Best Nanny Cams Guide & Reviews of 2021

Sometimes, it helps to know that the kids are safe or that the babysitter really is a trustworthy person. This is where a surveillance camera can come in. This review of the best nanny cams will help families choose just the right product for their needs.

Here, consumers can look through the top security features in these accessories, such as HD image quality, motion sensors, instant phone alerts, and more. Check out all the options and then compare the top choices in the comparison chart.

Brad Smith - Editorial Staff

Updated: April 14, 2021

What We Did to Find the Best

First, it was important to gather all the possible options and rate them on a scale of 0 to 10 for the top features. The most critical aspects are below. Each security camera got a grade, and then the averages were added up to get the final scores.

First, it was important to gather all the possible options and rate them on a scale of 0 to 10 for the top features. The most critical aspects are below. Each security camera got a grade, and then the averages were added up to get the final scores.

  • Features

    0-10

    monitoring period, 24/7 alerts, disaster protection etc.

  • Support

    0-10

    telephone, email, chat, and other channels

  • Price

    0-10

    monthly fee, money-back, trial period

  • Ease of Use

    0-10

    installation, maintenance, service support

  • Trust Score

    0-10

    BBB.org and Trustpilot (positive, negative reviews)

It took hours of research, but the final results speak for themselves. Check out the top 10 choices and see which one is the best fit.

1. Ring Stick Up Cam: Trustworthy & Trendy

Total Score 9.8/10

Ring Review
No Contract Ring Cameras
No Contract Ring Alarm Protection
  • Features10/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price10/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score10/10

Starting Price

$99.99

Visit Website
BBB Rating A+
Best for All-Purpose

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

30 days

This nanny cam from Ring comes in a wireless and battery-powered camera model. It is moderately priced and will be affordable for the majority of families. Along with its solid reputation, Ring is also known for having a wide variety of security devices.

Before purchasing, consumers should check out the multi-packs and keep in mind that these accessories are for self-monitoring only.

Pros:

  • Brand reputation
  • Great price
  • Image quality
  • Mobile control
  • Multi-packs
  • Night vision
  • Two-way audio

Cons:

  • Best for indoors
  • The narrower field of view
  • Self-monitoring only

Despite its low price, this security camera boasts customized motion detection settings as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Home compatibility.

Customers can access the accessory remotely via the mobile app and the two-way audio function to communicate with visitors.


2. Nest Cam IQ Indoor: Smart & Savvy

Total Score 9.6/10

Nest Main
Self Monitored Nest Detection
No Contract Nest Alarm System
  • Features9.0/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price10/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score10/10

Starting Price

$219.99

Visit Website
BBB Rating A
Best for Live Video

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

30 days

The Nest is already known for its nanny cams, so it comes as no surprise that one of its devices is on this list. The Google Nest Cam IQ is for indoors only, but it boasts some top features. This includes Nest Aware face scanning, superzoom, live video feeds, and snapshots.

Customers will have to self-monitor, but it’s a lot easier thanks to the accompanying app and instant phone alerts.

Pros:

  • Ease of use
  • Infrared night vision
  • Live video recordings
  • Local storage for up to 3 hours
  • Saves footage automatically
  • Wide field of view
  • Zoom function

Cons:

  • A bit pricey
  • For indoors only
  • No professional monitoring

With two-way talk and 1080p HD quality, clients can always see and hear what’s going on at home. Plus, the camera has a wide field of view, so it’s easier to see what’s going on in hard-to-reach places indoors.


3. Wyze Nanny Cam Pan: Better Visibility at Night

Total Score 9.6/10

Wyze Main
Wyze Cam Pan
Wyze Cam_Pan
  • Features10/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price10/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score9.0/10

Starting Price

$37.98

Visit Website
BBB Rating C+
Best for Budgets

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

30 days

Wyze may not be known for its nanny cams, but this one is worth checking out. Plus, it’s camera costs less than $40, so it’s a steal. The self-monitored hidden cam has pan and tilt functions and two-way audio.

The pan Scan feature has four waypoints for maximum visibility. Even in low-light conditions, the unit can see 30 feet in the distance.

