Best Nanny Cams of 2020: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
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The best nanny cam will have all of the features you could dream of, from WiFi connectivity to the ability to view camera feeds in real-time.
There are hundreds of models on the market with an assortment of features designed to help you improve your security and give you peace of mind.
Below are five of the most spectacular nanny cams you’re bound to find online when you want to keep an eye on your children, pets, and properties.
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Best Nanny Cam Reviews Comparison Chart
Wyze Labs WYZEC2 Cam
YI Four-Piece Home Camera
ZUMIMALL WiFi Camera
Ring Floodlight Camera
Wansview Wireless Security Camera
Best Nanny Cam Reviews
1. Wyze Labs WYZEC2 Cam
When you’re working to improve the security of your home, you’ll undoubtedly want a surveillance system that works with all of your smart devices.
The Wyze Labs WYZEC2 Cam is a convenient camera that allows you to live stream the feed from your property regardless of where you are.
There are plenty of fascinating technological features that help to make this security camera one of the most interesting on the market.
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Fortunately, the stream that you’re able to watch your property is available in 1080p, so you can easily make out fine details of people who are near your home.
You’ll also be able to take advantage of the two-way audio that enables you to talk to guests without having to open your door and also be able to listen to their responses.
All you do is download the Wyze app to have access to the high-end features included with this camera.
With the help of the free cloud storage, you can record motion and sounds for up to 12 seconds at a time; even the camera will engage itself when motion is detected.
Everything recorded will be reviewable for up to 14 days, without having to spend any extra money.
Also, when you have notifications allowed on your mobile devices, you will receive an automatic alert when activity is detected on your property, so you don’t have to keep an eye on the app continually.
Another exciting feature of the Wyze Labs WYZEC2 Cam is that it has a fantastic night vision feature with visibility up to 30 feet, thanks to the four IR LEDs.
If you’re more interested in keeping a hard copy of any motion on your property, this camera is also compatible with FAT32 MicroSD cards so that you can save and store data outside of the cloud.
Be sure to remember that this nanny cam is only compatible with 2.4GHz WiFi networks as well as Apple and Android mobile devices.
What to Like About It
The Wyze Labs WYZEC2 Cam is convenient for any homeowner, as you can also allow family members to monitor the camera if you are unavailable, all you do is invite them to your account.
You’ll also appreciate the clarity of the camera during the day, which gives you fantastic quality to keep an eye on all surrounding movement.
When you’re installing the camera, you’ll love how you can either use the metal plate with screws or the included sticky tape to affix the unit to any flat surface.
What Not to Like About It
One of the most significant issues customers have had with this camera is that the alert recordings are too short, which prevents you from seeing what might be causing the detected activity.
Also, if you enable the camera to access your WiFi, there are security concerns, as the servers are overseas in Europe and China.
You must take advantage of the frequent software updates, as it can help to improve the connectivity and reliability of the camera.
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2. YI Four-Piece Home Camera
The YI Four-Piece Home Camera comes with a pack of four cameras, which is quite useful for both indoor and outdoor monitoring.
If you want a nanny cam that will work with smart devices while also giving you access to a 24/7 emergency response team, this is the camera for you.
It is a convenient WiFi-enabled security tool that you’ll surely appreciate having around your house to track any activity.
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To capture any movement with the most precise picture, these cameras have 1080p/15fps lenses that allow you to see plenty of detail.
Similar to the other nanny cams, these cams also feature two-way audio so that you can receive and transmit to anyone on your property with WiFi.
There is also an upgraded night vision feature that allows you to see clearer pictures at night with the eight IR LEDs.
When you order your new security cameras, you can choose whether you want to use the 24/7 emergency response service.
If you need assistance from police, fire, or EMS agencies, you will get connected to Noonlight’s Certified Emergency Dispatchers, which will contact the appropriate agency for your needs.
You’ll also appreciate the activity alerts that will keep you up-to-date with any movement on your property by sending notifications directly to your phone.
Fortunately, users will be able to take a look at their stored alerts in the cloud for up to seven days without needing a subscription or a MicroSD card.
All you have to do is download the YI Home App, and you can review past recordings, monitor your home in real-time, or share the camera feed with up to five family members at a time.
You can also opt to record everything onto your MicroSD cards if you prefer not to have access to the WiFi-enabled features.
