ConsFirst / Pet cameras
Pet cameras: the downsides, first
Treat-tossing pet cameras are fun, but many keep recordings and alerts behind a monthly plan — and Wirecutter's top picks are plain security cameras. Here are the most popular pet cameras in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared19 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 pet cameras, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
TP-Link
$CameraScore 4.3/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Wirecutter's top pet camera: a cheap security camera that reliably detects pets and is the only one it tested that also detects barking and meowing, with free local storage. No treats or panning, owners report Wi-Fi drops, and TP-Link owners need a 2026 security firmware fix.
Subscription: Optional: free microSD local storage; Tapo Care cloud from $3.50/mo (Wirecutter)
Top complaints
- Wi-Fi drops for some ownersMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says connectivity is mixed, with some owners saying the camera won't stay connected to Wi-Fi.
- Security firmware fix neededMentioned often
Wirecutter advises TP-Link camera owners, including C120 owners, to install a firmware update that fixes a recently announced security vulnerability.
- Outdoor use is riskyOccasional
Despite an IP66 rating, the plug failed after a few weeks when Wirecutter's smart-home expert used it outdoors.
What owners love
- Best pet detection tested
Wirecutter says it reliably alerts you when your pet moves, detects barking and meowing (unlike any other camera it tested), and adds a tripwire line, for example to catch a pet on the counter.
- Clear video day and night
Wirecutter says it delivers a clear picture; Amazon owners praise crystal clear video day and night and the color night vision.
- Flexible placement
A multi-hinged base and magnetic mount give more placement options than any other fixed camera Wirecutter tried, out of a pet's reach.
Skip it if…- You want to toss treats
- You need to pan around a room
- You're wary of TP-Link security issues
Good for- Pet alerts on a tight budget
- Knowing when a dog barks or a cat meows
- No monthly fee
Scores (tap for why)
- Video & night vision4.0
Why 4.0?
Clear picture (Wirecutter) and color night vision praised by Amazon owners; fixed view, no panning. - Alerts & app4.5
Why 4.5?
Reliable pet alerts plus bark and meow detection, per-type sensitivity and tripwire lines (Wirecutter). - Ongoing cost5.0
Why 5.0?
Free microSD storage; cloud optional from $3.50/mo (Wirecutter). - Reliability3.5
Why 3.5?
Easy to set up and place (Wirecutter), but mixed Wi-Fi stability on Amazon and a 2026 security patch to install.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick for pet cameras (updated 2026-09-22): the most pet-specific features at a great price.
- PCMag: Was PCMag's best affordable security cam for pets until July 2026, when the Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor replaced it.
#2
Google
$$CameraScore 3.6/5
7%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (about 1,100 ratings).Wirecutter's runner-up pet camera: it detects pets as well as the Tapo, is heavy enough that pets won't easily knock it over, and fits neatly into Google Home. But it costs more, has no microSD slot, and isn't very useful without a $10-a-month plan.
Subscription: Needed in practice: free tier keeps 10-second previews for 6 hours; Google Home Premium $10/mo (30 days, 5-minute clips, unlimited cameras) or $20/mo (60 days, 24/7 for 10 days) (Wirecutter)
Top complaints
- Not very useful without a planVery common
Wirecutter says the free tier gives only 10-second preview clips kept for six hours; longer clips and history need Google Home Premium at $10 or $20 a month. Some Amazon owners find it expensive.
- No local storage, no sensitivity settingMentioned often
There's no microSD option, and unlike the Tapo you can't set motion sensitivity (Wirecutter).
- Mixed app connectivityMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says connectivity with the Google Home app gets mixed reviews.
What owners love
- Excellent pet detection
Wirecutter says it picked up pet motion as well as its top pick and can alert only when you're away.
- Sturdy and attractive
At 14 ounces it's harder for a pet to knock over and looks like decor, not a spy cam (Wirecutter).
- Clear, wide video
A 152-degree field of view (Wirecutter); Amazon owners praise clear day and night video and easy setup.
Skip it if…- You won't pay monthly
- You want local storage
- You want to adjust motion sensitivity
Good for- Google Home households
- Rambunctious pets that knock things over
- A wide 152-degree view
Scores (tap for why)
- Video & night vision4.5
Why 4.5?
Wide 152-degree view; Amazon owners praise clear day and night video. - Alerts & app4.0
Why 4.0?
