The best wireless home security cameras of 2025

Does it work with smart home platforms? If so, do the smart features work well together?

Nowadays, home security cameras are expected to work with at least one major smart home platform. Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home Kit These are the main elements you need to look for. Apple Home app support is usually the hardest to find.

How is live view?

Wireless security cameras and video doorbells are often exposed to direct sunlight, weather and other natural elements, but many other cameras are installed under porches, near shady trees and in all kinds of other places. Your camera should have clear, crisp video footage or even night vision so you’re not stuck with grainy, unusable footage.

Local storage versus cloud storage

Not all video storage is created equal. You have two main options and choosing one comes down to your personal preference. There’s cloud storage, which sends your video footage to a remote server to be saved, and local storage, which relies on a separate accessory or piece of hardware, usually a microSD card, to hold any footage you wish to save. Typically, cloud storage requires a monthly fee, and companies typically reserve the right to share that footage with others in emergency situations, such as an FBI search.

Motion detection and recognition

Motion detection is one of the most important features of DIY security cameras. You’ll need a feature that automatically records video and sends you alerts when the camera picks up motion. You also don’t want to get alerts and useless videos every time the leaves blow (or cars drive by, deer pass by, etc.). This is where object detection comes in handy: The best security cameras can distinguish between vehicles, animals, and people. The best versions like Google’s AI detection can detect packages and familiar faces at your door, if you let it.

Battery life and management

Wireless cameras literally live and then die based on battery life. When looking for a good battery, keep in mind that ratings are subjective, and batteries will drain faster depending on how often you activate the camera. We’ve found that most wireless security cameras live up to their ratings and last for several months with at least a few daily activations. Ring’s Outdoor 4 is a notable outdoor camera thanks to its extremely long battery life, and the solar cameras offer an alternative method of charging.

No matter which battery option you choose, consider installing a wireless camera in a relatively accessible location to bring the camera or its battery inside for charging. Not everyone wants to climb the ladder every time.

Privacy and security

You may want to research the privacy policies of the camera you’re interested in, and see if the brand has had any recent security issues. We look for brands that act quickly and make big changes when they find a security issue Just like Juve did in early 2020. We would also like to see changes Like Ring removing its casual option The police may request videos of the user.