Does the camera have the ability to listen to audio and initiate a two-way conversation using the app?
Does the camera have night vision that can cover the space you have in mind?
Is the app easy to understand, control and use to change settings?
Does the camera work with your existing home security system or your preferred voice assistant?
Can video be stored without fees? Is it local storage under your control or cloud storage? Do you have to purchase your own storage device? Can you shared stored video?
Is the resolution high enough to make out all important details and faces? Is the field of view wide enough to capture a whole room or yard, or are there pan/tilt features for large spaces?
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If your summer shopping goals include getting the best home security camera, you may need to consider the monthly subscription costs many of them come with. Although these new cameras come packed with features, including AI smarts, many require a subscription to enable professional monitoring, enhanced alerts or cloud storage.
If you have far too many subscriptions already, a monthly subscription for your security camera can feel like too much. After all, Netflix costs enough already. To help you avoid another monthly subscription and still get top-notch security, we put together this guide. CNET's team of experts has spent 200 hours testing all kinds of security cameras for different parts of your home. After all that testing, here are the indoor and outdoor cam options for a safer home -- without a monthly cost.
What's the best subscription-free home security camera?
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