Best security cameras with local storage 2024

The best security cameras allow you to surveil every aspect of your home from the comfort of your couch or when you're away at work. All that captured footage needs to be stored somewhere though. Cloud storage is one option but this is usually a paid feature. Plus, there's always the risk of your security footage being compromised or corrupted during upload due to an unstable Internet connection.

Security cameras with local storage is the perfect answer for all those who wish to have greater control over their surveillance footage and don't want to pay a monthly fee for cloud backups. There are many affordable options, but the more expensive ones tend to have the best features.

My favorite out of the bunch is the Arlo Pro 5. It offers local storage with a hub, superb imagery, and great integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, even if you'll need to subscribe to get advanced AI object recognition. It's one of the best smart home devices you can have today. If that doesn't do it for you, check out the rest of the best security cameras on our list.

Nicholas Sutrich

Nick grew up in a telecom-savvy household and has been reviewing phones since 2011. Whether it's waxing poetic about Nokia's glory days or flipping open the latest foldable phones, he knows what makes a good device and can help you understand which one to pick.

At a glance

Best overall

The Arlo Pro 5 might be one of the more expensive security camera systems available, but it comes packed with many great features. It also goes by the name Arlo Pro 5S 2K, and both are the exact same camera.

Arlo's most recent upgrades to its hubs mean you can finally view locally stored footage via the app with Direct Storage. You'll need to make sure you have an Arlo SmartHub (model VMB5000 or VMB4540) to enable the feature. The downside here is that, since they're not connected to the cloud, you won't have thumbnails for each video so looking through your library isn't as ideal as cloud-stored videos.

As far as quality is concerned, not only can you view and record in 2K HDR, you can even view and record in color during the day or night. The cameras also feature an integrated spotlight and sport a 160-degree field of view.

Setup also could not be easier. There are no wires to mess with, and the cameras attach magnetically to their mounts. You also recharge the battery with a magnetic cable (similar to some smartwatches), and each charge lasts up to six months. The most impressive of all the Arlo Pro 5's features is that you can store up to a whopping 2TB of footage through the external hub. That's a lot of squirrel footage to go through!

Best value

TP-Link makes some of the best Wi-Fi routers as well as great home security cameras, and the Tapo C120 is easily one of the most value for money products. Backed by hugely positive reviews from customers, the C120 offers ton of features while costing under $40. The most important thing is local storage, which is up to 512GB with a microSD card. The compact size also makes it easy to install it either indoors or outdoors. It has a magnetic base which means you can simply place it on any metal surface like a beam or the side of the fridge, giving you much more flexibility.

The TP-Link Tapo C120 has long feature list which includes a 4MP 2K resolution camera with an IR mode for night vision. The latter can be viewed in full color thanks to the camera's Starlight sensor and dual spotlights. The security camera is also IP66 rated for dust and water resistance, which means you can install it out in the rain with no worry. There's full-duplex two-way audio communication too so you can converse with the person at the door through the app, from the comfort of your couch.

TP-Link also offers Smart AI detection for recognizing people, cars, and pets, for no additional charge. The Tapo C120 also works as a baby monitor, alerting you when it detects a baby crying.

Most storage

Kasa makes some of the best smart home devices at excellent prices and great quality. This affordable security camera comes packed with a ton of great features, including IP65 weatherproofing, crisp 2K image resolution, color night vision, two-way audio, and up to 256GB microSD card capacity for a ton of on-device, local storage.

The Kasa Outdoor Security Camera camera offers a pretty robust experience, with the ability to set up alerts and view live and on-demand video. The camera also has an integrated LED spotlight that you can trigger manually or set to turn on when a person or motion is detected. This has proven a wonderful feature and it's why I love using it on my patio.

While you can put up to a 256GB microSD card in the device, you can check out the company's cloud service with a 30-day trial of Kasa Care, should you wish to try out that option before committing to a subscription plan.

The loud motion detection alarm can scare away intruders, but you can also carry on a conversation with visitors thanks to its two-way audio capability. To avoid too many notifications, you can set custom activity zones so you won't be bothered by false notifications from trees swaying in the breeze.

Easiest setup

Some cameras are built with loads of AI features and require fine-tuning just to get started. Then there's the GE Cync Smart Indoor Security Camera, which offers fast and easy setup with only the essential features.

Don't mistake simplicity for bad. I've been using this camera on my indoor porch to keep an eye on things, and it has been great. Sure, I wish I could put a larger microSD card than 32GB in it, but it hasn't been an issue yet. It is nice that if you want cloud storage, GE's Cam Cync offers a 30-day trial to see if you like it.

The 1080p camera produces fine images and has built-in two-way audio so that you can communicate with whoever may be on the other side of that lens through the Cync app. I don't use the built-in privacy slider in my particular use case. But the slider can cover the camera lens and disable the microphone for those who may want to use it in a nursery or a room where you don't want constant surveillance. Note that this camera only works on the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi spectrum.

Best pan and tilt

This device sits somewhere in the middle of the others in terms of price but has a few features that are not common with the other cameras on this list.

For starters, the camera is on a 360-degree swivel base, so you really can get a complete view of your front or backyard, and it can tilt up or down. It has a siren to alert you to the presence of an intruder and scare them away. Best of all, you can put in a 128GB microSD card to keep your footage in-house on top of the free seven days of cloud storage. It also has IP65 weatherproofing and works with Alexa and Google Assistant. If you don't have an Amazon Echo Show or Nest Hub, fret not. All of the camera's excellent features can be accessed via the Reolink app, including zooming in to get a closer look.

