Anytime 
One of the many benefits to building a smart home can be a serious blow to your security - if you want sensors to let you know when people are nearby, or to tell you if you've left a window open, or any number of other things.
A key element that can be played on smart cameras is not only to keep an eye on your home while you're away, but if you're using your smartphone to check things and also get notified when something isn't quite right .
You can also pick up all sorts of other smart gadgets, from lighting and heating control apps to robotic vacuum cleaners, to flesh out your smart home, but choosing a smart camera can be difficult at first.
Whether you're after a nice and simple model to look at a cat or dog while you're at work, or you want something a little more substantial, like a siren or one that can sing a lullaby, here's the best indoor smart camera available.
We also have a separate feature for Best Outdoor Smart Home Camera.
IQ Cam Nest
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- Dimensions: 124 x 74 mm, 357 g
- Features: night vision, 12x digital zoom and zoom, close-up tracking, two, person warning, familiar face recognition with subscription, compatible with Google Assistant
- Camera: 8MP 4K sensor, 1080p video recording, HDR, 130 degree wide angle
- Power: connected
- Record access: 3 hours (no subscription)
- Subscription price: £4/month or £40/year for five days of history, £8/month or £80 per year for 10 days of history or £24 per month or £240/year for 30 days of history
The Nest Cam IQ is the smarter of the two indoor cameras offered by the Nest, with the other cheaper model in the Indoor Nest Cam. Featuring a similar design to Cam Nest open with a white polycarbonate body, Cam IQ Nest has a main body with a hinge that connects it to a stud hiding cables and a base with a USB Type-C connector.
It's one of the most expensive cameras on this list, but thanks to the 4K HDR resolution of the sensor, it will offer close-up tracking of a face or faces, and it's capable of distinguishing between a person and a thing. It also has a Google Assistant built in so you can ask it to turn your thermostat socket or find out how much George Clooney is.
Users will also have a two-way conversation via the camera, night vision has been improved for the indoor jack cam and those who sign up for a jack up to date subscription will also benefit from recognition features and customizable activity zones. For a cheaper option, Nest still offers its Indoor Nest Cam.
- Nest Cam commentary on IQ
Netgear Arlo
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- Dimensions: 72 x 44 x 66mm, 123g (camera), 55 x 215 x 165mm, 320g (base station)
- Features: night vision, partial alarm, Alexa and Google assistant compatibility, custom modes, smart scheduling, all-weather
- Camera: video recording in 720p, 110 degree wide angle
- Power: wires, battery
- Record access: seven days of viewing for up to five cameras (no subscription)
- Subscription price: Premier £6.49/month or £64/year for 30 days of cloud recording for up to 10 cameras or Elite £9.99/month or £99/year for up to 60 days of cloud recording and up to 15 cameras
The company offers a variety of smart home camera options, including the standard Arlo, which is a completely wire-free camera and weatherproof, meaning you can use it outside too. There is also Arlo Ultra, Arlo Pro Arlo Pro 2 and Arlo Go Wireless.
The Arlo features night vision and motion alerts like the rest of the cameras on this list, but its camera resolution is slightly smaller than others with 720p video recording instead of 1080p. She also has a slightly narrower field of view than the others. The Arlo Pro cameras will offer though 1080p video recording as well as a wider field of view, while the Arlo Ultra offers 4K video recording and 180-degree field of view, so there are other options in the range to suit different needs.
One of the great things about Arlo, it provides seven days of browsing, downloading and sharing without a subscription. Most other smart home cameras besides transmit weight require a monthly subscription for 24-hour video access, while with Arlo, it's just a requirement for seven days of video, or if you want a few extra features.
- Netgear Arlo comment
- Arlo vs Arlo Pro vs Arlo Pro 2 vs Arlo Ultra: which security cameras should you buy?
Ring Stick Up Cam
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- Dimensions: X 97 60 60 mm x
- Features: night vision, two way talk, motion activated alert, waterproof, siren, compatible with Amazon Alexa
- Camera: 1080p video recording, 115 degrees wide angle (batteries), 150 degrees (wired)
- Power: connected, battery or solar powered
- Record access: video only view without subscription
- Subscription price: 30 days - history cameras for £2.50/month, per ring camera
The ring, best known for its video calls, has several different security cameras, but the stick-up cam ring is recommended for indoor use. It comes in wired option, battery option and solar option so there are a couple of models to suit different requirements.
