The best pet cameras give you peace of mind when you have to leave your animals at home. Whilst we'd love to take our pets everywhere we go, this isn't always possible, so these gadgets are great for reassurance (and aren't as expensive as you might think).
Just like the best pet trackers, these devices help you monitor your pet's wellbeing and location. Not only is it interesting to see what they get up to, but it also ensures your fur friend is safe and isn't getting into trouble. Some cameras also offer two-way communication, allowing you to chat with them in real-time (perfect for separation anxiety in dogs).
So, what does a vet think about them? Dr. Hannah Godfrey says: "Pet cameras can help you monitor your pet and provide reassurance if you have to leave them for a few hours, especially if they're unwell or have a health condition, such as being prone to seizures.
"However, it’s important to remember that it’s not a good idea to leave your dog for long periods of time if they don’t have access to secure outside space, so if the house is going to be empty all day while everyone is at work or school, it’s a better idea to use a dog walker to break up the day or have a neighbor or friend pop in, rather than rely on a pet camera. Of course, cats are more independent, and many will cope well while their owners are out at work."
We don't know about you, but the world of tech can feel a little intimidating at times. So, we've done the hard work for you and rounded up the best pet cameras on the market, giving them to our team of testers to try out. We've included all the specs you need to know, from resolution to the field of view.
The quick list
The best pet camera overall
With a 355° pan range, AI detection, and customizable alarm sound, this pet cam has a lot of impressive features. The price tag won't break the bank either.
The best runner-up pet camera
This pet cam has loads of cool features, like AI detection and pre-recorded broadcasts. It also has two-way communication, and the option to remotely pan and tilt it.
The best treat dispensing pet camera
More than just a pet camera, this innovative design lets you treat your fur friend from anywhere in the world. It also has a 360° view , night vision and 4X HD zoom.
The best budget pet camera
A budget-friendly pet camera that has everything you need, from night view to two-way audio. It also features a built-in spotlight, motion detection and it can be paired with your Alexa devices.
The best interactive pet camera
A pet camera and toy all in one; this remote-controlled robot can be steered around your house via an app. Featuring a laser, a treat dispenser, and two-way communication, you'll have lots of fun with this one.
The best pet camera for Alexa integration
This pet camera has color night vision and sends real-time alerts which are triggered by the motion sensors. Connect it to your Amazon devices for hands-free viewing.
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The best 4K solar-powered pet camera
This pet camera has color night vision and sends real-time alerts which are triggered by the motion sensors. Connect it to your Amazon devices for hands-free viewing.
The best 2K solar-powered pet camera
With this solar-powered pet cam, you’ll be able to customize your alarm when motion is detected and watch the recordings back on your phone. It has a waterproof design and features night vision, two-way audio, and a 355° pan.
The best pet camera without subscription
This security camera boasts 4K resolution, two-way communication, color night vision, and smart lighting. The best part? You won’t have to pay a monthly subscription.
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The second best pet camera without subscription
Unlike many models, you won’t have to pay a monthly subscription for this security camera and can watch videos from the last 24 hours for free. It features 2K video quality, night vision, and two-way talk, and you can customize the trigger zone to avoid unwanted alerts.
The best pet cameras we recommend in 2024
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Best pet camera overall
There are lots of reasons to love the IMOU Rex 3D camera, from the crystal clear picture quality to the straightforward set-up. There are two different models to choose from; one with 2MP resolution and another with 4MP. But with a $5 price difference between the two, you may as well choose the latter.
This camera is great for security purposes and gives you total control, offering a 360° view of the room with the option to pan and tilt it from your phone. If you want to take a closer look at the video, you'll be able to zoom in up to 8x, and you can even see in the dark.
Our tester Frankie says: "The picture quality is very clear. I was able to zoom in and read the display on my thermostat in the room even in night mode. The pan and zoom functions are very responsive and easy to use."
It's super simple to set up; just download the app, put in the Wi-Fi password, select your preferences and you're good to go. Frankie says it took her less than five minutes and that it was a "smooth process".
To unlock all the features (like motion detection, smart tracking and downloading SD recordings), you'll to subscribe to IMOU Protect which costs about $3 a month. However, there is a 30-day free trial if you want to try before you buy.
