Keep your home’s security up to date without spending hundreds of dollars on an expensive camera. There are several great DIY home security choices that don’t skimp and let you safeguard your house for a fraction of the price. We’ve compiled a list of the top inexpensive home security cameras available today to help you ensure that you’re still receiving adequate security at a fair price.
Wi-Fi cameras are available for $100 or less from well-known brands like Wyze, GE, Amazon Blink, and others without losing fundamental functionality or performance. Even with these “cheap” security cameras, you can still anticipate live video streaming, 1,080-pixel quality or greater, a motion sensor, an app to send push notifications, connectivity with smart home ecosystems like Google Assistant or Alexa, as well as a motion sensor and an app to send push notifications.
The best inexpensive cameras with basic functions, security features, and more are listed below. Some are more appropriate for indoor or outdoor monitoring, motion tracking, or other particular functions than others, but I’d consider them all to be worthwhile and reasonably priced home security investments.
Related Post: TP-Link Tapo C100 Home Security Wi-Fi Camera Review.
Here are some of the 10 best and cheapest alternatives to the TP-Link Tapo C100 home security Wi-Fi Camera:
1. The Wyze Cam v3
One of the most affordable home security cameras you can get right now is the Wyze Cam v3, which is only $30. Given the inexpensive price, it’s possible to equip your home with many Wyze Cam v3 cameras for the same price as one outdoor camera from another brand (or less).
The camera provides two free weeks of cloud storage, something you won’t find with most other cameras, in addition to usual features like 1080p HD quality, motion detection, and connectivity with Google Assistant and Alexa. Local storage via a built-in microSD card slot is also an option. The Wyze Cam v3 is built for indoor or outdoor use, unlike other inexpensive security cameras; however, because it needs a wired power source, I’d recommend it mostly for interior use.
Price on Amazon: $34.
Pros:
- Very Cheap
- Best Design.
Cons:
- A bit flimsy.
2. Blink Outdoor (3rd Gen)
Like the other cameras on my list, the Blink camera has end-to-end encryption and multiple-factor security. The business additionally conceals your account information from Blink support unless you authorise access from the Account Management panel.
With inside cameras, power cables are less of an issue, but they can restrict where you can set an outdoor camera and may necessitate running long, unattractive extension cords along the outside of your property. With its wireless Blink Outdoor Security Camera, which is a battery-powered HD camera that you can place nearly anywhere your Wi-Fi signal can go, Amazon solves this problem.
Price on Amazon: $100.
Pros:
- Quality All-rounder
- Impressive Design and build quality.
Cons:
- A bit expensive.
3. Kasa KC410S
With its clear 2K video resolution, automated motion detection and tracking, Patrol Mode, and 360-degree pan range, the Kasa KC410S interior security camera is the ideal tool for following your pets or in-home care providers wherever they go.
Two-way conversation, beautiful colour in low light, and local storage on a (not supplied) microSD card up to 256GB are additional features. With a Kasa Care account, cloud storage with up to 30 days of video history is accessible for $3 per month per camera.
Price on Amazon: $40.
Pros:
- Fairly Cheap
- Great outdoors.
Cons:
- Limited Viewing angles.
4. TP-Link Tapo 2K HD
Unfortunately, the TP-Link Tapo 2K HD Outdoor Security Camera lacks wireless capabilities; however, it does have an automatic siren as an extra security measure. The camera activates two lights, and an alarm sound when it is armed and triggered to deter possible attackers. Even if the lights aren’t very brilliant, they will undoubtedly warn any intruders. The music is threatening and loud, yet, if at all, it doesn’t bother the neighbours next door too much.
Of course, you may programme certain times, activity zones, or line-crossing detection to set off the alarm at certain times. Two-way audio, colour night vision up to over 100 feet away, and local storage of 128GB (SD card not included) are additional capabilities.
Price on Amazon: $35.
Pros:
- Fairly Cheap
- Great outdoors.
Cons:
- Limited Viewing angles.
5. Reolink E1 Pro
The Reolink E1 Pro is the most affordable home security camera that costs $50 or less and has the finest video quality. With 77% more pixels than a typical 1080p security camera, the clear 1440p footage provides more detail than its rivals. The plethora of video customization choices available in the Reolink app is what really distinguishes it from other inexpensive 2K cameras.
Unfortunately, the E1 Pro falls farther down our list due to its limited 87.5o field of view. While most inexpensive pan-tilt cameras offer automated motion tracking, this camera does not, despite the pan-tilt functions helping to make up for the field of vision. It can’t be used outside, either.
Overall, the Reolink E1 Pro offers fantastic video quality and a wonderful user experience.
Price on Amazon: $55.
Pros:
- Fairly Cheap
- Great App.
