A pet camera can be beneficial for both you and your pet. When you leave for the day, your furry friend doesn’t understand why. Some pets learn to entertain themselves, while others suffer from separation anxiety. A pet camera can give you the chance to see, hear, and interact with your pets when you’re on a break. Modern pet cameras can send live streaming video to your smartphone, and most offer two-way audio communication so that you can talk to your pet. Some pet cameras can even dispense treats or play games with your pets.
We looked at dozens of pet cameras and have identified the best for keeping an eye on your dogs and cats. As we reviewed these pet cameras we considered factors such as video streaming quality, interactive features, and smartphone functionality in choosing our top picks, and then we put together a detailed rundown of many more excellent options for you to browse through.
We have chosen the HeimVision Indoor Pet Camera as our overall top pick. This is a well-rounded indoor camera that puts out UHD 2k video which can be live-streamed to your smart device or stored away for later viewing, and it allows you to talk to your pets remotely from wherever you may roam.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Pet Cameras
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pet Camera Overall | HeimVision Indoor Pet Camera | 4.9 |
| Best Pet Camera for Smart Homes | Google Nest Cam | 4.1 |
| Best Budget Pet Camera | Littlelf Indoor Smart Camera | 4.6 |
| Best Pet Camera for Dogs | Furbo Treat Tossing Dog Camera | 4.4 |
| Best Pet Camera for Cats | VSTARCAM Laser Cat Camera | 4.3 |
*Ratings are current at the time of publication and can change
Best Pet Camera Overall: HeimVision Indoor Pet Camera
Simply put, the HeimVision Indoor Pet Camera is the highest quality indoor camera in its segment. It produces astonishing 2k HD video that is incredibly clear, and it has 4x zoom functionality that can further enhance details. You can remotely operate that zoom and rotate the camera utilizing its 350-degrees of horizontal panning and 100-degrees of tilt from your smartphone while watching the live streaming video feed. With this highly capable camera, you can find Fido anywhere in its large viewable range.
But if your pet happens to be in another room, you can call her over to the camera thanks to the two-way audio communicator. The microphone provides noise-canceling to block out extraneous sounds so that you and your pet can focus on one another. For security and energy-saving purposes, the camera can be programmed to only operate when you are watching it live over your smartphone, or you can set the camera to record video on a local SD card or on a cloud server only when motion is detected.
This camera requires a wall outlet for power and can be connected to your home Internet through an ethernet cable or over 2.4Ghz WiFi. As an Alexa-compatible device, this camera will seamlessly integrate into your smart home and can display video footage on your Fire TV, Echo Show, or a tablet. Multiple users can be connected to the device at once so that the entire family can see and interact with your pet. The camera can be left freestanding or it can be mounted on any wall or ceiling.
HeimVision Indoor Pet Camera Key Features:
- 2k HD camera with a 350-degree horizontal rotation
- Two-way audio with noise-canceling functionality
- Livestreams to smart devices and optionally saves files
- Uses WiFi or ethernet and connects to Alexa
Best Pet Camera for Smart Homes: Google Nest Cam
If you have a smart home with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, the Google Nest Cam is the best pet cam you can get because of its inherent smart home functionality and convenience. This camera will fully integrate into your smart home ecosystem. Its two-way audio communication enables you to remotely communicate with your pet, and it also allows for smart home voice commands. The optional Nest Aware subscription service further enhances the capabilities of this camera, as well as the rest of your Nest devices.
You can view live streaming video footage whenever you access the camera on your smartphone, and you can use the Nest Cam’s 3-Hour Snapshot feature to quickly access and review the previous few hours if you haven’t checked in for a while. Imagine loading up your pet cam and seeing a pile of pillow fluff on the living room floor. Any damage caused by a pet can be frustrating, but what if it was a special possession? With the 3-Hour Snapshot, you can immediately rewind the live stream to see what exactly was shredded to pieces.
