Best Wireless Security Camera: Reolink Argus 2 vs Blink XT2 vs Ring Stick Up Cam vs Arlo Ultra vs Canary Flex & More
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A wireless security camera gives you the ease and flexibility to place your camera in the best spot without the hassle of hardwiring or having to find a plug.
This feature can be essential when you’re thinking about using your camera indoors to monitor your child, pet or home security. Wireless cameras vary widely in quality and functionality so we’ll help you narrow down your best options.
Article Overview
- What Do You Need From Your Wireless Security Camera?
- Best Wireless Security Cameras
- Comparison Table
- What Are My Other Options?
- How Easy Is Wireless Installation? (Video)
- Security Systems For Complete Home Security
What Do You Need From Your Wireless Security Camera?
You’ll want to think about how you’ll use your camera before deciding on features. We have a comprehensive article to help you understand everything you need to know about security cameras. Check out the section on features so you’re informed about what to look for.
Should I Worry About My Camera Getting Hacked?
Keep in mind that anything that’s connected to WiFi can ultimately be hacked. Think about the direction your camera is pointing toward and what a hacker could be seeing.
If your cameras have pan, tilt and zoom capabilities, this can complicate things a little more because a hacker could adjust the camera positioning. Additionally, WiFi cameras with two-way audio can allow hackers to listen in and speak to those who are in the room. This is why we don’t recommend using WiFi-enabled cameras in children’s rooms.
While WiFi cameras are ubiquitous and convenient because they can be viewed remotely via smartphones, tablets and web browsers, we do urge you to think twice about where you position these around your home.
Think about what you really need your cameras for. You could get in the habit of unplugging them when you’re home, etc. and only leaving them on when you’re away from home and want to keep an eye on things. For the full scoop on risks of security camera hacking, including brand names that don’t have the best track record, we invite you to check out our article on security camera hacking.
Security Doesn’t Start With Your Camera
It’s also important to realize that security leaks don’t start with your cameras. Learn how to protect your WiFi, choose a secure router (we like the Eero because in addition to offering great speeds, it lets you easily lock your system down to only accept devices you recognize). Lastly, for the ultimate security layer, consider installing a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which will anonymize your location and encrypt any data in transit.
Best Wireless Security Cameras
Our rankings consider the quality of each camera, the available features, the ease of use and other key factors.
Winner: Arlo Ultra Review
The Arlo Ultra is #1 on our list because we think it’s the best wireless camera available and has a comprehensive list of features. It’s an excellent choice for indoor use but works outdoors too.
This camera is motion-activated and has clear 4k HD footage. Auto-zoom and tracking will give you clear shots of moving objects within the 180º field of view. Noise-canceling technology provides an optimal experience when you use the two-way audio to communicate through this camera. You can also set up activity zones to monitor the areas of your concern.
With a magnetic mount, this camera is easy to install. See the video below to see how simple installation is. The app is user-friendly and can give you peace of mind when you view your live stream remotely. There’s also a solar panel available for purchase that charges the battery. It’ll need to connect to the camera with a magnetic power cable and is easy to mount for outdoor use.
You’ll have to purchase a base station with this camera, and some customers complain that the two-way audio can be delayed. Though you can use auto-zoom and tracking with this camera, there are no pan or tilt options. You get 1 year free of the Arlo Smart Premier Service with rolling 30-day cloud recordings. Then, there’s a monthly fee if you want to continue the service.
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Tech Specs and Pricing
- 2 cameras and base station:
- Color night vision
- 4K HD resolution
- Field of view: 180°
- WiFi connectivity: 2.4/5.0 GHz
- Operating temperature: -4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C)
Cloud Recording Options
Arlo Ultra includes a 1-year Arlo Smart Premier trial. After the trial ends, you can purchase the Arlo Smart Premier, Elite Plan or opt for no service plan. Arlo doesn’t require a subscription plan for live video streaming and basic notifications. However, you’ll get so much more out of your camera by choosing one of their Smart Plans. Check out the cloud storage options here.
Runner-Up: Ring Stick Up Cam Review
Number 2 on our list is the Ring Stick Up Cam, another truly wireless camera that you can use indoors or outdoors for a variety of needs. This camera has a lot of features, including motion notifications, zoom, two-way audio with noise cancellation and the ability to create activity zones for your frequently used areas. The Ring app is user-friendly, and there’s no base station required.
If you plan on using the Ring Stick Up Cam outdoors, you also have the solar power option, which eliminates the need to recharge the battery. However, there’s a wire that connects the solar panel to the camera. Both products are easy to install and can connect to Amazon Alexa.
This camera can be used as part of your Ring Alarm home security system, as a stand-alone camera or as part of a larger camera system.
This camera doesn’t offer pan or remote tilt options, and you’ll need to pay a monthly fee for video recording. Also, some customers complain that the notifications aren’t always dependable.
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Tech Specs and Pricing
- $99.99
- Night vision
- 1080p HD resolution
- Field of View: 110° horizontal, 57° vertical
- WiFi connectivity: 2.4 GHz
- Operating temperature: -5°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C)
Monitoring Plan
Ring monitoring offers 3 options. If you want video recording, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee.
| Free | Basic | Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $3/month or $30/year | $10/month or $100/year |
| Coverage | One doorbell or camera | All devices at one address | |
| Ring & Motion Alerts |  |
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| Live Video On Demand | |
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| Warranty | One year | One year | Extended |
| Video Recording | |
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| Review, Share & Save Videos | |
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| Professional Monitoring | |
Read Our In-Depth Ring Camera Review
3rd Place: Blink XT2 Review
Coming in at #3 is the Blink XT2 wireless security camera. Blink does offer an indoor-only wireless camera. However, we chose their indoor/outdoor option over the indoor because the XT2 has upgraded features and a higher camera resolution.