The rings stick out camera has night vision and two way talk like the other cameras on this list, and it also comes with a siren. There aren't any fancy features like facial recognition, but the stick-up cam is waterproof, so it can be used outside as well. It's also compatible with Amazon's Alexa, so if you have an Echo or Echo Spot, or a fiery tablet, you'll be able to ask Alexa to show you the look of your flash drive up to your cam.
Unlike some of the others on this list, you will need a protection ring to plan to watch any video with only a live recording viable without a subscription. For those with more than one ring camera, you might want to consider ring protection plus a subscription that covers the entire device ring for $8 per month.
Hive View
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- Dimensions: 145mm x 88mm, 543g
- Features: night vision, two-way conversation, compatible with other bee products, zoom, face detection
- Camera: 1080p video recording, 130 degree wide angle
- Power: connected
- Record access: 24 hours camera history, live streams and access to recordings without a subscription
- Subscription price: 30 days of camera history for $4.99 per month
British Gas Pre-Owned Hive features two smart home camera options, including the latest Hive View models. It offers 24-hour rolling history from camera to cloud, and it comes in two color options, including a black and brushed copper model and a champagne gold and white model.
While it doesn't offer as many of the handy features of some of the others on this list, such as face recognition, it does have two-way audio as well as zoom and offers human detection too, along with sound and motion.
One of the best things about the camera hive is that it joins the company of other smart home products, which includes heating, lighting, motion sensors and smart plugs, making building a smart home a lot easier.
- Beehive view review
Transfers Weight
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- Dimensions: 155 x 45 mm, 399g
- Features: night vision, human, warning, up to 16 face recognition, configurable privacy settings
- Camera: 4MP sensor, 1080p video recording, 130 degree wide angle
- Power: connected
- Record access: microSD cards up to 32 GB (8 GB card included for up to 100 videos), no cloud recording
- Subscription price: subscriptions
It transfers the camera's weight to facial recognition technology and is one of the few smart home cameras to do so, aside from the cam socket on the IQ, though it requires a subscription for that privilege. Welcome to capture pictures of people and allow you to create profiles, after which the camera will send the names of the people it recognizes and also notify you when it detects an unknown face.
It is possible to set up a profile so that if you don't want to record your partner at any time, for example, you can set it up to make sure that this is not the case and you may not receive notifications when you are at home.
Unlike some smart home cameras, Welcome does not open a speaker for two-way talking, or a siren, night light, or music features, but there are no subscription fees, so the price you pay for the camera is all you pay to access your video. The included 8 GB SD card will allow you to store up to 100 videos and after storage runs out, the oldest video will be replaced.
- Passes the weight of the comment
TP-Link Casa KC120 Cam
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- Measurements: X 136.73 79 79 mm x
- Features: night vision, two-way conversation, compatible with Google and Amazon Assistant Alexa
- Camera: 1080p video recording, 130 degree wide angle
- Power: connected
- Record access: two days of viewing (no subscription)
- Subscription price: plus $4/month or $40/year for 14 days of video, story, or Premium - $7/month or $70/year for up to 30 days of video, story
The TP-Link Casa Cam KC120 has an easy-to-use application interface, coupled with good 1080p video quality. It offers decent night vision, two-way talking features, and it's compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, which means you'll be able to stream Casa Cam feed on the Amazon Echo Show or Google homepage if you have it.
You get two days of video history without a subscription and there are many more options, while this camera also offers a strong and stable connection. Although it has its downsides, with occasional social recordings, the PTT features are a bit laggy and the notifications are a bit overwhelming at times.
But nitpicking aside, the 48 hours of free storage space is certainly a reason to consider this indoor smart camera – especially since the top-tier competitor only offers clip-on cloud storage for up to three hours if you pay more.
