Featured Partners
Advertisement
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
1
Vivint
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Contract Required
No
Lowest Monthly Fees
$29.99
1
Vivint
On Vivint's Website
2
Frontpoint
Customer Reviews
Good
Contract Required
No
Lowest Monitoring Price
$49.99
2
Frontpoint
On Frontpoint's Website
The 5 Best Indoor Security Cameras of 2023
Ring Indoor Cam
On Home Depot
4.6
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Pricing
Excellent
Customer reviews
Excellent
Field of view
Great
4.6
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Ring Indoor Cam
Pricing
Excellent
Customer reviews
Excellent
Field of view
Great
On Home Depot
Why We Picked It
First on our list is the Ring Indoor Cam. Rated at an average of 4.7 stars by over 49,000 Amazon customers, the Ring Indoor Cam is packed with great features. A free 30-day trial of Ring Protect, the company’s entry-level subscription package, is included in the price.
Features usually reserved for higher-priced models, such as advanced motion detection with customizable motion zones, are included, along with color night vision and two-way talk abilities. All of these features are usable through the Ring App. Video recording and more features are available through one of their subscription services that start at around $3 per month.
Ring products are compatible with Alexa-enabled and Echo devices and come with a one-year limited warranty.
Pros & Cons
- Financing available on website
- Professional installation available
- Many features work without subscription
- No multiple camera purchase discounts
Wyze Cam Black
On Home Depot
4.5
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Pricing
Excellent
Customer reviews
Excellent
Field of view
Great
4.5
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Wyze Cam Black
Pricing
Excellent
Customer reviews
Excellent
Field of view
Great
On Home Depot
Why We Picked It
Our second-place pick is the budget-friendly, Wyze Cam Black.A required microSD card isn’t provided but is offered for under $13 for a 32g card that can record up to a week’s worth of activities before over-recording itself.
The Wyze Cam Black, despite its small price tag, has plenty of useful features including, motion detection, built-in speaker and microphone, a 110-degree field of view, 1080p resolution and infrared night vision that can see in the dark for almost 30 feet.
Weighing a mere 3.53 ounces and measuring about two cubic inches, this tiny camera can be mounted on its magnetic base just about anywhere. It’s compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT, and comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Pros & Cons
- Magnetic base
- Small size camera can be discreetly mounted
- Infrared night vision
- Not available on Amazon
- Limited available in stores
- No facial or object recognition
Canary View
On Home Depot
4.4
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Pricing
Great
Customer reviews
Excellent
Field of view
Excellent
4.4
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Canary View
Pricing
Great
Customer reviews
Excellent
Field of view
Excellent
On Home Depot
Why We Picked It
The Canary View indoor camera takes our third spot. If you choose to purchase Canary’s $9.99 per month premium service, this also includes the camera.
Rated at a respectable 4.3 at Amazon, the camera’s features include 1080p image resolution, a 147-degree field of view, facial and motion detection, automatic night vision, microphone and speaker. Two-way communication and 30-day video storage are included in their premium package.
For emergencies, the Canary View is also equipped with a 90db siren and can connect you to the proper authorities through their smartphone app. The camera can also connect to Alexa and Google Assistant.
Pros & Cons
- Free camera with subscription
- Professional monitoring available
- Premium service required for audio and other features
- No object detection
Nest Cam Indoor
On Home Depot
4.4
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Pricing
Great
Customer reviews
Excellent
Field of view
Great
4.4
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Nest Cam Indoor
Pricing
Great
Customer reviews
Excellent
Field of view
Great
On Home Depot
Why We Picked It
Next up is the Nest Cam Indoor. Rated at 4.6 stars at Amazon and a 78 with Consumer Reports, the Nest Cam Indoor is a premium camera.
The Google Home app allows access to many of the camera’s long list of features. Several color choices, 1080p resolution at 30 frames-per-second, facial and object detection, motion detection, 15-foot illumination and infrared LED night vision, a 130-degree field of view, speaker, microphone and noise cancellation are all included. The optional, Nest Aware subscription provides the best experience by adding even more video recording and alert features.
A 30-day trial of Nest Aware is included with your purchase and available plans start at$6 per month after that. The Nest Cam Indoor is compatible with Alexa, Assistant, Hue, Nest and Wink products and carries a one-year limited warranty.
Pros & Cons
- Several color options
- Professional installation available
- Packed with features
- Subscription required for best features
Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera
On Home Depot
4.4
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Pricing
Great
Customer reviews
Great
Field of view
Excellent
4.4
Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing at the time of scoring, customer rating, color options, video resolution, field of view, night vision, audio and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera
Pricing
Great
Customer reviews
Great
Field of view
Excellent
On Home Depot
Why We Picked It
Arlo products are designed to be scalable as your needs grow. Their Essential Indoor Security Camera is a good product to start with. It comes in fifth place on our list. Having a 62 rating at Consumer Affairs and 4 stars at Amazon, the Essential Indoor camera includes a 3-month trial of Arlo’s entry-level subscription service.
