Best home security cameras with on-device local storage in 2024

Top cams with on-device local storage

GE Cync Smart Indoor Security Camera

Best overall

Put an end to prying eyes

The Cync Smart Indoor Security Camera goes above and beyond safeguarding your personal data, thanks to a privacy shutter that disables the microphone and camera. There’s also an SD card slot (up to 32GB) for offloading recorded footage.

Pros

• Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
• Sharp 1080p footage
• Offloads up to 32GB of footage (microSD card required)

Cons

• Wi-Fi can be finicky
• Must be plugged in at all times

The Cync Smart Indoor Security Camera is about as plug-and-play as web-connected surveillance gets these days. And best of all, once you’re up and running, you can look forward to some incredible 1080p footage for both day and night. That’s on top of features like two-way chat, as well as motion and sound detection for keeping tabs on your property. These features are all accessible through the Cync app and you can use Alexa and Google Assistant to view live footage from a smart display, too. Do keep in mind that there’s no battery power with this model, so you’ll need access to an AC wall outlet.

But what about the Cync’s local storage capabilities? If you’re not into paying for a CAM Cync subscription ($3 per month or $30 per year), the Cync includes a microSD card slot that supports up to 32GB. While the camera will inevitably start recording over previously logged footage after a couple of days, having quick and easy access to these video clips is the name of the game here. We’re also big fans of the privacy shutter. Once activated, nobody can see or hear what you’re up to. The GE Cync Smart Indoor Security Camera may not be the most advanced camera on our list, but for a reasonable price, it’s one of the best indoor models on the market.

Arlo Go 2

Premium pick

Time to roam

No Wi-Fi? No problem! The Arlo Go 2 can run off of mobile data from providers like T-Mobile and Verizon, and the microSD card slot can handle up to 2TB of external storage.

Pros

• Powerful HD footage
• Connects to Wi-Fi and mobile data
• Solid companion app

Cons

• Expensive
• Not practical for everyone

Whether you’re taking the RV for a cross-country excursion or you want to take a reliable security camera with you on your next camping trip, the Arlo Go 2 is one of our favorite local storage cams that connects to Wi-Fi and LTE data. So, if you happen to find yourself in a corner of the world with little to no internet connection, you can lean on carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon to feed cellular data to the camera.

Arlo is also no straggler when it comes to breathtaking visuals, either. The Go 2’s 1080p footage looks crisp and clear both day and night, and you can store up to a whopping 2TB of footage on a microSD with this bad boy. There’s also two-way chat, a long-lasting rechargeable battery (no AC power required), and a built-in siren for warding off malcontents. The camera is also IP65-rated, so no worrying about rain or snow, and the Arlo Secure app can be used to customize motion detection zones, receive mobile alerts, and more.

EZVIZ C3TN Outdoor Security Camera

Best value

Save some dough with EZVIZ

As far as budget picks go, the EZVIZ C3TN is one of the best. The camera can store up to 256GB on a microSD card (not included), records in 2K resolution, and even features full-color night vision.

Pros

• Clear and colorful footage
• IP67-rated
• Great value

Cons

• Not as advanced as other models

EZVIZ has been gaining more traction in the world of smart home security, and the C3TN is another great addition to the brand’s lineup of indoor and outdoor cameras. With its 2K HD recording resolution, pixelation and other picture artifacts will be a thing of the past, and the H.265 video compression is engineered to preserve as much video quality as possible, regardless of how much lighting is available.

Now let’s talk about local storage. Like many other models on this list, the C3TN can store footage in EZVIZ’s cloud, but there’s also a microSD card slot that can handle up to 256GB of data. The camera also works well with Alexa and Google Assistant, and it provides two different options for nighttime viewing: full-color night vision and black-and-white. As far as customization and overall performance go, the EZVIZ app is what you’ll use for viewing alerts, live footage, and adjusting various settings. Although this is an IP67-rated camera, be mindful of getting rainwater on or near the required AC power connection. The EZVIZ C3TN may not be the most exciting camera in our roundup, but for a wallet-friendly price, you could do a lot worse.

Reolink Doorbell Wi-Fi Camera

Best smart doorbell cam

Can be connected to a Reolink NVR

$88 $110 Save $22

On top of dual-band connectivity, the Reolink Doorbell Wi-Fi Camera lets you store up to 256GB on a microSD card. It’s also pretty great at capturing crystal-clear footage, and does so for less than $120!

