- Cheapest of the cheap
- Reliable inside and outdoors
- Works with Alexa
- Scans entire rooms
- Night vision up to 67 ft.
- Two-way audio
Home security cameras aren’t reserved for people who can drop a wad of cash on a fancy surveillance system. If you want to add a security camera, but have a budget to stick to, this is the resource you’ve been looking for.
We found five cheap security cameras that deliver high-quality reliability—and they’re all under $50.
Here Are the Top 5 Cheap Security Cameras
Compare Cheap Security Cameras
| Price* |
| Night Vision |
| Two-Way Communication |
| MicroSD |
| Cloud Storage |
| Smart Home Capability |
| Top Pick | Smart Cam Pick | Outdoor Pick | Cloud Storage Pick | Night Vision Pick |
| ZOSI 720P | Wyze Cam Pan | SV3C 1080p Wi-Fi | YI Dome Cam | Wansview Wireless 1080pv |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| $12.59 | $37.98 | $45.99 | $33.99 | $39.99 |
| Up to 65 ft. | Up to 30 ft. | Up to 67 ft. | Up to 10 ft. | Up to 20 ft. |
| X No |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
| X No |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
| ✓ Yes |
✓ Yes |
X No |
✓ Yes |
X No |
| None | Alexa compatible | None | YI Home products | None |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
*Amazon.com list price as of 03/31/20 4:03 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
Our Approach
SafeWise tests, researches, and compares products based on the factors that matter most to the people who want to use them. We get our hands on products, fall into rabbit holes of research, look up customer reviews, contact customer service, and more.
Learn more about our rankings and reviews process on our methodology page.
Best Cheap Security Camera Reviews
ZOSI 720P CCTV Camera: Top Pick
This is a four-in-one security camera from ZOSI. You can use it inside and outdoors, and it’s compatible with four different video outputs.
This ZOSI security camera looks like what you expect from a security camera, which should scare away burglars who are on the prowl. And you can find plenty of videos online from customers who caught thieves in the act thanks to this versatile, cheap camera.
Pros
- Weather-resistant design
- 65 ft. night vision
- Vandal-proof construction
- Compatibility with other ZOSI cameras
Cons
- No motion tracking
- No mobile pan or tilt
- No two-way audio
Wyze Cam Pan: Smart Cam Pick
It’s hard to believe that you can get a smart Wi-Fi camera for less than $40. But the Wyze Cam Pan delivers—and it’s become a staff favorite.
You’ll love the clear night vision images, built-in speaker for two-way audio, and smart motion tracking that follows movement from start to finish. And if you’ve got a little tyke that likes to sing themselves to sleep, you can check in remotely for a sweet serenade every night.
Pros
- Free rolling cloud storage
- Voice control with Amazon Alexa
- 360° pan and scan
- Motion and sound detection
- Longer power cord
Cons
- No auto-reboot function
- Some network security concerns
- Hit-and-miss motion alerts
More Cheap Security from Wyze
Plus, you can now get the Wyze Lock, which is the cheapest smart lock on the market at just $89.99.
Wyze Cam Donations
SV3C Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera: Outdoor Pick
This outdoor IP camera lets you protect your home and property without breaking the bank.
The SV3C provides smart motion detection, high-resolution images, and the broadest night vision range of any camera on our list (up to 67 feet). And at around $46 a piece, you can afford to place a few around your property.
Pros
- Long night vision range
- Smart motion detection
- Compatibility with third-party security software
- Two-way audio
Cons
- No smart home compatibility
- Difficult adjustment of recording settings
YI Dome Camera: Cloud Storage Pick
The YI Dome Camera makes it easy to stay on top of everything in your home when you have to be away. And you can wave goodbye to blind spots because the YI Dome Camera features a bidirectional rotation range that captures panoramic scenes.
Best of all, you can store all those sweeping images for free on the YI Cloud.
Pros
- Unlimited rolling YI Cloud storage
- Motion tracking
- Video bookmarks
- Compatibility with other YI devices
- Noise reduction
Cons
- App privacy concerns
- Some firmware issues
- No motion alert zone settings
Wansview Wireless 1080P Security Camera: Night Vision Pick
This affordable Wansview security camera delivers a lot for under $50. You get 1080p HD resolution, a 350° pan range, and 4x digital zoom.
Plus, with two-way communication, this is a great solution if you want to check in on little humans or fur babies. And customers love how crisp the images are—even at night. But that awesome night vision only extends up to 20 feet.
Pros
- iOS and Android mobile app
- Smart pan and tilt function
- Quick setup
- Broad field of view
- Excellent night vision clarity
Cons
- Limited night vision range
- No smart home capability
- Glitchy Android app
How to Buy a Cheap Security Camera
It’s fine and good to want an affordable home security camera solution, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality for a few extra bucks in your wallet. Some of the best security cameras are still affordable. Here are our tips for buying smart on the cheap.
Know what you want from your security camera
It helps to start shopping with a goal in mind. Are you using your camera inside or outside? Do you need a camera with special talents like motion sensors or pet-friendly features?
When you’re buying cheap it helps to know in advance the features that you’re looking for. That helps you weed out cameras that don’t deliver right away.
Here are some questions to help you figure out what you want (and need) in a cheap security camera.
- Do you want to install more than one security camera?
- Do you want a camera to deter burglars?
- Do you want a security camera so you can check in on people and pets when you’re not at home?
- Is a mobile app important to you?
- Do you want motion-activated alerts sent to your phone or email?
- Do you want to be able to listen in and talk through the camera?
- Are you interested in a camera that you can move around, or do you want to install it in a permanent location?
- Are you more interested in wireless cameras, or are you okay with a power cord?
- Is storing and saving video footage important to you? If so, do you want to use cloud storage or do you prefer an SD card?
- Do you want to watch a live video feed?
- Are smart home features and compatibility important to you?
Identify security camera brands that you trust
Finding high quality at low prices is a lot easier when you know which brands deliver at a lower price point.
Start with brands that you may already be familiar with, or ask trusted friends and family for recommendations. Then research expert reviews and customer ratings to see what people are saying about the camera after they’ve used it for a while.
Look out for security cameras that come with hidden costs
The purchase price posted for one camera may not be the whole story. Some security cameras are part of a bigger system and require extra equipment to function. Extras can be a base station, playback DVR, or cloud storage subscription.
Take time to read the fine print and root out any extra costs before deciding which cheap security camera is right for you.
Disclaimer
*Amazon.com list price as of 03/31/20 4:03 p.m. (MT). Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
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