HomeKit is a neat system designed to make a person’s life more accessible and convenient. Hence, it should come across as no surprise that some people are interested in purchasing a security camera compatible with Apple’s HomeKit. For most people, it’s best to shop around and look at various guides and reviews, so the following rankings should make it easy to follow. This article focuses on Apple HomeKit security camera compatibility and deciding which one is the best HomeKit camera for several criteria. Some factors can include its price, its value relative to its price, and any free features bundled with the security camera. If you are looking for other HomeKit compatible devices check out our articles here and here.
Quick Preview for the Best HomeKit Security Camera:
- #1 Arlo Ultra 4K UHD 2 Camera System (Best HomeKit Security Camera Overall)
- #2 Netatmo Outdoor Camera with Integrated Floodlight (Best Outdoor Camera for HomeKit)
- #3 Netatmo Smart Indoor Security Camera (Best Indoor Security Camera)
- #4 Eufy Security 2K Security Camera (Best Value for a HomeKit Camera)
- #5 Logitech Circle 2 (Best Compatibility with Alexa)
- #6 Logitech Circle Outdoor Camera (Best Durability)
- #7 EcoBee Security Camera (Best Convenience for HomeKit)
- #8 Eve Camera (Best Support Team)
- #9 ONVIS Security Camera (Best for Quick Installation)
- #10 Wyze Camera (Best Pan – Up to 360-Degrees)
How to Add a Camera to HomeKit?
Typically, a person needs to install an app on their iOS device related to the manufacturer of the purchased security cameras. Then, they need to add the camera as an accessory on the home app. The home app should be relatively easy to navigate through, but different cameras may have varying requirements that affect accessibility. Once the camera owner sees a notification upon the home app that the camera has been added to the device, it should become usable. The camera needs to be on the same network the home app is on to work correctly.
Then, the owner must choose which camera should start streaming, along with other video settings. These video settings can include permissions to view, recording, and different settings like it. Once the settings have been adjusted, the person needs to click “Done” and they should see if the camera has been added to HomeKit or not. If there are any doubts, the owner can always check the home app for more details.
Does Apple Have Security Cameras?
If HomeKit is made by Apple, then logically, there should be an Apple security camera, no? Unfortunately, there is no official security camera designed by Apple. Instead, Apple partners up with various security camera companies and incorporates their devices into the HomeKit system. Some cameras are cheap, while others’ price range goes well above a few hundred dollars.
All of the products offered on this ranking list have been tested to work successfully with HomeKit. Most cameras require a person to download an app, sending notifications if there’s anything to be alerted of. To complete a smart home, these security cameras are a must-have for safety! As these items are tied to smart technology, a Wi-Fi connection is mandatory. Also, some of these options support Android phones, so a person isn’t required to have an IOS phone to get notifications and other support features. You can find other applications to spice up your experience at the iHome store.
Do Blink Cameras Work With HomeKit?
Blink cameras are quite popular in today’s day and age, but unfortunately, they are not compatible with Apple’s HomeKit. There are no plans in the making as of right now to change that, so it’s ill-advised to get a blink camera system for owners with a HomeKit already installed in their smart home. Considering a HomeKit does not require hardware updates, it is somewhat disappointing that Blink cameras do not attempt a software update for compatibility.
Considering Blink cameras do not support HomeKit, then it’s advisable to look elsewhere for quality service. All of the security cameras on this rankings list are as good as brand new, and they either natively support HomeKit, or they can do so through downloading an app. Unless a person wishes to get rid of their HomeKit, then it’s best to abandon the possibility of buying a new Blink camera.
#1 Arlo Ultra 4K UHD 2 Camera System
If a person is looking for a behemoth among titans within the security camera world, very few can match up to the overall quality of the Arlo Ultra 4K UHD 2 Camera System. 4K resolution is nothing to sneeze at, not to mention its ultra-high definition is outstanding to look at! As its videos can be quite massive in size, a person needs to have additional storage space available, such as cloud storage or a 1 TB USB drive. Fortunately, Arlo bundles in one year of its Arlo Smart Premier service to fix that. This service can provide up to three days of cloud recordings for a single camera. As this bundle comes with three cameras, it is crucial that its owner finds some storage elsewhere.
