We tested the best pet cameras – here’s what we recommend after months of use

The best pet camera is a worthy investment if you hate the idea of leaving your pets home alone. Most of these devices offer motion detection and alerts to keep you updated on any issues throughout the day, along with a microphone and speaker so you can even talk to your pet.

If your dog struggles with separation anxiety, vet Dr MacMillan says that cameras can be a "useful aid" for monitoring your training progression, as well as giving you peace of mind about any health conditions they may have.

Below, I've rounded up six of the best pet cameras on the market, each tested for more than six months by the PetsRadar testing team and approved as a solid choice. You'll find a treat-dispensing cam by Furbo (voted our top pick), as well as remote control gadgets, wireless options, and subscription-free models.

The quick list

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The best pet cameras we recommend

Why you can trust PetsRadar Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best pet camera overall

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This treat-dispensing camera lets you reward your pet from anywhere in the world and can hold up to 100 snacks inside. You have full control over the amount of food it throws, offering an interactive experience even when you're not home.

You can watch your pet in 1080p HD video, zoom in up to four times, and enjoy an impressive 360° view of the room. The footage is stored on the app for 24 hours, with the option to download it to your device at any time – and unlike models such as the Ring Indoor Cam, you don't need a subscription to do this.

To access older video history and other features – like the AI health checker, Calm My Pet mode, and emergency alerts – you’ll need to pay for their Furbo Nanny add-on, which starts at $5.38 per month.

If you catch your pet showing signs of anxiety (or you just want to say hello), you can talk to them using the two-way communication feature and hear their response back. The camera also sends you an alert if it detects any dangerous activity and includes meowing and barking audio recognition.

Our tester Barbara says: "This camera is very easy to set up and user-friendly. While the picture quality isn’t perfect, it’s fantastic for a pet camera, and you can switch between 360p, 720p, and 1080p which is clear and free of lag. The 360° feature tracks your pet and records, so you don’t miss a moment. It offers so many features to help ensure your fur baby is OK while you’re away. It’s definitely worth the money."

For something completely subscription-free, choose the Reolink Go PT Ultra Plus.

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Best subscription-free pet camera

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If you're looking for an outdoor camera or you live in a more remote area, the Reolink Go PT Ultra is your best choice in this guide, as it doesn't require a Wi-Fi connection to function. PetsRadar’s editor Georgia tested it out on the side of her pony's stable, and after months of testing, says she now "can't live without it."

Unlike most pet cameras on the market, you won't need to pay for a costly subscription to access all of the features – you'll just need a 4G network from a SIM card.

This might be one of the more expensive options in the guide, but Georgia says it's "definitely worth the money," thanks to the impressive 4K resolution, two-way talk, and color night vision. It also features human, animal, and vehicle detection for extra security, as well as real-time alerts and alarms.

You have total control over the camera and can remotely pan it 355° and tilt it 140°, giving you extra peace of mind that your pets are safe. If you want to watch the footage back, you can do so via the handy smartphone app and save it to a microSD card or the Cloud.

Georgia says: “I screwed the camera and solar panel to the side of my stable roof – it was quick and easy, ready to go in no time. It’s easy to view the footage via the app. You can watch live, and the wide pan and tilt options allow you to see in every direction."

For something that doesn't require a SIM card, go for the Lorex 4K Spotlight Indoor/Outdoor Camera instead.

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Best remote-controlled pet camera

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This interactive pet camera doubles as a toy, featuring a built-in laser, a teaser attachment, a treat dispenser, and a trackball. You can move it around your home using the free Enabot app and talk to your pets via the two-way audio feature. It also has preconfigured movements, like a figure of eight, and sounds you can play, such as barking or pre-recorded messages.

You can monitor your pets using the wide-angle camera and adjust the positioning if they move around. There's even night vision for when it gets dark, letting you check in on your pets at any time of day. The wheels can climb obstacles up to 15mm high and tackle slopes with up to a 15° incline, so you don’t have to worry about it getting stuck while you’re away.

The robot is simple to set up, easy to use, and comes with clear instructions. I've had hours of fun with it, and my cats are very inquisitive – often getting up close to the camera, which is hilarious to watch. The battery life isn't the best, but it has an auto-charge feature that makes things easier.

If you need to monitor your pets 24/7, we’d suggest the Furbo 360° View Camera, which offers remote-control rotation and a 360° view.

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Best pet camera for security

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This security camera has everything you need, from color night vision and AI detectors to motion sensors and a remote-controlled siren.

