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Updated Nov. 9: Starting to get your holiday gift deliveries—or, worse, not get them? That's a great reason to consider upping your investment in home security. We test security cameras, high-tech locks, AI-powered doorbells, motion sensors, and more with rigorous metrics to help you monitor and scare away porch pirates and unwanted guests. When connected to a smart home network, you can lock and unlock doors, track package deliveries, trigger alarms, and store video online for later viewing, all with simple apps or voice controls.
We've been taking smart cameras and other security devices into the lab for over ten years, measuring how well they perform in motion sensing, night vision, object and human detection, and more. With our exhaustive reviews as a starting point, I find the lowest prices on top-ranked cameras, video doorbells, smart locks, and all-in-one security systems.
Blink Mini 2K+
Defender Go 2K Security Cameras (2-Pack)
Arlo Essential Indoor Pan Tilt Security Camera 2K (2-Pack)
Wyze Bulb Cam
Arlo Video Doorbell 2K
Chamberlain MyQ Video Doorbell
SimpliSafe 7-Piece Home Security System
Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint WiFi Smart Lock
Yale Assure 2 Smart Lock
Eufy FamiLock S3 Max
Security Camera Deals
Smart cameras are the backbone of a connected home security system. These compact units watch out 24/7 for motion, sending alerts to phones, PCs, and smart speakers. Many offer AI-powered image recognition, color day and night vision, built-in speakers and sirens, and other features.
The latest iteration of Amazon's Blink Mini camera lives up to its name, with a ridiculously tiny housing that still captures high-quality 2K video with a 138-degree field of view and lots of useful alerts and features. We have a detailed review of this one, with PCMag smart home expert John R. Delaney declaring that it "delivers sharp, colorful video, provides timely motion alerts, and generates accurate AI video descriptions," but noted that some of those advanced features do require a Blink subscription, which starts at $3.99 a month. Other upgrades include a built-in Wi-Fi radio, so the Mini 2K+ no longer needs a Blink Sync Module to connect to your home network. At 60% off, this is the best deal of the month.
If you've got outlets handy and more space to cover, you're going to have a tough time beating this two-pack of 2K indoor/outdoor cameras from Defender for under $30. With ClearVu motion imaging, you get remarkably crisp video quality, with color night vision courtesy of built-in spotlights. The 80-lumen spotlight and ultra-loud siren are great for chasing away prowlers as well. Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 connectivity is fast and stable, and a wide variety of motion alerts are customizable. Setup is a breeze, taking just a few minutes to connect to your home network and associated smart devices.
We were deeply impressed by both the quality and the price of the Arlo Essential indoor security camera in our review, giving it an Editors' Choice award and noting that it beat the competing Nest model at half the price. You can get an even greater deal on a two-pack, which drops the cost to $17.49 per unit. This compact but full-featured camera is compatible with just about every major home automation platform, including IFTTT, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. It's effortless to set up, and with an Arlo subscription, it delivers a ton of remarkably powerful AI object recognition skills, including face recognition and even fire detection.
One of the key maxims of tech is that everything gets smaller all the time, and the Wyze Bulb Cam embeds an entire smart security camera at the base of an LED light bulb for incredible convenience and flexibility. Drawing all the power it needs from the light socket, this update to the original Wyze Bulb, which we reviewed here, combines an 800-lumen dimmable LED with customizable colors and a fixed-position camera with 2K resolution and a 160-degree wide field of view. It is expected to support Amazon and Google smart home systems and to support both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity. The camera doesn't have automated pan-tilt, so you'll have to adjust its angle manually to get optimal coverage, but aside from that, this one is very cool.