Also, the Arlo Ultra 4K cameras come with a spotlight to scare off some unruly intruder. Combined with its noise-canceling technology, it’s quite easy to capture an unwelcome face effortlessly. As both a smart indoor and outdoor camera system, Arlo’s latest product is simply top-tier! In addition to its spotlight and noise-canceling technology features lie an auto-zoom mechanic. This feature is perfect for identification, as it maintains a great quality regardless of the view.
If a new camera has a price too high for most consumers, then it’s advisable to look around for a used Arlo Ultra 4K UHD 2 Camera System if possible. More likely than not, the only options available are new, but that shouldn’t be a problem. In all honesty, the Arlo Ultra 4K UHD 2 Camera System is one of the best security cameras around, regardless if it’s HomeKit or not. Sometimes, people are limited by the smart technology they use, but Arlo’s cameras are merely sublime and well worth the price. In fact, it’s astonishing that the price isn’t higher, given how much value a home can get out of these two cameras.
Pros & Cons of the Arlo Ultra 4K UHD 2 Camera System with HomeKit
Pros:
- Supports up to 4K Ultra High Definition resolution
- Comes with two cameras to be used indoors and outdoors
- Auto-zoom and tracking features are top-notch
- Has a 180-degree diagonal field of view
- Enhanced night vision
- 2-way audio can cancel unnecessary noise
- Highly weather-resistant
- Includes free 3-day cloud recordings for one year
Cons:
- One of the most expensive options on the market
- Requires a strong internet connection (4K resolution is highly demanding)
#2 Netatmo Outdoor Camera with Integrated Floodlight
As a camera that specializes in outdoor usage, the Netatmo Outdoor Camera is a nifty gadget capable of fulfilling all of the needs associated with identification and safety. It can send notifications through the home app to protect a person’s property, which makes it highly useful for both residential and commercial properties. Of course, a person can customize their notifications through the home app. For example, a person can opt not to include people, animals, cars, or whatever else may not pose a threat to the owner. As a security camera adapted for outside use, it is weather-resistant and deceptively durable.
Its features include a sharp video quality (making it fantastic for identifying potential guests), 24/7 service, and free video storage. Anything free is usually a nice bonus, and free video storage is no exception! One nifty feature to the Netatmo Outdoor Camera is that there’s a floodlight for scaring away pests and other unwanted guests. Considering this coincides with 24/7 cameras, then it’s excellent to use from time to time. Like the clear video quality, the audio associated with this security camera is pretty well-done.
Should a person be interested in recording footage outside at any time, this security camera is one of the best options to do so. Between its sharp video quality and compatibility with HomeKit, Netatmo’s Outdoor Camera is a valuable asset to any home. Free video storage, ease of accessibility, and the ability to change alert notifications are all delightful features that make the Netatmo Outdoor Camera one of the best for general outdoor usage. This is a great option to make the best Apple HomeKit outdoor camera. Its night vision works wonderfully with its floodlight for identifying and possibly scaring away unwanted guests, so it’s undoubtedly one of the best options on the market right now (especially since most outdoor cameras tend to have grainy clarity during the night).
Pros & Cons of the Netatmo Outdoor Camera with Integrated Floodlight with HomeKit
Pros:
- Can upload videos to DropBox
- Recognition accuracy is top-notch
- Can easily use a local PC as storage (no need to pay additional fees to store a video)
- Easy to install and use
- Works 24/7
- Can use the home app to change notifications and what should count as an alert and what shouldn’t
Cons:
- Isn’t optimal with multiple cameras
- There’s a three to ten second delay between live events and the recording
#3 Netatmo Smart Indoor Security Camera
The Netatmo Smart Indoor Security Camera is a full HD camera system designed to track possible intruders and alert a person’s smartphone right away. Utilizing smart technology, the Netatmo Smart Camera has a 130-degree field of view with infrared night vision to help with any sneaky night intruders. If data storage is an issue, then a MicroSD card can store up to 32GB, in addition to the free video storage for Android 5.0+ devices. The main draw to the Netatmo Smart Camera is how easy it is to set up! Even novices with no prior experience in setting up cameras or camera systems should be able to incorporate the Netatmo Smart Camera successfully.
