In case you didn't know, HomeKit is Apple’s answer to Alexa or Google Assistant and allows you to control different household products via the Home app. HomeKit devices communicate via a central hub, which might be built into a device – specifically an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad, so you need one of these on-site.
That keeps things simple (especially for loyal Apple customers), and also allows for cool integrations, such as indoor lights being triggered by sensors or motion on a garden camera, for example. Then there's HomeKit Secure Video. While HomeKit lets you access cameras and view live video, the HomeKit Secure Video service allows you to record that video to iCloud, as well as other clever features.
Unlike many competitors, Apple’s AI features (from which person/animal/car detection takes place) are processed on your hub device at home. The video sent to iCloud is encrypted, for better privacy.
Another big plus for HomeKit is the relatively low subscription fees. You need a paid iCloud account, but these provide useful storage for all Apple users and start at $0.99 / £0.79 a month. There is a fair chance you already have the account, and the camera’s video is not counted against the data storage (though the time limit is fixed).
HomeKit isn’t without issues though; the stored video is limited to 1080P, which some say is one of the reasons not all manufacturers have piled in. In truth, it likely has more to do with their desire to make their cloud charges and/or being owned by Amazon (Ring, Blink) or Google (Nest).
In this article, we gather together the best HomeKit cameras on the market today and help you find the right one for your needs.
The best HomeKit cameras in 2023
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Like the Aqara G2H, this is a HomeKit Secure Video and HomeKit smart home compatible camera (secure video is limited to 1080P by Apple, of course) with a card slot for local recordings and a ZigBee 3.0 hub built-in. That local card slot is where the 2K recordings go, by the way, if you’re using the device with HomeKit.
The front of the unusual design places the 3MP camera lens off-center next to an ambient light sensor – there are dual microphones on either side of the glossy black area. There is a large speaker grille at the rear. The designer’s star turn, though, is that the camera literally rolls back in the head to reveal sleepy-looking eyes and the SD card slot.
The power goes in, at least, through a USB-C socket and the device – which is not short of capability – can also act as a webcam via this connection too. That’s just one of the feature list too long to cover, some of which you’ll only be able to access via Aqara’s own app. To give an example, you can set up a hand gesture that uses the built-in IR blaster to turn on your TV!
With an IP64 rating, the stylish Logitech circle can live inside or out; it won’t spoil the décor in either spot which is appreciated, though outdoors it’ll need to be sheltered under the eve. As well as the HomeKit encryption, privacy is built right into the design in the form of a simple hinge – it’s reassuring to be able to point the camera down at its own stand or press the physical button on the back.
We also really appreciate the quality visible in the glass optics which makes this a great choice for a premium environment. The steady refinement of the Apple workflow means setup is painless, too, and in-home analysis can be accessed in the Apple app.
If you’re looking to eliminate the stresses of battery-powered security lights which require regular maintenance, the Eve Outdoor Cam can make that easier by taking the place of an existing outdoor light and adding a HomeKit Secure Video-friendly WiFi camera.
The two-way-talk has low latency and the notifications quick. Making do with Apple’s preferred 1080P still produces good quality video and the camera it quick to spot and (if you choose) illuminate motion thanks to the built-in IR sensor; no dependence on the usually slower visual-light motion detection here.
Traditional mono night-vision is also an option, but the floodlight is effective to about 9m/30ft distance – and can even be given a few seconds boost to about double that – so color night vision is excellent.
Read our full EVE Outdoor Cam review
The WeMo Smart Video Doorbell, one of a limited selection of doorbells for HomeKit users, packs great specifications into a much better-looking housing than the majority of smart doorbells.
The camera has an extraordinary field of view, in a vertical format so anything left on the step is easy to spot. HomeKit is capable of recognizing your visitors from your photos, which puts it a step ahead of other smart doorbells (though it does seem to struggle to some extent with the fish-eye effect on the lens, so it doesn’t always work.
The effect (and Apple’s restriction of HomeKit to 1080P) mean it’s not always that easy to the human eye either, especially at night. There is night vision, assisted by built-in IR lighting, but it is so powerful that at times this can make the foreground (i.e. visitors) somewhat over-lit.
After a long-term trial, the other irk we have found is that the doorbell is fixed to its wall-mounted baseplate with a tiny Torx screw at the bottom. You will, from time to time, need to remove this to access the ‘Reset’ button and it is very easy to drop the screw (though a screwdriver and one spare screw are supplied).
See our Belkin Wemo Smart Video Doorbell review.
