Investing in a home security camera is a practical and effective way to protect your home, family and belongings and give you peace of mind wherever you are.

With so many options to choose from, it can be confusing to know where to start.

In this article, we list the best security cameras available in Australia and include a buyer’s guide at the end to give you an idea of what to look out for when making your selection.

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1. Arlo Pro 3 Smart Security System (Indoor/Outdoor) – Top Pick

The wireless Arlo Pro 3 Smart System is one of the best security camera systems on the market. The resolution is crystal clear 2K HDR video so you will never miss any important details. It has colour night vision rather than traditional black and white to ensure you have an enhanced and detailed view any time of day. 

The motion detection is excellent, you can set up the system to send you alerts whenever there is activity. There is an integrated spotlight on this Arlo Pro that is triggered by motion and makes an excellent deterrent for potential intruders.

There is also two-way audio with built-in microphones and speakers so you can talk to the person who set off the alert. 

This indoor/outdoor camera is fully weatherproof and durable so you can rely on it for a long time to come.

The Arlo Pro 3 is also wireless so you can place it in strategic locations with ease. The batteries are rechargeable via AC, or solar panels if you have them, so there is no need to purchase additional batteries.

Another great feature on the Arlo Pro 3 is the 160-degree viewing angle that ensures there are minimal blind spots. With intelligent technology and easy setup, the Pro 3 is a great wireless security camera system and the best option for most people. 

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2. Swann Wire-Free 1080p Security Cameras

These Wire-Free 1080p cameras from Swann are perfect for outdoor use. They are completely wireless and battery-powered so you are not limited to where you can position them. They also come with an IP65 weatherproof rating so are durable and able to withstand the rain and hail.

These security cameras record in full HD and save recordings to both local storage and the cloud. They have an internal offline backup too so if there is a connection issue with uploading the recorded content it won’t be lost. There is also night vision that allows you to see what’s happening at nighttime (up to 8m distance).

Both cameras used together offer a full 180-degree field of view so nothing will be missed. There is also two way audio so you can hear what is happening and talk through the camera too. The camera also responds to voice-activated commands via Alexa and Google Assistant. This is a great addition to a smart home security system.

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3. Eufy Cam Wire Free HD Security 4-Camera Set

This set of 4 HD wireless cameras from Eufy is packed with a range of useful security features.

The most impressive feature of these cameras is the battery life. The battery has the power to run for up to 365 days on one charge when actively monitoring your home. This is far longer than seen on any other wireless camera for house security.

The camera records in full HD 1080p and has night vision to provide crisp, clear low-light footage. They can be used outside and are fully weatherproof so can withstand below freezing winters and scorching hot summers.

Each camera also has a built-in alarm that sounds if someone tries to forcibly remove it from its position.

These Eufy home security cameras offer a 140-degree field of view so you get a full panoramic look at your driveway/ garden/ porch etc. There are 4 cameras in the pack so you can cover a lot of ground and minimise blind spots.

Facial recognition is also included and helps to capture important events and reduce the number of false alarms. The Eufy security app allows you to see what is happening in real-time and the camera also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

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4. Google Nest Cam Outdoor Security Camera (Outdoor)

The Google Nest Cam is a high-tech and elegant way to monitor your front door or home entrance without installing a complicated surveillance system. It is a single camera that streams 24/7 to a mobile app on your phone and can send photo alerts when a loud noise is detected. One of the best things about this camera is how easy it is to set up and use.

This outdoor camera has full 1080p HD resolution and two-way audio so you can have a long-distance conversation with the person at your door. The glass lens provides a 130-degree wide-angle view which minimises blind spots.

The outer case of the camera is water-proof and durable, so you can place it outside your home without worries. The Nest Cam also has night vision so you can see who’s coming no matter the time of day. 

The Nest Cam can store up to 30 days of footage in the cloud and the Nest app holds footage from the last 3 hours so you can review it if needed. You can also personalise alerts from the Nest Cam so you’re only alerted to what’s important. Overall, it’s a great security camera that’s easy to use and will suit most people. 

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5. Ring Stick Up Cam HD Security Camera

The Ring Stick Up Cam takes just a few minutes to install and is suited for indoor/ outdoor use. It is weather-resistant and powered by a quick-release removable battery pack.

This is a simple security camera that allows you to keep an eye on your home without worrying about the expensive and sometimes confusing extras seen on some systems.

There is a Live View so you can check what’s happening in or around your home at any time. The camera has a 130-degree field of view and the two-way audio lets you see, hear and speak to people from the Ring app or an Echo device.

The Stick Up Cam can be connected to all of your Ring devices using the Ring app. It also works with Alexa, has infrared night vision and motion detection. This home security camera requires a wi-fi connection of at least 1mbps to upload footage.

