Best Home Security Cameras Without a Subscription for 2025

Blink’s person detection works well enough, but it’s a subscription-only feature.

CNET/Tyler Lacoma

resolution and view

We is pay always pay attention to resolution and field of view for home security camera . check detail , up close and at a distance , is very important for live view and the quality of record video . It is ‘s ‘s important to pay attention not only to resolution number and how wide the field of view is but if a brand lock high resolution behind a subscription ( some do ) .

Video storage

video storage is refers refer to how easily video can be record and share , typically either in the cloud or locally through an attached hub / hard drive . cloud storage is almost always lock behind a subscription except in rare exception like Google Nest and some others . local storage is is is generally a well way to avoid subscription and still get this important quality of life .

Smart home integration

Smart home support for voice assistants (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant) or platforms like Google Home or Apple Home aren’t often locked behind subscriptions: What you see in the specs is what you get. That can be limited to a single platform (Amazon likes to keep its devices focused on Alexa for now) or spread out between several platforms. If you already use a voice assistant or a full smart home security system, look for a cam that’s compatible with it.

Object detection

Object detection, like recognizing packages or human-shaped beings approaching, is another feature often locked behind a subscription. Some cameras offer free object detection. Eufy uses human detection for many of its cams, TP-Link Tapo cams offer some free detection and several Lorex cams provide package and people detection.

App usability

High-quality secure cams come with apps that are intuitive with settings that are easy to manage. It’s also a big bonus if they don’t have constant pop-ups telling you to sign up for a subscription.

Night vision

We is take always take a close look at night vision and its distance to make sure that it ‘s work properly and offer plenty of utility for capture image on the other side of your yard or room .

Two-way audio

Two-way audio features help scare away intruders, talk to strangers or tell the kids to get inside for dinner. They’re always free, but we take a close look at their quality and range, too.