Best Home Security Cameras for Apple HomeKit and Siri in 2024

Camera quality

Camera resolution and field of view are crucial to getting all the detail you need from a security camera. Higher resolutions like 2K and fields of view greater than 130 degrees are signs of a good home security camera. It’s a bonus if cameras can pan and tilt to capture additional areas. This goes hand in hand with app quality, which should allow for easy, highly detailed live views on demand.

Design quality

We prefer cameras with a sturdy, compact construction that can be placed or mounted in a variety of positions for quick installation. Design can also add a lot of value to a camera – the ability to turn on a floodlight or sound a siren can be very useful for home security. Likewise, motion detection features should be customizable, with options such as motion zones, privacy zones to reduce false alerts, and motion sensitivity. Essentially, you should be able to tweak settings until you get exactly the alerts you need.

Wired vs. Wireless

Wired cameras don’t need to be charged and are generally a bit more affordable, but they are more limited in their placement and require more outdoor installation work. Wireless cameras are easier to install and avoid wiring complications, but you will need to charge or replace the batteries, usually every few months. We generally prefer wireless cameras when possible, but wired cameras can be a worthwhile choice, especially for models like video doorbells that connect to existing doorbell wiring.

Sound

Smart home security cams should offer two-way audio that allows for quick communication through the app. There are no two-way audio features that work with Apple’s HomePod line, but they can work through other apps.

Object recognition

Object recognition is the ability to distinguish between objects like people, pets, vehicles, and packages, and then send you customized alerts or ignore certain objects. It’s a very important feature for modern security cameras, but it’s sometimes locked behind subscriptions.

Video storage

Video storage isn’t an absolute requirement, but we highly recommend saving, downloading, and sharing videos with any camera. Sometimes this feature is locked behind a cloud storage plan like iCloud+, but other times you have a local storage option with a microSD card or similar setup. Local storage is more expensive to set up, but it keeps you out of the cloud and away from subscription fees if you want to avoid them.

Additional support for smart homes

While Apple support is guaranteed for our list, you may want to look for cameras with additional smart home support, such as those that work with Alexa or Google Home. If you have an existing security system, look for a device that integrates with your existing control panel or apps.