These Are The Best Subscription-Free Home Security Cameras of 2024

A home security system isn't cheap. You are likely to spend hundreds of dollars on the equipment. Unfortunately, those expenses don't end there. Mostly, you also have to spend a monthly subscription fee on features like monitoring, cloud storage, or cellular backup. The good news is that's not the case with all security cameras. You're probably curious about which is the best home security camera without subscription. Let's take a look at some of them.

Top 8 Best Subscription-Free Home Security Cameras

Arlo Pro 4 Wireless Security Camera: Best Overall Home Security Camera

The Arlo Pro 4 is at the top of our list of subscription-free cameras. This streamlined device has been designed so that anyone can install it and connect it to other smart home devices in just a few minutes. It's an upgrade from Arlo Pro 3 in that it's wire-free and doesn't need a base station, reducing the equipment you need to buy.

With a wide field of view of 160°, you get a wide perspective of your space, reducing the number of cameras you have to install. Another attractive feature is its ability to effectively identify animals, vehicles, and people and send motion alerts to the phone.

On a subscription-free plan, you get features like live streaming, motion notifications, and audio notifications.

EufyCam 2C Pro: Best Outdoor Cloud Security System

You may want to consider the EufyCam 2C Pro if you want to set up multiple cameras in the house without spending thousands of dollars. The kit comes with four cameras you can install in different places. Each camera produces 2K resolution footage giving you clear video for both day and night.

With an IP67 rating, the cameras can withstand harsh elements, making them great for both indoor and outdoor use. Also, you don't require a subscription for cloud storage. You get 16GB of storage in the base station, which is roughly about three-months worth of footage. Consider this option when looking for cloud-based security cameras.

Wyze Cam V3: Best Value/Budget

The Wyze Cam V3 is one of the most affordable security cameras with the necessary features you would expect from a home cam. Some of its best features include person detection, two-way talk, custom motion zones, and the ability to monitor carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.

Understandably, these may not be grand features. Still, considering you get them for free, while with other manufacturers, you have to pay a subscription fee to access them, Wyze gets bonus points.

Although you get sound and motion alerts when the camera detects something, the downside is that you only view real-time footage. That means you have to watch everything to know whether it was a false alert or a real threat.

Eufy Security Solo IndoorCam C24: Best for Indoors

The Eufy Security Solo IndoorCam C24 has been ranked among the top best indoor security cameras, and with good reason. It comes with a microSD card slot where you can store footage locally. This eliminates the need to subscribe to a cloud storage plan.

Another outstanding feature is the on-device AI that differentiates motions made by pets and humans. The camera has a 125° field of view and captures footage in 2k resolution, whether day or night. In addition, the camera integrates with smart home devices like Google Assistant and Alexa, allowing you to view footage on your TV or a smart display.

Reolink Lumus: Best Outdoor Camera

Reolink Lumus is not only a good outdoor camera but also affordable. With features like PIR motion detection, HD video resolution, bright LED spotlight, and two-way talk, you get value for your money. Plus, the camera is dust and water-resistant, making it great outdoors.

Nonetheless, since it's wired, you may be limited in terms of location. It has a power cable that's about 10 feet long, which means you need an electrical plug close by. It also has a 100° field of view which is a bit small.

TP-Link Tapo C200

The TP-Link Tapo is a good subscription-free camera for someone looking for an affordable security system with basic features. You get night vision, HD video quality, and up to 128 GB of local storage.

Another great feature is the tilt and pan functionality. The camera has a 114° field of view and rotates to a full 360°. That means you can get a view of all the areas in the room. You can also set the cameras so that they only pan left and right like traditional cameras.

The dealbreaker is that you don't get features like cloud storage or motion tracking on a free plan. Still, it does pretty well for a price tag of less than $50.

Reolink Argus 3 Pro

This is a great outdoor security camera with some pretty solid features. One of the things that may blow your mind is the 1440p video resolution that gives you clear footage, whether day or night. Considering that 1440p videos consume a lot of space, the camera supports microSD cards of up to 128 storage. This prevents the need to pay a monthly fee. On top of that, you get seven days of free cloud storage.

Expect up to four weeks of battery life during normal usage. On standby mode, you get a longer battery life. You can supplement the battery with a solar panel which reduces the frequency of charging the camera.

One of the less impressive features is the 122° field of view, which requires you to be careful with the placement of locations to get the best view.

Zmodo 1080p Indoor/Outdoor Cam

Just from the name, you can deduce that you get detailed footage, thanks to the 1080p resolution. When the camera detects motion, it sends notifications to the phone. In addition, the alert clips will be saved in the cloud for 12 hours for free. This gives you enough time to review the clip and check if you should be concerned.