The camera has two-way communication, allowing you to talk and listen to your pet. However, Frankie experienced some audio interference when she tried. She also found that the human and pet AI detection would often send her false alarms.
She says: "Some other useful features are the ability to change the detection sensitivity, add activity zones, and set detection schedules. In particular, I think the detection schedule is useful if there are periods of the day you are usually in and out of the house."
Best runner-up pet camera
Unlike many other pet cameras, you won't need to purchase a subscription to access all the features. Simply download the Toucan smart home app and it will save your recordings to the cloud — no extra purchases required.
You'll have total control over the camera with the ability to make it pan 355° and tilt 180°. The smart AI technology detects humans and movement and will send you an instant notification whenever it detects motion.
If you want to talk to your pet while you're away, you can do so via the two-way communication feature and hear their response on your phone. The picture quality is pretty good too, with a 1080p HD resolution, plus night vision for when it gets dark.
The camera is also compatible with Amazon and Google home devices, giving you hands-free options.
Our tester Chloe says: “It’s easy to view the footage - you can either watch live or see the recordings of any movement. Recordings aren’t kept for long though, unless manually saved. The picture quality is good enough for the intended use. It’s not amazing, but I don’t know if it needs to be. Being able to adjust the camera position remotely from the app is very useful. I’m very impressed with the customer service. There was no wait time on the phone and they were very friendly and helpful.”
While the free app only allows a 24-hour viewing period, you can upgrade to a Pro subscription (£2.99 a month) to have a seven-day viewing period.
Best treat dispensing pet camera
This treat-dispensing pet cam lets you reward your fur friend from anywhere in the world. You have full control over the amount of food you give them, offering an interactive experience when you're not home. It holds up to 100 treats and works best with round-shapes.
You can watch over your pet in 1080p HD video, zoom in up to 4x, and see a 132° diagonal view of the room. Not to worry if it gets dark; it has night vision for that.
If you catch your fur friend misbehaving (or you just want to say hello), you can talk to them using the two-way communication feature and hear their response. The camera also sends you an alert if it detects any dangerous activity and has meowing and barking audio recognition.
Our tester Barbara says: "This camera is very easy to set up and user-friendly. The picture quality is excellent. While it may not be perfect, it's fantastic for a pet camera. You can switch between 360p, 720p, and 1080p. The image is clear and free from lag. This camera is definitely worth the money. The 360-degree feature tracks your pet and records, ensuring you don't miss a moment. It has so many features to ensure your fur baby is okay while you're away."
Best budget pet camera
If you’re on a budget, then you should definitely consider the Blink Mini 2 camera. For a small price tag, you’ll get a lot of great features, like night vision, motion detection, and smart notifications - without breaking the bank! We love the fact that it’s weather-resistant, meaning you can place it indoors or outdoors (or move it around as you choose), making it very versatile.
Thanks to the two-way audio, you’ll be able to talk to your pet when you leave the house and hear their response through your phone. You can also connect it to your other Alexa devices and use voice control to see what your pets are up to. The camera has motion detection and you can set up notifications to alert you of any movements, giving you full security over your home.
Our tester Lindsey says: “This camera was super easy to set up, it took about five minutes or so. I found it easy to view the footage and look at it through your phone. The picture quality is pretty good and clear for a small screen. I love that you can easily turn it on or off. We are using it indoors to see what the dog is doing when we are out, so it’s nice to shut it off when we are home.”
Best interactive pet camera
This interactive pet cam doubles up as a toy, featuring a teaser toy attachment, a treat dispenser, and a track ball. You can move it around your home using the free Enabot app and talk to your pets via the two-way audio feature. It also has preconfigured movements like a figure of eight, and noises you can play like barking.
You can monitor your pets on the wide-angle camera and adjust the positioning if they move about. There's also night vision for when it gets dark. The wheels can climb obstacles up to 15mm high and slopes up to a 15-degree inclination.
The robot is simple to set up, easy to use, and has clear instructions to follow. I've had hours of fun with it and my cats are very inquisitive, often getting up close to the camera which is hilarious to watch. The battery life isn't the best, but it has an auto-charge feature which makes things easier.
Some cameras require you to purchase a subscription to watch and download the videos, but this one doesn't. It's easy to save them to your device and share them with your friends.
Best pet camera for Alexa integration
Featuring 1080p HD resolution, live view, and color night vision, the Ring Indoor Camera is a great option. You'll receive a notification whenever it detects movement, giving you reassurance that your pets are safe and sound.