The Netatmo Smart Camera operates 24/7 like any good camera system, so a person can watch full HD videos if there are any alerts. On that topic, it is critical to note that the default settings should be changed. For example, a cat moving about can send numerous alerts to the owner’s phone, so it’s best to change it as soon as possible. The resolution comes as 1080 HD, so it isn’t the most powerful camera on the market, but its ease of accessibility is wonderful for first-timers. Plus, anybody should be able to store videos offsite effortlessly utilizing the Netatmo Smart Camera.
There is no monthly service fee for the alert system associated with Netatmo’s security camera. Some other security cameras charge monthly payments to get alerts, but Netatmo’s service is free. Considering how easy it is to install, this well-built camera should be able to monitor the inside of any home. One unfortunate remark regarding how it’s built is that it can overheat if it’s continuously sending alerts. To prevent this, it’s best to go to the home app and disable specific alerts (such as pet motion).
Pros & Cons of the Netatmo Smart Indoor Security Camera with HomeKit
Pros:
- Utilizes smart technology
- Custom alerts include facial recognition
- Free video storage for Android 5.0+
- Compatible with HomeKit as of 2018
- Easy to set up and requires no cloud technology
Cons:
- Can send a tad too many alerts on default settings
- Cameras can overheat relatively easily
#4 Eufy Security 2K Indoor Cam
The Eufy Security 2K Indoor Cam is a surprisingly robust security camera capable of supporting video resolution up to 2K. If a person needs to use HomeKit, then the video quality is docked to 1080P, but it offers far more than just video resolution. Eufy’s impressive AI detection means that there won’t be as many notifications for false detections. For such a useful feature, one would think that the Eufy Security 2K Indoor Cam should cost a lot, but its price is one of the most affordable on the market!
Its outstandingly low price makes it one of the best options available to purchase. The Eufy Security 2K Indoor Cam also natively contains night vision and is small enough to be placed anywhere within a home. However, as its name may imply, this camera is best suited for indoor use and not to be placed outside often. Another problem is that it requires its owner to download an additional app if they utilize HomeKit in their home. Nonetheless, the many useful features offered by Eufy’s camera is undoubtedly outstanding for its insane affordability.
Two of the notable alert features included are related to audio and motion. In case it detects something irregular through either medium, then its owner should get the relevant notifications soon. Its flexibility with Alexa also allows HomeKit users to check available footage without much effort. Like all security cameras, the date and time are included for the convenience of its owner. Considering all of these features are available for something with a price of almost $32, the Eufy Security 2K Indoor Camera is a steal!
Pros & Cons of the Eufy Security 2K Indoor Cam with HomeKit
Pros:
- Can view video resolution in 2K, or 1080P when utilizing HomeKit)
- Compatible with MicroSD cards and RTSP
- Good AI detection
- Minimal delay
- Notifications are not overdone like other security cameras
- Highly affordable price
- Can store videos through its dual storage options (local storage and cloud storage)
Cons:
- Requires a person to download an additional app for HomeKit compatibility
- If the Internet is disrupted for a moment, continuous recording is stopped regardless of motion
- Not ideal for outdoor use, new or not
#5 Logitech Circle 2 Wireless Home Security Camera
The Logitech Circle 2 Wireless Home Security Camera is a common household name regarding quality night vision security cameras. Circle 2 utilizes a circle view for capturing a video, which can then be coupled with Cloud storage in full 1080HD quality. Its advanced motion filtering makes detecting motion more accessible compared to other HomeHit secure video options. Its features may not be state of the art, but its affordable price makes it a reliable option for people on a tight budget, yet need a dedicated cam with some features such as night vision to safely record videos. As a HomeKit secure video capturing device, the Logitech Circle 2 Wireless Home Security camera can be built relatively easily by people who have little experience in setting up cameras.
One thing worth noting is that it’s a boom or bust sort of camera. Some people on Amazon love it, and some people despise it, with hardly in-between. It’s advisable to look over the instruction manual carefully and to contact Logitech support if there’s an issue with this product. Its resolution and other features are impressive for its low price, so it can do wonders for people who install it properly. As the main issue commonly found within it is faulty hardware, it’s an easy fix if a person needs to get a replacement.