This camera also features two-way communication so that you can speak with your pet, and it has 8 powerful infrared LEDs for supremely clear night vision. There is a suite of accessories available for the Next Cam, including a plethora of mounts. This camera can be left freestanding on a flat surface, mounted on a wall or ceiling, magnetically mounted to a refrigerator, or even wrapped around a banister. Two-factor authentication can be enabled to make your camera extra secure, and the device comes backed by a category-leading two-year warranty.
Google Nest Cam Key Features:
- 1080p HD camera with 8 infrared night vision LEDs
- Two-way audio communication
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Two-year warranty
Best Budget Pet Camera: Littlelf Indoor Smart Camera
There are no important sacrifices that must be made in order to acquire a budget-friendly pet camera like the Littlelf Indoor Smart Camera. Nearly all of the wonderful features outlined on our other top picks are also available in this less expensive alternative. It even features some notable extras like noise-canceling technology withing its two-way audio communication and IR CUT technology that adds full-color clarity to the infrared night vision.
Your pet can’t tell the difference, so why should you shell out the extra money for a premium pet camera? This little camera has a lollipop shape that is connected to a flat saucer mount. It can be left freestanding or mounted onto a wall or ceiling. This camera actually can rotate, but only manually. This does enable you to find the best viewing angle from any position by adjusting the horizontal and vertical joints to best accommodate the given situation.
This camera is Alexa compatible, and it features some other nifty functions like motion-tracking technology and automatic alerts. Videos can be stored on a micro SD card or on cloud storage. The cloud storage service is provided as a free 90-day trial, but you would have to pay a small monthly fee from then on to maintain it. Most people won’t even need to store their videos, though. Live stream video is free through the app, and that’s all you really need when it comes to watching your pet.
Littlelf Indoor Smart Camera Key Features:
- 1080p HD camera with a 130-degree viewing angle
- Infrared LEDs with up IR CUT for full-color night vision
- Two-way audio with anti-noise technology
- Alexa compatible
Best Pet Camera for Dogs: Furbo Treat Tossing Dog Camera
The Furbo Treat Tossing Dog Camera is like a robot-buddy for your dog while you’re away for the day. The camera itself is quite good as it produces 1080p HD video from its extra-wide 160-degree lens. It functions much in the same way as the other cameras on our top list, providing live streaming video on demand through your smartphone, but it can also be set to record when triggered by an event such as your dog’s bark, and the camera can compile a Doggie Diary album for you of your dog’s day.
Aside from the camera, this Furbo device also tosses treat when instructed to by your smartphone or through an Alexa voice command. This is a great way to reward your dog for being good, for distracting it during moments of separation anxiety, and for simply playing with your dog. Real-time smart alerts can be programmed to alert you when your dog is barking, when a person walks into frame, and when your dog is close to the camera and filling the screen with its cute face.
More than just for fun, this Furbo Treat Tossing Dog Camera also acts as a home security tool and has saved many dogs’ lives thanks to the barking alerts. Many dog owners can find more than one reason to own this Furbo dog camera. It’ll help you and your dog have a more comfortable time being apart, and it can help train your dog to behave better when you’re away. There’s no better pet camera for dogs on the market.
Furbo Treat Tossing Dog Camera Key Features:
- 1080p HD camera with 160-degree viewing angle
- 2-way audio and customizable barking alerts
- Tosses treats to your dog
- Doggie diary records your dog’s day into an album
Best Pet Camera for Cats: VSTARCAM Laser Cat Camera
Cats tend to take care of themselves well and don’t often require all-day attention, but that doesn’t mean you can’t check in on them from time to time while you’re away! The VSTARCAM Laser Cat Camera is a great camera for cats. This camera can rotate 355-degrees horizontally and 120-degree vertically, giving you the power to search for your cat wherever they may be lounging. What’s more, this camera also features a safe laser toy so that you can interact with your kitties.
