What are the best surveillance cameras connected in 2023

If the Full HD image with a 130 ° vision angle is usable in most situations, the sensor begins to accuse its age in the face of competition. Her algorithms, however, limit damage, she knows how to differentiate a human being from an animal, but above all, it is a virtuoso of facial recognition.

Comparison / 75 surveillance cameras tested September 2023

Interior, exterior or versatile, video surveillance cameras are installed more and more in individuals. But the choice is sometimes difficult between all the models offered.

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

Arlo, Nest, Xiaomi, Ring, Netatmo… All these brands offer surveillance cameras connected at variable prices. From entry -level to high -end, prices oscillate between 60 euros and 800 euros. In order to help you make the best choice in your purchase act, we offer this comparison that lists many models. You can also consult our buying guide for best interior and outdoor cameras of the moment.

Our test procedures

Our tests are based on a large number of observations and measures established within our various laboratories. Thus, we assess the quality of the image in increased brightness condition and then in total darkness in order to assess the effectiveness of the night vision. We submit the cameras to a glare situation to assess their reactions and we check the distance to which they detect a silhouette and identify a face. In Labo Son, we check if they are able to detect PAS noises and different contacts with furniture or objects. Electric consumption is measured using a wattmeter when the cameras are connected to the mains for 24 hours, during which we make 6 passage in their field. Regarding the convenience of employment, we use the cameras on a daily basis for a week to check their sensitivity to movements and sounds and take charge of their application.

What are the best surveillance cameras connected in 2023 ?

A connected surveillance camera is a good asset to know what’s going on at home in his absence. Here are our recommendations to find the camera most suited to your interior.

Whether you are leaving for a few hours, or weeks of your home, you are worried about leaving it without supervision ? Connected surveillance cameras are a simple response to this problem. They help you keep an eye on your home and alert you directly to your smartphone in the event of suspicious movements or noise.

A surveillance camera is however like any security object: its presence will not avoid a break -in. At best, she dissuades and at worst, she alerts. With the improvement of fixed and mobile internet speeds, your phone now becomes a real nomadic remote monitoring center. Installing a security camera system is simple and within the reach of all budgets.

Be careful all the same: in France, many rules supervise their use.

This selection is relatively large, you will find the interior models on this more specific guide. You can also consult the best outdoor surveillance cameras in a dedicated guide. In addition to all this, a connected doorbell integrating a camera will be perfect for keeping an eye on your porch. An outdoor surveillance camera can also allow you to monitor your robot mower.

Bosch Camera 360 °: the most balanced house surveillance camera

Private life is one of the questions that is often set aside with surveillance cameras, we must finally trust the goodwill of manufacturers. Signed Bosch, this camera is interested in the question since double pressure will completely hide the sensor when you do not want to be filmed. To do this, she uses an engine that brings her and get her out of her tube. Elegant, its design also recalls that of the Netatmo Welcome.

Like its competitor, it does not have a fixing system and must therefore be placed on a flat surface. The installation is however simplified by the fact that the sensor is motorized and therefore mobile. It automatically tracks people entering its field. We can also manage it manually from the application. The latter is simple to use and rich in functions.

Bosch is also distinguished by image quality. Full HD recordings are of very good quality, both day and night. The infrared mode is also particularly effective, the lamps making it possible to distinguish the faces from quite far. Same observation for the microphone, precise even with significant background noise. On the other hand, the speaker disappoints a little, giving a very metallic rendering to the voices.

On the recording side, we have the choice between the cloud and a microSD card. The cloud offer is free and keeps up to 200 sequences for 30 days. Note that data is stored in Germany, a real plus for privacy issues. Local storage is possible, but we recommend that you replace the microSD provided, we are quickly cramped with only 8 GB.

The German manufacturer Bosch offers here a device which will particularly appeal to those who only need one point of view. We particularly appreciate the functions of respect for privacy still too rare on this type of device. And as a bonus, its price is all the more attractive since cloud storage is free.

The 360 ​​° bosch camera in short

• 360 ° motorized tracking
• Excellent video performance
• Respect privacy

Arlo Pro 3: The reference of surveillance systems

Arlo is a design recognizable among all, relatively compact and associated with flawless manufacturing quality. Its white plastic dress resists bad weather and UV (no announced certification). The software installation is simple and easy with three possibilities: place the camera on a flat space, hang it on a support on which to screw the arlo or another magnetic. The latter is the most practical, because detaching the camera from a wall becomes easy.

