Whether you want to check in on your kids, pets, or an exotic jewel collection, a smart home security camera is an effective tool for monitoring everything from afar. If you’re in search of the best indoor security camera, you’ve come to the right place—we’ve been reviewing them for nearly 20 years. Of the dozens of models we test each year, the Eufy E220 Indoor Cam is our current top pick for its reliable performance, 2K resolution, mechanical pan and tilt controls, strong third-party device support, and overall value. If it doesn’t suit your needs, our list of the best indoor security cameras has more excellent wired and wireless options that work with all the major smart home device platforms.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
- Affordable
- Sharp 2K video
- Automatic motion tracking
- Sound and motion detection
- Local and cloud storage
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant
- Doesn’t support IFTTT
- Some features not available in HomeKit
Despite its affordable price, the E220 Indoor Cam packs the kinds of features you usually find on more expensive cameras. It delivers outstanding 2K video, detects motion and sound, offers smooth remote pan and tilt controls, works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, and even tracks motion. The camera is easy to install, and all of its features worked well in testing.
If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly indoor security camera with a 360-degree view and 2K resolution, the Eufy E220 Indoor Cam is an unbeatable value. Its speedy and seamless pan and tilt maneuvers make it a top choice for following the action.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Integrations
Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant
Field of View
125 degrees
Resolution
2K
Storage
Cloud, Local
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Eufy E220 Indoor Cam Review
- Sharp 2K video
- Weatherproof design
- Built-in spotlights
- Intelligent motion detection
- Color night vision
- Local and cloud storage options
- Supports voice control
- Doesn’t support HomeKit
- Didn’t work with IFTTT in testing
For just $40, the TP-Link Tapo C120 is loaded with features usually only found on more expensive models, including 2K resolution (2,560 by 1,440 pixels), color night vision, and local video storage. The camera records video when it detects motion and offers free intelligent alerts that differentiate between people, pets, vehicles, and other motion events, which many competitors charge extra for. The C120 also has an IP66 weatherproof rating, meaning you can use it indoors or outside.
If you’re in the market for a wallet-friendly 2K security camera for indoor or outdoor use, the TP-Link Tapo C120 is well worth considering. It requires a nearby outlet for power, but saves you a lot of money compared with wireless 2K alternatives.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Integrations
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Field of View
120 degrees
Resolution
2K
Storage
Cloud, Local
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TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120 Review
- Sharp 1080p video
- Voice control
- Strong third-party device support
- Intelligent alerts
- Automated privacy shield
- Doesn’t work with HomeKit
- Access to recorded video requires a subscription
Arlo’s $39.99 Essential Indoor Camera 2nd Generation lets you monitor any room in your house without spending a bundle. This wired indoor security camera installs in minutes, captures sharp 1080p video, and provides accurate motion alerts. It also supports Alexa and Google voice commands and works with lots of third-party smart home devices via IFTTT.
The Arlo Essential Indoor is a solid choice if you’re looking to add an affordable camera to an existing Arlo setup. Note that an Arlo Secure subscription is required to access recorded video and to unlock intelligent alerts and other features.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Integrations
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
Field of View
130 degrees
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud
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Arlo Essential Indoor Camera (2nd Generation) Review
- Intelligent alerts
- Supports Google Assistant voice commands
- Recognizes faces
- Dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity
- Some features require a subscription
- No Alexa, HomeKit, or IFTTT support
We like Google’s battery-powered Nest Cam that works indoors or outside, but it’s one of the pricier home security cameras out there. Although it isn’t quite as versatile, the Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired) offers many of the same features for around $80 less. Easy to set up and manage, the indoor Nest Cam delivers sharp 1080p video, accurately detects motion, and can distinguish between motion from people, animals, and cars. Just keep in mind that you must subscribe to a paid Nest Aware plan to view video that’s more than three hours old and to use the camera’s face recognition feature.
The Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired) is a solid, relatively affordable security camera if you already use Google Assistant or a Nest Hub to control your smart home devices.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Integrations
Google Assistant
Field of View
135 degrees
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud
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Google Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired) Review
- Easy to install (no wires)
- Weatherproof
- Intelligent alerts
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Works with Google Assistant
- Face recognition
- Expensive
- Doesn’t support Alexa, HomeKit, or IFTTT
- Some features require a subscription
The Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery) is all about versatility. As the name implies, you can use this weatherproof camera indoors or outdoors and power it using the built-in rechargeable battery or the included USB cable and AC power adapter. It’s easy to install and performed well in testing, capturing sharp 1080p video and identifying motion caused by people and animals. Just know that it requires a Nest Aware subscription (starting at $8 per month) to view recorded video that is more than three hours old and to use its face detection feature.
If you’re in the market for a security camera that installs in minutes and offers a good selection of features—particularly if you already use other Nest devices and/or Google Assistant—put the Nest Cam on your shortlist. Just keep in mind that you have to pay to access recorded video that’s more than three hours old. For $8 per month or $80 per year, the Nest Aware plan provides 30 days of video history, or you can upgrade to the $15 monthly/$150 yearly Plus plan for 60 days of video history.
Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Integrations
Google Assistant
Field of View
130 degrees
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud
Learn More
Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery) Review
- Affordable
- Sharp 1080p video
- Works with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT
- Color night vision
- Manual privacy cover
- Requires a subscription to record video
- No local storage option
- Does not support Google Assistant or HomeKit
The second-generation Ring Indoor Cam improves upon its predecessor with a privacy cover and color night vision while continuing to deliver sharp 1080p video, phone and voice controls, and robust third-party device support. With a Ring Protect subscription (starting at $4.99 a month), it offers 180 days of recorded video storage, the ability to download recorded clips, and notifications when a person is in view.
With clear video and accurate motion detection in our tests, Ring’s second-generation Indoor Cam is an excellent option for keeping an eye on the inside of your home, especially for existing Ring users. It must be plugged in for power, and doesn’t have a weatherproof build, but those aren’t deal breakers for indoor use.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Integrations
Amazon Alexa, IFTTT
Field of View
143 degrees
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud
Learn More
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) Review
- Affordable
- Sharp 2K video
- Mechanical pan and tilt controls
- Local and cloud storage options
- Motion tracking
- Supports voice controls
- Doesn’t work with HomeKit
- Limited IFTTT integrations
- Pan and tilt movements are a bit sluggish
For less than $50, the TP-Link Kasa Spot Pan Tilt KC410S indoor security camera gives you a 360-degree view. Designed for indoor use only, the KC410S uses mechanical pan and tilt controls and a 2K camera to record highly detailed video in every corner of the room you place it in. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, but it doesn’t support many IFTTT integrations. The KC410S sends a push alert and records video when it detects motion or sound, and can let you know if a person is to blame for the disturbance. To store and view recordings, you need a microSD card (up to 256GB) or a Kasa Care subscription (starting at $3 per month for 30 days of video history).
If you’re in search of a super-affordable security cam with a 360-degree view, the TP-Link Kasa Spot Pan Tilt is a top choice. The KC410S interacts with other Kasa devices, as well as with Alexa and Google Assistant via routines and voice commands.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Integrations
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
Field of View
360 degrees
Resolution
2K
Storage
Cloud, Local
Learn More
TP-Link Kasa Spot Pan Tilt (KC410S) Review
- Smooth mechanical pan and tilt
- Works with Alexa and IFTTT
- Reasonably priced
- 1080p max resolution
- Requires a subscription for video recordings, other features
- Doesn’t work with Apple HomeKit or Google
With the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, you can see what’s going on in every corner of your room, thanks to a smooth mechanical pan and tilt mechanism that you control from your phone. In testing, the camera delivered sharp daytime and nighttime video, and seamlessly streamed footage to an Amazon Echo Show display. Motion alerts arrived quickly and were correctly identified, pan and tilt operations were easy to control, and two-way talk came through loud and clear.