1080p resolution, a 130-degree field of view, two-color choices, facial and object detection, motion detection, infrared LED night vision and a microphone with noise and echo cancellation make up its list of features.
Arlo offers three subscription services starting at $2.99 per month for use with a single camera. It’s compatible with Alexa, Ok Google, SmartThings and IFTTT and is protected by a one-year hardware warranty.
Pros & Cons
- Three-month subscription included
- Professional monitoring available
- Subscription required for video storage
Featured Partners
Advertisement
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
1
Vivint
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Contract Required
No
Lowest Monthly Fees
$29.99
1
Vivint
On Vivint's Website
2
Frontpoint
Customer Reviews
Good
Contract Required
No
Lowest Monitoring Price
$49.99
2
Frontpoint
On Frontpoint's Website
Summary: Best Indoor Security Cameras
| Company | Company - Logo | Forbes Home Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Pricing | Customer Happiness | Option to Pick Own Technician | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Indoor Cam |  | 4.6 |  | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Buy Now | On Home Depot | |
| Wyze Cam Black |  | 4.5 | | Excellent | Great | Great | Buy Now | On Home Depot | |
| Canary View |  | 4.4 | | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Buy Now | On Home Depot | |
| Nest Cam Indoor |  | 4.4 | | Great | Excellent | Great | Buy Now | On Home Depot | |
| Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera |  | 4.4 | | Great | Great | Excellent | Buy Now | On Home Depot |
How To Determine Which Indoor Security Camera Is Best For You
Price
The world of indoor security cameras is full of options and navigating through those choices seems full of obstacles. Price shouldn’t be one of those impediments, since many low-cost home security cameras offer the same picture quality and field of view of the more expensive brands.
Be sure to check the specifications of each model that you’re considering and compare to find the best deal. Sometimes a lower-priced home security camera will provide all the bells and whistles as a more expensive brand.
Data Storage
Pay attention to the data storage capability of the home indoor security camera that you’re interested in purchasing. Some brands will provide just a day or two of video backup if they use an SD card or something similar. Other brands will use the cloud for video data storage, but how much and what it records will often depend upon the subscription model that you choose to purchase with the camera.
Some brands offer days of 24/7 video coverage, which is nice but often unnecessary. Event history is a more important consideration when it comes to capturing video, so look for packages that will cover that at the best cost. Think of event history like motion detection in a sense where the camera will begin recording after sensing movement.
Subscriptions
Home indoor security camera makers will offer all sorts of add-ons that sound useful but they all come at a cost. Some home security companies have subscriptions for a handful of dollars a month while others can charge up to $50 a month.
Do a thorough assessment of your needs with an indoor security camera before signing up for a subscription. Some companies don’t require a subscription but won’t offer the video backup that you’d like. Do your due diligence before picking a camera.
Reasons to Install an Indoor Security Camera
Installing an indoor security camera comes with its perks, including the safety of your home and family, but also peace of mind with children and pets, smart home security and more.
Theft Deterrent
The main reason people purchase indoor security cameras is to ward off thieves of all kinds. An indoor camera can capture break-ins as well as porch pirates. Plus, they capture video, which is great for tracking down thieves. That video can help neighbors as well, so they know what (or who) to look for around the neighborhood. Often thieves will sit on a spot days in advance before targeting it so if an indoor security camera captures suspicious-looking people, you can alert your neighbors.
Keep an Eye on Children and Pets
Much like how baby monitors made life easier for parents, indoor security cameras can do the same. Indoor security cameras are great for capturing the moment a child decides to climb out of a crib or get into something else in their room.
On a similar note, pet owners can keep an eye on their dog or cat while they’re away. With two-way talking capabilities, they can also provide commands for the pet to get it to behave.
Smart Home Connectivity
If you already have a smart home device like an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, an indoor security camera can enhance your home’s features. If you notice you’ve left blinds down on your security camera, you can close them, if they’re connected to a smart device. Likewise, you’ll never have to worry if you’ve left the oven on again.
Methodology
To determine the best indoor security camera ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on dozens of major products, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
- Price (15%)
- Customer rating (15%)
- Field of view (15%)
- Audio (15%)
- Camera resolution (10%)
- Warranty (10%)
- Color options (5%)
- Night vision (5%)
| Compare Best Moving Companies In Maine 2022 |
|---|
| Compare Best Indoor Security Cameras |
*Price, customer rating and field of view counts for 45% of the total weighting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are indoor security cameras safe?
Naturally, anything connected to the internet faces vulnerabilities, but you can protect your devices from getting hacked by making some sound security decisions. A strong password ranks toward the top of the list of preventative measures that you can take. Make sure your camera’s password gets changed from its factory password. You can also turn on two-factor authentication, if available, to further secure your camera. Make sure your camera password differs from your Wi-Fi router.
You’ll want to store those passwords in a home information folder or something similar and be sure to change those passwords periodically. Your router should have Wi-Fi Protected Access or Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) security. Both will encrypt your data.
Make sure you enable your camera’s built-in firewall, which can block malicious attacks and remember to install updates for your camera or smart home devices to remain the most up-to-date against potential threats. You can also decide to invest in an entire home security system if you want to amp up the total security.
Where should I put cameras around my house?
The obvious answer is to place cameras where burglars might try to enter a home. So, ground-level windows and doors are often the best places for indoor security cameras. Burglars will often target windows with large bushes or hedges in front of them because they provide cover. Plus, windows often get left unlocked and make it an easy entry point for thieves.
Thieves often target garages for entry into homes because homeowners often fail to secure those doors, so consider a camera in your garage as well. Thieves can riffle through vehicles to find devices that will allow them to enter homes, too.
Places like your kitchen and living room are good spots for hiding indoor security cameras, as well, because thieves will often target the high-end entertainment products found in those spots. A camera with a wide field of view in the kitchen or living room will capture more potential footage than other spots in the house.
What's the difference between surveillance cameras and security cameras?
Security and surveillance cameras get lumped together frequently but there are some differences. Surveillance cameras work on an IP network that transmits footage from the camera to a security surveillance spot. Surveillance cameras are reserved for governmental agencies and not typically allowed for personal use.
Security cameras monitor activities and can provide evidence if a crime occurs. The lens of a camera can also thwart criminal activity if criminals notice it prior to committing a crime.
Security cameras are often found in homes for those who want an extra layer of protection.
Are home security cameras worth it?
Many cite that home security cameras are a huge theft deterrent. An oft-cited 2012 University of North Carolina at Charlotte study surveyed 422 incarcerated burglars and found a surveillance camera system can result in a 50% reduction in crime. According to the survey, cameras ranked as the top deterrent.
If your home contains valuables or you store products there as part of a home business, a home security camera can provide assurances and evidence, should a burglar target your house.
But beware of the potential to have your security camera system hacked and guard against that the best you can.
What should I look for when buying an indoor security camera?
You should find an indoor security camera that fits your needs. Maybe you just want to guard against potential threats or you need additional security.
Look for motion-activated cameras and cameras that detect people. Make sure your security camera can connect to other smart home devices. Two-way communication is another factor, whether you need to talk to pets or provide a threatening voice during a potential break-in. A good security camera should also provide alerts to your phone so you can respond quickly.
Of course, you’ll need to make sure your system remains safe from any hacking threats, so maintain strong passwords and firewalls.
If you’ve decided to purchase an indoor home security camera, take a look at the storage options and the subscription fees because they vary drastically across brands.
Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
Forbes Home adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Nick GerhardtContributor
Nick is a content creator with a background in DIY home renovation, maintenance, repair and trends. When he's not writing, Nick likes to rehab vintage or kitsch furniture for his home.
Deane BiermeierContributor
Having spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance and home repair, Deane now contributes DIY, informational and financial content as a freelance writer and consultant for several publications. Throughout his career, he strived to assist his clients in finding the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empowering them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors. Deane’s primary career goal involves sharing home-related knowledge and providing self-sufficiency tools to as large an audience as possible.
Best Of
- Best Home Security Companies
- Best Outdoor Security Light Cameras
- Best Solar Security Cameras
- Best Wireless Security Cameras
- Best Night Vision Cameras
- Best Wireless Home Security Systems
FAQs
What is the highest resolution security camera available? ›
...
Analog Security Camera Resolution.
Security cameras are designed to deter crime, and surveillance cameras are primarily used for monitoring purposes. Surveillance cameras are usually hidden from the public eye, while security cameras are easily visible inside places of business and other venues.
What are the best rotating indoor cameras? ›We recommend the Nest Cam IQ Indoor, the Ring Indoor Cam, the Canary Pro, the Canary View, the Tend Indoor 2, the Nest Cam Indoor, and the Wyze Cam Pan as the best indoor security camera.
Are indoor security cameras worth it? ›Are Home Security Cameras Good for Home Protection? A home security camera system is an excellent tool for home protection, and it can work both as a deterrent and a recovery tool. Burglars are wary of properties with visible security cameras. Plus, if a crime does occur, security cameras can help gather evidence.
What is the best low light indoor security camera? ›Based on our tests, the Nest Cam Indoor is the best infrared camera for indoor use, while the Lorex 4K Nocturnal Smart IP Camera is the best outdoor infrared camera. The Arlo Pro 3, Blink Outdoor, and Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro also made our list of the best infrared cameras on the market.