Best Cheap Security Cameras Under $50

Bottom line: Make a Wyze choice

Home security cameras aren’t only reserved for people who can drop a wad of cash on a fancy surveillance system. If you want to add a security camera, but have a budget to stick to, we think that the Wyze Cam Pan is the one to beat.

While most cheap security cameras sacrifice features like smart home compatibility and cloud storage to push the price lower, Wyze delivers an unexpectedly solid experience that rivals the best home security cameras at any price.

Compare cheap security cameras

*Amazon.com list price as of 09/18/2020 at 11:45 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.

Our approach

SafeWise tests, researches, and compares products based on the factors that matter most to the people who want to use them. We get our hands on products, fall into rabbit holes of research, look up customer reviews, contact customer service, and more.

Learn more about our rankings and reviews process on our methodology page.

Best cheap security camera reviews

1. Wyze Cam Pan: Top pick

It’s hard to believe that you can get a smart Wi-Fi camera for less than $40. But the Wyze Cam Pan delivers—and it’s a staff favorite.

We like that this indoor security camera includes free cloud storage as well as local storage via a microSD card slot so you have multiple options to save your videos.

You’ll love the clear night vision images, built-in speaker for two-way audio, and smart motion tracking that follows movement from start to finish. And if you’ve got a little tyke that likes to sing themselves to sleep, you can check in remotely for a sweet serenade every night.

The Wyze Cam Pan is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, making it one of the best cheap cameras for the smart home.

For an in-depth look at this camera, check out our Wyze Cam review.

More cheap security from Wyze

If you want to upgrade your home security on the cheap, Wyze has a full suite of products to protect your home. The Wyze Sense Starter Kit ($47.96) helps you guard doors and windows and also comes with a motion sensor. You can also add extra security with a Wyze Bulb ($12.29), and the Wyze Plug ($19.97 for a 2-pack).

Plus, you can now get the Wyze Lock, which is one of the cheapest smart locks on the market at just $107.98.

2. ZOSI C190: Outdoor pick

You can use the ZOSI C190 inside and outdoors thanks to a durable design that’s weather- and vandal-resistant.

At night, this weatherproof camera can see up to 80 feet using infrared LEDs so you can spot problems way out in the yard. It has a secret nighttime weapon too: bright white LEDS for full color night vision close to the camera.

This ZOSI security camera looks like what you expect from a security camera, which should scare away burglars who are on the prowl. And you can find plenty of videos online from customers who caught thieves in the act thanks to this versatile, affordable security camera.

It’s a bummer that this camera doesn’t have cloud video storage or compatibility with major smart home platforms, but it’s still a great deal for an outdoor camera.

3. SV3C Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera: Software pick

The SV3C outdoor IP camera lets you protect your home and property without breaking the bank.

We like that this unit works with third-party security camera software like iSpy, Blue Iris, and IP Camera Viewer.

Additionally, it supports all video recorders that use the ONVIF technology standard, making it a great addition to existing camera systems.

It also provides motion detection zones, high-resolution images, and one of the broadest night vision ranges of any camera on our list (up to 67 feet). And at around $50 a piece, you can afford multiple cameras around your property.

4. YI Dome Camera: Cloud storage pick

The YI Dome Camera makes it easy to stay on top of everything in your home when you’re away.

And you can wave goodbye to blind spots because the YI Dome Camera features a bidirectional rotation range that captures panoramic scenes.

Best of all, you can store all those sweeping images for free on the YI Cloud with convenient video bookmarks.

While this wireless camera is slightly cheaper than our top pick, the Wyze Cam Pan, its night vision reaches only one-third as far. Still, it’s an excellent option because of its free cloud storage.

5. Wansview Q5: Night vision pick

This affordable Wansview Q5 security camera delivers a lot for under $50. You get 1080p HD video, a 320° pan range, and 4x digital zoom.

Plus, with two-way communication, this is a great solution if you want to check in on little humans or fur babies. And customers love how crisp the images are—even at night.

But that awesome night vision only extends up to 16 feet, which is much shorter than the range on any of our top three picks.

More brands we considered

Blink Mini

Amazon-owned Blink just released the Blink Mini for around $35. While we haven’t tested this indoor cam yet, our first impressions are that it’s an attractive little camera that almost rivals Wyze.

Unfortunately, it requires a paid subscription for cloud storage or an additional accessory for microSD video storage. We’ll see if our tune changes after testing.

Read our Blink cameras review to learn more about this brand.

Reolink E1 Pro

The Reolink E1 Pro has the best video quality among budget security cameras costing $50 or less, if you buy a two-pack. The crisp 1440p video has 77% more pixels than a standard 1080p security camera, meaning it can capture more detail than the competition.

Unfortunately, the E1 Pro’s narrow 87.5º field of view, its $100 two-pack, and customer reports of unreliability hold it back from matching the value of our top pick.

Alfred smartphone app

While not strictly a security camera, the Alfred app is one way to get a security camera for free.

Simply put this app on an old smartphone from your junk drawer and you have an instant security camera (you might want a Mini Tripod Stand first). The app gives you most of the features you expect from a security camera like motion detection, live video streaming, and two-way communication.

It can’t really do night vision since most smartphones don’t have the right tech, particularly the infrared LEDs. Still, Alfred is worth considering as a temporary or permanent security camera option.

Final word

It’s fine and good to want an affordable security camera solution, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality for a few extra bucks in your wallet. Some of the best security cameras are still affordable.

We chose the Wyze Cam Pan for our top pick because it’s an incredibly cheap camera despite coming with a mobile app, cloud storage, and excellent smart home compatibility.

Cheap security cameras FAQ

What should I look for when buying a cheap security camera?

When buying cheap, it helps to know in advance the features that you’re looking for. This weeds out cameras that don’t deliver right away.

Here are some questions to help you figure out what you want (and need) in a cheap security camera.

• Do you want to use your camera inside or outside?
• Do you need a camera with motion sensors or pet-friendly features?
• Do you want more than one security camera?
• Do you want a highly visible camera to deter burglars?
• Do you want to check in on people and pets when you’re not at home?
• Is a mobile app important to you?
• Do you want motion detection alerts sent to your phone or email?
• Do you want to be able to listen in and talk through the camera?
• Are you interested in a portable camera, or do you want it in a permanent location?
• Are you more interested in a rechargeable battery, or are you okay with a power cord?
• Is a video recording important to you? If so, do you want store footage in the cloud or on an SD card?
• Do you want to watch a live video feed?
• Do you want a smart security camera to use in a smart home?

How do I find trustworthy security camera brands?

Start with brands that you may already be familiar with, or ask trusted friends and family for recommendations.

Then research expert reviews and customer ratings to see what people think about the camera after using it for a while. Finding high quality at low prices is a challenge, but it’s a lot easier when you have help knowing which brands deliver.

Are there hidden costs behind cheap security cameras?

The purchase price may not be the whole story. Some security cameras are part of a bigger system and require extra equipment to function. Extras can be a base station, an SD card, playback DVR, or cloud storage subscription.

Take time to read the fine print and root out any extra costs before deciding which cheap security camera is right for you.

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Disclaimer

*Amazon.com list price as of 09/18/2020 at 11:45 a.m. (MT). Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.