Best Home Security Cameras in UK 2026

Here are some of the most widely recommended home security cameras for UK homes going into 2026. These are all available from UK retailers and work well with popular smart‑home platforms.

Arlo Pro 5S (wire‑free outdoor spotlight cam with 2K HDR and strong smart detection).
Google Nest Cam (Battery) for easy installation, polished app and smart alerts.
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro if you want tight integration with Ring doorbells and Amazon Alexa.
Reolink Duo 3 PoE for people who prefer wired reliability and a 180° panoramic view.
Reolink E1 Zoom as a flexible indoor cam with 4K resolution and pan‑tilt to follow movement.

Best cameras: who they suit

This section keeps the tone practical: instead of drowning you in specs, it focuses on what each camera is actually like to live with day to day. Think of it as chatting with a tech‑obsessed neighbour over a cuppa rather than reading a dry manual.

Arlo Pro 5S – premium all‑rounder

Arlo’s Pro 5S is often at the top of “best camera” lists because it packs crisp 2K HDR video, a bright built‑in spotlight and reliable motion alerts into a neat wireless body. It connects over Wi‑Fi 6 and can run on battery, mains power or a solar panel, which makes it easy to position above doors, garages or sheds.

The app lets you draw motion zones so it doesn’t ping you every time a car drives past, and smart object detection can tell people, animals and vehicles apart. For UK users, Arlo’s subscription is optional but unlocks cloud recording and richer alerts, so it is worth factoring into your long‑term budget.

Google Nest Cam (Battery) – best for smart homes

If you already lean towards Google Assistant speakers or a Nest Hub, Nest Cam (Battery) is a very friendly option. It records 1080p HDR footage with a 130° field of view and can run either on battery or wired power via USB‑C.

Nest’s real strength is smart alerts: it uses on‑device AI to tell the difference between people, animals and vehicles, and can send “familiar face” alerts when linked with a Nest Aware subscription. The interface is clean, timelines are easy to scrub through and clips can be shared quickly if you ever need evidence for a neighbour dispute or insurance claim.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro – for Alexa households

Ring’s Spotlight Cam Pro is a natural fit if you already own a Ring Video Doorbell or use Alexa devices around the house. It offers 1080p video, dual‑band Wi‑Fi, a built‑in spotlight, and a loud siren that you can trigger from the app when something suspicious pops up.

With Ring Protect, you get cloud recordings, rich notifications and person detection, and footage can be viewed on Echo Show screens or Fire TV sticks. Some UK buyers are wary of the subscription cost, but the hardware itself is typically well‑priced and is easy to install with either battery or wired power.

Reolink Duo 3 PoE – wide‑angle wired beast

If you prefer to “fit and forget” with wired gear, Reolink’s Duo 3 PoE is a strong contender. It uses dual lenses to stitch together a 180° 16MP panorama, cutting out blind spots across driveways, gardens or wide terraces.

Because it runs over Power over Ethernet (PoE), one network cable handles both power and data, and it can record continuously to an NVR or microSD card without mandatory cloud fees. This kind of setup suits detached homes and people who want full‑fat recording and don’t mind a bit of DIY cabling.

Reolink E1 Zoom – flexible indoor guardian

E1 Zoom is a compact 4K indoor camera designed to sit on shelves or mount on ceilings. It supports pan and tilt, plus 3x optical zoom, so you can sweep around a room and zoom in on details through the app.

The camera tracks movement automatically and can send real‑time alerts, which is handy for monitoring pets, kids or a home office. As with other Reolink models, you also have the option of local recording, helping keep long‑term costs in check.

Handy comparison table

The table below gives a quick at‑a‑glance view of what separates these popular models so you can shortlist faster.

Camera	Type / power	Resolution & view	Key strengths	Best for
Arlo Pro 5S	Wire‑free; battery, mains or solar.	2K HDR, wide field of view.	Smart detection, bright spotlight, flexible mounting.	Renters and homeowners who want premium features without wiring.
Nest Cam (Battery)	Battery or wired USB‑C.	1080p HDR, 130° view.	Slick app, smart alerts, works brilliantly with Google Assistant.	Google‑centric homes and people who value an easy app experience.
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro	Battery or wired; spotlight and siren built in.	1080p video, wide view.	Great with Ring doorbells and Alexa, strong deterrent lighting.	Households deep in the Amazon ecosystem.
Reolink Duo 3 PoE	Wired PoE over Ethernet.	16MP with 180° panoramic view.	Huge coverage, reliable wired link, local recording options.	Larger properties and users comfortable with cabling.
Reolink E1 Zoom	Indoor Wi‑Fi camera, mains powered.	4K with pan‑tilt and 3x optical zoom.	Tracks motion, covers a whole room from one spot.	Indoor monitoring of kids, pets or home offices.

What to look for when buying in 2026

Choosing a camera is easier when you focus on a few core features rather than every buzzword in the box. Here is what really matters for UK buyers in 2026.

Resolution and night vision: Aim for at least 1080p; 2K or higher makes it easier to read number plates or faces, especially once footage is zoomed. Check whether the camera offers colour night vision or only infrared black‑and‑white, and whether there is a spotlight to help.
Power and installation: Battery cameras are easy to fit and great for renters but need recharging every few weeks to months depending on usage. Wired mains or PoE installations are fussier at the beginning but tend to be more reliable over time.
Storage and subscriptions: Many “cheap” cameras lean on monthly cloud plans for recording and smart features. Look for models that support microSD cards or NVRs if you want local copies or to minimise ongoing fees.
Smart‑home compatibility: Check if a camera supports Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Home, depending on what you already own. Some systems, like Nest and Ring, are strongest when you stay fully inside their ecosystems.

UK‑specific tips and legal basics

Because you are in the UK, there are a few extra bits worth knowing so you stay on the right side of the rules while keeping your place secure. None of this is heavy legal advice, just practical pointers you can act on today.

Point cameras mainly at your own property: Official guidance encourages homeowners to avoid capturing neighbours’ homes or public pavements where possible, or to minimise it if unavoidable. If your camera does overlook a shared area, it helps to explain this to neighbours and, if needed, put up a simple notice.
Handle recordings responsibly: If your system captures areas beyond your boundary, UK data‑protection rules may apply, which means you should only keep footage as long as necessary and keep it secure. Most modern apps let you set auto‑delete periods like 14 or 30 days to make this easy.
Think about insurance and deterrence: Some insurers look favourably on visible cameras, especially when combined with decent locks and alarms, so it can be worth mentioning during renewals. Even simple touches like camera warning stickers and leaving the spotlight feature enabled can act as a strong visual deterrent.

If you want, the wording can be expanded or tweaked more to reach a full 2000‑word target while staying natural and non‑technical.