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Reviewed ByRebecca EdwardsWhether you’re keeping an eye on the kids or their caretakers, nanny cams are a great home security tool.
For your best option, we think the Reolink E1 Zoom takes the prize with its quality picture and two-way talk, low price, and easy app. It has impressive pan/tilt/zoom features thanks to its swiveling base and moving camera eye. But a few other cameras stood out for features like battery power and local storage capacity.
Check out the nanny cam laws in the FAQ section to make sure you know what is allowed in your state.
What are the best nanny cams of 2025?
- : Best overall
- : Best private connection
- : Best for budgets
- : Best internet connection
- : Best audio detection
This week's security camera deals
Note: Unless stated otherwise, the deals below require an Amazon Prime Membership.
🔥 Save up to 32% on Reolink security cameras
🔥 Save up to 43% on Wyze security products
🔥 Save up to 64% on Arlo security products
🔥 Save up to 30% on Google Nest products—Amazon Prime not required.
🔥 Save up to 49% on Eufy security products
🔥 Save up to 50% on Ring security products
🔥 Save up to 62% on Blink security products
🔥 Save up to 32% on YI security cameras
Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Compare the best nanny cameras
Brand | Best for | Price | Cloud storage | Video resolution | Zoom | Learn more |
| Best overall | $79.99 | $0.00–$25.00/mo. | 1920p | 3x | View on Amazon | |
| Best for privacy | $159.99 | N/A | 720p | 2x | View on Amazon | |
| Best for budgets | $35.00 | $0.00–$1.99/mo. | 1080p | 8x | View on Amazon | |
| Best internet connection | $59.99 | $5.99–$8.99/mo. | 1080p | 8x | View on Amazon | |
| Best audio detection | $37.98 | $3.33–$12.50/mo. | 1080p | 4x | View on Amazon |
Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Check your state’s surveillance laws
Before you place a hidden nanny camera, you should know about the laws. All 50 states allow recording without sound, but only a few allow video and audio. Check your state’s laws before you start recording to ensure any evidence or clips you capture can hold up in court.
Video: 4 Things to Know Before Getting a Nanny Cam
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1. Reolink E1 Zoom: Best overall
Best overall
The Reolink E1 Zoom is one of our favorite indoor security cameras, and there's no reason it can't double as a nanny cam. You'll love its sharp image quality when checking on the kids day and night.
Pros
Compatible with Amazon and Google
Adjustable resolution, frame rate, and bitrate
Free cloud + 128 GB storage
Crisp video quality
2-year warranty
Dual-band Wi-Fi
Continuous recording 
Cons
Wired only We chose this model out of the Reolink camera line-up thanks to its motion detection pan-and-tilt capabilities, which come in handy when your kids end up playing or napping in a random corner of the room.
Entry-level cloud storage is free, but the E1 Zoom supports microSD cards up to 128 GB if you'd rather store footage locally.
Get the full scoop in our Reolink cameras review.
3. Eufy Nanny Cam: Best privacy
Best privacry
Compared to other nanny cam options, Eufy's nanny cam is admittedly a bit more expensive. But you get exceptional image quality, a secure FHSS connection, and a 110° display with the wide angle lens attachment.
Rather than dealing with a WiFi connection or an app, you can carry around the included Eufy monitor from room to room like a traditional nursery camera. This is also one of our favorite wireless cameras, so you don't have to worry about creating a possible playroom hazard by leaving the cord plugged in
Pros
Secure FHSS connection up to 600 ft.
Adjustable pan angle with wide lens attachment
Audio and motion alerts
2-way audio
5-inch display screen monitor included Cons
No app for remote monitoring
No online or local storage A lot of parents have safety concerns when it comes to a baby monitor with a WiFi connection. We chose the Eufy Nanny Cam as an FHSS connection option if you’re looking for something more traditional and secure.
Eufy has other smart camera options as well, but this model comes with a 5-inch LCD screen monitor that you can carry around the house for peace of mind while baby is napping or playing.
3. Wyze Cam Pan v2: Best for budgets
Best for budgets
With a sub-$50 price tag, the Wyze Cam Pan v2 is the cheapest nanny camera on our list. We also chose it as our "best for budgets" pick thanks to free cloud storage options.
