➤Comparison / 71 surveillance cameras tested December 2021 🕹

Indoor, outdoor or versatile, CCTV cameras are being installed more and more in private homes. But the choice is sometimes difficult between all the models offered.

Long reserved for businesses, security comes to the home with surveillance cameras. Easy to configure and install, they allow you to keep an eye on your home from your smartphone or tablet. These devices connected to the Internet have very variable prices and multiple functions such as led projectors, alarms, 360 ° lenses or even different image definitions. Some cameras can act as a baby monitor, others allow you to monitor an animal, while still others offer facial recognition. In short, the offer offered by manufacturers is very wide and allows you to find a device adapted to your budget, your requirements and your needs.

Arlo, Nest, Xiaomi, Ring, Netatmo… all these brands offer connected surveillance cameras at varying prices. From entry-level to high-end, prices range between 60 euros and 800 euros. In order to help you make the best choice in your act of purchase, we offer you this comparison which lists many models. You can also check out our guide to buying the best indoor and outdoor cameras around.

Indoor, outdoor or versatile, CCTV cameras are being installed more and more in private homes. But the choice is sometimes difficult between all the models offered.

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Editorial buying guide
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Let yourself be guided by our experts

How to choose your surveillance camera?

It is necessary to identify your needs before equipping yourself: indoor or outdoor camera? On battery or electrically connected? Storage in the manufacturer's cloud or locally? What features do I need? Night vision or not? Some cameras play benevolence and are mainly used to check if the children have returned home. This is the case of the Netatmo Welcom with its facial recognition system. Other models incorporate a siren to deter.
Is a camera necessarily connected to the Internet?

All the cameras in our comparison are necessarily connected to the Internet. Without this, it cannot be managed remotely thanks to a management application specific to each manufacturer.
Is a camera necessarily connected to the Internet?

All the cameras in our comparison are necessarily connected to the Internet. Without this, it cannot be managed remotely thanks to a management application specific to each manufacturer.
Can the cameras be used indoors or outdoors?

This is not true for all models. Some are only intended for indoor installation and others for outdoor use. In the latter case, the protection index (or IP standard) will be very important, because it indicates the level of resistance to dust, water and extreme temperatures; whether positive or negative.
What is an IP protection index or standard?

IP (Ingress Protection) is an international standard established by the International Electronic Commission (IEC) to determine the level of protection of electrical cables. It is made up of two digits, the first relating to the intrusion of dust or foreign bodies and the second to the water resistant. The higher the numbers, the better the protection. Sometimes an “X” replaces one of the numbers, because nothing is foreseen for one of the two criteria - and therefore cannot be evaluated.
Are battery-powered cameras easier to install?

It is undeniable that a completely wireless camera model allows a less restrictive installation. Indeed, without an electric wire to be connected to a current source, it can be positioned anywhere. However, you must have a good Wi-Fi connection strong enough to ensure the proper functioning of the device. While a battery-powered camera is easier to install, you should always keep an eye on the remaining battery life.
Do battery cameras perform better than wired cameras?

The power system does not affect the quality of the videos. On the other hand, a good connection to the Internet is necessary, because some cameras using Wi-Fi automatically adjust the image definition according to the strength of the network. To avoid this hassle, a device can be wired over Ethernet (provided it has the port in question).
Is the viewing angle essential?

A camera's field of view indicates the magnitude of the camera's surveillance horizon. The greater the angle, the more broadly the surveillance is covered. On most of the cameras in our comparison, the viewing angle varies between 115 ° and 130 °. Sometimes the fixed and restricted fields of view are extended thanks to the motorized head of the security camera like on the EZVIZ C6C 1080p or the Xiaomi Mi Home Camera 360 ° which offers 360 ° surveillance instead of 90 °.
Which image definition to choose?

In order to have optimal surveillance, it is recommended to use the highest definition offered on the device to have videos with the sharpest possible image. In most cases, Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) is preferred in the absence of a higher definition. Some cameras are starting to integrate 2K (2 x 560 pixels) or even 1K UHD (440 x 4 pixels) as at Arlo with the Pro 3 and Ultra.
Does high image definition ensure good rendering quality?

