Babies Gear and Products The Best Nanny Cams to Keep an Eye on Your Family The Google Nest Cam offers 24/7 streaming, day or night By Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau is a full-time writer who regularly contributes lifestyle pieces to outlets like Martha Stewart, Food52, Taste of Home, USA Today, and more. Learn about our editorial process and Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 29, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Leigh Raviv, WHNP-BC Medically reviewed by Leigh Raviv, WHNP-BC Leigh Raviv, WHNP-BC, is a women’s health nurse practitioner serving women in New York City. She has dedicated her career to providing gynecologic and reproductive health care across the lifespan, with a special interest in adolescents and young adults. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell Family / Chloe Jeong For many families who hire a nanny or a babysitter, a nanny camera is essential. A camera can give parents peace of mind while away, allowing them to check in whenever they’d like. Nanny cameras often have many features, from night vision and mobile alerts to wide-angle lenses, so you can use the camera how you see fit. Reviewed & Approved The Google Nest Cam lets you check in on your home, no matter where you are, with live 24/7 streaming through 1080p HD video. For a more budget-friendly option, we recommend the YI 1080p Smart Home Camera. Consider other additional features, like two-way communication, especially if you're wanting to talk to your child without having to enter the room. Plus, think about the camera's picture, and how you plan to use it. Do you plan to take it on the road, or do you prefer to keep it at home? No matter where you decide to use a nanny camera, we carefully looked at audio and video quality, design, additional features, and value for each product on our list. Here are the best nanny cams to help you keep an eye on your littles. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Google Nest Cam Indoor 1st Gen at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: WYZE Cam v2 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget Runner-Up: YI Home Security Camera at Amazon Jump to Review Best Wireless: Blink Indoor Camera at Amazon Jump to Review Best with Wi-Fi: Arlo Q at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Audio: Ring Stick Up Security Camera at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall: Google Nest Cam Indoor 1st Generation 4.4 Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart Pros Mobile alerts Wide-angle lens Night vision Cons Subscription for perks Settings must be reconfigured for each log out Mutes all others when microphone in use Google Nest Cam Indoor Review Who else recommends it? BabyCenter and Healthline both picked the Google Nest Cam Indoor. What do buyers say? 90% of 15,000+ Amazon reviewers rated it 4 stars or above. The Nest Security Camera earned our top spot thanks to the camera's ability to live stream any time of the day. This indoor security camera lets you check in on your home, no matter where you are, with live 24/7 streaming. The 1080p HD video will show you everything that’s going on, day or night, and the camera will even send notifications to your smartphone when it detects movement. The Nest Camera is a plug-in model, and it comes with both a stand and a wall-mounting plate, depending on where you want to put it. It has a built-in speaker and microphone for two-way audio, and you can review photos of recorded activity for up to three hours for free. If you want a continuous recording, Nest offers “Nest Aware,” which provides you with more comprehensive security features. Price at time of publish: $147 Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.8 x 4.5 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio Best Budget: WYZE Cam v2 1080p HD Indoor WiFi Smart Home Camera Wyze View On Amazon Pros Motion/sound recording Sharing compatibility Two-way audio Cons App use only Metal plate may rip paint off wall upon removal Cannot be monitored from another screen (phone only) Security cameras can cost hundreds of dollars, but if you want top-notch security on a budget, you should consider the Wyze Camera. This popular budget pick streams video in 1080p HD, and you can check in on your home anytime via the associated app. This camera comes with a magnetic base, 6-foot power cable, and an adhesive metal plate, allowing you to mount it anywhere without putting holes in your walls. It boasts motion and sound detection, and you can choose to use a microSD card (sold separately) to record footage or use the free rolling 14-day cloud storage. The camera has two-way audio, as well as night vision up to 30 feet. Price at time of publish: $51 Dimensions: 2.2 x 2 x 2 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio Best Budget Runner-Up: YI Home Security Camera Walmart View On Amazon View On Yitechnology.com Pros Two-way audio Optional emergency response service Zoom in up to 4x Cons Indoor only Recorded footage disappears after a week Privacy policy requires many permissions The YI 1080p Home Camera Wireless IP Security Surveillance System was specially designed with kids in mind, right down to its ability to detect crying. This camera doubles as a baby monitor for many, and is a reasonably priced security solution. It offers both live videos and stored footage with 1080p resolution—you can even zoom in up to four times to get a closer look at what’s going on. With the YI Home app, you can stream real-time video to your phone, watch what your kids and babysitter are doing, or enable motion alerts that let you know when and where any movement is detected. The app also includes two-way audio that lets you have a conversation with your nanny or kids right through the camera. This camera’s best features are arguably the ones designed just for parents. The YI Home Camera includes special technology that detects when a baby is crying and sends you a smartphone alert. Plus, it boasts advanced night vision that allows you to check on your little one without disturbing them. Price at time of publish: $25 Dimensions: 3.15 x 1.26 x 4.49 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio Best Wireless: Blink Indoor Camera Amazon View On Amazon View On Home Depot Pros Two-way audio Alexa compatible Built-in motion detectors Cons No continuous live feed Batteries required Only one person can be added to app Corded security cameras can be a bit inconvenient, as you have to place them near an outlet. However, you can solve this problem with a compact wireless camera like the Blink Indoor Home Security Camera, which is lightweight and powered by batteries, allowing you to place it just about anywhere. Blink cameras stream HD video to connected devices, and they include built-in motion detectors that will send alerts to your smartphone, along with a short clip of whatever is happening. There are no monthly fees associated with these cameras, and what’s great is that you can easily expand your system by adding more cameras around your home. Price at time of publish: $80 Dimensions: 71 x 71 x 31 