Top 5 Nanny Cams of 2021
At work or out of the house? Nanny cams are a great way to keep an eye on what is going on at home. With thousands of different models available, it can be overwhelming trying to find the best one for your home. We’ve done the leg work for you and have found the top five nanny cams to consider purchasing and installing. Most of these nanny cams can be purchased online or at major retailers.
1. Google Nest Cam Indoor
The Google Nest Cam Indoor is one of the best nanny cams when it comes to features. With 24/7 live streaming, night vision capabilities, two-way audio, and phone notifications for motion detection, you can easily check-in. You can even train the system to recognize faces, making it easy to tag and search video footage. Another advantage of the Nest Cam is its versatility. It comes with a stand, wall-mounting plate, and built-in magnet, giving you more options where you can place the camera. However, you can only view recorded footage for three hours for free; continuous recording and comprehensive security features require a “Nest Aware” subscription which starts at $6 a month.
Cost: $124-130
Power Source: Corded Electric
Records Video/Audio: Video & Audio
Video Quality: 1080p HD
Night Vision: Yes
WiFi Connected: Yes
Works with Alexa: Yes
Live Streaming: 24/7
Accessible by App: Nest app (iOS/ Android)
Two-Way Audio: Yes
Motion/Sound Detection: Sound
External Storage: Cloud
Additional Services Required: Nest Aware Subscription
Buy: Amazon | Walmart | Target
2. Wyze Cam 1080p HD Indoor Wireless Smart Home Camera
When it comes to installing a nanny cam, the price can be a major concern. With the Wyze Cam Indoor Wireless camera, you don’t have to sacrifice features if you have a lower budget. It comes equipped with motion and sound detection, 1080p HD video, two-way audio, and night vision up to 30-feet. Like other cameras on the list, an app is available to let you check in at home no matter where you are. Installing this affordable camera is easy since it comes with an adhesive metal plate that lets you hang it anywhere; no drilling is required!
Cost: $26-$40
Wired/Wireless: Corded Electric (no battery)
Records Video/Audio:Video & Audio
Video Quality: 1080p – 1080p Full HD
Night Vision: Yes
WiFi Connected: Yes
Live Streaming: Yes
Accessible by App: Wyze app (iOS/ Android)
Two-Way Audio: Yes
Motion/Sound Detection: Motion and sound are detected
External Storage: microSD card (sold separately) and free rolling 14-day cloud storage (saves 12-second clips)
Additional Services Required: Wyze Cam Plus
Buy: Amazon | Walmart | Target
3. Blink Indoor Home Security Camera System
If you’re looking for a wireless solution, the Blink Indoor camera is your best option. As the only wireless nanny cam on our list, the Blink Indoor camera gives you complete flexibility of where you place it in your home. This small camera still comes with plenty of features, even though a battery powers it. Get HD video streamed to your devices via the app. You can also set up notifications with a short clip to your phone whenever motion is detected. You can use the Blink Indoor Camera without any subscription plan. However, to get recordings, clip storage, and clip sharing, you’ll need a Blink subscription that starts at $3 a month.
Cost: $80-90
Wired/Wireless: Wireless
Records Video/Audio: Video & Audio
Video Quality: 1080p HD
Night Vision: Yes, up to 20 ft
WiFi Connected: Yes
Live Streaming: Live View via App
Accessible by App: Blink Home Monitor app (iOS/ Android)
Two-Way Audio: Yes
Motion/Sound Detection: Yes
External Storage: Yes, up to 256GB
Additional Services Required: Blink Cloud Subscription
Buy: Amazon | Walmart | Target
4. Ring Stick Up Cam Wired HD Security Camera with Two-Way Talk
Most known for its video doorbell, Ring makes one of the top nanny cams on the market. The Ring Stick Up Cam Wired HD camera easily connects with other Ring devices in your home and can be controlled using the app. One of the key features of this camera is the adjustable motion detection which can help minimize false alarms. Other key features include two-way audio that allows you to communicate through the camera and real-time notifications, night vision, 1080p HD video, and easy setup. The Ring Stick Up Cam is also compatible with Amazon’s screen Alexa devices.
Cost: $100-$165
Wired/Wireless: Wired
Records Video/Audio: Video & Audio
Video Quality: 1080p HD
Night Vision: Yes
WiFi Connected: Yes, 2.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz
Live Streaming: Yes
Accessible by App: Ring – Always Home app (iOS/ Android)
Two-Way Audio: Yes
Motion/Sound Detection: Yes, Advanced motion detection
External Storage: No SD card necessary
Additional Services Required: Ring Protect Plan
5. Vivint Ping
While Vivint is traditionally known for its outdoor home surveillance, the Vivint Ping is its reliable in-home security camera. The high price point on this camera comes from its top-of-the-line specs, including two-way audio and one of the widest fields of view. The Vivint Ping does share features with other cameras on our list, such as night vision capabilities, mobile alerts, customizable motion detection, and 1080p HD video. However, of all the nanny cams on the market, Vivint Ping is the only one that allows your nanny or caretaker to initiate a video call to whoever is monitoring the device (you or your spouse). For this reason, this system needs to be professionally installed. Likewise, it requires a monthly subscription for the system to be fully functional.
Cost: $199.99
Wired/Wireless: Wired (and only as part of the Vivint Smart Home System)
Records Video/Audio: Video & Audio
Video Quality: 1080p HD
Night Vision: Black and white, highly detailed night vision
WiFi Connected: Yes, 802.11b/g/n
Live Streaming: Yes, plus a dedicated button to call a tablet or phone
Accessible by App: Vivint app (iOS/ Android)
Two-Way Audio: Yes
Motion/Sound Detection: Yes
External Storage: Cloud
Additional Services Required: Vivint plan
Buy: Vivint
Keeping Your Family Safe
Installing a nanny cam is only part of the equation when it comes to keeping your family safe. The other piece of the puzzle is making sure the network you attach it to is secure. To help with this, most of the top nanny cams offer two-factor authentication for added security. It is also essential to register your camera with the manufacturer to get any security or firmware updates. Another step you can take is to change your router’s default password and change your password regularly (being sure to use a difficult-to-guess password). You also want to confirm with your state’s laws about installing nanny cams in your home.
Beyond technology, you must hire someone well-vetted and that you trust to take care of your kids. A Perfect Fit carefully vets every nanny on our roster and can help find the right nanny to suit your family’s needs. Start the process of getting the help you need today!