Should a person also want to speak to a person at home through a camera, Logitech’s Circle 2 uses a 2-way talk system similar to a phone call. Using it is more straightforward than it seems, as although it is a new feature, it’s well incorporated to the point anybody could use it effortlessly. Logitech’s Circle 2 is one of the most user-friendly security cameras around, especially when combined with its ability to record 10 to 60 seconds of footage when motion is detected. It may seem like a short time, but a minute may be one of the most valuable moments to record if something serious happens.
Pros & Cons of the Logitech Circle 2 Wireless Home Security Camera with HomeKit
Pros:
- Works excellently with Alexa
- Night vision works reliably
- Easy to set up
- Its app can alert the owner if anybody comes by, and some settings can be adjusted easily
- Its resolution isn’t ruined by rain
- 2-way talk is available
Cons:
- Battery drains quickly
- Can miss some motion
- Can have difficulty connecting to Wi-FI depending on the channel chosen
#6 Logitech Circle View Outdoor Camera
Although it may seem like the Circle 2, Logitech’s Circle View is made by the same company, but this version focuses on outdoor use. It’s a strong contender for the best HomeKit outdoor camera, as it’s circle view gives it a wide abundance of options to look through. Its durable and weatherproof design allows this security camera to work perfectly with HomeKit Secure Video even when it’s outside! The way it’s built is certainly one of its best assets. Its price is standard for security cameras, but its compatibility with HomeKit does give it a niche to land a spot on this rankings guide.
In fact, it was developed solely with HomeKit in mind! Hence, using it within the home app is a piece of cake, which is nice, given its video quality is clear and useful for most outdoor applications. If a person needs to watch a video, they can easily use the end-to-end encryption offered by Logitech’s Circle View security camera and perform an in-home analysis. It even includes a wall bracket for easy installation, such as being perched above the patio or for use indoors. 1080HD may not be the most impressive these days, but it is clear enough to know what is going on both indoors and outdoors.
A brand new camera with a circle lens tends to cost a fair amount, but Logitech’s circle security camera is moderately priced. Its circle lens allows it to help its owner see what they want to see. Its wide-angle lens, in conjunction with its circle design, allows its user to see a wide area most other cameras cannot see. With free shipping and free returns, it’s easy to find somebody who may want Logitech’s security camera for both indoor and outdoor use.
Pros & Cons of the Logitech Circle View with HomeKit
Pros:
- Built durable and weatherproof
- The circle view gives it a 180-degree viewpoint
- Unparalleled performance for up to 15 ft at night
- Wide-angle lens lets it easy to capture a wide area where it’s set
Cons:
- One way to hide from the camera is to tilt it down, making it less effective if it’s set in plain sight
- Requires cloud storage for storage purposes
#7 EcoBee SmartCamera
The EcoBee SmartCamera is a solid option for any homeowner seeking an additional layer of safety for the indoors. As an Amazon’s Choice product, it’s considered a well-priced and highly rated item compared to many of its contemporaries. This meager fact allows it to stand out, along with the various features that enable the EcoBee SmartCamera to excel as a highly-rated item. Not too many cameras work well with the HomeKit secure video system, but EcoBee is easy to install and easy to turn off. In fact, it’s autopilot feature is one of the most impressive features regarding this smart indoor camera.
The EcoBee SmartCamera’s autopilot feature allows it to turn off whenever it detects the owner’s family is inside the home. This simple facet allows it not to run as often as other cameras, which is a boon considering it can overheat quite quickly otherwise. However, its autopilot feature also allows it to turn on without using an app or voice command. In addition to such convenience is a powerful on-device processing processor, which focuses on saving the user’s bandwidth whenever possible (security cameras tend to eat up storage quite easily otherwise).
It is important to note that the EcoBee only detects motion. Due to this minor inconvenience, it’s not suitable for monitoring sounds in any capacity. Nonetheless, its motion detection is perfectly complemented by its 180-degree point of view, making it a solid for general home use. One thing to remember is that when turning on this well-built machine, its owner should expect a loud and noticeable sound. Likewise, it happens when turning off the security camera. Hence, it’s advisable not to place it too close to sleeping quarters, as it can get annoying quickly.
