Best cheap security cameras (under $150)

For overall value for money, the TP-Link Tapo C200 is very hard to beat. It's got just about everything you could possibly need in a security camera, budget-friendly or otherwise: Great video quality, solid night vision up to 9 metres, motion detection, two-way audio, smart home compatibility (Alexa and Google Home), and it even has an SD card slot, so you don't have to fork out for monthly cloud fees (unless you want to, of course).

Prior to upgrading to the newer Tapo C225 (see our next pick!) I had been using the Tapo C200 for over a year to keep an eye on my puppy while I was out and about. It proved to be an invaluable pawrenting companion, since it can pan 360 degrees horizontally and 114 degrees vertically, allowing you to cover a whole lot more ground than a simple static camera would allow.

Considering even some security cameras over $200 don't offer 2K video resolution, the fact that the TP-Link Tapo C225 does (and costs half the price) should tell you just how good of a deal it is.

Think of it as a beefed-up version of our top pick above. It offers the same pan/tilt functionality, two-way audio, night vision and even local microSD storage. So, you might wonder, why is pricier?

The Tapo C225 goes above and beyond, doubling the video resolution and adding motion tracking at no extra cost.

The best feature, though, has to be the AI sound detection, enabling it to function not only as a security camera, but also as a baby monitor or pet camera. Yep, you'll get alerted if it hears a baby crying, a dog barking, a cat meowing, or even glass breaking. It's a total all-rounder.

The Reolink Lumus packs a big punch for a sub-$80 security camera, since you're also essentially getting a motion sensor security light thrown in, too.

Boasting 1080p video resolution, PIR motion detection, two-way audio, a siren, a bright spotlight (allowing for colour night vision) and IP65 weatherproofing, the Lumus is surprisingly feature-packed for its pint-sized price.

The best part, though? In addition to up to 64GB of local storage (via microSD card), Reolink also gives users seven days of cloud storage completely for free.

Reolink is once again bringing the goods with the solar-powered Argus 3 Pro. On sale for under $150, this battery-powered security camera comes with its own solar charging panel and offers 2K video resolution, PIR motion detection, a 90dB siren, and IP65 weatherproofing. It also offers colour night vision, thanks to its bright onboard spotlight.

Like the Lumus, the Argus 3 Pro offers local microSD card storage (this time up to 128GB) along with seven days of cloud storage at no extra cost. It also has a broader 122-degree field of view, allowing greater coverage of your outdoor area.

If you're on a budget but still want something that'll fit in seamlessly with your smart home, the Arlo Essential Indoor HD (2nd gen) might be for you.

It's compatible with all three of the big smart home ecosystems: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home.

On top of that, it also offers stunning 2K resolution, a built-in spotlight, an automated physical privacy shield, and noise-cancelling two-way audio.

The only downside is that, like all Arlo cameras, the Essential Indoor HD doesn't include any local storage, so you'll need to fork out a minimum of $7.99 per month if you want cloud storage. Otherwise, it'll only work as a live-view camera.