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In this post, I am happy to bring you the scoop on the best budget security cams for under $100 & $200.
While you may find a few of these over at CNET, I’m here to give you a more thorough lowdown on my favorite security cameras for both indoor and outdoor use. I’ve included my picks for a couple of video doorbells as well.
Here are the nine best budget wifi security cameras, video doorbells, and alarms you can get right now:
Indoor Security Cameras Under $100:
- #1 – Best Overal: Wyze Cam v3
- #2 – Budget Runner-Up: EZVIZ
- #3 – Best Battery Life: Blink Indoor
- #4 – Budget Baby Monitor: Netvue
Outdoor Security Cameras & Doorbells Under $200 & $100:
- #5 – Best Outdoor: xmartO
- #6 – Best Multi-Camera: Zmodo
- #7 – Best Outdoor Single: Dericam
- #8 – Best Video Doorbell: EKEN
- #9 – Runner-Up Doorbell: Ring 4
Affordable Indoor / Outdoor Security Cameras
Call them what you like: nanny cams, pet cams, or wireless home security cameras.
Whatever you want to call them, the adoption of indoor and outdoor security cameras by homeowners is a growing trend [Source: Statistica].
In fact, a recent report by Grand View Research, Inc. said that the global smart home security cameras market size is anticipated to reach USD 11.89 billion by 2027, expanding at a staggering CAGR of 15.7%. You can read about the details in this press release if interested.
These neat surveillance devices for both inside and out help to prevent theft, help police catch thieves, let you watch the kids or elderly family members, and check up on your pets. Heck, they will even help you save money on homeowners insurance.
Best of all?
The prices of these systems have fallen dramatically in recent months. Basic cameras that let you monitor your home using your smartphone are now within reach of virtually any budget.
Options abound on Amazon, which can make it very confusing as to what to buy.
That’s where I come in.
In this article, I’ll list the best cheap home security cameras from Wyze, Blink, Netvue, Ring, and others. And I’ll organize them by price, starting with some very inexpensive but highly-rated and hugely popular products.
Take a Bite Out of Crime
Remember McGruff, that crime-fighting dog from the 80s? He warned you to lock your door in order to help “take a bite out of crime.”
[Sorry about the poor video quality; this is the best we could find on our friend McGruff.]Sadly, criminals and thieves have gotten much more sophisticated these days, and it will take more than lights and locked doors to stop them.
Did you know that there are 1.4 million home burglaries yearly and that police solve only 13% due to a lack of witnesses or physical evidence?
Don’t become another statistic. Read until the end for a humongous Burglary Statistics Infographic [courtesy: SafeAtLast], and then get a security camera to help deter theft and catch thieves in the act!
Best Budget Security Cams for Under $100
Here’s a table listing all of the best budget wifi cams (Wyze vs Blink vs Ring vs Netvue vs Ezviz and others). All of these are featured in this review, along with their price. Prices are updated daily as of the date and time at the bottom of the table. You can click on the product image or SEE IT button to see the item on Amazon and the latest pricing.
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Best Budget Security Cameras Under $100 for Indoors
#1 – Best Overall Value: Wyze Cam v3
Value for Price
When you weigh the pros and cons of Wyze vs Blink, Ring, Netvue, Ezviz, the Wyze Cam v3 from Wyze Labs offers tremendous value at a very affordable price. In fact, this is probably the best overall value of the best budget security cameras for under $50 and even under $100 and $200. Moreover, it delivers the full features you would expect from a higher-end camera. These include 1080p high def streaming, night vision, and two-way audio. And it works with Alexa to boot!
If you’re interested in seeing it in action, check out this helpful video from Smart Home Solver. [Nice job Reed.]
This is my pick of the best budget home security cameras, and it really is an amazing deal. I bought one for my sister this past Christmas, and it literally took me less than 10 minutes to set it up. Besides, at this price, what do you have to lose?
#2 – Runner Up: EZVIZ Indoor Security Camera
Features and Value for Price
The EZVIZ Indoor Security Camera offers wireless IP surveillance with night vision, motion alerts, plus two-way audio, and a 135° wide-angle view. Footage can be stored in the Cloud, and it also works with Alexa. Customers who own this camera on Amazon give it high marks.
