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Best 4K Home Security Cameras for 2025

Best 4K Home Security Cameras for 2025

Yahoo04-03-2025

Knowing that you can check in on your home when needed with home security cameras gives you unparalleled peace of mind. Whether you're going on vacation, at work or wanting to keep an eye on nighttime activity, a 4K camera captures it all in the clearest view with great video quality. The best security cameras also offer more features like motion detection, remote access and two-way audio for communication when you're away.
However, with countless home security cameras on the market -- each offering different features and capabilities -- picking the right one can be tough. After hours of testing dozens of top models, our experts have narrowed down the best ones with high video resolution options. The Lorex 4K Spotlight cam is our favorite, taking the spot as the best overall 4K camera thanks to its wireless design -- making it usable outdoors and indoors -- and it offers free object recognition and local storage without a subscription fee.
Other recommendations include a 4K camera set from Arlo (which works with Apple), a more affordable indoor 4K cam from Eufy and other picks for your pixels that you won't want to miss out on. Plus, we'll explain what factors matter most when picking a security camera. And if you want even more options, check our other picks for outdoor cams and cameras with lights.
Lorex excels at higher-resolution security cameras that don't require a subscription. Like many others, this 4K cam offers free onboard storage and free objection recognition for people, animals and more. The wireless design is easy to mount indoors or outdoors with IP65 weather resistance, and the spotlight backs up the night vision for reactive lighting. There are also important features like two-way audio and compatibility with Alexa or Google Assistant.
We also like that this is a fairly affordable standalone 4K camera. It can be difficult to find a 4K resolution on a single-device solution like this, but Lorex has some of the best options available.
See at Lorex
Arlo takes some of the top spots on our best camera lists thanks to its high-quality camera design and plethora of features, including two-way audio and color night vision. It also has the best smart home support on this list, one of the few 4K cameras that works with Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings as well as Alexa and Google Home. The cams also have an incredible 180-degree field of view, so it's easy to capture a large space.
These 4K cams are usually available in a pack (think about putting one at the front door and one in the backyard or balcony), but that does have an advantage. The included hub allows you to use local storage if you prefer to stay off the cloud. However, an Arlo subscription (starting at $8 per month) also adds object recognition and other features, so we typically recommend it with cams like these. You can add more Ultra 2 cams to the hub if you want, or buy the hub and a cam separately to save money.
See at Arlo
Eufy's two-cam pack can support cloud storage with a subscription, but the set also has expandable storage from 1TB to 16TB, so you can avoid subscription fees if you'd prefer. But our favorite part is Eufy's built-in solar panels. Place these battery cams where they'll catch a bit of sunlight, and they'll recharge their batteries over time, greatly cutting down on battery management.
Eufy also offers object recognition including human, vehicles and pets. The hub also allows for more advanced facial recognition (differentiating between family members and strangers), a relatively new AI feature we're seeing from brands like Nest and SimpliSafe as well.
See at Amazon
Most 4K security cams are outdoor models, which is where 4K shines the most (especially with a bright light). But we want to include an indoor model as well, because 4K has its role here as well. The higher resolution also benefits large open floor plans and users who want all the details they can get about what their kids are doing, what a pet has in its mouth and more.
Eufy's dual cam 4K/2K solution also includes a 3x zoom to focus on specific details, and tracking for the pan/tilt cam so it can follow recognized objects anywhere. We found it compact, accurate and very quiet, an ideal indoor monitoring cam. Plus, it has Eufy specialties like an onboard local storage option and free Alexa/Google Home support.
See at Amazon
The Argus 3 Ultra offers a standalone design with a 4K resolution and a wireless design that works well with an optional Reolink solar panel. It's one of the more affordable 4K options (we've seen it discounted to below $100) and offers color night vision for better night viewing.
The waterproof cam also provides free object recognition and supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can enjoy two-way audio for some real-time conversations with your visitors as well and right now, this model has a $35 coupon on Amazon.
See at Reolink
Best Nanny Cams for 2025
See at CNET
Reolink RCL-810A 4K PoE Camera: This Reolink model is an excellent option for a Power over Ethernet camera that's located well away from Wi-Fi. Overall, we prefer the Argus line for more general home use, which is why this more specialized model didn't quite make it on our list.
Lorex H13: This Lorex cam is a bit more suited for commercial uses than residential properties, although it's still an option 4K pick.
A 4K resolution doesn't do much good unless the camera can alert and record when something is happening. The best motion detection includes object recognition for humans, animals and cars. We like to see object recognition for free, but more and more brands are charging for it. We also like to see motion activity zones and privacy zones to help improve accuracy and block out areas you don't want the camera looking.
4K video can take up a lot of space, so video storage options are especially important to capture detail. Local storage is subscription free and keeps your video out of the cloud, but you'll need to invest in a larger microSD card to make management easier. Cloud storage is an option but it usually requires a $5 to $8 monthly subscription to enable.
Many of our 4K picks are battery models, which allow for much easier placement and let you know when you need to recharge them. But wired cams, or wireless cams with a cable option, allow you to set up the cameras and leave them without ever worrying about battery life, which some users prefer.
4K details work best with a light source lighting up the area. These cameras pair well with spotlights. However, if you have nearby lighting already like porchlights or floodlights, you may be able to skip this feature.
Field of view refers to how wide the angle the camera lens covers. It's an important give-and-take with a 4K resolution. The wider the field of view, the more pixels it may take up, which means you may sacrifice a bit of image clarity. However, we generally prefer that compromise since the 4K resolution still adds plenty of detail and a wide field of view is especially useful outdoors.
Night vision is a pleasant addition to any outdoor 4K camera that will be working in the dark. It doesn't directly affect resolution, but night vision tends to show better results with a better camera. Color night vision is a major quality boost for this feature.
Look for a camera that works with your existing smart home setup, including voice assistants like Alexa and platforms like Google Home or Apple Home. If possible, check our reviews on a cam before you buy: Platform compatibility can take different forms and sometimes there's a clear winner.
Put those pixels to work by giving a 4K camera plenty to see. Place it in an area with no nearby awnings, branches or potential blockages. Choose a central location. Higher is generally better for capturing a wide area, but it's not absolutely required with the right angles. We have a guide on a few of the best spots to choose here. Above garage, patios and porches is a common decision for many homes.
Best Home Security Cameras Without a Subscription for 2025
See at CNET