Theoretically yes, but manufacturers do not use the same lenses in their objectives or the same image processing. Therefore, the image quality may differ even if the resolution is the same.
Is HDR an added value?

HDR (or High Dynamic Range) is a mode that is being used more and more by surveillance cameras. HDR is the theoretical maximum difference between the darkest value and the lightest value in an image. The goal of any HDR product is to deliver maximum brightness information and to ensure that details are always visible, both in shadows and highlights. The interest is obvious in a surveillance camera: such a product, capable of true HDR, could both flush out intruders lurking in the dark recesses of a room and those who rely on a backlight for, literally, drown in the light. Technically, HDR can serve the camera but, for the moment, we have not come across a sufficiently effective mode within our comparison to justify the cost that this marketing argument generates.
Is a flash (or led projector) on an outdoor camera essential?

More and more outdoor cameras embed projectors (or flash) to have color images even at night. But beware, because sometimes the image quality is not there. It is preferable to have an infrared lamp powerful enough to provide good image quality in night vision rather than a barely “acceptable” color image. On the other hand, if the projector switches on each time it is detected, it can potentially be a deterrent against intrusions.
What is motion detection used for?

Depending on the settings, when the cameras detect motion, users are notified through notifications sent to the smartphone. It is from the detection that the camera records a video of the scene. Video length varies by manufacturer. This can be a short sequence (about 10 seconds) or as long as the shaking in front of the camera lasts. Some manufacturers offer to track detected movements and follow the individual in the room; this function is only available on cameras with a 360 ° lens.
Can we isolate detection areas?

Many security cameras offer to create detection zones. Their number and shape vary depending on the model. Nevertheless, it is still very useful to put aside movements around the front door of its neighbors or around the dog's basket.
What is the best storage solution?

Some surveillance cameras are equipped with a microSD port to ensure local storage of images. In other words, the records do not land in a cloud and the user keeps control of his data. Other cameras work with “stations” that integrate USB ports. The user can therefore connect an external hard drive to keep his videos. Finally, some models offer the possibility for the user to configure a NAS or an ftp server for those who like to tweak a bit. Note, however, that some manufacturers keep a copy of the sequence or a snapshot on their servers.
Other devices only offer cloud custody. Often the number of records that can be kept is unlimited, over a given period. The catch is that cloud access is, for the most part, paid. The average cost is around € 3 per month.
Is the local storage of images binding?

First of all, it is essential to check the size of the memory cards supported by the camera. Some models cannot accommodate microSD cards larger than 128 GB; they do have restrictions at that level. As the space available on a memory card is not expandable, the user may have to sort their videos to continue recording. But most of the time, the newer sequences chase the older ones.
What is a private mode on a camera?

In order to preserve user privacy, some devices are equipped with a private mode. This function makes it possible to completely stop the detections as well as the recording of image and sound. On some devices this mode results in a total concealment of the lens as on the Bosch Camera 360 °. In the absence of physical private mode, it is still possible to create time slots for activities.
Why is a microphone and a speaker important?

The microphone and speaker allow you to interact with people near the camera. For an outdoor device, this can be useful for receiving a package or calling a person in the garden. Indoors, this setup can be handy for talking with children who have returned home from school earlier. But above all, the microphone alone can be used for motion detection and send a notification when it detects the slightest sound. However, the performance of microphones or speakers is rarely excellent, so the sound must be relatively audible and not very distorted, if only to identify an individual's voice. Finally, for devices connected to the Internet via wifi, the quality of sound transmission may vary depending on the strength of the signal.
Is an alarm essential on a camera?

To be truly dissuasive, the sound level of an alarm must be greater than 80 dB (A). Today, most alarms on cameras lack power and are mainly used to surprise individuals without scaring them away. On some devices, as soon as the alarm goes off, a notification is sent to the user to warn them of the intrusion. On others, the activation of the siren is only manual.
What is the autonomy of a camera?

The autonomy of a battery on a security camera varies according to the manufacturers, and especially according to the use. The more the device is used, the faster the battery will discharge. The choice of image definition also has an impact on the battery (the higher it is, the more resources it consumes). Some manufacturers offer to connect their wireless products to a solar panel so that the user does not have to worry about autonomy.