Dedicated pet detection as good as the Tapo's and an intuitive app, but no sensitivity control (Wirecutter). - Ongoing cost2.0
Why 2.0?
No local storage and a $10/mo plan needed for useful clips (Wirecutter). - Reliability4.0
Why 4.0?
Heavier and sturdier than the Tapo (Wirecutter) and the lowest 1-2 star share here, though app connectivity is mixed on Amazon.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Runner-up pet camera: smart features and seamless app integration, but pricier and less useful without a subscription.
#3
Furbo
$$$Camera + treat tosserScore 3.6/5
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The listing pools the 'No Ongoing Cost' and 'Paid Plan Required' versions.PCMag's best camera for dogs (Editors' Choice): sharp video, 360-degree panning, color night vision, a reliable treat tosser and free barking alerts. The catches: recordings need a Furbo Nanny plan, there's no local storage, and Amazon owners say disconnections are common.
Subscription: Optional for core features: live view, panning, treat tossing, two-way audio and barking alerts are free; Furbo Dog Nanny adds event recordings and AI alerts ($6.99/mo or $69/yr per PCMag; Furbo's site now lists Standard at $9.99/mo standard rate). Some Amazon listings are 'Paid Plan Required to Activate'
Top complaints
- Frequent disconnectionsVery common
Amazon's review summary says connectivity issues are common, with owners reporting frequent disconnections, and opinions on reliability and value are mixed.
- Recordings and smart alerts cost extraVery common
PCMag's main complaint is paying extra for event recordings; Furbo Dog Nanny unlocks recordings, the daily highlight video and AI alerts. Amazon also sells a 'Paid Plan Required to Activate' version of the camera.
- Bark alerts fire on any loud noiseMentioned often
Reviewed got 'bark' alerts from shouting, a slammed door, the TV, a vacuum and a squeaky toy, and couldn't connect the camera to Alexa.
What owners love
- Reliable treat tossing
PCMag says it reliably tossed treats (even slightly soft ones), the tosser is quieter than the original's, and you can choose small or large treat settings. Reviewed's dogs learned the treat cue quickly.
- Crisp video and 360-degree view
PCMag found video crisp day and night, with color night vision that's dramatically clearer in low light; Reviewed saw a clear 1080p feed with little lag. Amazon owners praise the clear video.
- Free barking alerts
PCMag calls barking alerts one of its most useful features and is glad they don't need a subscription.
Skip it if…- You want recordings without a monthly plan
- Your Wi-Fi is weak where the dog stays
- You hate false sound alerts
Good for- Tossing treats to a dog while you're out
- Free barking alerts
- Following an active puppy around a room
Scores (tap for why)
- Video & night vision4.0
Why 4.0?
Crisp day and night with color night vision that shines in low light, but color mode doesn't work in total darkness and there's no tilt (PCMag). - Treat tossing4.5
Why 4.5?
PCMag calls it the best device it has tested for remotely tossing treats, though it occasionally clogs. - Alerts & app3.5
Why 3.5?
Dependable free barking alerts (PCMag), but Reviewed got false alerts from household noise and smarter alerts need Nanny. - Ongoing cost3.0
Why 3.0?
Core features free, but no local storage, so any recordings need Furbo Nanny ($6.99/mo per PCMag). - Reliability3.0
Why 3.0?
PCMag's units always reconnected after moves, but Amazon owners report frequent disconnections.
What experts say
- PCMag: Best for dogs, Editors' Choice, 4.0 (guide updated 2026-07-10). Cons: no vertical tilt, no local storage, some features need a subscription, no Google Assistant.
- Reviewed: 'Maybe': clear video, tracking and treat tossing, but oversensitive bark alerts and poor Alexa connectivity kept it off Reviewed's pick list.
9%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (711 ratings), pooled with the 2-camera pack.PCMag's best affordable security cam for pets (Editors' Choice): sharp 2K video, smooth pan and tilt, and AI alerts that work well. But there's no local storage, so you must pay for Arlo Secure to record anything, and Tom's Guide thinks rivals offer more for the money.
Subscription: Required for any recording and AI alerts (no local storage): Arlo Secure Plus $9.99/mo or $95.88/yr for one camera, $19.99/mo unlimited (Tom's Guide); PCWorld cites $7.99/mo billed annually
Top complaints
- No recording without a subscriptionVery common
No microSD slot and no base-station support, so video storage and person or audio recognition need Arlo Secure (Tom's Guide, PCMag, PCWorld).
