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.

The 6 Best Nanny Cams of 2022

Keep an eye on any situation

Camryn Rabideau

and

Katrina Cossey

Updated on October 20, 2021

Medically reviewed by

Leigh Raviv, WHNP-BC

Fact checked by

Marley Hall

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products, and articles are reviewed by healthcare professionals for medical accuracy. You can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Commerce Photo Composite — Verywell Family

For many families with a nanny, 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 two-way audio and mobile alerts to wide-angle lenses, so it can be hard to know where to start when you’re in the market for one.

Here are the best nanny cams to help make your life a little bit easier.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Google Nest Cam Indoor at Amazon

This indoor security camera lets you check in on your home, no matter where you are, with live 24/7 streaming.

Best Budget:

WYZE Cam v2 at Amazon

This popular budget pick streams video in 1080p HD, and you can check in on your home anytime via the associated app

Best Budget Runner-Up:

YI 1080p Smart Home Camera at Amazon

This camera is a reasonably priced security solution that offers both live videos and stored footage with 1080-pixel resolution

Best Wireless:

Blink Indoor at Amazon

Expand your system by adding more cameras around your home.

Best with Wi-Fi:

Arlo Q Security Camera at Amazon

The Arlo Q is an internet-enabled security camera that delivers 1080p HD video straight to your phone.

Best With Audio:

Ring Stick Up Security Camera at Best Buy

The Ring Camera delivers 1080p HD video, and it lets you see, hear, and speak to people through your phone, tablet, or computer.

What We Like

Mobile alerts
Wide-angle lens
Night vision

What We Don't Like

Subscription for perks

No matter your purpose for getting a nanny camera, you’ll find all the functionality you need with the Nest Security Camera. 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.

Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.8 x 4.5 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio

What We Like

Motion/sound recording
Sharing compatibility
Two-way audio

What We Don't Like

App use 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.

Dimensions: 2.2 x 2 x 2 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio

What We Like

Two-way audio
Optional emergency response service
Budget-rriendly

What We Don't Like

Indoor only

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 is a reasonably priced security solution that offers both live videos and stored footage with 1080-pixel 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, watching 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 a baby’s 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.

Dimensions: 3.15 x 1.26 x 4.49 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio

Blink Indoor Home Security Camera System

What We Like

Two-way audio
Alexa compatible
Cordless

No continuous live feed

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.

Dimensions: 71 x 71 x 31 millimeters | Power Source: Battery | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Audio/motion alerts

What We Don't Like

Indoor only

Many security cameras today 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. What’s nice about the Arlo Q is it comes with seven days of free cloud recording, and you can upgrade to a more advanced plan if you want more storage.

Dimensions: 4.45 x 5.99 x 4.93 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion and Audio

What We Like

Indoor/outdoor use
Night vision
Two-way audio

What We Don't Like

No 5G connection

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.

Dimensions: 2.36 x 3.82 inches | Power Source: Corded Electric | Wi-Fi: Wireless | Alert Type: Motion

Final Verdict

If you want a camera that allows you to check in at any time, the Nest Security Camera (view at Amazon) is a great place to start. No matter where you are, you can watch live streaming, receive mobile alerts, and use two-way audio. Families looking for a more budget-friendly option should check out the Wyze Cam Indoor Wireless Smart Home Camera (view at Amazon). Parents and caregivers will love the motion and sound recording, sharing compatibility, and two-way audio as well.

What to Look for in a Nanny Cam

Size and Shape

The size of the nanny cam will depend on how you plan on using it. 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, 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, so you can chime in on what’s going on in a particular room from wherever you may be. Your budget and reasons for monitoring will dictate what features you want in a camera.

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.

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.

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