The Best Wireless Security Cameras of 2024

1. Lorex - Best for Night Vision

Editors Rating:

9.6 /10

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Product Specs

Resolution	Up to 4K HD
Field of View	Up to 180°
Power	Wired, battery, PoE
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, ethernet
Video Storage	Cloud, Local
Smart Platform Compatibility	Alexa and Google Home

Pros and Cons

High-Quality Equipment

Lorex is one of our top providers of wired security cameras, but their vast lineup also includes dozens of Wi-Fi and battery-powered cameras. We commend Lorex particularly for the solid build of their wireless cameras. They offer features beyond what most wireless cameras do, like the 4K HD resolution on some models or the built-in motion-activated lights on others.

We recommend Lorex to those looking for wireless outdoor security, because Lorex cameras are known for their night vision. One Wi-Fi Lorex camera we tested had a night vision range up to 100 feet and that’s not even the best night vision camera from the brand. The Nocturnal line, designed for commercial use, offers night vision up to 250 feet.

Lorex security cameras are also tough. We’re talking about water-proof, dust-proof cameras that can operate in the coldest of winters and hottest of summers. Plus, there’s no need to worry about your video recordings getting corrupted. Most Lorex cameras transmit videos to a DVR or NVR, so your footage is stored safely inside while your cameras brave the elements.

>>Related: The Best Outdoor Security Cameras

No Monthly Fees

The local DVR or NVR recording of Lorex is one aspect we really like because aside from keeping your recordings safely indoors, they keep the usage cost down. We didn’t need to pay a monthly fee to keep our videos, and unlike cloud recording options from brands like Ring and Blink that only store motion videos, Lorex records 24/7.

Now, you will have to be mindful of where you place your DVR relative to your wireless cameras. The signal between them should be strong enough to support a continuous stream of data (audio and video), so they should be placed within close proximity to each other. If you install Lorex right, though, you’ll have a reliable system that can keep an eye on things 24/7 for weeks at a time. In our experience a 1 TB DVR can store up to two weeks of rolling videos from four 1080p HD cameras. And when we bought more Lorex cameras to test, we simply plugged in additional hard drives into the DVR to expand the storage.

Wired and Wireless Combined

Lorex also has a new line of cameras called Fusion, and they are a hybrid of wired and wireless cameras. This is a huge plus, because there are settings where wired cameras are better. For example, if there’s an area that doesn’t get good Wi-Fi reception, you might want to opt for a wired camera instead. With the Fusion line, you can combine both wireless and wired cameras into one system and monitor them using one DVR.

One example is the $379.99 12-camera capable system. While it comes with only two wireless indoor cameras, the included 2TB DVR can accommodate up to four wireless cameras and eight wired ones. That makes it easy to build your own system based on what you need. Lorex offers a ton of add-on cameras. Listed below are some examples:

2. eufyCam E - Best for Local Storage

Editors Rating:

9.2 /10

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Pros and Cons

Wireless Local Storage

Lorex’s local storage was great, but it left us with a boxy-looking DVR about the size of a DVD player (remember those?). For those who want better aesthetics, the eufyCam E may be more your style.

The eufyCam E comes with a HomeBase, a tower-like wireless hub that looks a bit like an air purifier. It looks similar to the SmartHub from Arlo, another wireless option you’ll meet later. Eufy’s HomeBase doesn’t just take the cake when it comes to style, though. It also has the technological edge over Lorex DVRs. For example, one $150 HomeBase can accommodate up to 16 cameras. A similarly priced Lorex DVR can accommodate eight at most.

As for the camera, we liked the eufyCam E for its advanced features. It can distinguish people from pets and vehicles, it supports activity zones, and it integrates with Alexa and Google Home smart displays for live viewing. It may not be the flashiest wireless camera from Eufy, but it’s practical and reliable.

Discounted Packages Available

If you’re looking to put up multiple eufyCam E cameras, you can save by buying multi-camera packs. One HomeBase can accommodate up to four cameras, and there are discounted options if you buy more than one eufyCam E. Eufy’s pricing for a one-camera system (one camera plus one base station) is $229, and each additional camera if bought separately costs $159. That’s $547 total if you want three cameras, but there’s a ready-to-go three-camera package worth $400. That’s almost $150 in savings.

It’s also relatively easy to buy and add more cameras as you see fit. Eufy offers add-on cameras and base stations, with deep discounts for existing customers. Plus, around special holidays and during sale events like Black Friday, you can expect lots of discounts and freebies from Eufy.

Advanced Options

Besides the eufyCam E, eufy offers a wide range of wireless indoor and outdoor cameras. These options can be anywhere from pan-and-tilt cameras to outdoor cameras with built-in solar panels, eliminating the need to recharge the camera.

One of our favorite options is the Outdoor Cam E220, which is an outdoor camera as the name implies. While it’s not completely wire-free because it needs to be plugged in, this Wi-Fi camera comes with a built-in spotlight for color night vision and to assist in deterring criminals. The spotlight is motion-activated, and it greatly improves the night vision of the 2K lens of the E220.

3. Ring Spotlight Cam Battery - Best Outdoor Wireless Camera

Editors Rating:

9.5 /10

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Pros and Cons

Security by Lights

The Ring Spotlight Cam Battery hits two birds with one stone. As you can probably tell by its name, it’s a camera and spotlight in one. They actually work well together. Ring’s cameras can detect movement. With the built-in spotlight, the Ring Spotlight Cam can function as a motion-activated outdoor lighting. That’s a great way to surprise and hopefully deter would-be burglars.