Pros

• Connects to 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks
• Great video quality
• Up to 256GB of local storage (microSD card required)

Cons

• No color night vision
• Not compatible with HomeKit

Whenever we can call attention to a dual-band home security cam, we do our best to operate the spotlight. Today we’re aiming the beam at the Reolink Doorbell Wi-Fi Camera. Bundled with a plug-in Chime V2 accessory, this Reolink bell connects to 2.4GHz and 5GHz network bands, ensuring you won’t have to worry about yanking precious bandwidth away from your smart TV and streaming devices.

Features like a 180-degree FOV, sharp and colorful daytime footage, detailed IR night vision, two-way talk, are just a few standouts worth mentioning; but let’s not forget the bell’s local storage capabilities. The Reolink’s microSD card slot can handle up to 256GB of storage. Not to mention, you’ll also be able to connect the doorbell to a Reolink NVR setup (if you happen to own one).

For less than $120, it’s a bummer the doorbell doesn’t have colorized night footage, and the camera’s HDR performance isn’t exactly remarkable. But these are small drawbacks to an otherwise terrific doorbell cam.

Kasa Smart KC420WS

Best for night vision

Like owning night vision goggles

Night vision is one of the most integral features of a home security camera, and the Kasa Smart KC420WS takes midnight monitoring to the next level. With its built-in spotlights and impressive picture upscaling, you’ll be able to see subjects up to 98 feet away.

Pros

• Solid companion app
• Up to 256GB of microSD storage
• Top-notch night vision

Cons

• Motion detection could use some work

Sometimes there’s a single feature that can make or break a home security camera, and if you’ve ever dealt with lackluster nighttime footage, you’ll know that night vision can definitely be one of those deciders. Fortunately, the Kasa Smart KC420WS has what it takes to keep your recorded footage under lock and key, and it’s one of the best security cams for keeping tabs on the moon and stars, come rain or shine (the KC420 features an IP65 rating). This is thanks to the onboard Starlight Sensor that keeps shadow-laden subjects in focus, along with the camera’s dual spotlights for full-color night vision. These powerful beams help to illuminate environments up to 98 feet away, and the ability to offload up to 256GB of footage onto a microSD card doesn’t hurt either.

Once connected to Wi-Fi, you can use the Kasa app to view the camera’s sharp and crisp 2K resolution footage and to customize various settings. There’s also two-way chat and compatibility with both Alexa and Google Assistant. Do keep in mind that there’s little in the way of AI object recognition with this camera though, with some users reporting that the KC420WS has been triggered by rain and snow. There’s also no battery option for this Kasa cam, meaning you’ll need access to a wall outlet.

Kasa EC60

Best nanny cam

A little camera for little humans

$20 $23 Save $3

The Kasa EC60 is small enough to fit into the nooks and crannies of most nurseries, and the live-view/recording 1080p resolution isn’t half bad either. For those of us looking to keep footage local, there’s also an internal card slot that can handle up to 64GB of storage.

Pros

• Small and inexpensive
• Nice-looking footage for both day and night
• Stores up to 64GB of footage (microSD required)

Cons

• Requires constant AC power
• Initial setup can be finicky

At first glance, the Kasa EC60 is a rather unassuming piece of equipment, but simple doesn’t always have to mean bad. In fact, once the camera is connected to a wall outlet and activated, we’re betting you’ll be surprised at just how versatile this indoor, nanny-style cam actually is. For starters, the EC60 can store up to 64GB of video with the convenient, side-facing microSD card slot. The 1080p recording resolution is nothing to shake a stick at either, with many users more than pleased with the EC60’s saturation and exposure. There’s also Alexa and Google Assistant support for viewing footage on whatever smart displays are hanging around your home.

Night vision is pretty good here, too, although you’ll only be able to see up to 30 feet away, and only in black and white. There’s also no battery option with this camera, so make sure you’re placing it somewhere where there’s an outlet nearby. But let’s not forget the amazing Kasa Smart Alerts that the EC60 can respond to. When cued by motion, a baby crying, or a moving person, you’ll get an instant notification, and certain automation can be programmed to occur among your other smart home gear (like smart lights turning on to ward off intruders). You’ll be able to tweak these alert settings in the Kasa app.

Reolink E1 Pro Security Camera

Best motion tracking

Knows who and what to follow

$40 $55 Save $15

The Reolink E1 Pro can store up to 256GB of local footage, and will automatically track people and pets once they enter its field-of-view. That’s on top of 2K resolution and up to 40 feet of night vision views.

Pros

• Connects to both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
• Impressive AI motion-tracking
• Great image quality

Cons

• Two-way audio can sound muffled (on the camera end)