Wireless Camera News and Updates: 9.5.19
Google Nest Shines a Light on Privacy
Google’s mid-August effort to bolster privacy backfired when it removed the ability to turn off the “in use” light indicator on its Nest Cam, Dropcam, and Nest Hello security cameras. The intention was to ensure that users will always know if the camera is recording—whether intentionally or by covert, hacked means. Camera owners complained that the light was a nuisance, so Google split the difference by reminding users that they can dim the indicators.
Wyze Wants to Be More Than Your Favorite Camera
Wyze, maker of the popular and ridiculously affordable Wyze Cam and Wyze Cam Pan, is releasing a slew of similarly cheap (and clever) smart home security accessories. The company started with Wyze Sense—small motion and contact sensors that work with Wyze cameras and come in a $20 starter kit if you already own a Wyze Cam. Next came Wyze Bulb, a smart lightbulb that’s under $10, and in late September 2019 the company will start shipping its smart plug that lets you turn any appliance into a smart one.
Wireless vs. Wire-Free
We love the convenience and flexibility of wireless home security cameras. Our favorites are 100% wire-free, which means they use a Wi-Fi connection and a wireless power source like a battery. Cameras that fall into that wire-free category, like the Arlo Pro, Ring Spotlight, and Canary All-in-One, were given precedence when it came to ranking the top wireless security cameras this year.
But we couldn’t dismiss high-quality cameras like the Amcrest ProHD, Wyze Cam Pan, and Nest Cam Indoor just because they’re tethered to a power cord. Find out which cameras on our list are truly wireless, which ones you can use indoors and outdoors, and what smart features each one offers in our comparison table and security camera reviews below.
If you’re looking for wireless camera that works with a security system, you can start with recommendations from our Best Home Security Systems.
Compare the Best Wireless Security Cameras
| Starting Price |
| Camera |
| Type |
| Wire-Free |
| Video Resolution |
| Night Vision |
| Top Pick | Budget Pick | Smart Home Pick | Battery Pick |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| $249.99 | $29.99 | $169.00 | $199.00 |
| Arlo Pro | Wyze Cam Pan | Canary All-in-One | Ring Spotlight Cam |
|
Indoor/Outdoor Wire-free |
Indoor Wired |
Indoor Wire-free |
Outdoor Wire-free |
| Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 720p | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p |
| Up to 25 feet | Up to 30 feet | Up to 20 feet | Up to 30 feet |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | Visit Ring |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Data effective 09/05/2019. Offers and availability subject to change.
Best Wireless Security Camera Reviews
1. Arlo Pro: Wire-Free Pick
Arlo Pro tops our list of the best wireless security cameras because it’s truly wireless (no power cords) and one of the most versatile cameras we’ve encountered. It works indoors or outside and delivers a clear picture on sunny days, under artificial light, and in the dark. Add the super-simple installation process, and it’s hard to resist the Arlo Pro’s charms. Our primary concerns are the number of alerts and the hypersensitivity of the motion sensor. Plus, you have to buy a base station, which pushes your entry-level price over $200. Read our full Arlo Pro review.
Pros
- 100% wire-free design
- Indoor/outdoor versatility
- Easy setup
- Smart home integration
Cons
- High price
- Required base station
- Oversensitive motion detection
2. Wyze Cam Pan: Budget Pick
This little Wi-Fi camera can scan an entire room in just three seconds. You can adjust settings with the Pan Scan feature to automatically scan an area to your specifications. The Wyze Cam’s motion tracking is also cool—if a kid or dog runs through the room, the camera will follow all the action. (No more arguments about who broke the lamp.) Plus, you can pick up the Wyze Cam for under $40. One of the only things we don’t like is that you’re tied down to a power cord, which limits placement options. Read our full Wyze Cam Pan review.
Pros
- Affordable price
- 360° coverage with Pan Scan
- Smart motion tracking
- Free rolling 14-day cloud storage
Cons
- Wired power cord
- Rough motion tracking
- Hit-and-miss motion alerts
3. Canary All-in-One Indoor Security Camera: Smart Home Pick
Canary combines home security features like a siren and environmental sensors with a smart home security camera. And don’t let the small, unobtrusive design fool you. Canary has packed enough security features into this Wi-Fi camera to make it qualify for home insurance discounts from many major insurers. The Canary All-in-One can sense if the fireplace isn’t fully out or let you know if someone left the tub running. We wish it had a little more power when it comes to night vision, though—it only has sight for about 20 feet in the dark. Read our full Canary review.
Pros
- Camera, siren, and climate monitor
- Learning tech to adjust to your habits
- Alexa integration
- Direct connection to emergency services
Cons
- Only 20-foot range for night vision
- Subscription requirement for some features
- Buggy mobile app
4. Ring Spotlight Cam: Battery Pick
Ring Spotlight Cam keeps an eye on the exterior of your home, and it can be installed anywhere. You’re not limited to locations near a power supply, and you don’t have to drag and secure cables. This wireless camera runs on a rechargeable battery—or you can opt for the solar version. We like the addition of a spotlight as an extra intruder deterrent. Plus you can talk to visitors even when you’re not at home, thanks to two-way communication. Downsides include the price (around $200) and reports of short battery life. Read our Ring Alarm review.
Pros
- No power cables to wrangle
- Built-in spotlight
- Motion-activated sensors
- Smart home compatibility
Cons
- Higher price
- Shorter battery life
- Wi-Fi connection problems
5. Reolink Argus 2 Wireless Security Camera
We like the Reolink Argus 2 because it works just as well indoors as it does outside. Its starlight night vision gives you clear images up to thirty-six feet without any extra ambient light. This camera uses a rechargeable battery or solar power, so you have a lot of flexibility about where to place it. Setup is easy, but one glitch is that you have to set up cameras in the mobile app, which is only available on mobile devices. This can be tedious if you plan to set up multiple cameras around your property.
