The 10 Most Affordable Security Cameras For 2024

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Most Affordable Security Cameras
Most Affordable Security Cameras

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: YI Security Camera

The YI Security Camera offers exceptional 24/7 Full HD Recording, allowing you to stay vigilant and monitor your home or office from any location. With its optional 24/7 professional grade, this camera provides a comprehensive security solution that is easy to use. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Kasa Security Camera

The Kasa Security Camera provides high-quality 1080p Full HD video with real-time pan and tilt features for easy monitoring. With voice control and Smart Actions features, the Kasa Security Camera offers a user-friendly and customizable home security solution. Read Review

3. Best Quality: YI Pan-Tilt Security Camera

If you're in the market for a flexible and intelligent security camera, the YI Pan-Tilt Security Camera might be just what you need. This camera features 360° tracking, excellent night vision, and 2-way audio to keep your home safe and secure. Read Review

4. Best Technology: GMK Security Camera

The GMK Security Camera offers advanced lens technology and dual light source night vision to provide high-quality 1080p ultra-HD security footage. Its wireless and rechargeable design allows for easy installation wherever needed. Read Review

5. Best Images: TOAIOHO 2K Security Camera

The TOAIOHO 2K Security Camera is a high-tech surveillance camera that provides a 360-degree field of vision and AI tracking, ensuring you can capture every detail with clarity. Read Review

Are you looking for an affordable security camera that will give you peace of mind without breaking the bank? With the rise of home surveillance systems, choosing the right camera for your needs can be overwhelming. But fear not, as we've researched for you and compiled a list of the most affordable security cameras on the market. From indoor to outdoor cameras, we've got you covered.

These cameras are easy on the wallet and offer top-notch features such as motion detection, night vision, and even two-way audio. Plus, with the ability to access footage remotely through your smartphone or tablet, you can keep an eye on your home from anywhere. 

After nearly hours of research, We think the most affordable security cameras is YI Security Camera. With its 24/7 Full HD Recording, F/2.0 aperture, and 112 wide-angle lenses, this product captures moments with clear picture quality. Or you can check the Kasa Security Camera as the other great option, even if the first option didn't meet your requirements. It delivers sharp, clear 1080p Full HD video that looks great on your smartphone or tablet.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 YI Security Camera
Our Score:
9.7
YI

The YI Security Camera is a versatile and reliable device offering a range of home and business security features. With its 24/7 Full HD Recording, F/2.0 aperture, and 112 wide-angle lenses, this product captures moments with clear picture quality. It also features two-way audio that lets you receive and transmit audio from any location with a WiFi connection. This camera's Enhanced Night Vision capabilities make it an ideal device for monitoring your property at night. It features eight individual 940nm infrared LEDs that automatically turn on infrared (IR) in low light conditions, allowing you to see clearly in the dark. 

The YI Security Camera also offers an optional 24/7 professional-grade video alarm system that utilizes vision AI and 24/7 professional monitoring services to detect potential intruders and distribute verified video in real time via an app that replaces the outdated panel system. The Upgraded Smart AI Detections of the YI Security Camera are another excellent feature that can accurately distinguish a Person, Vehicle, or Animal and reduce false alarms significantly. However, these features require a subscription.

The YI Home App is a mobile app that allows you to access your camera anytime and anywhere, making it more flexible with the Home/Away mode. The app will enable you to share your camera with up to five family members or friends and view multiple cameras on a single account. Additionally, nine live feeds on the PC app are available now.

TOP Choice #2 Kasa Security Camera
Our Score:
9.6
Kasa Smart

This camera can pan and tilt, which means you can rotate and set the camera's point of view in real-time from your smartphone. This is great when you need to monitor different areas of your home or want to check on your pets. The Kasa Security Camera delivers sharp, clear 1080p Full HD video that looks great on your smartphone or tablet.

It also offers real-time motion and sound detection, which means you'll receive alerts on your smartphone whenever motion or sound is detected, even at night (up to 30ft). This makes it an excellent option for keeping an eye on your home when you're away or using it as a pet camera or nanny cam. The camera continuously records and stores footage or video clips on a local MicroSD card up to 64 GB, and you can view up to 30 days of video history. If you subscribe to Kasa Care Plan, you can enjoy even more advanced features and automatic alerts when detecting motion or sound. 

The Kasa Security Camera is also compatible with Alexa Echo or Google Assistant. You can use a simple voice command to ask Alexa or Google Assistant to view your live camera feed on consistent Alexa or Google devices. This makes it incredibly easy to use, even if you're not tech-savvy. The only downside to the Kasa Security Camera is that it requires a power source, so you'll need an electrical outlet nearby. However, this is a minor inconvenience for all the features that this camera offers.