millimeters | Power Source: Battery | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion The Best Baby Gadgets to Make Life with a Newborn A Little Easier Best with Wi-Fi: Arlo Q Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Staples.ca Pros Budget-friendly Audio/motion alerts Stand/wall mounting plate included Cons Indoor only More storage costs extra Clicking sound made when recording begins Many security cameras are equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing them to stream video to your smartphone or other internet-connected devices. If you’re looking for a Wi-Fi camera that you can access from anywhere, one of the best options is the Arlo Q, an internet-enabled security camera that delivers 1080p HD video straight to your phone. This camera has two-way audio capabilities, as well as motion and sound alerts. It comes with a stand and a wall-mounting plate, allowing you to put it just about anywhere, but it is a wired camera, so it will need to be relatively close to an outlet. The Arlo Q comes with seven days of free cloud recording, and you can upgrade to a more advanced plan if you want more storage. Price at time of publish: $199 Dimensions: 4.45 x 5.99 x 4.93 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio The 8 Best Video Baby Monitors Best With Audio: Ring Stick Up Indoor/Outdoor Wired 1080p Security Camera Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On Lowe's Pros Indoor/outdoor use Night vision Two-way audio Cons No 5G connection Recorded videos part of subscription Trouble connecting to app at times Security cameras with two-way talk allow you to speak and listen through the device, which can be helpful if you need to tell your kids to do their homework, yell at the dog to get off the couch, or even scare away an intruder. One of the best cameras with audio capabilities is the Ring Stick-Up Camera, a product that you can mount anywhere in your home. The Ring Camera delivers 1080p HD video, and it lets you see, hear, and speak to people through your phone, tablet, or computer. It comes equipped with motion-detection alerts, and you can mount it on any flat surface—though it is a wired camera, so it will need to be close to an electrical outlet or ethernet port. Price at time of publish: $100 Dimensions: 2.36 x 3.82 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion The Best Kids' Desks of 2022 How We Selected the Best Nanny Cams We chose the best nanny cams by researching reviews from customers and competitors, and we studied the features of more than 30 products on the market. We considered design, price, ease of use, and setup, as well as additional features like night vision or 360-degree camera rotation. Our editors and writers stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the tech industry and share everything we know about what families love year after year for their home’s and their children's safety. What to Look for in a Nanny Cam Size and Shape The size of the nanny cam you need will depend on how you plan on using it. Some parents and caregivers use a nanny cam to double as a baby monitor. So when your nanny goes home, you can still keep an eye on your little one. However, if you want it to be completely undetectable, then the smaller the better. Also, consider where you’ll place it. Some can be tucked away easily in everyday objects, while others double as everyday objects (e.g. an alarm clock). Others are set on a tabletop or mounted, which is fine if you’re not trying to conceal your monitoring efforts from anyone. Sophistication From basic models that simply record video footage of an area to those that connect to Wi-Fi so you can stream from your phone, nanny cams vary across the technological spectrum. Another feature that differentiates nanny cams is the pixel resolution, which translates into how crisp and clear the images are when you view them. Typically, the higher the resolution and included tech features, the higher the price tag. Extra Features Beyond capturing footage, some nanny cams offer other features, such as night vision capabilities and two-way voice communication. These additional features may cost you more upfront, but offer a big peace of mind, especially if you need to ask the nanny questions or speak to your child. Your budget and reasons for monitoring will dictate what features you want in a camera. There are features you will likely be able to live without, but others you'll definitely want to invest in, such as the ability to record if that's what you need. Frequently Asked Questions Is it bad if I have a nanny cam? Having a nanny cam may make you feel like you're doing something wrong—or even illegal, like spying. However, the fact is, you have the right to know what's going on in your home while you're away, especially when it has to do with the care and wellbeing of your child. So, no, don't consider yourself a bad parent for getting a nanny cam. You're just being a vigilant one. What is the best nanny cam to purchase? The best nanny cam for you will depend on your personal preferences and budget. We've shared our faves, but make sure your nanny cam fits your needs. This includes finding a design that works well with your interior, whether you're looking to keep a more clandestine watch or don't mind babysitters knowing you're keeping an extra eye on them by having it out in the open. From there, you'll find that nanny cams come with a range of features and varying levels of sophistication. Set your budget and monitoring intentions, then look for a nanny cam that fits within those parameters. How can I hide my nanny cam? To best hide your nanny cam, the smaller it is, the better. Some can be hidden away in unassuming objects like plants or bookcases. Others easily blend in among other knickknacks on a shelf, or mimic other devices such as clocks or picture frames. Get creative! You can even test your family and friends out to see if they can spot it first before putting it to use with a babysitter or nanny. What does a nanny cam cost? Nanny cams, like most other kinds of security cameras, can vary in cost. A nanny cam's price often raises with additional features, like 24/7 streaming, night vision, and lens quality. You can generally expect to pay $50 to $150 for a nanny cam, with some less expensive options having a more limited feature range.Our least expensive pick was the Yi Smart Home Camera at $25 and our most expensive was the Arlo Q at $199. Why Trust Verywell Family Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting topics. Katrina is a parent herself and has a passion for helping parents and caregivers through writing. While she doesn't use a nanny for her family, she recommends a nanny cam to others with additional features, like two-way audio, night vision, and the continuous live feed. 2 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Best nanny cameras. BabyCenter. https://www.babycenter.com/baby-products/health-and-safety/best-nanny-cameras_40008970 5 of the Best Nanny Cameras. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/best-nanny-cameras See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit