The 9 Best Nanny Cams of 2021

A full security system may be the peace of mind you and your loved ones need.

Ring Stick Up Cam (Battery Operated) - Best Multipurpose Security Camera
ADT Indoor Camera - Best for Monitored Home Security
Mini WiFi Hidden Camera with Alarm - Best Hidden Nanny Cam
Vivint Ping Camera - Our Nanny Cam Runner Up
Nest Cam IQ Indoor - Our Top Pick for Nanny Cams

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 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.

Comparing Types of Nanny Cams

Multipurpose indoor security cameras
Wireless indoor security cameras from popular smart home companies like Nest, Ring, Blink and others can easily double as nanny cams as long as you don’t need to keep the camera hidden. These cameras connect to Wi-Fi and parents can view the feed from anywhere via an app. As an added benefit, these cameras often integrate with other smart home devices for a seamless automated experience.
Cameras part of a monitored home security system
Other types of nanny cams require you to monitor the feed yourself. What if you are away from your phone, or if an emergency strikes and no one is able to respond? If you choose a professionally monitored home security system that includes indoor cameras, you’ll be able to livestream the footage personally and have a 24/7 emergency response team on your side. You get many features of a nanny cam with added back-up support for maximum peace of mind.
Hidden nanny cams
Some parents want a hidden nanny cam so that kids, caretakers or other household professionals can’t necessarily see they’re being recorded. Used wisely, hidden cameras offer additional peace of mind that everyone is behaving well even when they think no one is watching. Of course, hidden cameras aren’t always appropriate. The legality of recording people in your home varies from state to state, and it’s easy to see how these types of cameras could be used to violate someone’s privacy. Since these cameras are built into unassuming shapes, they also tend to have lower resolution, fewer features, and less reliable customer service than other indoor cameras.

Best Nanny Cameras

Safety.com provides this roundup of the best nanny cam solutions. This list of recommended products includes options across categories – self-monitored security cameras, cameras that are available as part of a monitored home security system and hidden nanny cams.

Best Multipurpose Security Camera
1. Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
Our rating
Check price
Our take
The Ring Stick-Up Cam is equipped with two-way audio, night vision and adjustable motion detection to reduce false alarms. The wireless version of the Ring Stick Up Cam is battery-powered and includes one rechargeable battery pack. It has a 115-degree field of view and 1080p HD video quality. This indoor wireless security camera connects to Ring home security equipment and the Ring app for easy remote control.
Stand-out features include
1080p HD video quality
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Equipped with two-way audio to speak with guests
Best for Monitored Home Security
2. ADT Indoor Camera
Our rating
Learn more
Our take
ADT’s indoor camera comes equipped with motion detection, two-way audio, and 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
Hidden Nanny Cam
3. Mini WiFi Hidden Camera with Alarm
Our rating
Check price
Our take
This is a functioning digital alarm clock that has a camera hiding inside. Overall, it’s an inconspicuous and affordable choice that should give you a good vantage point on the room without advertising that there’s a camera. Since it’s small and battery-operated, it requires no installation and it’s easy to move around.
Stand-out features include
Functional digital alarm clock with 1080p hidden camera
Motion detection & night vision
150° viewing angle with one-way audio
Battery-operated
4. Vivint Ping Camera
Our rating
Learn more
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
5. Nest Cam IQ Indoor
Our rating
Check price
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.
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
6. Zmodo Wi-Fi Home Security Camera
Our rating
Check price
Our take

The Zmodo Wi-Fi security camera is a Wi-Fi is equipped with 720p HD video quality, a 115-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
115-degree field of view
720p HD video quality
Works with Amazon Alexa
Equipped with two-way audio to speak with guests
7. Canary All-In-One
Our rating
Check price
Our take
True to its name, the Canary All-In-One is a 1080p HD security camera with a 90-decibel alarm that also monitors your home’s temperature, air quality and humidity. If you’re hoping for one self-monitored device that packs in as many smart features as possible, check out this affordably priced option with optional professional installation.
Stand-out features include
147-degree field of view
1080p HD video quality with two-way audio
Includes a 90-decibel alarm
8. Wyze Cam Pan
Our rating
Check price
Our take
Wyze is a newcomer to the self-monitored security market but its small suite of cameras, sensors and smart light bulbs are quickly earning a reputation for their extreme affordability and high-end specifications. The Wyze Cam Pan is a standout because it’s mounted on a 360-degree swivel, which you can operate remotely to pan and zoom in on specific areas.
Stand-out features include
1080p HD video quality
120-degree field of view with two-way audio
Motion detection & night vision
Pan & zoom features
Works with Amazon Alexa
9. WNAT Bluetooth Speaker Hidden Camera
Our rating
Check price
Our take
A nanny cam that doubles as a bluetooth speaker is both inconspicuous and convenient. This one houses a Wi-Fi-connected 1080p camera that can be controlled remotely to swivel the lens 180 degrees (be aware, though, that moving the lens might give away the camera’s location). It also has motion detection features. It ships with a battery for backup power, but plugging it into a power source is recommended for round-the-clock monitoring.
Stand-out features include
Functional Bluetooth speaker with 1080p video quality
Lens can swivel 180 degrees
Motion detection
Battery backup

Showing 5 of 9 items

Nanny Cam Features & Options

Angle (field) of view
This measurement, given in degrees, represents how much area the camera can “see” at any given time. The larger the angle, the more area you’ll be able to get into view. However, wide angle shots can cause some degree of image distortion.
Continuous recording
Continuous recording keeps an eye on your property at all times. This can help ensure you don’t miss a thing, but it may require more energy and storage space. A camera with motion detection allows you to only record when there’s activity in the vicinity. This saves data and power because you won’t have to record empty rooms.
Two-way audio
Cameras with two-way audio let you occasionally pipe in from afar via your smartphone to have a quick conversation with your sitter, kids or pets (we won’t judge).
Power source and installation
Some cameras are battery operated, some plug into an outlet and others must be hard-wired into a wall. Make sure you know what you’re ordering to be certain it can be installed in the area where you need it, and whether or not professional installation is available
Night vision
This feature lets you keep an eye on darkened rooms. You won’t have the same visual acuity as you do with good lighting, but it will still let you see who’s moving about.
Video surveillance by mobile app
All of the leading cameras let you view the camera feeds through its associated phone or web app. If you choose devices that integrate with one another, you’ll have fewer apps to navigate, which can make your smart home easier to use. Voice control via Google, Alexa or Apple HomeKit can also make it easier to communicate with your devices.

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.