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Best Home Security Cameras

Explore the best home security cameras of 2025 for smart, reliable surveillance. Find top picks for indoor, outdoor.
Clark Halen Clark Halen May 5, 2025
Best_Home_Security_Cameras

With its simple installation, modern design, and the Intruder Intervention feature, the options from ADT are our top picks for home security cameras.

Most Complete Security System with Cameras
ADT-Logo

ADT

SecurityScore: 9.8 /10
  • Video analytics system
  • 1080p HD video resolution on indoor and outdoor cameras
  • Two-way audio on every camera
SHOP ADT
Links to ADT
Best Burglar Deterrent
SimpliSafe-Logo-White

SimpliSafe

SecurityScore: 9.2 /10
  • Mobile app controls
  • 60-day guarantee
  • Simple DIY installation
  • Modern design
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Links to SimpliSafe
Top for DIY Installation
Ring-Security-Logo-removebg-preview

Ring

SecurityScore: 9.5 /10
  • Best-in-industry Alexa integration
  • Continuous recording available
  • Quick DIY installation of wire-free cams
  • Low-priced pro monitoring available
SHOP ON AMAZON
Links to Amazon.com

There are so many good security cameras out there that it can be hard to figure out which ones are better than others. While expensive cameras have state-of-the-art capabilities, some cameras can provide high-quality video for a fraction of the cost. Ultimately, the best camera for you will be defined by what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend.

If you know anything about us, you know we’re always testing home security cameras to see how they compare to one another. This list breaks down the best home security cameras for different purposes and reasons. For example, if you’re looking for cameras from some of the best home security systems, we recommend the cameras from ADT. If you want the best affordable cameras, we recommend taking a look at the devices from Wyze. Let’s get into our findings and what we think are the best home security cameras for 2025.

Side-by-side comparison of Ring and Lorex cameras

These cameras from Ring and Lorex look similar but we’ve uncovered key differences

What Are Security Cameras?

You probably know that home security cameras can stream live video and record events when their motion detector is triggered. But you might not know that modern security cameras can do a lot more. Some cameras use artificial intelligence to recognize familiar faces and packages that have been delivered to your doorstep. Some cameras record locally while others store video in the cloud. It’s our job to compare security cameras so you can decide which one(s) are best for you.

The Best Home Security Cameras of 2025

  • ADT – Most Complete Security System with Cameras
  • SimpliSafe – Best Burglar Deterrent
  • Ring – Top for DIY Installation
  • Wyze Cam – Most Affordable Security Cameras
  • Lorex – Easiest to Use Security Camera
  • Arlo – Top Video Resolution
  • Nest – Most Compatible with Google Home Cameras
  • Blink Camera – Top Compact Cameras
  • Swann SWDVK-445802V – For Local Video Storage
  • eufy 2K Camera – For Apple HomeKit Integration
  • Zmodo – Greatest Security Camera Selection
  • Ecobee SmartCamera – For Camera with Person Detection

Breaking Down The Best Home Security Cameras

1. ADT – Most Complete Security System with Cameras

SecurityScore: 9.8 /10
855-908-4461
View Packages Links to ADT
How We Review
ADT-Outdoor-Security-Camera-768x814

Product Specs

Resolution Up to 1080p
Field of View Up to 128°
Power Wired, battery
Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet
Video Storage Cloud
Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home

Why ADT Cameras are Best if You’re Looking for a Complete Home Security System

ADT Home Security Outdoor Camera

adt outdoor camera
Our ADT Outdoor Camera used a wired connection
While cameras from Ring, Blink, and some other companies can be bought as standalone devices, you can only buy ADT cameras as a part of the ADT home security system. While this is bad news for people who prefer a piecemeal approach, it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for folks in the market for a home security system, especially one backed by a top-class monitoring service.
One of ADT’s premium monitoring features that we tested to work well with its cameras is called video verification. While the monitoring center doesn’t monitor cameras, monitoring agents can verify alerts from ADT sensors using live camera footage. Verified alerts are often prioritized by police and emergency responders. That’s one example of how ADT cameras work with ADT systems, and why we recommend ADT if you’re looking for a well-rounded security system.

