12 Best Home Security Cameras of 2025, Lab-Tested and Reviewed

Free video storage: Yes, on up to a 128-gigabyte microSD card (sold separately).
Optional subscription costs: Through a Eufy cloud storage plan, you can get 30 days of cloud storage for one camera for $3 per month or 30 days of storage for up to 10 cameras for $10 per month.

The unusual Eufy Indoor Cam S350 is a dual-camera model, meaning it has a 4K wide-angle camera and a 2K telephoto camera. The two cameras work together to give you detailed zoom abilities, with what Eufy claims is “8x hybrid zoom.” In our tests, this Eufy camera offers speedy response times and receives strong scores for video quality, data security, and smart features. Its only weak spot is its lackluster data privacy; that’s par for the course with security cameras.

The Eufy Indoor Cam S350 must be plugged in for power and can store recordings locally on a microSD card (sold separately). In addition to its dual cameras, this Eufy features motorized pan-and-tilt, person and pet detection, crying detection (if you choose to use it as a baby monitor), voice and app control for Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant, a privacy mode to point the camera away at a wall or ceiling, and support for WiFi 6 wireless routers.

Free video storage: Yes, on up to a 128-gigabyte microSD card (sold separately).
Optional subscription costs: None.

The Reolink E1 Pro is an affordable pan-and-tilt security camera that performs well in our tests, receiving excellent scores for video quality and response time, as well as a strong score for data security. This wired camera features local storage on a microSD card, 24/7 recording, people and pet detection, a siren, activity zones, and voice/app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant. In addition to microSD card storage, this camera can store videos on Reolink network video recorders.

Free video storage: Yes, on up to a 256-gigabyte microSD card (sold separately).
Optional subscription costs: Through a Kasa Care plan, you get 30 days of cloud storage for one camera for $3 per month (or $30 per year) or 30 days of storage for up to 10 cameras for $10 per month (or $100 per year).

The TP-Link Kasa Smart Pan & Tilt KC410S 24/7 security camera offers stellar video quality and quickly sends alerts when motion is detected. This low-priced camera also earns a strong rating for data security and a midrange rating for data privacy in our tests. It features voice and app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant, two-way audio, monitoring zones, person alerts, and alerts for loud noises.

Free video storage: Yes, on up to a 512-gigabyte microSD card (sold separately).
Optional subscription costs: Through a Tapo Care Premium plan, you get 30 days of cloud video storage, starting at $3.49 per month (or $35 per year) for one camera and going up to $12 per month (or $120 per year) for 10 cameras. For Apple Home users, an Apple iCloud+ storage plan gives you a rolling 10 days of storage for one camera for $1 per month, up to five cameras for $3 per month, or unlimited cameras for $10 per month.

The TP-Link Tapo C225 offers a lot of value, given its low $50 price. It’s a motorized pan-and-tilt camera with local video storage on a microSD card (sold separately) and a laundry list of features: person detection, pet detection, vehicle detection, sound detection (for crying babies, glass breaking, dogs barking, cats meowing), color night vision, monitoring zones, motion tracking where the camera moves to follow the subject it’s recording, a privacy mode that covers the camera, a built-in siren, and voice and app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant.

The camera also works with Apple HomeKit Secure Video, which uses end-to-end encryption and processes motion alerts for people, animals, and vehicles locally on an Apple home hub (either a HomePod smart speaker or an Apple TV streaming box). Your videos can also be stored on Apple’s servers with an iCloud subscription.

Are you still with me? In our tests, this wired TP-Link camera receives top scores for video quality and response time, as well as strong scores for data security and smart features. Its only drawback is its lackluster data privacy, but that’s quite common with security cameras.

For a stationary Tapo camera that supports Apple HomeKit Secure Video, see our test results for the TP-Link Tapo C125.

Free video storage: None.
Optional subscription costs: Through an Arlo Secure plan, you can get 30 days of cloud video storage for $8 per month for one camera or $13 per month for unlimited cameras, 30-day storage with smart object and sound detection for $18 per month for unlimited cameras, or all of those features plus in-app emergency response buttons and professional monitoring for the Arlo security system for $25 per month. Keep in mind all of these prices increase after the first year of ownership.

