best-cheap-home-security-cameras-2019-2

10 Best Budget Security Cams Under $100 & $200 [2023]

In Home Security by Tim Brennan

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

In this post, I am happy to bring you the scoop on the best budget security cams for under $50, $100, and $200 this year.

While you may find a few of these over at CNET, I’m here to give you a more thorough lowdown on my favorite security cameras for both indoor and outdoor use.  I’ve included my picks for a couple of video doorbells as well.

Here’s are the 10 best budget wifi security cameras, video doorbells, and alarms you can get right now:

Indoor Security Cameras Under 100: 

Outdoor Security Cameras & Doorbells Under $200 & $100: 

Affordable Indoor / Outdoor Security Cameras

Call them what you like: nanny cams, pet cams, or wireless home security cameras.

best-wireless-home-security-cameras-2019-4615540Whatever you want to call them, the adoption of indoor and outdoor security cameras by homeowners is a growing trend [Source: Statistica].

In fact, a recent report by  Grand View Research, Inc., said that the global smart home security cameras market size is anticipated to reach USD 11.89 billion by 2027, expanding at a staggering CAGR of 15.7%. You can read about the details in this press release if you are interested.

These neat surveillance devices for both inside and out help to prevent theft, help police catch thieves, let you watch the kids or elderly family members, and check up on your pets. Heck, they will even help you save money on homeowners insurance.

Best of all?

The prices of these systems have fallen dramatically in recent months. Basic cameras that let you monitor your home using your smartphone are now within reach of virtually any budget.

Options abound on Amazon, which can make it very confusing as to what to buy.

That’s where I come in.

In this article, I’ll break down the best cheap home security cameras from Wyze, Blink, Netvue, Ring, and others. And I’ll organize them by price, starting with some very inexpensive but highly-rated and hugely popular products.


Take a Bite Out of Crime

Remember McGruff, that crime-fighting dog from the 80s?  He warned you to lock your door in order to help “take a bite out of crime.”

[Sorry about the poor video quality; this is best we could find on our friend McGruff.]

Sadly, criminals and thieves have gotten much more sophisticated these days, and it will take more than lights and locked doors to stop them.

Did you know that there are 1.4 million home burglaries each year and that police solve only 13% of them due to lack of witnesses or physical evidence?

Don’t become another statistic. Read until the end for a humongous Burglary Statistics Infographic [courtesy: SafeAtLast], and then get a security camera to help deter theft and catch thieves in the act!


Best Budget Security Cams for Under $100

Here’s a table listing all of the best budget wifi cams (Wyze vs Blink vs Ring vs Netvue vs Ezviz and others). All of these are featured in this review along with their price. Prices are updated daily as of the date and time at the bottom of the table.  You can click on the product image or SEE IT button to see the item on Amazon and the latest pricing.

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Best Budget Security Cameras Under $100 for Indoors

#1 – Best Overall Value: Wyze Cam v3

Value for Price
100%
31c-2wuqahl-_sl500_-7353011

When you weigh the pros and cons of Wyze vs Blink, Ring, Netvue, Ezviz, the Wyze Cam v3 from Wyze Labs offers tremendous value at a very affordable price. In fact, this is probably the best overall value of the best budget security cameras for under $50 and even under $100 and $200. What’s more, it delivers the full set of features you would expect from a higher-end camera. These include 1080p high def streaming, night vision, and two-way audio. And it works with Alexa to boot!

If you’re interested in seeing it in action, check out this helpful video from Smart Home Solver. [Nice job Reed.]

This is my pick of the best budget home security cameras and it really is an amazing deal. I bought one for my sister this past Christmas and it literally took me less than 10 minutes to set it up. Besides, at this price what do you have to lose?

#2 – Runner Up: EZVIZ Indoor Security Camera

Features and Value for Price
95%

41imhrolavl-_sl500_-5088575

The EZVIZ Indoor Security Camera offers wireless IP surveillance with night vision, motion alerts, plus two-way audio, and 135° wide-angle view. Footage can be stored in the Cloud and it also works with Alexa. Customers who own this camera on Amazon give it high marks.

Features and Value for Price
100%

41g8pkgnrwl-_sl500_-4298700

Like others here, the Blink Indoor Home Security Camera also has motion detection and HD video. The battery lasts longer than many security cameras I have tested [a whopping two years!]. It also includes storage of video footage in the Cloud.

You can see Blink’s ad for this camera below.