Zmodo's night vision isn't the best. But that was not surprising at a price point of about $30. If night vision is important to you, check our other options. The field of view is also limited to 90°.

Comparison of the Best the Best Subscription-Free Home Security Cameras of 2023

Camera	Best for	Price	Type	Video Resolution	Night Vision	Field of View
Arlo Pro 4 Wireless Security Camera	Best overall	$140-200	Indoor/outdoor wire-free	1440p (2K)	Color/ infrared	160°
EufyCam 2C Pro	Best outdoor cloud security system	$290- 300	Outdoor, wireless	2K Resolution	color	135°
Wyze Cam V3	Best value	$25- 35	Indoor/ outdoor, wired	1080p	Infrared	135°
Eufy Security Solo IndoorCam C24	Best for indoors	$40- 60	Indoor, wired	1920p (2K)	Infrared/ Black and white	125°
Reolink Lumus	Best outdoor camera	$50-90	Outdoor, wired	1080p	Colored /Infrared	100°
TP-Link Tapo C200		$50-55	Indoor, wired	1080p	Infrared	360° horizontal and 114° vertical
Reolink Argus 3 Pro		$120-$140,	Indoor/ outdoor wireless	1440p (2K)	Colored/ Infrared	122°
Zmodo 1080p Indoor/Outdoor Cam			Indoor/ outdoor, wired	1080p	Infrared	90°

Subscriptions vs. Subscription-Free Camera Systems

When buying security cameras, you want to get the best deal, and that's why you're reading this article. That said, you will find that subscribing comes with many benefits. For example, you may find additional features such as facial recognition or the ability to detect between vehicles, people, and pets. In addition, you get more storage, meaning you can store footage for more days than when on a subscription-free plan or no subscription security cameras option.

That said, a subscription doesn't always equate to better. You have to consider your security needs, indoor/outdoor use, compatibility with smart devices, and a wired or wireless setup. When you factor in all these things, deciding what's right for your home becomes easier.

Tips to Consider When Buying a Home Security Camera

To make it easier for you to select a home security camera, here are factors to consider.

Indoor and Outdoor Use

Which area of your home do you want to protect? Inside or outside? The good news is that most cameras can be used both indoors and outdoors. When considering outdoor cameras, get those that can withstand weather elements.

Video Resolution

What's the point of a security camera if you can't see clearly the activities happening around your home? Always go for 1080p or higher. That's enough to see clear footage.

Wired Vs. Wireless

Another factor to consider is wired or wireless cameras. Both have their pros and cons. Wireless cameras can be placed anywhere because you aren't limited by electrical plugs. The downside is that once in a while, you have to uninstall them to charge or change the batteries.

With wired cameras, you don't have to worry about recharging them or getting batteries. The downside is that they need to be near electrical plugs to operate.

Field of View

Get a security camera with a wide field of view. 130 to 180 degrees are great options that will show you straight ahead, left and right. This reduces the number of cameras you have to buy. Also, one with pan and tilt capabilities is a good option.

Night Vision

Most crimes happen at night, which necessitates the need for a camera with night vision technology. Night vision can be through color from a bright spotlight or infrared REF sensors. If this feature is important to you, look for the best night vision cameras.

Integrations

Cameras that can integrate with smart home systems like Alexa and Google Assistant are more convenient. They allow you to use voice commands to view footage via a compatible TV or display screen.

Cloud Storage vs. Local Storage

Security cameras aren't just used for live feed. You also want to see something that happened in the house in case anything goes wrong. As such, it should have the option for storage, whether local or cloud. With local storage, you don't pay a monthly fee, and the camera has a microSD card slot for storing footage. For cloud storage, the recorded footage is stored on a remote server, and you can access it from anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between home security cameras and surveillance cameras?

Home security cameras are mainly used to deter crime, while surveillance cameras are used for monitoring areas. While you will find security cameras in homes and businesses, you're likely to find surveillance in public spaces like the streets.

Can wireless home security cameras work without the internet?

Wireless home security cameras can work without the internet. They have microSD cards where they store footage locally to be viewed later.

Can your home security camera be hacked?

Your home security camera can get hacked locally or remotely. Locally, the hacker has to be in or around your home, while remotely, the hacker can be anywhere in the world.

How much should you spend on home security cameras?

There is no definitive amount you should spend on cameras. Security systems start from about $20 to over a thousand dollars, each with different features. The most important thing is to find a home security system that covers your security needs.

Final Thoughts

Not everyone is okay with paying a subscription fee for security cameras, which is why subscription-free options are popular. Users still get functional devices with basic security features. Go through them and find one that meets your needs.

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