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6. TP-Link Kasa Spot Pan Tilt Camera (Indoor)

The TP-Link Kasa camera is a good, inexpensive camera solution, suitable for a wide range of homeowners. It is an indoor camera, but it is suitable for use in a garage or covered area as long as it isn’t exposed to the weather. 

The best features on this camera are the full 360-degree pan rotation and 118-degree tilt. This allows the TP-Link to cover a large area easily. Similar to some of the best security cameras available, this indoor smart home camera has motion tracking and patrol mode so you can program it to cover certain areas or follow along when there is activity. The pan-tilt can also be programmed to keep an eye on the entire room at set intervals.

The video resolution is full 1080p HD and it provides a great image at any time of day. The built-in night vision works up to 30 feet. While this security camera doesn’t have the ability to accept local storage, it does stream 24/7 and stores footage on the cloud. The live video can also be streamed to any Google Assistant or Alexa supported display. 

Overall, the TP-Link Kasa is a great camera for indoor activities and it’s easy to use.  

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7. Wyze Cam Wireless Smart Home Security Camera (Indoor/Outdoor with casing)

The Wyze Cam is a great cheap wireless camera. For under $50, it has a lot of great features that will suit anyone looking to set up home security with cameras without breaking the bank.

The resolution is full 1080p HD and it has night vision and two-way audio. It also has motion and sound detection, and through the software, person detection as well, so you won’t receive false alerts from the neighbour’s dog. 

Unlike some other cameras, it has continuous recording so you can scan back and forward through hours of footage if you want to. The camera comes with free 14-day cloud storage. The base of the unit is magnetic and it includes an adhesive metal plate, so you can attach it anywhere without requiring screws. 

Although this is a low-cost camera, if you are looking for something simple for use indoors it is just as good as some of the more expensive options.

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8. Logitech Circle 2 Wireless Home Security Camera (indoor/Outdoor)

The Logitech Circle 2 is a reliable camera system that comes with a number of excellent features. It has full 1080p HD resolution, night vision, 180-degree field of view, and two-way audio. 

The quality of the image and the audio is much better on this camera than on the cheaper ones. The framerate is excellent and you can watch super-smooth security footage without missing any details. 

It has advanced motion filtering so you can track only the activity that is important, and it has a smart time-lapse feature so you can watch a 30-second clip that recaps the important events of the last 24 hours. 

This is quite expensive for a single camera, but it has very high-quality images and motion capture, so if you want the best, this is a good one to go for. The Logitech Circle 2 also works with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Logitech POP.

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Security Camera Buyer’s Guide

Home security cameras are an excellent deterrent to potential thieves and are effective in providing homeowners with peace of mind. You may want an indoor security camera to keep an eye on your home (and pets) or you may need outdoor cameras to prevent theft while you’re away. Either way, modern security cameras are practical, easy to install and include a range of useful features that make monitoring your home easy. This buyer’s guide will help you identify what’s important for your security camera set up.

Wired or Wireless?

Wireless security cameras are easier to install and give you more freedom in regards to positioning as they don’t require an Ethernet port or power cables to work. A wireless security camera uses a rechargeable battery that either needs to be removed and recharged or charged via a USB cable. The downside to wireless security cameras is the battery life, which can vary from days to months depending on the chosen camera.

Wired house cameras take more time to install but tend to have a more reliable connection which some users may prefer. It is harder to move and rearrange wired cameras so take the time to carefully consider where you will place the camera before installing it. Wired tends to be the best option if you have multiple cameras on one security system.

A battery-powered Wi-Fi camera is the best option when it comes to ease of installation as they can be placed anywhere within range of your wi-fi router.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

If the wireless camera uses wi-fi to save and upload videos then it needs no wires at all. Sometimes a wireless camera without a wi-fi or ethernet connection will save footage to a microSD card or other local storage system which can then be viewed manually. However, connecting your security camera to your smart home system through wi-fi is the best way to use it.

A strong wi-fi connection allows the camera to send you push notifications when triggered, gives you instant access to the live feed and more. This does mean the location of your indoor/ outdoor security camera needs to be within the range of your home wi-fi which can be restricting. As power outages happen, it can be worthwhile checking what happens if the wi-fi connection drops, e.g. will the recorded footage be saved locally until the connection is up and running again?

Camera Location

It’s important to know where you plan to put your camera. Proper positioning will help you more effectively deter criminals, pick up unusual/suspicious activity and prevent blind spots. Some cameras are designed to be used both indoor/outdoor while some are one or the other. The best place to put a camera is in a corner where it can look out, cover a large amount of space and make full use of the wide-angle of the home security camera.

