Best Wifi security cameras
1. BEST BUDGET INDOOR WIFI SECURITY CAMERA
Blink Mini
- Great value
- Compact and versatile
CONS
- Image can be hard to see in some conditions
If you want to try out a wifi security camera without spending a lot, go with the compact £30 Blink Mini. It records detailed video clips if it spots any motion both during the day and at night. Once it does, it’ll notify you via the smartphone app.
During testing, it didn’t send alerts for false positives (motion created by shadows or reflections) but when we put it opposite a window, we found the image became unclear.
Video storage: Cloud storage with a Blink Subscription Plan and local storage that’s available via the Blink Sync Module 2
Subscription cost: Comes with a free trial (Blink says you’ll get at least 30 days’ notice when the free trial is due to end), this allows you to save video clips to the cloud – once the trial ends you can pick either the “Basic” plan (£2.50 per month) or the “Plus” plan (£8 per month), the cheaper plan supports one camera while the “Plus” plan works with unlimited Blink cameras
2. BEST INDOOR SECURITY CAMERA WITH A SIREN
Yale Indoor Wifi Camera Pan & Tilt
PROS
- Comes with a siren
- Pan and tilt functionality
CONS
- Picture is fuzzy when opposite a window
This mains-powered security camera records clear HD video both in the daytime and at night, but the picture does get a little fuzzy when it’s placed opposite a large light source like a window. There’s a pan and tilt function though, so you can move the camera lens around using the app when you’re not there.
It identifies whether a person has moved within its field of view, it can alert you if it notices abnormal sounds, and we like how that can trigger its siren too (a feature that’s rare on indoor models).
Video storage: Local storage only with a micro SD card – the camera can hold up to a 256GB card (not included)
3. BEST WIFI SECURITY CAMERA WITH BUILT-IN STORAGE
Eufy SoloCam E40
PROS
- Good built-in storage in the camera
- Easy to set up and use
CONS
- Only black and white at night
If you love the idea of a subscription-free wifi security camera but don’t want a system that includes a base station, this Eufy model is the one to buy. It stores footage captured when motion is detected on 8GB of memory built into the camera itself – Eufy says this is enough for two months’ worth of video clips.
The camera records clear colour video during the day, although the absence of a spotlight means that the footage is black and white at night. On test, we found the camera simple to set up and intuitive to use, so even if you don’t consider yourself to be tech-savvy, you will be able to install this camera without the need for additional help. It can even identify whether the motion it spots was created by a person or another source.
Unlike more expensive battery-powered cameras on the market, the battery isn’t removable. It lasts for up to four months but this meant we had to remove the camera from its mount and bring it indoors to recharge it, leaving it out of action for around eight hours.
Video storage: Local storage is built into the camera, which is enough to store up to two months’ worth of recordings
4. BEST WIFI SECURITY CAMERA FOR 4K QUALITY
Arlo Ultra 2
- Super high-resolution footage
- Great wireless range
CONS
- Requires subscription for many features
Just like its predecessor and our previous top pick, the Arlo Ultra, the newer Arlo Ultra 2 records colour video at 4K resolution, and we found the footage was sharper than any captured by HD cameras. This is the only 4K model on our list, and the colour footage it records is far clearer than any HD rival. We were able to see car number plates, even when the camera was mounted at the level of the first storey of our property.
Thanks to its improved wireless coverage (it supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi bands unlike the older Arlo Ultra, which only supports 2.4GHz) you can position it further away from the SmartHub, making it a better choice for those with larger homes.
It’s also available in a supersized XL version, which sees the battery life last up to 12 months, although this is more expensive at £669. The Ultra 2 comes with a three-month free trial of Arlo’s cloud storage subscription, which we found was accurate at identifying whether a person, animal or car was responsible for a motion alert.
