Don't Leave for Vacation Without First Installing this Home Security Camera

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

A home security camera can keep tabs on your home, loved ones and furry friends when you’re at the office or away on vacation. Not only are these video cameras packed with tons of features like motion detection and sharp video quality, but they pair with an app on your smartphone so you can monitor your home 24/7 and receive notifications to your device when any motion (or strangers) are detected. Below you'll find our favorite indoor and outdoor security cameras, which are built to monitor inside your home as well as capture any action on your property even when it’s dark out.

Our top picks

The tech pros and engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all sorts of smart home devices, from video doorbells that notify you when your packages are at the door to smart thermostats that automatically adjust the temperature in your home. To narrow down the best home security cameras to help keep your home safe, our experts have reviewed more than 25 indoor and outdoor security cameras over the years, evaluating each one for its video resolution, ease of set up and use, app intuitiveness, water resistance claims and more. These are the home security systems that impressed us most, according to our extensive testing data and rave consumer reviews.

After checking out our top picks, scroll further to learn what to look for when shopping for a security camera.

Pro 3 Wire-Free Camera System (2 Cameras)

Perfect for indoor or outdoor use, Arlo Pro was a top performer in our testing. Installing Arlo on a wall is as simple as screwing in the magnetic base and popping the camera on. Because the camera is wireless, you can attach the camera anywhere in range of Wi-Fi. This camera is compatible with Google Home and Alexa for easy control and all alerts go straight to your phone. Unlike most other home security cameras, Arlo can capture color videos at night. Note that to save the video recordings, you'll need to purchase a subscription after three months.

Indoor Wireless Smart Home Camera

The WyzeCam has a whopping 38,000 Amazon reviews and starts at just $26! Designed for indoor use, it'll record a 12 second video clip whenever motion is detected and send an alert to your phone. All videos are saved on the cloud for 14 days for free: There is no subscription required for the WyzeCam. Plus, it has great features such as night vision and Alexa and Google Home compatibility too. Reviewers especially love its small, nearly invisible, size.

Nest Cam IQ Outdoor Security Camera

This Google Nest outdoor camera is entirely water resistant and packs excellent video quality with smart motion detection. Because it's connected to power via a cord, it's able to constantly record, meaning you'll never miss someone passing through the yard. Set up is super easy with a magnetic base that you can also mount, and a 25-foot cord that gives you lots of options for placement. The Nest Aware subscription offers facial recognition to avoid unnecessary alerts for family or friends.

Stick Up Cam Plug-In Camera

In our testing, this camera scored among the highest for accurate motion detection and alerts. Installation is super easy: The camera is packaged alongside all the tools you'll need with a clear step-by-step guide. You also have options for how you power it including a 6-12 month battery, a USB cable, or the additional purchase of a solar panel. Ring Protect subscription lets you save and share videos captured on Ring devices.

Smart Outdoor Security Camera with Integrated Floodlight

This outdoor camera replaces any outdoor light fixture in your home while also including a home security camera. It plugs into the junction box where an outdoor light fixture was and then uses wireless technology for alerts. This model from Netatmo can distinguish between people, cars, and animals. Within the app, you choose which activity you get alerted of, meaning you can know when someone is at your front door, but ignore cars that may be driving by. There are no subscription fees to store and save captured videos.

Nest Hello Video Doorbell

Never miss a visitor or a package with the Google Nest doorbell, as it has 24/7 screening. It will alert you when there's somebody at your front door and there's a speaker and microphone for two-way communication. You can also create prerecorded messages for any type of visitor. Before purchasing, make sure your wired doorbell, chime, and transformer are compatible as it has to be hardwired. There is a subscription option of $6 a month for Nest Aware, so you get full videos instead of clips (clips are free).

Nest Cam IQ Indoor Security Camera

This indoor camera has Google Assistant built in, so it's easy to ask questions and control your home. There is two way communication, so you can even talk to your pets when away. The camera can distinguish between pets and people to alert you if there's someone in your home. If it detects someone, the high quality camera will superzoom in on the individual. For an even better experience, opt for the Nest Aware subscription to have access to all video clips. Note that this camera must be plugged in for continuous power.

Circle 2 Indoor/Outdoor Wireless Home Security Camera

This wireless device connects to WiFi to record short videos when motion is detected. Because it only "wakes up" when motion is detected, it preserves its battery life to last up to 90 days without charging. All videos are stored for free in the cloud and the app will even compile a 30 second time lapse to recap the most important activity. A paid subscription provides more storage, people detection, and motion zones, but each camera comes with a 10-day free trial of these features.

You Might Also Like

• 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile

• The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper