Cameras

What is a Smart Camera?

A smart camera is any sort of security or monitoring camera that takes advantage of smart technology to offer more features and added convenience. Think of them as app-accessible cameras packed with software. And right now, it’s easier now than ever to fully protect your home with this kind of advanced technology. Smart cameras let you easily access video surveillance of your property whether you’re at home or on the go.

There are a wide variety of smart cameras available that offer an assortment of features. Our smart camera comparison chart (towards the bottom of the page) has some of the most popular brands with detailed information to help you decide which system is right for you.

Benefits of Smart Cameras

There are several major benefits to having a smart camera, most of which are based around the increased safety and convenience associated with monitoring your home.

Peace of Mind – Even if your home is in a very safe area, there’s something to be said for the peace of mind offered by a security camera. A smart camera offers increased functionality, and makes it much easier to check in on your property whenever you feel the need.
Easy Access to Relevant Footage – The majority of smart cameras integrate with a mobile app or web client, allowing you to easily view and assess footage. Additionally, because most smart cameras are motion activated, it’s easy to find relevant footage and quickly check up on changes in and around your home.
Theft Deterrent – By simply having a security camera, you can significantly lower the risk that your house will be broken into. Thieves seek an easy target, and seeing a home decked out in security gear will make it much less likely that they’ll pick your home for theft.
Insurance Discounts – Many home insurers will offer a discount on your policy if you install a home surveillance system. The investment could more than pay for itself in the monthly savings on insurance bills.
Smart Home Integration – Many smart cameras integrate with existing smart home hubs and voice controllers, adding more convenience to your connected home.

These are just a few of the many ways a smart camera can enhance the comfort and security of your home. Check out the section below for some tips to take into account before purchasing a new smart camera.

Before Buying a Smart Camera

When shopping for a smart camera, you’ll want to make sure you take the following considerations into account to make sure you end up with a smart surveillance system that will meet your needs. There’s a lot of competition in the smart camera market, and many companies try to set themselves apart with misleading marketing promises. Sometimes a camera will be “capable”, but not actually deliver the promised feature. We want to protect you from a disappointing purchase, so make sure you research the features below:

Video Quality – Some cameras advertise 1080p capability, but actually only provide 720p instead. They may be capable of 1080p, but in reality only deliver the lower video resolution. Make sure you’re aware of the actual video quality of your smart camera before you make a purchase.
Maximum Number of Cameras – If you’re in the market for a large amount of cameras, make sure you’re aware of the maximum supported amount — there’s usually a limit to the number of devices that can be connected to one account. Many brands don’t support more than 15 devices, and require a membership or additional bases to support more than a few cameras.
Subscription Plans – Companies may advertise many features, but in some cases these features are only available with a subscription plan. Make sure you’re aware of what you’re getting for your money, and do your research on the various tiers of subscription plans.
Base – A lot of smart cameras connect to some sort of base — like Arlo and Blink — but there are also models capable of connecting straight to your WiFi. We’ve found that cameras with bases usually feature a little more smart home functionality.
Smart Home Integration – Speaking of smart home functionality, make sure you check out how your devices work with other smart home products. Even if you don’t have a smart home now, you may make the decision to establish one in the future. If you buy a camera with smart home integration, your security system will be ready to connect when you make that jump! Look at integration with hubs like Wink and SmartThings, and voice controllers like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri HomeKit.