#3 – Best Battery Life: Blink Indoor
Features and Value for Price
Like others, the Blink Indoor Home Security Camera also has motion detection and HD video. The battery lasts longer than many security cameras I have tested [a whopping two years!]. It also includes storage of video footage in the Cloud.
You can see Blink’s ad for this camera below.
#4 – Budget Baby Monitor: Netvue Indoor
Features and Value for Price
The Netvue WiFi Camera offers all of the same features as the Wyze Cam, plus it’s compatible with the Amazon Echo Show and has motion detection and internal storage. It makes an awesome baby monitor. This is one of the best cheap home security cameras you can buy now bar none.
Best Outdoor Security Cameras Under $200
Outdoor Camera Comparison Table
Here’s a table listing all the best budget outdoor security cameras featured (xmarto vs Dericam vs Zmodo). I will include a couple of video doorbells as well for comparison purposes. Prices were last updated as of the date and time at the bottom of the table. You can click on the button to see the item on Amazon.
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#5 – Best Outdoor System: xmartO
Features and Value for Price
The xmartO Wireless Security camera system is expandable and offers exceptional pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities. It includes a 1TB with 8CH 1080p NVR, built-in audio, and a 2X 960p fixed-angle view.
#6 – Best Outdoor Multi-Cam: Zmodo
Features and Value for Price
Ideal for business or those serious about outside security, the Zmodo Surveillance System features a 32-channel 1080p HDMI NVR surveillance system, a weatherproof sPoE security camera w/repeater, plus 24/7 recording & remote monitoring capabilities.
While this is more expensive than some other items in its class, it is still a very inexpensive full-perimeter coverage video surveillance system.
#7 – Best Outdoor Single: Dericam
Features and Value for Price
Next on our list of the best cheap home security cameras is the Dericam Outdoor Wireless Security Camera. This outdoor home security camera features 4X optical zoom, auto-focus, a 1.3-megapixel display, and a pre-installed 32GB memory card.
Video Doorbells
#8 – Budget Video Doorbell: EKEN Video Doorbell 2
Features and Value for Price
Next on my list of indoor/outdoor home security cameras is the EKEN Video Doorbell. This awesome doorbell makes it easy to see who’s at your front [or back or side] door. It includes a high-definition WiFi camera, real-time video, two-way audio, a wide-angle lens, and night vision. You can run the doorbell off of a battery if you don’t have wiring at your door.
Thanks to HappyTechFam for this helpful video.
#9 – Best Video Doorbell: Ring Video Doorbell 4
Value for Price
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 lets you check in on your property anytime with live-view on-demand video. It lets you see, hear and speak to visitors outside your home from your phone, tablet, or PC. The doorbell will send alerts as soon as motion is detected or when visitors press the doorbell. And it works with Alexa to send announcements to Echo devices when your doorbell is pressed or motion is detected, allowing you to hear and speak to visitors with two-way talk. Set up is easy, and it works with or without existing doorbell wires—ding dong.
Best Budget Security Cams Under $100 & $200: What Do You Think?
So which is your favorite security camera out of my picks for the best budget security cameras under $100 and $200?
It’s amazing how much the prices have dropped so dramatically on these cameras over the past few years.
Do you plan to purchase an indoor or outdoor camera? How about a video doorbell or alarm?
Please leave a comment below and let us know. We would love to hear from you.
Related Posts
If you liked this article about the best budget security cams, would you mind sharing it using the social media buttons on this page? If you enjoyed reading this, you might also like some of my other articles. I’ll list a few of them below.
- Blink Mini Vs Wyze Cam Vs Wyze Cam Pan
- Ring Pro vs August vs Eufy Video Doorbells
- What Are the Best Echo Show Cameras?
- How To Use Echo Show as a Baby Monitor
- Echo Show 10 vs Echo Show 15
Giant Burglary Statistics Infographic
Here’s the HUGE Burglary Statistics Infographic that we mentioned above.
Our thanks to our friends over at SafeAtLast.co for letting us display it here.
The Best Budget Security Cams Can Help Take a Bite Out of Crime
Tim Brennan, a tech blogger and host of the @TecTimmy YouTube channel, writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. He holds a Journalism degree from Northeastern University and has covered technology for three decades. He lives on the ocean in Nahant, Massachusetts.
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel for a fun take on all things tech.