Pros & Cons of the EcoBee SmartCamera with HomeKit
Pros:
- Amazon’s Choice product
- The 180-degree view is effortless to use
- Autopilot features make it easy to turn on and off without any effort
- Works wonderfully with Alexa
- Easy and intuitive to install
- Zoom and pan features are reliable and clear
Cons:
- The camera can overheat fairly easily
- When the camera turns on, it makes a loud sound
- Fairly high price
#8 Eve Cam
The Eve Camera is one of the first cameras to support HomeKit, and is, in fact, one of two options listed on Apple’s official website. Hence, it should come across as no surprise to see Eve’s smart indoor camera on this list. It’s designed for indoor situations only, so it’s advisable to avoid using it for outdoor scenarios in which it can easily be damaged or destroyed. However, within the confines of an indoor setting, it is a product that is surprisingly reliable when used in conjunction with HomeKit, as its smart indoor system is designed with several rooms in mind. Any home can use it, as its automation usage allows it to be disabled and turned on whenever its owner is back at home.
In addition to its standard features, the Eve Camera’s alert system focuses entirely on motion. Hence, this camera is best suited for people who need to see sudden motion or other suspicious movements. Like other motion-based products, there can be some issues involving active pets. In this situation, it’s best to go to the home app and change various settings or, alternatively, move the camera to a room where the pets don’t go in. Its end-to-end encryption is also useful, as it ensures that only the owner can access the stored videos. This encryption feature also allows a person to see live recordings, which can be incorporated with several security cameras to maintain home safety properly.
Unfortunately, the Eve Camera only sends alerts based on motion. The app itself has a few bugs regarding motion detection, which makes it slightly inconsistent. As a result, some of its alerts are bogus. However, it’s better to get false positives than to let everything go past it without notice. An astute person should take full advantage of its numerous features, especially since it blends in so naturally with HomeKit. If there’s ever an issue, Eve’s support team is responsive and quick to answer any questions regarding the product for free.
Pros & Cons of the Eve Camera with HomeKit
Pros:
- Designed exclusively for the HomeKit app
- Uses end-to-end encryption for privacy on the app
- Setting up and installing the camera can take as little as less than five minutes
- Eve’s support team is responsive and quick to answer any question for free
- All functionality of the app is free with the camera, so there are no unnecessary add-ons to the app
Cons:
- Due to its exclusivity with the Homekit, it’s not useful if a person ever switches to a different system
- Has some bugs regarding swapping from motion to record mode
#9 ONVIS Indoor Security Camera
The ONVIS Smart Indoor Camera is a fantastic budget option available to people who need a 2-way camera. This 2-way feature allows parents to check up on their kids and communicate with them. For example, if the children are causing a ruckus, the parent doesn’t have to call them on the phone to stop them. Instead, they can opt to communicate through the home app and tell the kids to knock it off. For a budget option, it’s highly usable, and it even comes with free cloud storage! Plenty of people like this option, so it’s not hard to see why.
However, as it is a budget option, its video quality is rather lackluster. This indoor security camera is not capable of identifying burglars in the dark, as the quality is too grainy. The images taken from the camera can be clear, especially during the daytime, but that requires good lighting to take full advantage. Aside from that unfortunate mishap, the ONVIS camera is a must-have for parents tight on a budget and in need of a reliable yet cheap camera. Thankfully, it also works on several Wi-Fi channels, so there is no need to configure something technical for the technologically illiterate.
This security camera can allow a person or family to monitor their home in real-time, making the 2-way audio convenient for talking at any time. If a person needs to check their kitchen with this camera, they can pull up the home app on their phone, check it out, and proceed with whatever action they want to perform. If something is interesting to save, its owner can make use of the free cloud storage to store important videos. There is no additional fee to using this feature to store such videos, making it highly convenient to use alongside other accessible smart accessories.
Pros & Cons of the ONVIS Indoor Security Camera with HomeKit
Pros:
- Is a great support option to HomeKit Secure Video, especially since it takes about 30 seconds to do so
- The quality of the images taken from this camera are quite clear
- Also compatible with services other than HomeKit
- Allows parents to speak to their children through the camera
- Can use free cloud storage in an app
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Average video quality
- Quality at night is grainy
#10 Wyze Camera 2-Way Audio
The Wyze Camera 2-Way Audio supports HomeKit, although it, unfortunately, doesn’t advertise that fact. As a result, it’s more of a hidden gem that’s worth considering for a smart home. Its pan, tilt, and zoom functionality is quite stellar, especially as it can be controlled remotely. It uses four predefined points for recording, and it can pan up to 360-degrees. The tilting functionality goes up to 93-degrees, so it’s diverse in its capabilities when coupled with 1080HD videos. Some cameras have good quality but limited motion and vice versa. Fortunately, the Wyze Camera 2-Way Audio does the best of both worlds quite well!
