Best Wireless Security Cameras of 2020

#1
Arlo Pro 2
 
$329.99
#2
Ring Spotlight Cam
 
$199.00
#3
Blink XT2
 
$99.99
#4
Canary Flex
 
$138.00

Overview

Setting up a wireless camera is an easy and convenient way to keep your home secure. Some of the best security cameras are wire-free, meaning they rely on both a Wi-Fi connection and a wireless power source. With this design, you can put your camera wherever you like without worrying about cords getting in the way or someone unplugging your camera.

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Data effective 5/17/2019. Offers and availability subject to change.

1. Arlo Pro 2 review: Best overall wireless security camera

#1
Arlo Pro 2
 
$329.99*
Tech specs
    Dimensions
    9.9 x 9.7 x 5 in.
    Resolution
    1080p HD
    Field of view
    130°
    Operating temperature
    -4°F to 113°F
    Night vision
    Up to 25 ft.
    Battery life
    3 to 6 months
    *Amazon.com price as of 10/15/19 1:30 p.m. MST

    Pros and cons of Arlo Pro 2

    Pros
    • Pro BulletEasy installation
    • Pro BulletTwo-way communication
    • Pro BulletCompatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT
    • Pro BulletSeven days of free cloud storage
    • Pro BulletIndoor and outdoor capabilities
    Cons
    • Con BulletHigh price
    • Con BulletBase station required

    Why we recommend Arlo Pro 2

    The Arlo Pro 2 is a rechargeable wireless security camera that can be used indoors and outdoors, has a 100dB siren that’s as loud as a revving motorcycle engine, and comes with a microSD card slot for local storage.

    Arlo Pro 2 features and flaws

    The Arlo Pro 2 has a feature called Look Back that allows you to review three seconds of activity before an event triggered by motion or sound in the Arlo app. It’s a great way to keep track of any suspicious activity and moving objects.

    The Arlo requires a hub, and its lowest-priced equipment package includes two cameras. That makes it pricier than the competition, especially in comparison to other wire-free cameras like Ring and Canary.

    ASecureLife’s recommendation: The Arlo Pro 2 is a reliable and versatile choice. It’s our favorite wireless security camera overall, but since it requires the purchase of a minimum of two cameras, we recommend it for people who are serious about monitoring their home inside and out.

    >>Keep your home safe. Buy the Arlo Pro 2.

    >>Arlo has plenty more to offer. Check out our review of Arlo’s top cameras.


    2. Ring Spotlight Cam review

    #2
    Ring Spotlight Cam
     
    $199.00
    Tech specs
      Dimensions
      4.9 x 2.7 x 2.9 in.
      Resolution
      1080p HD
      Field of view
      140°
      Operating temperature
      -4°F to 120°F
      Night vision
      Up to 30 ft.
      Battery life
      6 to 12 months
      Standard retail prices as of 10/15/2019.
      Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by retailer.

      Pros and cons of Ring Spotlight Cam

      Pros
      • Pro BulletEasy installation
      • Pro BulletTwo-way talk
      • Pro BulletSupport with Alexa voice commands and IFTTT
      Cons
      • Con BulletSubscription required to view recorded video
      • Con BulletNo compatibility with Google Home

      Why we recommend Ring Spotlight Cam

      The Ring Spotlight Cam is a solid wireless outdoor camera that has a motion-activated LED spotlight, a remote-activated 110dB siren (think front seat at a rock concert), and two-way audio with noise cancellation.

      Lightbulb
      Avoiding security breaches

      Ring has been in the news lately due to breaches where strangers can view camera feeds and talk over the speaker. In a statement shared with us, Ring said that these are due to consumers not taking proper precautions.

      We continue to recommend Ring products for now, but echo Ring’s security precautions recommendations: use unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, add authorized users instead of sharing credentials, and regularly change passwords.

      Ring Spotlight Cam features and flaws

      This is a camera with versatile power options. You can extend your battery life by purchasing a second battery pack for backup power or one of Ring’s solar panels for a continuous charge. The Ring Spotlight Cam also has sharp, HD-quality video and is a breeze to install.

      To save, view, and share recorded video, you’ll need a subscription. Fortunately, Ring Protect Basic is affordable: you’ll get access to those basics starting at $3 per month.

      ASecureLife’s recommendation: If you want to keep an eye on what’s going on outside your front door without the fuss of a bunch of wires, the Ring Spotlight Cam is a natural choice.

      >>Power on. Buy the Ring Spotlight Cam.

      >>Interested in more Ring? Check out our review of Ring’s doorbell cameras or their home alarm system.


      3. Blink XT2 review

      #3
      Blink XT2
       
      $99.99*
      Tech specs
        Dimensions
        2.8 x 2.8 x 1.4 in.
        Resolution
        1080p HD
        Field of view
        110°
        Operating temperature
        -4°F to 113°F
        Night vision
        Up to 20 ft.
        Battery life
        Up to 2 years
        *Amazon.com price as of 10/15/19 1:30 p.m. MST

        Pros and cons of Blink XT2

        Pros
        • Pro BulletTwo-way audio
        • Pro BulletIndoor and outdoor capability
        • Pro BulletFree cloud storage
        • Pro BulletIntegration with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT
        Cons
        • Con BulletNo option for continuous recording
        • Con BulletNo compatibility with Google Home

        Why we recommend Blink XT2

        Blink’s latest offering, the XT2, covers all the bases. It’s wire-free and relatively inexpensive, and it has two-way talk, live view, and customizable activity zones.