The Wyze Cam Pan v2 has smooth pan, tilt, and zoom action, so you can easily look around the room to see your kids or their nanny.
Pros
Works with Alexa and Google
Simple installation
360° field of view
8x zoom
Free cloud storage
32 GB local storage
1080p HD Cons
No adjustable video settings
Not wire-free Setup is easy with Wyze too. Simply plug in the camera and download the Wyze app onto your smart device. Connecting is a snap, but there are step-by-step videos if you need help along the way.
From the app, you can watch past videos, adjust settings, and use the two-way audio to talk to anyone on the other side. Once you’ve set the camera to your preferences, you’re good to go.
Read our full Wyze Cam Pan review for more details.
4. EZViz C6CN: Best internet connection
Best local storage
As a 1080p pan-and-tilt camera with 8x zoom, the EZViz C6CN rivals the Wyze Cam Pan in both functionality and price.
The C6CN excels when it comes to local storage, supporting microSD cards up to 256 GB—more than any other nanny camera on our list. It also has an ethernet port for a more reliable internet connection.
Pros
Pan-and-tilt with 8x zoom
Ethernet port
256 GB local storage
Adjustable frame rate and bitrate
Works with Amazon, Google, IFTTT Cons
Pricey cloud storage
No battery option To take advantage of advanced storage and internet options, you'll need to buy an ethernet cable and/or microSD card separately.
Learn more about the C6CN in our full EZViz cameras review.
5. Yi Home Camera 3: Best audio detection
Best audio detection
The Yi Home Camera 3 is currently sold in a 2-pack, giving you even more bang for your buck. Place one in the baby’s room, and another one in the playroom for extra monitoring capabilities. Yi also has a unique feature that makes it well-suited as a nanny cam: audio detection. If your baby's crying, this camera sends an alert.
Pros
Works with Amazon and Google
Detects crying
4x zoom
Local storage up to 64 GB Cons
No adjustable video options
No pan-and-tilt
Cloud storage for just 7 days Because it has a longer functional life than most baby monitors, the Yi Home Camera 3 is a great investment. Use it as a nanny cam anywhere in the home, or put it to use as a general home security camera. Its built-in glass-break sensor will let you know if someone's breaking in.
When we tested this budget camera hands-on, we were surprised its night vision was on par with many others, including the Wyze Cam Pan. It supports microSD cards up to 64 GB, so the paid cloud storage plan is optional.
Learn more in our full Yi Home Camera 3 review.
Blink Indoor and Blink Mini: Best for hiding
Best for hiding
None of the Blink cameras made it to our top five due to average night vision, no pan-and-tilt or zoom capabilities, and limited smart home compatibility. But they're tiny and easy to hide. The Blink Indoor is battery-powered and the pill-bottle-sized Blink Mini needs to stay plugged in.
Learn more in our full Blink cameras review.
Google Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired): Best two-way communication
Best two-way communication
Google, Google Nest, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
The Google Nest Cam (Indoor, Wired) is a nice camera—we don't give out four stars willy-nilly. But other cameras deliver a better combination of nanny-cam features at a lower price, so it didn't make it to our top five.
That said, the Google Nest Indoor Cam has a clear picture and two-way communication to produce smooth video in the mobile app.
It's also small enough to fit on most shelves, tables, nooks, and crannies, making it easy to hide from anyone who might tamper with it.
Learn more about the entire family of Google Nest Cameras for indoors and out.
Things to consider before you buy a nanny camera
While there are plenty of hidden nanny cams on the market, we looked into the more conspicuous options.
Hidden nanny cams and spy cams can fall under hazy legal territory, so we feel it’s best to be open with your nanny or any in-home caretaker about your monitoring system. This helps build a trusting relationship and makes better use of the camera itself.
For example, your babysitter can reach you through the nanny cam’s two-way audio when needed or help you find important clips in case of an emergency.
Before you get a nanny cam, you should hire a nanny you can trust to watch your children. Nanny cameras make sense if you have reason to suspect something’s wrong, but they aren’t usually necessary when you have a trustworthy child care provider.
Do you know the nanny cam laws in your state? We gathered them in our FAQ.
Want inspiration for building a smart home that benefits your baby? These will help:
Did you know?
Nanny cameras as we know them today weren't invented until the 1990s. Before then, security cameras were mainly of the CCTV variety and used by public spaces, businesses, and government organizations.