Pros
- Email and push notifications
- Built-in microSD card slot
- Free video playback via Reolink app
- No base station
Cons
- Wi-Fi connectivity issues
- No web viewing capability
- Motion detection delays
6. Amcrest ProHD Indoor
At SafeWise, we’re Amcrest fans, and this wireless indoor security camera doesn’t disappoint. Its remote pan and tilt function, easy setup, and variety of video storage options make this one of the best cameras available for under $100. Unfortunately, the user manual is hard to follow, and the camera lens rotation is limited if you mount the Amcrest ProHD on the wall. But we still like the free cloud storage and the addition of two-way talk.
Pros
- Remote pan and tilt
- Multiple storage options
- Two-way communication
- Smart digital zoom
Cons
- Limited rotation when mounted
- Confusing user manual
- Laggy live streaming
7. Amazon Cloud Cam
It’s no surprise that Amazon’s wireless security camera would be besties with Amazon’s Alexa. But we’re bummed that you can’t use some of the camera’s coolest features without a Cloud Cam subscription. You do get twenty-four hours of video clips stored for free, but you need the subscription to support multiple cameras, use person detection, or set motion zones to limit false alarms. Even without the extra perks, it’s still a good camera to keep an eye on kids and pets when you’re away.
Pros
- 24 hours of free video clips
- Compatibility with Alexa, Fire TV
- Viewing options on mobile device or PC
- Intelligent alerts that work with wearables
Cons
- Required Cloud Cam subscription for full function
- Mediocre night vision
- Limited scheduling options
8. Google Nest Cam Indoor
Google Nest Cam is awesome when it comes to image, video, and sound quality. It’s too bad, though, that you have to pay so much to get that high quality. We like the smart functions and home automation compatibility of the Nest Cam Indoor, but many of the cameras we looked at offer the same perks at a more reasonable price. The fact that you can’t use many of the best features (including video recording) unless you sign up for a monthly subscription is a big downer.
Pros
- Great video quality
- Compatibility with Alexa, other Nest products
- Crystal clear two-way audio
- Quality design and aesthetic
Cons
- High price point
- Required Nest Aware subscription for coolest features
- Poor Wi-Fi connectivity
9. YI Dome Camera
This wireless security camera makes us think of R2-D2. It’s cute and looks like the type of tech you can count on to stay in touch with kids and pets when you can’t be at home. The anti-noise filter makes it easy to listen for baby’s cries or chat with kids about homework after school. You can even tell Rover to get off the sofa. Another great feature of the YI Dome Camera is unlimited free cloud storage. But watch out if you’re an Android user—there are several reported issues with the Android app.
Pros
- Cute design
- Motion tracking
- Anti-noise filter for clear audio
- No cloud storage limit
Cons
- Limited night vision range
- Android issues
- Difficult setup
Things to Consider Before You Buy
Can my security camera be hacked?
The unfortunate truth is that, yes, security cameras can be vulnerable to hacking—but the good news is that you can do things to keep hackers out. Nearly every security camera we looked at supports encryption. That means that the data streamed from the camera (like videos of your kids after school) is protected from prying eyes. No matter what security features come with your camera, we’ve got some tips to help you maximize the privacy of your security cameras.
- Buy a camera with a recognized name and purchase it from a trusted seller.
- Make sure your home Wi-Fi network is secure.
- Create unique, strong passwords for your camera and any apps you use to access it.
- Keep firmware updated on your camera and your Wi-Fi router.
- Turn off remote viewing when you don’t need it.
- Block the lens of your camera when you’re not using it—a post-it or a piece of painters tape will work.
Will it work as a baby/kid/pet monitor?
We’ve learned that many people want a wireless security camera to keep an eye on the people and pets they love. If this is your goal, here are some things to consider:
- Two-way communication: Do you want to listen in and talk to the pets or people you are monitoring?
- Night vision: Clear images in low light are especially important if you want to use the camera as a baby monitor.
- Field of view: Most security cameras are designed with a wide-angle lens, while baby monitors and nanny cams often use a more narrow range of vision to focus on baby.
- Pan and tilt: If you’re viewing pets or older kids remotely from the office or on a beach, you may want to be able to move the camera angle.
Can an indoor camera do double duty looking out a window?
This is another thing people want their wireless camera to do—watch things inside during the day, and keep an eye on what’s going on outside after dark. But this rarely works. Most indoor security cameras will pick up glares and reflections when aimed out a window. This obscures the outside view, making it useless. If both outdoor and indoor security are a priority for you, we recommend getting the right type of camera for each area. You may be able to find an indoor camera that claims to be specifically designed to minimize the glare and reflection of a window, but be sure to read a lot of customer reviews to verify that those claims are accurate.
Is an indoor wireless camera enough security?
If your goal is to protect against intruders, we recommend an outdoor camera first and foremost. Outdoor security cameras are designed to deter criminals and provide an early warning before someone enters your home. While indoor security cameras have helped people catch a burglar after the fact, you have a better chance of sending a thief running with an outdoor camera. And if you want to be connected to the police, you should look into security cameras that come with an option to add professional monitoring.
Our Approach
To find the best wireless security cameras, we looked at price, image quality, reliability, ease of setup, smart features, night vision, and customer satisfaction. We tested several cameras in our homes, read expert reviews, researched industry standards and camera specs, and consulted thousands of customer reviews.
- 42 hours researched
- 8 in-home tests
- 28 products considered
- 1,100+ customer reviews read
- 10 coffees consumed
Written by Rebecca Edwards
Rebecca has honed her safety and security skills as both a single mom and a college director. Being responsible for the well-being of others helped her learn how to minimize risk and create safe environments. Learn more
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