Those features alone sum up why this is a great cat camera. It doesn’t matter how far away you may be, you can remotely control the camera’s rotation and laser toy through your smartphone. How cool is that? The camera also features two-way audio so that you can chat with your cat, and it features a unique recorded-audio mode that can be programmed to play songs or recorded voice messages. The laser toy is where it’s at, though. You know your cat will love it.
Video can be viewed live on your smartphone or recorded either locally on an SD card or over the cloud. Cats can be difficult to catch on camera, which is why this camera can be programmed to send you motion-detecting alerts so that you know when your kitty is on screen. The device required a wall outlet for power and can be connected to your home Internet via an ethernet cable or 2.4Ghz WiFi. Make sure you place it in a secure location so that your cat doesn’t easily push it off a counter!
VSTARCAM Laser Cat Camera Key Features:
- 1080p HD camera with a 355-degree horizontal rotation
- Two-way audio and recorded audio playing
- Remote-controlled safe laser toy
- 12-month warranty
Who Should Buy a Pet Camera
Any pet owner who has to leave their furry, feathered, or scaled friend at home while they go off to work or school should buy a pet camera. Basic pet cameras provide you with a way to see and interact with your pet while you’re away. This can be a great way for you to relax on a break, and it can provide comfort to your lonely pet as well.
Those who have an anxious pet with separation anxiety can see great benefits from a highly interactive pet camera. These cameras allow you to speak with your pet, share treats, and even play games. Interactive pet cameras can help train your pet to be less anxious.
Many of the pet cameras we featured in this article are capable of being connected to a multi-camera home security system or with smart home devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. If you’re purchasing a pet camera and want to also expand your remote vision to improve your home security take a look at our articles on the best wireless security cameras and the best outdoor security cameras.
Important Features to Consider
There are a few important considerations to think through before purchasing a pet camera.
- Visible range. There are several factors that contribute to a pet camera’s visible range. First and foremost are the camera’s recording resolution and lens angle. High-definition cameras at 1080p can see much more detail and space than lesser resolutions. Likewise, a wide-angle lens of 120-degrees can see much more than a less capable lens. You may also want to consider a camera with rotating capabilities that can pan, tilt, and zoom so that you can search for your pet outside of the camera’s standard visible range. Lastly, if you will ever need to leave your pet at home overnight, you’ll want a camera with infrared night vision that can see in the dark.
- Live streaming or recorded videos. Most pet owners likely only need a camera that is capable of showing live video footage when they access the camera on their smartphone. If you do want to keep recorded videos be sure that your camera has a slot for SD card storage or that it can connect to a cloud server.
- Solid base and mount. Dogs can be rambunctious, and cats can be quite clever. You’ll want to be sure that the camera you purchase has a solid base on which it can stand so that it is not knocked over easily. Alternatively, you can get a camera that can mount high up on your wall or ceiling so that pets can’t access it.
- Two-way audio. This is probably the most important feature for most pet owners. Being able to speak with your pet is a great way to interact with them and soothe them. Two-way audio can help to calm pets with separation anxiety or to chase Rover off of the couch where he doesn’t belong.
- Interactive extras. There are some fun cameras out there that can toss treats at various distances, wave around a laser pointer, and even follow your pet around the house. While these extras aren’t necessary for most people, they can be a fun way to play with your pets while you’re on your lunch break at work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pet camera and how does it work?
Pet cameras are indoor home surveillance tools that can be used to keep an eye on your pet while you are away at work or elsewhere. The best pet cameras provide live streaming video to your smartphone and have helpful features like two-way audio communication that enable you to talk to your pet. There are also interactive pet cameras that can dispense treats and use a safe laser pointer to play with your pets.
Do pet cameras help with separation anxiety?
Pet cameras can certainly be a helpful tool for treating separation anxiety. Two-way audio lets you talk to your pets, which can help them calm down. Interactive cameras with treat dispenser are also beneficial because they can serve as a distraction to your pet when they start to feel nervous, and can also serve up a treat as a reward when the pet is behaving well.
