Battle of the budget security cameras: These brands offer more for less

When it comes to safeguarding your home without breaking the bank, navigating the maze of budget home security cameras can feel like a high-stakes balancing act. Each inexpensive option inevitably cuts corners, whether it’s in image quality, field of view, or the intuitiveness of its accompanying app. Deciding which trade-offs are bearable and which are deal-breakers can be stressful.

In this crowded market, the quest is to find a manufacturer whose cameras demand the fewest significant compromises. Hence this guide: We compare of the most popular indoor security cameras to determine the best budget option for most people. Each camera listed here costs less than $100 and benefits from a previous in-depth review by TechHive’s editors and contributors.

Five competitors enter the arena, one will be left standing, having delivered the best performance and the fewest trade-offs.

This comparison is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras.

Typical and acceptable trade-offs

When selecting a budget security camera, it’s essential to understand the trade-offs that might come into play:

• Resolution and field of view: Higher-resolution cameras provide clearer images, which can be critical for identifying details in recorded footage. Cameras with a broader field of view, reduce the need to deploy multiple units in larger spaces, but that feature might come at the cost of resolution.
• Video storage options: Some cameras focus on local storage to enhance privacy and reduce the cost of an ongoing subscription; others depend on cloud storage that, while convenient, requires a recurring fee that adds to the cost of the camera over its useful life. Some cameras require a subscription to unlock advanced features, such as AI-enabled smart detection. Deciding between local and cloud storage will depend on your preferences for accessibility and advanced features versus ongoing cost.
• Night vision: Not all night vision is created equal. Color night vision offers more detail in low light—including, obviously, color detail—which can be a deciding factor for those want to monitor their spaces at night with the greatest possible clarity.
• Ecosystem compatibility: The Matter smart home standard promises to break down the walls between today’s smart home systems, but it does not yet take home security cameras into account. That being said, there might be other ecosystems to consider when shopping for a security camera. Apple users, for instance, might want to ensure their camera supports HomeKit Secure Video. And if you’ve already invested in a broader home security system that you’re already paying a monthly subscription for–Ring Alarm, for instance–you’ll want to stick with that brand, even if we haven’t included one of its models on this list.

How we evaluated the cameras on this list

Before we delve into the specifics of each product, let’s establish what makes a budget security camera worth your investment. The primary factors to consider include:

• Video quality and resolution: A high pixel count is crucial for identifying important details, such as faces. While you might not get 4K resolution in this price range, you should at minimum expect clear 1080p footage.
• Field of view: A wider field of view means fewer blind spots. Alternatively, a narrow field-of-view can be enhanced with pan-and-tilt functionality, which allows you to remotely redirect the camera to capture more of the scene.
• Night vision: Although studies show that most crime takes place during daylight hours, intruders still like to use the cover of darkness. That makes night vision an essential security feature. Any home security camera should have IR-powered black-and-white night vision, but color night vision is becoming more widely available and captures more forensic details, such as the color of a perpetrator’s clothing.
• App usability and features: The best camera can be hindered by a poorly designed app. Ease of use, notifications, and additional features like voice commands are important. App experiences vary widely by brand, so when you find one you prefer, stick with it. You won’t want to juggle one app for a camera in one room, and a wholly different app to check a camera in another room..
• Smart home integration: Compatibility with other smart devices through integration with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or automation services such as IFTTT enhances the functionality of your security system.
• Subscription requirements: Ideally, your camera should be fully functional without an expensive monthly fee. If a subscription is required to enable some features, it needs to justify its cost with significant benefits. Don’t worry, we can tell you all about the best security camera subscription plans.

Now, meet the contenders

Wyze Cam 4

Wyze Labs has reset our expectations of what you can get in a budget-priced security camera. Its flagship Wyze Cam 4 significantly improves home security with 2.5K resolution for clearer, more detailed images, and a wide 115.8-degree field of view. Enhanced by a starlight sensor, its color night vision captures vivid footage in low-light conditions, supported by a built-in spotlight for improved nighttime clarity.

Out of the box, you can view live video and record clips to microSD card in capacities up to 512GB (you’ll need to provide the card). You also get 14 days of free cloud storage, general motion and sound detection, and notifications when the devices hear the sound of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm sounding off, courtesy of Wyze’s free basic cloud plan. What you don’t get is video recordings; rather, the camera captures a static image when it’s triggered by an event, with a 5-minute cool-down between each capture. That means the camera won’t produce any more snapshots for five minutes, no matter what happens in front of it.

To enable actual video recordings without a cool-down period, you’ll need Wyze’s Cam Plus paid subscription plan, which costs $2.99 per month ($19.99 per year) per camera. If you have more than three Wyze cameras, you’ll want to step up to its Cam Unlimited plan tha covers an unlimited number of cameras for $9.99 per month ($99.99 per year).

The Wyze app is feature-rich and makes it easy to view recordings, filtered by what type of activity (sound, person, pet, etc.) triggered it. As for third-party integrations, Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT are all supported, but Apple Home and HomeKit Secure Video are not.