Stand-out Features from Popular Brands

Best Video Resolution
A smart camera that has a great video resolution ensures that you’ll always be able to see what’s going on with your home. Standouts in this category are the Canary and the Arlo Q Series.
Push-to-Talk
Push-to-Talk functionality adds a lot of convenience to your surveillance. Communicate with others while away from home, let guests know you’re on your way to answer the door, or yell at your pets to get off the couch! The Arlo Pro and Piper nv are two models that offer this feature.
System Expansion
Being able to augment your smart cameras with additional devices and features will add capability for a more fully-featured security system. Two stand out models with support for system expansion are the Blink XT and . Though neither of the companies has released the systems yet.
Field of Vision
A camera with a wide field of vision covers more area and ensures you’ll always capture relevant footage. The Piper classic and Piper nv offer a wide field of view for maximum protection.
People, Pet, and Car Detection
A truly “smart” smart camera should be able to detect and differentiate between people, pets, and cars. False alarms are annoying, and you want your camera to only alert you when there’s an actual problem. The Netatmo Presence is a great choice for this feature.
Pan & Zoom
Being able to pan and zoom allows a smart camera to get a more detailed view of its surroundings. The ability to close in on suspicious activity may make the difference between a false alarm and catching a sneaky intruder. The Arlo Q Plus come out on top when it comes to Pan and Zoom.

Indoor Smart Cameras Comparison Chart

	Arlo Q	Arlo Q Plus	Blink	Canary	Piper nv
Video Quality	1080p	1080p	720p	1080p	1080p
Base?	No	No	Yes	No	No
Power	Wired	Wired	Batteries	Wired	Wired/ Batteries
Rechargeable Batteries	–	–	No	–	No
Camera Ethernet Port	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
PoE	No	Yes	No	No	No
Local Storage	No	SD card	No	No	No
Free Cloud storage	7 days	7 days	Up to 2 Hours of recordings	1 day	100 videos
Subscription Plans	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
Alerts/notifications	App, email	App, email	App	App	App, email, text, call
24/7 Continuous Recording	Members Only	Members Only	No	No	No
Remote viewing	App, web	App, web	App	App	App
Live View	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Field-of-view	130°	130°	110°	147°	180°
Temperature Sensors	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Two-way audio	Yes	Yes	No	Members Only	Yes
HomeKit	No	No	No	No	No
Amazon Alexa	Echo Show	Echo Show	Echo Echo Dot	Via Wink	Via IFTTT
Google Home	Via IFTTT	Via IFTTT	Via IFTTT	No	Via IFTTT

Sale

Arlo (VMC3040-100NAS) Q – Wired, 1080p HD...

Arlo Q Plus - Wired PoE, 1080p HD Security Camera...

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Google Nest Cam Indoor - 1st Generation - Wired...

YI Home Camera 2, 1080p Full HD Wireless IP...

Outdoor Smart Cameras Comparison Chart

	Arlo	Arlo Pro	Arlo Pro 2	Blink XT	Canary Flex	Nest Cam IQ
Video Quality	720p	720p	1080p	720p	1080p	1080p
Base?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Power	Batteries	Battery Wired	Battery Wired	Batteries Wired	Batteries Wired	Wired
Rechargeable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	–
Siren	Arlo Base	Arlo Base	Arlo Base	No	No	No
Local Storage	No	USB at Arlo Base	USB at Arlo Base	No	No	No
Free Cloud storage	7 days	7 days	7 days	2hr of recordings	1 day	No
Subscription Plans	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Alerts/notifications	App, email	App, email	App, email	App	App	App, email
Remote viewing	App, web	App, web	App, web	App	App	App, web
Live View	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Field-of-view	130°	130°	130°	110°	116°	130°
Temperature Sensors	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Two-way audio	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Members Only	Yes
Operating Temperature	-4° to 113° F	-4° to 113° F	-4° to 113° F	-4° to 113° F	-4° to 113° F	–40° to 113°F
HomeKit	No	No	No	No	No	No
Amazon Alexa	Echo Show	Echo Show	Echo Show	Echo Echo Dot	Via Wink	Echo Show
Google Home	Via IFTTT	Via IFTTT	Via IFTTT	Via IFTTT	No	Yes

eufy Cameras Comparison Chart — Brief & Full Overview

Here’s our brief, straight-forward comparison between eufyCam vs. eufyCam E vs. eufyCam 2 vs. eufyCam 2 Pro vs. eufyCam 2C. If you have more questions about the products feel free to ask them in the comments section below. We’ll be more than happy to help you make the right choice for your home.

eufyCam 2 vs. eufyCam 2 Pro — Brief & Full Overview

Here’s our brief, straight-forward comparison between eufyCam 2 vs. eufyCam 2 Pro. If you have more questions about the products feel free to ask them in the comments section below. We’ll be more than happy to help you make the right choice for your home.

