The best 4K home security cameras of 2025

Motion detection

4K isn’t much use unless the camera can alert and record when something happens. The best motion detection includes object recognition for humans, animals, and cars. We’d love to see things being recognized for free, but more and more brands are charging for it. We’d also like to see motion activity zones and privacy zones to help improve accuracy and block out areas you don’t want the camera looking at.

Video storage

4K video can take up space a lot of space, so video storage options are especially important for capturing detail. Local storage is free without a subscription and saves your video outside the cloud, but you’ll need to invest in a larger microSD card for easier management. Cloud storage is an option but typically requires a $5-$8 monthly subscription to enable.

Power source

Many of our 4K picks are battery models, which allows for much easier placement and lets you know when they need to be recharged. But wired cameras, or wireless cameras with a cable option, allow you to set up and leave the cameras without ever worrying about battery life, which some users prefer.

lighting

4K detail works best with a light source that illuminates the area. These cameras pair well with floodlights. However, if you already have nearby lighting such as porch lights or spotlights, you may be able to skip this feature.

Field of view

Field of view refers to how wide of an angle is covered by the camera lens. It’s a give and take task at 4K. The wider the field of view, the more pixels you may consume, which means you may sacrifice a little image clarity. However, we generally prefer this compromise since 4K still adds a lot of detail and the wide field of view is especially useful outdoors.

Night vision

Night vision is a great addition to any 4K outdoor camera that works in the dark. This doesn’t directly affect accuracy, but night vision tends to show better results with a better camera. Color night vision is a huge boost to the quality of this feature.

Smart home support

Look for a camera that works with your existing smart home setup, including voice assistants like Alexa and platforms like Google Home or Apple Home. If possible, check our reviews on the camera before purchasing: Platform compatibility can take different forms and sometimes there is a clear winner.