- TP-Link Casa Comment Cam KC120
Logitech Circle 2
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- Dimensions: 86 x 71 x 67mm, 207g (wired), 97 x 82 x 95mm, 340g (wireless)
- Features: automatic night vision up to 5 meters, two-way talk, 8x digital zoom, pan and tilt adjustment, thermal insulation, face detection with subscription, Alexa, Google Assistant, apple tree home compatibility
- Camera: 1080p video recording, 180 degree wide angle
- Catering: Choice of mains and battery operated models
- Record access: 24 hours unlimited streaming and downloads (no subscription)
- Subscription price: basic £2.99/month for 14 days and one camera, or premium £7.99/month or £79.99/year for 31 days and one camera. Basic is £5.99/month for up to five cameras and Premium is $13.99/month for up to five cameras.
The Logitech Circle 2 replaces the Smart Home Camera Circle, bringing a choice of wired and wireless, sealing and a wider field of view compared to its predecessor.
It's compatible with Amazon and Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home and there are a range of mounts and accessories to go with it, allowing you to mount it wherever you want. Circle 2 has a 180-degree field of view, it records 1080p video and offers night vision up to five meters.
In addition, Circle 2 has a two-way talk and listen feature and for those who choose Circle, the Secure Premium subscription, you'll have access to face detection, motion zones and advanced events and alert filtering options.
- Logitech circle 2 review
All-In-One Canary
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- Dimensions: 152.4 x 76.2mm, 396g
- Features: night vision, air quality monitoring, 90 decibels, siren, face detection, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
- Camera: 1080p video recording, 147 degree wide angle
- Power: connected
- Record access: 24 hours with unlimited downloads and social sharing (no subscription)
- Subscription price: £7.99/month or £79/year for 30 days history
The Canaries all-in-one security camera can be set up in minutes and it will learn over time to deliver you smarter notifications. It is capable of recording Full HD video, recording HD audio, and you will receive instant alerts when activity is detected, along with the ability to view the recorded video. It also provides person discovery without a subscription, and talk and desktop streaming with a subscription.
There is a 90 decibel siren on board to scare away unwanted visitors, which can be controlled remotely, as well as Canaries and monitors air quality, temperature and humidity to give you a better idea of your home.
For those after an all-weather option, Canary offers the Canary flex, which can be installed wirelessly or connected, inside or outside your home. It is a smaller device than a standard chanterelle and does not have a siren, but it does have a built-in speaker. Keep in mind that 24 hours of free recording access is shared between all Canarian devices.
- All-in-one Canarian commentary
Somfy Engines One
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- Dimensions: 110 x 90 x 90 mm, 260g
- Features: night vision, two-way talking, privacy shutter, siren and alarm, compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, partial alarm and works with Nest
- Cameras: 1080p 30fps video capture, 130 degree wide angle, 8x digital zoom
- Power: connected
- Record access: live broadcasts (no subscription)
- Subscription price: £3.99 per month for 24 hour playback
The Somfy One Engine offers several impressive features including a capable camera that performs well in all lighting conditions, physical shutter privacy and a motion based alarm siren.
It is compatible with Nest, Alexa, Google Home and Partial Alarm thermostats too, making it extremely flexible and adaptable to what your smart home needs.
Its plan isn't as good as the others - it will only notify and video capture when the alarm is set, but the subscription is cheaper than some others too. There is also Somfy Motors One+, which comes with a key fob badge, a door or window sensor, and a built-in battery.
- Somfy engines one comment
Withings Nokia app
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- Dimensions: 87 x 75 mm, 226 g
- Features: night vision, 12x zoom, dual, light and music, air quality monitoring
- Camera: 5 MP sensor, 1080p video recording, 135 degree wide angle
- Power: connected
- Record access: 48-hour interval shooting (subscriptions)
- Subscription price: €7.95/month for 7 Days of History or €19.95/month for 30 days
Withings, which was sold to Nokia and then bought out, offers a home camera. The camera records what happens in your home, monitors the air quality and it will also play a lullaby when the lights turn on at night.
The bottom stylish looking camera can be used as a night light, while the top features environmental sensors to measure temperature, humidity and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). There is a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, two digital microphones, a head-up speaker, a 135-degree wide-angle zoom and night vision on the camera.
Any attention-worthy thing that happens will be recorded in a cloud stored video and sent to your smartphone as a notification, and any images and videos will then be entered into an interactive timeline that turns into a home diary. You'll get 48 hours of free access to your schedule, and anything beyond that requires a subscription.
- Withings app Nokia Home review