What We Like

  • A video analytics system that can differentiate different events
  • 1080p HD video resolution on indoor and outdoor cameras
  • Two-way audio on every camera
  • All cameras come as part of a complete ADT home security system

What We Don’t Like

  • Relatively high prices
  • Video doorbell only has 720p video
  • Requires professional installation
  • Minimum subscription is three years

ADT Home Security Outdoor Camera

ADT OUTDOOR CAMERA OTHER
Our old ADT security camera still watching over our front porch
One thing to note about ADT is that it doesn’t make its own security cameras. It used to have its own line of security cameras – like the one pictured above – but if you buy an ADT system now, you’ll get security camera options from Google Nest. We actually prefer it this way. While the ADT-branded cameras we tested before were solidly built and reliable, they aren’t nearly as smart as the new ADT security cameras from Google Nest.
You’ll meet the Nest Cams below because we also recommend them as standalone security cameras, but if you’re looking for cameras you can pair with a whole-home security system, the Nest Cams unlock several other benefits. For example, they work with ADT’s Trusted Neighbor feature. They have facial recognition, and ADT uses that to let people you trust inside your home. Once they’re inside, your indoor Nest Cams will also start recording to make sure they only do what they’re supposed to.
Feature Highlight: Trusted Neighbor was designed so you can grant people you trust (neighbors, house sitters, cleaners, friends, and family) access to your home at certain times or during certain events. For example, you can have it automatically unlock the door so your neighbor can get your pets out to safety in case of fire. Trusted Neighbor works on all ADT systems (including ADT Self Setup) that include a Nest Doorbell, a compatible smart lock, security cameras, and the right monitoring plan.

Nest Indoor Cam with ADT

Nest Indoor Cam ADT
The Nest Indoor Cam is a fairly recent addition to ADT’s camera lineup
ADT’s greatest selling point is that it’s not just a security camera system. It’s a complete home security system, and a monitored one at that. ADT’s sensors can help detect other dangers that security cameras might not be able to.
On top of that, ADT’s monitoring service is top-notch. It’s one of the reasons we gave ADT a high overall rating. And because video monitoring automatically activates if you connect cameras to your ADT, you’ll be able to integrate video security seamlessly with your home security system.

2. SimpliSafe – Best Burglar Deterrent

An easy-to-use home security camera that works seamlessly with SimpliSafe security systems
SecurityScore:
9.2 /10
800-544-5942 View Sale Links to SimpliSafe
SIMPLY SAFE CAMERAS
How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs Packages starting at $249.96
Monitoring Options Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs Starts at $21.99 per month
Contract Lengths Month-to-month
Installation Options DIY or professional
Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home

Why SimpliSafe?

What’s the main reason you install a security camera? It’s to keep an eye on your property – inside and outside. But SimpliSafe’s Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera takes it a step further. When combined with the Core professional monitoring plan, SimpliSafe agents can remotely access the device to talk to an intruder and attempt to stop the crime.
simplysafe alarm app
We used the SimpliSafe app to open a live stream when motion was detected.
But why wait until the intruder is inside the house? SimpliSafe also has outdoor cameras that can deter criminals from breaking in. A SimpliSafe agent will intervene, but they can also activate sirens and spotlights to make more of a spectacle. However, this feature requires a more expensive professional monitoring plan.

What We Like

  • DIY installation
  • Privacy shutter
  • Intruder Intervention and Active Guard features
  • Two-way audio

What We Don’t Like

  • Need to pay for a monitoring plan to get cloud storage
  • Limited security camera range
  • No 4K options
  • No smart platform integrations
SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera
Mounted on our wooden fence, the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera uses spotlights and sirens to deter intruders
We wouldn’t say SimpliSafe has the most advanced security cameras on this list, but it’s the equipment we want protecting our home. It has got some decent features like AI detection to determine if it’s a human in your living room or your pet looking for a sunny spot to laze about in. The Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera also verifies alarms before contacting emergency services, which can lead to faster response times.
But just don’t expect the footage to be in crystal-clear 4K. The Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera only captures footage in 1536p HD. The outdoor cameras are in 1080p. It’s not like you’ll be watching pixelated footage, but it’s just not as crisp as the videos from other cameras on this list.
FYI: Privacy also plays a part with the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera. While you might be hesitant to put a device that can be accessed by SimpliSafe agents, it only operates when it detects movement. When the coast is clear, a privacy shutter covers the lens so you can go about your business freely.
What the SimpliSafe cameras don’t have in quality they more than make up for in protection via SimpliSafe’s monitoring services. The Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera is necessary for the Intruder Intervention feature, which is included with SimpliSafe’s Core monitoring plan. This feature involves live agents watching and speaking to an intruder through the Indoor Camera. The Cor plan also includes 30-day video history storage for up to 10 cameras.
The SimpliSafe outdoor camera supports a similar feature called Active Guard. If a stranger approaches your house, SimpliSafe agents will intervene and try to get rid of them. However, Active Guard requires a pricier monitoring plan which starts at $49.99 per month. If that’s in your budget, great; if not, the $31.99 Core plan will do just fine.

