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Eight smart security cameras from various brands sitting on a wood shelf with a faux plant in the background Credit: Reviewed / Rachel Murphy

The Best Indoor Security Cameras of 2023

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Eight smart security cameras from various brands sitting on a wood shelf with a faux plant in the background Credit: Reviewed / Rachel Murphy

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Editor's Choice Product image of Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera
Best Overall

Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera

The Arlo Essential Indoor Camera has a built-in camera privacy shutter and works with smart assistants Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Read More

Pros

  • Integrated camera cover
  • Intelligent smart alerts
  • Two-factor authentication

Cons

  • So-so build quality
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Wyze Cam v3
Best Value

Wyze Cam v3

While it doesn’t have the most robust set of features, this compact security camera will keep an eye on your home without breaking the bank. Read More

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Local storage
  • Accurate smart alerts

Cons

  • App limitations
  • Outdoor adapter sold separately
3
Editor's Choice Product image of Google Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired, 2021)
Best for Google Assistant

Google Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired, 2021)

Google’s Nest Cam (indoor, wired) delivers super smarts without being tied to a paid subscription plan. Read More

Pros

  • Free intelligent smart alerts
  • Great for Google Home ecosystems
  • Clear audio and video

Cons

  • No support for Apple HomeKit
4
Product image of Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)
Best for Alexa

Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)

The Ring Indoor Cam includes a manual privacy shutter—a feature very few smart security cameras have. It's quick to detect motion and notify you of it. Read More

Pros

  • Privacy shutter
  • Great for Ring and Amazon Echo smart homes
  • Compact

Cons

  • Best features require paid subscription plan
5
Product image of TP-Link Kasa Spot Pan Tilt 410S
Best 360-degree camera

TP-Link Kasa Spot Pan Tilt 410S

The Kasa Spot Pan Tilt Cam features a motion-tracking camera and a 2K 360-degree view of home when you're away. Read More

Pros

  • Motion-tracking
  • Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Quick to detect motion

Cons

  • No Apple HomeKit support

In the same way outdoor security cameras monitor the perimeter of your home, indoor security cameras offer a quick and easy way to keep an eye on things behind closed doors while you’re away. Smart indoor security cameras offer features like motion tracking, two-way talk, storage, and compatbility with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. To help you decide what to buy, we’ve put the top-rated smart indoor security cameras from Arlo, Wyze, Google Nest, and more to the test.

Smart indoor security cameras should be private, reliable, compact, and quick to send smart alerts like one of our top picks, the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera (available at Amazon for $59.99) . After weeks of testing, the Arlo proved its mettle with features like an integrated privacy shield that can be toggled on/off from the companion app. For something cheaper, the Wyze v3 Cam (available at Amazon) is a value-packed choice for under $50. There are also plenty of other great indoor security cameras in our guide that will make the perfect lookout for your home.

The Arlo Essential Indoor Camera hangs on a wall
Credit: Reviewed / Rachel Murphy

The integrated camera privacy cover is one of the most appealing features of Arlo's Essential Indoor Security Camera.

Best Overall
Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera

Arlo’s Essential Indoor Security Camera impressed us from the start with its sliding privacy shutter that can be toggled on/off from the companion app. It records in crisp and clear 1080p HD video and offers a 130-degree field of view, allowing you to see everything in the room.

Arlo’s camera is also among the fastest and smartest when it comes to detecting and sending intelligent alerts. When paired with an Arlo Secure Plan, it can differentiate between people and animals (and packages and vehicles, though you don’t need those alerts for inside). The paid plan also gets you access to cloud video storage, so you can review and share video clips.

Arlo’s preview notifications are helpful, too, allowing you to watch a quick clip without opening the app. Even better, all detected objects are outlined in green so you can quickly identify what’s going on from the preview alert.

The camera offers four modes (armed, disarmed, schedule, and geofencing), all of which performed well during our testing, alongside excellent security features.

The Arlo app offers two-factor authentication, an important feature to keep your account secure. If a new login is detected, Arlo will alert you immediately with a push notification where you’ll need to confirm or deny the device trying to gain access to your account. There’s also a built-in siren and access to emergency services, should you ever need it.

If there’s one downside to this camera, it’s that it’s fairly lightweight and can easily be knocked over if you don’t opt to mount it with the included hardware. But its small footprint and discreet design make this camera easy to incorporate into any home without the constant feeling that you’re being watched.