If you use Alexa to control your smart home and want an indoor security camera that will seamlessly integrate with your existing setup, the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam is a top pick. It’s especially convenient if you already use other Ring devices. On the downside, its 1080p max resolution is relatively low by current standards, and you’ll need to spend at least another $50 per year if you want access to recorded video.
Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Integrations
IFTTT, Nest
Field of View
143 degrees
Resolution
1080p
Storage
Cloud
Learn More
Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam Review
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The Best Indoor Home Security Cameras for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Indoor Home Security Cameras for 2025
How to Pick the Best Home Security Camera
Although capabilities vary between devices, all indoor security cameras allow you to monitor the interior of your home through live or recorded video. Some of the features that differentiate them are alarms, the ability to send notifications when they detect activity, and two-way audio.
We’ve tested lots of home surveillance cameras over the years, so we know what’s important to consider. First and foremost, you should choose a camera that’s simple to set up and use. Another important quality is an attractive—yet discreet—design. Choose a camera that doesn’t clash with your design tastes, and, depending on your needs, you might need to make sure it doesn’t stand out too much. Device support is critical as well. Our favorite cameras allow you to check in from anywhere, such as from your phone or via a web browser.
Here are the main factors to consider when choosing a security camera:
Image Quality
Even though 1080p is generally the standard resolution for the cameras we test, higher-resolution 2K models offer improved visibility: the higher the resolution, the more you can zoom in and still see things clearly. Most home security cameras rely on digital zoom, but a few boast optical zoom lenses that capture more detail.
Besides resolution, also consider the field of view. All security cameras have wide-angle lenses, but some are wider than others. Depending on the lens’ field of view, these devices can cover between 105 and 360 degrees; that’s a big range. If you want to watch a large area, look for a camera with the widest field of view and/or the ability to mechanically pan and tilt.
Connectivity
Most security cameras use Wi-Fi, but not all rely on it exclusively. Some add Bluetooth for local control and easier setup through your smartphone, while others incorporate separate home automation networking standards, such as Zigbee or Z-Wave, to interact with other devices. (The Matter smart home interoperability standard is still missing support for security cameras and video doorbells.) For most cameras, all you need to do is follow instructions from an app to connect them to your network.
Once you connect your camera, you can access a live view and any recordings via your smartphone or tablet. The vast majority of home security cameras pair with a companion app that handles all the controls and settings. Some cameras also offer access via a web portal, which adds flexibility.
Many new cameras support voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. With Alexa, for instance, you can ask your camera to pull up a live video feed on your Echo Show. Several cameras support IFTTT as well, which lets you build integrations with other third-party devices and platforms. For instance, you can configure a smart light bulb to turn on whenever the camera detects motion.
Storage
Your camera probably relies on cloud services for storage and to provide remote access to recordings. That said, some models have a microSD card slot that allows you to save recordings locally. If you are worried about online security and don’t want to pay a subscription fee to store your videos, the latter is a better option.
Not all cloud service subscriptions work the same way; the number of days’ worth of recordings they keep and the number of cameras you can monitor with a single subscription often varies. Some companies offer free cloud storage, but overwrite recordings typically after about a week.
Recommended by Our Editors
Face Detection
Most security cameras send a simple notification when they detect any type of activity. Others can identify who—or what—caused the commotion. Google Nest Cam models even offer face-recognition technology that helps eliminate unnecessary alerts. They automatically zoom in on people who enter the field of view and can send alerts both when they recognize a face and when they don’t. Sound detection is also a valuable feature.
Privacy
Smart home device maker Wyze is known for its affordable home security cameras, but we no longer recommend them following a series of security breaches that exposed users’ camera feeds.
What Is the Best Affordable Home Security Camera?
Home security cameras can cost upwards of $200 and may require an additional subscription. In our reviews, we break down any extra fees you need to consider. The good news is that many affordable options are now available for less than $100. Because you can’t put a price on peace of mind, however, carefully consider what features you want to forgo before picking a lower-cost option.
Check out our Readers’ Choice Awards to see which security cameras and brands other PCMag readers trust most. Once you find the right model, read our tips for setting it up. If a single camera won’t cut it, also explore our picks for the best smart home security systems.
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