More Security Camera Deals
- Ring Outdoor Cam 2K Battery (2026 Release, White) — $49.99 ($99.99) Save $50.00
- Eufy Security S220 SoloCam 2K Wireless Solar Camera — $69.99 ($99.99) Save $30.00
- Arlo 2K Wired Floodlight Camera With Siren (2025 R... — $99.99 ($149.99) Save $50.00
- Eufy Security eufyCam C37 4-Camera Kit With Base — $279.97 ($449.99) Save $170.02
- Ring Floodlight Cam 2K Wired (2026 Release, White) — $99.99 ($199.99) Save $100.00
- Get the Best Prices On Security Cameras — Download Our Free Price Comparison Tool $0
Video Doorbell Deals
Your front door is where the majority of visitors stop, so keep it under observation with a video doorbell. These devices activate when they sense motion, capturing deliveries, unwanted guests, and more. They also sync up with other cameras and smart home devices for alerts and more.
Arlo makes reliable midpriced smart security tools in a variety of forms, and its 2K video doorbell is a solid pick at retail and an irresistible one at under $50. This slim and sleek model works either wirelessly with a built-in battery or wired to your home's mains, and it's a cinch to install. We bestowed an Editors' Choice award on it in our review, with PCMag smart home expert John R. Delaney saying that it "offers an easy and affordable way to see what’s going on outside without opening your door," with a wide viewing angle, smart object identification, and robust integration with other smart devices. You will need an Arlo monthly plan to review footage in the cloud.
For a third video doorbell pick, the Chamberlain MyQ is a capable, if boxy-looking model that performs well, with full 2K video and a 150-degree wide-angle lens to capture every visitor and package on your porch. A built-in light gives you 24/7 color night vision, and real-time motion alerts can be sent to your phone or a connected smart device. It also supports either built-in battery power or wired installation, and using the MyQ app, you can do two-way talk through the built-in speaker. One cool feature is the ability to set up custom detection zones that determine which alerts and notifications the doorbell sends. For $40, this is a very solid choice.
We bestowed an "Excellent" rating on the new Ring Wired Doorbell Pro 4K in our review, with expert John Delaney remarking that it "delivers highly detailed video, up to 10x zoom, and better-than-average low-light color video," thanks to the company's new Retinal 4K technology that packs advanced lenses and imaging tools into a tiny form factor. Ring also has some of the better AI features on the market with a $3.99 monthly subscription, giving you text descriptions of events and advanced motion alerts. This unit is simple to install, but it does require connection to your house's electrical lines. Our major criticism was the price, so snag this $100 discount while you can.
More Video Doorbell Deals
- Ring 2K Battery Doorbell (2026 Release, Speckled Gray) — $39.99 ($99.99) Save $60.00
- Ring 2nd Gen 2K Wired Video Doorbell With Chime (2... — $49.99 ($114.98) Save $64.99
- Arlo AVD4001 2nd Generation 2K Wireless Doorbell Camera — $48.99 ($79.99) Save $31.00
- Eufy Security C31 2K Battery Video Doorbell — $79.99 ($99.99) Save $20.00
- Tapo D225 2K Wired Smart Video Doorbell With Chime — $99.99 ($109.99) Save $10.00
- Get the Best Prices On Video Doorbells — Download Our Free Price Comparison Tool $0
Smart Security System Deals
For an all-in-one package solution at a good price, this SimpliSafe deal ticks all the boxes for 50% off. We rate it the top all-around home security system and, in our detailed review, noted that it's simple to set up and offers lots of flexibility, whether you opt for a monthly monitoring plan or not. This bundle brings you a base station, keypad, four entry sensors, and a robust motion sensor. The base can blare a 100 dB siren when sensors are triggered, alert the authorities, and ping your smart device. Expansion is also a breeze if you find you need more hardware. One thing we did note is that it lacks direct integration with several smart home protocols like Zigbee and Matter, but the company told us that's by design, to keep it easier to use.
Smart Lock Deals
Smart locks streamline and secure entry to your home, combining robust physical security with advanced features such as biometric fingerprint recognition, permanent or one-time codes, remote locking and unlocking via your smartphone, and more. They provide peace of mind 24/7.