The camera works with Amazon Echo and Google Home smart displays. It also works with Apple HomeKit, so long as you have an Arlo Smart Hub.

Overall, this is a discreet home security camera that’s well-priced, intelligent, and reliable for everyday home security.

Read our full review of the Arlo Essential Indoor Security Camera

Pros

  • Integrated camera cover

  • Intelligent smart alerts

  • Two-factor authentication

Cons

  • So-so build quality

The Wyze V3 Cam sits on a bookshelf.
Credit: Reviewed / Rachel Murphy

The Wyze Cam V3 shows a solid red light when someone is viewing the live stream or the camera is recording a motion event.

Best Value
Wyze Cam V3

From smart plugs to smart thermostats, Wyze is known for its affordable smart home products—and the Wyze Cam V3 does not disappoint. For the money, this is the best smart security camera you can buy right now. It’s quick, snappy, and never misses a motion event.

The camera offers features that compete with top contenders in the home security space, including 1080p video (with color night vision), loud and clear two-way talk, and intelligent smart alerts with a paid Wyze Cam Plus monitoring plan. It doesn’t offer motion tracking like the Wyze Cam Pan, but you can see plenty from the camera’s 130-degree field of view.

Wyze offers one of the most affordable home security monitoring plans out there. The paid plan can detect people and pets (as well as packages and cars). It also can listen for smoke and CO2 alarms, alerting you to potential problems when you're away from home. All recorded events can easily be viewed in the Wyze app. For 24/7 recording, the camera can be paired with a 32 GB microSD card (sold separately) and can capture up to three days of continuous video.

The wired camera works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, and its live stream can be viewed on an Alexa or Google smart display, but that’s about all you can do since two-way talk is only available between the camera and app—not smart displays.

In the Wyze app, you can customize motion detection, event recording, scheduling, and more. The app alerts you to firmware updates and comes with two-factor authentication to secure your account.

Considering Wyze’s paid plan is among the most affordable out there, and the added security features coupled with clear video and reliable smart alerts, you can’t go wrong with this value-packed indoor security camera.

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight

  • Local storage

  • Accurate smart alerts

Cons

  • App limitations

  • Outdoor adapter sold separately

Nest Cam (indoor, wired) sitting on a table
Credit: Reviewed / Rachel Murphy

The Nest Cam (indoor, wired) has privacy features like two-step account verification and encryption for video recordings.

Best for Google Assistant
Nest Cam (indoor, wired)

The Nest Cam (wired, indoor) is priced fairly against the competition and does everything you’d expect it to. It records in the industry standard 1080p, comes with two-way talk, and quickly sends notifications when it detects motion. But it’s got something most others don’t: free intelligent alerts (people, animals, cars) and a three-hour event history right out of the box. More features are available with a paid subscription.

The camera comes with an integrated power cord that plugs into any standard electrical outlet. Unlike previous indoor Nest cameras, this model is offered in several different colors and a smaller, more attractive design. Another perk of this camera is that it records locally for up to one hour in the event your internet connection drops out.

There’s no support for Apple HomeKit, but it does work for viewing on Amazon Echo smart displays when you connect the Google Nest Skill for Alexa. You can also pull up the camera’s live view on a Google smart display like the Nest Hub Max or Nest Hub (second-gen).

Even if you don’t have an expansive Google Home setup, this camera is spot on and one of the best indoor home security cameras you can buy for the money.

Read our full review of the Nest Cam (indoor, wired)

Pros

  • Free intelligent smart alerts

  • Great for Google Home ecosystems

  • Clear audio and video

Cons

  • No support for Apple HomeKit

The second-gen Ring Indoor Cam with its shutter open sitting on a window sill with the blue light for recording enabled
Credit: Reviewed / Nick Woodard

The second-gen Ring Indoor Cam is the best indoor security camera for Alexa.

Best for Alexa
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)

The second-gen Ring Indoor Camera is the best camera for Alexa. The security camera is a notable improvement over the first generation, as it now includes a manual privacy cover to prohibit viewing, listening, and recording when enabled. Overall, the new Ring security camera delivers in other areas, too, like performance, features, and simplicity, making it one of the best you can buy.

The camera, which comes with a long 6.5-foot power cord, is easy to install sitting flat on a surface, like a shelf or using the included swivel mount. The compact size, which comes in white or black, is also ideal if you want a discreet home security camera.