Lorex 2K Indoor Pan-Tilt Wi-Fi Camera

The Lorex 2K Indoor Pan-Tilt Wi-Fi Camera provides solid value with its 2K video resolution, a 110-degree field of view, and the ability to pan and tilt, giving users comprehensive coverage of large indoor spaces without the need for multiple cameras. Sound and motion detection (including person detection), IR night vision, two-way talk, and a privacy mode round out the essential security features.

All video is stored locally on the device, which comes with a 16GB MicroSD Card preinstalled (card capacities up to 256GB are supported). Lorex doesn’t offer a cloud storage option, but video recordings can be stored on your network separate from the cameras with the Lorex Fusion line of network video recorders (NVRs).

The Lorex Home app is well-designed and easy to navigate. The camera is compatible with Alexa and Google Home for voice control and video streaming, and it can also be paired with Lorex’s own Home Security Center.

Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi Home Security Camera (model C120)

The Tapo C120 security camera is equipped with a range of advanced features designed for enhanced home surveillance. Offering 2K video resolution, the camera has a 120-degree field of view and includes integrated spotlights for color night vision and built-in infrared LEDs for black-and-white night vision, which can switch to an invisible IR mode for discrete monitoring.

The camera’s intelligent motion detection can distinguish between humans, pets, and vehicles, and includes innovative features like line-crossing detection, allowing users to set boundaries and receive alerts when these are breached. Detection zones can be customized for specific monitoring needs, such as differentiating between a neighbor’s cat and a human intruder at the same access point. The Tapo C120 also features sound detection capabilities, with sensitivity settings for various noises including baby cries and breaking glass, all of which can be independently toggled on or off.

Local storage is available via a user-supplied microSD card (in capacities up to 512GB). Cloud storage is available with a Tapo Care subscription that, among other things, adds rich push notifications with a snapshot of what triggered the recording (regular notifications are text only). Subscriptions cost $3.49 per month or $34.99 per year and cover up to 10 cameras.

The Tapo app has a clean, intuitive design that in addition to providing access the camera’s live feed makes it easy to schedule monitoring blocks, manage detection settings, and review video clips. The camera is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Blink Mini 2

Ideal for users in the Amazon ecosystem, the Blink Mini 2 integrates seamlessly with Alexa and offers straightforward functionality with 1080p resolution, motion detection, privacy/activity zones, and a wide 143-degree field of view.

Full-feature access requires a subscription to one of Blink’s two cloud subscription plans, which start at $3 a month or $30 a year for one camera (coverage for an unlimited number of Blink cameras costs $10/mo. or $100/year). Without a paid subscription you’re only able to view the camera’s live feed for a maximum of 5 minutes after receiving a motion-detection alert. You get a no-obligation 30-day free trial when you activate a camera.

As an alternative to cloud storage, you can store video locally via a user-supplied USB drive with a Blink Sync Module 2, which is sold separately ($50).

The Blink app sports a minimalist design that provides easy access to a wealth of customization options for video, notifications, lighting, privacy, and other camera functions.

Arlo Essential Indoor v2

The second generation of Arlo’s Essential Indoor entry-level security camera is notable for its privacy-focused design, featuring a physical privacy shield that automatically activates when the camera is disarmed. The 1080p camera has a 130-degree field of view and includes motion detection, black-and-white night vision, two-way audio, 12x digital zoom, and a built-in siren.

Users can access the camera’s live feed and receive standard motion alerts right out of the box. An Arlo Secure subscription is required, however, to unlock features such as intelligent motion detection (people, vehicles, packages, and pets), smart notifications, and smart activity zones, as well as to enable cloud storage for video clips. Coverage for a single camera costs $7.99 per month; you’ll pay $12.99 per month for an unlimited number of cameras. That makes Arlo’s cloud subscription one of the most expensive on the market. This camera does not support local storage at all.

The second-gen Arlo Essential Indoor uses the same Arlo Secure app that’s used with Arlo’s Pro line of cameras. It employs a system of operational modes to control how the camera responds to motion or sound in various scenarios when you’re home and when you’re away. The system allows you to easily arm or disarm your camera with a single tap rather than having to comb through various settings to activate or deactivate individual security features.

Our pick for the best budget indoor security camera

Based on the criteria defined above, the Wyze Cam 4 emerges as the clear winner in providing the best balance of total cost of ownership, features, usability, and trade-offs.

This camera excels across multiple categories, offering superior video quality, reliable smart detection, an expansive field of view, and exceptional night vision capabilities. The flexibility of local and cloud storage options ensures that users can choose the most convenient method for their needs without feeling pressured into ongoing subscriptions. Moreover, the Wyze Cam 4’s integration capabilities with popular smart home platforms like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa make it an excellent choice for those looking to seamlessly incorporate their security system into a broader smart home setup.

Every product has its limitations, and the inability to record video without a paid cloud subscription is the obvious one here. However, we’re able to look past this shortcoming because Wyze’s cloud plans are some of the most affordable in this market.

Ultimately, a budget-friendly camera should provide great value without skimping on quality or features. The Wyze Cam 4 achieves this balance, making it the best choice for those seeking reliable indoor surveillance without a hefty investment.

That said, any other camera on this list might be the better choice for you specific needs, based on your initial budget, tolerance for a subscription, and compatibility with any ecosystem you’re already immersed in.

If we’ve done our job, you’ll be able to decide which one is best.