A full security system may be the peace of mind you and your loved ones need.
What Is A Nanny Cam, Exactly?
A nanny camera is a security camera that watches your children or their caretakers when you’re away. They’re installed in common areas so that parents can keep tabs on the babysitter, watch kids in another part of the house, or check on older kids home alone. If you’re shopping for a nanny cam, and you’re looking for something that’s easy to set up, you have a few main categories of options: multipurpose self-monitored security cameras, hidden nanny cams, and cameras that are part of a larger monitored home security system. In this guide, we’ll present options across all three categories and break down the pros and cons of each.
Best Nanny Cameras
Our take
Get indoor and outdoor video surveillance with the Ring Stick Up Camera HD, the third-generation of Amazon’s security camera. With a wireless design, the camera runs on battery power and can be mounted on a wall or set on a level surface in your home. The camera features 1080p HD video and two-way talk, so you can see clearly day or night and interact with family or visitors.
Stand-out features include
- 1080p HD video quality
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Equipped with two-way audio to speak with guests
Our take
ADT’s indoor camera comes equipped with motion detection, two-way audio, and infrared night vision. Whenever motion is sensed in your home, the camera will record a video clip and send it to your phone. With the ADT mobile app, you can check your video history, view a live feed, and more.
Stand-out features include
- Indoor camera
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- 90-degree field of view
- 720p HD video quality
- View real-time and historical footage via mobile device
- Connects to additional smart home and security equipment
Our take
Vivint is a monitored home security provider that is well-known for its innovative connected devices, and its indoor camera is no exception. The Ping Camera has top-of-the-line specs like a wide viewing angle and two-way audio, in addition to professional installation as part of a fully monitored home security system. Vivint also offers conveniences like month-to-month contracts and financing.
Stand-out features include
- 155-degree field of view
- 1080p HD video quality and two-way audio
- Connects to additional home security equipment
- Infrared night vision
Our take
The Nest Cam IQ Indoor features a 130-degree field of view, infrared night vision, person alerts, and HD two-way audio. You can also get Familiar Face Alerts with a Nest Aware subscription and use Google Assistant for hands-free control. While this camera has been discontinued by Google, you can still get it through other retailers. Google recommends the Nest Cam Indoor as a viable alternative, and a new camera from the company is expected to be released in 2021.
Stand-out features include
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- 1080p HD video with a 4k sensor
- Access to artificial intelligence features like facial recognition with subscription
Our take
The Zmodo wifi security camera is equipped with 1080p HD video quality, a 130-degree field of view and two-way audio. You’ll be able to view real-time and historical camera footage using your smartphone and the Zmodo web portal in up to four places at one time. The Zmodo indoor security camera is also designed with customizable motion detection to prevent false alerts from pets or high-traffic areas in the home. And motion-detected video footage is stored on Zmodo’s cloud storage for 12 hours to playback and share for your convenience.
Stand-out features include
- 130-degree field of view
- 1080p HD video quality
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Equipped with two-way audio to speak with guests
Nanny Camera FAQs
Sometimes, nothing at all! Choose whichever security camera offers the functionality that you’re looking for in a nanny cam, whether it’s specifically designated as a nanny cam or not.
Good question, since the exact laws vary from state to state. The cameras themselves aren’t illegal, but it depends on how you use them. In many places, it is legal to record the common areas of your own house, but you need to check the laws to know for sure whether or not you’re abiding by them.
With a monitored home security system, you have a 24/7 emergency response team that receives alerts if a smoke, carbon monoxide, glass break, motion sensor or another alarm in your home is triggered. When your system has an integrated security camera, you’ll be able to monitor that security feed and receive automated notifications about it from your home security app. Your response team snaps into action if there’s some kind of security issue detected at your property, but they’re not monitoring your camera feed or your kids. Home security response centers protect your privacy and they are not a substitute for adult supervision.