- No HDR or color night visionMentioned often
Tom's Guide says it struggles with bright windows and dark rooms at once and has infrared-only night video; PCWorld says night clarity trails pricier Arlo models.
- Tracking overshoots; base-station hiccupsOccasional
PCWorld says tracking tends to overshoot its stopping point. Amazon owners are mostly positive, but some report issues with their Arlo base station.
What owners love
- Sharp 2K and whole-room coverage
PCMag praises sharp 2K video and smooth pan and tilt; PCWorld calls it a strong budget buy for pet monitoring. Amazon owners call the 2K video super clear.
- AI alerts that work
Tom's Guide found the AI descriptions surprisingly accurate; PCWorld found alerts timely and accurate, with captions like 'Animal detected in room.'
- Well-designed app
Tom's Guide calls the app well designed and easy to use; PCWorld found controls responsive with no stability problems.
Skip it if…- You won't pay monthly
- You want color night vision
- You use Apple Home
Good for- Arlo households
- Following a pet around a room
- Smart home users on Alexa, Google or SmartThings
Scores (tap for why)
- Video & night vision3.5
Why 3.5?
Crisp 2K (Tom's Guide, PCMag), but no HDR and infrared-only night vision. - Alerts & app4.0
Why 4.0?
Accurate AI alerts and animal detection plus a well-designed app, but only with Arlo Secure. - Ongoing cost1.5
Why 1.5?
No local storage at all; recording requires Arlo Secure Plus at $9.99/mo for one camera (Tom's Guide). - Reliability4.0
Why 4.0?
No stability problems for PCWorld, and Amazon owners report reliable performance, though the sample is small.
What experts say
- PCMag: Best affordable security cam, Editors' Choice 4.5 (added 2026-07-10). Cons: recorded video and AI alerts need a subscription; no local recording.
- Tom's Guide: Good for Arlo owners, but the Wyze Cam Pan v4 and eufy S350 offer more at a similar price.
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Cats.com's best overall pet camera and a Tom's Guide 'worth every penny' pick: a very cheap pan-and-tilt camera that follows pets around a room. Video blurs during motion, smart alerts need Cam Plus, and Amazon owners say it often loses its connection.
Subscription: Optional: free microSD recording (including 24/7); Cam Plus adds 14-day cloud event history and person, pet, package and vehicle detection for $2.99/mo per camera (Tom's Guide, Cats.com)
Top complaints
- Loses connection, some units dieVery common
Amazon's review summary says it constantly loses connection for some owners and that some report it stops working; motion detection gets mixed feedback.
- Blurry during motion, 2.4 GHz onlyMentioned often
Tom's Guide saw pixelation around anything moving and lists no 5 GHz Wi-Fi as a con.
- Smart alerts need a plan; muffled audioMentioned often
Cats.com says smart alerts, automatic recordings and facial recognition need a paid plan, and audio is muffled.
What owners love
- Pans almost anywhere
360-degree rotation and 180-degree tilt; Tom's Guide found tracking kept the subject in the recorded clip, and Pan Scan can patrol up to four waypoints.
- Very cheap
Tom's Guide calls it worth every penny at under $35, and says Cam Plus isn't terribly expensive even after the price rise.
- Clear picture and night vision
Amazon owners praise the clear picture, intuitive app and night vision; Tom's Guide says still scenes look good with proper color at night.
Skip it if…- You only have 5 GHz Wi-Fi
- You want treat tossing
- You want pet alerts with no plan
Good for- Covering a whole room for little money
- Following a moving pet
- Local 24/7 recording on microSD
Scores (tap for why)
- Video & night vision3.0
Why 3.0?
1080p that's fine when still, but pixelates during motion (Tom's Guide); Amazon owners like the night vision. - Alerts & app3.0
Why 3.0?
Good motion tracking (Tom's Guide), but pet/person detection needs Cam Plus and Amazon owners are mixed on motion detection. - Ongoing cost4.0
Why 4.0?
Free microSD 24/7 recording; Cam Plus is cheap at $2.99/mo per camera. - Reliability2.5
Why 2.5?
Amazon owners report frequent connection loss and some dead units.
What experts say
- Cats.com: #1 overall cat camera (updated 2026-07-17); cons are muffled audio and smart features behind a paid plan.
- Tom's Guide: A solid camera that covers a ton of space, worth every penny; cons are no 5 GHz and blur in motion-heavy moments.
