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The Best Home Security Cameras

The best home security cameras cost as little as £24.99

Night vision can now reach 76 metres

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Best home security cameras

Outdoor: Ring Stick Up Cam Battery ()

Indoor: Neos SmartCam ()

Wireless: Blink XT2 (½)

Monitored: SimpliSafe SimpliCam ()

Night vision: Lorex Motorized Varifocal Zoom Bullet ()

Smart: EZVIZ Mini O ()

Best value: Neos SmartCam ()

When you’re identifying the home security gear that you hope will keep your home and loved ones safe, the first step is choosing the right camera.

A Co-op survey of burglars in 2017 found their biggest deterrent against breaking into a home was the presence of a camera – and given there were more than 1.3 million household thefts in England and Wales during 2018, it’s worth taking this precaution.

The same survey found that just 14% of British adults use home security cameras, and with top-of-the-range models going for as little as £24.99, there’s no reason not to increase your sense of safety and peace of mind.

The methodology we’ve used to identify the best home security cameras in 2019 takes into account each model’s resolution, field of vision, night vision, battery life, smart compatibility, storage options, and value for money.

We’ve calculated value for money in the following way:

(100 ÷ the product’s price) x its average Amazon rating

The higher the score, the better.

There’s some overlap between the different categories, because some cameras are too good to win just one award. If you’re interested in receiving free quotes for quality home security products like these cameras, just complete this form.

women holding phone showing camera views

The Best Home Security Cameras in 2019: what’s on this page?

Head straight to a specific section by clicking the links below.


How to choose the right camera for your home

We’ve gathered all the data, and it’s up to you to decide which category matters most – but how do you choose which of the top home security cameras is for you? Well, it’s all about priorities.

If you’re most concerned about detecting burglars after the sun goes down (which would be fair, since the most common time for home burglaries to take place is from 6pm to midnight), then the night vision section is your friend.

Maybe you want to get a monitored system, meaning a designated security specialist would be looking out for you every hour of every day, all year round – which would be just as well, seeing as a home burglary takes place every 106 seconds in the UK.

Did You Know?

A home burglary takes place every 106 seconds in the UK.

If you have a small flat, you might just want to get an indoor camera – or if you own a house, you’ll want to look through the outdoor camera section as well.

Do you want to buy a smart home security camera? The great majority of these models are smart, and connect directly to Amazon and Google hubs. This means you can control them using your mobile device or your voice, like some kind of futuristic technology overlord.

Whatever your needs, you don’t want to spend so much on your camera that there’s nothing left worth stealing. Fortunately, there’s plenty of value for money in the market. None of these machines will render you destitute, with a maximum camera price of £240.


Best outdoor camera: Ring Stick Up Cam Battery

Cost
£179
Value for money
2.35
Amazon rating
4.2

Information updated in September 2019.

best-home-security-cameras-outdoor

When you’re looking for a home CCTV camera to put outside your property as a deterrent to intruders, look no further than Ring’s premium offering. The wireless Stick Up Cam Battery – which can live indoors, outdoors, or anywhere in between – is at the cutting edge.

It’s wireless, with a three-month-long battery life (more than three times the Swann Floodlight) and affordable cloud storage, at £2.50 per month. This model is also armed with a 110dB siren, which operates at the average human pain threshold.

What we like:

Versatile indoor & outdoor camera
9 metres of night vision
110dB siren
Three months of battery life

What we don’t like:

No Google integration


Runner-up: Swann Floodlight Security Camera

Cost
£179
Value for money
2.23
Amazon rating
4

Information updated in September 2019.

For the same price as the Ring model, this offering from Swann provides two intense floodlights to flush out anyone looking to break into your home – but there are drawbacks.

Its battery life is worse, and while it’s great that it comes with a siren, it’s much less intrusive than Ring’s offering. For comparison, while 110dB is what you might hear at a rock concert, 75dB is what you can expect from your vacuum cleaner.

On the plus side, the Swann Floodlight does have slightly better night vision and field of vision than the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery, as well as Google integration.

What we like:

Google and Amazon integration
Offers free cloud storage

What we don’t like:

The battery life is three to four weeks – three times worse than Ring’s
Much quieter siren, at 75dB
Less versatile – can only be used outside


Best indoor camera: Neos SmartCam

Cost
£24.99
Value for money
17.21
Amazon rating
4.3

Information updated in September 2019.

best-home-security-cameras-indoor

Given the price, it’s a wonder this product exists. Some cameras at the head of their field are 10 times more expensive than Neos’s cut-price diamond.

