Best IP camera for your security system in 2024

best IP camera: Ring Spotlight Cam
(Image credit: Ring)

Looking for the best IP camera? This guide will help you look for the best security cameras connected over Internet Protocol - and find them at the best price.

Old-school security networks involved running co-axial cables (and probably power) around the site being secured. In the movies at least, you’d also need a dejected old man haplessly watching numerous screens through a night shift. 

IP is how most data travels around us – over ethernet and wi-fi – and it makes perfect sense to use the same network to carry security video. As well as keeping things tidy, it brings all the internet’s advantages, like the ability to remotely connect to the cameras and live view from anywhere. While traditional cameras needed something (like a DVR) to connect to, IP offers options including the cloud. 

You need to think about video in terms of ‘live view’ (what you can see by logging into the camera via an app or hub device), ‘events’ (moments that camera’s motion or sound sensors are activated and a short clip is recorded) and 24/7 video history. The latter two might be stored locally or on the cloud – but expect a subscription fee. You’ll also need to provide decent bandwidth (if your Netflix looks OK, you should be fine). 

IP cameras can be wireless (with battery power) or they can connect via the mains (which saves a lot of maintenance) and cable internet. The latter sometimes allow for ‘PoE’ – standing for Power Over Ethernet – a single cable which also carries current and saves a bit of install fuss.

Best IP camera in 2024

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(Image credit: Nest)

1. Google Nest Cam Outdoor

A camera and an ecosystem

Specifications

Sensor: 4MP
Video: 1080p
Recording format: Subscription server
Field of view: 130 degrees
Night vision: Yes
Audio: Yes, including 2-way
Dimensions: 72 x 72 x 69mm
Notable features: Magnetic mount

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish looking
+
Well maintained software
+
Painless install

Reasons to avoid

-
Requires Nest Aware subscription for key features

Google’s Nest system is a great example of a system which uses IP in a very different way to traditional CCTV, eliminating any need for on-site video storage. Instead you can see the live video via the Nest app on your phone (iOS or Android) wherever you are, and it’s a good app with configurable sound and motion alerts. Any storage, however, requires a cloud subscription. Google offer these in two tiers, ‘Aware’ (events) and ‘Aware Plus’ (24/7 history and events), but with neither the camera only really offers live view. We loved DIY installation via the magnetic mount, but looking back realized that cable needed to be completely out of reach or the camera wasn’t secure.

(Image credit: Reolink)
A complete 4K CCTV system with hub and high-res cameras

Specifications

Sensor: Mic, PIR
Video: 3840 x 2160 (4K)
Recording format: H.265
Field of view: 100
Night vision: Yes, 30m (100ft)
Audio: Yes (including triggering)
Dimensions: : 105 x 93mm (camera)
Notable features: Human detection, vehicle detection

Reasons to buy

+
Complete setup in a box
+
Supports Power Over Ethernet
+
High resolution cameras

Reasons to avoid

-
All cameras same type
-
Installation can be time consuming

If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, with the advantages of modern IP, then an NVR is the way to go. A Network Video Recorder with an internal hard drive can connect to a display (HDMI or VGA) for viewing live video – though it can also be seen using an app. Any recording is kept on the NVR (no cloud subscription) and the Reolink can be expanded to up to 12TB of storage (it comes with 2) and another four cameras. We also liked the fact the system was H.265 capable so the included 2TB drive isn’t filled straight away and because its wired it keeps the hackers away.

(Image credit: Ring)

3. Ring Spotlight Cam

Best IP camera for Amazon Alexa compatibility

Specifications

Video: 1080p
Recording format: (stored on cloud)
Field of view: 160 degrees
Night vision: Yes
Audio: Yes
Dimensions: 126 x 69 x 76mm
Notable features: Dual lighting, battery or wired options available, siren, 2-way talk

Reasons to buy

+
Great integration with Alexa
+
Black or white options available to fit your décor

Reasons to avoid

-
For those who prefer Alexa to Siri or Google Assistant
-
Requires subscription to record 

The Ring system offers a lot of choice in terms of cameras but, since its parent company is Amazon, support for Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit don’t seem high on the priority list. Nevertheless that is a route many people have chosen and Amazon do have a lot of great deals, so we can recommend it for plenty of people. The Spotlight camera is the middle of the outdoor range, between the ‘Stick Up’ outdoor model (no lights) and the quite pricey Ring Floodlight Cam, all of which are worth investigating. This seems a great option for those who appreciate a light coming on to ward off burglars or just light their way to the car in the dark.