#6
Furbo
$$$Camera + treat tosserScore 3.2/5
14%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (about 1,000 ratings); this is the 'Paid Plan Required to Activate' listing.PCMag's best camera for cats: the Furbo 360 with a feather toy, a bright picture, strong infrared night vision and fun treat flinging. But the app shows ads, colors look cool, Cats.com found the AI cat ID unreliable, and about 1 in 7 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars.
Subscription: PCMag: live view, treats and meow alerts free; Furbo Cat Nanny $6.99/mo or $69.99/yr (one camera) adds cloud recording and smart alerts. The main Amazon listing is 'Paid Plan Required to Activate' (3-month minimum), and Cats.com says it doesn't work without a subscription
Top complaints
- Subscription pressureVery common
The main Amazon listing requires a paid plan to activate (3-month minimum). Cats.com says it doesn't work without a subscription, and some Amazon owners find it expensive.
- Wi-Fi dropsVery common
Amazon's review summary says connectivity is a concern, with the camera frequently disconnecting from Wi-Fi.
- Ads, cool colors and a loose lidMentioned often
PCMag saw ads in the video feed, found the white balance very cool, and its cat knocked the camera over to get at the treats. Cats.com found video grainier than cheaper cameras and AI cat ID often wrong or missing.
What owners love
- Strong night vision and panning
PCMag praises the bright picture, 360-degree panning and very effective infrared black-and-white night vision; color night mode works if there's some ambient light.
- Treats cats come for
PCMag found flinging treats easy and fun; a chirp plays first and its cat reliably came over to eat.
- Easy setup
PCMag calls the app easy to use and setup simple; Amazon owners say it's easy to set up with top-notch picture quality.
Skip it if…- You won't pay a subscription
- Ads in an app bother you
- Your cat knocks things over
Good for- Tossing treats to a cat
- Watching a whole room with 360-degree panning
- Meow alerts
Scores (tap for why)
- Video & night vision3.5
Why 3.5?
Bright and sharp with strong IR night vision (PCMag), but cool colors and grainier than cheaper cams per Cats.com. - Treat tossing4.0
Why 4.0?
Reliable and fun in PCMag's test, but the treat lid isn't secure against a determined cat. - Alerts & app3.0
Why 3.0?
Free meow alerts; vomiting, smoke-alarm and person alerts need Cat Nanny (PCMag). Cats.com found AI cat ID unreliable, and the app shows ads. - Ongoing cost2.5
Why 2.5?
Nanny is $6.99/mo (PCMag), and the main Amazon version requires a plan to activate. - Reliability3.0
Why 3.0?
Amazon owners report frequent Wi-Fi disconnects; PCMag's cat knocked it over until it was placed securely.
What experts say
- PCMag: Best for cats, Editors' Choice, 4.0. Cons: ads in the app, a treat lid that isn't secure, overly cool colors.
- Cats.com: #5 of 8 cat cameras (updated 2026-07-17): it doesn't work without a subscription, video is grainier than cheaper cameras, and AI cat ID is often inaccurate.
#7
Petcube
$$Camera + treat tosserScore 2.8/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
PCMag's best affordable treat-tossing camera, with good 1080p night vision and a treat dispenser that worked reliably in its tests. But video history and alerts need a plan, the app can take a minute to connect, it tips over easily, and Wirecutter couldn't get the near-identical Bites 2 to toss treats consistently.
Subscription: Needed for video history and smart alerts: Petcube Care. Digital Camera World (2023) lists Optimal at $5.99/mo (3-day history, bark/door-knock alerts) and Premium at $9.99/mo (90 days); PCMag cites Care Optimal at $3.99/mo
Top complaints
- Slow or dropped connectionsVery common
PCMag says it sometimes takes a minute or more to connect to the app; Digital Camera World saw live-feed delays of up to 30 seconds. Cats.com says the feed often blurs or cuts out, and Wirecutter's Bites 2 often disconnected.
- History and alerts behind a paywallVery common
PCMag, Digital Camera World and Reviewed all note that video history and smart alerts require Petcube Care. Cats.com adds that emergency alerts are top-tier only and the app has non-removable pet-insurance ads.
- Easy to tip; treats not secureMentioned often
PCMag, Digital Camera World and Reviewed say it's easily knocked over on a table or shelf. Cats.com says treat storage isn't secure. Wirecutter struggled to get the Bites 2 to fling treats consistently and expects the same from the Lite's plastic hopper.