TOP Choice #3 YI Pan-Tilt Security Camera
Our Score:
9.5
YI

The YI Pan-Tilt Security Camera is an impressive device with a wide range of features to help you keep an eye on your home. With direction control and motion tracking, this camera can track up to 355° horizontally and 84° vertically, providing you with complete 360° coverage of your home. In addition to its excellent tracking capabilities, this security camera boasts enhanced night vision capabilities. With IR lights and a 140° wide-angle lens, this camera can capture high-resolution 1080p HD images even in low light conditions, ensuring you never miss a thing.

Another great feature of this camera is its 2-way audio capabilities. Equipped with a built-in microphone and speaker, you can communicate with your family members or pets anytime while you're away. And with compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, you can control your camera with simple voice commands.

The YI Pan-Tilt Security Camera also offers intelligent human, motion and sound detection. Thanks to edge computing, you'll receive smarter and faster notifications when the camera detects any activity in your home. And with the easy-to-use YI Home App, you can view up to 9 cameras live feeds from anywhere in the world. The only downside to this camera is that the time-lapse feature, which compresses up to 6 hours into a fun clip between 5-30 seconds, requires a subscription.

4 GMK Security Camera
Our Score:
9.4
GMK

The GMK Security Camera is a state-of-the-art security camera that provides dependable protection in addition to its many cutting-edge features. The picture quality provided by its lens technology is ultra-high definition, and it offers dual light source night vision options that can display in either full color or infrared. The wireless and rechargeable design makes installation simple and eliminates the need for any wires to be present during the process.

This product's Smart PIR Motion Detection and Instant Alerts feature makes real-time security monitoring possible. Notifications are sent directly to your phone. In addition, the Two-Way Talk and Intelligent Alarm features make communicating with guests who have come to your home simple. The flashing white lights and loud sirens can discourage people who have no business being there.

Besides, the GMK Security Camera supports SD cards and provides cloud storage with a free trial period of three days for the video history it records. It is also protected by IP65 weatherproof technology, ensuring it will function reliably regardless of the weather. However, it is essential to remember that the camera is only compatible with WiFi operating at 2.4GHz and not 5GHz.

5 TOAIOHO 2K Security Camera
Our Score:
9.3
TOAIOHO

With its 2K technology, the TOAIOHO 2K Security Camera produces clear, detailed images and videos day and night. This camera has two color night vision configurations, allowing you to capture more nightly details. It also features a 360-degree wide field of vision and AI tracking, ensuring you can monitor your home from every angle.

The motion and sound detection features are incredibly responsive and customizable. You can adjust the alarm's sensitivity so that you won't receive false alerts caused by insects, rain, or heavy snow. This camera is also waterproof and can resist extreme weather conditions like heavy rain and snow. On the other hand, the connection can be laggy sometimes, but it is not a big deal.

The camera provides optional cloud or SD card storage, ensuring you can save the videos detected by the camera. It is also highly compatible with iOS and Android, making it easy to set up and use. The camera supports multi-user sharing, so you can scan the code through the application and let your family control the camera too.

6 Arlo Essential Camera Security
Our Score:
9.2
Arlo

The Arlo Essential Camera Security is an innovative and secure way to monitor your home. With its full high-definition capture and 130-degree viewing angle, you can capture clear and detailed footage of every corner of your home. The two-way audio feature is handy, allowing you to hear and speak to visitors, contractors, or pets.

Setting up the camera is straightforward; you can connect it directly to Wi-Fi without a hub. This camera also has an automated privacy shield, which you can close from the Arlo App to keep your moments private. With an Arlo Secure plan, you can receive notifications for people, vehicles, and packages and dial emergency response or phone a friend from your mobile device.

The Arlo Essential Camera Security is versatile and can be used as a baby monitor, nanny cam, or pet camera. You can place the camera on a shelf or mount it to a wall with the included wall mount to find the perfect spot for your camera. It is also designed to deter intruders by triggering the built-in siren. The minor issue is that it may require regular maintenance or updates, which could be inconvenient for some customers who don't have the time or expertise to perform these tasks themselves. But after you update this, it can give you a more fantastic experience.

7 Imou Security Camera
Our Score:
9.0
Imou

With its 1080P Full HD videos and superior clarity with rich details even in complete darkness, you can be sure the camera will capture all the details you need. The night vision mode is impressive, automatically switching on and off as required, with advanced IR algorithms providing visual verification. Intelligent tracking is another standout feature of this camera. With just one click, you can enable this feature, and the camera will focus on and follow moving people or objects, recording real-time videos and sending instant alerts to your smartphone.

You can check the recordings with a Micro SD card or the Imou Cloud. Imou adopted advanced encryption technology to provide bank-level data protection. Only you have access to the images & videos stored on a Micro SD card (up to 256GB), the Imou Cloud, or a network video recorder(NVR). The only drawback to this camera is that it requires a stable wifi connection for optimal performance.