This motion sensor camera is one of the best small or hidden security cameras out there, and it’d still be cheap at twice the price.

It’s not just desirable because it’s cheap, either. Its night vision is better than most of the best indoor cameras, and it boasts all the other hallmarks of a great home security camera: 8x digital zoom, two-way audio, 1080p resolution, and a 110º field of vision.

What we like:

It can automatically disarm when you’re home
The highest value for money rating on the market
9 metres of night vision
Free cloud storage

What we don't like:

Wired
No siren
No Google Assistant compatibility


Runner-up: EZVIZ Mini O

Cost
£49.99
Value for money
9.00
Amazon rating
4.5

Information updated in September 2019.

We’re big fans of the EZVIZ Mini O – as you can see by its win in our ‘best smart security camera’ category – but it didn’t quite have enough to nab the best indoor camera award as well, despite having room for a 256GB SD card.

Its 720p resolution in particular lets it down, as does its expensive cloud storage option.

What we like:

The second-best camera of any kind in terms of value for money
Amazon, Google, and IFTTT integration
Can take a 256GB SD card

What we don't like:

£49.99 per year for cloud storage is steep
Its 720p resolution is behind the times


Best wireless security camera: Blink XT2

Cost
£99.99
Value for money
3.9
Amazon rating
3.9

Information updated in September 2019.

wireless-best-home-security-cameras

This product was clearly intended to disrupt the market, and it’s succeeded.

Its low price and two-year-long battery life make it stand out, but it’s a shame that Blink – an Amazon-owned company – hasn’t yet made it possible to connect the XT2 to a Google Assistant.

What we like:

Two-year battery life
You can download important clips onto your phone
Can go indoors or outdoors

What we don't like:

No cloud options (beyond getting two hours of footage free)
No Google integration


Runner-up: Logitech Circle 2

Cost
£117.99
Value for money
3.05
Amazon rating
3.6

Information updated in September 2019.

There’s a lot to like about this Logitech model. Even Blink’s winning machine can’t compete with the Circle 2’s superior viewing range, smart device integration, and cloud options, which allow users to pay £2.99 per month to keep their footage for 14 days.

Its night vision and battery life lets it down compared to the Blink XT2, but the Circle 2 is an excellent alternative if you talk to your Google Assistant or Apple device rather than Alexa.

What we like:

Amazon, Google, and Apple integration
Free storage on the cloud for 24 hours
180° field of vision

What we don’t like:

4.5 metres of night vision is poor
Six-month battery life – four times less than the Blink XT2


Best monitored camera: SimpliSafe SimpliCam

Cost for first year
£438.86 (including £49 camera & £12.99/month)

Information updated in September 2019.

 

best-home-security-cameras-monitored

This isn’t just a camera; it’s a monitored system. That means a team of guardian angels watching over you every minute of every day, all year long – which explains the steeper price.

This package comes with a keypad and base station. Other extras, including entry sensors, a panic button, and glass-break sensors, are also available as add-ons. Unfortunately, there’s no value for money rating included above, because the product isn’t available on Amazon.

What we like:

Amazon, Google, and Apple integration, as well as August and Nest
105dB siren
SimpliSafe has a score of 4.7/5 on Trustpilot

What we don't like:

720p resolution


Runner-up: Verisure CloudCam Pro

Cost for first year
Please contact Verisure for more information

Verisure’s package is fantastic. It comes with four door or window sensors, two photo detector cameras, a panic button, security guards on standby, and a patented fake fog which promises to expel burglars in 45 seconds or less.

The biggest issue – and the one stopping it from winning this category – is it isn’t integrated with any smart hubs. This makes it harder to hack, but also means it can't be truly smart.

What we like:

Free cloud storage for seven days
Comes with four entry sensors and two photo detector cameras
180° field of vision
18-month battery life
Verisure has a score of 4.7/5 on Trustpilot

What we don't like:

5 metres of night vision isn’t much
No integration


Best for night vision: Lorex Motorized Varifocal Zoom Bullet

Cost
£239.99
Value for money
1.71
Amazon rating
4.1
Night vision
76m in colour

Information updated in September 2019.