The Arlo Essential 2K (VMC3050-100NAS) is one of Arlo’s newer, more budget-friendly security cameras. It performs well in our tests, with excellent scores for data security and response time, as well as a strong score for video quality. This camera features a built-in spotlight, a siren, and voice/app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

With an Arlo Secure subscription, you can also get 30 days of cloud video storage for motion-triggered video clips and additional features depending on the plan. The Basic plan includes activity zones, while the Plus plan builds on the Basic plan with person, package, vehicle, and animal detection; smoke/CO alarm detection; and custom detection that lets you teach the camera to detect things like a garage door opening or sprinklers turning on. The Premium plan includes everything previously discussed, as well as emergency response buttons in the Arlo app (to request police, fire, or medical services), professional monitoring for Arlo security systems, and access to the Arlo Safe personal safety app.

For a similar-performing version of this camera with a bigger battery, see the Arlo Essential 2K XL (VMC3052-100NAS).

Free video storage: Yes, with a microSD card (sold separately).
Optional subscription costs: Through an Arlo Secure plan, you can get 30 days of cloud video storage for $8 per month for one camera or $13 per month for unlimited cameras, 30-day storage with smart object and sound detection for $18 per month for unlimited cameras, or all of those features plus in-app emergency response buttons and professional monitoring for the Arlo security system for $25 per month. Keep in mind all of these prices increase after the first year of ownership.

The battery-powered Arlo Go 2 LTE WiFi delivers outstanding video quality in CR’s tests. It also has top-notch data security and response time scores, though its data privacy rating is lackluster. This model features a built-in siren, a rechargeable battery, and voice and app control (via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant). 

With an Arlo Secure subscription, you can also get 30 days of cloud video storage for motion-triggered video clips and additional features depending on the plan. The Basic plan includes activity zones, while the Plus plan builds on the Basic plan with person, package, vehicle, and animal detection; smoke/CO alarm detection; and custom detection that lets you teach the camera to detect things like a garage door opening or sprinklers turning on. The Premium plan includes everything previously discussed, as well as emergency response buttons in the Arlo app (to request police, fire, or medical services), professional monitoring for Arlo security systems, and access to the Arlo Safe personal safety app.

Free video storage: Yes, with a 256-gigabyte microSD card (not included).
Optional subscription costs: Through a Tapo Care Premium plan, you get 30 days of cloud video storage, starting at $3.49 per month (or $35 per year) for one camera and going up to $12 per month (or $120 per year) for 10 cameras.

If you’re searching for a security camera with quick response time and stellar video quality, give the TP-Link Tapo C310 2K Outdoor a close look. This indoor/outdoor camera captures video with higher quality than many of other security cameras CR tested. Its data privacy rating is lackluster, but it does have strong data security. In addition to voice/app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant, this model features a built-in siren, activity zones, night vision, and person detection. Videos can be stored locally on a 256-gigabyte microSD card (sold separately) or in the cloud with a Tapo Care subscription.

Free video storage: Yes, on up to a 256-gigabyte microSD card (sold separately).
Optional subscription costs: Through a Tapo Care Premium plan, you get 30 days of cloud video storage, starting at $3.49 per month (or $35 per year) for one camera and going up to $12 per month (or $120 per year) for 10 cameras.

The TP-Link Tapo C420S2 performs well across the board in our tests for video quality, response time, and data security. Its data privacy is subpar, but that’s a common problem with security cameras in our tests. This battery-powered two-camera kit features color night vision, activity zones, person detection, pet detection, vehicle detection, a built-in siren, voice/app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant, and free local video storage on a microSD card.

For another TP-Link outdoor security camera that performs just as well in our tests, check out the TP-Link Tapo C325WB.

Free video storage: Yes, with Blink Sync Module 2 (sold separately) and up to a 256-gigabyte USB flash drive.
Optional subscription costs: With a Blink Subscription Plan, you get 60 days of motion-triggered video clips for one camera for $3 per month (or $30 per year) or 60 days of motion-triggered video clips for unlimited cameras for $10 per month (or $100 per year).