3. Ring – Top for DIY Installation

Video doorbells and weatherproof cameras powered by batteries, mains electricity, or the Sun

SecurityScore:
9.5 /10
View on Amazon
Links to Amazon.com
ring camera with logo How We Review

Product Specs

Resolution Up to 1080p
Field of View Up to 155°
Power Wired, battery, PoE, solar
Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet
Video Storage Cloud
Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home

Why Ring Has the Best Security Camera Selection Overall

desktop ring camera

We put this Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) through its paces

Ring offers four types of security cameras, three of which work outdoors. They are the:

  • Ring Indoor Cam
  • Ring Stick Up Cam
  • Ring Spotlight Cam
  • Ring Floodlight Cam

Four doesn’t sound like a lot of options, but there are sub-variants available. For example, for the Indoor Cam, there’s the base model and a model that can pan and tilt. For the Stick Up Cam, there’s a base and Pro model. The base model can either be wired, powered by a battery pack, or plugged into a solar panel. The Pro model has battery and solar options. The same is true for the Spotlight Cam and Floodlight Cam, each with Plus (base model) and Pro versions with different power options available.

Unlike with cameras from ADT and SimpliSafe, Ring cameras can be used as standalone devices right out of the box. If you want to avoid a monthly subscription, Ring cameras will allow you to access live footage and get push notifications on your phone. However, we recommend signing up for a Ring Home plan because it unlocks additional functionality, such as person recognition and 180 days of video event history. Ring also offers professional monitoring as an add-on service.

What We Like

  • Wide-selection of indoor/outdoor cameras
  • Easy DIY installation takes only minutes
  • Crisp and clear HD video image quality
  • Integrates with third-party smart platforms

What We Don’t Like

  • Some Ring cams are too large
  • High-end Ring cameras are expensive
  • Ring Pro cam requires hardwiring
  • Can be prone to trigger false alarms
ring camera light

The light on the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro lit up a large swath of our yard

The Spotlight Cam is Ring’s most versatile camera. As the name suggests, it has built-in spotlights, which you can program to turn on when it detects motion. A 110 decibel siren is also there. Those are great for deterring crime, except that you’d have to manually trigger the siren using the Ring app. We guess Ring doesn’t want our neighbors filing noise complaints in case there are any false alarms.

The spotlight and the siren were the Spotlight Cam’s primary crime-deterrents. It has more advanced features to help with monitoring. For example, it has 3D motion detection that uses radar to accurately track an intruder’s movement. It can also enable Bird’s Eye View – a simulated top-view of your property that plots the steps of anyone who sets foot on your property.

Not all Ring cameras are super-advanced, though. There are also ones that are more low-tech but very reliable and affordable. One example is the Ring Indoor Cam, Ring’s most affordable security camera to date. The Ring Indoor Cam is comparable to our top-pick, SimpliSafe’s Wired Indoor Camera. It plugs into an outlet, streams and records videos, and detects motion. And at $60, it’s an affordable option for those who prefer Ring’s catalog of Wi-Fi cameras.

Ring security cameras Price
Ring Indoor Cam Starting from $59.99
Ring Outdoor Cam Starting from $79.99
Ring Spotlight Cam Starting from $149.99
Ring Floodlight Cam Starting from $179.99

What’s New: Another new creation by Ring is the $250 Car Cam, a dual-camera hardware designed to protect your car whether it’s running or parked in your garage. It detects motion, is LTE-ready, and has a built-in Alexa so you can start a recording with your voice while driving.

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