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Ten big changes coming to iPhones and other Apple devices this year
Ten big changes coming to iPhones and other Apple devices this year

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Ten big changes coming to iPhones and other Apple devices this year

At its annual developer conference WWDC, Apple has given us another preview of software innovations coming to the iPhone, Mac and other devices from the company. These include many AI features, but the first change you're likely to notice is the new design in the operating systems. Since the launch of the iPhone in 2007, there have essentially only been two design directions for the software. Initially, Apple sought to mimic real-world objects, such as wooden bookshelves for the Books app, to help users understand the concept of multitouch screens. With iOS 7 in 2013, a starkly minimalist alternative was introduced, featuring icons made of just a few lines. This minimalism has been mixed with more colour in recent years, but the two-dimensional principle remained. Now, a new design language called Liquid Glass is being introduced. Transparent elements, which appear to float above other content, are intended to evoke the look of flowing glass. 1. 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I Wear My Beats Studio Pro Headphones 4 Hours a Day -- and They're Over 50% Off Now
I Wear My Beats Studio Pro Headphones 4 Hours a Day -- and They're Over 50% Off Now

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time43 minutes ago

  • CNET

I Wear My Beats Studio Pro Headphones 4 Hours a Day -- and They're Over 50% Off Now

It all started when my beloved Apple AirPods just stopped working one day. No matter what I did, attempting to charge and revive them, they simply would not turn on, and I had to finally accept that they had a good run, and it was time to put them to rest. RIP. That put me in a tricky predicament, though. I use headphones at least 4 to 5 hours a day, and I desperately needed new ones immediately. I knew I was due for an upgrade, but the AirPods weren't on sale at the time. But coincidentally, the Beats Studio Pro were. I didn't expect to fall in love with a pair of headphones so quickly, especially because I loved my Apple buds so much. I was just hoping for solid noise cancellation and good sound quality, but the Beats delivered so much more -- and now they're an essential part of my daily routine, practically an extension of my ears. Like I said, I get a lot of mileage out of them every single day. 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My Virtual Avatar No Longer Looks Terrible in the Apple Vision Pro
My Virtual Avatar No Longer Looks Terrible in the Apple Vision Pro

