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***These are voted the 8 Best Nanny Cams of 2021
For most families with a nanny, a nanny camera is an essential item to have in the household. They give parents and caregivers a peace of mind while away, allowing them to check in whenever they’d like. Nanny cameras often have great features, like two-way audio, mobile alerts, and a wide-angle lens, so it can be hard to know where to start when you’re in the market for one.
Here are the best nanny cams to help make your life a little bit easier.
Best Overall: Google Nest Cam Indoor
What We Like
- Mobile Alerts
- Wide-Angle Lens
- Night Vision
What We Don’t Like
- Subscription for Perks
No matter your purpose for getting a nanny camera, you’ll find all the functionality you need with the Nest Security Camera. This indoor security camera lets you check in on your home, no matter where you are, with live 24/7 streaming. The 1080p HD video will show you everything that’s going on, day or night, and the camera will even send notifications to your smartphone when it detects movement.
The Nest Camera is a plug-in model, and it comes with both a stand and a wall-mounting plate, depending on where you want to put it. It has a built-in speaker and microphone for two-way audio, and you can review photos of recorded activity for up to three hours for free. If you want a continuous recording, Nest offers “Nest Aware,” which provides you with more comprehensive security features.
Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.8 x 4.5 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio
Best Overall Runner Up: P Panoraxy B100V.3 Spy Hidden Clock Camera
What We Like
- Alarm Clock Design
- Night Vision
What We Don’t Like
- No Audio
What better place to have a hidden camera than in a clock? This sleek black-digital clock will make a perfect addition to any bedroom. In addition to its functionality as a clock, you can use this nanny cam to record 720-pixel date-stamped videos on an included SD card and watch live a video stream through the associated app. There’s also an option to set up motion-activated recording, in case you only want video when someone is in the room. The Ms.Cube Mini WiFi Spy Hidden Camera has enhanced night vision for up to 8 meters, making it a great option for a young child’s room. This mini camera also comes with a three-month warranty with no questions asked, so if it doesn’t fit your needs, you can send it back.
Dimensions: 3.1 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches | Power Source: Battery | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion
What We Like
- Motion/Sound Recording
- Sharing Compatibility
- Two-Way Audio
What We Don’t Like
- App Use Only
Security cameras can cost hundreds of dollars, but if you want top-notch security on a budget, you should consider the Wyze Camera. This popular budget pick streams video in 1080p HD, and you can check in on your home anytime via the associated app.
This camera comes with a magnetic base, 6-foot power cable, and an adhesive metal plate, allowing you to mount it anywhere without putting holes in your walls. It boasts motion and sound detection, and you can choose to use a microSD card (sold separately) to record footage or use the free rolling 14-day cloud storage. The camera has two-way audio, as well as night vision up to 30 feet.
Dimensions: 2.2 x 2 x 2 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio
Best Budget Runner Up: YI 1080p Smart Home Camera
What We Like
- Two-Way Audio
- Optional Emergency Response Service
- Budget-Friendly
What We Don’t Like
- Indoor Only
The YI 1080p Home Camera Wireless IP Security Surveillance System was specially designed with kids in mind, right down to its ability to detect crying. This camera is a reasonably-priced security solution that offers both live videos and stored footage with 1080-pixel resolution—you can even zoom in up to four times to get a closer look at what’s going on.
With the YI Home app, you can stream real-time video to your phone, watching what your kids and babysitter are doing, or enable motion alerts that let you know when and where any movement is detected. The app also includes two-way audio that lets you have a conversation with your nanny or kids right through the camera.
This camera’s best features are arguably the ones designed just for parents. The YI Home Camera includes special technology that detects a baby’s crying and sends you a smartphone alert. Plus, it boasts advanced night vision that allows you to check on your little one without disturbing them.
Dimensions: 3.15 x 1.26 x 4.49 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio
Best Wireless: Blink Indoor Home Security Camera System
What We Like
- Two-Way Audio
- Alexa Compatible
- Cordless
- No Continuous Live Feed
Corded security cameras can be a bit inconvenient, as you have to place them near an outlet. However, you can solve this problem with a compact wireless camera like the Blink Indoor Home Security Camera, which is lightweight and powered by batteries, allowing you to place it just about anywhere.