Pros:

  • Affordability
  • Camera sharing features
  • Live video streaming
  • Sees up to 30 feet in darkness
  • Sleek design
  • Supports micro SD cards
  • Works with Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant

Cons:

  • Narrow field of view
  • Only for indoors
  • SD card costs extra

Moreover, customers can access the playback setting to view live video from just about anywhere. The mobile app works with shared camera features and family-sharing.


4. Wyze Cam 1080p HD Indoor Wireless Smart Home Nanny Cam: Easy Panoramic Views

Total Score 9.6/10

Wyze Main
Wyze Cam Black
Wyze Cam 1080p
  • Features10/10
  • Equipment9/10
  • Price10/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score9.0/10

Starting Price

$19.99

Visit Website
BBB Rating C+
Best for Budgets

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

30 days

There are other Wyze nanny cams to consider, such as this wireless indoor option. It comes with free AWS storage in the cloud, although the videos get erased after 14 days.

Other convenient features include night vision, dual communication, and a digital zoom setting. The unit has a built-in speaker and microphone for crisp sound.

Pros:

  • Crystal-clear picture
  • Detects motion and sound
  • Great price
  • Live stream
  • Night vision up to 30 feet
  • Three-axis design
  • Voice controls

Cons:

  • A bit bulky
  • Limited indoor field of view
  • Video clips only last for 14 days

Wyze could have a better BBB rating, but it’s okay. The company is pretty well-known, and this camera stands up against the competition.

It also has a three-axis design, so users can tilt it in multiple directions. This helps them get exactly the right viewpoint they want.


5. Yi 1080p Home Nanny Camera: Small But Sturdy

Total Score 9.4/10

YI Main
YI 1080p Features
YI 1080p Dome Camera
  • Features9.0/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price9.0/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score10/10

Starting Price

$22.49

Visit Website
Best for Families

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

30 days

Yi offers affordable nanny cams that can compete with the best products on the market. This particular model has infrared night vision and 1080p full HD quality in all light conditions.

Not only does it have motion detectors, but it also senses when babies and kids are crying. So, this camera is ideal for families and young parents. They can keep up with everything via the Yi Cloud app.

Pros:

  • 24/7 recording
  • Dual communication
  • Excellent price
  • No storage limits
  • Panoramic views
  • The sleek dome lens design
  • Supports up to 4 camera feeds

Cons:

  • Available in white only
  • Lesser-known brand
  • The narrower field of view

Other cool features include two-way talk, lens distortion correction, and live recording. Users can view the live video feed from their PC or phone. The home security camera also supports local storage up to 32GB.


6. Blink Indoor Home Nanny Camera System: A User-Friendly Option

Total Score 9.4/10

Blink Main
Blink Camera
Blink Mobile App
  • Features9.0/10
  • Equipment10/10
  • Price9.0/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score9.0/10

Starting Price

$79.99

Visit Website
Best for Ease of use

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

30 days

Blink is another company that most people probably aren’t aware of. The company offers indoor and outdoor nanny cams, although the focus here is the interior one. It has a two-year battery life and has a convenient wireless design.

The set-up process is seamless, and the unit will synch to the Blink Home Monitor app. That way, individuals can keep tabs on everything via the mobile app.

Pros:

  • Battery life
  • Custom motion alerts
  • Dual communication
  • Multi-packs available
  • Positive customer reviews
  • Sound and motion alerts
  • Works with Amazon Alexa

Cons:

  • For indoors only
  • No professional monitoring
  • Not the cheapest

Along with two-way audio and night vision, the Blink camera boasts good customer reviews. This is a bit strange, consider that the company has a poor Better Business Bureau rating. Still, it’s a reliable product and comes at a decent price point.


7. Arlo Baby Monitor (2400): A Lifesaver for Babysitters & Parents

Total Score 9.2/10

Self Monitored Arlo Main
Arlo Main
  • Features9.0/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price8.0/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score/1010

Starting Price

$199.99

Visit Website
BBB Rating A
Best for Babysitters

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

30 days

While checking out all the available nanny cams, don’t forget about this baby monitor from Arlo. It comes with a lullaby player and multi-colored night light so parents can set the right mood for their little one. The cam has a rechargeable battery, too.

