The 5 Best Security Cameras for Your Home of 2025
Top pick
This doorbell captures clear audio and video, sends fast alerts, and offers free and paid cloud storage — including an option for 24/7 cloud recording.
- Subscription: optional (free cloud storage)
- Power: hardwired
- Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
Who this is for
People who want a permanently installed way to screen visitors at the door, whether they’re on the other side of the door or the other side of the world.
Why we like it
The Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) was the most accurate video doorbell when it came to identifying types of motion (person, animal, vehicle, or package), and reacted quickly when sending smartphone alerts and displaying live views. The image resolution is only 960×1280, which is lower than our other picks, but the picture is clear, and the low-res actually ends up being easier on your Wi-Fi network to allow for smoother streaming. Audio was always clear on either end, with adjustable volume and the ability to switch off the microphone when necessary. While it offers free cloud storage, you’ll only be able to access footage from the past 3 hours. If you want to keep it longer, the Nest Aware plan (starting at $8 per month or $80 per year) can store video up to 30 days, and adds in Familiar Face Detection. In addition, if you want 24/7 recording to the cloud, you’ll have to shell out $15 a month or $150 annually for the Nest Aware Plus plan.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The Familiar Face Detection feature (a feature that “recognizes” and names frequent visitors) included with the Nest Aware subscription can be faulty. It needs a good look at your visitors to work properly — and even then it still gets some wrong, but you can correct it.
Also, the Nest doorbell isn’t compatible with the old Nest app since newer Google products have switched to using Google Home. However, useful Nest app features like the ability to “favorite” the doorbell so you can view the live feed upon opening Google Home have made the transition easier.
Learn more in our full review of the best smart doorbell camera.
Top pick
This battery-powered model produces sharp 2K images, has options for local and cloud storage, and offers a lot of customization for detecting different types of motion.
- Subscription: optional (free cloud storage)
- Power: built-in rechargeable battery or hardwired
- Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
Who this is for
People who want a video doorbell, but don’t have existing doorbell wiring.
Why we like it
The TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera offers an almost comprehensive selection of features you’d want with a doorbell. It captures video in 2K and has an expansive 180-degree field of view. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts about 3-4 months, but can also be hardwired if you don’t see yourself ever charging it. You can choose between storing video locally on a microSD card for free or signing up for a cloud plan (which starts at $3.50 a month or $35 a year for one camera). If you opt for hardwiring the doorbell, you also gain the ability to record 24/7 video and have it stored locally. The D225 uses AI to distinguish between motion, people, vehicles, animals, and packages, and allows for customized notifications and Activity Zones, so you can choose precisely what triggers recordings and alerts, and what to skip.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The Tapo D225 isn’t as slick looking as our wired doorbell pick. At 5.91-by-1.97-by-1.52 inches, this unit is bulky, but that’s because of the internal battery. But if you’re in need of a battery doorbell, this one is packed with features at an excellent price.
The Tapo D225 records video which has a noticeable distortion or “fisheye effect,” which some customers say they hate. We don’t love it but it’s also needed in order to deliver the extra-wide angle, head-to-toe image.
Like our outdoor camera pick, the Tapo D225 doorbell has color night vision, which is provided by the doorbell’s LED ring. Using that may kill the battery faster, and frankly, I think images look better with standard black-and-white night vision.
Learn more in our full review of the best smart doorbell camera.
