Top 6 Security Cameras for Airbnb and Vacation Rental Properties

Security cameras can be used to monitor and record activity in a specific area of your vacation rental. Many Airbnb hosts use security cameras to keep an eye on their properties when they are not physically present. Having a good security system can make a significant difference in the level of security and peace of mind of an Airbnb host and their guests. 

To that, investing in a quality camera is a must. A high-quality camera will provide clear and detailed footage, making it easier to identify any potential issues or problems. It will also be more reliable, with fewer technical issues and a longer lifespan. A low-quality security camera may produce blurry or poorly lit footage, making it difficult to identify individuals or events. It may also be prone to lost footage, which impacts security greatly.

The best Airbnb security cameras include:

• Ring Stick Up Cam Battery: Best Rated Overall
• Yi Home Security Camera: Most Budget-Friendly
• Blink Outdoor: Most Durable
• Wyze Cam v3: Most Space Efficient
• Nest Cam Indoor 2nd Gen: Best Luxury Camera
• Arlo Pro 5: Best High-Tech Camera

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How We Selected the Best Airbnb Security Cameras

To evaluate the best security cameras for Airbnbs and vacation rentals, we considered several factors like host recommendations, online reviews, price, durability, security features, and any extra features a camera may have.

We evaluated these Airbnb security cameras based on:

• Host Recommendations: We gathered recommendations from Airbnb hosts who have used security cameras at their properties.
• Online Reviews: We also read online reviews from other users who have purchased and used these cameras. These reviews provided additional information about each camera.
• Price: We took price into consideration, as Airbnb hosts are likely looking for cost-effective options that provide good value for their money.
• Durability: We evaluated the durability of each camera, as it is important for a security camera to withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
• Security Features: We considered the security features of each camera, such as resolution, night vision, and two-way audio. These features are essential for ensuring that the camera can capture clear and detailed footage, even in poor conditions.
• Extra Features: We also evaluated any extra features that each camera may have, such as compatibility with voice assistants or the ability to integrate with smart home devices. These features can add convenience and make it easier to use and control the camera.

According to our criteria, the best security camera for Airbnb hosts is the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery because it is easy to install and use. It has all the features needed to keep your property secure, plus some extra bells and whistles, all for an affordable price.

The best Airbnb security cameras are:

1. Ring Stick Up Cam Battery: Best Rated Overall

Released in 2022, one of Ring’s latest offerings is the Stick Up Cam Battery. It’s relatively affordable on Amazon or on the Ring website (though there are some hidden costs, which we’ll get into below).

With 1080p HD, multiple fields of view, night vision, and two-way audio complete with noise cancellation, you can get a full scan of your property—day or night. The Ring Stick Up Cam works both indoors and outdoors for full protection. It has no wires, yet has a top-notch motion detector, live view, and an intuitive control panel so you can monitor and control your camera remotely.

Unfortunately, to make the most out of its features you’ll need to purchase a Ring Protect Plan. Without it, you won’t be able to record videos or capture photos.

2. Yi Home Security Camera: Most Budget-Friendly

On a budget? Try the Yi Home Security Camera which was released in 2022. This inexpensive model is available on Amazon. You can also visit the Yi website for more information.

With 1080p HD video and decent night vision features, this camera keeps your property secure on a budget. It also has two-way audio and a sound detection feature so you can be alerted to intruders on your smartphone in real time. Don’t worry: this camera detects humans, animals, and other movements, so you won’t get inundated with alerts.

Unfortunately, while its features sound great, they aren’t too great in practice. Users report that everything works well except for the two-way audio, which cuts in and out. This Yi camera also has very spotty connectivity, which means it might take longer for you to check out what’s going on in your property.

Keep in mind that to view clips that are longer than 6 seconds, you’ll have to opt for cloud storage or a micro SD card. Storage will cost you extra per month from the Yi app, or you can purchase an SD card separately.

3. Blink Outdoor: Most Durable

The Blink Outdoor—Blink’s 2020 model—is built to last. This outdoor camera is definitely built with the weather in mind, and its weather-resistant body can withstand rain and other elements. Get this on Amazon or on the Blink site.

With just two AA lithium batteries, this camera can last for up to two years. We love how its 1080p resolution, infrared night vision, and live feed can give hosts peace of mind day or night. With its durable body and impressive battery life, you won’t have to worry about lapses in your home’s security.

However, like the Ring and Yi cameras, we don’t like how Blink now operates on a subscription model. If you sign up for a subscription, you can upload and save clips to the cloud. Still, if you don’t want to pay for extras, Blink’s Sync Module 2 allows you to save clips locally via a USB. 

4. Wyze Cam v3: Most Space Efficient

This 3rd generation Wyze camera, the Wyze Cam v3, was released in 2020. It’s available on Amazon or on the Wyze website.

Measuring only 2.51 x 2.24 x 3.93 inches and weighing 7.52 ounces, this camera is designed to be discreet and can be easily placed in a variety of locations. You’ll love its free 14-day video storage and built in microSD card slot for local storage, though you can subscribe to its Cam Plus subscription service for longer stored videos and person alerts. 

Wyze’s camera comes with great features for its price, like a decent two-way audio system and 1080p resolution. One big drawback however is that it takes a couple of seconds to get notified about any movements in its field of view. Still, it’s an affordable and unobtrusive way to guard your rental against unwanted persons.

5. Nest Cam Indoor 2nd Gen: Best Luxury Camera

Our favorite luxury camera is Google’s Nest Cam Indoor 2nd Generation. Get it on Amazon. You can also check out Google’s page on Nest for more information about the ecosystem.

Not only does it look great, but it has features to back it up as well. Like many cameras at the same price point, it has 1080p resolution and night vision for 24/7 high definition monitoring. However, Google goes a step further by including object recognition which becomes smarter with use, sound recognition, and up to 3 hours of free video history.

As a host, you’ll especially appreciate that the Nest camera stores up to an hour of video in case Wi-Fi goes down. It has two-way audio, although it integrates extremely well with Google Home, and you can use the voice assistant to call emergency services directly. Nest also uses technology to alert you on familiar faces entering your property, so your maintenance staff can come and go with ease (this requires a Nest Aware subscription).

It’s a great piece of technology for a great price, but its wire and build means it’s solely for indoor use. If you feel iffy about placing cameras in shared spaces of your Airbnb, try Nest’s outdoor camera instead.

6. Arlo Pro 5: Best High-Tech Camera

The Arlo Pro 5 is Arlo’s newest camera, coming out in late 2022. Get it on Arlo’s site, or check out Arlo’s Amazon store for refurbished models and kids.

This wire-free and weatherproof camera offers 2K resolution with HDR, color night vision, 12x zoom, a large (160-degree) field of view, and a built-in spotlight and siren. It also comes with more battery life than its predecessor.

Protect your property from every angle as this camera integrates seamlessly with Arlo’s home security system that listens to smoke and CO alarms, and detects open doors and windows, any motion, water leaks, and light and temperature changes. This camera is the cherry on top of a full system that can secure your property remotely, from top to bottom.

With all these features, we’re not surprised that the Pro 5 is pricier than other options out there. Not only is the camera expensive, but the home security system comes at an additional cost. Arlo also requires a subscription for a single camera. Though this subscription is pretty good (it bumps your recordings up to 4K and has a 24/7 emergency response feature), it still makes Arlo much pricier than its competitors.

Key Takeaway

As an Airbnb host—especially one who manages a property remotely—having a reliable and high-quality security camera makes a significant difference in the security of your property and your peace of mind. All the cameras here received high ratings from other hosts and have consistently positive reviews from users, but our top pick is still the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery for a reliable and cost-effective security camera that provides good security features for its price.