Some features include motion recording, two-way audio, infrared night vision, and the ability to designate your preferred activity zones. It’s easy to install, has a 2-year battery life, and Blink gives you free cloud storage for hundreds of clips stored up to a year without a contract or fees. This camera does require a base station, and there is no pan, tilt or zoom available.
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Tech Specs & Pricing
- Check Amazon for availability
- Infrared Night Vision
- 1080p HD resolution
- Field of view: 110°
- WiFi connectivity: 2.4 GHz
- Operating temperature: -4° to 113°F (-20° to 45°C)
Read Our In-Depth Blink Review
Comparison Table
In the table below, we compare the cameras reviewed in this article. All cameras are for indoor and outdoor use, have motion detection and are wireless.
| 1st: Arlo Ultra | 2nd: Ring Stick up Cam | 3rd: Blink XT2 | Canary Flex | Reolink Argus 2 | Zmodo Snap | |
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| Solar Option | |
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| Two-Way Audio | |
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| Noise Cancellation | |
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| Activity Zones | |
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| Camera Resolution | 4K HD | 1080p HD | 1080p HD | 1080p HD | 1080p HD | 1080p HD |
| Night Vision | Color | |
Infrared | Up to 25 ft | up to 33 ft | |
| Pan/Tilt | |
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| Zoom | 12x | |
Available in the app only | |
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| Field Of View | 180° | 130° | 110° | 116° | 130° | 180° |
| WiFi Connectivity | 2.4/5.0 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Free Cloud Storage | 7 Days | Up To 1 Year | 24 Hours | 7 Days | 7 Days |
What Are My Other Options?
Below you’ll find an alphabetical listing of other wireless indoor cameras we’ve reviewed.
Canary Flex Review
The Canary Flex wireless camera is an indoor camera, and it’ll work outside too. Its features include motion detection and two-way audio. You can use the app to zoom in on videos, but it doesn’t have a zoom feature. You won’t need a base station to use the camera, and the lithium-ion batteries last several months before they need recharging.
This camera doesn’t have as many features as some other cameras we review, and there’s a fee for premium service if you want two-way audio and extended cloud storage.
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Tech Specs & Pricing
- $159.00
- $9.99/month for video history
- Night vision up to 25 feet
- 1080p HD
- Field of view: 116°
- WiFi connectivity: 2.4 GHz
- Operating temperature: -4° to 113°F (-20° to 45°C)
Canary Cloud
- Free Access: 1-day storage of 10-second video previews for up to 4 devices
- Premium Service: 30-day storage of full-length videos for $9.99/month or $99/year for unlimited devices
Read Our In-Depth Canary Review
Reolink Argus 2 Review
Reolink has a line of wireless cameras, and we think the Argus 2 is their best option for indoor use. However, it can be used outdoors as well and comes with a solar option.
This camera offers features like motion detection and two-way audio. There’s no base station required, and it’s easy to install. You can get free cloud storage for 7 days or upgrade to a plan based on the number of cameras and GB of storage.
This camera doesn’t offer pan, tilt or zoom, noise cancellation or activity zones. Reolink also has a lot of negative customer reviews that include issues with support, device set up and consistent performance.
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Tech Specs and Pricing
- Camera only: Check Amazon for availability
- Camera and solar panel: Check Amazon for availability
- Night vision up to 33 feet
- 1080p HD
- Field of view: 130°
- WiFi connectivity: 2.4 GHz
- Operating temperature: 14° to 131°F (-10° to 55°C)
Reolink Cloud
- Free: 7 days for 1 camera up to 1 GB of cloud storage
- Standard Plan: $4.99/month 30 days for 5 cameras up to 30 GB of cloud storage
- Premier Plan: $9.99/month 30 days for 10 cameras up to 80 GB of cloud storage
- Business Plan:$14.99/month 60 days for 20 cameras up to 150 GB of cloud storage
Read Our In-Depth Reolink Review
Zmodo Wireless Camera Review
The Zmodo Snap indoor/outdoor camera is another choice for your wireless camera needs. You’ll enjoy the comprehensive list of features and the ease of use.
This camera is the only one we review that offers remote pan, tilt and zoom. The camera also has motion detection, two-way audio, and the option to designate activity zones for preferred viewing areas.
There have been some complaints about dropped connections and motion detection not working well. Also, you won’t have a noise cancellation feature.
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Tech Specs and Pricing
- Check Amazon for availability
- Night vision
- 1080p HD
- Field of view: 180°
- WiFi connectivity: 2.4 GHz
- Operating temperature: 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C)
The Ease Of Wireless Installation
This 3-minute video from Arlo shows you how simple wireless camera installation can be.
Security Systems For Complete Home Security
Wireless cameras give you the option of flexible placement and are easy to use. But security cameras are only one piece of the home security puzzle. If you want to provide your home with more complete security, maybe we can help. We’ve got something for everyone with articles on everything from the best professionally monitored home security systems to self-monitored DIY home security systems.