Speaking of 2-way audio, this Wyze security camera is best suited for use as an indoor camera. It’s easy to set up in a home, but its 2-way audio makes it best suited for keeping an eye on children or pets. If one of them was about to do something wrong, the owner might not like that. Instead, one can have a 2-way conversation using its impressive features. Some settings can be changed within the home app, so a person can feel free to adjust it to their heart’s content!
HomeKit is already a quality of life system, yet it cannot protect a person’s home independently. Therefore, it’s advisable to set up a security camera capable of making life easier. As a smart indoor camera, it’s bound to collect a lot of footage of various events. If a person wishes to store any of it, they should be using the free storage offered by Cloud. As all of this is compatible with HomeKit, a person’s home can easily become both safe and secure through an act as simple as using Wyze Camera 2! The Apple HomeKit camera is entirely customizable!
Pros & Cons of the Wyze Camera 2-Way Audio with HomeKit
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Allows parents to speak to their children through the camera
- Amazon’s Choice product
- Notifications are not obtrusive
- Available as both new and used
- Can store videos through a free cloud storage app
Cons:
- Not suitable for the great outdoors
- Built rather weak
Why Should Owners of a HomeKit Get a Security Camera?
People who utilize smart technology tend to have a fair amount of money at hand. Due to this fact, they are often susceptible to robbers looking to make easy money. Without a security camera, there is little to nothing to deter a skilled burglar from breaking in and stealing various appliances and objects. Even if most items within a home-use smart technology, not all of them do! Hence, not everything can be tracked so easily. Aside from that, why would a person want to clean up after a scary event as opposed to preventing it in the first place?
Even if a person breaks into a home with a HomeKit-enabled camera, it becomes significantly easier to catch them afterward than to attempt to with no video evidence. Considering several options on this ranking list are using free, supplemental features designed for convenience, it is a waste not to consider them! For instance, a top-notch video camera can capture an unwanted guest’s face and relevant audio to go alongside it. Then, a person can bring this evidence to the local authorities in addition to any attempt involving tracking various objects.
Other Benefits of Owning a Security Camera
Naturally, there are more benefits to owning security cameras than just warding off intruders. The simple act of monitoring business can make owning a security camera worthwhile. Some examples include:
- Checking to see if a pest is rummaging through the trash
- Being able to monitor a babysitter remotely
- Knowing when the annoying neighbor leaves to avoid conversation
- Confirming adulterous affairs
- Using footage for movies and miscellaneous films
- 2-way cameras allow proper communication between two parties remotely
Naturally, there are more benefits to owning security cameras. Specifically, smart security cameras have several advantages over ordinary cameras. One of the most common benefits of using the above security cameras is that they can have their settings easily adjusted without hiring a professional. Old-school security cameras often required additional rewiring or handling everything on the computer. In today’s day and age, a phone may be all that’s necessary to change a camera’s settings with HomeKit.
If you want to know more about how to safely use a smart security camera, check out our guide here.
Best HomeKit Camera
HomeKit is a wonderful piece of technology that works well with so many different security cameras. Yet, if there was only one option to get out of everything on this rankings list, then it is undoubtedly the Arlo 4K Ultra UHD 2 Camera System. It is a smart indoor and outdoor security camera that operates wonderfully with the Home app, in addition to its individual app. Its state-of-the-art features are unparalleled within the security camera industry. Considering not all cameras work with HomeKit, this fact alone makes it a must-have for any owner in need of a security camera for HomeKit.
If a person has more money to spend, they can always choose the three-camera system. Regardless, a new Arlo camera system is a must-have for recording a clear video at any time of the day. It has no issue recording motion from people, motion from pets, or even motion from automobiles. As long as it is set up correctly, a person should be able to get whatever they want out of an outstanding camera like this one!
Looking for more security cameras that don’t necessarily work with Apple HomeKit? Check out our reviews of the best smart security cameras.
