TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
TechJunkie is supported by our readers. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Read More.
Up until relatively recently, home security systems were crafted by simple sensor units that could only detect movement—meaning homeowners only really had the ability to know whether or not an intruder had broken into their abode. This limited technology meant that a thief could theoretically break into your home, grab as much as they could hold, and flee before any significant action was taken by either the homeowner or the police. And while the latest home security systems don’t offer a silver bullet when it comes to deterring and catching these nefarious intruders, they make it much easier to identify them in the future. These systems also work surprisingly well when it comes to less dire types of monitoring, like if you want to keep an eye on your kids or pets while you’re at work. These cameras are called “nanny cams” since you will probably monitor your child with their nanny. Parents can easily communicate with their nannies or whoever is at home since these cameras often come with built-in microphones. We’ve compiled a list of the best and most innovative “nanny cams” that can help you keep track of both your kids and your home. Whether you’re off running errands or spending a late night at work, these cameras can help bring you some peace of mind.
Google has been creating different smart home gadgets over the years, and their Nest Cam is undoubtedly a valuable device to have if you want to know what happens in your house while you’re not around. The camera features a 2-megapixel color sensor with a 16:9 aspect ratio, 6x digital zoom, and a 135° diagonal field of view. It captures footage at a 1080p resolution with a frame rate of 30 fps. It has HDR capabilities that enhance the detail of your video, and its night vision ensures that you will still get to see everything going on at night. The camera has a 24/7 live view feature, so you can rest assured that you will never miss anything. It can only capture and store footage from the past three hours for free, but paying for a Nest Aware subscription will increase the limit to 60 days, and you’ll even get up to ten days of whole-day recording. Users will need a Google account and Google Home app to access the camera’s different features. You can set up activity zones so the camera can alert them when it detects that there are people in a particular area of their home. The Google Nest Cam has a high-quality speaker and mic, and its full-duplex 2-way audio with noise cancellation means that you can talk to people near the camera even if you arent there. This is handy when you need to tell your nanny something after reviewing the footage. You shouldn’t be scared of any data breach since the device has essential security protocols to keep you safe. You will need to ensure there is a power outlet near the camera since it uses a wired connection. The camera can be placed on a desk, or you can mount it onto the wall using its wallplate. It’s only meant to be used indoors since it’s not weather-resistant. Customers get wall screws, wall anchors, a power adapter, and a one-year limited warranty upon purchase.
Modern and sleek designNot too pricey6x digital zoom, and a 135° diagonal field of viewActivity zonesFull-duplex 2-way audio with noise cancellation
1080p sensor could be betterYou'll need to buy Nest Aware subscription maximize its use Can only be used indoors 
If you’re the type who is fond of zooming into the footage of your nanny cam, you will like the Reolink E1 Zoom. This nanny cam/indoor security camera has a 5MP Super HD camera that captures videos in superb detail and comes with 3x optical zoom. Whenever you need to review your footage, you can easily zoom into any part of the video. The camera has built-in IR LEDs that allow it to get fantastic night vision with a maximum range of 40 feet. You can expect an excellent signal when accessing your nanny cam while you’re away since it supports dual-band Wi-Fi. It’s easy the get the camera up and running because all you need to do is plug it into power, connect to your Wi-Fi network, and start the quick setup on the Reolink App. Users can rotate the camera 50° vertically and 355° horizontally using the app, allowing them to monitor each corner of their living space. This Reolink indoor security camera can store your footage on cloud storage like most cameras, but you also have the option to store it on an SD card. Don’t expect to keep a record of months’ worth of footage because it only supports an SD card up to 128GB. The camera has a mic and speaker, and its two-way talk feature makes it easy for you to talk to whoever’s in your home while viewing the footage. You can conveniently control the camera using your voice since it supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
3x optical zoomBuilt-in IR LEDsDual-band Wi-FiRotates 50° vertically and 355° horizontallyStore footage in cloud storage or SD cardTwo-way talk featureGoogle Assistant and Amazon Alexa support
