Best Cheap Security Cameras under $50 | SafeWise

The Wyze Cam v3 is the best cheap security camera in terms of overall quality. It comes with a starlight sensor that allows it to record sharp nighttime videos in color when there’s dim ambient lighting. But it also uses infrared night vision for clear videos when there’s no ambient light. The daytime video looks just as good, if not better.

Cloud storage is another way Wyze distinguishes itself from other cheap security camera brands—which usually aren’t competitive with mid-range brands like Arlo and Ring. Wyze Cam Plus is a rare exception with the cheapest monthly cloud plan of any home security camera.

It starts around $2 a month for each Wyze camera—and if you pay annually (about $15 a year), the effective monthly cost drops to $1.25 per camera. This is more than worth it, especially since Wyze’s free cloud storage option imposes some tight restrictions: 12-second video clips and motion alerts, each with a 5-minute cooldown.

You can also use a microSD card if you want to save more and don’t want to deal with a recurring cloud plan. The largest card the camera supports is a 32 GB microSD card, which is less than some rivals but big enough for reliable performance.

Wyze Cam v3 works both indoors and outdoors, offering more installation flexibility than indoor models like the Wyze Cam v2 and Wyze Cam Pan. Unfortunately, the default power cord isn’t for outdoor use, so you need to buy a special cable (that’s not available yet) for outdoor use.

It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant†—as well as Wyze’s security system and smart home devices—making it an excellent smart security camera. Overall, Wyze Cam v3 beats other cheap wireless security cameras in almost every way, and we can’t recommend it highly enough. Learn more about Wyze’s noteworthy camera lineup in our Wyze cameras review.