Video storage: Cloud storage and local storage with a micro SD card (not included)
Subscription cost: 90-day free trial of 30-day online storage, £2.79 a month for a single camera and £8.99 a month for multiple
5. BEST WIFI SECURITY CAMERA FOR BATTERY LIFE
Blink Outdoor
PROS
- Excellent battery life
- Weatherproof
CONS
- Not as good at detecting motion as some rivals
This battery-powered wireless security camera isn’t only affordable and compact, but it’s also powered by AA batteries, which can last up to two years before they need changing.
It’s weatherproof so can be used outdoors, so we think it is the perfect option for those who want a wifi security camera they really can set and forget.
It records clear Full HD footage in colour during the day and at night, although it can’t distinguish the course of a motion alert. It also has the ability to store footage locally for no extra cost via the Blink Add-On Sync Module 2 (which costs £30). Once you’ve added a USB flash drive (up to 256GB) to the module, it can save videos from up to ten Blink cameras.
Video storage: Cloud storage with a Blink Subscription Plan and local storage that’s available via the Blink Sync Module 2
Subscription cost: Comes with a free trial (Blink says you’ll get at least 30 days’ notice when the free trial is due to end), this allows you to save video clips to the cloud – once the trial ends you can pick either the “Basic” plan (£2.50 per month) or the “Plus” plan (£8 per month), the cheaper plan supports one camera while the “Plus” plan works with unlimited Blink cameras
6. BEST WIFI SECURITY CAMERA FOR PET OWNERS
Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen)
PROS
- Great if you have other Ring devices
- Useful “people-only” mode
CONS
- Only black and white at night
This compact and affordable mains-powered security camera from Ring is a great way to keep an eye on your pets when you’re not around. If you already have a Ring Video Doorbell, it will let you expand your security monitoring to the inside of your home without the need for an additional app.
The results are in Full HD so the video was clear and easy to see when we tested it out. The camera records in colour during the day, and black and white at night. We found the handy ‘people-only’ mode, filtered out motion from pets, headlights or sunlight reducing the number of false-positive alerts we received during testing.
The wifi security camera works with Alexa, and we were easily able to arm or disarm the camera by uttering one phrase to our smart speaker. We also found that using an Amazon Echo to talk with people (and pets) within the camera’s field of view was straightforward and easy.
Video storage: Cloud storage
Subscription cost: 30-day free trial of 30-day online storage, £3.49 for a single camera and £8 a month for multiple
7. BEST WIFI SECURITY CAMERA FOR GARDENS
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
PROS
- Powerful and bright floodlight
- Built-in siren
CONS
- Requires subscription for many features
If you want a wifi security camera with a floodlight that runs on a battery, this is the one to go for. And, if you prefer, it also can be mains-powered using the included weatherproof cable. It comes with two bright floodlights that you can turn on manually or trigger when it detects motion.
On test, the colour video was sharp, but you need to subscribe to watch anything it records. The Pro 3 Floodlight can identify if a person, animal, vehicle or another source caused the motion it sees, and it’s got an 80db siren and a two-way microphone.
Video storage: Cloud storage with a subscription to keep videos for 30 days, base station required for local storage
Subscription cost: 90-day free trial of 30-day online storage, £2.79 a month for a single camera and £8.99 a month for multiple
8. BEST AFFORDABLE SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM
eufyCam 2C 2-Cam Kit
PROS
- Affordable and simple
- Built-in storage eliminates ongoing costs
CONS
- Local storage isn’t expandable
Like the other Eufy models on our list, this system is another one of the best wifi security cameras you can buy without the burden of ongoing subscription costs. It’s affordable and weatherproof, so it works both indoors and outdoors.
The battery should last for 180 days, and its built-in storage can hold up to a year’s worth of HD video clips. You can view these recordings via an app on your phone too. The bundle we’ve featured here comes with two cameras and a base station. You can buy more add-on Eufy cameras for £90 each.
Video storage: It comes with 16GB EMMC digital storage, which is enough to store up to a year’s worth of recordings