What to Like About It
You’ll surely have peace of mind with the YI Four-Piece Home Camera due to the sensitivity of the cameras, allowing you to receive alerts even if a bug flies in front of the lens.
Users have also noted the two-way audio feature is convenient to catch people’s attention, but you will need impressive internet to maintain a clear conversation.
Also, the night vision camera is quite impressive, as it offers optimal visibility at up to 70 feet.
What Not to Like About It
Without a YI subscription or a MicroSD card, you’ll only be able to keep six-second recordings at a time, which is barely enough information to see activity.
Unfortunately, you’ll also find the data written on to the SD cards doesn’t include a time or date stamp to prove specific activity happened at a particular time.
Ideally, these cameras are best used indoors for the highest quality imagery possible.
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3. ZUMIMALL Wireless Rechargeable WiFi Camera
For homeowners and travelers who want a camera that can move without needing a hardwired connection, the ZUMIMALL Wireless Rechargeable WiFi Camera is a fantastic choice.
It has plenty of the same features as the other products we’ve discussed, including high-quality video and two-way audio, as well as a couple of other traits you’ll appreciate.
Fully compatible with cloud storage or a MicroSD card, this could be the nanny cam you’ve been looking for in a long time.
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The rechargeable battery in this camera is by far its most significant selling point, as you can easily set it up and move it whenever necessary.
If you’re someone who loves traveling cross-country in an RV, for example, you’ll have a fully portable video camera for home or your mobile home.
Each camera comes with a 6000mAh battery that can last up to five months when fully charged.
As there aren’t any wires required for setting the camera up, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to use, with most people saying the setup only took five minutes.
On the back of the metal bracket, there will be a two-sided piece of adhesive that allows you to set the camera anywhere on your property.
You’ll also appreciate the high-quality video that shows you as much detail as higher-end cameras, with 1080p image quality.
The ZUMIMALL Wireless Rechargeable WiFi Camera is also fully weatherproof, allowing you to use the camera either indoors or outdoors with no signs of weathering.
You’ll love that it features a 130-degree wide-angle to capture all movement and how you can remotely watch the feed in real-time, as long as you connect the device to WiFi.
Also, when connected, the camera will send alerts to your smartphone when activity is detected and allows you to use the two-way audio feature to have conversations.
At night, you’ll have crisp images up to 10 feet with PIR motion detection, and you can also opt to store data on a MicroSD card or paid cloud storage.
What to Like About It
The battery quality in the ZUMIMALL Wireless Rechargeable WiFi Camera is quite impressive, as you can likely use it for up to six months by charging it once.
Also, the software installation is incredibly simple, and the mobile application has a very user-friendly interface.
Both the day and night vision are beneficial, especially as the image quality is quite clear in low-light settings.
What Not to Like About It
To have access to recordings, each camera needs a WiFi signal strength of at least 70%, so you may have to install WiFi extenders in your house.
You also have to pay for cloud storage, unlike many of the other models we’ve discussed this far, especially if you want to review your recordings.
In terms of build quality, the cameras aren’t likely to hold up well if they fall from high distances, so you have to take special care while installing them.
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4. Ring Floodlight Camera
Ring is one of the most popular nanny cam brands since they are widely available in-store and online.
The Ring Floodlight Camera is less of an indoor camera and more of an outdoor solution for dimly lit areas that require extra security.
With built-in floodlights, this motion-activated security camera is bound to improve your outdoor security ten-fold.
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When you install the Ring Floodlight Camera, you’ll appreciate how the floodlight illuminates a large area with ultra-bright lights and also records any movement.
With the added light feature, it acts as an extra deterrent for criminals, but another exciting feature is that this system also has a siren.
In the event of unwanted intrusions, you can sound the siren to enhance the likelihood of the intruder running away instead of gaining access to your property.
The connectivity of this Ring product is also impressive, as it allows you to talk to people on your tablet, PC, or your smartphone.
You can also connect it directly to your Alexa so that you can have motion alerts announced when they are detected.
Also, with your Alexa, you can manage other types of security from inside of your home, such as automatically locking your front door.
When you opt to sign up for the Ring Protect Basic Plan, you will be able to record all captured video to review any activity you have missed at the time.
This video will be available for up to 60 days, and you can easily share it with friends, family, and others in the neighborhood.
Unfortunately, the Ring Floodlight Camera isn’t wireless and will need to be explicitly hardwired to weatherproof electrical boxes.
