Which? Don't Buy wireless security cameras

A Don't Buy wireless security camera will provide endless annoyance thanks to fuzzy and distorted video, plus hard-to-use controls. And it could even get hacked.  

Our Best Buy wireless security cameras produce first-class quality video, no matter the lighting conditions, but we also find some cameras that fall short in our tough tests. 

Don't Buy cameras will capture such grainy pictures that should you need to use the footage, you'll struggle to make out anything that has been recorded. They'll be tricky to install, a pain to use and so slow to respond to motion that the intruder will be long gone before you are alerted. With poor security and privacy protections, Don't Buy cameras will also pose risks to you and your smart home data.  

Join Which? to find out which wireless security cameras we’ve named Don’t Buys.

How we test wireless security cameras

We have reviewed the latest wireless security cameras, including models from Hive, Nest, Ring and Arlo, to help find the best camera for you. 

We test indoor models for inside your home, along with outdoor security cameras and models that can be used both inside and outside of the house.  

Our in-depth testing means that we can recommend security cameras that offer excellent video quality and are simple to use, and also flag up the duff models to avoid.

We test around 30 security cameras a year and put each model through a series of meticulous tests. These are designed to be both rigorous and repeatable, so you can trust in the quality of your next security camera.

• We test picture quality in a range of conditions, from bright sunshine to the dead of night, and we also use a range of scenarios to assess motion detection, such as someone running past the camera. 
• All cameras are fully assessed for how easy they are to install and use, including the quality of the mobile apps and the available options for storing video clips. 
• We run a barrage of tests for how each camera protects you from malicious hacking attacks attempting to steal your data and spy on your home. 

Wireless security camera reviews you can trust

See our Don't Buy wireless security camera reviews to ensure you don't end up with a product you'll regret.

We don't show any bias towards more expensive models, with every camera reviewed based on objective test data and regardless of how much it costs.

If we name a wireless security camera a Don't Buy, you can be sure that it's one you should definitely avoid. No matter how tempting its price tag might be, you'll inevitably end up regretting buying it. 

Which? is independent – we work for you, the consumer, so you can be sure that our product recommendations are influenced only by our test results. 

We're not influenced by third parties and we don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. 

We buy every product that we test, so our advice helps you to make the right choice first time and avoid costly mistakes.

Join Which? to find out which wireless security cameras are Don’t Buys and which are Best Buys.