Best Nanny Cams of 2022

Whether you’re keeping an eye on the kids or their caretakers, nanny cams are a great home security tool.

For your best option, we think the Reolink E1 Zoom takes the prize with its quality picture, low price, and easy app. It has impressive pan/tilt/zoom features thanks to its swiveling base and moving camera eye. But a few other cameras stood out for features like battery power and local storage capacity.

Check out the nanny cam laws in the FAQ section to make sure you know what is allowed in your state.

We chose this model out of the Reolink camera line-up thanks to its pan-and-tilt capabilities, which come in handy when your kids end up playing or napping in a random corner of the room. 

Entry-level cloud storage is free, but the E1 Zoom supports microSD cards up to 128 GB if you'd rather store footage locally. 

Get the full scoop in our Reolink cameras review.

If you want to keep an eye on your kids when they're playing in the backyard, buy the Arlo Pro 4's solar panel accessory and easily convert this weatherproof camera into an outdoor nanny cam.

This smart camera works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Homekit, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT for coordinated notifications and routines. And while it's not a pan-and-tilt camera, its 160° field of view is large enough to capture activity zones in most rooms.

You'll need to purchase the Arlo SmartHub Base Station if you want to save footage to a USB drive. Otherwise, you're stuck with cloud storage.

Learn more in our full Arlo Pro 4 review.

Setup is easy with Wyze too. Simply plug in the camera and download the Wyze app onto your smart device. Connecting is a snap, but there are step-by-step videos if you need help along the way.

From the app, you can watch past videos, adjust settings, and use the two-way audio to talk to anyone on the other side. Once you’ve set the camera to your preferences, you’re good to go. 

Read our full Wyze Cam Pan review for more details.

To take advantage of those options, you'll need to buy an ethernet cable and/or microSD card separately. 

Learn more about the C6CN in our full EZViz cameras review.

Because it has a longer functional life than most baby monitors, the Yi Home Camera 3 is a great investment. Use it as a nanny cam anywhere in the home, or put it to use as a general home security camera. Its built-in glass-break sensor will let you know if someone's breaking in.

When we tested this budget camera hands-on, we were surprised its night vision was on par with many others, including the Wyze Cam Pan. It supports microSD cards up to 64 GB, so the paid cloud storage plan is optional.

Learn more in our full Yi Home Camera 3 review.

While there are plenty of hidden nanny cams on the market, we looked into the more conspicuous options.

Hidden nanny cams and spy cams can fall under hazy legal territory, so we feel it’s best to be open with your nanny or any in-home caretaker about your monitoring system. This helps build a trusting relationship and makes better use of the camera itself.

For example, your babysitter can reach you through the nanny cam’s two-way audio when needed or help you find important clips in case of an emergency.

Before you get a nanny cam, you should hire a nanny you can trust to watch your children. Nanny cameras make sense if you have reason to suspect something’s wrong, but they aren’t usually necessary when you have a trustworthy child care provider.

Do you know the nanny cam laws in your state? We gathered them in our FAQ.

Want inspiration for building a smart home that benefits your baby? These will help:

• 4 Things to Know before Getting a Nanny Cam
• The Best Baby Monitors
• How to Build a Smart Nursery for Your Baby
• Smart Home Automation Devices to Get You through the Toddler Years

We like the Reolink E1 Zoom best for its 360° field of view, affordable price point, and pan/tilt/zoom prowess. Whether you’re checking in on your child’s safety or ensuring they ate their veggies while you’re out, this nanny cam keep tabs on your kiddo and their caretaker. 

Our other favorites are close contenders:

• The Arlo Pro 4 camera’s wire-free design makes it easy to move from room to room.
• The Wyze Cam Pan boasts free cloud storage and an affordable upfront price.
• The EZViz C6CN offers the best local storage capacity and an incredible up-front price. 
• The YI Home Camera 3 includes crying detection and other audio alerts.

To find the best nanny cameras, we narrowed down the features that are important for checking on the children:

• Two-way audio
• Pan-and-tilt or a wide field of view
• Excellent zoom capabilities and quality
• Superior video quality
• Excellent night vision
• Local storage capacity
• Affordable cloud storage

We didn't want to limit ourselves to cameras specifically marketed as baby monitors or nanny cams. We chose the best contenders from our years of testing and reviewing home security cameras.

We tested the Reolink E1 Zoom, Arlo Pro 4, Wyze Cam Pan, Yi Home Camera 3, Nest Cam, and Blink Indoor in-house. For the most authentic experience, we set up each camera and proceeded with our day as usual. When we got alerts from each camera, we used the apps to check the footage, speak through the cameras, and share footage.

We selected the EZViz C6CN  based on top user reviews and product specs that fit our standards for quality nanny cams. Learn more about how we test and research by reading our full methodology.

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1. Upcounsel, “Video Surveillance Laws by State: Everything You Need to Know,” Published June 2020. Accessed December 20, 2021.
2. Digital Media Law Project, “Recording Phone Calls and Conversations,” Accessed December 20, 2021.
3. United States Department of Justice, “1050. Scope of 18 U.S.C. § 2511 Prohibitions,” Published January 2020. Accessed December 20, 2021.