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Most security cameras have motion detection, but not all of them do it well. We found that the Reolink Argus 3 Pro is motion-sensor camera royalty. It wins the crown with super-sensitive motion detection that can distinguish between people and cars, cutting down on false alarms.
During our research, we also found the best camera for those looking for a motion-sensor indoor camera, a motion-sensor outdoor camera, or even a great motion-sensor doorbell camera.
Camera | Best for | Price | Human detection | Field of view | Power source | Local storage | Learn more | Read review |
| Best overall | $175.99 |  Yes | 122° | Battery, solar | Yes | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best indoor | $79 | Yes | 360° horizontal pan and 149° vertical tilt | Wired | Yes | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best budget camera | $86.99 | Yes | 100° | Wired | Yes | View on Amazon | Read review | |
| Best doorbell camera | $225 | Yes | 145° | Battery |  No | View on Amazon | Read review |
Prices are accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
The Reolink Argus 3 Pro is one of our favourite security cameras because it offers solid features that, unlike many other (often more expensive) security cameras, aren't locked behind a monthly subscription fee.
These features include 2K resolution, 16x digital zoom, colour night vision, two-way audio, built-in spotlight, siren, local storage option (via microSD card) and even seven days of free cloud storage. It's also compatible with Alexa and Google Home.
We also love that there's a solar-powered version that only costs a fraction more and does away with the need for charging.
Colour night vision
Local storage and included cloud storage
Compatible with Alexa and Google
Light and siren
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use 
Comparatively narrow field of view The only real downside to the Argus 3 Pro is its relatively limited field of view. At 122 degrees, it's considerably narrower than comparable cameras.
However, we think the fact that no ongoing subscription is necessary for access to key features or cloud storage more than makes up for this minor shortcoming, as you could feasibly double the field of view with an extra camera and still end up paying less overall than some other models that require a subscription.
To learn more, read our Reolink Argus 3 Pro review.
The Tapo C225 can rotate a whopping 360° horizontally and 149° vertically, covering more area than any other camera on this list. It's ideal for keeping track of roaming pets, or even as a baby monitor.
It boasts colour night vision, smart motion tracking, AI detection of people, pets and vehicles, a physical privacy mask, and is compatible with Google Home and Alexa.
Our favourite feature, however, is that this motion sensor camera doesn't just detect motion—it also detects sound, meaning you'll get alerted if it hears a dog barking, cat meowing, baby crying or even glass breaking.
Wide viewing range
Local storage option
Colour night vision
Smart motion tracking
AI sound detection
Wired power only
Indoor use only We appreciate that this Tapo cam supports microSD card storage of up to 512GB, which means you don't need to fork out extra for monthly cloud storage fees (unless you want to). You're also not missing out on any features by opting out of Tapo's subscription plan, which is a breath of fresh air.
To learn more, read our Tapo C225 review.
If our top pick is beyond your budget, never fear—we found a more affordable version that’s almost as good: Reolink Lumus. At less than $100, the Lumus is reasonably priced, especially if you want to put up more than one camera. Best of all, its features aren’t kept behind a paywall.
These features include HD resolution, a built-in siren and light, two-way audio, night vision up to 10m, compatibility with Google Home and Alexa, an SD card storage option and seven days of free cloud storage.
Floodlight and siren
Privacy masks
Advanced motion zone creation
Easy to install
Affordable
Narrow field of view
Wired power only Lumus also features smart motion recognition and customisable motion zones to halt annoying, unwanted notifications. Most camera apps make you set up a motion zone by adjusting a square or rectangle around the area you want to monitor. With Lumus, you can block out areas you don’t want to monitor by drawing shapes on the screen with your finger or a stylus, granting you a lot more control.
The only things we're not fans of are the narrow 100-degree field of view and the fact that it requires a nearby power point.
The Nest Doorbell (Battery) is on the pricier side for video doorbells, but when it comes to motion and AI features, it’s top dog. The camera can tell the difference between a car, package, human, or pet, so you get fewer false alerts. Even better, if you cough up for a monthly Nest Aware subscription, it even recognises familiar faces. Yup, that’s right. This doorbell can learn the difference between your mum’s face and your best friend's. And it can even tell you when they’re at the door thanks to a feature called Familiar Faces.
Other than that, it has some decent specs, including HD resolution, a 145° field of view, two-way audio with noise cancellation, night vision up to three metres, and it works with Google Home and Alexa.
Facial recognition (with subscription)
Pre-set responses
3 hours free camera storage
Battery or wired installation
3 hours free camera storage
No colour night vision
Subscription required for some features You can set up what types of alerts you want. Get alerts when a package is delivered, when the doorbell sees a person, or when anything triggers the motion sensor. You can also use the app to answer the door automatically with pre-set responses.
Unlike with other doorbell cameras like Ring, you can see up to three hours of camera history for free. That means you don’t need to sign up for a subscription, however you will need to if you want more than three hours of storage or access to the facial recognition feature.
The Reolink Argus 3 Pro is the perfect mix of useful features and quality motion detection. We love its wide field of view, package detection, and that it works so darn good you have to throttle it back. That said, any of our picks should more than do the job.
Still on the fence? Take a look at our home security camera top picks.
It took hours of research and comparison coupled with dozens of years of safety and security expertise to choose the top motion sensor security cameras for this list. We focused on cameras that don’t just detect motion but do it well. Only cameras that provided advanced motion detection combined with quality features made the list.
We also hand-tested many of these cameras. For real-life comparisons, we even had our pets give the motion sensors a run for their money.
Learn more about how we review products and services by visiting our methodology page.
A PIR motion sensor (passive infrared sensor) is used on many security cameras to detect movement. PIR sensors detect movement by measuring the heat that is emitted from objects around them.
PIR security camera technology is pretty basic because the motion sensor can’t tell what it’s looking at; it just knows that a thing is moving. To beef up detection, AI technology is often combined with PIR sensors to detect whether an object is a person or your latest delivery from Amazon.
There are many different types of motion sensors. They all have one thing in common: they measure changes in the space around them to determine if there is movement.
Some measure the light or radiation emitted from objects. Others sense vibrations. Once the data is collected, it sends a signal to your security system or an app on your phone.
Some do, and some don’t. Typically, motion sensor cameras only record when they detect movement to save memory space and battery life. Plus, limited recordings save you from wading through hours of footage to find an event. Typically, brands will require you to sign up for their subscription plan to get 24/7 recording.
They range anywhere from around $50 to $300.