Are pet cameras always recording?
Most pet cameras give you the ability to adjust their settings so that they record exactly how you want them to. Some pet cameras do not record at all and only show a live feed of the video when you access the camera on your smartphone. Other cameras can be programmed to record only when the motion-tracking software is triggered, while some can be set to record at all times. Make sure the camera you want to buy have the capability of recording video the way you want.
Can pet cameras be hacked?
It is highly unlikely that your pet camera will ever be hacked. Still, the possibility remains. The cameras themselves are not necessarily a weak point, though. Your home WiFi should have a secure password so that hackers cannot access your home Internet connection. To be on the safe side you can make sure the camera is not pointing at any sensitive information in your home, and you can turn off the camera when you are home.
Other Pet Cameras We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other pet cameras. Even though they didn’t make our five best pet camera list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for keeping an eye on your pets. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Interactive Pet Cameras
Play with your cat from anywhere in the world with the AIIYME LaserPet Camera. This camera can rotate 360-degree so that you can search for your kitty around the room. It features a controllable laser toy and can be pre-loaded with your pet’s favorite songs.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 360-degree rotation
- Two-way audio and controllable laser toy
- 12-month warranty
Cost: $60
The Petcube Bites 2 will be your dog’s best friend, that is when you’re not at home, of course. This pet camera will send you alerts when your dog is active, and it can be set to automatically dispense treats at certain times. One neat trick is that you can manually throw treat at different distances to play with your dog.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens
- Tosses treats manually at different distances
- Automatic treat dispenser functionality
Cost: $200
The Petcube Play 2 is a cat-friendly interactive camera from Petcube. This device features a pet-safe laser toy that can run automatically or be controlled manually by your smartphone. Two-way audio functionality enables you to speak with your kitty while you play.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens
- Laser toy can be controlled manually or automatically
- Alexa compatible
Cost: $180
Perhaps the most fun camera on our list, the SKYMEE Owl Robot can wheel around your home and dispense treats for your pets. It’s all controlled by the smartphone app. The 1080p camera provides crisp video, and the infrared night vision can be turned on for when you need to leave your pets at home alone overnight.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera and motion-controllable toy
- Dispenses treats and can be wheeled around your home
- Two-way audio and infrared night vision
Cost: $170
TheWOPet Smart Pet Camera is another treat-tossing device that can help train your pet and reduce their separation anxiety. You’ll be able to keep an eye on your furry friend, talk to them through the two-way audio, and toss them a treat for being a good dog.
Key Features:
- 720p camera with night vision
- Tosses treats at a distance
- Alexa compatible and has two-way audio
Fixed Pet Cameras
The Blink Mini is an inexpensive, high-quality camera that can act as both a pet monitor and an indoor security camera. It has two-way audio, streams live video to your phone, and videos can be saved locally or over the cloud. This camera is also compatible with Alexa.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with a wide-angle lens
- Two-way audio interaction
- Live streaming and local or cloud video storage
Cost: $35
The Blink XT2 is a completely wireless indoor/outdoor camera that has an outstanding 2-year battery life. This is an HD 1080p camera with exceptional night vision that can be placed in your home or out in your yard.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera resolution with a wide-angle lens
- HD night vision, two-way audio, and Alexa compatibility
- Wireless with 2-year battery life
Cost: $100
Though it is not a rotating camera, the Geeni Aware Smart Camera does have a swivel base and adjustable camera angle to help you lock in the ideal viewing angle. It can stand on a flat surface or be wall-mounted, and it’s compatible with all of the major smart home systems.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with a wide-angle lens
- Can stand on a flat surface or be wall-mounted
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana
Cost: $35
The Ring Indoor Cam is a great camera that can be adapted to many different situations. It has all of the features you want in a standard pet cam, and there are many accessories that can be added to adjust or add on to its capabilities.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with a wide-angle lens