On top of that, the spotlight serves a secondary purpose. You know how some camera videos are black-and-white at night? That’s because they use Infrared for night vision. The Ring Spotlight Cam doesn’t need that. The 300-lumen spotlight is bright enough to illuminate the surroundings, and because of that, you get colored video day and night.

>> Also check out: Best Security Cameras for Businesses

Solar Option

Battery-powered cameras are convenient, except of course when it’s time to recharge or replace their batteries. Depending on how much you use your Spotlight Cam Battery, you could be doing that every couple of months to every six months.

Ring made it a little easier by making the batteries rechargeable so you don’t have to buy new batteries every time, but if you’d rather not recharge the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery at all, there’s another option: A solar panel.

You can purchase a solar panel from Ring and keep the battery charged all-year long. Ring’s solar panels aren’t over-the-top expensive. You can get one for $60 if you purchase it separately, but if you buy the solar panel and the camera together, the panel costs only $30. Check out Ring’s pricing to learn more.

Rechargeable Battery

On the bright side of Ring’s battery-powered Spotlight Cam, the built-in batteries are rechargeable. While that means having to take down the camera every once in a while to recharge, you won’t need to purchase batteries everytime it runs out of juice.

We recommend buying a second battery pack for the Ring Spotlight Cam, though. Since the battery takes time to charge (about a few hours), you can use a backup battery pack to keep the camera always powered. Just make sure to keep the spare fully charged.

You can even purchase a solar panel and charge the camera continuously. By doing so, you can make sure the camera always has enough juice without having to go up and down a ladder to recharge the camera’s battery pack.

LifeTime Theft Protection

We’d also like to just throw it out there that Ring cameras come with Lifetime Theft Protection. This means if your camera ever gets stolen, Ring will replace it for you for free.

That is especially great for wireless cameras, as their wireless setup often makes them easier to steal. With Ring’s theft protection guarantee, you’re not just ensuring your home’s safety from burglars, but also your camera’s safety from theft.

4. Arlo Pro 4 - Best for Video

Editors Rating:

9.0 /10

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Pros and Cons

2K HDR Video

Arlo offers a wide range of wireless cameras, from the simple and affordable Arlo Essential line to the pricey but high-tech Arlo Ultras. Between those two product lines is the Arlo Pro lineup, headlined by the Arlo Pro 4 and 5S. We like the Arlo Pro in particular because it records in high-definition 2560p resolution. That’s twice the resolution of the Arlo Essential cameras, but not as bandwidth-hungry as the 4K Arlo Ultra cameras. It’s the perfect middle ground.

We also noticed in our review that it uses HDR or high-dynamic range. If you’re an iPhone user, you know how much difference HDR makes in outdoor settings. HDR is a camera feature that balances light and dark areas within a frame, which comes handy for identifying smaller details like license plate numbers.

Night Vision Options

Due to the camera’s spotlight, our night vision was in color, although when we wanted to be less conspicuous, we opted to turn the spotlight off and depend on the infrared LED sensors. Either way, we could see clearly at night, whether it was in full color to greet our friends or in black and white to give directions to the takeout delivery men.

Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Watch

There were a bunch of ways to control the Arlo Pro 4 aside from using the Arlo app. If we were feeling particularly lazy, we did voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant, pretty common integrations when it comes to smart security cameras. However, Arlo took it a step further than most. It also worked with our Apple Watch, so whenever the Arlo Pro 4 detected motion, we got alerted and could even speak through the camera right from our wrist. And during our three month trial of Arlo Smart Home, we made it so we only got alerts when the camera detected people or packages, making for less checking of our Apple Watch throughout the day.

5. Ring Stick Up Cam Battery - Best Wireless Camera with Alexa

Editors Rating:

9.5 /10

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Pros and Cons

Smart Platform Integrations

Yup, it’s Ring again; this time, we’re looking at the Ring Stick Up Cam, a budget indoor/outdoor option with simpler features compared to the Spotlight Cam from earlier.

The Ring Stick Up Cam was originally marketed as a porch camera; it’s not as weatherproof as the Spotlight Cam with only an IP X5 rating. It also works as an indoor camera. What we like about it is its special partnership with Alexa. Amazon owns the Ring company, so it’s not shocking that the Ring Stick Up Cam pairs well with Alexa. We recommend using it alongside the Echo Show 8 or any other Alexa smart display, even a Fire TV or Fire TV Stick.

With the integration, the Ring Stick Up Cam can send live feeds straight to your Echo device. You can even use two-way talk – our favorite feature to use to greet guests or shoo away porch pirates.

Privacy

There were a string of incidents a few years back involving Ring cameras getting hacked, so it’s nice to know that the very cameras we use to monitor our home now come with useful privacy features.

For one, the Stick Up Cam has privacy zones. On the one set up at our balcony, we blocked out windows from the camera’s detection zone so that when we’re at home walking around in our pajamas, we wouldn’t trigger the camera’s motion sensors.

Two-Way Audio with Noise Cancellation

Two-way audio is a feature we’ve come to expect from smart security cameras, but Ring takes it a step further with noise cancellation. When we used the Stick Up Cam Battery outside, we noticed that when talking to our visitors, we couldn’t hear the background traffic noise as much, making for more distinct and easy to understand audio. In New York City, there’s always something going on in the background, so we loved that the Stick Up Cam Battery had that in mind when it came to audio.