Inexpensive home security cameras

Home security is nowhere near as expensive as it used to be. Sure, some security cameras still cost over $100, but there are also plenty of cheap home security cameras on the market from trusted companies like Wyze and Amazon Blink that will help keep your home well protected.

These more affordable security cameras have many of the same features as their pricier counterparts, such as continuous recording, a motion sensor, a rechargeable battery and apps that send a push notification when something triggers the camera. And though these cameras cost as little as $35 — and are often on sale — they tend to have 1080p resolution or better. Any models on this list would make a great nanny cam or pet cam, and they can even connect to your existing smart home setup or smart devices to keep you in the loop at all times.

So if you’re determined to create a cheap video surveillance system for under $100, here are our picks. Each security camera varies in terms of functionality and features, but they’re all solid choices. We included indoor and outdoor cameras to ensure your surveillance system covers every inch of your property.

BEST CHEAP CAM OVERALL: WYZE CAM V3 (2020)

You really can’t beat the new Wyze Cam v3 if you’re looking for an affordable security camera system with solid performance. Here’s the gist:

„ It costs $36, but can frequently be found on sale.

„ It comes with two weeks of free cloud storage. „ The wired security camera has optional local storage via a built-in microSD card slot.

„ You can set a custom motion detection zone for free.

These things combined make the Wyze Cam hard to match, especially since this next-gen model can be used as an indoor or outdoor camera, thanks to new weatherproof housing. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, as well as with Wyze’s other devices — and that’s why it earned a great 8.5 review score when we tested it in 2020.

BEST NANNY CAM OR PET CAM: WYZE CAM PAN V2

If you’re willing to pay a little more, the excellent Wyze Cam Pan v2 gives you something few other home security cameras do: a panning, tilting feature that allows you to monitor whole rooms, follow motion and even scan large spaces periodically for abnormalities. At $50, it costs a little more than others on this list, but it earned a 9.2 in our 2021 review, thanks to great performance and plenty of interesting uses.

BEST CHEAP INDOOR CAMERA: BLINK MINI

The Blink Mini is a $35 indoor security camera — though you can find it for less than $20 during some sales. It comes with a power adapter, works with Amazon Alexa and has a small footprint that won’t take up much space inside your home. While its 7.2 review score might give you pause, its solid basic features and reliable performance make it a good option if you’re looking for a straightforward indoor home security camera.

The Wyze Cam v3 is the best option if you’re looking for an affordable security camera system with solid performance; the Wyze Cam Pan v2 allows you to monitor entire rooms and follow motion; the Blink Mini is a straightforward $35 indoor security camera with a small footprint that won’t take up much space inside your home.

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