The infrared LED night lights are virtually invisible, so they won’t disturb sleeping children. It also has a cute bunny design, perfect for a kid’s bedroom.

Pros:

  • Adjustable wide-angle lens
  • Built-in speaker/microphone
  • Downloadable video clips
  • Motion sensing up to 50 feet
  • Sound detection
  • Wide field of view
  • 7 days of free cloud storage

Cons:

  • Harder to find
  • Limited cloud storage
  • Pricey

A unique aspect of this camera is the air sensors that track the temperature, humidity, and VOC levels in the room. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit for ease of use.

The crying baby alerts are a lifesaver, and the two-way audio helps parents console their kids while they’re away from home.


8. Logitech Circle 2 Nanny Cam: Pulling Out All the Stops

Total Score 9.2/10

Logitech Circle Main
Logitech Circle Camera
  • Features9.0/10
  • Equipment9.0/10
  • Price8.0/10
  • Ease Of Use10/10
  • Trust Score10/10

Starting Price

$179.99

Visit Website
BBB Rating A+
Best for Wide-Angle

DIY instal

YES

Trial Period

The list of nanny cams ends with this Logitech model. It boasts 1080p HD quality and night vision up to 15 feet. Customers can view their playback videos on their smartphone or PC.

They can also choose between the wired or wireless cam option. This smart home device has dual communication, thanks to the built-in speaker. Plus, the camera has a digital zoom, which many other competitors don’t.

Pros:

  • Digital zoom
  • Good for indoors and outdoors
  • Instant mobile alerts
  • Lots of positive reviews
  • Reputable brand
  • Wide-angle lens
  • Works with Alexa, Apple, and Google

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Limited cloud storage
  • Motion detection zones may vary

This unit has the widest angled lens of all the competitors. It gives clients the best view of their home or outdoor area, granting them more peace of mind. Plus, they can pan and tilt to get just the angle they need.


Best Nanny Cams of 2021 (Pricing & Features)

Take a moment to look at all 8 nanny cams and compare the options. Each cam has its benefits, but every family is different and has its unique needs. Whether it’s pricing, detection range, or picture quality, see how the cameras stack up.

Provider Price Best For Purpose Cloud Storage FOV “Indoor/
Outdoor” Instant Alerts Integrations Mobile App Motion Detection Night Vision Pro Monitoring Resolution Video Playback
Ring $100 Live video No 115° Indoor Yes Alexa, Google Home Yes Yes Yes No 1080p Yes
Nest $220 Budgets No 130° Indoor Yes Google Assistant Yes Yes Yes No 1080p Yes
Wyze Pan $38 Integrations No 120° Indoor Yes Alexa, Google Assistant Yes Yes Yes No 1080p Yes
Wyze Indoor $20 Families Yes 110° Indoor Yes Alexa, Google, IFTTT Yes Yes Yes No 1080p Yes
Yi $23 Ease of Use Yes 112° Indoor Yes Alexa Yes Yes Yes No 1080p Yes
Blink $80 Babysitters Yes 110° Indoor Yes Alexa Yes Yes Yes No 1080p Yes
Arlo $200 Wideangle Yes 130° Indoor Yes Alexa, Apple, Google Yes Yes Yes No 1080p Yes
Logitech $180   Yes 180° Both Yes Alexa, Apple, Google Yes Yes Yes No 1080p Yes

Nanny Cam Features to Look For

Before deciding on the best nanny cam for their home, families should look at the most important aspects of these hidden smart home devices. Check out the top things to look for below, then compare those preferences to the 10 best cams.

1. Field of View

The nanny cams with the widest field of view will bring the most security. With a wide-angle lens, it's possible to see the entire room or yard.

2. Continuous Recording

Most people prefer nanny cams that continuously record. Loop video recording allows them to check in on the home whenever they want. This way, there is no second-guessing whether the kids are safe.