We ranked the Ultraloq Bolt the best all-around pick for most homes in our smart lock roundup, and right now, Amazon has it on sale for 25% off retail. In our full review, we raved about its exceptional versatility, with eight ways to engage and disengage the bolt, including an accurate and speedy fingerprint sensor, voice commands via a compatible smart speaker, and low-tech methods like PIN entry and a physical key. It also works with a huge array of smart home systems, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings. Installation is simple, and the included AA batteries are rated to last a year before needing replacement.
If you're an iPhone user who wants one of the most convenient ways to unlock your door, the Yale Assure 2 is right up your alley. Just add your Home Key to your phone's Apple Wallet, then swipe it over the lock unit to open the door. With Express Mode, you don't even need to wake your device, and it works even if your battery is dead. This durable and attractive smart lock offers multiple options, including numeric codes that can be restricted to single use, specific days of the week, and other parameters, as well as access via the Yale Access app. Read our full review for the rundown, where we gave it an "Excellent" rating.
We gave Eufy's FamiLock S3 an Editors' Choice award in our rave review, with John Delaney declaring it "the smartest lock we've tested." That's because it not only gives you a variety of access methods, including keypad codes, a phone app, and even biometric palm scanning, but also incorporates a camera and an internal screen to do everything a video doorbell does at the same time. The classy-looking exterior escutcheon is IP65 rated for water resistance and simple to install, fitting doors with a 1-3/8 or 2-1/6 thickness, a 1-1/2 or 2-1/8 crossbore diameter, and a 1-inch door hole diameter. Power comes from both a 15,000mAh lithium-ion battery pack and four backup AA batteries. This baby packs so many features we can't possibly list them all, and a $40 discount makes it an exceptional buy.
More Security Camera, Video Doorbell, Security System Deals at Amazon
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More Security Camera, Video Doorbell, Security System Deals at Target
Is Smart Home Security Worth It?
We rigorously test and review home security systems as they're released, but all the benchmarking in the world can't tell you what it means for your peace of mind. While crime, in general, is on the decline, there are still people with bad intentions out there. Not only do smart home security systems let you monitor your doors and windows, but they're also great for keeping an eye on pets and kids, package deliveries, and more.
What Is the Best Home Security System?
Backed by our Readers' Choice awards, Ring was the winner for Best Home Security System, Indoor Security Cameras, and Outdoor Security Cameras. Eufy was the top pick for video doorbells, while Schlage brought home the honors for Smart Locks.
Our current Editors' Choice winner for best outdoor home security camera goes to the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro, and for indoor we've touted the Arlo Essential Pan Tilt as our top overall pick. We also went with the Arlo Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) for our best video door selection.
Does Ring Have a Monthly Fee?
Yes, Ring offers an optional subscription service for cloud video storage and other features called Ring Home (formerly Ring Protect), which comes in three tiers. Basic coverage costs $4.99 per month, Home Standard is $9.99, and Home Premium is $19.99. The Basic plan covers a single camera and includes up to 180 days of cloud storage for recorded video, along with person and package alerts and video preview alerts. Home Standard extends coverage to all the Ring cameras you have at home and adds support for doorbell calls (so when someone presses the doorbell button, the alert you receive looks like a phone call) and extended live view (for up to 30 minutes of continuous viewing). Home Premium turns it into a full-featured security solution with 24/7 recording, SOS emergency response, and more
What Is the Best Home Camera Security System Without a Monthly Fee?
Nearly all smart home security camera manufacturers offer a subscription plan along with their hardware. These plans typically enable cloud-based services like video storage and real-time alerts. But if you're saving money, they're not always required.
If you want to avoid a monthly subscription, look for a home security camera with local video storage support like the TP-Link Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Wi-Fi Camera C120. It can store recorded video footage locally on a microSD card (up to 512GB) if you have one, or you can optionally subscribe to a Tapo Care plan for cloud storage (starting at $3.49 per month or $34.99 per year after a free 30-day trial).
About Our Experts
I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade.
Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
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