Best pet cameras of 2024

The Furbo Dog Camera has winning features that get our tails wagging more than any other smart camera. In addition to a treat launcher and night vision, Furbo Dog Camera is the only pet camera we encountered with sound detection that senses barking. If your pup has a bad barking habit, the Furbo will alert you. From the app, you can also talk to your pet and give them a yummy treat.

That said, it is the most expensive camera on our list.

Furbo also has two-way audio, so you can talk to your dog from the app. The audio through the speaker is clear enough to catch your dog's attention, too. So whether they're barking up a storm or just lonely, you can talk to them through your mobile device.

Our only complaint is that Furbo requires a subscription ($9.99 per month or $99 per year) to use its cloud storage service if you want to keep records of your dog’s activities. And, if you opt for the cheaper "Premium Safety Package", although you pay less upfront, you literally can't use the camera without a Furbo subscription. 

Aside from that, we consider it the best pet camera, paws-down.

Unfortunately, the Furbo Cat Camera shares the same confusing pricing as the Furbo Dog Camera. You can pay more upfront for the version that comes with camera functions, treat tossing, cat tracking and meow detection, with an optional Furbo subscription ($9.99 per month or $99 per year) for cloud storage and advanced alerts, or you can pay less than half the price upfront for the version that will not work without the subscription, but could work out cheaper in the long run if you only plan to use it occasionally. Both versions are exactly the same and share the same features, the difference is only in how you pay for those features.

This cylindrical robot is built for speed with its two tough plastic wheels on each side. The app has pre-programmed actions, so you can make the robot wiggle, spin, and flip to catch your pet’s attention.

Once your pet catches the Owl Robot (or whenever you press the treat button), it dispenses treats.

We love how interactive this Skymee pet camera is. You can play with your dogs and cats from anywhere with Wi-Fi and even take the Owl Robot out for walks with your dogs.

With all the features and controls in the app, you and your pup are bound to have lots of fun, even when you aren’t home.

Its motion detection feature moves the camera as it tracks your dog or cat around the room, however, a subscription is required for this feature. If you're after a completely fee-free experience, the slightly pricier Tapo C225 might be a better fit for you as it includes all the Tapo C200's features (and more, like barking alerts and motion tracking) with no need to pay a monthly fee.

Other downsides include its noisy motor, average sound quality, and the fact that unless you're on your home Wi-Fi network, you'll have to refresh the stream every five minutes to keep an eye on your pet. Still, the TP-Link Tapo’s 1080p high-definition live video is clearer than many other pet cameras we saw.

Given the low price point, we’re impressed.

In terms of video quality, the Skymee Petalk AI II is a little touch-and-go. But it's a more affordable alternative to the Furbo and a great way to give your pupper treats throughout the day. 

In our testing, the only issue we came across was the occasional extra treat being tossed (not that my dog seemed to mind). If that was perfected and the camera was a wider-angle lens, it'd be higher on our list.

What to consider before buying a pet cam 

Pet sitters and doggy daycare are good options when you need to leave your pet home alone.

Pet cams require only one up-front payment unless you opt for cloud storage or subscription-based extras. When shopping for a dog or cat camera, think about how much time you spend away from home and what your biggest concerns are when it comes to your pet.

If you’re worried about your pet’s safety, you’ll want a pet monitor camera with a wider field of view and two-way audio. If your pet has anxiety, a camera with treats and games might help them relax.

If you leave your pet at home for long periods of time, they’re going to need food, water, and plenty of entertainment. Some pet cams come with safe toys like laser pointers, but you’ll want to make sure their other toys are safe, too.

While pet cams can help you keep an eye on your furry friends, they don’t guarantee complete safety.

Cats and dogs may eat dangerous household items and plants. So before you leave them alone, be sure your home is poison-proofed and that any hazards are out of the way.

There are plenty of reasons to get a pet cam, but a security system can also help keep your pets safe. If you get a system with professional monitoring, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will alert a monitoring centre that can send help right away in an emergency.

One of the reasons we picked the Furbo Pet Camera as our top choice is because of the live stream video in sharp 1080p resolution, night or day. You get a clear image of your pet from the app, and they'll get reassurance that you're never far away.

As pet owners ourselves, we couldn't pass up a chance to test these cameras in our own homes. So to get a closer look at pet cameras, we took one home and tested it out. We checked for video quality, ease of use in the app, and extra features that made the pet cam fun for humans and animals alike. Based on our findings, we compared the cameras and created our best-of list along with the reviews below.

Read our full methodology to find out more about how we research and review products.