If you want an outdoor camera, it is important to make sure it’s weatherproof and durable. If the camera is going indoors, make sure it offers good resolution in low-light conditions. Have an idea of where you will place the camera before you even buy it to ensure you choose the best camera for the location.

Design

The best security cameras are smartly designed to blend in. Most have a simple black or white finish but you should also look at the stand design. Cameras like the indoor Nest Cam have a stand that lets you easily pivot the camera so you can angle it as needed. Other cameras like the Arlo Pro uses a magnetic backing so you can position the camera angle to suit the situation.

Image Quality 

A camera is only as good as it’s resolution, it won’t help you if you can’t make out the person it captures. Try to get a camera with at least 1080p HD video quality and make sure it can handle low-light and darkness. For the best security, look at cameras that offer video quality of 1080p HD, 2K or 4K. This way you will know that the footage recorded will be crisp and you will be able to clearly see the details.

Night Vision

In addition to excellent image quality, you will also want the camera to have night vision. Effective night vision is a must for every security camera so make sure the model you select is able to provide high video quality even at night. Some cameras such as the Arlo Pro 3 have colour night vision so you won’t miss out on any details. The night vision should turn on automatically as the light fades.

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Field Of View 

Depending on where you place the camera, you may need a wide field of view. Make sure the camera can pick up everything in the area as blind spots only help thieves. Think about how much space you need the camera to cover, choosing a camera with a wide field of view can mean you only need to invest in one camera for that area. You may need multiple cameras if you want to cover multiple areas, large areas or potential blind spots.

Motion Detection

The motion detection is one of the most important features of home security cameras. It is this that triggers recordings and alerts you to sudden or suspicious movement outside your home. The best security cameras are able to differentiate between a person moving and an animal moving to minimise the number of false alerts you experience. Some motion detection cameras also offer tracking which means the camera recording will track the movement so you don’t miss anything.

The security camera you choose may also have integrated lighting that turns on when motion is detected. You should be able to adjust the security camera motion detection settings and sensitivity via the app. Fine-tuning the sensitivity is often necessary as if the sensitivity is turned up too high a gust of wind could trigger an alert.

Two Way Audio

Audio recording and two way audio is important if you want a full picture of what is happening around your home. A camera with a microphone can be triggered to record by a loud noise such as a bang or a window smashing. If you want to hear what’s going on then make sure you choose a home security camera with audio. If you want to also be able to talk through the camera to whoever is at the door or to your children/ pets then choose a camera with two-way audio.

Easy Installation

Make sure the home security camera you choose is easy to install. Cameras in the house tend to be small, lightweight and easy to move around but outside security cameras need to be mounted to the wall which can be more complex and time-consuming. Choosing wireless security cameras makes the installation of outdoor cameras more manageable.

Storage

One of the important considerations for home security cameras is how the footage is stored and for how long. Generally, smart home security cameras use two main storage types: local and cloud storage.

Cloud storage

Cloud storage allows you to view and store recordings remotely and access them online from any device. It also means you will still have access to the footage even if the security camera is stolen.

Many brands offer free short term cloud storage but if you want longer access or more cloud storage space you may need to pay a subscription fee. The cost of the cloud storage subscription depends on the brand you choose and the plan you select but it is worth looking into this before buying cameras as a monthly subscription can soon add up to a sizable bill.

Local Storage

The other storage option that you may see on a security camera is local storage. This is when the camera has internal storage or uses an SD card rather than the cloud. This can help cut subscription costs but does mean you cannot access the recordings online or in real-time. The other downside to this is that someone could steal the security camera and the recordings along with it.

Smart Features 

Many cameras have a motion sensor and audio detection but there is a range of other smart features you can benefit from depending on the camera you choose:

• Programming to focus on certain activities and ignore others
• Detection to alert you to humans but ignore the presence of animals
• Facial recognition to reduce the number of false alarms
• Security system arm and disarm
• Compatibility with smart home voice command services such as Alexa and Google Assistant
• Compatibility with other smart home products such as home doorbells and smart home security systems.

Different camera models offer different features. Choose a camera that has the best smart features for you.

Smartphone App

Most home security cameras work with a smartphone app. The app should be user-friendly, easy to navigate and straightforward to use. You will be monitoring and controlling your camera through your smartphone so it is important for the two pair well. A well-designed app is essential regardless of whether you have one, two, or multiple indoor/ outdoor home security cameras.

The interface should be clear and should make it easy to watch live feeds, access stored footage and adjust camera settings. Common app features include motion/audio triggered alerts, two-way audio (if the camera has a built-in microphone and speaker) and activity logs.

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Security Camera FAQs