Performance-wise, the Ring Indoor Cam features 1080p resolution, two-way audio, and a surprisingly wide field of view for such a small security device. With the added benefit of things like Customizable Motion Zones, motion notifications, and a siren that can act as the first line of defense when an intruder comes into view, the Ring Indoor Cam is well-equipped to protect your space. It also works seamlessly with other Amazon smart home devices, meaning you can pull up the live view on an Echo smart display.

This security camera is one of the few with a privacy shutter. We also like other privacy controls about this camera, like designating off-limits areas so it doesn't capture motion or recordings. It also features end-to-end encryption and mandatory two-factor authentication via the Ring app.

On the downside, many features, like saving and sharing videos and person alerts, are only accessible with a paid Ring subscription plan. Other cameras, like the Nest Indoor camera, include these features at no charge. Outside of that, the second-generation Ring Indoor Cam is one of the best indoor security cameras for performance, features, and privacy—especially if Alexa is your preferred smart assistant.

Read our full review of the Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)

Pros

  • Privacy shutter

  • Great for Ring and Amazon Echo smart homes

  • Compact

Cons

  • Best features require paid subscription plan

The Kasa Pan Tilt Cam on a blue background
Credit: Reviewed / Kasa

This 360-degree camera can show you what's going on from any angle.


Other Indoor Security Cameras We Tested

Product image of GE Cync Indoor Smart Camera
Cync Indoor Camera

The Cync Indoor Camera 1080p camera records clear video and there was no delay when we tested out the camera’s two-way talk capabilities. Like most smart security cameras, you can use Alexa or Google Assistant to stream the live feed to an Amazon Echo or Nest smart display, but you can’t communicate with the camera using either smart display (and it is not compatible with Apple HomeKit).

We like the built-in camera shutter for added privacy, but you can't toggle the shield from the app—you have to physically move the shutter, which decreases the privacy value of the camera if you have it mounted in a hard-to-reach spot. However, the camera is quick to detect motion and alerts you immediately to events.

The camera comes with a 30-day free trial to Cam Cync, a paid subscription that gets you 14 days of unlimited clip storage. With the monthly plan, you can also filter clips by motion, sound, or people, and download clips to share with friends and family as well. Account security features like end-to-end encryption for cloud storage and two-factor authentication are available with the Cync app. Local storage is also available using the camera’s microSD card slot.

During our testing, the companion app ran slower on iOS than on Android, but once everything loaded it was easy to access all the camera has to offer. The slow app is a bit of a nuisance and we wish the shutter could be controlled remotely, but overall the camera performs well, offers features to keep your account secure, and integrates nicely with the Cync smart home ecosystem.

Pros

  • Two-factor authentication

  • Intelligent smart alerts

  • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

Cons

  • App can be slow to load on iOS

  • Privacy shield control doesn't support app control

  • No Apple HomeKit support

Product image of WiZ Indoor Camera
WiZ Indoor Security Camera

The WiZ Indoor Security Camera does a good job of watching over the interior of your home, sending timely alerts, and recording in clear, 1080p HD video.

It has a 120-degree field of vision and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri shortcuts. It comes with a USB power cable but no plug—a minor inconvenience, but one to be aware of. The camera can detect motion, people, and objects without a paid subscription plan and does not require a hub for use.

The camera connects in the WiZ V2 app. There are two WiZ smart home apps, so make sure you choose the right one. We found the app mostly easy to use, but it took us some getting used to.

This camera is unique because, with the right setup, it uses WiZ's SpaceSense technology, which turns your WiZ smart bulbs into motion sensors. In turn, when motion is detected, the bulbs can be set up to turn on to help alert or deter whoever or whatever is there. The downside is that this technology only works with WiZ products. It does not have a built-in siren like our No. 1 pick.

During our testing, we found the motion detection to be accurate and the video quality looks good. It offers infrared night vision, which many indoor security cameras do not have. The two-way audio is loud and clear, too, allowing you to communicate remotely with anyone in the room—like pets and kids.

You can use voice assistants like Alexa and Google to control the camera for functions like turning it on and off.

Overall, this is a solid indoor security camera with good features and is best used in conjunction with other WiZ smart home devices.

Pros

  • Works with Google and Alexa

  • Good video and audio quality

  • Integrates well with other WiZ smart devices

Cons

  • Flimsy

Product image of Swann Tracker Security Camera
Swann Tracker Security Camera

The Swann Tracker includes plenty of features, but unfortunately also forces users to deal with some frustrating communication delays and issues with settings. Sometimes, the camera light refused to shut off when it was supposed to, and there was also some lag in terms of live viewing. During the initial setup, the camera failed to make a connection until multiple restarts were performed.

On the plus side, the Tracker boasts excellent 1080p video, a 180-degree field of view, and an abundance of local storage (a whopping 2TB) to keep all the hours of footage that you need.

It can't be used for outdoor surveillance, but using it inside will net you automatic pan and zoom features as well as two-way audio, night vision with an infrared view, and automatic motion tracking.

The camera's design is intriguing, resembling something like a lollipop. Its app is easy to use, but the Tracker suffers significant lag in its two-way communication. When you go into your app to change settings as well, sometimes your alterations aren't saved, which can lead to some serious frustrations.

Pros

  • 180-degree field of view

  • 2TB local storage

  • Sharp video

Cons

  • Communication and streaming delays

  • Frustrating setup

Product image of Canary Pro
Canary Pro

The Canary Pro is a stout home security camera that has an impressive 147-degree field of view and records in standard 1080p HD video. Overall, the setup is fairly simple, though creating your account and enabling two-factor authentication cannot be done from the app and must be done from a web browser instead.

We were able to get the camera connected to Alexa and pull up a live stream on an Echo Show smart display, but we could not get it to integrate with Google Home. The 1080p video is clear both day and night, but we found the audio to be muffled and hard to understand.

A Canary Premium Subscription is required to access features like your 30-day video history (Canary offers end-to-end video encryption and encrypted cloud storage), two-way talk, and intelligent alerts like person detection. It’s one of the more expensive plans in our guide, but to help ease the cost, a free, one-year trial is included with your purchase, adding some extra value.

In addition to video, the camera can also keep tabs on the air quality inside of your home, sending alerts when the air quality is bad or the humidity is too high.

There’s also a built-in siren and access to emergency services, giving this camera more of a DIY home security system feel than most indoor cameras.

If you need extra features like humidity and air quality monitoring, plus the capability to check in and see what’s going on at home, the Canary Pro is worth a look.

Pros

  • Monitors air quality

  • Geo-fencing

  • Works with Google Assistant and Alexa

Cons

  • Doesn't work with Apple HomeKit

Product image of Nooie Cam 360
Nooie Cam 360

The Nooie Cam 360 is a budget-friendly indoor home security camera that features motion tracking and, as the name implies, 360-degree rotation. The camera is equipped with a 1080p high-def lens and two 940nm infrared LEDs. It has other smart camera features like two-way audio functionality, night vision, and a status light indicator that can be toggled on or off.

The camera excels at tracking motion and detecting sound but is sensitive on default settings. However, it’s easy to adjust the sensitivity of these alerts in the Nooie app.

Push notifications come promptly, but there are no photo or video preview options for you to quickly check and see what’s happening. Paid cloud storage is available if you don’t want to use a microSD card to back up your camera’s event history.

There’s no support for Apple HomeKit, but the Nooie Cam 360 easily integrates with Amazon Echo and Google Home.

You can pull up the live stream and audio using a smart display like the Echo Show 5 or the Nest Hub Max.

The camera can be sensitive and miss motion events, and there is no free storage or photo/video preview alerts, but overall it works well with Google Assistant and Alexa, offers a good view, and is well-designed.

Pros

  • Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

  • Great view

  • Well-designed

Cons

  • No free cloud storage

  • Sensitive camera

  • No photo or video preview alerts

How We Test Smart Indoor Security Cameras

The Tester

Hi, I’m Rachel. I live in a home full of voice-activated smart speakers, remote-controlled light switches, and a slew of other connected gadgets. I’m the senior staff writer for Reviewed’s smart home section, helping to test everything from smart coffee makers and pool water monitors to the latest video doorbells and home security systems.

The Tests

I installed each camera in my 1,400-square-foot house, replacing my usual motion-detecting 24-hour camera, and tested each one for a set period. I also tested the cameras side-by-side to find out which responds the fastest in real time. Testing procedures included noting each camera's ease of installation, mobile app setup, ease of use, reliability, and compatibility with smart assistants Alexa and Google Assistant.

Testing also included a lengthy period of regular use in my home as I evaluated video and audio quality, responsiveness, uptime, and app usability. Additionally, each camera and companion app has been evaluated for privacy and security features to help keep your smart home secure. I installed each camera's mobile app on an iPhone 12 Pro Max and a Samsung Galaxy Tab A to ensure the app experience was the same across each platform.