- Two-way audio interaction
- Live streaming and local or cloud video storage
Rotating Pet Cameras
Whether you need a pet cam, a baby cam, a nanny cam, or an indoor security camera, the Conico Indoor Camera has you covered. This device can stream live video to your phone and keep video stored for later viewing. You can rotate this camera remotely to find your pet wherever they may be in the room.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 350-degree rotation
- 100-degree tilt and 8x zoom
- Two-way audio communication
Cost: $45
The Goowls Indoor Camera allows for multiple users to access the camera at the same time so that anyone in your family can see and speak to your pet at any time. The smartphone app can be customized to send you alerts when your pet is active, and it has two-way audio communication.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 355-degree rotation
- Smart motion tracking and active alerts
- Multi-member access for family video sharing
Cost: $40
With two-way audio functionality, multi-user access, and a full-motion camera capable of pan, tilt, and zoom functions, the Joustory WiFi Pet Monitor can do it all. It can stand alone on a flat surface, or be wall-mounted to be kept out of reach of your animals.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 355-degree rotation
- Can stand or be wall-mounted
- Local and cloud storage options available
Cost: $35
The Matron Pet Camera is a well-rounded device with most of the great features we already discussed on other devices. This camera rotates in nearly every direction and can be completely controlled via your smartphone. A digital zoom feature enables you to get a closer look at what your pet is doing.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 350-degree rotation
- 100-degree vertical tilt and 62-degree lens
- Digital zoom and two-way audio
Cost: $40
The TAOCOCO Dog Camera is a well-functioning pet camera that stands out because of its cute dog-like design. It has two-way audio, provides live streaming video to your smart device, and can be accessed by multiple users at once.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 355-degree rotation
- Cute and playful design
- One year warranty
Cost: $35
If you have a highly-active pet, the Victure Dualband Pet Camera can send you customized activity alerts depending on how much movement your pet is making. It also has dual-band WiFi capability for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz connections.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 355-degree rotation
- Motion detection with 5 selectable levels of intensity
- Infrared night vision and two-way audio
Cost: $30
The YI Smart Pet Camera has a neat feature in its smartphone app that lets you seamlessly rewind live video footage so that you can easily rewatch interesting events. This is great for double-checking if your pet caused any damage or lost their toy.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 340-degree rotation
- Easy live-streaming footage playback
- One-year warranty
Budget Pet Cameras
HeimVision Rotating Indoor Camera
The HeimVision Rotating Indoor Camera is not far off in capability or image quality from our top overall pick which is also a HeimVision camera. Here you get a high-quality camera with two-way audio communication and a 360-degree visible range.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 350-degree rotation
- Freestanding or ceiling mount
- Two-way audio and motion-detecting software
Cost: $30
There isn’t much to say about the Victure Pet Camera that hasn’t already been said about all of the other rotating pet cameras we’ve listed. This has all of the same features, but happens to be priced lower than just about every other camera we’ve seen.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 355-degree rotation capability
- Can be shared with multiple users on the app
- Two-way audio and infrared night vision
Cost: $25
The Wansview Pet and Nanny Camera is a budget-friendly pet cam that is compatible with Alexa. Smart home connectivity is often lacking in cameras of this price range. It also has excellent horizontal rotation and vertical tilt in order to pan across an entire living space.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with 320-degree rotation
- 80-degree tilt and 4x zoom capabilities
- Alexa compatible
Cost: $30
The design of the WYZE Cam is reminiscent of the Pixar desk lamp. It’s a cute camera with great functionality that can be left freestanding on a counter or mounted on a wall or ceiling. This camera works with Alexa and Google Assistant, and multiple users can connect to it at once.
Key Features:
- 1080p camera with a two-way audio
- Freestanding or wall/ceiling mountable
- Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
Cost: $25