        Blink XT2 features and flaws

        The Blink XT2 offers a decent amount of versatility. It can be used indoors and outdoors, day and night—thanks to its infrared HD night vision—and it also works with Alexa commands. Plus, it has free cloud storage with no contract, which can be helpful when you want to keep multiple clips for future reference.

        On the other hand, Blink lists the standard battery life of the XT2 as up to two years. Because the Blink XT2 is so new, it’s hard to say whether that’s accurate or not, but we have our doubts; the original Blink XT’s batteries were supposed to last up to two years, but most customers said they would last for only four to six weeks.

        ASecureLife’s recommendation: The Blink XT2 is a solid, adaptable security camera that will be at home either inside or outside your house. It makes a great fit for someone looking for a reliable camera without the fuss of more advanced features.

        >>Unplug. Buy the Blink XT2.


        4. Canary Flex review

        #4
        Canary Flex
         
        $138.00*
        Tech specs
          Dimensions
          4.3 x 1.9 x 1.9 in.
          Resolution
          1080p HD
          Field of view
          116°
          Operating temperature
          -4°F to 113°F
          Night vision
          Limited
          Battery life
          2 to 3 months
          *Amazon.com price as of 10/15/19 1:30 p.m. MST

          Pros and cons of Canary Flex

          Pros
          • Pro BulletQuick, easy installation
          • Pro BulletIndoor and outdoor capability
          • Pro BulletCompatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
          Cons
          • Con BulletMost features accessible only with subscription
          • Con BulletPoor night vision

          Why we recommend Canary Flex

          The Canary Flex is flexible and reliable: it integrates with both Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands, can be used indoors and outdoors, and works both wire-free and plugged in. It also has unique features like person detection and includes free access to 24 hours of cloud storage.

          Canary Flex features and flaws

          The Canary Flex lets you watch and record live activity on your smartphone or tablet 24/7 in HD. It’s also weatherproof, comes with two-way audio, and has a decent field of view at 116 degrees. Unfortunately, a lot of its other features—including two-way audio—can be accessed only with a Canary membership subscription, priced at $9.99 per month.

          The Flex’s main drawback is its poor night vision. While Canary doesn’t explicitly list the Flex’s night vision range, it does note that the Flex has only a single IR LED, and it’s not meant to illuminate large images. You’re better off using this camera indoors or in outdoor spaces that already have a decent amount of ambient light.

          ASecureLife’s recommendation: The Canary Flex is a secure wireless outdoor camera that has limited night vision but plenty of features to spare. Invest in it if you’re looking for an easy camera for the outside of your home on a well-lit street.

          >>Brighten up. Buy the Canary Flex.


          More wireless cameras that aren’t wire-free

          Nest Cam Indoor

          Nest Cam Indoor
           
          $199.00
          Tech specs
            Resolution
            1080p HD
            Night vision
            Up to 20 ft.
            Standard retail prices as of 10/15/2019.
            Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by retailer.

            The Nest Cam Indoor is a safe bet from a reliable brand. It’s Wi-Fi compatible, but it has wires. This Nest Cam has 130° viewing angle, night vision up to 20 feet, and two-way talk. For more features, you’ll need a Nest Aware subscription. That’ll get you 24/7 recording, the ability to save up to 30 days of footage, person alerts, and more.


            Smonet Wireless IP Camera

            Smonet Wireless IP Camera
             
            $227.99*
            Tech specs
              Resolution
              960p HD
              Night vision
              Up to 65 ft.
              *Amazon.com price as of 10/15/19 1:30 p.m. MST

              Smonet’s Wireless IP camera isn’t wire-free, but it works over Wi-Fi. It has a resolution of 960p HD, saves up to 30 days of data, and boasts a night vision range of up to 65 feet. But if you’re looking for something simpler than a CCTV camera, look elsewhere: you’ll need to buy a compatible monitor, VGA, or HDMI cable and router for this one to work.


              Other brands we considered

              Wyze Cam Pan

              Wyze Cam Pan
               
              $37.98*
                *Amazon.com price as of 10/15/19 1:30 p.m. MST

                The Wyze Cam Pan is a super affordable pan-tilt camera that connects to your Wi-Fi network and has motion tracking, free 14-day cloud storage, and a microSD card slot for local and backup storage. However, we’re concerned about Wyze’s history of poor customer service and potential security issues. If you’re looking for something secure but budget friendly, we suggest one of our picks for affordable security cameras.


                Yi Dome Camera

                Yi Dome Camera
                 
                $38.98*
                  *Amazon.com price as of 10/15/19 1:30 p.m. MST

                  The Yi Dome Camera is an inexpensive indoor security camera that covers the basics: two-way communication, 4x digital zoom, and a microSD slot for local storage. But we have serious concerns about how secure the camera itself is: customers report major privacy concerns and instances of their Yi cameras being hacked.


                  Zmodo Sight 180 Outdoor Camera

                  Zmodo Sight 180 Outdoor Camera
                   
                  $89.99*
                    *Amazon.com price as of 10/15/19 1:30 p.m. MST

                    The Zmodo Sight 180 is a basic smart security camera that’s wireless but not wire-free. And though it has some standard features like 1080p HD and an impressive 180° viewing angle, like the Blink XT2 it doesn’t support two-way audio. We think that’s a must for any security camera, especially an outdoor one.


                    Our recommendation

                    When it comes to wire-free home security systems, there are tons of options to choose from. But we think the Arlo Pro 2 is the best. It can be used indoors and outdoors, has super clear HD playback, and offers up to seven days of rolling cloud storage. It’s a little pricey, but it’s a solid choice that you can rely on to keep your home or business safe, indoors and out.

                    >>Keep your home safe and sound. Get the Arlo Pro 2 from Amazon.