Best Smart Security Cameras For Your Home And Garage, According To Users

Even if you don't expect intruders or thieves, having a home security camera can bring you peace of mind. Today's smart home products make it easy to survey your property without spending a ton of money. Compared to the security cameras of yesteryear, today's devices not only offer high resolution but also a wide range of useful features, like two-way audio and motion detection.

Modern cameras are also IoT devices and can form part of a smart home system. Not only can you record HD (or better) video of your property, but you can check in straight from your phone whenever you feel like it, whether you're away on vacation or sitting on your living room couch. The downside to smart security cameras becoming more affordable to produce (and buy) is the proliferation of many different options, widening the gap between high-quality models and total lemons.

User reviews can be a great way to get a general idea of which products are worth investing in, as any major issues will typically crop up when thousands of owners or more weigh in. Here are some of the best smart security cameras for your home and garage, including the areas outside them, according to users. These devices come from both security-focused and smart home-focused brands, including some that manufacture the best Wi-Fi security cameras you can buy. More information on how we selected these products can be found at the end of this list.

One of the highest-rated smart security cameras on Amazon is the company's own Blink Mini 2. Over 17,400 users have scored the Blink Mini 2 a strong 4.5 out of 5, particularly praising its clear video resolution, simple setup, and affordable pricing. This particular model is an older generation, but the newer Blink Mini 2K+ currently has much fewer user reviews, so it's too soon to know which is better.

Using the Blink app, you can quickly access views of your home or garage at 1080p resolution. While not as crisp as 4K, full HD still allows you to clearly see the environment, especially since the Mini 2 has an integrated spotlight. The camera offers a wide field-of-view, as well, allowing you to potentially see your entire garage with a single camera. The Mini 2 also offers motion detection, two-way audio, alert notifications, and the ability to continuously livestream for up to 90 minutes. It also works as a plug-in chime for the Blink Video Doorbell, so you can know when someone's at the front door even while working in your garage.

While the Blink Mini 2 can be mounted outside your home or garage, its power port isn't weatherproof right out of the box. You'll need to purchase a weather adapter separately, which adds to the cost; however, even with the adapter, the Mini 2 is still more affordable than many other smart security cameras. Another added cost is a subscription plan, which is necessary to access the camera's full feature set. The Blink Mini 2 has an MSRP of $39.99.

Earlier this year, security electronics company Reolink earned one of SlashGear's Best of IFA 2025 awards for its ReoNeura AI, which combines object detection and advanced generative AI to track, log, and notify you of what its cameras can see. Even if you're not looking for something that sophisticated, the brand still has products for your home and garage. One such product is the Reolink RLC-520A, which has one of the highest overall customer ratings in its class on Amazon — 4.5 out of 5, based on over 1,000 reviews.

Users note that it's easy to install and relatively affordable for what it offers. Some users also praise the clarity of its night vision, though others have issues with it, along with problems with its Power over Ethernet (PoE) function. The 5-megapixel camera offers picture quality somewhere between full-HD and true 4K — 2560x1920 at 30 fps. It also has a microphone for capturing audio.

Footage can be saved to a microSD card, though you'll need to purchase one separately (the Reolink supports up to 512 GB cards). Footage can also be saved on an FTP server or Reolink NVR. The camera can record continuously 24/7. You can schedule when it records or set it to automatically start capturing video when it detects movement. The camera is equipped to identify people, animals, and vehicles, with users noting that its picture is good enough to record licence plate numbers. Through Reolink's app, you can also set it to record time-lapse video throughout the day. The Reolink RLC-520A retails for $54.99.

Don't let the name fool you — the Wyze Cam OG is not the brand's original security camera. It's a newer model, and it's also one of the highest-rated options you can find on Amazon. The OG, which runs at 1080p and has color night vision, boasts a solid 4.4 out of 5 score from over 20,100 user reviews.