#4 – Best Baby Monitor Under $50: Netvue WiFi Camera

Features and Value for Price
95%

51jkohxpncs-_sl500_-8056192

The Netvue WiFi Camera offers all of the same features as the Wyze Cam, plus it’s compatible with the Amazon Echo Show and has motion detection and internal storage. It makes an awesome baby monitor. This is one of the best cheap home security cameras you can buy in 2022 bar none.

Want to see more Amazon Echo Show compatible video cameras?  Don’t miss this newly updated post:  11 Best Amazon Echo Show Compatible Cameras.

#5 – Baby Monitor Runner-Up Under $100: EZVIZ Dome

Features and Value for Price
94%

41l-iwx-utl-_sl500_-5368677

The EVIZ Dome Camera has all of the benefits of the Indoor Security Camera with great pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities as well as night vision and smart tracking. One-Touch Privacy Shutter: A privacy shutter allows you to turn on/off the lens whenever you need privacy.


Best Outdoor Security Cameras Under $200

Outdoor Camera Comparison Table

Here’s a table listing all the best budget outdoor security cameras featured here (xmarto vs Dericam vs Zmodo). I will include a couple of video doorbells as well for comparison purposes. Prices were last updated as of the date and time at the bottom of the table.  You can click on the button to see the item on Amazon.

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

#6 – Best Overall Value: xmartO Wireless Security Camera

Features and Value for Price
85%

wyze cam vs blink vs ring vs netvue vs ezviz

The xmartO Wireless Security camera system is expandable and offers exceptional pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities.  It includes a 1TB with 8CH 1080p NVR, built-in audio, and 2X 960p fixed-angle view.

#7 – Best Multi-Cam: Zmodo Surveillance System

Features and Value for Price
95%

51bbpi-judl-_sl500_-9056525

Ideal for business or for those serious about outside security, the Zmodo Surveillance System features a 32 channel 1080p HDMI NVR surveillance system, a weatherproof sPoE security camera w/repeater,  plus 24/7 recording & remote monitoring capabilities.

While this is more expensive than some other items in its class, it is still a very inexpensive full perimeter coverage video surveillance system.

#8 – Best Outdoor Single: Dericam Outdoor Wireless Security Camera

Features and Value for Price
91%

51zutrqadl-_sl500_-1117015

Next on our list of best cheap home security cameras is the Dericam Outdoor Wireless Security Camera. This outdoor home security camera features 4X optical zoom, auto-focus, a 1.3-megapixel display, and a pre-installed 32GB memory card.


Video Doorbells

#9 – Best Video Doorbell: EKEN Video Doorbell 2

Features and Value for Price
90%

41dgtpktfpl-_sl500_-2371168

Next on my list of indoor/outdoor home security cameras is the EKEN Video Doorbell. This awesome doorbell makes it easy to see who’s at your front [or back or side] door. It includes a high-definition WiFi camera, plus real-time video, two-way audio, wide-angle lens, and night vision.  You can run the doorbell off of a battery if you don’t have wiring at your door.

Thanks to Poc Network for this helpful unboxing video.

Moreover, it’s motion detection app will notify you when someone comes to visit.

Here’s another video interview with Grace from Eken that gives some additional details.

#10 – Best Video Doorbell: Ring Video Doorbell 4

Value for Price
95%

51aqfjubbjl-_sl500_-7942859

The Ring Video Doorbell 4 lets you check in on your property at any time with live-view on-demand video.  It lets you see, hear and speak to visitors outside your home from your phone, tablet, or PC. The doorbell will send alerts as soon as motion is detected or when visitors press the doorbell. And it works with Alexa to send announcements to Echo devices when your doorbell is pressed or motion is detected, allowing you to hear and speak to visitors with two-way talk.  Set up is easy and it works with or without existing doorbell wires. Ding dong.


Best Budget Security Cams Under $100 & $200: What Do You Think?

So which is your favorite security camera out of my picks for the best budget security cameras under $50 $100 and $200.

It’s amazing how much the prices have dropped so dramatically on these cameras over the past few years.

Do you plan to purchase an indoor or outdoor camera?  How about a video doorbell or alarm?

Please leave a comment below and let us know.  We would love to hear from you.


Giant Burglary Statistics Infographic

Here’s the HUGE Burglary Statistics Infographic that we mentioned above.

Our thanks to our friends over at SafeAtLast.co for letting us display it here.

burglaries-0602-1471295

The Best Budget Security Cams Can Help Take a Bite Out of Crime


Related Posts

If you liked this article about the best budget security cams, would you mind sharing it using the social media buttons on this page?  If you enjoyed reading this, you might also like some of my other articles.  I’ll list a few of them below.