The Aquara makes a nice choice for those relatively new to the HomeKit game, since it provides a built-in Zigbee 3.0 hub, side-stepping the need to invest in an Apple TV or HomePod Mini to reach certified products.
It’s also a pleasingly subtle design so it doesn’t matter that it won’t be in the cupboard with the router, and it has the magnetic base we always appreciate (makes it easy to stick to the fridge). It is hinged, and can be wall-mounted too. The camera also boasts local storage via MicroSD card. The camera can also be set to trigger via door or window sensors from Aqara using HomeKit.
For those who want to explore the possibilities of smart home devices (there are many using the Zigbee standard) this is a great choice; as well as the hub it can also be configured to communicate with an NAS via Samba.
Eufy is an established brand in the home security world and recent releases have started adding HomeKit compatibility to their range. The tiny C24 is a little indoor camera which won’t have a big impact on the wallet but will immediately add an extra live view into the Home app for Apple users as well as extending the options for dedicated users of the Eufy system.
We appreciate the fact the camera didn’t tie customers into a contract, either. However since it doesn’t support Secure Video, the detection features or storage will either require a storage card or signing up to Eufy’s cloud service. (But not, to be clear, Eufy’s Homebase service, which it won’t work with... not that it’s needed if you have HomeKit).
The Netatmo is an established product, not that you’d know it. It used to be called ‘Presence’ when launched in 2016, though obviously the firmware has changed a bit (support is always a good sign). The elegant aluminum housing will definitely survive a long time outside, even in high levels of UV rays.
If you opt for it, it can contains a real 105db siren too – no 2-way chat and re-purposed audio speaker here. Thanks to the system’s ability to distinguish people from animals and cars at up to 20m (65ft), the siren need not be triggered for every movement; this is the way to turn neighbors into friends (your author is sad to report his neighbors have not invested in such a device).
Eufy’s system already achieves much of what you might hope for from a security system; it has secure on-site storage (a whopping 3TB encrypted at 256-bits), built in human detection, and an app capable of alerting you to live events and setting up detection zones. The idea of installing a complete system with premium cameras in one go – and with the simplicity of wireless cameras – is very tempting though, and Eufy achieve it as well as seems possible at the moment.
That is to say: the tech and app are great, but unless the cameras aren’t activated at all the batteries do tend to need topping up closer to monthly than the 180 days suggested. Color night view means activating that LED floodlight, though at least it is optional.
Want to stay safe and warm? Then this combination of security system and smart thermostat will be a great choice. It comes with HomeKit Secure Video, 1080p video, built-in Alexa, and the motion tracking is excellent. You also get smoke detection, and fantastic night time vision thanks to three high-powered infrared LEDs (850nm) with mechanical ICR filter.
The smart camera detects when a person is present and pans across its 180º field of view to keep them in the center of the frame. It works perfectly with HomeKit and Secure Video is supported too. Plus it offers smoke detection, so you get a mobile notification if SmartCamera detects a smoke alarm sound when you're out.
The Eve Cam was one of the first cameras built for HomeKit, and it remains a solid choice that's nice and easy to set up. You don't have to download an app: just connect to your Wi-Fi, scan the pairing code, and you'll be up and running.
The camera can rotate (although is not motorized), and the base is magnetic, making it a cinch to attach it to a variety of surfaces. It records every motion automatically, and can distinguish between people and pets.
Footage is captured in 1080p and night-time recording is good quality. The Eve Cam saves the footage to iCloud, so you'll need to buy a 200 GB Apple iCloud storage plan separately. Best of all, end-to-end encryption means only you can view live and recorded video, which is great for anyone worried about privacy.
Not only is this a PTZ camera (well, pan and tilt anyway) but it is one of the more affordable options in the HomeKit market. The zoom is only digital, up to 8x.
The design is elegant, with a Micro-USB socket to supply charge, and the microSD card slot hidden behind the camera (you’ll need to roll its eye back in its head to access it!). This is also where the lens goes in privacy mode, which is reassuring. The glowing blue ring indicating power turns red when motion is sensed.
The camera can be installed via a HomeKit code, but using Eufy’s own app there are extensive extra options to enable a 360˚ rotation mode, motion tracking and so on. You can also activate the built-in siren if you like. Some AI features in the Eufy app are disabled when Homekit is in control, but you can try enabling them via the Eufy app before setting up in HomeKit.
Other useful buying guides:
Best outdoor security cameras
Best indoor security cameras
Best floodlight cameras
Best PTZ camera
Best PoE cameras
Best pet cameras
The best doorbell cameras
The best body cameras for personal security