Nonetheless, with a 1080p camera, you’ll have extreme clarity of your pictures as well as improved night vision and access to a Live View feed.
Another exciting feature of Ring is that if your camera gets stolen, the company will replace it for free.
What to Like About It
You’ll undoubtedly appreciate the seamless look of the Ring Floodlight Camera, as it looks like a regular floodlight with a motion sensor, but also has a camera.
The WiFi features on the device are quite useful, especially if you have other Ring products that you want to network together.
During the day time, the picture quality is quite impressive and allows you to see plenty of detail.
What Not to Like About It
The most considerable disadvantage of the Ring Floodlight Camera is that it doesn’t work well past 30 feet at night, which is quite troubling for people with long driveways and multiple parked cars.
Also, plenty of customers have noted that the software could use several updates, such as a better light scheduler or the ability to adjust the light timers.
Unfortunately, you will only be able to look at one camera at a time, instead of viewing several feeds at once.
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5. Wansview Wireless Security Camera
The Wansview Wireless Security Camera is a convenient solution for indoor or outdoor monitoring with its sleek appearance.
You’ll love all of its conveniences that allow you to keep track of movement in and around your property, especially if you own small children and pets.
Many have also suggested the picture quality of this device is quite impressive.
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When connected to a reliable internet connection, the 1080p HD camera provides clear and smooth transmissions that you can review in real-time from anywhere.
You also can enable the two-way audio feature, allowing you to hold a conversation safely from within your home.
Similar to other connectable devices, you can network this together with your Alexa to manage what camera you’d like to see.
There are plenty of smart features built into the Wansview Wireless Security Camera, as it will tilt, pan, and zoom in on any activity that you weren’t expecting.
You’ll have full 360-degree coverage of your entire property as well as a digital zoom feature that allows you to see finer details with impressive quality.
In terms of night vision, there are four IR LEDs installed to give you clear black and white pictures at up to five feet.
You will receive real-time motion detection alerts with up to 10 seconds of video to see any unwanted movement on your property.
Owners will also be able to decide between cloud and SD card storage, depending on your preferences.
Also, your cloud storage is designed with Financial Encryption Technology for the highest data protection, so your privacy is maintained.
What to Like About It
Setting the cameras up is one of the simplest things you can do, even if you don’t have a technology background.
The camera has a high-quality casing that keeps it in pristine condition, whether installed outside or inside.
Also, the wide-angle lens offers optimal visibility and phenomenal clarity, especially when compared to other security cameras.
What Not to Like About It
Unfortunately, you won’t receive any alerts for audio detection with this camera, only motion detection.
Also, depending on your connection, the video may lag up to two seconds behind whatever is happening in real-time.
Users won’t be able to adjust the sensitivity of the camera, so it is set at a high sensitivity level when installed.
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Buyer’s Guide
Frequently, installing nanny cams is about much more than giving homeowners peace of mind.
These devices give you evidence that you can use during legal proceedings and can also ensure that you maintain the security of your family, pets, and belongings throughout the year.
With that said, you must know what to look for to buy the best possible cameras for your property.
1. Video Quality
Video quality is by far one of the essential features to look for as it allows you to see the finest details when it comes to unwanted movement.
If there is an intruder, the higher your video quality, the easier it will be to see the face of the perpetrator as well as any other details to help police identify the individual.
You will also appreciate being able to tell if your camera has been activated by a leaf, bug, or small movements that could suggest someone is on your property without your permission.
When you look into the video quality of your chosen cameras, ensure you also pay close attention to the condition at night.
Most surveillance systems work pristinely during the day, but in low light conditions, you also want to be able to see details at up to 30 or more feet, depending on the size of your property.
2. Battery
If you have opted for a camera that doesn’t have to be hardwired, it will operate solely on battery power.
Most manufacturers understand the importance of putting long-lasting batteries in your devices so that you won’t have to take the cameras down every day to charge them.
Fortunately, the higher-end battery-powered models will last up to five or six months before needing a charge.
3. Remote Accessibility
You’ll always want to be able to keep an eye on your property, especially when you’re not at home.
Even if you are home but not near any windows, knowing about movement can help you to thwart criminals when they’re in the middle of illegal activities.
Remote accessibility is when you can patch into your cameras from your smart device and remotely view all or one of your cameras at a time.
This feature is particularly crucial for homeowners who are traveling, as you will receive alerts to your phone and need to see if emergency services have to be dispatched while you are away.
