without a subscription plan or additional equipment. Ring’s Protect plan starts at $3 per month if you want to add these capabilities. You can also pair it with a Ring Video Doorbell for both indoor and outdoor security viewing.
Blink Indoor Security Camera
advantages
Long duration battery
two-way audio
Easy Alexa integration
cons
Basic motion detection skills.
Blink’s 1080p Indoor Camera is a great example of a security camera that is ideal for a home or business while still being very affordable. It’s also wireless, making it particularly easy to set up wherever you want, hanging on a shelf or mounted to a wall. (Note: Two lithium batteries are included and will need to be recharged periodically.) The camera includes motion detection that can send alerts to your phone when it detects activity, and two-way audio to talk to guests and pets or scare off intruders. It’s also compatible with Alexa, so you can use it with devices like the Echo Shows to get a live feed from the camera.
You’ll also notice that the Blink Indoor camera comes with a Sync Module 2 that is designed to work with a USB flash drive to locally save the data the camera captures. You can’t save data to the cloud without a Blink subscription plan, so the module is important if you want to keep video clips without paying any monthly fees. While we chose the single camera package, it’s easy to get packages with additional cameras to outfit a larger area.
Blink Indoor Security Camera
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Arlo Essential Indoor Camera
advantages
Privacy shutter offers peace of mind
Crisp and clear night vision
Smart detection with Arlo Smart
cons
Artifact elements in video quality
The Arlo Essential indoor security camera gives you everything you expect from a premium indoor camera. Beyond its 1080p video capture and impressive night vision, you’ll be able to set up activity zones, get smart alerts with Arlo Smart, and have access to a privacy shutter.
It also comes with an adjustable stand that makes it easy to find the optimal viewing angle for your space. As if that weren’t enough, Arlo includes a mounting bracket so you can place it on a wall or in the corner of a room. You’ll pay a bit more for this camera than others on the list, but it’s a great option if you don’t mind the extra expense.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera
Editors’ Recommendations
