- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Scans entire rooms
- Cheapest of the cheap
- Reliable inside and outdoors
- Night vision up to 67 ft.
- Two-way audio
Bottom line: Make a Wyze choice
Home security cameras aren’t reserved for people who can drop a wad of cash on a fancy surveillance system. If you want to add a security camera, but have a budget to stick to, we think that the Wyze Cam Pan is the one to beat.
While most cheap security cameras sacrifice features like smart home compatibility and cloud storage to push the price lower, Wyze delivers an unexpectedly solid experience that rivals the best home security cameras at any price.
Here are the top 5 cheap security cameras
Compare cheap security cameras
| Price* |
| Night vision |
| Two-way communication |
| MicroSD |
| Cloud storage |
| Smart home capability |
|
Top pick
|
DVR add-on pick
|
Outdoor pick
|
Cloud storage pick
|
Night vision pick
|
| Wyze Cam Pan | ZOSI 720P | SV3C 1080p Wi-Fi | YI Dome Camera | Wansview Q5 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| $37.98 | $17.99 | $52.99 | $33.99 | $45.99 |
| Up to 30 ft. | Up to 65 ft. | Up to 67 ft. | Up to 10 ft. | Up to 16 ft. |
| ✓ Yes |
X No |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
| ✓ Yes |
X No |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
| ✓ Yes |
✓ With compatible DVR |
X No |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
| Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
With compatible DVR | None | YI Home products | Amazon Alexa |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
*Amazon.com list price as of 05/28/2020 at 4:05 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
Our approach
SafeWise tests, researches, and compares products based on the factors that matter most to the people who want to use them. We get our hands on products, fall into rabbit holes of research, look up customer reviews, contact customer service, and more.
Learn more about our rankings and reviews process on our methodology page.
Best cheap security camera reviews
Wyze Cam Pan: Top pick
It’s hard to believe that you can get a smart Wi-Fi camera for less than $40. But the Wyze Cam Pan delivers—and it’s become a staff favorite.
You’ll love the clear night vision images, built-in speaker for two-way audio, and smart motion tracking that follows movement from start to finish. And if you’ve got a little tyke that likes to sing themselves to sleep, you can check in remotely for a sweet serenade every night.
For an in-depth look at this camera, check out our Wyze Cam review.
More cheap security from Wyze
If you want to upgrade your home security on the cheap, Wyze has a full suite of products to protect your home. The Wyze Sense Starter Kit ($47.96) helps you guard doors and windows, but also comes with a motion sensor. You can also add extra security with a Wyze Bulb ($12.29), and the Wyze Plug ($19.97 for a 2-pack).
Plus, you can now get the Wyze Lock, which is one of the cheapest smart locks on the market at just $107.98.
Pros
- Free rolling cloud storage
- Voice control with Amazon Alexa
- 360° pan and scan
- Motion and sound detection
- Longer power cord
Cons
- No auto-reboot function
- Some network security concerns
- Hit-and-miss motion alerts
Wyze cam donations
ZOSI 720P CCTV Camera: DVR add-on pick
This is a four-in-one security camera from ZOSI. You can use it inside and outdoors, and it’s compatible with four different video outputs, though you need to buy a DVR for it to work.
This ZOSI security camera looks like what you expect from a security camera, which should scare away burglars who are on the prowl. And you can find plenty of videos online from customers who caught thieves in the act thanks to this versatile, cheap camera.
Pros
- Weather-resistant design
- 65 ft. night vision
- Vandal-proof construction
- Compatibility with other ZOSI cameras
Cons
- No motion tracking
- No mobile pan or tilt
- No two-way audio
- Must purchase a separate DVR to use
SV3C Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera: Outdoor pick
This outdoor IP camera lets you protect your home and property without breaking the bank.
The SV3C provides smart motion detection, high-resolution images, and the broadest night vision range of any camera on our list (up to 67 feet). And at around $55 a piece (though we admit this is slightly higher than $50 after a recent price change), you can afford to place a few around your property.
Pros
- Long night vision range
- Smart motion detection
- Compatibility with third-party security software
- Two-way audio
Cons
- No smart home compatibility
- Difficult adjustment of recording settings
YI Dome Camera: Cloud storage pick
The YI Dome Camera makes it easy to stay on top of everything in your home when you have to be away. And you can wave goodbye to blind spots because the YI Dome Camera features a bidirectional rotation range that captures panoramic scenes.
Best of all, you can store all those sweeping images for free on the YI Cloud.
Pros
- Unlimited rolling YI Cloud storage
- Motion tracking
- Video bookmarks
- Compatibility with other YI devices
- Noise reduction
Cons
- App privacy concerns
- Some firmware issues
- No motion alert zone settings
Wansview Q5: Night vision pick
This affordable Wansview Q5 security camera delivers a lot for under $50. You get 1080p HD resolution, a 320° pan range, and 4x digital zoom.
Plus, with two-way communication, this is a great solution if you want to check in on little humans or fur babies. And customers love how crisp the images are—even at night. But that awesome night vision only extends up to 16 feet.
Pros
- iOS and Android mobile app
- Smart pan and tilt function
- Quick setup
- Broad field of view
- Excellent night vision clarity
Cons
- Limited night vision range
- Glitchy Android app
More brands we considered
Blink Mini
Amazon-owned Blink just released the Blink Mini for around $35. While we haven’t tested this camera yet, our first impressions are that it’s an attractive little camera that almost rivals Wyze.
Unfortunately, it requires a paid subscription for cloud storage or an additional accessory for microSD video storage. We’ll see if our tune changes after testing.
Read our Blink cameras review to learn more about this brand.
Alfred smartphone app
While not strictly a security camera, the Alfred app is one way to get a security camera for free. Simply put this app on an old smartphone from your junk drawer and you have an instant security camera (you might want a Mini Tripod Stand first). The app gives you most of the features you expect from a security camera like motion detection, live video streaming, and two-way communication.
It can’t really do night vision since most smartphones don’t have the right tech, particularly the infrared LEDs. Still, Alfred is worth considering as a temporary or permanent security camera option.
Final word
It’s fine and good to want an affordable home security camera solution, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality for a few extra bucks in your wallet. Some of the best security cameras are still affordable. For example, we chose the Wyze Cam Pan for our top pick because it’s an insanely cheap camera despite coming with a mobile app, cloud storage, and excellent smart home compatibility.
Cheap security cameras FAQ
What should I look for when buying a cheap security camera?
When you’re buying cheap it helps to know in advance the features that you’re looking for. That helps you weed out cameras that don’t deliver right away.
Here are some questions to help you figure out what you want (and need) in a cheap security camera.
- Are you using your camera inside or outside?
- Do you need a camera with special talents like motion sensors or pet-friendly features?
- Do you want to install more than one security camera?
- Do you want a camera to deter burglars?
- Do you want a security camera so you can check in on people and pets when you’re not at home?
- Is a mobile app important to you?
- Do you want motion-activated alerts sent to your phone or email?
- Do you want to be able to listen in and talk through the camera?
- Are you interested in a camera that you can move around, or do you want to install it in a permanent location?
- Are you more interested in wireless cameras, or are you okay with a power cord?
- Is storing and saving video footage important to you? If so, do you want to use cloud storage or do you prefer an SD card?
- Do you want to watch a live video feed?
- Are smart home features and compatibility important to you?
How do I find trustworthy security camera brands?
Start with brands that you may already be familiar with, or ask trusted friends and family for recommendations.
Then research expert reviews and customer ratings to see what people are saying about the camera after they’ve used it for a while. Finding high quality at low prices can be a challenge, but it’s a lot easier when you have help knowing which brands deliver.
Are there hidden costs behind cheap security cameras?
The purchase price posted for one camera may not be the whole story. Some security cameras are part of a bigger system and require extra equipment to function. Extras can be a base station, a microSD card, playback DVR, or cloud storage subscription.
Take time to read the fine print and root out any extra costs before deciding which cheap security camera is right for you.
Disclaimer
*Amazon.com list price as of 05/28/2020 at 4:05 p.m. (MT). Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
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