The 2-way audio and sound detection features are also noteworthy. The built-in speaker and microphone allow you to interact with pets and family from anywhere. Plus, an instant notification will be sent to your smartphone when the baby monitor detects baby crying, dog barking, or other abnormal sounds, keeping you aware of what's happening at home/office/store.

More To Consider

9 ESCANU Security Camera
Our Score:
8.7
ESCANU
10 TIEJUS Security Camera
Our Score:
8.6
TIEJUS

A Simple Way To Choose The most affordable security cameras For You

Would you like to know how to select the most affordable security cameras to purchase in 2024? We have a straightforward solution for you. First, consider your own requirements. For instance, should you need something that could be used during workouts, look for products that are made of high-quality materials and are resistant to water.

Consider the price range next. Some people prefer low prices, while others prefer to invest additional money on better quality items, so weigh both choices once making a decision.

Eventually, reading reviews is a simple way to select the most affordable security cameras to buy. Please read our research below before purchasing anything and follow that guide to select your most affordable security cameras.

Connectivity

Most security cameras will connect to your Wi-Fi router on the 2.4-GHz band. If you intend to install the cameras in a particular location, you may be interested in the 5-GHz band, which allows for a quicker stream load. A Wi-Fi range extender such as the EufyCam 2 Pro may be included with some system. In locations with a poor Wi-Fi signal, it is not advisable to install a security camera.

Video Quality

You should never record at the highest resolution possible in a video. While 4K videos offer superior image quality, they require significantly more bandwidth to stream and a lot more storage space to record. If you have only Wi-Fi, you need to be cautious. The camera must be able to take in more information, but this can cause a fish-eye effect on the edges and some cameras are better at removing distortion than others. It's important to get a camera with HDR support, particularly if it's facing a mixed lighting location with some shadow and direct sunlight (or a street light).

Local Or Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is a standard feature in most security camera brands. Many smart features, such as person detection or activity zones, are bundled in with the cameras to make a subscription mandatory. It is not always as simple as it appears. Make sure you understand what is included before you purchase. When buying a camera, always consider the subscription cost, and make sure you know what is included.

Person, Animal, And Vehicle Detection

If you have a camera that is capable of distinguishing between people, animals, and vehicles and that can send you smarter notices about what's happening, you don't have to open the camera app every time it detects something.

Night Vision And Spotlights

The low-light performance of outdoor security cameras is highly variable. Monochrome footage is produced by most night vision modes, making it harder to distinguish objects. Color night vision is more common, but it can occasionally appear weird due to software enhancement. We prefer spotlights, which allow for better-quality footage, and the light serves as a further deterrent to any intruder. However, they're not suitable for every scenario, and they take more batteries to operate if they aren't connected.

Wired Or Battery

Wired cameras must be able to get power, must be near an outlet, and will lose power if it does not, but they never require charging. If you buy battery-powered security cameras, the process is simpler. You can choose where you want to position the cameras. You will use less electricity if you charge the camera rather than removing the battery, but charging it can take several hours. You can power some camera batteries with solar panels now, which gives you the best of both worlds.

FAQs

What types of affordable security cameras are available?

There are a variety of affordable security cameras available, including wired and wireless cameras, IP cameras, and PTZ cameras. Wired cameras are the most common and cost-effective option and are typically used for basic security monitoring, while wireless cameras offer a greater degree of flexibility in terms of installation, as they can be placed almost anywhere. IP cameras offer higher image quality and are best suited for detailed monitoring, while PTZ cameras are able to rotate, pan, and zoom to provide a wider field of view.

What features should I look for in an affordable security camera?

When shopping for an affordable security camera, you should consider the following features: night vision, resolution, storage capacity, integrations, motion detection, and audio recording. Night vision allows the camera to capture footage in low-light conditions, while higher resolution cameras provide better image quality. Storage capacity is important for saving footage, while integrations allow the camera to be connected to other devices for more advanced control. Motion detection allows the camera to alert you when it detects movement, and audio recording allows you to capture sound as well as video.

Are affordable security cameras easy to install?

Yes, most affordable security cameras are easy to install. Wired cameras typically require a bit more setup, as they require the camera to be connected to a power source and a router or switch. Wireless cameras are typically much easier to install, as they don’t require any cables or wires and can be placed almost anywhere.

How much do affordable security cameras cost?

The cost of an affordable security camera will vary depending on the type and features. Basic wired cameras can typically be found for as little as $30, while wireless cameras with more advanced features can cost up to $200. IP cameras and PTZ cameras are generally more expensive and can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 or more.

Conclusion

We hope this blog has provided you with useful information about selecting the most affordable security cameras to buy. If you're still unsure, consider why you're purchasing a product in the first place.

Here you can select the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera if you are unable to select one of the available items above. Consider whether any of our suggestions aided you in deciding which products to purchase. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time!


0 ratings

About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

Read Sara's full bio