(Image credit: Reolink)
An IP Security camera with 180˚ view

Specifications

Sensor: CMOS
Video: 4K UHD
Field of view: 180˚
Night vision: Yes.
Audio: Yes
Dimensions: 122 x 49 x 98 mm + antenna
Notable features: 2-way talk, MicroSD slot, Person detection

Reasons to buy

+
Immensely flexible
+
Ceiling mount option
+
Fit fewer devices
+
FTP setup option
+
Human/Vehicle/Pet detection

Reasons to avoid

-
May require NVR software update
-
Cellular version 

Taking the mechanics of PTZ out of a wide field of view, the ReoLink Duo 2 dual-camera offers a full 180˚ field of view from a single unit. Offered in Wi-Fi, PoE and (soon) LTE versions it can be placed nearly anywhere and offer a broad perspective, without the fish-eye effects of too wide a lens. It makes a good choice for a building corner, and the spotlights offer up to 100ft (30m) color night vision. 

With a 6MP live preview which can be viewed on your phone or a Reolink NVR, the camera integrates like most others. It can also send video to an FTP location and has a MicroSD card slot, though the housing is still IP66. Call it a plus or not, we think the Wi-Fi version’s antennas look a bit like robot ears.

(Image credit: Eufy)

5. Eufy Solo Pan and Tilt

Best IP camera for HomeKit smart homes

Specifications

Video: 2K
Field of view: 360° Pan / 96° Tilt
Night vision: Yes
Audio: Yes
Dimensions: 122 x 49 x 98 mm + antenna
Notable features: 3G/4G LTE cellular, 2-way talk, solar power, IP64

Reasons to buy

+
Pan and tilt 360 / 96
+
On-board recording via MicroSD

Reasons to avoid

-
Cannot record video to the Eufy Homebase system

The Solo Pan and Tilt is a very accessibly priced camera that is smart enough to distinguish pets from people and keep its eye on a moving object, pretty impressive given the price bracket. It also sports a discrete MicroSD card for subscription-free recording (very neatly designed into the back of the ‘eyeball’). It doesn’t seem to lack any of the handy features like 2-way talk that bigger brands aggressively promote, but – unlike Nest – Eufy have managed to include compatibility with Apple’s HomeKit, putting it right to the top of the list of indoor cameras for those building a system via that platform.

(Image credit: X-Sense)

6. X-Sense S21 Outdoor Wi-Fi Spotlight Camera

Good resolution and on-board recording

Specifications

Sensor: 4MP
Video: 2560 x 1440 px (2K) 25fps
Field of view: 156 degrees
Night vision: Yes, IR & color via lights
Audio: Yes, including 2-way & trigger
Dimensions: 170 x 75 x 75 mm-
Notable features: 2-way chat, Floodlights, PoE

Reasons to buy

+
Motion or app-controlled floodlights
+
2.4 and 5GHz wireless
+
110db Siren

Reasons to avoid

-
Not HomeKit compatible
-
Camera cable 6mm (1/4 in) thick

The S21 is a very versatile IP66 weatherproof camera which offers a powerful addition to both a wired or wi-fi setup, can be connected to via X-Sense’s app without a monthly fee, and includes on board storage in the form of a MicroSD card slot. There is a siren onboard too, should you need to scare folk off, or a 2-way chat facility for more constrictive discussion through the app. It even boasts compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa though, sadly, not HomeKit. It might lack some of the elegance that premium brands bring, but it more than competes on features. 

(Image credit: Ring)
Smart indoor IP camera with Alexa support

Specifications

Resolution: 1080p Full HD
Field of view: 140˚
Night vision: Yes
Smart home integration: Yes; Amazon Alexa
Cloud storage: Yes, up to 30 days
Monthly fee: $3 / £2.5 (one cam) or $10 / £8 (unlimited devices)
Audio: Yes, two-way
Local storage: No
Movement detection: Yes
Person detection: Yes
Activity zone: Yes
Power source: Plug-in
Size: 76 x 46 x 46mm
Weight: 105g

Reasons to buy

+
Good level of choice
+
Available in black or white

Reasons to avoid

-
Two-way talk
-
Half-hearted integration with Ring alarm

Amazon’s Ring series of cameras – offered in black or white to fit any room – are simple to install, and not only can you see a live view via a phone app but if you have an Echo Show (Alexa with a screen) you just need to ask. The system is backed up by an integrated cloud service, of which you get a 30-day free trial, called Ring Protect, and offers phone alerts when it spots motion in an area of the camera’s view you define from the 140˚ field of view. A really nice touch is that the camera is offered as a basic model at a price to beat its competitor from Nest, but if you want extras – like battery backup or weather protection – you can choose different models with similar styling (though, oddly, ever-so-slightly narrower fields of view). There’s even a Solar HD option for the outdoor version, and a special app, Neighbors by Ring, to build a neighborhood watch group.