You don’t have to pay a monthly subscription to view your footage, which really sets this model apart from competitors like the Ring Indoor Camera. It includes a 32GB MicroSD card for local storage, with the option to upgrade to 256GB for an additional cost, giving you plenty of space to work with

Thanks to its weatherproof design, you can place this camera indoors or in the garden, as it can withstand temperatures from -4°F to 131°F. It can detect animals, people, packages, and vehicles, and will send a notification to your phone whenever it picks up on any activity.

The camera features high-quality 4K resolution and two-way talk, so you can communicate with your pet when you’re not at home and check in to make sure they’re doing OK. You can also customize the color of the smart lights for different events and alerts – a handy feature for warding off intruders or signaling family members.

Our tester Thomas says: "It was very easy to access the app and the footage. I like that the app seems VERY simple and breaks up recordings by calendar day. It has a relatively good picture quality on the device! I was able to very clearly make out my face from a distance on the camera, and it recognized me as a person properly in the event footage notification."

For something with a wider lens, opt for the Reolink Go PT Ultra Plus instead.

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Best wireless pet camera

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The Toucan Wireless Security Camera S4 has a 2K picture resolution, which Dan says is “very good” during the day and great for facial recognition. While the night vision doesn’t pick up details quite so well, it still lets you see if someone is approaching and sends an instant alert to your phone.

You can set a pre-recorded message to play when someone comes to your door, and Dan loves that you can customize the trigger zone to prevent unnecessary alerts. However, he wishes the zones were smaller so you could exclude areas more precisely.

The camera also features a two-way talk function, letting you speak to people or pets through your phone and hear their response too. After placing the camera outside in the rain, Dan noticed that the speaker sounded quiet, muffled, and distant. He experienced the same issue with the alarm noise – but Toucan swiftly sent him a replacement camera, which now works perfectly outdoors.

Dan praised the camera for feeling high-quality and well-made, noting that it was very simple to install. The wireless design makes it easy to position anywhere without the need for cables or professional help. The battery lasted him around a week, so if you’re planning a vacation, he recommends fully charging it beforehand.

For something with a wider view that doesn't need charging, pick the Reolink Go PT Ultra Plus, which has a 355° pan.

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Best pet camera for privacy

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Despite being one of the cheapest models in this guide, costing under $60, the Ring Indoor Camera packs in plenty of great features, like color night vision, motion detection, and a security siren.

With a 1080p HD resolution, it might not have the clearest camera compared to models like the Reolink Go PT Ultra Plus and Lorex 4K Spotlight Indoor/Outdoor, but our tester Matthew says it offers "great full-color picture quality" and captures footage instantly.

What sets this camera apart, though, is the manual privacy cover, which lets you swivel a panel over the lens and microphone to stop unwanted recording – without the hassle of unplugging the device from the wall.

Thanks to the motion detector, you'll receive notifications about any suspicious movements in your home and can customize the trigger zone to avoid unwanted alerts. It even features a siren to ward off intruders.

The camera is compatible with select Amazon devices, like the Echo Dot and Echo Show, which offer hands-free notifications and previews of the footage. There's also two-way audio, so you can hear and talk to people or pets.

If you want to record, review, and share the footage, you'll need to subscribe to the Ring Protect Plan, which starts at $4.99 a month. For something completely subscription-free with better picture quality, choose the Reolink Go PT Ultra Plus instead.

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Other pet cameras to consider

Blink Mini 2

If you’re on a budget, the Blink Mini 2 camera is well worth considering. Despite its lower-than-average price tag, it offers premium features like night vision, two-way talk, motion detection, and smart notifications – all without breaking the bank. We love that it’s weather-resistant, so you can place it indoors or outdoors (or move it around as needed), making it a highly versatile option.

Our tester Lindsey says: “This camera was super easy to set up, it took about five minutes or so. I found it easy to view the footage and look at it through your phone. The picture quality is pretty good and clear for a small screen."

While this camera offers lots of great features, it doesn't offer any pet-specific detection, treat tossing capabilities, or interactive elements like the Furbo 360° View Camera and Enabot ROLA PetPal.

Toucan Seek Pan & Tilt Camera

The Toucan Seek Pan & Tilt Camera offers AI-powered human detection and pre-recorded broadcasts, along with two-way communication and the ability to remotely pan and tilt the camera.

Our tester Chloe says: “The picture quality is good enough for the intended use – it’s not amazing, but I don’t know if it needs to be. Being able to adjust the camera position remotely from the app is very useful.”

How we tested the best pet cameras

To find the best pet camera, I asked colleagues, friends, and family members for their top recommendations, then researched everything about these products – from resolution to field of view.

After narrowing the list to just nine products, I handed each device over to the PetsRadar testing team, who followed a standardized set of criteria:

Affordability: Pet cameras can be expensive, but they don't necessarily need to be. I included a range of price points to suit different budgets and asked our testers to comment on whether each model was worth the money.