What You Should Know About Smart Indoor Security Cameras

Privacy

Even your security camera needs security. So, what should you look for? Features like two-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, and the option for local video storage are all things to consider before investing in a smart security camera setup.

Two-factor authentication, which sends a code to your mobile device to verify it’s you, is available on many home security cameras and is something to seek out and activate. That way, if someone tries to hack into your account, you will receive an alert and can quickly take care of the problem.

Another thing to consider is how your videos are used and stored. Most home security cameras allow you to turn them on and off from the app to control when they're recording and uploading video to the cloud. Look for end-to-end encryption for storing videos. The encryption offers a layer of protection that can help prevent unwanted eyeballs from viewing your saved and stored videos.

Make sure you create a strong password that’s unique to your camera’s app. Data breaches feel like the norm as of late, making it all the more important not to reuse passwords across multiple websites and apps.

Finally, when using these devices with smart assistants like Alexa, Google, and Siri, you can help protect your privacy by regularly deleting your voice recordings and muting the speaker’s mic when it’s not in use.

Looking for more privacy tips? Read our guide to securing your smart home.

How to Setup an Indoor Security Camera

Setting up most indoor cameras is a fairly simple process. Download the companion app, plug in the camera, and follow the in-app instructions. Most security cameras require a 2.4GHz internet connection, as do most smart home devices, so make sure your connection is compatible. If you have a dual-band network, you may need to pause the 5G temporarily to connect your camera to your wireless network.

Most home security cameras generate a QR code in the companion app during setup to pair the camera with your account. Simply hold your phone or tablet about six to eight inches from the camera, with the QR code displayed, and the camera will begin the pairing process. Once set up in the app, you can link the camera with compatible voice assistants for hands-free control.

Many cameras in our guide require an electrical outlet for power and come with all the included plugs and cables you need to get it up and running. Cameras can be mounted to the wall or ceiling using the included hardware, or placed on a flat surface like a bookshelf or desk. If you’re using a motion-tracking camera, make sure to place it in an area that’s free of obstruction so you can always see what’s going on. If you don’t want to be tied to an electrical outlet, look for a camera that is battery-powered.

Finally, you should never install an indoor camera outdoors (unless it’s also rated for outdoor use). Outdoor cameras are designed to handle different temperatures and heavy rain/strong wind that indoor cameras can’t.

What To Look For In An Indoor Security Camera

Picture quality is arguably one of the most important features to look for in a security camera. A video recording resolution of 1080p is standard on most indoor security cameras, though some offer higher resolutions. Other cameras may toggle down to 720p to reduce bandwidth when necessary, so make sure to check the specs before you buy. Another feature to look for is the viewing angle. A good indoor security camera typically has a field of view in the 130-degree to 140-degree range for whole-room coverage. The larger the view, the more you will see.

Another important feature is two-way talk, which is readily available on most smart cameras. This means you can speak from the companion app to the camera and vice versa.

The live feed for indoor cameras can be accessed via the companion app, most of which are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Some cameras may offer web viewing, too, but many don’t.

Most cameras will store your footage in the cloud for a monthly fee, though some offer free cloud storage for a certain amount of time. That means it's stored on a remote server instead of a memory card. Not only does cloud storage claim to safely back up your footage, but you can also access your clips anywhere.

A paid subscription is common for most cameras and ranges anywhere from a few bucks a month to roughly $10. In addition to cloud storage, such plans usually include access to a variety of features like intelligent detection alerts, the ability to share clips with others, and more. It’s an additional cost on top of the camera, and plans vary by brand, but the price is often worth paying for thanks to all of the useful extras.

Meet the testers

Rachel Murphy

Rachel Murphy

Editor, Home

@rachel_murphy

Rachel Murphy is Reviewed's home editor. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a freelance writer for publications like Insider and Mashable, and as an associate editorial producer for Good Morning America. Aside from smart home tech, her interests include food, travel, parenting, and home renovation. You can usually find her sipping on coffee at any time of the day.

See all of Rachel Murphy's reviews
Nick Woodard

Nick Woodard

Contributor

@nwoodard25

Nick Woodard is a tech journalist specializing in all things related to home theater and A/V. His background includes a solid foundation as a sports writer for multiple daily newspapers, and he enjoys hiking and mountain biking in his spare time.

See all of Nick Woodard's reviews

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