Without remote accessibility, you will only be able to view recorded activity after it happened.
4. Viewing Angle
Capturing all movement on your property can allow you to track unwanted persons or animals to see where they came from and where they are going.
The viewing angle of your nanny cams is quite essential, as you want to make sure you’re capturing every ounce of related activity.
When installing the cameras, ensure they are pointing in the correct direction; however, with advancements in technology, most cameras do the work for you.
Make sure you consider models that have 360-degree viewing angles, so you can see every aspect of the surrounding area without having to move your camera manually.
Some designs even have smart features where the camera will shift and zoom on movement all on its own.
5. Smart Capabilities
There’s no reason to compromise when it comes to smart features, primarily when you’re investing a lot of money into security cameras.
There are dozens of smart capabilities your camera may have, such as connecting to other security products in your home or zooming in on activity without you needing to do so manually.
It’s also highly recommended you invest in a system that you can network with other smart devices, such as Google Assistant and Alexa.
With smart capabilities, you’ll have better control over the security of your home by using your voice or your smartphone.
6. Warranty
As with any electronic product, there should be a warranty included with your security cameras.
For example, Ring has a replacement guarantee that if your camera has been stolen, the company will replace it for free.
On average, most security cameras have a limited warranty from five to ten years that will ensure you receive a replacement in the event of manufacturer’s defects.
These defects may include faulty mounting hardware, an inability to connect to WiFi, or even poorly designed housing, causing internal damage to the cameras.
FAQs
1. Do You Have to Disclose If You Have a Nanny Cam?
Any time you have an individual in your home, it is your responsibility to disclose that you have cameras, especially if that individual is hired personnel.
Nannies are protected by rights similar to any other employee, and even though the majority won’t care if you record their interactions with children, you must legally disclose that they are being recorded.
This topic has come under fire recently, with properties listed on Airbnb, as well.
If you own a rental property, you are required to disclose in the listing of your property that the home has nanny cameras.
You will also need to disclose where they are and whether they are in working condition or not; otherwise, you open yourself up to legal troubles.
2. How Can I Spy on My Nanny?
Although we wouldn’t suggest spying on anyone in your household, using your nanny cams to reference live video or recorded video is quite simple.
Most security cameras allow you to watch one or several feeds at the same time to check up on your children and their nanny.
Also, the cameras will store snippets of the video when it detects motion that you can review at a later date.
3. Are Nanny Cam Illegal?
Protecting your property is not illegal; however, there are instances when using a nanny cam will be frowned upon within the courts.
For example, installing nanny cams in hotel rooms or bathrooms in public spaces is wholly illegal, especially since you don’t own the property and will be recording the movements of strangers.
Many businesses also have policies where you cannot use cameras to record employees to protect their privacy.
In your own home, though, having a nanny cam is not illegal and is one of the smartest decisions to make so that you can sufficiently protect your family.
4. How Do You Tell If a House Has a Nanny Cam?
The best way to tell if a house has a nanny cam is to look in the areas that would be the most popular for surveillance.
A great example is around any entryways or inside shared spaces, such as living rooms, foyers, and hallways.
There are also scanning devices you can use to browse for cameras if you are curious about whether a hotel room is being monitored, for example.
Fortunately, most nanny cams aren’t designed to be like hidden cameras.
Although they will blend into their surroundings, they won’t be small and easy to hide, they’ll be decent in size and quite noticeable if you’re looking for them.
5. Where Can I Hide My Nanny Cam?
The best advice for hiding your nanny cam is to find a location that allows you to view the most-used areas in your home without being too obvious.
For example, it would be better to mount the camera in the corner of a room rather than directly on a fireplace mantle.
With that said, if you intend to keep track of your hired nanny, you have to disclose the cameras anyway, so there’s no point in trying to hide them.
When installing outdoor security cameras, keeping them hidden should be far more straightforward, as you have plenty of fantastic places to keep them out of direct view.
For example, under eaves, on trees, or even inside of your doorbell, depending on the product you have chosen.
Our Final Recommendation
The best nanny cam you can get your hands on is the Wansview Wireless Security Camera, as it has the best video and audio quality out of the other cameras on this list.
Also, the setup is quite simple, even if you intend to connect several cameras.
With a sleek and unnoticeable appeal, it gives you the ability to monitor activity on your property discreetly and with minimal effort.