3. Night Vision

There are nanny cameras without night vision, but it is generally a good idea to include this feature. That said, the nighttime quality will vary depending on the user.

4. Two-Way Audio

Nanny cameras with two-way communication are especially useful for families that rely on babysitters. This way, they can easily stay in touch with the sitter, as well as hear their infant. They will be able to pick up any crying or shouts through the built-in speaker.

5. Power Source & Installation

Something else to think about is how these nanny cameras power up. Some of them are battery-operated, while others are hardwired and require a more intensive set-up. Most people prefer wireless models because they are user-friendly and not too technological.

6. Video Surveillance by Mobile App

Another common feature in the best nanny cameras is third-party integration. This may vary depending on the user, but most people prefer compatibility with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Other integrations to look for include Apple HomeKit and IFTTT.

8. Special Features

Depending on how much people are willing to spend on their babysitter cameras, they can get some special features.

Shopping Tips & Things to Remember

Another thing to be careful of when purchasing a granny cam is the fact that there are lots of impostors out there. While it can be tempting to buy from an off-market brand, it’s important to think about quality. Below are some other aspects to consider before deciding.

1. Consider Hidden Camera Laws

This is something that depends on where the client lives. Different states have their own hidden camera laws. To avoid unnecessary trouble, individuals should check out the particular regulations in their area.

2. Security Kits or Packages

Another thing to consider is whether the cam is available as part of a larger security system. Some brands offer multi-packs, while others allow their cameras to work seamlessly together.

3. Client Support

Customer service is the name of the game. Without decent client support, there is no use in purchasing a security device. There will come a time when a family needs to contact the company, so invest in a brand that cares about its buyers.

4. Customer Reviews

Speaking of support and service, check out some customer reviews. This will provide a better security idea about what to expect from the company. Shoppers can also learn the major pitfalls and advantages of the device from people who already own it.

5. Budget/Costs

Finally, pricing is a huge component that people look for when shopping for surveillance technology. While it’s fine to look for a good deal, keep in mind that quality tends to cost a bit more. It is worth the investment, though.

FAQs

  • Where Should a Nanny Cam be Placed?

    There are a few different places to put a surveillance camera. If it is wireless, it can go just about anywhere. A few examples include a bookshelf, a nightstand, or mounted on the wall.

  • How Do You Know If There is a Nanny Cam?

    Keep an eye out for blinking lights or listen for static sounds. It’s also possible to check the Wi-Fi network on a cell phone and see if there is a connected surveillance device.

    Another obvious clue is looking for wiring, but most people are good about concealing hidden cam wires.

  • Can You Use a Nanny Cam in Court?

    It’s possible to use a surveillance camera in court. However, homeowners should be aware of the hidden camera laws in their state before they use the footage as evidence. If they were using it illegally, then the point is moot.

    Silent recordings are fine, but there are consent laws about including audio. The best policy is to tell the nanny or babysitter that a security cam is in use in the home.

  • What Does a Nanny Cam Do?

    These types of cameras are meant to record nannies and babysitters. They are particularly helpful for parents and families. Most of these cameras work with other smart devices, such as security hubs and speakers.

  • How Much Data Does a Nanny Cam Use?

    The amount of data that these devices can use will depend on the particular model. Some of them are compatible with SD cards that can hold 8, 16, or 32 gigabytes of data.

    While some rely on local storage, others use cloud storage, which allows for a lot more space.

Don't Risk It, Record It!

It can be a bit of an investment to buy one of these products, but it is more than worth it. Families work hard to keep each other safe, but parents these days are busy. They want their kids to be okay, but if they are relying on different babysitters, there is some risk involved in security. It is better to have the peace of mind that a recording device provides then be left wondering if the kids are safe.

Have you used one of these surveillance cameras before? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.


Editorial Staff

Brad has worked as a sales manager in the security sector for 10 years. He is curious, attentive to details, and hard-working. He has dedicated several years to helping customers with their safety and protection. His background has helped Brad to write comprehensive security and life safety materials, which he has been writing for about 4 years. Brad has contributed work to The Washington Post, DailyJournal, Los Angeles Times, and many others.


Comments