Best Night Vision Security Cameras

• Nest Cam Indoor: Best Overall
• Ring Indoor Cam: Best Value Pick
• Arlo Pro 4 Wireless Security Camera: Best Versatility and Performance
• Arlo Essential Wireless Security Camera: Best Budget Outdoor Security Camera

The Google Nest Cam indoor is an excellent indoor camera with top notch video quality. It features 1080p HD with 4K Image Sensor and High Dynamic Range (HDR), strong indoor night vision and smart features like person detection built-in. The camera’s night vision features are the result of two high-powered 850nm infrared LEDs, which means the camera can see up to 15 feet away in absolute darkness.

Camera Placement

To find the best night vision security camera for your needs, first consider what purpose you want it to serve. Purpose is the number one determining factor of camera placement. Outdoor cameras work well for monitoring the areas around your home or business to keep them safe from any suspicious activity.

Indoor cameras, on the other hand, function better as devices that keep you alert to everything going on inside your home. From checking up on your kids to watching what your pets are up to when you are away, indoor cameras are all about increasing awareness. Also, consider wired vs. wireless cameras when figuring out where you’d need to place your camera, especially if you need to be near an outlet.

Field of View

Before deciding on camera placement, consider how much area you need to monitor. The field of view of a security camera is simply the area that the camera can see, usually measured in degrees. It’s important to remember that a wider field of view isn’t always better because it might be unnecessary depending on security needs.

When you need to monitor a large area, a wider field of view of 140 degrees, for example, might be more suitable than a 115 degrees horizontal field of view, which works better for smaller areas, like singular rooms or enclosed outdoor sections.

Budget

Like with any purchase, it’s a good practice to be mindful of budget before deciding on which night vision camera to get. The good news is that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good-quality security camera.

The night vision cameras on our list range from $59.99 to $299.99, and each has great monitoring capabilities, so you won’t have to compromise on essential features like picture quality. High-end cameras will most likely provide additional benefits, but the less expensive options will still successfully help secure your home or business.

Color Night Vision

Color night vision technology in security cameras significantly enhances low-light surveillance by capturing vivid, color images. Utilizing advanced sensors and image processing, these cameras produce clear visuals under minimal lighting, distinguishing details traditional infrared night vision might miss. Factors like sensor quality, aperture size and environmental conditions influence performance, making it important to select a camera tailored to your specific needs.

When choosing a color night vision camera, consider its resolution for image clarity, range for monitoring larger areas and whether it suits indoor or outdoor use. Cameras equipped with features like large apertures and noise reduction ensure superior low-light performance, providing a more detailed and realistic view of the monitored scene.

Safety

The most popular reason for installing a night vision camera is to increase security. Whether you want to protect a home or a commercial property, infrared cameras secure areas from crime at night by recording high-quality footage, even in complete darkness. Installing a night vision security camera may also deter potential trespassers or burglars from causing trouble nearby and provide peace of mind to you and your family or employees.

Evidence

Much crime activity is carried out at night, and if a break-in occurs, a night vision camera makes it much easier for local enforcement to identify the perpetrators. No one wants their property to be the site of criminal activity, but in case of an unfortunate event, the footage from infrared security cameras can become essential in recovering possessions, minimizing losses and catching those making poor choices on or around your property.

Convenience

A lot of night vision security cameras, including the ones listed in our rankings, are affordable, easy to install and simple to use. Hiring professional installers can be a time-consuming and financially taxing process, but with modern cameras, this is easily avoided. Ensuring the safety of your home and business should be a stress-free process, and infrared cameras offer an easy security monitoring solution.

Connection to Home

Sometimes we want to be kept in the loop or have our minds put at ease. A night vision security camera makes this possible even when we’re away from home. If you need to check on your kids or are curious about what your pets are up to, a glance at a live feed can help you feel connected to your loved ones, despite the distance.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Night Vision Cameras

When considering night vision security cameras, the decision between indoor and outdoor models is important. Outdoor night vision cameras are engineered to withstand various weather conditions, from intense heat to freezing temperatures, and often come with higher IP ratings for dust and water resistance. They’re ideal for monitoring the exterior of properties and providing clear footage even in total darkness, which is essential for areas prone to trespassing or burglary. These cameras typically feature robust designs to deter vandalism and have broader fields of view to cover expansive outdoor areas.

Indoor night vision cameras, on the other hand, are designed with subtlety in mind, blending into home interiors without drawing attention. They excel in monitoring indoor activities, offering peace of mind by keeping an eye on children, pets or elderly family members. With less need for weatherproofing, these cameras can focus on delivering high-quality imaging in low-light conditions within homes or businesses, making them perfect for ensuring safety and security inside the premises.

To determine the best night vision security camera ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed dozens of products, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:

Price (20%)

Price can vary with night vision security cameras based on features and brand. We compared prices as part of our ratings to measure the range of price and affordability, including at different sellers.

Customer Reviews (20%)

Customer reviews can provide much hands-on information about a product, such as those at Amazon and by Consumer Reports. We evaluated customer reviews when rating each company, such as satisfaction rates, potential issues and overall user experience, to inform our determination.

Zoom (15%)

Zoom is an important feature in a camera, particularly at night, to view more image details or to zoom out to get a wider viewing angle.

Field of View (15%)

Field of view is a critical feature in a night vision security camera. The greater the range, the better the field of view, which includes left, right and center.

Warranty (15%)

Having a warranty is a must when purchasing a night vision security camera and most companies and brands offer customers a warranty on their products that can range in length.

Audio (5%)

Two-way audio with noise cancellation, built in microphone and speakers can be important considerations when purchasing a night vision security camera.

Integration with Third Party Apps (5%)

Not all night vision security cameras come with third party apps, but are a desirable feature for customers seeking compatibility with Alexa, Assistant or others.

Color Options (5%)

The availability of different color options of cameras can be important criteria for customers looking to buy products that blend seamlessly into their home and environment.