We spy the best Black Friday smart security camera deals

If there’s one universal experience of Black Friday and the holiday shopping season, it’s that there will be a ton of packages on your doorstep or in your mailbox. If you’re worried about missing deliveries (or trucks driving through your flower beds), take advantage of the massive deals we’ve uncovered on a variety of smart security cameras at every price point for every budget.

Be sure to check out the FAQs below for tips and tricks on navigating your next home security camera purchase.

This is an absolutely ridiculous deal that drops the unit price of the Blink Outdoor 4 camera to just over thirty dollars. We raved about this camera in our review, with contributing editor John Delaney saying it was “as easy to set up as ever and continues to offer long battery life and reliable Alexa voice control support “. With a 143-degree field of view and clear 1080p video, it will record events day and night, and an optional Blink subscription enables online video storage and person detection.

Inexpensive desk-mounted cameras are a popular way to keep track of pets and babies, and the TP-Link Tapo C210 is a good value for the price, especially when the sales bring it down to under twenty bucks. In our review, we said it “offers useful features, including mechanical pan and tilt controls, 2K video, local storage, and voice control,” but tester John Delaney criticized its lack of compatibility with Apple’s HomeKit platform. That said, if you’re not in the Apple ecosystem, this shouldn’t be a problem, and for under twenty bucks, there isn’t a better value on the market.

Buying security cameras in bundles is often the best way to save, and this bundle of two great Arlo devices is a perfect example. IN our review of Arlo Pro 5S, writer John Delaney said it was “a tough one to install” and highlighted its excellent 2K video quality, smart alarm system and seamless integration with Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls. With six months of battery life under regular operation or eight months in low-power mode, it’s extremely easy to maintain. You’ll need an Arlo Smart Hub or a monthly Arlo subscription to store the videos, but you’re saving $150, so that should easily cover that extra cost.

While some outdoor cameras offer night vision capabilities, the Wyze Cam Floodlight pushes the envelope by adding a pair of super-bright 2,800-lumen LED bulbs that can be activated remotely or when motion is detected. In our review, we said it “delivers detailed 2K video, color night vision, cloud and local video storage options, and smart alerts,” according to John Delaney. A wide 160-degree field of view captures a lot of space using infrared LEDs for black and white night vision, and also supports color capture if the ambient light is sufficient. You can save video locally to a microSD card or to the cloud with a Wyze subscription.

Amazon’s Ring brand makes a selection of video doorbell models, but this is the budget entry and an additional discount makes it a real deal. IN our reviewexpert John Delaney said the newest battery-powered doorbell “Unza is attractive if you’re looking to spruce up your home on a budget.” If you want to take advantage of advanced features like cloud video storage, you’ll need a Ring Protect plan, which starts at $4.99 per month. It’s a good value. As you’d expect, the Ring Battery Doorbell plays well with Alexa-enabled devices and is a snap to install.

If you’re looking for a simple camera system that doesn’t require a lot of monitoring, Amazon’s Blink setup is a solid choice, especially at this price. In our review, writer John Delaney said that Blink’s third-generation indoor model “is a solid buy for anyone looking for an affordable indoor camera that’s easy to use and delivers sharp video and detection correct movement”. Naturally it integrates well with Alexa devices as well as other home automation systems through IFTTT apps. Two-way audio lets you communicate with the scene through your phone. With an additional subscription, you can store videos in the cloud.

If connecting cables and changing batteries is too difficult, a solar powered security camera may be the solution you need. This budget model from Anran checks all the boxes, with a tiny solar panel giving it the juice it needs to run day and night. With 2K resolution and color night vision (thanks to the attached spotlight), it will catch all kinds of tricks. Intelligent human detection lets you spot trespassers, and two-way audio and a built-in siren help you warn them off. See how it stacks up in our list of the best outdoor security cameras.

Home Security Camera FAQs

Hi, I’m Angela Moscaritolo, PCMag’s Managing Editor focused on consumer electronics. With over a decade of experience covering consumer technology, it’s my passion to help readers like you make well-informed purchasing decisions and get the most out of the devices you buy. Here are my answers to some of the most common questions about buying a smart home security camera, especially around sales events like Black Friday.

Is Black Friday a good time to buy a security camera?

Yes, shopping holidays like Black Friday can be a great time to buy a smart home security camera. In November, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite home security cameras for up to 50% off. But don’t just buy a product because it’s a good deal – be sure to check our best indoor and outdoor security camera reviews for the models we recommend, based on our rigorous first-hand independent testing experience.

Are battery operated or wired security cameras better?

Battery-powered security cameras are often more expensive than wired ones, but they’re easier to install outdoors because you can place them anywhere within range of your Wi-Fi network without having to run a cable. power outlet to plug into a GFCI outlet. For indoor use, a corded model may be a better choice, as you can plug it into a standard wall outlet for continuous power and never have to worry about recharging the battery.

How long do security camera batteries last?

Battery life varies, but six to 12 months is standard. Some of our favorite battery-powered security cameras can last more than a year between charges. Many factors affect battery life, including the weather (they drain faster in the cold), Wi-Fi signal strength, and general usage. Most battery-powered models are easily rechargeable via USB, while others use disposable batteries.

Do I need a subscription to use a smart home security camera?

With most smart home security cameras, you can access a live view from your phone at any time for free. Many models, including all Ring cameras and doorbells, require a subscription to view recorded video, while others give you a few days of free cloud storage before requiring a subscription. If you want to avoid subscription fees or are concerned about online security, look for a model with a microSD card slot that lets you store recordings locally.

Are there any smart home security camera brands to avoid?

We no longer recommend Wyze brand security cameras or products. This decision follows a series of Wyze security failures, including privacy breaches in February 2024 and September 2023 that exposed users’ camera feeds, and a significant vulnerability detailed by Bitdefender researchers in March 2022 that Wyze failed to detect for three years.

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About Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

I’m PCMag’s managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering the smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health technology, and other product categories. I’ve been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time I’ve written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart homes and wearables, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer technology news. I am also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade.

Before joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hacking and computer security. I earned a degree in journalism from West Virginia University and began my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

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About K. Thor Jensen

Contributing writer

K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious media outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, New storieswas published in 2017.

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