Meet the New eufyCam 2 Pro — a 2K Security Camera With Apple HomeKit and more!

On July 7th, Anker Innovations — one of the leading companies in the field of mobile charging and consumer electronics, launched eufyCam 2 Pro, a new security camera of the eufy Security brand that belongs to Anker.

eufy Floodlight Camera vs. Ring Floodlight Cam — Brief & Full Overview

Here’s our brief, straight-forward comparison between eufy Floodlight Camera and Ring Floodlight Cam. If you have more questions about the products feel free to ask them in the comments section below. We’ll be more than happy to help you make the right choice for your home.

eufyCam E vs. 2C — Brief & Full Overview

Here’s our brief, straight-forward comparison between eufyCam E vs. 2C. If you have more questions about the products feel free to ask them in the comments section below. We’ll be more than happy to help you make the right choice for your home.

eufyCam vs. eufyCam 2 — Brief & Full Overview

Here’s our brief, straight-forward comparison between eufyCam vs. eufyCam 2. If you have more questions about the products feel free to ask them in the comments section below. We’ll be more than happy to help you make the right choice for your home.

eufyCam 2 vs. 2C — Brief & Full Overview

Ring Cameras: Comparison Chart & Overview

While Ring may be best known for their video doorbells, they offer several options for smart security cameras as well. The brand doesn’t have quite the same breadth as competitors like Nest or Arlo, but the company has recently released cameras that take major steps forward in features, performance, and smart control.

Nest Cameras: Comparison Chart & Overview

Nest is one of the more recognizable brands in the smart technology industry, with their main claim to fame being the Nest Learning Thermostat. However, the company has since expanded into a number of other industries, one of which being smart security cameras.

There are several different Nest cameras on the market that offer quality monitoring for the inside and exterior of your home. Newer releases in the lineup have introduced new features, improved performance, and better smart controls.

Looking for more information on Nest-brand Cameras, including how they work and whether or not they are worth the buy? Read on down below.

Does Nest Work With Alexa?

The short answer is yes, Alexa does integrate with Nest smart devices.

As of now, Alexa fully supports the following Nest devices such as Thermostats, Video doorbell, and Cameras.

So by using Amazon Alexa, you can have hands free control over Nest smart devices that will further enhance your smart home user experience.

Nest’s support for technology such as Alexa lets you have multiple ways of controlling your Nest home when you’re present and even when you’re away!

Using Alexa’s voice commands you can ask what temperature your home is at, check the live-feed in the living room, and more, so having this handy assistant working together with your Nest devices is a good idea.

Today we’re going to talk about the devices which integrate with Alexa, as well as how to go about connecting Nest to Alexa, so read on to find out more!

Does Nest Work With HomeKit?

Nest products such as thermostats, cameras, doorbells and more, continue to remain widely popular in most smart homes due to their aesthetically pleasing design and impressive functionality.

Nest also integrates pretty well with Alexa voice commands when paired up with Echo Show and Echo Spot, as well as Google Hub, allowing you to control your home in a truly smart and efficient way.

However, when it comes to the question of whether Nest works with HomeKit, the answer is both yes and no, and we will explain the reason why. There are quite a few opinions as to why Nest doesn’t want to fully work with Apple HomeKit to its full extent, even though there have been speculations that it could possibly change in the future.

It’s worth to note that you can still use and control Nest Smart Devices from most iOS devices and other Apple products such as iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch via the Nest app. So you can adjust the temperature on the thermostat, unlock the door, or even check in on your live-feed.

The only thing you can’t do is use Siri in order to control your smart devices or take advantage of accessing all your devices through the HomeKit app, however, there is a way around that which we will talk more about below.

Ring Floodlight Cam vs. Nest IQ Outdoor

Scare away the package thief with a smart security camera!