Read more: Ring Indoor Cam review •  Best Ring cameras

(Image credit: Blink)
The best budget IP camera goes 360˚

Specifications

Resolution: 1080p Full HD
Field of view: 110˚ on panning base
Night vision: Yes
Smart home integration: Yes; Amazon Alexa
Cloud storage: Yes, up to 60 day clips
Monthly fee: $3 / £2.5 (one cam), or $10 / £8 (unlimited devices)
Audio: Yes, two-way
Local storage: No
Movement detection: Yes
Person detection: No
Activity zone: Yes
Power source: Plug-in
Size: 66 x 66 x 99mm (mount) + 50 x 49 x 36mm (cam)
Weight: 48g

Reasons to buy

+
Enjoyable product design
+
High quality app
+
Works with Echo Show 
+
Pan/Tilt base 
+
White or Black versions available

Reasons to avoid

-
Only compatible with Amazon Smart home
-
Slight click when night-vision comes on
-
No zoom

While Amazon’s Ring series already start at a fairly reasonable price, the Blink Mini was already cheaper and more compact. The new Pan-Tilt base (which essentially sits beneath the same Blink Mini camera we knew already. That means a camera head that looks at home indoors can now be remotely controlled to offer a broad view without needing to pepper rooms with the devices.

The industrial design, reminiscent of a Pixar lamp, offers a pan and tilt range of 350˚/125˚ – more than needed for all-round viewing of a room from an island-style counter. It manages not to look too intrusive as the outer case turns with the camera, while the tilting effect is achieved by nodding the camera. This needs a bit of counterweight, so no worries about pets knocking it over. It is controlled with a little D-pad in the camera’s we app, and quiet enough not to disturb babies.
See full Blink Mini review
See also:
Blink vs Ring

(Image credit: Reolink)
4K Bullet camera with PoE connection

Specifications

Video resolution: 4K @ 25fps
Field of view: 31˚-105˚
Night vision: Yes (IR or color)
Audio: Yes, 2-way
Cloud storage: Yes
Monthly fee: 7-days free, $3.49 (one cam) for 30 days storage
Dimensions: 80 x 72 x 238mm
Weight: 838g

Reasons to buy

+
Can be operated without an NVR
+
Alexa or Google Smart Home Integration
+
Optical zoom

Reasons to avoid

-
For some features Reolink NVR needed
-
Zoom cannot be panned or tilted
-
Pet detection only recognizes cats or dogs

Thanks to its MicroSD card slot, the Reolink RLC-811A might look like a traditional bullet camera, but plug in a 256GB memory card and it can store up to 97 hours of 4K video. Like many modern cameras it is powered using PoE – Power Over Ethernet – meaning it can be installed with a single cable. It can also send its output to a PoE NDR or an FTP server. 

The camera also boasts an optical motorized zoom which narrows the viewing angle from 105˚ to 31˚, meaning it can be targeted at more remote subjects. Of course the spotlights or IR lights only have a limited range and they’re optional; disabling the spotlights means night vision is in monochrome. Person and vehicle (as well as a limited pet) detection options are available, and you can give intruders a shock with the two-way-chat or even the siren. Finally we love that the Reolink App makes timelapses possible, as well – of course – as their 7-day free cloud storage option.

(Image credit: Annke)

10. Annke NightChroma NCD800

Panoramic security camera for wide view

Specifications

Video resolution: 2 lenses - 5120 x 1440 px total
Field of view: 180˚
Night vision: Yes (IR or color)
Audio: Yes, 2-way
Cloud storage: Yes
Monthly fee: -
Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 170mm
Weight: -

Reasons to buy

+
180˚ coverage from single camera install
+
Super-aperture color night vision
+
H.265+ for efficient use of data storage
+
IP67 casing

Reasons to avoid

-
Cheaper to buy two cameras
-
More modern Annke NVR/NAS needed

This camera, though not cheap, is effectively two cameras in one, which results in ultra-wide 180˚ degree coverage of a location. Thanks to Annke’s pixel-level matching algorithm, the dual cameras provide a single image of 5120 x 1440 resolution. This, combined with AI which picks out people or vehicles (and license plates) help ensure the device is capturing useful video. This should also serve to minimize unwanted alerts. It’s also equipped with strobe and siren to ward off unwanted guests and supplementary lights with up to 40m/130ft of strength. These aren’t entirely necessary, however, as nocturnal videos take advantage of Annke’s impressive low-light color night vision which operates even in extremely dark conditions (0.0005 Lux). It’s a pricey choice, but it does afford a very wide view - with a choice of either turret or bullet housing.

Other useful buying guides: 

Best outdoor security cameras

Best indoor security cameras

Best floodlight camera

Best 360-degree outdoor security camera

Best PoE cameras

Best NVRs

Best PTZ camera

The best doorbell cameras

The best body cameras for personal security

Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 


Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 


He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook