Best Garage Security Cameras To Get For Your Home
These days, locking your doors is no longer enough to say that you are protecting your home. If you want to ensure your property and family are safe, you should invest in home security devices — cameras for all areas of your home, including the garage.
Investing in a garage security camera allows you to check on your property 24/7, wherever you may be. But how do you pick out the best one? Check out our compilation of the best home security cameras for your garage and what makes them worthwhile.
What Is A Garage Security Camera, And How Is It Different From A Spy Camera?
According to statistics, burglaries were the top 4 most common crimes in the United States in 2020. Amongst possible entry points to the home, the garage is also the fourth most used by burglars. This is why you must invest in garage security cameras.
Like other cameras, garage security cameras are installed inside and outside your garage to record any activity, especially crimes. They are helpful, in particular, for:
- People who want to secure their vehicles
- People whose garages are also main entry points to their homes
- People whose garages double as storage units, workshops, or craft areas
- People in the automotive sales or repair businesses
8 Garage Security Cameras To Check Out In 2022
Garage security cameras offer benefits to all types of home and business owners. There are traditional models, tech-savvy ones, or a mixture of both. Here are the best ones to consider buying and their essential camera features.
| Product Name | Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera | Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In HD Security Camera | Defender PHOENIXM2 Non-WiFi Plug-in Power Security Camera | Wyze Cam V.3 |
| Cost | $179.99 | $99.99 | $199.99 | $35.98 |
| Design | Dome | Cylinder | Bullet | Square |
| Microphone Quality | Two-way audio | Two-way audio with noise cancellation | Two-way audio | Two-way audio |
| Battery Life | Up to six months, rechargeable | Wired with rechargeable battery or solar power option | Wired | Wired with back-up lithium battery |
| Voice Activation | Yes | Yes | None | Yes |
| Storage Size | Cloud-storage up to 30 days, local storage | Cloud-storage up to 60 days, upgradable to unlimited | 8 GB local storage, up to 128 GB added SD card | 32GB MicroSD card, cloud storage |
| Ease of Use | Easy, wire-free setup | Install within 5 to 10 mins | 3-minute installation | Plug and play installation |
| Size | 5.91 x 5.2 x 3.98 inches | 2.36 x 2.36 x 3.82 inches | 5.5 x 2.2 x 2.2 inches | 2.51 x 2.24 x 3.93 inches |
| Product Name | REOLINK Argus PT Security Camera | Google Nest Cam Indoor | myQ Smart Garage HD Camera | Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera |
| Cost | $146.36 | $127.99 | $89.99 | $215.99 |
| Design | Dome | Round | Dome | Bullet |
| Microphone Quality | Two-way audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio with adjustable volume | Two-way audio |
| Battery Life | Solar-powered 6500 mAh battery | Wired | Wired | Three to six months |
| Voice Activation | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Storage Size | Free cloud storage up to 7 days, local storage up to 128 GB | Up to 10-day video cloud storage | Cloud-storage up to 30 days with subscription fees | 30-day cloud storage |
| Ease of Use | Install within minutes | Easy mount and install | Easy set up with magnetic mounting base | Quick and easy wire-free installation |
| Size | 8.53 x 6.25 x 7.78 inches | 2.8 x 2.8 x 4.5 inches | 5.81 x 4.5 x 4.38 inches | 7 x 6 x 2 inches |
1. Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera – Best Wireless Outdoor Camera
- Cost: $179.99
- Design: Dome
- Microphone Quality: Clear, two-way audio
- Battery Life: Up to six months, rechargeable
- Voice Activation: Yes
- Storage Size: Cloud-storage up to 30 days, local storage
- Ease of Use: Easy, wire-free setup
- Size: 5.91 x 5.2 x 3.98 inches
When it comes to installing outdoor security cameras, not needing outlets nearby can be very beneficial. The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera will allow you to place the camera anywhere reachable by your WiFi connection. It also produces clear 2K resolution images and videos, plus an added cloud-storage service to keep the recordings up to 30 days.
| Pros | Cons |
| Bright motion-activated spotlight | Can only tag recordings with one label at a time |
| Auto zoom feature and automated tracking | Battery claims may be unrealistic |
| Full-color night vision | Limited to a 160-degree angle |
2. Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In HD Security Camera – Best Wired Outdoor Camera
- Cost: $99.99
- Design: Cylinder
- Microphone Quality: Two-way audio with noise cancellation
- Battery Life: Wired with rechargeable battery or solar power option
- Voice Activation: Yes
- Storage Size: Cloud-storage up to 60 days, upgradable to unlimited
- Ease of Use: Install within 5 to 10 mins
- Size: 2.36 x 2.36 x 3.82 inches
Get the best of both (power) worlds with the Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In HD Security Camera. This camera boasts literal 24/7 coverage as it can run through a power outlet, batteries, or solar energy. It is also reliable in how quickly it delivers alerts with app notifications and 85 dB alarms.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sends notifications within three seconds | No alerts beyond people |
| Easy mounting with included stand | Motion detection needs improvement |
| Mix and match power sources with cords, rechargeable battery, and solar panel | Set recordings may waste storage space |
3. Defender PHOENIXM2 Non-WiFi Plug-in Power Security Camera – Best No-Subscription, Non-WiFi Camera
- Cost: $199.99
- Design: Bullet
- Microphone Quality: Two-way audio
- Battery Life: Wired
- Voice Activation: None
- Storage Size: 8 GB local storage, up to 128 GB added SD card
- Ease of Use: 3-minute installation
- Size: 5.5 x 2.2 x 2.2 inches
The Defender PHOENIXM2 Non-WiFi Plug-in Power Security Camera is a good pick for those who are looking for a more traditional set-up. It is fully usable indoors and outdoors without relying on the power of the internet. Your purchase gets you a 7-inch LED display to view up to four cameras simultaneously with high-resolution in full, split, or quad layouts.
| Pros | Cons |
| No WiFi or internet connection required | No smartphone connectivity |
| No fees or subscriptions required | Not integrated with smart home devices |
| Limited storage | Hard to update firmware |
4. Wyze Cam V.3 – Best Entry-Level Camera
- Cost: $35.98
- Design: Square
- Microphone Quality: Two-way audio
- Battery Life: Wired with backup lithium battery
- Voice Activation: Yes
- Storage Size: 32GB MicroSD card, cloud storage
- Ease of Use: Plug and play installation
- Size: 2.51 x 2.24 x 3.93 inches
If you’re looking to sidestep the expensive costs of most branded cameras, the Wyze Cam V.3 is a good choice. It offers a vast improvement over its predecessors — full-color HD night vision, IP65 weather resistance, motion detection, smart home device integration, and more in its compact size.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy set-up and installation | Needs subscription for better footage quality |
| Bright color night vision | Needs to be close to a power outlet |
| 1080p video at an affordable price | Free cloud storage is limited to 12-second clips every five minutes |
5. REOLINK Argus PT Security Camera – Best Solar-Powered Camera
- Cost: $146.36
- Design: Dome
- Microphone Quality: Two-way audio
- Battery Life: Solar-powered 6500 mAh battery
- Voice Activation: Yes
- Storage Size: Free cloud storage up to 7 days, local storage up to 128 GB
- Ease of Use: Install within minutes
- Size: 8.53 x 6.25 x 7.78 inches
Take advantage of a wireless security camera with 2K resolution. The REOLINK Argus PT Security Camera is one of the best picks if you want better coverage — it offers 355 degrees horizontal and 140 degrees vertical reach. Plus, it is an energy-efficient option through its 6500 mAh battery powered by solar energy.