 

best-home-security-cameras-night

This Lorex model offers 76 metres of night vision – and in colour too, as long as there’s some ambient light around. It’s priced ridiculously low for such a huge technological leap forward.

If you own a farm, or any other large estate that’s tough to watch over, this is the camera of your dreams.

What we like:

4K resolution – four times stronger than 1080p
139° field of vision
16x digital zoom
Impressive IP67 weather-resistant rating

What we don't like:

No integration


Runner-up: Nest Cam IQ Outdoor

Cost
£152.52
Value for money
2.56
Amazon rating
3.9
Night vision
15m

Information updated in September 2019.

If you don’t need a camera that can spot an intruder from almost a football pitch away, you can save some money by getting Google Nest’s premium outdoor model.

15 metres of night vision is more than almost the entire market, and enough for you to spot people lurking around your home. Plus, if you want a top quality night vision camera with smart integration, this model is for you.

What we like:

Can be integrated with Amazon, Google, and IFTTT
Cheaper than Lorex’s market leader
130° field of vision and IP66 weather-resistant rating are still excellent
Better value for money (if 15-metre night vision is enough)

What we don't like:

Its night vision capabilities and 1080p resolution pale next to the Lorex model
More than twice as expensive – at £329 – if bought through the Nest site


Best smart security camera: EZVIZ Mini O

Cost
£49.99
Value for money
9.00
Amazon rating
4.5

Information updated in September 2019.

best-home-security-cameras-smart

After picking up a silver medal in the best indoor camera section, the EZVIZ Mini O has found its way to the top of the podium in the best smart security camera category.

None of its competitors are integrated with so many smart hubs, and yet still so affordable – making it a worthy winner.

What we like:

The second-best camera of any kind in terms of value for money
Amazon, Google, and IFTTT integration
Can take a 256GB SD card

What we don't like:

£49.99 per year for cloud storage is steep
Its 720p resolution is behind the times


Runner-up: TP-Link Kasa Spot KC100

Cost
£110
Value for money
3.27
Amazon rating
3.6

Information updated in September 2019.

This camera is more than twice as expensive as the EZVIZ model – and yet, it’s still significantly cheaper than similar offerings from Arlo and Nest.

With 30 days and 1GB of free cloud storage, 1080p resolution, a 130° field of vision, and integration with both Amazon and Google hubs, this is an excellent machine and a deserving runner-up in the ‘smart’ category.

What we like:

1080p resolution
Better cloud options than the EZVIZ Mini O
Can spin 360° on its base if needed

What we don't like:

6 metres of night vision isn’t great
More expensive than the EZVIZ model


Best value security camera: Neos SmartCam

Cost
£24.99
Value for money
17.21
Amazon rating
4.3

Information updated in September 2019.

best-home-security-cameras-value

When it comes to picking the best value security camera on the market, you can’t beat the Neos SmartCam.

For a 1080p smart security camera with free cloud storage and Amazon integration to cost the same as a nice meal at a London restaurant is either a mistake, or incredibly generous. Either way: take advantage.

What we like:

It can automatically disarm when you’re home
The highest value for money rating on the market
9 metres of night vision
Free cloud storage

What we don't like:

Wired
No siren
No Google Assistant compatibility


Runner-up: EZVIZ Mini O

Cost
£49.99
Value for money
9.00
Amazon rating
4.5

Information updated in September 2019.

By this point, we’ve talked your ear off about the EZVIZ Mini O – but it still lives up to the hype.

The winner of our best smart security camera category is also excellent value for money – even with its slightly off-putting cloud storage price – and that’s reflected in its high Amazon score.

What we like:

The second-best camera of any kind in terms of value for money
Amazon, Google, and IFTTT integration
Can take a 256GB SD card

What we don't like:

£49.99 per year for cloud storage is steep
Its 720p resolution is behind the times


Summary

By now, you’ll know about all the best home security cameras in 2019. That means you should hopefully have a better idea of how to choose the right camera for your home, giving you peace of mind without breaking the bank.

You’re ready. If you want to receive free quotes on home security systems, fill in this form, and prepare to launch yourself into a better future.

Written by:
josh jackman
Josh has written about eco-friendly home improvements and climate change for the past four years. His work has been displayed on the front page of the Financial Times, he's been interviewed by BBC One's Rip-Off Britain, and he regularly features in The Telegraph and on BBC Radio.
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