Wi-Fi connection neededMic is pretty weekSluggish performance at times
For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Wyze Cam Pan v2 would be the right pick for you. This nanny cam packed with different smart features would only cost you around $50. The unique thing about it is its pan, zoom, and tilt feature, allowing you to see every inch of your room. Users will love how you can pan it 360°, something not all nanny cams can do. The camera has a 1080p Full HD resolution, enough for you to see parts of your home clearly. It has color night vision, so you can still expect to capture clear footage in full color in dark environments. Users can view what’s happening in their homes in real-time by downloading the Wyze app. The app also allows you to access the two-way audio feature, so you can talk to people even if you’re just on the way home from work or lying in bed. The camera is smart enough to detect motion and sounds and automatically record and send you alerts on your mobile device. It can store 12-second clips for two weeks free of charge, but you can buy a $2 monthly plan to get bonus features and longer stored footage. You can also opt to use a microSD card to store your footage locally. The Wyze Cam Pan v2 is compatible with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
More affordable than rivalsPan, zoom, and tilt feature360° coverageColor night visionBudget-friendly monthly subscriptionMicroSD card supportTwo-way audioAutomatically detects motions/sounds and sends alertsAmazon Alexa and Google Assistant support
Can only be monitored via phone app
The Blink Indoor Camera is perfect for those who are looking for a nanny cam that is discreet and wireless. This camera gets its power from two AA lithium batteries and won’t run out of juice for as long as two years. It records footage in 1080p HD, and you can still expect it to see clearly at night because it has infrared night vision. Users will need to download the Blink Home Monitor app to access the camera remotely using their smartphone. It has a custom motion zones feature that allows you to receive alerts when the camera detects motion in a particular area of your home. You can also set privacy zones, which are areas you don’t need to get alerted when movement is detected. The camera’s Live View feature is useful when you want to check up on your children or pets at home while you’re at work or running an errand. The footage your camera records are stored either in cloud storage, which you access through a paid subscription plan, or locally in the Blink Sync Module 2 using a USB flash drive. Like most modern nanny cams, this camera comes with a speaker and mic for two-way audio. Navigating the Blink Indoor Camera is easy because it’s compatible with Alexa-enabled devices.
WirelessUses two AA lithium batteries that lasts for 2 yearsNight visionCustom motion zones and privacy zonesCloud or local storage
Cloud storage required paid subscription planNo zoom, pan, or tilt capabilitiesNight vision could be better
The YI Home Security Camera is an excellent deal for those with an extremely tight budget. This nanny cam comes with an ultra-affordable price tag of $24.99. The camera features a 1080p resolution and has eight 940Nm infrared LEDs that make footage brighter and clearer, especially in low-light environments. Up to 5 users can access the camera’s footage remotely, but since you’re paying a low price, it’s not surprising that the camera only supports a 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi band. You have the option to connect the camera to Certified Emergency Dispatchers, so they immediately get notified when an accident happens inside your home. The YI Home Security Camera’s smart AI capabilities ensure you won’t have any false alarms since it automatically detects people, cars, and animals, but you will need to buy a paid subscription plan. Footage triggered by motion gets stored in the Cloud for 30 days, but you can also store footage using a microSD card with a maximum capacity of 64GB. Users can also use the camera for communicating since it has a two-way audio feature. Those who like having smart gadgets inside their home will enjoy how the YI Home Security Camera supports Google Assistant and Alexa-enabled devices.
Highly affordable8 940Nm infrared LEDsEmergency response servicesSmart AI DetectionsCloud or local storageWorks with Google Assistant and Alexa-enabled devices
Only 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi band supportNeed paid subscription to access most useful features
50 Articles Published
We're not just tech junkies, but we're also tech experts. Each and every "Best of.." list on TechJunkie is curated by our content-area subject matter experts to provide a well-rounded, unbiased perspective to help and inform you, our reader. Our lists are constantly reviewed and updated, so you can be sure you're reading relevant and up to date information.
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
If you don’t see an app that should be here, let us know what it is
