Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Indoor Camera is the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera.
- Arlo cameras are known for their exceptional video quality, fast and easy setup, and smart hub integrations.
- For less than $200, the Arlo Pro delivers a wide 160° diagonal viewing angle lens, a safety app with an emergency button, color night vision, and more!
- When you’re in the market for a new or upgraded indoor camera, keep these important considerations in mind: smart home integration, pricing, storage, and performance.
Homeowners invest in reliable home security systems to protect their loved ones — and most valuable assets. A well-functioning system may help prevent burglaries, detect indoor threats, save energy, and deliver peace of mind. Key components such as motion sensors, smart doorbells, carbon monoxide detectors, and smart locks work together to safeguard your home and its inhabitants against harm.
One of the most effective parts of a comprehensive home security system is an indoor camera, having gained mass-market appeal in recent years. These extra sets of eyes provide an interior view of your home 24/7, so you can rest assured that your home is secure. Often equipped with features such as two-way communication capabilities, cloud storage, and facial recognition, many indoor cameras on the market today deliver next-level capabilities. But which ones are worth the hype — and price?
We’ve pulled together our list of the best indoor cameras to invest in today:
- Best Overall: Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera
- Best for Storage: Blink Wireless Indoor Security Camera
- Best for Value: Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)
- Best Mounting Options: Ring Stick Up Cam Battery Security Camera
- Best for 360-Degree Views: Kasa 2K QHD Security Camera Pan/Tilt
#1 Best Overall Indoor Camera: Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera
- Motion-detected alerts
- Two-way talk and audio
- 160° diagonal viewing angle
- 2K HDR footage
The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera takes the cake as our #1 Best Overall Indoor Camera! Boasting top scores across all categories, this impressive indoor camera is ideal for auto image correction and fisheye effect reduction with its wide 160° diagonal viewing angle lens. The Arlo Pro 4 delivers advanced video quality and zooming capabilities, recording crystal clear 2K HDR footage.
After an easy wire-free setup, your second set of eyes will be directly connected to Wi-Fi for ease of use and speedy performance. With a competitive battery life, the Arlo Pro 4 allows live video streaming up to 4K with motion-detected alerts — and two-way talk features.
Built to exceed industry-leading standards, this superior indoor camera comes with sought-after magnetic mounts. However, it also comes with a subscription, rubbing some potential buyers the wrong way.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The wide 160° diagonal viewing angle lens makes for effortless reduction of the fisheye effect and auto image correction. | Customers must commit to a subscription to use the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera. |
| Advanced video quality delivers 2K HDR footage with clarity. | There are reports of some video lag. |
| The unbeatable smart home integration with Google, Apple, Samsung, and other popular devices gives the Arlo Pro 4 a competitive edge. | The lack of free video storage could undercut the perceived value. |
Take a look at the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera on Amazon.
Best for Storage: Blink Wireless Indoor Security Camera
- App and Alexa integrations
- Two-year battery life
- Cloud storage
- Easy setup
The Blink Wireless Indoor Security Camera comes out on top as our pick for Best Storage! An upgrade on Blink’s XT2 model, this indoor camera provides cloud and local storage through its proprietary Blink Sync Module 2. The Sync Module is part of the Blink Indoor kit, but can also be purchased separately for approximately $35.
While small in size, this camera is packed with all the features you need to achieve peace of mind that your home is protected. In addition to its expansive storage options, other top features include a durable battery life, customizable motion detection alerts, real-time viewing, and two-way communication.
One of the downsides to one of the best indoor security cameras is that there’s no Google integration. Because Amazon owns Blink, it prefers to have its products work independently from direct competitors like Google. At least this top-notch camera plays nicely with Alexa.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Blink offers expansive local storage and cloud storage. | While you can integrate this camera with Alexa, there is no Google Home integration. |
| A two-year battery life enables long-term visibility of the interior of your home. | There are limitations to accessing real-time, continuous live viewing. |
| Set up personalized motion alerts to keep tabs on who’s coming and going. |
Check out the Blink Wireless Indoor Security Camera on Amazon.
Best for Value: Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)
- 1080p HD video and color night vision
- Motion alerts with advanced pre-roll
- Two-way talk
- Customizable privacy settings
- Manual audio and video privacy cover
The Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) is our choice for Best for Value! This affordable indoor security camera delivers super sharp 1080p video with a 140° field of view. Complete with motion detection, live viewing, color night vision, Alexa voice control, and If This Then That (IFTTT), the all-new Ring Indoor cam is a versatile alternative to more expensive cameras. It’s also easy to install — and place — anywhere in your home. With flexible mounting options including a swivel mount, the Ring Indoor Cam can get a complete picture of how secure your home really is.
Is there anything this camera doesn’t have? Well, yes. We found that the lack of sound detection is a bit of a bummer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This affordable indoor camera starts at less than $50. | Video recording requires a monthly subscription. |
| Install the Ring Indoor Cam with ease given its flexible mounting options. | No sound detection puts a damper on the complete viewing experience. |
| It supports Alexa voice control and IFTTT — and works well with other smart devices. |
Check out the Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) on Amazon.