Final word
We like the Reolink E1 Zoom best for its 360° field of view, affordable price point, and pan/tilt/zoom prowess. Whether you’re checking in on your child’s safety or ensuring they ate their veggies while you’re out, this nanny cam keeps clear tabs on your kiddo and their caretaker.
Our other favorites are close contenders:
- The Eufy camera’s wire-free design makes it easy to move from room to room.
- The Wyze Cam Pan boasts free cloud storage and an affordable upfront price.
- The EZViz C6CN offers the best local storage capacity and an incredible up-front price.
- The YI Home Camera 3 includes crying detection and other audio alerts.
Nanny camera FAQ
Different rules apply to hidden and exposed nanny cams. Hidden nanny cams can be cleverly disguised in devices like alarm clocks and picture frames to monitor your nanny without their consent.
It’s legal in all 50 states to record video-only footage in your home from a hidden camera as long as it isn’t set up in a private space.1 That said, there are several states that require “two-party consent” for video and audio footage in public or private spaces.2
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- Hawaii
Even if you don’t live in one of these states, we recommend getting consent from your nanny before recording audio, video, or both. Their consent can also help you avoid prosecution and loss of evidence.3
In other words, without their permission, you could be sued, and your footage won’t be admissible in court.
Learn more in our Security Camera Laws, Rights, and Rules guide.
Picture resolution is simply a pixel count on your camera. Numbers like 1080p refer to the vertical lines of pixels lined up across your camera’s view. Generally, the more pixels create a sharper picture, but this can change based on how closely you zoom or the size of the screen you watch a video on.
Most smartphones screens are 1080p and up, so it’s best to find a nanny cam with a similar resolution for a clear picture.
It varies from camera to camera, but most nanny cams use a separate SD memory card or send videos to a cloud that you can access online. Both can be uploaded and shared to different devices.
Battery-powered nanny cams can hide almost anywhere. Spots like potted plants, bookshelves, stuffed animals, kitchen cabinets, and out in the open can all give you a good view of your home and anyone inside.
Nanny cameras powered by cables are more restricted because they need to stay plugged in to work. Cables can also give away your hiding spot if they aren’t concealed properly.
All 50 states allow silent video recording within your own home. But we still think it’s best to tell your nanny that you’re recording. If they consent to be filmed and recorded, you can use audio in addition to your video. You don’t have to tell them where you’ve hidden the camera, but if you want audio, most states require their permission. Learn more in our Security Camera Laws, Rights, and Rules guide.
We like the price point for Wyze, but Nest cameras have some better features like Nest Aware.
We don't recommend cameras like the Ring Stick Up Cam and the Ring Indoor Cam because they have had some security issues in the past. A baby's room is the last place you want an iffy camera. Take a look at our article Can Ring Cameras be Hacked?
How we reviewed the best nanny cams
Image: Clark Cruz, Pexels
To find the best nanny cameras, we narrowed down the features that are important for checking on children:
- Two-way audio
- Pan-and-tilt or a wide field of view
- Excellent zoom capabilities and quality
- Superior video quality
- Excellent night vision
- Local storage capacity
- Affordable cloud storage
We didn't want to limit ourselves to cameras specifically marketed as baby monitors or nanny cams. We chose the best contenders from our years of testing and reviewing home security cameras.
We tested the Reolink E1 Zoom, Eufy Security Spaceview, Wyze Cam Pan, Yi Home Camera 3, Nest Cam, and Blink Indoor in-house. For the most authentic experience, we set up each camera and proceeded with our day as usual. When we got alerts from each camera, we used the apps to check the footage, speak through the cameras, and share footage.
We selected the EZViz C6CN based on top user reviews and product specs that fit our standards for quality nanny cams. Learn more about how we test and research by reading our full methodology.
Related articles on SafeWise
Sources
- Upcounsel, “Video Surveillance Laws by State: Everything You Need to Know,” June 2020. Accessed December 15, 2024.
- Digital Media Law Project, “Recording Phone Calls and Conversations,”Accessed December 15, 2024.
- United States Department of Justice, “1050. Scope of 18 U.S.C. § 2511 Prohibitions,” January 2020. Accessed December 15, 2024.
Disclaimers
*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
†Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
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