The 2K resolution camera means you'll get crystal clear images, so there will be no squinting to figure out what is on the video. Even in the dark, you'll be able to see up to 33 feet away. Add in smart features like person and vehicle detection, and your camera will keep an eye on your property from all angles.

The battery-powered camera has long battery life, but add the included solar panel and you can stretch the time between charges even further. I found that during testing, one of the downsides is installation. Finding the right height to capture the area you want covered can be tricky, as the tilt feature only goes 140° vertically. But once you have that sorted, this is a great security camera.

Best with Alexa indoors

If you're someone heavily invested in the Amazon smart home ecosystem and its Alexa smart voice assistant and you're looking for the best Ring camera alternatives, the good news is you still have quality choices. Another Amazon security camera brand also works great with Alexa and is not Ring — and that brand is Blink.

Blink was mainly known for its popular Blink XT2 camera, but that device was primarily used for outdoor purposes. Now, Blink introduced a couple of purpose-built indoor cameras, like the Blink Indoor. There's nothing particularly exciting about this camera, but it gets all the basics right. You get a battery-powered wireless device that works for up to two years without having to replace its two AA lithium batteries (which come included). What's more, you can carry on two-way conversations and monitor the feed through your Blink or Alexa apps or on your connected Fire TV or Echo Show devices.

A cloud subscription plan is available, but the real bonus here is that you can store your videos locally thanks to the included Blink Sync Module. Plus, it is super easy and convenient to place or mount the camera just about anywhere inside your home.

Best with Alexa outdoors

Everything you need to know about the Blink Outdoor 4 camera can be learned from reading about its indoor sibling in the section above. Well, everything except for two crucial details. First, you get all of the advanced camera features, app support, and Alexa integration, as well as the extended battery life and easy installation that you do with the Indoor Camera.

What sets this device apart is that it's custom-built for outdoor use, where the temperature variations are more extreme and where it has to face the elements, whether it's sunshine, heat, cold, or precipitation. It also offers a wider field of view so you can see more of what's going on. Blink also released a new Floodlight accessory that we tested in our review. So, while the camera itself doesn't offer any kind of additional lighting if you need it, you can pick up the Floodlight for added lighting.

Because this device can withstand the outdoor elements, it is only natural to be priced slightly higher than the Indoor Camera. On top of the higher price tag, you'll also need to pay for a Blink subscription to access the new Person Detection feature.

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How to choose

Setting up a home security system yourself can be a daunting task, but you can streamline the process if you do it step by step. Here are some of the things you should keep in mind before buying a security camera.

• Decide how many cameras you'll need: Identify all the areas of your home that you wish to secure, so you have a rough idea of how many cameras you'll need to invest in. Based your budget, you can then begin narrowing down your choices.
• Camera quality: The quality of the security camera's optics one of the most important aspects when choosing. It's best to pick a camera with a high resolution like 2K for sharper footage. This is especially useful for an outdoor camera. Bonus features like night vision, longer zoom range, etc, are worth looking into.
• Field of view: After resolution, the breath and width of what the camera can capture is the next most important aspect. Anything in the range of 120-degrees is a good place to start. The wider the field of view, the less blind spots you have, which ultimately leads to fewer cameras.
• Durability: Outdoor cameras generally come with an IP rating, making them resistant to dust and water. The higher the rating, the more secure your camera will be against the elements.
• Power: Your cameras need to be powered one way or the other. Battery-powered cameras are the most convenient to install but will require constant charging or replacing of the batteries. Hard-wired cameras the most ideal, but make sure the cord length is long enough to reach your power outlet.
• Privacy: The whole purpose of a security camera is to safeguard your privacy, which is why it's important to pick a camera from a reputed brand. Over the years, even some big-name brands in the business have reportedly had issues with privacy, so it's best to do a bit of research on the Internet and check user reviews.

You can't go wrong with these cameras

While the list of the best wireless security cameras continues to expand, the options that can store video locally seems to be dwindling. The Arlo Pro 5 is the best security camera with local storage because the company offers an excellent product upfront, even if more advanced motion detection still requires a subscription. Assembly is simple, the camera is durable, and the battery lasts forever.

If Arlo is a little too pricey for you or doesn't quite meet your needs, then there are several less expensive alternatives with varied feature sets and the ability to add an excellent microSD card to store your footage locally. Whatever device you go with, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your data is safe in your hands.

The Tapo C120 from TP-Link is one of the most versatile cameras, offering premium features while costing the lowest. It offers incredible vlaue considering it is waterpoof and it can record 2K video. Similarly, the Kasa Outdoor Camera from the same brand supports up to 256GB of external storage. Looking for something that's easy to set up? GE's CYNC Indoor Smart Camera should be right up your alley. If you're looking at rugged cameras, Blink has great options for both indoors and outdoors that are refreshed every few years with new features and improved designs.

As a note, we've removed Wyze cameras because of significant security issues. While these flaws have been fixed, the company's deceptive practices over a period of three years have caused us to lose trust in its products. Additionally, we stopped recommending Eufy's cameras as of December 1, 2022, because of security issues. However, the company has updated its privacy policy and is clearer about what videos are encrypted and what are not.