The set works on battery; Count between 30 and 60 days of autonomy depending on your uses. Please note: you need the smart hub, a box to connect to its router, to operate the whole. It also incorporates an alarm, but which is really lacking in chest.

The Arlo Pro 3 films in 2K 1080p and 720p with a 160 ° vision angle and it supports HDR as a bonus. We are facing the camera offering the best level of details and a rather natural colorimetry. At night, the quality is still there, thanks to an exceptional night mode. The camera also incorporates a projector that lights up the area targeted by the Arlo Pro 3 and even allows you to film in color at night.

The result is very convincing, but test the two configurations to find the one that will offer the best details according to your environment. Movement detection activates recording and is very fine. It can identify animals, monitor a specific area (packages of packages for example) and even alert if a vehicle passes in front of its optics. The hub also includes a smoke detector.

On the other hand, to take advantage of all the possibilities of the Arlo Pro 3, you must subscribe to a subscription (from 2.79 euros for a camera and 8.99 euros for several). Without this, you miss the detection of differentiated movement, that of smoke and especially access to the videos recorded in the cloud.

Arlo still offers an alternative solution, by authorizing recording on a hard drive connected to the smart hub. Finally, the app is really rich, fairly simple to understand, but the overload of information sometimes harms readability.

The Arlo Pro 3 is undoubtedly the most efficient model on the market, but the entry ticket will unfortunately make it inaccessible to most of the scholarships. To find out more, find our full test of the Arlo Pro 3.

The Arlo Pro 3 in short

• Complete solution
• Day and night performance
• Integrated torch

The question of the Arlo Pro 4

Available since the summer of 2021, the Arlo Pro 4 is rigorously identical to the pro 3 to a detail: it can be connected directly to your Wi-Fi network. This simplifies the installation, but will not suit all situations. Not all homes do not necessarily have a sufficiently reliable Wi-Fi network, especially if you plan to install an outside camera. Depending on the situations you may add the Arlo smart hub.

The Arlo Pro 4 could have been interesting if its price was attractive, but this is not the case when we write these lines. The start -up package made up of two cameras is billed around 430 euros, against 340 euros for the 2 cameras pack and the Arlo Pro 3 Getting Station. In this situation, so remain on the previous generation.

And the Arlo Go 2 ?

If these stories of connection to the router or Wi-Fi annoy you, you can opt for the Arlo Go 2. This small camera has a big advantage: 4G connectivity. You will of course have to think about taking a 4G subscription to be able to take advantage of it, but it can be very practical to monitor areas not covered by Wi-Fi, for example at the bottom of a large garden. Video quality (in Full HD) is there, as well as intelligent detection. The fact remains that it is necessary to put the price, at 330 euros for a single camera, without counting the 4G subscription.

Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight: Wi-Fi surveillance camera for a maximum of detail

With this ultra 2 Spotlight, Arlo does not seek to revolutionize its range, but to build on already solid achievements with the adoption of a 4K sensor. On the form, it will thus be difficult to distinguish it from its cousins. We therefore find a camera operating on battery and delivered with several supports. We particularly appreciate the wall medium which, if it is not necessarily the most aesthetic on the market, offers a very important freedom of orientation.

Unlike the Arlo Pro 4, this model is unable to connect directly to a Wi-Fi network and will therefore have to go through the Smart Hub. Installation is a model of simplicity and we find all the intelligent detection functions that have made the brand successful. Most of them, however, are conditioned on subscription to the subscription. Be careful however, it is not possible to place microSD cards within the device.

The main change is therefore to be found on the sensor side, which goes from 2K to 4K. If the quality gain does not necessarily jump immediately in the eyes, it is however very real and shows its usefulness in particular on faces. These are much more detailed and therefore identifiable from further away, both day and night. We note, however, that the camera always has worries of overexposure on very bright scenes.

In absolute terms, the Arlo Ultra 2 ranks without worries as one of the best surveillance cameras on the market, with intelligent amazing functions. However, there remains a very high price, only one camera costing the price of a complete device in the lower range.

The Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight in short

• Intelligent features
• A really useful 4K passage
• Integrated torch

Netatmo Welcome: she has beautiful leftovers

Although released in 2015, the Netatmo Welcome remains one of the prettiest surveillance cameras on the market with its tubular design and its very controlled dimensions. Only a small LED reminds us that we are in front of a camera. No hook system, it must therefore be placed on a flat surface. Installation is as simple as quick. If a microphone is available, no speaker on the menu to scare any burglars.

If the Full HD image with a 130 ° vision angle is usable in most situations, the sensor begins to accuse its age in the face of competition. Her algorithms, however, limit damage, she knows how to differentiate a human being from an animal, but above all, it is a virtuoso of facial recognition.

After a few weeks of training, the device is able to identify each member of the home. Place it to have a view of the front door and you will then be alerted when your youngest comes home alone or when an unknown person is present at home, with the added bonus of a beautiful photo of his face. The app is very ergonomic, well thought out and simple to handle.

It offers many configuration options and very fine management of notifications. No subscription at Netatmo, or Cloud, videos and photos are stored on SD card and can be saved on your Dropbox, NAS or FTP to secure videos and photos.

The ecosystem includes an outdoor surveillance camera which has a powerful lighting system, a very good night vision and a very sensitive movement detector. On the other hand, it does not offer facial recognition. A variant, the exterior netatmo with mermaid, adds as its name suggests a powerful sound alarm.

Netatmo also offers operators to open doors or effective windows. Finally, an interior and external alarm completes the table with a connected smoke detector. All Netatmo products are Apple Homekit, Google Assistant and Alexa. A successful product, but which would however deserve an update with a more efficient sensor.

Netatmo Welcome in short

• Design and simplicity
• Face recognition
• Complete ecosystem and very well done apps

Google Nest Cam: for 100 % Google

After a Nest Cam IQ which had been a small revolution in its time with its intelligent functions, Google returns with a much less expensive and above all more versatile model. This new Nest Cam is now equipped with a battery and is thought both for indoor and outdoor use.

The design is particularly refined and despite its rather imposing template, the camera will be easily forgotten in most interiors. It comes with a wall magnetic support, but if you plan to place it on a horizontal surface, an optional base is also part. The announced autonomy is 1.5 to 7 months, a lower endurance more than correct.

The management of the machine is now only via the Google Home app. The latter is easy to use and the vast majority of smart functions are accessible without subscription. Only exception, faces recognition, which is linked to paid formulas. You will have the choice between 30 and 60 days of storage for 5 euros /month and 10 euros per month respectively.

As for the display quality, the sensor provides a correct full HD image, both day and night. She therefore does not have to be ashamed in the face of competition on this point.

Google therefore delivers a balanced camera here, which stands out by the richness of its advanced functions. As a bonus, integration with the rest of the Nest ecosystem is of course perfect.

Google Nest Cam in short

• Software functions
• A good image
• Discreet design

TP-Link Tapo C420: the complete camera kit for the outside and the interior

The Tapo brand presents its cameras in the form of a kit with two products as well as a hub. The implementation is facilitated by a support to screw that you can guide the best. The cameras are rather compact but well equipped with a motion sensor, a microphone and a speaker. A battery is integrated to ensure the operation of the product.

With the Compagnon TP-Link Tapo application, you must add the hub then the cameras one to one. In use, the software allows you to interact with the cameras and even speak via the microphone of the latter. However, the features are still quite limited. If you skip the subscription, you will need an SD card to store the videos and photos you want to save.

Above all, our test of the TP-Link Tapo C420 kit has revealed that the cameras have a fairly impeccable image quality and that the detection of movements is effective. We will especially regret the lack of range of cameras for accommodation with a little more area. For 250 euros, this kit will monitor the interior and outside of your accommodation.

TP-Link Tapo C420 In summary:

• Easy to set up
• Good autonomy
• Image quality

Tapo C210: The right value for money

TP-Link renews its range with an interior entry-level surveillance camera. You will only find plastic (white) here, but of good quality. The design is classic for this price range. Its dimensions remain contained, and you can fix it on the wall if necessary. This is a 360 ° camera. Vertically, its amplitude is 114 °.

You can store everything locally by inserting a microSD card (up to 256 GB), or paying a subscription for the cloud Tapo, the latter not being given (3.99 euros per month for a single camera).

The camera has a 3 Mpx sensor to film in 2304 x 1296 pixels (2K). The quality of the image is very satisfactory, with in particular good management of the day. Faces are well recognizable. At night, the quality is satisfactory.

Good point on movement detection, particularly effective, day and night. You can also control the camera via your smartphone, and the engine is rather silent. The Tapo application is very practical to use, simple and clear. Noise detection, on the other hand, is much more anecdotal and random ..

Tapo C210 is still a good small interior camera, offered at a formidable price. Find our Tapo C210 test on Frandroid.

Tapo C210 in short

• Good image quality
• Easy to use
• Little price

Xiaomi Mi 360 ° Security Camera 2K: the other economical solution

True tout of tech, Xiaomi could obviously not stay far from the surveillance cameras. Externally, this model looks like two drops of water to the one released a few years ago. It can thus be placed on a surface or fixed on a wall or on the ceiling (all the supports are provided).

The main particularity of this camera is its motorization. As its name suggests, it allows you to look 360 °. This feature is controlled via the app and a very practical small virtual joystick. The transition to a 2K sensor allows you to gain in recording finesse, even if the quality does not remain fantastic. The performance in the dark is however very correct thanks to powerful infrared lamps.

Movement recognition is effective and distinguishes human movements without concern from the rest. Recording is mainly done via the cloud, but also via a maximum 32 GB microSD location for local backup. Regarding audio, we are entitled to a microphone and a speaker quite sufficient to exchange a few words.

If it does not come to compete with the best solutions on the market, this camera is a correct option for those who do not want to ruin or take the lead. We detail it in our Xiaomi Mi 360 ° Security Camera 2 k test.

The Xiaomi Mi 360 ° Security Camera 2K in short

• The price
• 360 ° rotation
• Free Cloud (but compulsory)

Which surveillance camera to choose ?

What are the points to look at for a quality image ?

The majority of products are today in full HD, although there are also 2K, or even 4K. But resolution alone is not enough. The camera must be able to capture an image with enough details to provide relevant information, see faces identify. It must keep a constant quality in all brightness situations. Finally, pay attention to the viewing angle of the camera, the wider the area to be monitored, the greater it should be.

Surveillance camera: where to store my photos and videos ?

Storage can be done on SD card, but it can disappear with the camera during a burglary. This is why the majority of manufacturers allow storage in their own cloud. Some offer to keep your alert videos free of charge, others ask for a more or less expensive subscription. Without subscription, you will mainly have access to alert notifications and live video flow. Another possibility, storage on FTP server or NAS, but not all brands offer it.

Surveillance cameras and private life do they go hand in hand ?

A surveillance camera is not there to spy on the home, but indeed protect it. A LED lights up in general when a camera is activated and the app informs you of the situation. Some products use facial recognition to guarantee privacy and not film the members of the household. Transparency must remain the key word so that everyone takes seriously and appropriates the safety tool.

Do you need a microphone and a speaker ?

The cameras are often equipped with a microphone, to both allow you to hear what is happening at home and serve as a detection of suspicious noise. He must successfully capture ambient sounds, even capture audible voices. Some models offer a speaker that makes it possible to interact with family members for example or inform, of your voice, a burglar that he is filmed on the spot and that you have contacted the forces of the.

Interior or exterior camera ?

There are three types of surveillance cameras, for indoor, outdoor use and mixed products. To monitor a garden, a terrace, an outdoor model, capable of resisting rain and dust, is to be preferred. Some incorporate a lighting system. Associated with the motion detector, it will be activated to enlighten your night path for example or frighten a potential passage of passage. Mixed products prevent you from having to juggle different references.

Should we favor the design or the dimensions ?

Aesthetics are not the first priorities, but it is important especially if you dedicate your purchase to indoor use. You might as well avoid investing in a questionable look model if it has to be in your living room. It is less problematic if you position the camera in a garage or a corridor. If you want to camouflage it in the middle of a library, behind trinkets or in shrubs, opt for a small template to ensure the greatest discretion.

With or wireless ?

A battery camera offers many advantages, the first is to be easier to position than a product with a power cable. On the other hand, they must be recharged regularly and in this case, an autonomy of 3 months seems to be a minimum. Second cable that can hinder your freedom of installation, Ethernet. We focused here on Wi-Fi products. But the most paranoid may want at least one surveillance camera with an Ethernet port, to counter burglars with a Wi-Fi jammer.

Is the night vision really important ?

An infrared device allows a surveillance camera to distinguish in the dark objects, animals or people. Ideal for night surveillance, this function is mainly used to be alerted to an intrusion. Only the most efficient models can capture a face with enough detail to be usable. Do not have it sharply reduces the interest of a security product which must be efficient at any time of the day.

A full ecosystem is important ?

Unless you live in a studio, only one camera is rarely enough. Some manufacturers offer a full range of products that can range from interior, exterior, mixed cameras to door opening detectors through alarms. They control themselves via apps that send you notifications in the event of a suspicious incident (noise, door opening, movement in front of the camera), to visualize live or not what the camera sees.

However, if for reasons of technical or cost characteristics, you want to mix different brand products ? You will just have to learn to juggle between different apps. Finally, make sure that the products are compatible Apple Home Kit, Google Assistant or Alexa, it can simplify daily life.

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