GoKawiilCompare The Top 7 Security Cameras
Compare cameras Price (MSRP) Video Quality Recording Audio Smart Home Best Overall: Arlo Pro 6 $124 2K, 24 fps Cloud-only Two-way audio, Siren Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT Best Value: TP-Link Tapo MagCam $90 2K, 30 fps Local microSD card (up to 512 GB) or cloud Two-way audio, Siren Amazon Alexa, Google Home Best Upgrade: Eufy S3 Pro $550 4K, 15 fps Local on HomeBase S380 or cloud Two-way audio, Siren Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit Best Wired: Google Nest Cam Outdoor 2K $150 2K, 30 fps Cloud-only Two-way audio Google Home Best Pan/Tilt: EufyCam S4 $300 4K, 15 fps Local on 32 GB built-in storage, microSD card (up to 256 GB) HomeBase S380, or cloud Two-way audio, Siren Amazon Alexa, Google Home Best Wide Angle: Reolink Argus 4 Pro $160 4K (2K + 2K), 15 fps Local microSD card (up to 512 GB), Reolink Home Hub, or cloud Two-way audio, Siren Amazon Alexa, Google Home Best for Matter: Aqara Hub G5 Pro $185 2K (1080p with HomeKit), 20 fps Local (8 GB internal), NAS (RTSP, SMB), or cloud Two-way audio Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Home Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
Best MicroSD Cards
Some security cameras support local storage, enabling you to record videos on the camera or a linked hub. A few hubs have built-in storage, and some provide slots for hard drives, but most rely on microSD cards. This is a quick guide on what to look for (plus some recommendations).
The microSD card you choose should have fast read and write speeds so you can record high-quality video and play it back without delay. I recommend going for Class 10 microSD cards rated as U1 or U3. You can dive deeper into what that means in our SD card explainer. Before you buy, check the card type, format, and maximum supported card size for your security camera. Consider how many hours of video each card capacity can store. For example, you might get a couple of days of HD video on a 32-GB card. If you want to record continuously, you likely want a higher-capacity card.
Courtesy of Samsung
I recommend formatting the card as soon as you insert it into the camera. You will usually be prompted to do this, but if not, there is generally an option in the settings. Just remember, formatting will wipe anything on the microSD card, so back up the contents first.
Some security camera manufacturers offer their own branded microSD cards. They work just fine, but for maximum reliability, Iād suggest one of the following options. Remember to always check the specs. Even different sizes of cards in the same range often have different capabilities.
Note: Memory card prices have gone crazy due to the AI chip shortage, so you may want to wait or shop around, as some of these cards are four times the usual price.
Other Good Outdoor Security Cameras I've Tested
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