10 Reasons to Use an Indoor Camera

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Cathy Habas
Apr 01, 2026
Icon Time To Read4 min read
Icon CheckReviewed ByAlina Bradford

Cathy, a Safe Sleep Ambassador and Gerontology certificate holder, specializes in family safety, simplifying complex topics for trusted sites like Safety.com with 10+ years of writing experience.

Indoor cameras don’t get enough love. No, they can’t tell you who’s at the door like a doorbell camera does, nor can they scare off potential intruders by merely existing like an outdoor camera can.

What indoor cameras can do is solve mysteries. Or make you internet famous. Maybe both, if you’re lucky.

You only need one reason to get an indoor camera. Here are 10.

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SimpliSafe Indoor Camera on shelf.

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

1. Sourcing weird sounds (hint: it’s usually a cat)

Two of our staff writers have used cameras to track down weird sounds, so we had to mention this first. The best part? Cats were the culprit in both cases!

So whether a random cat is in your crawlspace playing the drums on your tub (true story) or wailing every time it hears you walk around (also a true story), get to the bottom of it with a camera.

You can stage a “spot the cat” viewing party from the comfort of your living room or just wait for the camera’s motion sensor to do the hard work for you. Either way, good luck with the cat.

Up for the task: The Reolink Lumus has a spotlight, motion-sensing zones, and a beginner-friendly price tag.

2. Discovering a sleepwalker

It could be you, your partner, your kid—someone’s been wandering around at night helping themselves to Pop-Tarts, and no one’s fessing up. 

Discover the sleepwalker among you with a camera.

3. Gathering toddler intelligence

Maybe your baby is a sleepwalker, or maybe they’re just really good at pleading the fifth. 

Regardless, it sure would be nice to find out why you put them to bed with the door closed and always find them in the morning with the door open, the dog in their bed, and a faint smell of fruit snacks on their breath. 

Very suspicious. What else are they doing? Cameras everywhere, pronto!

4. Becoming TikTok famous

If it didn’t happen on camera, did it really happen? And can it ever be truly recreated for TikTok fame? 

Your viral moment could be just around the corner. Better keep an HD camera rolling just in case.

5. Backing up your insurance claims

Sometimes it’s not the social media masses you’re trying to impress—it’s your insurance agent. 

“No, my kid didn’t do this. A deer jumped through the window. Really, I’ve got it all on camera!” 

The insurance claim practically writes itself.

6. Protecting the cute and innocent

It’s a common problem in multi-pet households: Which dog keeps having accidents? Or tipping over the garbage? Or barking for two hours straight when you leave? 

Or has it been the cat this whole time? 

If you’re like me, you know one of your pets is a total angel. So you’ll probably need some undeniable proof before you think otherwise. 

Get to the bottom of it with an indoor camera—preferably a pet camera.

7. Catching ghostly footage

Maybe those strange noises, cold spots, and self-propelled rocking chairs have perfectly logical explanations. But what if it’s a ghost? 

You won’t know until you get some hard evidence. Point a camera at the spooky spot and see what happens. 

Pro tip: I’ve watched enough Ghost Hunters to know that you’ll probably need a backup battery or two.

8. Out-sneaking a sneaky teen

So your teen chose the rebel path and sneaks out past curfew. Maybe they’re denying it. Maybe they even dared you to show proof!

“Bring it on,” you say. You could set up a sleeping bag by the door and wait to get stepped on … but getting a decent night’s sleep sounds way better. Let a camera do the work. 

Don’t forget to set one up to catch any unauthorized teen parties too. Your home is not an ‘80s film set!

9. Spotting sticky fingers

Which roommate keeps taking your clothes? Using your lotion? Eating leftover desserts clearly labeled with your name? 

Set up a camera to find out once and for all—just make sure you brush up on your state’s camera laws first.

10. Identifying an intruder

A well-positioned indoor camera could get a good look at anyone who dares enter your home. Share that footage with law enforcement to help track down the suspect and maybe even get some of your stuff back.

Up for the task:  If you have a security system, use a camera that’s sold by your provider. Otherwise, we love the Arlo Pro 4.


Compare the best home security cameras

The best home security cameras in this group cover a nice mix of needs, from high-resolution outdoor coverage to simple indoor monitoring. The Reolink Argus PT Ultra stands out for its indoor and outdoor flexibility, wire-free setup, solar panel option, and sharp 4K video, making it a strong pick for people who want detailed footage and less maintenance. The Arlo Pro 5S is another wire-free indoor and outdoor option, offering 2K video and solid overall performance in a more streamlined package. The Nest Cam (battery) also works indoors or outdoors and keeps things simple with a battery-powered design and 1080p video, which makes it a good fit for homeowners who want an easy setup and smart-home compatibility.

For indoor-only use, the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C120 and Blink Mini 2K+ are both wired options with 2K video. The Eufy earns slightly higher marks overall, which suggests a stronger balance of features and performance for indoor monitoring. The Blink Mini 2K+ is the more basic option of the bunch, with a lower rating, but it still offers clear video for budget-conscious shoppers who just want to keep an eye on a room, entryway, or pet. Overall, Reolink leads this list in video quality, Eufy is a strong indoor contender, and the other models offer good alternatives depending on whether you want wire-free convenience, smart-home integration, or a simpler indoor camera.

Product
Type
List price
Cloud storage price
Video resolution Icon Tooltip  Dark
SafeWise Rating
Learn more
Indoor/outdoor wire-free Starts at $6.99/mo.4K
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Indoor/outdoor wire-freeStarts at $4.99/mo.1440p (2K)
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Indoor/outdoor wire-freeStarts at $6.00/mo.1080p
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Indoor
wired
Starts at $2.99/mo.1920p (2K)
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4
Indoor
wired
Starts at $3.99/mo.1920p (2K)
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75

Amazon.com and other prices as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change Read full disclaimer.

Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer

Disclaimer

*Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date 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.

Google, Google Nest Secure, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

Cathy Habas
Written by
With over 12 years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

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