WIRED

timean hour ago

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My Virtual Avatar No Longer Looks Terrible in the Apple Vision Pro

The visionOS 26 update brings some notable features to Apple's headset. The only question is who it's for. Remember Apple's Vision Pro? That's the $3,499 mixed reality headset the company launched early in 2024 that failed to garner much public interest. Apple has steamed ahead with updates for the platform over the past year, and soon there will be a new version upgrade: visionOS 26. (Apple announced at WWDC it was changing the way it named its operating systems to match the following year.) I got a chance to try out a few of the new capabilities, but two stuck out to me more than the others. First is the upgrade to Personas. That's the spatial avatar the headset creates based on your likeness using the onboard cameras (you have to point the headset at your head and run through a setup process to create a Persona). Last year, the first thing I heard when I joined Zoom meetings wearing the Vision Pro was laughter. My Persona was rigid, my hair looked matte—it just looked bad . Apple has revamped the look and feel to make these 3D digital representations significantly better than before, with a much more natural and realistic design. You can even see the entire side profile view of the head. Hair textures are better, as are skin complexions. I set up my Persona without wearing glasses, but was able to add virtual glasses in nearly the same style as my actual frames, and they didn't clip or look wonky. (I recorded a little greeting through a third-party app, which you can see below.) Don't get me wrong, there's still some uncanny valley going on here—the facial expressions and eye movements are quite rigid—but it's leaps and bounds better than what debuted on the Vision Pro last year. You can use these Personas for video calls, or when someone joins your virtual space remotely. The other notable new feature in the operating system update is Widgets. You can place widgets around your home, like a Clock, Calendar, or Music widget, and they will always stay in the same places. Apple does this trick by creating a map of your home, which is privately stored on your AVP device. The headset will remember the locations of widgets even when you reboot it and glance around again. I walked from one room to another wearing a Vision Pro headset and saw widgets galore placed around the room. The list of placeable widgets includes a digital photo frame that acts like a window in your virtual space; you can see more of the photo as you get closer to it. It's a neat idea—every time you put on your headset, you can whisk yourself away to a virtual living space or office of sorts and pin apps in specific places of the room, along with virtual calendars, clocks, music playback widgets, and more. You could have Safari pinned in your home office, then walk to your bedroom and pin Apple TV. Your entire virtual space can be set up ready to go exactly like your physical home. What's odd is just how comfortable Apple wants you to feel putting on a headset and walking around the home, interacting with spatial widgets and talking to people with a digitized version of your face. When the Vision Pro first debuted, Apple was mocked for including a clip of a father capturing a spatial video with the headset as his two kids played in front of him. Whenever I wore the headset, my wife hated it. But Apple hasn't changed its stance—it wants you to live in visionOS, even if you end up looking like Wade Watts in Ready Player One . Take the WWDC keynote as an example. One of the new features Apple showed off in visionOS 26 is the ability for multiple people with Vision Pro headsets to interact with 3D objects together, watch a movie in a virtual space, or play a spatial game, all while in the same room. Some of these make more sense than others, but the image of two people on a couch, each wearing headsets while watching a movie, has stayed in my mind. Has Apple heard of these things called TVs? After a year of seeing the Vision Pro failing to stick—and hearing regrets from early adopters—it's a little odd to see the company keep calm and carry on without addressing anything about its lackluster user base. Apple is reportedly working on a cheaper version of the Vision Pro, slated for release late in 2025 or 2026, and the company is also rumored to be working on smart glasses. We'll have to wait and see if a cheaper headset, one that's maybe lighter and more comfortable to wear, will be more well received by spouses and Apple stans. Apple's visionOS 26 will arrive as a public beta next month, with the official release set for the fall.

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