Best wireless security cameras 2024: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

A wireless security camera will give you peace of mind when you’re not at home. See the best wi-fi cameras from Ring, Nest, TP-Link and more, plus get all the expert advice you need.
Andrew LaughlinPrincipal researcher & writer
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The best wireless security cameras will let you know all is well at home when you’re out, whether you want to check on possible intruders or see how the dog is coping without you. 

Some cameras are designed for use on the outside of your home, while others will keep on eye on what is going on inside. Some models work both indoors and outdoors. 

While the best security cameras can record in high resolution and are simple to use, bottom-of-the-heap models suffer from poor-quality video, sub-standard app interfaces and cheap build quality. 

See below for the key things to look for when buying a smart home security camera. Or, head directly to our wireless security camera reviews.

Best outdoor security cameras

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Could your wireless camera be breaking the law? Read more about the laws around privacy and recording footage with security cameras at the home. 


Best indoor security cameras

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Indoor vs outdoor security cameras: which is best for your home?

While some cameras can be used both inside and outside your home, the majority are designated for use as either indoor or outdoor models. 

If a camera is to be used outside then it has to be weatherproofed to survive the elements and usually must be mounted on a wall or external surface. 

Some outdoor cameras also double up as security lights or even alarm systems. 

You'll generally pay over £100 for one of the best outdoor cameras. By contrast, you can pick up Best Buy wireless security cameras that cost less than £50.

How much do I need to spend on a good wireless security camera?

There are a wide range of wireless security cameras available, and fortunately you can find great models at low prices. 

We've tested a number of Best Buy wireless security cameras that cost less than £50.

However, be wary at the cheap end of the market, especially if you're shopping at online marketplaces like Amazon Marketplace, eBay, AliExpress and Wish.com. 

Our investigations have frequently found security issues with cheap cameras from little known or unknown brands. Read more in our guide to wireless security cameras and hacking.  

Wired vs. wireless vs. wire-free cameras

Wireless security cameras aren’t necessarily wire-free, the term ‘wireless’ meaning they connect wirelessly to your existing wi-fi network. 

Most wireless security cameras are plugged into the mains, with a few of these offering some back-up battery time in case of power failures.

However, there are battery-powered, wire-free security cameras, which are easier to position as they doesn’t need to be near a power source. But bear in mind this does mean you’ll have to charge the battery or pay for new ones if they’re disposable.

Types of footage storage (cloud vs. internal storage)

One of the key decisions you’ll need to make is whether you’d prefer a camera with cloud-based and/or internal storage.

Cloud-based online storage 

This allows you to store your recordings remotely online and easily access them over the web from any device. Online storage also means you won’t have to worry about losing an SD card, and you’ll still have footage even if your device is stolen. On the other hand, there are some privacy concerns about cloud-based storage, as your data will be transmitted and held online. 

Most wireless security cameras use a cloud-based storage system, but the level of free storage varies and some offer none at all. Check out how much free storage is on offer, as extra cloud storage can cost as much as £9.99 a month. See all reviewed security cameras with cloud storage.


Find out more in our guide on how to save money on smart home subscription services.


Local storage 

This is available with some cameras, and your footage will be stored on an SD card rather than in the cloud. This means you’ll be able to cut costs, as you won’t need any subscription plan to store video clips. 

You can buy SD cards with plenty of storage capacity, so you can record a reasonable amount before changing or clearing the card. 

Although your recorded footage won’t leave the device, and so your data isn’t being transmitted and stored online, if someone burgles your home and steals the device, they will have access to your recordings. That's why we check if the camera encrypts the footage so someone couldn't steal your video files. 

Some cameras also support separate storage devices, such as a Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive. Check our reviews for storage options on each tested model. 

You can find cameras with local storage in our reviews.

CCTV in operation sign

Is it legal to record video at your home?

While data protection laws do not apply if your camera only covers your private property, they do come into force if it captures footage outside the boundary, for example the street or neighbouring properties.

Under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), anyone captured on footage from your camera has the right to ask for a copy, have it erased or request for them not to be filmed in the future. Therefore, it's important to consider where your camera is placed, how wide the angle is and what is included in the view. 

If you are recording parts of your neighbour's garden, or a shared passageway, either shift the camera view, or alert your neighbour that you have a camera recording there. As long as you use your camera in a responsible way that protects the privacy of others, you should be fine. Read our guide to legally recording at your home for more.

Smart display in the home

Compatibility with other smart products 

As well as connecting your wireless security cameras to your devices to manage and view footage, some wireless security cameras also are compatible with other smart home devices such as light bulbs, doorbells and smart home security systems. 

This compatibility is usually controlled via a voice assistant platform, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Homekit. 

So, you could link your security camera to a voice controlled device and then control aspects with your voice, while also linking up other devices. In some instances, you can also set scenarios, such as your security camera stopping motion notifications when you signal that you are home via a smart security system. 

However, devices may not be compatible with each other if they are from different brands or systems, so it is best to do your research before investing heavily. 

See our guide to the best smart home security systems to find out how else you can protect your home.