Our tester Matthew says: "It has great full-color picture quality and captures live footage instantly. If Motion Detection is turned on, the footage is always readily visible when you open the Ring app. However, if you don’t have motion detection turned on, you can simply tap the device and go live to easily view footage." He adds that it's easy to set up.
compatible with select Amazon devices, like the Echo Dot and Echo Show which offer hands-free notifications and previews of the footage. There's also two-way audio so you can hear and talk to people or pets.
If you're concerned about privacy, you can use the manual privacy cover to turn off the camera and microphone, giving you total control over what's recording.
If you want to record, review, and share the footage, you'll need to subscribe to the Ring Protect Plan which starts at $4.99 a month.
Best 4K solar-powered pet camera
Unlike most pet cameras on the market, you won’t need a WiFi connection to set up the Reolink Go PT Ultra. So, if you live in the countryside or plan on putting it outside, we recommend choosing this model. PetsRadar’s editor Georgia has put it on the side of her pony’s stable and says she “can’t live without it” and that it’s definitely worth the money.
The picture quality is excellent and has a resolution of 4K (which is rare for a 4G camera). It also boasts clear color night vision and will detect people, animals, and vehicles for extra security. If you want to watch the footage back, you can do so via the handy smartphone app and save it to a microSD card or the Cloud. You have total control over the camera and can remotely pan it 355° and tilt it 140°, giving you extra peace of mind that your pets are safe.
Georgia says: “I screwed the camera and solar panel to the side of my stable roof – it was quick and easy, ready to go in no time. It’s easy to view the footage via the app. You can watch live, and the wide pan and tilt options allow you to see in every direction.
“It also records clips when it detects movement so you can go back to watch these – but you can also set it so that it only detects human movement and isn’t constantly alerting you to animal movement. It has a two-way communication feature, too, which is useful if you’re instructing someone else what to do with your pet while you’re away.”
Best 2K solar-powered pet camera
If you like the look of the Reolink Go PT Ultra but don’t want to spend as much money, this cheaper version is a great shout. Just like that model, this one offers two-way audio, smart motion detection, and customizable alerts, giving your pets more security at home. The only main difference is the resolution, which is 2K instead of 4K.
Since the camera is solar-powered, you won’t need to worry about messy cables or having an internet connection, which is perfect for outdoor use. It’s also waterproof and can withstand all weather conditions, including heavy rain and snow.
Becky Murray, Senior News Writer at our sister publication Horse&Hound, tested this camera and rated it a 10/10 overall. She says it gives her a “brilliant” all-round view of her yard, thanks to the 355° pan and 140° tilt, and it’s easy to set up.
Best pet camera without subscription
This security camera has everything you need, from color night vision to motion detection. You don’t have to pay a monthly subscription to view your footage, which really sets this model apart from its competitors. It comes with a 32GB MicroSD to save everything onto, with the option to upgrade to 256GB at an additional cost.
Thanks to the weather-proof design, you can put this camera in your home or garden as it can withstand temperatures from -4 degrees F to 131 degrees F. It can detect animals, people, packages, and vehicles and will send a notification to your phone whenever it picks up on something.
The camera features high-quality resolution and two-way talk, so you can communicate with your pet when you’re not at home. It also has smart security lighting which you can customize the color of to warn off intruders.
Thomas is in the process of testing this product out, but we’ll add his full verdict very soon.
Our tester Thomas says: "It was very easy to access the app and the footage. I like that the app seems VERY simple and breaks up recordings by calendar day. It has a relatively good picture quality on the device! I was able to very clearly make out my face from a distance on the camera, and it recognized me as a person properly in the event footage notification. There isn’t too wide of a field of depth on this particular device, so I feel I would need a double lens or multiple cameras to cover my yard, but the picture quality itself was great.
"Something that seemed really cool was the customization of the LED light on the front of the camera. You can use the app to change specifically what color LED appears when specific 'event' types. The camera’s setup process was easy in theory, but not a seamless experience. The hotspot failed for me 2 separate times, disallowing me to enter my network information manually. However, once it did finally work (third time’s the charm!), the camera was ready to go!"
