Indoor security cameras are more popular than ever. The technology has improved so much in recent years that there are a lot of affordable options for homeowners who want an extra set of eyes in their home while they’re away. Whether you want one for security reasons, to monitor a caregiver, or to try to catch a mischievous pet in the act — here are the top nanny and pet cameras for you.
Types of Cameras
There are essentially two different types of indoor cameras. Commonly referred to as “nanny cams” or “pet cams,” these small, sometimes undetectable cameras are either wired or wireless.
Wired cameras are generally part of a larger security system, where all footage is stored and usually requires professional installation. Wireless — also referred to as WiFi or IP cameras — are connected via your home’s WiFi network and video footage is usually stored on your personal cloud. Because of their affordability and easy installation WiFi cameras have become a simple way to monitor your home while you’re away.
Here’s a sample of the top 5 cameras for various types of home surveillance.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Parentology is an Amazon Associate and may make a commission off purchases made through links in this article.]
Wyze Cam Pan
The Wyze Cam Pan is a great inexpensive option, coming in at under $40 on Amazon. It’s very easy to set up and comes with its own app for monitoring from your phone or tablet. It’s a WiFi option, and once it detects motion it will store around 12 seconds of footage to your cloud for up to 14 days. However, if you also like a back-up, it has an SD card option where footage can also be stored, so you’re not completely reliant on WiFi.
Arlo Q
Arlo is one of the oldest and most trusted names in security cameras, and the Q is a great WiFi option for around $100. It has night vision, two-way audio, and allows seven days of cloud storage for free. If you’d like to upgrade your storage, plans are available for purchase.
The Arlo Q is also compatible with Alexa and is easily installed. Although it runs on your wireless network, the camera is wired and requires power, so it needs to be close to an outlet.
Nest Security Camera
The Nest Security Camera is a more expensive option at around $300, but can be integrated with other Nest products. It allows live-streaming 24/7 from anywhere and will even send alerts to your smartphone when it detects motion. The camera has two-way audio and records for up to three hours, but it also allows you to integrate Nest Aware if you’d like more in-depth security features. The camera has facial recognition and Supersight. It pairs with Google Assistant, if that is your preferred voice assistant.
Logitech Circle 2
The Logitech Circle 2 is touted for its easy-to_use app and is around $150. The camera is easy to install, and pairs with Google, Alexa, and Homekit. It boasts 24-hour video storage, two-way audio, smartphone alerts and a time-lapse feature that allows you to scan footage for suspicious activity.
LUOHA Spy Charger Hidden Camera with Remote View
If you’re looking for the simplest setup, want the camera to be really hidden, and don’t want your camera linked to the cloud, the Spy Charger Hidden Camera is for you. It requires no WiFi and records its surveillance on an SD card. The camera looks like a USB charger, plugs into the wall, and can either record continuously or only when motion activated. When the SD card is full it simply records over the oldest footage. For around $50, it’s an easy and inconspicuous solution that requires no WiFi.
Final Thoughts
No matter what option you choose, experts recommend that you keep your WiFi camera updated, use two-factor authentication, and turn your cameras off when you don’t want activity recorded to ensure privacy. If you’d like to monitor your home while you’re away, there are a lot of options to help you have peace of mind.