Features to look for in a wireless security camera 

Night vision

A good wireless security camera will seamlessly switch between day and night modes, and should be able to pick out the same level of detail even in low light. For night vision, most devices use either LED lights or infrared, or a combination of the two.

High-quality video recording 

This is the most important aspect of the security camera, especially if you want to identify someone. All wireless security cameras support at least 720p resolution (1,280 x 720 pixels), and some record in 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixels). A higher resolution will generally mean higher-quality footage, although 720p is usually clear enough to make out faces.

Ideally you want the best video resolution possible – no less than Full-HD (1080p) – so the images are clearer and easier to see.

Audio recording/two-way audio

If you want to hear what’s going on in your house – whether it’s a knock at the door or the dog barking while you’re out – look for a wireless security camera with one-way audio recording. If you would like to be able to communicate with the people or animals in your home, for example, to tell your children to get on with their homework or the dog to get off the sofa, two-way audio is what you need.

Motion detection 

Wireless security cameras with this feature will trigger recording when motion is detected. Some will send an alert to the app on your phone or via email. One handy feature to look out for is the ability to set up a schedule so that motion alerts are enabled only when you know you'll be out of your home.

User-friendly app 

Most wireless security camera apps will be compatible with both iOS and Android, but check that the app will work with the version you have. A simple-to-use interface will make it easier to live-stream footage or view recordings. Before buying your wireless security camera, check whether all app features, such as setting a schedule or sharing footage, come as standard, or if you will need to pay extra to unlock the full functionality. 

Which brands make wireless security cameras?

As home smart security becomes more popular, there are more and more brands on the market. Some of the most popular are Nest, Arlo and Hive as well as brands such as Motorola, Netamo and Logitech.

  • Nest specialises in smart connected home products. As well as making a variety of indoor and outdoor security cameras, it also manufactures the Nest Doorbell range, as well as thermostats and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  
  • Ring, owned by Amazon, is now a major player in the security camera space with a wide range of different models for indoor or outdoor use. Alongside cameras, Ring also makes smart doorbells and smart alarm systems. You generally need to sign up to a Ring subscription plan to get the most out of its products, though. 
  • Blink is another Amazon smart home company. It makes a range of indoor and outdoor cameras for your home, including some cheap models. Just like Ring, a subscription plan is required for things like video storage. 
  • Arlo, previously part of Netgear, is now a standalone company which manufactures many connected home products, including multiple wireless indoor and wireless outdoor security cameras.
  • Netamo creates connected products for the home. It has multiple security products on offer, including smart indoor and outdoor wireless security cameras, as well as others like smart doorbells, indoor sirens, sensors and smoke alarms.
  • As well as offering a variety of computing accessories, Logitech also makes the Circle 2 home security camera, which works with a range of smart hubs including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant.
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Which security camera brands offer the best software and security support?

As well as providing security for your home from burglars and intruders, a wireless camera should also provide digital security against hacking attacks. 

That's why we ask all brands of cameras that we review how long they will support the device with updates. While a few brands do give clear information on this, sadly many do not. We will continue to press all companies to be more transparent. 

  • Amazon's Ring has said that it will support all security cameras listed on its site until at least the end of 2027. 
  • Another Amazon brand, Blink, has said that it will do the same with all Blink branded cameras. 
  • Google's Nest has said that it will support for 'at least five years after launch'.
  • Similarly, Eufy told us that it will support its products for five years from launch.
  • Yale said in 2022 that its cameras will receive software and security updates for a minimum of two years after the product is removed from sale. This year it didn't respond.
  • Ezviz told us that it will update its smart devices for at least two years after the first model is sold, and may extend to three years for some models. 
  • Arlo said last year that it will support its cameras with security updates for a minimum of five years from launch, or two years from the end of life of the product. When asked in 2023, it didn't respond.

Other brands, including TP-Link, did not provide specific support lengths for their cameras. Hive said it is dedicated to support until it officially decommissions devices, as it announced recently with Hive security cameras and Homeshield devices.

If a camera you own falls out of update support, there's an increased risk to using it. Although it's unlikely to immediately get hacked, the risk does go up with out of support products. For more information, read our guide to smart devices and security.

Wireless security cameras that are hard to hack

As with any internet-connected device, data privacy and security are of the utmost importance. While the camera may record first-class-quality video, the camera isn’t fit for purpose if it has weak security setting, making it vulnerable to being hacked. 

So how can you stop hackers and other nefarious users from finding your camera(s) on the internet and watching you?

Although there aren’t any wireless security cameras which are ‘unhackable’ per se, you can follow these simple steps to greatly reduce the risk of someone accessing your footage and device.

  • Update your camera’s firmware: Most wireless security cameras feature firmware that can be upgraded by you. If a vulnerability or attack vector has been identified by the manufacturer, often it will release a firmware update to remedy the issue. You can update the camera’s firmware via the admin settings and it’s worth periodically checking the camera manufacturer’s website to see if there are any applicable updates.
  • Change default passwords: A camera's default admin and password details can often be easily guessed by a hacker. Taking the simple step of changing your login details will help keep a novice hacker at bay.
  • Password-protect your cameras: Some wireless security cameras don’t have password protection enabled by default. After the initial setup, go back to the admin settings and create a strong password.