Best Mounting Options: Ring Stick Up Cam Battery Security Camera
- 1080p HD video
- Two-way talk
- Real-time notifications
- Quick-release battery pack
- Countless placement options
The Ring Stick Up Cam Battery Security Camera wins the top spot for Best Mounting Options! The adaptable mounting bracket allows homeowners to position the camera on a flat surface or mount it to their preferred wall. With limitless placement options, the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery Camera can cover every corner of your house.
Ceiling mounts are also possible when you purchase the Mount for Stick-Up Cam separately. Enjoy a simple setup by inserting the battery pack into the camera and then connecting to your home’s Wi-Fi. Pair its wire-free design with Alexa for next-level, tandem home security.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The versatile mounting options ensure complete interior coverage. | Ceiling mounts are only possible if you buy a separate charger. |
| This camera delivers 1080p HD video and two-way talk. | There are reports of short battery life. |
| Integrate your Ring with Alexa to assist in keeping an eye on your home. |
Take a look at the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery Security Camera on Amazon today.
Best for 360-Degree Views: Kasa 2K QHD Security Camera Pan/Tilt
- Vivid 2K video
- Smart detection
- Starlight vision in low-light environments
- Exposure adaption
- Local and cloud storage
The Kasa 2K QHD Security Camera Pan/Tilt lands on our list for Best 360-Degree Views! Equipped to deliver 360 panoramic views, this standout indoor camera offers clear 4 MP high-resolution details and colors — even when zooming in to get up close and personal.
At night and in low-light environments, the 2K 4MP Resolution Kasa Spot Pan Tilt records 24/7 with motion-detecting power. Secure cloud storage allows you to continuously save footage of the interior of your home on a microSD card, storing up to 256GB — but the card is not included.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Panoramic views capture footage from various angles offering an impressive wide-angle shot. | The microSD, storing up to 256GB of footage, does not come with the camera and must be purchased separately. |
| Follow subjects that trigger the motion alerts to ensure your home is safe and secure. | |
| Set up customized viewpoints to monitor different parts of your house in pre-defined intervals with Patrol Mode. |
Check out the Kasa 2K QHD Security Camera Pan/Tilt on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Indoor Camera: Step by Step
When choosing an indoor security camera, there are four main considerations for most buyers.
- Pricing
- Storage
- Performance
- Smart home integration
Let’s review each of these criteria in a bit more detail.
Pricing
For optimal indoor home security, you’ll need multiple cameras to keep checks on different parts of your home. Consider the price of each camera as they are available for individual purchase or as part of larger sets. The size of your home and your unique home security goals should be considered when selecting the number of cameras, and in turn, these factors impact the price.
Storage
While most top-quality indoor cameras boast similar features, the big differentiator is often how much storage they offer — and how much does it cost. Free cloud and local storage plans are typically limited in footage and features. For example, Nest’s free plans only offer a 3-hour history while its paid alternative provides continuous recording.
Performance
Because indoor cameras play an important role in maintaining home security, you need a high-performing model that delivers crystal clear, sharp images. Invest in a camera with high-resolution quality and expansive fields of view — and flexible mounting options don’t hurt.
Smart home integration
Select an indoor security camera that easily integrates into your broader smart home system, such as Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa. This enables a comprehensive approach to keeping your family, pets, and home safe — while running a productive household.
What to Know Before Buying an Indoor Camera
Before buying an indoor security camera, you should conduct hands-on research. Sure, our reliable reviews and rankings are helpful, but there’s nothing like checking out different camera models in person. Visit your local camera shop to check the size, weight, color, and mounting features to ensure they align with your unique needs.
You should also assess how easy it is to control. Look at all the buttons, switches, and levers to determine if it’s a good fit. And, as mentioned above, price is paramount. Before you make a final decision, consider the accessories you will also need to buy to get the camera up and running properly.
Using Indoor Cameras: What it’s Like
Indoor cameras are an essential component of a powerful home security system. They’ve become more advanced and yet accessible in recent years. Some homeowners opt for wire-free indoor cameras that run on batteries, making them more mobile. Others prefer wired cameras that are powered by AC cords, thereby limiting their placement to outlet-friendly spaces.
When it comes to features, everything from resolution and night vision to real-time viewing and storage, are differentiators when reviewing the competitive set. At the end of the day, using indoor cameras allows protective homeowners to keep tabs on the security of their family, pets, and the inside of their home.
Summary Table
| Rank | Indoor Camera | Key Features | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera, White â VMC4050P | Wide 160° diagonal viewing angle lens, advanced video quality, smart home integration | Requires subscription, reports of video lag, no free video storage |
| #2 | Blink Wireless Indoor Security Camera | Expansive local and cloud storage, two-year battery life, personalized motion alerts | No Google Home integration, limitations to real-time viewing |
| #3 | Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) | Affordable, easy installation, supports Alexa voice control and IFTTT | Requires subscription for video recording, no sound detection |
| #4 | Ring Stick Up Cam Battery Security Camera | Versatile mounting options, 1080p HD video, Alexa integration | Requires separate charger for ceiling mounts, reports of short battery life |
| #5 | 2K 4MP Resolution Kasa Spot Pan Tilt (KC410S) | Panoramic views, motion alerts, Patrol Mode for customized viewpoints | MicroSD card for storage not included |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Phonlamai Photo/Shutterstock.com.