What owners love
- Good night vision
PCMag found 1080p video consistently high quality day and night; Digital Camera World calls the night view great.
- Treats on command
PCMag and Digital Camera World say it dispensed treats reliably; it holds about 1.5 lb and works by app or Alexa (Reviewed).
- Less money than rivals
PCMag says it does the job for less money than the competition, with a wall-mountable design.
Skip it if…- You need panning
- You want alerts without a subscription
- A big dog might knock it over
Good for- A cheaper treat-tossing camera
- Pets that stay in one spot
- Alexa users
Scores (tap for why)
- Video & night vision3.5
Why 3.5?
Good 1080p and night vision (PCMag, Digital Camera World), but no panning and Cats.com saw blurring. - Treat tossing3.0
Why 3.0?
Reliable for PCMag and Digital Camera World, but Wirecutter couldn't get the near-identical Bites 2 to toss consistently. - Alerts & app2.5
Why 2.5?
Motion and sound alerts and recordings need Petcube Care, the app is slow to connect, and Wirecutter found it unintuitive. - Ongoing cost2.5
Why 2.5?
No useful history without Petcube Care ($5.99-$9.99/mo per Digital Camera World). - Reliability2.5
Why 2.5?
Tips over easily and has connection delays across several reviews; Wirecutter's Bites 2 disconnected spontaneously.
What experts say
- PCMag: Best affordable treat-tossing camera, 4.0. Cons: occasional app connection delay, easily tipped, subscription for history and smart alerts.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not recommended (updated 2026-09-22): the former-pick Bites 2 flung treats inconsistently, had an unintuitive app and disconnected; the Lite is very similar.
- Cats.com: #7 of 8 cat cameras: no pan or tilt, insecure treat storage, a feed that blurs or cuts out, and non-removable ads.
#8
PETLIBRO
$$CameraScore 2.5/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
A pet-specific pan-and-tilt camera that promises to recognize up to five pets and summarize their day. In testing, Wirecutter found the tracking laggy and erratic, and Cats.com found pet ID often wrong, while reviewing footage needs a pricey plan.
Subscription: Needed for saved footage and AI features: Petlibro Video Cloud from $11.99/mo (Cats.com); Wirecutter cites plans from $120/yr
Top complaints
- Erratic, laggy trackingMentioned often
Wirecutter found the pan-and-tilt often laggy, moving when nothing was happening and stopping pointed at the floor, which made it miss real pet events.
- AI mixes up petsVery common
Cats.com's review found pet recognition often confused even different-looking cats, AI summaries got repetitive or wrong, and customers report pillows and toys flagged as pets.
- Key features need a planVery common
Saving footage, activity tracking, AI summaries and multi-pet recognition require a subscription (Cats.com); Wirecutter says reviewing video needs a plan starting at $120 a year.
What owners love
- Sturdy, full-room coverage
Wirecutter says its wide base feels sturdy and hard to knock over; Cats.com praises the 360-degree pan and tilt and image quality.
- Easy app
Cats.com found setup simple and the app easy to navigate and adjust remotely.
- Cat-friendly extras
Two-way audio with chirping sounds to get a cat's attention, and auto-tracking that follows a cat around a room (Cats.com).
Skip it if…- You won't pay about $12 a month
- Your cats look alike
- You need dependable event capture
Good for- Multi-pet homes curious about AI activity logs
- A sturdy base that's hard to knock over
- Following a cat around one room
Scores (tap for why)
- Video & night vision3.0
Why 3.0?
1080p with night vision and good image quality for Cats.com, but erratic tracking often left it pointed away from the action (Wirecutter). - Alerts & app2.0
Why 2.0?
Pet ID and AI summaries were unreliable (Cats.com) and tracking missed events (Wirecutter); the app itself is easy. - Ongoing cost2.0
Why 2.0?
Saving footage needs a plan from $11.99/mo (Cats.com) or $120/yr (Wirecutter). - Reliability3.0
Why 3.0?
Sturdy base (Wirecutter), but laggy motion and a reviewer-reported week of failed tracking after subscribing (Cats.com).
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not recommended: tracking didn't work reliably and missed pet events, and reviewing videos needs a subscription.
- Cats.com review: Published 2026-02-09: the AI features are unreliable and not yet worth the added subscription expense.
- Cats.com roundup: #4 'Made for Cats' of 8 picks (updated 2026-07-17), with the caveat that it confuses similar-looking cats and furry objects.