Ring and Nest are two huge names in the smart technology scene, so when it comes to their smart cameras you can expect advanced technology and impressive features for your home.

Additionally, Ring Floodlight Cam and Nest IQ Outdoor both provide some of the best video monitoring around, with Nest’s familiar face detection, and Ring’s advanced 1800 Lumen floodlights.

Not only that but with both models, you can also expect standard features such as live-view on-demand, two-way audio, night vision and more, for optimal smart home security.

So without further ado, let’s check out how both smart cameras can benefit your home!

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SimCam 1S vs. Nest Cam IQ

Nest is probably one of the better-known brands when it comes to smart home devices, and & Outdoor are two pretty popular products on the market today.

However, today we’ll also be looking at the lesser-known SimCam 1S, and the advanced features it offers for its competitive price.

Smart home cameras are a great way to keep track of who’s coming and going via live-view on demand, talk with your loved ones through two-way audio technology, and even get notified of a potential intruder by motion detection sensors. So it’s vital that you opt for a camera that will offer you optimal home protection, both inside and out.

So let’s get right to it, and check out both models below!

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Arlo Pro 3 vs. Arlo Ultra

Track every move with an Arlo Smart Camera!

The Arlo smart cameras are pretty flexible as they can run on battery power, AC and are even compatible with a solar panel.

Additionally, they can be placed both indoors as well as outdoors to ensure that all of your property is being monitored at all times, with features such as motion detection, live-view on-demand, two-way audio and more.

Today we’ll be looking at Arlo Ultra vs. Arlo Pro 3, and the great benefits they can bring to your home. Both cameras are quite similar to each other with the exception of Ultra’s advanced field of view and tracking technology.

So let’s get right to it and check out both models down below!

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Arlo Pro 2 vs. Pro 3

Keep an eye out rain or shine with Arlo Pro!

These smart cameras are great for both indoor and outdoor use, making it easy to buy them in a pack and place all around the property. Not only that, but they pack a punch when it comes to features such as motion detection, night vision, two-way audio, and more!

Today we’ll be looking at Arlo Pro 2 vs. 3, and the useful benefits each camera can offer you and your home. So whether you like the idea of Arlo Pro’s 27-day free cloud storage, or Arlo Pro’s 3 enhanced resolution and field of view, there is a smart camera out there for you.

Feel free to skip down to any part you prefer using our navigation system below.

SimCam 1S vs. Arlo Pro 2

Keep your loved ones close with a smart camera!

Adding a smart camera in your home allows you to not only see your loved ones but communicate with them as well via the two-way audio technology.

Additionally, you can also catch suspicious activity through the motion detection sensors, enable night vision, and more!

Today we’ll be looking at SimCam 1S and Arlo Pro 2 smart cameras, and the differences between the two. Surprisingly, we were impressed with the lesser-known SimCam’s capabilities especially when considering its budget-friendly price, so read on to see more about what each camera can offer.

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Nest Indoor Camera vs. Ring Indoor Camera

Keep an eye on your home with an indoor camera!

Both Ring and Nest provide us with a couple of handy indoor cameras that are easy to set up and come with some pretty impressive features, such as motion detection, night vision, live-view on demand, and more!

Today we’ll be looking at the budget-friendly small scale Ring Indoor Camera and the flexible and widely recognized Nest Camera Indoor.

Below we go into detail on the similarities and differences of the Nest Indoor Camera vs. Ring Indoor Camera. Continue on for the full picture, or use our navigation bar to jump directly to the sections that interest you below.

Ring Stick Up Cam vs. Nest Cam

Keep your loved ones close with a smart camera!

Smart cameras come in all types and varieties, they can be plugged in, battery operated and even connected through an ethernet cable.

Today we’ll be looking at Ring Stick Up Cams (Battery/Plug-in/Solar/Elite), as well as Nest Cam, all five of which offer different installation methods. So if you like the idea of a completely wireless camera, then Stick Up Cam or is a good option for you. Otherwise, read on to see which smart camera with its clear live-view footage, 2-way audio technology, and more, suits you best!

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Ring Stick Up Cam vs. Ring Spotlight Cam

Know who’s at home with a Ring Cam!

Ring security cameras haven’t let us down when it comes to the myriad of great features that they offer. You can ensure that your home will be safe with technology such as live-view streaming, two-way audio, and even motion detection.

Today we’ll be looking at Ring Stick Up Cam vs. Spotlight Cam, and what makes them so great. Whether it’s the flexible power options that the Stick Up Cam provided or Ring Spotlight’s extreme weather durability, we’re sure there is a smart camera out there for you.

The All-New Ring Stick Up Cam comes in four different options: , , , and Elite. The battery, plug-in, and solar are Gen 3 models; it’s pretty much the same camera, just with different accessories for power supply. Whereas the Ring Stick Up Cam Elite is rebranded Ring Stick Up Cam Wired Gen 2. So, today we’ll compare the new line of Ring Stick Up Cams (Battery, Plug-in, Solar, and Elite) to the Ring Spotlight Cam.

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Ring Indoor Cam vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-in

Keep the intruders at bay with a Ring camera!

Ring security cameras provide you with a great way to not only keep an eye on your home while away, but also allow you to seamlessly communicate with your loved ones, and even have a chat with your postman using the 2-way audio feature!

These compact cameras can be easily placed around your property, and can be bought in a pack of 3 and 4 for a greater value and even more protection.

Today we’ll be looking at both Ring Indoor Cam vs. Ring Stick-Up Cam Plug-In, and the unique features to each camera. Such as Indoor Cam’s better field of view and tiny size, or advanced motion detection software, we hope that you find the right camera for you.

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Best Smart Camera For Baby Monitor

Keep an eye on your little one with a smart baby camera!

It’s time to replace your older baby monitor with a newer and more advanced smart camera.

These handy devices not only notify you when your baby is crying, but also allows you to monitor the live feed, receive motion & sound alerts, talk with your little one, and even play them a song!

A smart baby monitor lets you be close with your bundle of joy, or check-in with the nanny, even when you are far away.

A model such as Arlo Baby even acts as a night light which color tones you can choose! And allows you to monitor your baby even without a phone when using its Smart Audio Unit.

So let’s get right to it, and see which smart baby monitor suits you and your little one best!

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Best PoE Smart Cameras

Don’t miss a thing with a smart camera!

Today we’ll be looking at a list of smart cameras that you can include in your home for optimal smart home security.

Not only do they come with standard features such as live-view on demand, 2-way audio, and motion detection, you can also opt for a camera such as the Amcrest UltraHD 4K which will provide you with an impressive 16x zoom capabilities, or Ring Video Doorbell Elite, which is both a smart doorbell and a security camera too!

So before we get into that let’s talk about what is PoE, and how it can benefit your home.

PoE

First, and foremost, PoE stands for Power over Ethernet. Meaning that PoE cameras will receive their power and transmit video through an Ethernet cable, so no need for any extra power cables!

Some of the benefits of PoE include energy savings, flexibility, and of course, an improved network connection too!

Because the PoE power cable is actually just the Ethernet cable, you won’t need an electrician in order to set up your new smart camera, thus saving you some extra money in the long run. Just make sure to get the PoE switch which connects to your router and allows you to connect multiple PoE devices, so you can opt for additional smart cameras without any issues.

Additionally, PoE security cameras will also protect your network system from under-powering, overloading, and even incorrect installation, so you can run your new smart cameras without any issues.

It’s worth mentioning that If your router is in a hard to reach the place, don’t worry as you can include an extension CAT 5, or CAT5 5 cable to extend it up to an additional 350 ft,so you can set your smart cameras anywhere both inside as well as outside your home.

In the end, PoE offers you an efficient, and reliable way to install and power your smart cameras, that will also provide you with a durable internet connection too.

So let’s get right to it, and check out some of the models you can include in your home.

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Best Cheap Smart Camera

Keep intruders away with a smart camera!

Having a smart camera in your home is a great decision to make today. As not only will it provide you with live footage of what’s going on, but they can also come with additional features such as smart home integration, motion tracking, sound detection, and more!

Today we’ll be looking at the best budget smart camera that you can get, and what to expect from each model. Whether it’s Blink’s impressive cloud storage you like or Wyze Cam Pan’s great field of view coverage, there is bound to be a smart home camera out there for you.

So let’s get right to it, and check out the best cheap smart cameras for your home today!

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YI Smart Dome Camera X vs. Blink XT2

Protect your home from the outside as well as the inside with a smart camera!

Smart Cameras are a great way for you to not only see what’s going on via the live-view on-demand feature, but also communicate with anyone who is either outside your door such as the postman or even say hello to your loved ones while you’re on the road too!

Not only that, but they also come with their own motion detection technology, night vision, smart home integration, and more.

Today we’ll be looking at both YI Smart Dome Security Camera X with its advanced field of view coverage, and with its unique temperature sensing technology, to see which one suits you best.

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YI Home Camera 3 vs. 2

Smart home security is something most of us should think about today. Luckily with so many great devices on the market today, you have the ability to protect our homes both inside and out.

Today we’ll be looking at YI Home Camera 2 vs. 3, and how these smart cameras will improve your home making more secure and safe. With their standard features such as two-way talk, motion detection, and even sound detection, you’ll be able to get close to your loved ones, as well as warn off any potential intruders too!

While both YI Home Camera 3 and YI Home Camera 2 have a lot of similarities, there are also a couple of differences to keep in mind, such as YI Home Camera’s 2 advanced field of view, or Home Camera’s 3 6-month cloud subscription.

So let’s get right to it, and check out both models below!

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YI Smart Dome Camera X vs. Wyze Cam v2

See more with a smart camera!

Smart home security has never been better, and we can see that today with the number of great security cameras we have on the market.

Not only do they provide the standard high-quality live-view technology, but they also bring more unique features such as two-way communication, custom motion zones, advanced field of view, and much more.

So let’s get right down to it, and check out YI Smart Dome Camera X vs. Wyze Cam, to see which suits you best!

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eufyCam vs. eufyCam E

Home security is pretty important nowadays, that’s why Anker launched eufyCam as a Kickstarter project in April 2017. Their most standout features being its extended battery life, and impressive local storage.

While still providing us with basic functions such as night vision, live-streaming and two-way talk.

Now we are going to take a look at eufyCam vs. eufyCam E and how they differ from each other. It will be quite clear that eufyCam with its advanced motion detection technology and the digital zoom will outwin eufyCam E. However, you also have the option of purchasing a eufycam HomeBase for your already existing eufyCam E to take advantage of the more advanced software.

So let’s get right to it and check out both models in more detail below!

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eufyCam E vs. Arlo Pro 2

Make your security camera smart!

Smart home security is pretty important in this day and age, luckily with the help of smart cameras, you will have one less thing to worry about.

With useful features such as live-view on demand, motion detection, night vision, and more, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t get one sooner!

Now we’re going to look at both eufyCam E vs. Arlo Pro 2, and the great features they can offer for your home. Whether it’s eufyCam’s impressive local storage that you like or Arlo’s flexible smart home integration, your perfect camera is out there.

So let’s get right to it and check out both models below!

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Best Smart Cameras With Local Storage

When it comes to choosing the right smart camera for your home, there are a lot of factors to take note of such as video and audio quality, software, smart home integration, and local storage capabilities.

While a lot of smart cameras include attractive subscription plans, especially when it comes to cloud storage, it’s also useful to have the option of sufficient local storage as an option, if you prefer not to opt for any additional plans.

All these cameras feature local storage via a USB or an SD card. Please note that having local storage doesn’t necessarily mean that the cameras will record 24/7 to local storage. Most of the cameras will only record motion-triggered activities. If you’re looking for a continuous video recording to local storage make sure to check out our take on Top 5 Smart Continuous Video Recording Cameras where we break down cameras with local & cloud CVR support.

So let’s get right into it, and see which smart camera suits you better!

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PoE

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