Buying guide
Choosing a home security camera in the UK
GuideDraft for owner review — wording and facts to be checked against sources before launch.
No link on this page earns COMANORA any money. How we're funded
The 60-second answer
- Decide where it goes first. An indoor camera can’t simply be moved outside — check that it is rated for outdoor use (for example IP54 on the Nest Cam) and for British winters.
- Choose the power that suits the spot. Battery cameras go anywhere; plug-in cameras need a socket nearby but never need recharging.
- Price the recordings, not just the camera. Live view is usually free; keeping clips usually isn’t.
- Test Wi-Fi where the camera will sit. All three cameras we compare use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, which reaches further than 5 GHz but is often busier.
Indoor, outdoor or both?
- Indoor cameras are cheap and simple — the Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen) is £39.99 and plugs into a socket. Look for a privacy cover or a schedule that switches the camera off when you are at home.
- Outdoor cameras need a weather rating and a mount you can reach to recharge or swap the battery. The Ring Outdoor Camera 2K Battery uses a removable battery pack, so the camera can stay on the wall while the battery charges indoors.
- Indoor-or-outdoor cameras such as the Google Nest Cam (battery) cost more but can move with your needs. Google notes its battery only charges between 0 °C and 40 °C, so in a cold spell you may need to bring it inside to charge.
What recordings cost
Prices checked on the brands’ UK websites on 5 November 2026:
| Camera | Price | Without a plan | Plan to keep recordings | Price + plan over 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen) | £39.99 | Live view and alerts | Ring Solo £49.99/year | £189.96 |
| Ring Outdoor Camera 2K Battery | £99.99 | Live view and alerts | Ring Solo £49.99/year | £249.96 |
| Google Nest Cam (battery) | £179.99 | 3 hours of event history | Google Home Premium Standard £80/year (optional) | £179.99 without a plan; £419.99 with Standard |
If you have several Ring devices at one address, Ring’s multi-device plan (£7.99 a month or £79.99 a year when checked) can work out cheaper than paying for each one.
Wi-Fi and upload speed
Ring recommends at least 5 Mbps upload for the Outdoor Camera 2K and 2 Mbps for the Indoor Camera; Google asks for 2 Mbps per Nest Cam. Several cameras add up, so check your broadband’s upload speed — not just the download speed your provider advertises — before buying more than one.
Privacy and the law
The ICO’s guidance is clear that if a home camera captures images beyond your property — the pavement, the road or a neighbour’s garden — data protection law applies to that footage. Point outdoor cameras at your own property, use privacy zones where the app offers them, keep footage secure, delete it regularly and tell people that recording is happening. Inside, think about visitors, lodgers and anyone you live with before you record audio or video in shared rooms.
Read the ICO’s guidance on home CCTV before installing an outdoor camera.
Compare them
See the best home security cameras ranking, or put any two side by side in the comparison tool.
Our picks
Ring Outdoor Camera 2K Battery
Best for: Covering a garden, drive or side passage without running a cable.
Google Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)
Best for: Google Home users who want one camera they can move between inside and outside.
Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen)
Best for: Keeping an eye on a room, a pet or the hallway on a small budget.