Best 4K Home Security Cameras for 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.
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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.
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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
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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
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