Cons:
- Limited Viewing angles
- Not a great outdoor camera.
6. ZOSI C190
The ZOSI C190’s sturdy, vandal- and weather-resistant construction allows for usage both indoors and outdoors. With the help of infrared LEDs, this waterproof camera can see up to 80 feet away at night, allowing you to detect issues far out in the yard. Bright white LEDs for close-up full-colour night vision are its undiscovered nighttime weapon.
Although it’s disappointing that this camera lacks cloud video storage like the Wyze Cam v3 offers, in the long run, video storage on a microSD card is less expensive. Although the 90o field of view is smaller than we’d like, if you locate the proper positioning, there shouldn’t be too many issues.
ZOSI further offers software for PCs and Macs in addition to the ZOSI Smart mobile app. For those who want to use a larger screen or reduce their smartphone use, this is an excellent option.
The ZOSI C190 is compatible with Amazon Alexa smart displays but not many other smart home platforms. Overall, it will be difficult to find a better outdoor security camera for less money.
Price on Amazon: $35.
Pros:
- Very Cheap.
Cons:
- Limited Viewing angles
- Not a great outdoor camera.
7. Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24
One of the least expensive security cameras that work with all three major smart home platforms—Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant—is the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 (formerly known as the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K). Given that all other HomeKit-compatible cameras, such as Arlo, cost $65 or more, this is quite an accomplishment. Because of its adaptability, it is perfect for any smart home.
In contrast to the usual practice of low-cost cameras, cloud plans cost more than comparable offerings from Arlo and Ring. Eufy’s cloud storage costs roughly $3 per month. Although Wyze’s cloud price is more affordable, that is a high standard to beat.
This camera is only intended for indoor use, as the name suggests. Its performance in unheated garages and workshops during the winter can be limited, according to several customer evaluations I read. It does not perform well in freezing temperatures. For recording in your living room or hallway, it’s still a good option.
Price on Amazon: $42.
Pros:
- Fairly Cheap
- Beautiful Design
- Great variety in UI and accessibility options.
Cons:
- Not a great outdoor camera.
8. YI Dome Camera U
When you’re away from home, it’s simple to monitor everything with the YI Dome Camera U. The actual privacy shutter that covers the camera’s lens when you don’t want it to capture video is one of our favourite features. To prevent others from using the camera, you can even set a code in the app. This privacy-first philosophy is welcome in light of recent security breach news from other firms.
The YI Dome Camera U has a bidirectional rotating range that catches panoramic images, so you can say goodbye to blind zones. Similar to its rivals, YI has begun integrating person and sound detection into its cameras, improving the overall accuracy of its motion alerts. Overall, this is a neat, tiny PTZ camera for privacy purposes, but the additional cost for cloud storage isn’t justified.
Price on Amazon: $40.
Pros:
- 360-degree viewing angles
- Solid design.
Cons:
- Fairly Large.
9. The Google Nest Cam
The Google Nest security camera was created for simple home and smart device integration. The security camera is compatible with any smart device that has Google Assistant because it connects directly to the Google Home app, including the Google Pixel, Google Nest Smart Speaker, and Chromebooks.
The Nest camera has a function called “one-hour local footage backup” that prevents lost surveillance while you fix your internet connection. In the event of a Wi-Fi failure, the camera captures up to a whole hour of security footage directly on the device.
Price on Amazon: $79.
Pros:
- Nice Picture quality.
Cons:
- No IOS inclusion
- Fairly Expensive.
10. Blink Affordable Video Doorbell
One of the top security camera doorbells on the market right now is the Blink video doorbell. The system is designed to recognise motion at your front door, send an automatic notification to your smart devices when you push the doorbell, and offer a two-way communication platform with neighbours or delivery people even when you aren’t home.
Your smart gadgets and Wi-Fi can be wirelessly connected via the Blink doorbell. In order to maintain your current chime sound and avoid the inconvenient situation of having two doorbells, it also gives you the option of hardwiring it to replace your current doorbell.
Price on Amazon: $35.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Nice design.
Cons:
- Limited visibility.
Final Thoughts: 10 Alternatives to the TP-Link Tapo C100 Home Security Wi-Fi Camera
If you’re searching for an affordable home security camera that offers easy installation, good video quality, and excellent motion detection, then the TP-Link Tapo C100 should be on your list. This camera is a great option for those who want to keep an eye on their home and valuables without breaking the bank.
Compared to other alternatives discussed in the article, the Tapo C100 stands out due to its affordable price. With a price tag that’s lower than many other indoor security cameras, the C100 still manages to provide great value with its features. It also excels in motion detection accuracy, which is a key feature for any home security camera. However, the alternatives here are also very awesome.
Image Gallery – TP-Link Tapo C100 Home Security Wi-Fi Camera Comparisons