The best wifi security cameras – top 5 wifi security cameras – goodhousekeeping.com

According to YouGov research, more than a quarter (28%) of Brits are worried about being the victim of a burglary. Whether youve popped out to the shops for an hour or left your house unattended for two weeks while youre on holiday, a wi-fi security camera is a great way to get some peace of mind when youre not at home.

A wi-fi security camera records short video clips when it detects motion in its field of view. So that could be caused by a person, an animal or a vehicle, for example. The camera uses your home wi-fi network to transfer the videos it records, either to a secure area online or to a Micro SD card. This means you dont need cables running all over your property or a bulky central unit as you would with a traditional CCTV system.

The camera also lets you see a live view of whats happening outside or inside your property via an app on your phone or tablet. The cameras are set up via the same app, and some connect directly to your home internet connection while others require a base station that plugs into your router and remains in your home.

Theres an overwhelming amount of choice when it comes to selecting a wireless security camera, but there are two key types you need to consider: outdoor and indoor.

Outdoor security cameras: These are weatherproof and can be installed on the exterior of your property. This does require some DIY, such as drilling holes in a wall to fix the camera to it. They should also be placed at high-level so they cant be stolen. They are great at acting as a deterrent to burglars before they attempt to break into your property and theyre also handy if you want to keep an eye on garages, sheds or other buildings that are not directly connected to your home, or your car parked on your driveway. If the worst does happen when youre not at home, youll have footage that you can pass on to the police to help them identify and prosecute the perpetrator.

There are both mains-powered and battery-powered outdoor cameras on the market. How often the batteries rechargeable lithium-ion or standard alkaline batteries) need to be replaced or charged theyll be either rechargeable lithium-ion or standard alkaline batteries will depend upon how many times the camera detects motion or is used for live-view. As a guide, expect to get anywhere between three months to a year. Mains-powered outdoor cameras are also more fiddly to install.

Indoor security cameras: Indoor wi-fi security cameras are designed to be placed inside your home. They dont need bolting to a wall and instead are freestanding. They are usually mains-powered, although some battery-operated indoor cameras do exist and are handy if you plan on regularly moving them around inside your home.

If protecting your property is your sole intention, wed recommend getting an outdoor wi-fi security camera. However, there are some reasons you might opt for an indoor wi-fi security camera. They can provide peace of mind if you live in an apartment or rented accommodation where youre not permitted to install cameras on the exterior of the building. Similarly, they can be useful if you want to check in on your pets when youre not around or perhaps confirm the kids have come home from school.

Youll notice that the winner and runner-up are both Arlo models. Of the wi-fi security cameras weve tested, Arlos were consistently top performers. There are currently six Arlo cameras on the market. Arlo, Arlo Pro, Arlo Pro2, Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra are all battery-operated wi-fi security cameras that can be used indoors or outside. Arlo Q is the companys wired indoor wi-fi security camera. As you go up the range, the cameras differ in the video quality, field of view and extra features.

The Arlo records in 1280x720 (known as HD-Ready) but it doesnt record any audio with the video. It has a 110-degree field of view and uses CR123 batteries rather than a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so its more expensive to run. The Arlo Pro records the same video quality but with audio, and has a larger field of view and a rechargeable battery. The Arlo Pro 2 has all of this but boosts the video quality to Full HD (1920x1080). Arlo Pro 2 also includes the ability to set activity zones so video is only recorded when motion is detected in these areas of the cameras view. Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra build on Arlo Pro 2 further with the inclusion of colour night vision. The Pro 3 records 2K (2560x1440) footage with a 160-degree field of view while Arlo Ultra ups the quality to 4K (3840x2160) and has a 180-degree field of view. Its worth noting Arlo, Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 come with seven-days free rolling online storage for the lifetime of the camera, while Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra only offer free trials - after which youll need to pay a monthly subscription fee.

Video doorbells can also double as a wi-fi security camera. Via an app, they allow you to see and talk to whoever is on your doorstep when the doorbell is pressed, but as they have a camera in them, they can also be used to record and alert you when motion is detected. Only two of the market leaders, Ring and Nest, have video doorbells available in the UK, but more are expected to launch in the near future. We rate the latest version of the Ring Video Doorbell.

As with many internet-connected devices, theres a concern that hackers may be able to gain access to your wi-fi security camera and view the outside or inside of your property. The market leaders for these systems make sure your videos are saved to secure areas online, but the strength of the password you choose when setting up the camera plays a part. Always choose a unique password that doesnt contain any personally identifiable information such as your surname or date of birth. A strong and secure password should be a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters as well as numbers and special characters. And make sure you apply any firmware updates to the camera as soon as theyre available (youll be able to see these in the app) as manufacturers often deal with any security flaws via these updates.

Overall best wireless security camera: Arlo Ultra 4KRunner-up wireless security camera: Arlo Pro 3Best if youre just starting out: Neos Smart CamBest budget wi-fi security camera: Blink XT 2Best for gardens: Ring FloodlightBest for parents of teenagers: Nest IQBest security camera with no contract: Eufycam E

Most wi-fi security cameras store video captured after motion is detected in a secure area online. Some cameras allow you free access to these videos for a short time after theyve been recorded (24 hours, for example), but if you want to view or download them to your smartphone up to 30 days later, youll need to subscribe to a monthly service that can cost anywhere from 3 to 7. Other cameras require you to subscribe to view videos at any point after theyve been recorded, while others come with a free trial - anywhere for three months to a year - of the service, after which time you have to pay. Alternatively, some cameras allow you to store the footage on a Micro SD card (either inserted into the camera or the base station).

The cameras record video at different resolutions. On the whole, look for a wi-fi security camera that records in 1920x1080, which is Full HD. Anything lower than this and youll run the risk that video wont be clear and sharp. Our winner and runner-up both record in 4K (also called Ultra HD) and 2K respectively. The pictures from these are extremely clear, making them ideal for watching over larger areas as you can zoom-in without losing any detail in the video.

Different cameras have different fields of view (the area covered by the lens). The larger the field of view, the larger the area covered by the camera. Consider where you plan to place the camera and whether the field of view will be large enough to cover everything you need.

Most wi-fi security cameras only offer black and white night vision, but some come with colour night vision. This is possible because they have an LED light built into the camera. Colour night vision means if you do see someone suspicious on your property, youll be able to give police a detailed description including the colour of clothing, hair or skin (something that isnt possible with black and white night vision).

Many wi-fi security cameras also include a microphone as well as a speaker, so you can talk to and hear anyone in view of the camera. This is perfect if you want to shout at a trespasser to get off your property or talk to your pets when youre not at home.

Some wi-fi security cameras are available in kits that include two or more cameras. These are ideal if you want to cover more areas of your property than one cameras field of view can reach. Multiple camera kits are usually better value than buying a single camera kit and then buying additional cameras at a later date.

Some wi-fi security cameras have a built-in siren that can either be turned on automatically when it spots any motion, or manually from the app. This can be a great way to encourage someone creeping around your property to leave.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has assessed the performance, ease of use, and design of 42 wi-fi security cameras to find you the best out there. We look at everything from the quality of the video it records both during the day and at night, to how clear the sound and microphone that lets you talk to people at your property as well as hear them, is. We also look at extra features such as sirens, how simple the app is to navigate and, if relevant, whether the battery will last for a long time or if youll be climbing a ladder to replace it every week.

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The best wifi security cameras - top 5 wifi security cameras - goodhousekeeping.com