Best Home Security Camera of 2025: My top choice is the first choice for keeping your home safe and sound

There are hundreds of home security cameras on the market, with prices, functions and quality similar. With all the options, it’s hard not to fall fast, especially when you think about things as important as home safety. After years of testing home security cameras in CNET, I have some tips if you are looking for a new one. Here are a few parameters to consider:

privacy

This is a big one. You don’t want anyone to peek at your property or hack into the camera. Wireless home security cameras are more susceptible to hacking due to their connections and remote access to Wi-Fi networks, especially when routers are poorly secure. Wired home security cameras that don’t use Wi-Fi at all are usually safer. (Read more about the pros and cons of wired versus wireless systems here.) As mentioned above, data breaches and security breaches can also be dangerous to your privacy, so it is important to consider your company’s recent reputation.

Indoor and Outdoor

The first thing you need to consider is where to place your home security camera. If you want your camera to be outside, recording your porch or yard, you may need an outdoor camera that is also air-resistant or night vision.

While many cameras are interchangeable for indoor or outdoor purposes, some cameras are only for indoor use, so make sure you are buying a camera that can handle outdoor elements.

Video resolution

Video quality should be a major consideration when buying a home security camera. In simplest terms, the camera will not work if the only lens recorded is grainy and unreadable.

The higher the resolution, the better the video quality. Now, most home security cameras on the market have a resolution of 1,080p, but others have 2K (such as the ARLO PRO 4) or 1,536×1,536 pixel resolution (such as the Arlo Video Doorbell), and more and more people can accept 4K. Remember that the higher the video quality and the more bandwidth you need, the more likely your camera will experience lag time or failure.

Field of view

The field of view (usually diagonal) refers to how wide the view of the camera is. The wider one is usually better because it captures more space and makes it easier to spot activities. The average security camera tends to be around 130 degrees, although some are beyond that. PAN and TILT capabilities make the field of view less important because the camera can move around.

If you want to investigate multiple corners of the backyard, I’ll find the wide view great – if you just want to focus on the packaging and the guests on the front of the door, that’s important.

Battery or wired power supply

Battery and wireless cameras with wired options are a taste issue, as both types have pros and cons.

Wireless options are often easier to install and operate and often use cloud storage so you can access recordings from anywhere. Wireless security cameras have their own power supply, so they can still record and save lenses even during internet or during power outages. One of the biggest drawbacks is that unless you get a solar home security camera, you will need to manually replace the battery or charge it frequently.

Wired cameras can connect the connection to a stable connection, thus no charge is required and can often improve high-quality video resolution. They tend to be more reliable, secure and consistent in video quality without the monthly cloud storage fee. But not all owners will feel comfortable wiring without the help of professionals, and they are not a good choice for renters and those living in apartments.

Local and cloud storage

Not all video storage is equal. You have two main options, choosing one is your personal preference. There is cloud storage, which sends your video recordings to the remote server you want to save, while local storage relies on separate attachments or hardware (usually a microSD card) to save any recordings you want to save. Typically, cloud storage costs monthly.

Wi-Fi quality and range

During installation Wireless home security cameraplease remember A smart home The camera you buy (and the entire security system) will only be as good as yours Wi-Fi connection Where you plan to install it. So check yours Wi-Fi speed Before you drill holes in the wall, or otherwise mess up the door frame, brick or siding for your home security camera. If the connection takes up blobs on your wireless security camera, you’ll find a lot of lag time, pixelation in the live feed, and other Wi-Fi lag. These make video quality poor and home security camera use painful.

With a good Wi-Fi connection, you should stay in good shape Indoor home security camera or Outdoor home security camera There are no major camera system issues, and you get a clear lens every time. Is there any problem? Look at me Home Security Camera Purchase Guide And the FAQs below.