Like its predecessor, the Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is actually just the Blink Outdoor 4 security camera connected to a floodlight mount (you can even buy the mount separately). The whole kit runs off batteries, meaning you can place this floodlight just about anywhere outside your home. In our tests, this Blink model receives superb scores for response time and data security, and a very good score for video quality. This Blink’s features include activity zones, voice/app control via Amazon Alexa, and up to 5 minutes of continuous live streaming at one time. You can also store footage locally without a subscription if you purchase a Blink Sync Module 2, $35, and plug in a USB flash drive.

With a Blink Subscription Plan, you will also gain person detection and photo snapshots between recordings, as well as the ability to store footage in the cloud, save recordings of your live streams, "instantly" watch recordings as soon as they’re done, and share recordings with others.

Free video storage: Yes, with Blink Sync Module 2 (sold separately) and up to a 256-gigabyte USB flash drive.
Optional subscription costs: With a Blink Subscription Plan, you get 60 days of motion-triggered video clips for one camera for $3 per month (or $30 per year) or 60 days of motion-triggered video clips for unlimited cameras for $10 per month (or $100 per year).

The Blink Wired Floodlight Cam is one of the newer entrants to the floodlight camera market. In our tests, it receives superb scores for video quality and response time, as well as a very good score for data security. It falls in the middle of the pack in terms of its smart features, but its data privacy is subpar (a common issue across brands in this space). Its features include a siren, monitoring zones, voice/app control via Amazon Alexa, and up to 5 minutes of continuous livestreaming at one time. You can also store footage locally without a subscription if you purchase a Blink Sync Module 2, $35, and plug in a USB flash drive.

With a Blink Subscription Plan, you will also gain person detection and the ability to store footage in the cloud, livestream your camera continuously for up to 90 minutes, save recordings of your livestreams, “instantly” watch recordings as soon as they’re done, and share recordings with others.

Free video storage: Yes, using up to a 128-gigabyte microSD card (sold separately).
Optional subscription costs: Through a Eufy Security storage plan, you get 30 days of cloud storage for one camera for $3 per month (or $30 per year) or 30 days for up to 10 cameras for $10 per month (or $100 per year).

The hardwired Eufy Floodlight Cam E340 is one of Eufy’s dual-camera models. It has a 3K wide-angle camera and a 2K telephoto camera that are used together to give you up to 8x zoom. It’s also one of the few motorized pan-and-tilt floodlight cameras on the market, allowing you to easily check the camera’s surroundings. In our tests, this Eufy floodlight camera receives top scores for video quality and response time, as well as very good scores for data security and its array of smart features. But like most of the competition, it receives an unfavorable score for data privacy.

Like Eufy’s other dual-camera models, this floodlight camera packs a ton of features. The list includes local video storage using a microSD card (sold separately), monitoring zones, person detection, pet detection, vehicle detection, motion tracking to follow subjects as they move around your home, color night vision using the built-in 2,000-lumen floodlights, 24/7 video recording (not just recording when motion is detected), a built-in siren, voice and app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant, and support for WiFi 6 wireless routers.

For similar-performing Eufy floodlight camera in the form of a wall sconce, check out our test results for the Eufy S100 Wall Light Cam.

Free video storage: Yes, using 8 gigabytes of internal memory.
Optional subscription costs: Through a Eufy Security storage plan, you get 30 days of cloud storage for one camera for $3 per month (or $30 per year) or 30 days for up to 10 cameras for $10 per month (or $100 per year).

The Eufy Floodlight Cam S330 is Eufy’s most expensive floodlight security camera, though not its most feature-rich (see the E340, above). The S330 receives an excellent rating for response time and very good ratings for its video quality, data security, and smart features. It receives a midlevel rating for data privacy, which is common among security cameras we test. This camera features 8 gigabytes of local video storage, three individual floodlights, pan-and-tilt functionality, person detection, and the ability to lock onto and track subjects as they move around.

Correction: In November 2024, this article was updated to address computational errors affecting several models in our home security camera ratings.