The Best Local Storage Security Cameras for 2020

Modern security cameras offer a wide range of features, but there’s often an additional cost tacked on in the form monthly of subscription services. But, not everyone is keen on shelling out more money after purchasing the hardware.

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There’s also a fear about how much privacy we receive with today’s always-connected smart cameras. Although smart cameras can offer us peace of mind, they can also do the opposite, namely because someone on the other end could be watching. Thankfully, there are smart cameras that provide the option to record locally, usually through SD slots and other common means of recording video. Our research has pinpointed several top options, starting with the very versatile EufyCam E!

EufyCam E

Keeping an eye out for packages being delivered is a task on its own, but the EufyCam E has you covered with a weatherproof design, anti-theft alarm, night-vision capabilities, and easy installation. With the included HomeBase, there’s a MicroSD slot that can accommodate cards up to 128GB in size, ensuring your footage stays with you.

Another reason why the EufyCam is an exceptional outdoor camera is that it doesn’t necessarily require a constant power source and is IP65 weatherproof. Thanks to the built-in battery, you can plop the EufyCam on just about anything, including flat surfaces like a wall or even something as uneven such as a tree. You won’t have to worry too much about battery life, either; a full charge can deliver approximately a year’s worth of juice.

Wyze Cam v2

This 1080p Wyze cam is notable for its affordability — it costs much less than other cams, but still provides the features you want. that includes motion and sound detection, plus alerts for your phone if you want, a magnetic base for easy installation and no screws, and night vision for dark hours.

It allows for both local and cloud storage, letting you save your content remotely or using a MicroSD card. A 32GB card nets you roughly two days of HD video storage, or seven to eight days if you opt for standard definition, and this particular package includes such a card with purchase, making it an even better deal.

Zumimall Rechargeable Home Security Cam

The internal battery on this cam lasts from two to five months based on how often it turns on, and can be installed anywhere that gets a good Wi-Fi connection. It’s weatherproof for all kinds of outdoor use, and offers a 1080p, 130-degree image.

Motion sensors and night vision help the cam operate in a variety of environments. It includes a slot for a MicroSD card up to 128GB. Like many security cams, it also offers a two-way mic to enable conversations.

Swann Smart Security Camera

The Swann security cam offers a few unique features that set it apart in this market. You’re getting a decent amount of features for the price, ranging from heat-sensing motion detection for spotting warm bodies in an instant, to night vision for seeing in the dark.

Unlike some of the other options that store video locally to a MicroSD card, the Swann Smart Security Camera stores them internally, so there’s no extra purchase and no storage cards to manage. Clips that range from 10 to 60 seconds in duration can be saved locally for up to seven days with the camera’s built-in storage capabilities.

Honeywell Lyric C2

The ability to detect motion is one thing, but the ability to discern sounds is something else entirely. That’s one of the hallmarks of the Honeywell Lyric C2 camera, which features intelligent sound recognition that allows the device to differentiate specific sounds such as a baby crying or a smoke detector siren.

Even though it utilizes a fixed camera, the Honeywell Lyric C2 offers a 145-degree field of view. You’ll be able to see a fair amount, especially because of the sharp picture quality during daytime use. Honeywell offers cloud storage as an option and two-way voice conferencing as well, but there’s a MicroSD slot on the camera as a backup.

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