Resolution: The last thing you want is to waste your money on a poor-quality camera, so I asked our testers for feedback on image clarity and sharpness.

Additional features: From treat dispensers to remote controls, I asked testers to highlight any standout features worth knowing about.

Fit for purpose: We ensured that every camera was genuinely suitable for its intended use – keeping your pet safe and in sight.

Setup: No one wants to spend hours setting up a camera, so I asked our testers whether installation was easy and if the instructions were clear.

After carefully reviewing their feedback and comments, only six pet cameras made it to the final list.

For additional information, read our dedicated page on how we test.

Who tested the best pet cameras?

Wondering who's behind these reviews? Meet some of our testing team below:

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Barbara Ortiz, Tester

Barbara tested the Furbo 360° View Camera.

Georgia Guerin, Editor

Georgia tested the Reolink Go PT Ultra Plus.

Megan Milstead, Staff Writer

I tested the Enabot ROLA PetPal.

How to choose the best pet camera

As with most pet products, your choice of camera will depend heavily on your particular pet and their specific pattern of behavior. Before you choose anything, determine what you're OK to leave in the house alone with your pets.

For larger dogs, a camera that dispenses treats might seem like an invitation to gnaw on that thing until the rest of the treats are revealed, which isn't the best when the treats are contained within an expensive camera powered by electricity. Even smaller dogs might get rather interested, so ensure you can place that camera somewhere they won't be able to reach it.

For lazier cats, a box with a laser built in might not rouse their attention even slightly; but for attentive, easily bored pets, a laser-equipped camera gives you a great opportunity to engage with your furry friends even when you're not there.

If you tend to go out in the evenings, or often hear rumblings around the house while you're in bed, then night vision will be a useful feature, particularly if you have cats aligned to their natural nocturnal sleep cycle, or you're worried about your dog's cage training. Pick something with recording facilities, too, so you can go back and watch for any signs of bad behavior.

Still struggling to decide? Here's a reminder of all the best pet cameras:

Do pet cameras record all of the time?

Most pet cameras do not record all the time, only being triggered by sound or movement. This is good for spotting patterns of behavior, and for saving on storage space if the recorded clips are being saved anywhere, such as with a cloud service.

There are some that will continually record, usually by rewriting over older footage within a certain timeframe – such as a week. For most people, the “triggered” versions are more than enough, but if you have a particular desire to have lengthy footage of your pet, it might be worth looking for one that has a continuous record function.

Do pet cameras help with separation anxiety?

Treating separation anxiety can be tricky, with multiple approaches often considered the best. If you’ve got a pet that suffers from this affliction, having a pet camera with a two-way microphone can be a good way to soothe the animal from afar, giving them the ability to hear your voice.

You can also issue specific commands, such as “sit” or “stay” from afar, which can be a good substitute for being in the room with them. That’s not to say that it’s a guaranteed cure (very little is), but a pet cam can be a good part of an overall plan to combat the problem.

Dr. MacMillan says: "Pet cameras allow owners to monitor their pet’s behavior from a distance. The camera can help owners to spot signs of separation anxiety like pacing, vocalizing, and excessive panting.

"While they can’t directly solve the problem, they do allow pet parents to check on their cat or dog at regular intervals. If issues are seen, then owners can take positive steps to try and address this. Cameras are therefore also a useful aid to see if you are making progress with your behavioral training. Cameras may also be helpful if you have a pet with medical issues such as epilepsy or cardiac disease, giving owners peace of mind."

Do vets recommend pet cameras?

Do vets recommend the best pet cameras? We asked Dr. MacMillan to find out.

She says: "I definitely recommend pet cameras. They are a handy tool to check that all is well with your pet while you are out of the house. Ideally, you would see a relaxed or sleeping pet when you are checking in.

"This indicates that your pet is content in their own company and feels secure about being left home alone. If you are seeing a distressed or destructive animal, then you will need to take steps to resolve this. Always speak to your vet or a qualified pet behaviorist if you are unsure how to tackle things yourself."

Read next: How long can you leave a dog alone and separation anxiety in cats. Or, I taught my dog to communicate using the viral Amazon talking pet buttons – here's what happened

Curated by

Curated by

Megan Milstead

Megan Milstead has been a Staff Writer at PetsRadar since 2023, covering buying guides, reviews, deals, and features. A lifelong pet owner, she understands how difficult it can be to leave animals home alone, which is why she’s spent hours researching the best pet cameras to help ease the worry. She holds a Journalism degree from the University of Westminster and an extended diploma from West Herts College.

Expert advice from

Expert advice from

Dr. Rebecca MacMillan

Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).

Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.