Second best pet camera without subscription
If you like the idea of a pet cam but don’t want to pay for a monthly subscription, the Toucan Wireless Security Camera S4 is our top pick. While you can choose to upgrade its features for a small fee, our tester, Dan, says it already does everything he needs. It allows you to watch recordings from the last 24 hours and includes the time and date to make it easier to find specific footage.
The camera has a 2K picture resolution, which Dan says is “very good” during the day and great for facial recognition. While the night vision doesn’t pick up details as well, it still allows you to see if someone is coming.
You can set a pre-recorded message to play when someone approaches your door, and you’ll be notified when the camera detects motion. Dan loves that you can customize the trigger zone, which prevents unnecessary alerts. However, he wishes the zones were smaller so you could eliminate areas more precisely.
The camera also features a two-way talk function, letting you talk to people or pets through your phone. However, after putting the camera outside in the rain, Dan noticed that the speaker sounded quiet, muffled, and distant. He experienced the same issue with the alarm noise.
Dan praised the camera for feeling high-quality and well-made, noting that it was very simple to install. The wireless design makes it easy to position anywhere without the need for cables or professional help. The battery life lasted him around a week, so if you’re planning a vacation, he recommends fully charging it beforehand.
How we tested the best pet cameras
Once we'd selected the best pet cameras on the market, our testers reviewed them based on:
Affordability: Pet cameras can be expensive but they don't necessarily need to be. We included a range of price points to cater to whatever your budget might be, and asked our testers to comment on whether it's worth the money.
Resolution: The last thing you want to do is waste your money on a poor quality camera, so we asked our testers for feedback on the resolution.
Additional features: From treat dispensers to remote controls, we asked our testers to highlight any cool features that are worth knowing about.
Fit for purpose: We ensured each and every one of these cameras is fit for purpose - monitoring your pet's safety and happiness.
Set-up: No one wants to spent hours trying to set up a camera, so we asked our testers whether they were easy to install and if the instructions were clear to follow.
How to choose the best pet camera
As with most pet products, your choice of camera will depend heavily on your particular pet and their specific pattern of behavior. Before you choose anything, determine what you're OK to leave in the house alone with your pets.
For larger dogs, a camera that dispenses treats might seem like an invitation to gnaw on that thing until the rest of the treats are revealed, which isn't the best when the treats are contained within an expensive camera powered by electricity. Even smaller dogs might get rather interested, so ensure you can place that camera somewhere they won't be able to reach it.
For lazier cats, a box with a laser built in might not rouse their attention even slightly; but for attentive, easily bored pets, a laser-equipped camera gives you a great opportunity to engage with your furry friends even when you're not there.
If you tend to go out in the evenings, or often hear rumblings around the house while you're in bed, then night vision will be a useful feature, particularly if you have cats aligned to their natural nocturnal sleep cycle, or you're worried about your dog's cage training. Pick something with recording facilities, too, so you can go back and watch for any signs of bad behavior.
Do pet cameras record all the time?
Most pet cameras do not record all the time, only being triggered by sound or movement. This is good for spotting patterns of behavior, and for saving on storage space if the recorded clips are being saved anywhere, such as with a cloud service.
There are some that will continually record, usually by rewriting over older footage within a certain timeframe – such as a week. For most people, the “triggered” versions are more than enough, but if you have a particular desire to have lengthy footage of your pet, it might be worth looking for one that has a continuous record function.
Do pet cameras help with separation anxiety?
Treating separation anxiety can be tricky, with multiple approaches often considered the best. If you’ve got a pet that suffers from this affliction, having a pet camera with a two-way microphone can be a good way to soothe the animal from afar, giving them the ability to hear your voice.
You can also issue specific commands, such as “sit” or “stay” from afar, which can be a good substitute for being in the room with them. That’s not to say that it’s a guaranteed cure (very little is), but a pet cam can be a good part of an overall plan to combat the problem.
Megan joined the PetsRadar family last year and has experience writing about cats, dogs and rabbits. She's particularly interested in pet wellness and happiness, which is why she's committed to finding you the best camera to ensure your animals are safe. She graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in BA Journalism and has written for various lifestyle publications.
After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011, Dr. Hannah Godfrey went on to work in a busy practice dealing with animals of all shapes and sizes. She’s since found a love of smaller animals and now works in a small companion animal practice in Wales, where she combines her love of animals with her love of writing.