The device isn't 5G compatible, but it does work either hardwired or via 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Live streaming is available, as well as two different recording options: locally to a microSD card (sold separately) or to the cloud. The latter is only available with a paid subscription. Features include two-way audio and the ability to send notifications when the camera detects motion or sound. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the camera's motion detection zones to avoid a constant stream of alerts. Its IP65 rating means you can use the Wyze Cam OG outdoors if you choose, though you'll need an outdoor power adapter that isn't included with the device.

There's a potential red flag you should be aware of before purchasing, though. More than once, Wyze has had issues with security vulnerabilities and hackers accessing private data. While its Wyze Cam OG, which launched after many of these leaks, is one of the best-rated smart security cameras on Amazon, its data breaches may be a dealbreaker for you. The Wyze Cam OG retails for $30.

We really liked Tapo's C120 when we reviewed it in 2023, calling it "a beginner indoor/outdoor security camera that's easy to install." Users seeking something a bit more advanced but still simple enough for a home or garage can check out the brand's MagCam. The Tapo MagCam has a 4.3 out of 5 overall user score on Amazon, based on nearly 3,000 reviews. Many of these users are fans of the camera's 150-degree field of view, which is wide enough to cover most smaller yards and garages. Its night vision is also a highlight, though owner opinions are more mixed when it comes to its Wi-Fi connectivity and battery life.

This conflicts with the brand's claim that its 10,000 mAh battery can last up to 300 days without needing a recharge. If you want guaranteed uptime, an optional Tapo A200 Solar Panel helps ensure the battery never goes out on you — if you're using it outside, at least. That's entirely possible thanks to the Tapo MagCam's IP66 weather resistance.

Mounting the MagCam is easy, as it has a magnetic base that sticks to metal surfaces, which can be especially convenient in a garage. In addition to full color night vision, the camera offers 2K QHD resolution. While streaming via Google only works with Chromecast and Nest devices, you can use voice control with the device with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The Tapo MagCam retails for $89.99.

While perhaps not as well-known as other brands that make cheap home security cameras worth buying, Vimtag offers a highly-rated model that is also one of the most affordable options available. The Vimtag Mini G3 has a positive 4.3 out of 5 rating from over 5,150 user reviews, with owners noting its clear picture quality, including night vision. Owners also praise the camera's value, which isn't surprising considering you can get it for less than $20.

The camera can be used to surveil the interior of your home or garage, or mounted outside to capture its surroundings. Dual-band Wi-Fi will keep it connected from a distance, while the hardware's IP66-rated design protects it from dust and weather. The camera itself delivers a 2.5K resolution video and color night vision. It's equipped with a spotlight, as well as the ability to send instant notifications when sound or motion is detected.

Vimtag's Mini G3 can also double as an alarm, blasting sound and light when necessary. It can also serve as an intercom or doorbell with its enhanced two-way audio. A microSD card (sold separately) can be used to record video locally, or you can purchase a subscription and use Vimtag's Canny Cam app to save footage to the cloud. Some Amazon reviewers have had issues with the cloud recording feature, though. The Vimtag Mini G3 sells for $19.99.

We based our selection of home security cameras on Amazon reviews, as the retailer has a large pool of customers who have weighed in on many different available options. Having a large number of reviews for each item means that the average review score for each device is fairly reliable, as any fake or outlier reviews (whether positive or negative) won't significantly affect the overall score. The cameras on this list all have at least 1,000 user reviews and a strong 4.3 out of 5-star average score.

Beyond that, we decided to focus on simple smart home cameras, as residential homes and garages typically do not require more sophisticated systems. The ability to be used outdoors was a major factor when evaluating these devices, as many homeowners will mount cameras on the exterior of their property or in garages that are not heated.

Other features we considered when evaluating these cameras include video resolution, night vision, field-of-view, connectivity, audio and two-way capabilities, recording options, object detection, motion detection, and other special functions that homeowners may value when shopping for a smart security camera. Cost was also taken into consideration, and we made sure to include models at various price points to make it easier for readers to find a camera that's right for their needs, regardless of budget.