| Pros | Cons |
| Camera pans and tilts for better coverage | Mount needs improvement |
| Spotlight and full-color night vision | Connectivity needs improvement |
| Smart human and vehicle detection | Cloud storage can be expensive |
6. Google Nest Cam Indoor – Best for Indoor Garage Security
- Cost: $127.99
- Design: Round
- Microphone Quality: Two-way audio
- Battery Life: Wired
- Voice Activation: Yes
- Storage Size: Up to 10-day video cloud storage
- Ease of Use: Easy mount and install
- Size: 2.8 x 2.8 x 4.5 inches
With the Google Nest cam, enjoy live stream video in full 1080p HD resolution. Plus, install the compatible app and get mobile alerts and notifications wherever, whenever. Though it is not specifically created for garage security, its night vision equipped with eight infrared LEDs can deliver protection, even in the darkest of nights.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with a two-year warranty | Requires Google Nest subscription |
| Syncs with Amazon Alexa aside from Google | Software may be buggy sometimes |
| Two-factor authentication for better video history protection | No local storage option |
7. myQ Smart Garage HD Camera – Best for myQ and Chamberlain Users
- Cost: $89.99
- Design: Dome
- Microphone Quality: Two-way audio with adjustable volume
- Battery Life: Wired
- Voice Activation: No
- Storage Size: Cloud-storage up to 30 days with subscription fees
- Ease of Use: Easy set up with magnetic mounting base
- Size: 5.81 x 4.5 x 4.38 inches
myQ smart garage systems are a go-to innovation for many smart home enthusiasts. If you enjoy access to your garage door remotely, you can go to the next level by incorporating the myQ Smart Garage HD Camera. Though you can use them independently, these two systems work well together, especially with video quality, notifications, and extreme temperature resistance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Syncs with Ring doorbells and indoor cams | Requires extra payment for cloud storage |
| Records and saves 1080p HD videos for up to 30 days | Pay extra for Amazon Key |
| Connects with a myQ Smart Garage Door Opener | Sensitivity is not adjustable |
8. Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera – Best Floodlight Feature
- Cost: $215.99
- Design: Bullet
- Microphone Quality: Two-way audio
- Battery Life: Three to six months
- Voice Activation: Yes
- Storage Size: 30-day cloud storage
- Ease of Use: Quick and easy wire-free installation
- Size: 7 x 6 x 2 inches
Security cameras don’t just have to record footage — they can sound alarms and blind intruders with bright light. That’s what you can expect with the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera. This camera’s motion-sensitive detection feature triggers a 2000-lumen light beam and starts recording footage in HD for the effective protection you seek.
| Pros | Cons |
| Brightest floodlights from 2000 to 3000 lumens | Subscription required for video recording and two-way audio |
| 2K HD resolution with zoom | Motion detection needs improvement |
| Reduce unwanted notifications with activity zones | Requires strong connection to work well |
What Are The Pros And Cons of Having A Garage Security Camera?
Garage security cameras are an effective way to protect your home. However, before making a purchase, you must familiarize yourself with its advantages and disadvantages.
| Pros | Cons |
| Monitor the activities around your garage | May be an invasion of privacy |
| Aid in the identification of offenders | May require financial investment |
| Can provide real-time monitoring | May have a limited or distorted view |
| Reduce the need for human monitoring | May be accessed by hackers |
| Improve safety and security for people and property | May still come with errors like other types of technology |
How To Choose A Garage Security Camera
As you look into the various camera options available, it can be overwhelming to settle on which one you must buy. If you want to make a smarter choice, here are a few features you should look out for in a garage security camera.
Design
A security camera’s design is as important as how it was built. The shape of the camera, its materials, and its protective elements, especially for outdoor security cameras, can influence how long you will be able to use it and how much footage it will capture.
Audio/Video Quality
For better quality footage, it’s crucial that you think about the camera resolution and how it captures audio.
Most cameras offer full high-definition video at 1080p, but newer models can offer 2K or 4K resolution. Moreover, many security cameras are built with zoom options up to 12x closer.
Additionally, garage security cameras may come with one-way or two-way audio. The former comes with a microphone that allows you to hear what’s happening. The latter has that and a speaker that lets you talk to whoever is there.
Power Source
Security cameras can either be wired or wireless. Wired cameras are connected to a central recording device. On the other hand, wireless cameras can get power from a battery or solar energy.
Voice Activation
Some security cameras offer integration with smart home ecosystems like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home. With this feature, you can use voice commands to control the cameras and pull up security footage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about elevating the security in your garage by finding out the answers to the internet’s most asked questions about it.
Can I add a camera to my garage door opener?
You can install security cameras on your garage door and use them to record activity, add trigger alarms, and motion sensors for alerts.
Can a garage security camera be hacked?
Just like other technology, garage security cameras are also vulnerable to hacking. However, you can invest in added layers of security to keep your network safe.
How can I make my garage more secure?
You can add security to your garage by installing motion-activated floodlights, getting a garage shield, and investing in the best home security camera system.
Security is one of the things you shouldn’t compromise in your home. You should invest in reliable home security systems, including garage security cameras. Our top recommendation is the Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera, with its two-way audio, HD resolution, motion-activated spotlight, auto-zoom feature, and motion tracking.
Learn more about the essential security measures for your home and business here at Security Forward. Get started by checking out our tips for keeping the home secured during the holidays!