Blink cameras stream HD video to connected devices, and they include built-in motion detectors that will send alerts to your smartphone, along with a short clip of whatever is happening. There are no monthly fees associated with these cameras, and what’s great is that you can easily expand your system by adding more cameras around your home.
Dimensions: 71 x 71 x 31 millimeters | Power Source: Battery | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion
Best with App: Logitech Circle 2 Indoor/Outdoor Wired Home Security Camera
What We Like
- Wide-Angle Lens
- Free 24-Hour Storage
- Indoor/Outdoor Use
What We Don’t Like
- Battery Required
A glitchy app can quickly undermine the functionality of your nanny camera, which is why it’s important to have a product that will perform reliably. One top-rated option in this regard is the Logitech Circle 2, a smart security camera that has all the functionality you could ever want, as well as a well-designed app to support it.
The Circle 2 has a wide-angle lens that captures 1080p HD video both day and night, and it sends alerts to your app when motion is detected, along with a snapshot of what triggered the sensor. It has two-way talk capabilities and free 24-hour cloud storage. Another cool feature is a free time-lapse of each day, allowing you to scan the footage to see if anything is amiss. Plus, if you want more advanced functionality, you can upgrade to paid features like person detection, motion zones, and increased storage.
Dimensions: 3.4 x 2.8 x 2.6 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion
Best with Wi-Fi: Arlo Q – Wired1080p HD Security Camera
What We Like
- Budget-Friendly
- Audio/Motion Alerts
What We Don’t Like
- Indoor Only
Many security cameras today are equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing them to stream video to your smartphone or other internet-connected devices. If you’re looking for a Wi-Fi camera that you can access from anywhere, one of the best options is the Arlo Q, an internet-enabled security camera that delivers 1080p HD video straight to your phone.
This camera has two-way audio capabilities, as well as motion and sound alerts. It comes with a stand and a wall-mounting plate, allowing you to put it just about anywhere, but it is a wired camera, so it will need to be relatively close to an outlet. What’s nice about the Arlo Q is it comes with seven days of free cloud recording, and you can upgrade to a more advanced plan if you want more storage.
Dimensions: 4.45 x 5.99 x 4.93 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio
Best with Audio: Ring Stick Up Indoor/Outdoor Wired 1080p Security Camera
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What We Like
- Indoor/Outdoor Use
- Night Vision
- Two-Way Audio
What We Don’t Like
- No 5G Connection
Security cameras with two-way talk allow you to speak and listen through the device, which can be helpful if you need to tell your kids to do their homework, yell at the dog to get off the couch, or even scare away an intruder. One of the best cameras with audio capabilities is the Ring Stick-Up Camera, a product that you can mount anywhere in your home.
The Ring Camera delivers 1080p HD video, and it lets you see, hear, and speak to people through your phone, tablet, or computer. It comes equipped with motion-detection alerts, and you can mount it on any flat surface—though it is a wired camera, so it will need to be close to an electrical outlet or ethernet port.
Dimensions: 2.36 x 3.82 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion
If you’re wanting a camera that allows you to check in at any time, the Nest Security Camera (view at Amazon), also our Best Overall pick, is a great place to start. No matter where you are, you can watch live streaming, receive mobile alerts, and use two-way audio. Families looking for a more budget-friendly option should check out the Wyze Cam Indoor Wireless Smart Home Camera (view at Amazon). Parents and caregivers will love the motion and sound recording, sharing compatibility, and two-way audio as well.
What to Look for in a Nanny Cam
Size and Shape
The size of the nanny cam will depend on how you plan on using it. If you want it to be completely undetectable, then the smaller the better. Also, consider where you’ll place it. Some can be tucked away easily in everyday objects, while others double as everyday objects (e.g. an alarm clock). Others are set on a tabletop, which is fine if you’re not trying to conceal your monitoring efforts from anyone.
Sophistication
From basic models that simply record video footage of an area to those that connect to Wi-Fi so you can stream from your phone, nanny cams vary across the technological spectrum. Another feature that differentiates nanny cams is the pixel resolution, which translates into how crisp and clear the images are when you view them. Typically, the higher the resolution and included tech features, the higher the price tag.
Extra Features
Beyond capturing footage, some nanny cams offer other features, such as night vision capabilities and two-way voice communication, so you can chime in on what’s going on in a particular room from wherever you may be. Your budget and reasons for monitoring will dictate what features you want in a camera.
