Security network ip camera: keep an eye on your home, children, or the family pooch

Network ip camera, whatever you want to call them, they allow you to monitor your house anywhere you have an internet connection. Useful if you want to keep an eye on the place while you're not at home. And if you're looking for the best home camera, you've come to the right place!

Increasingly, these network ip camera also work with other systems to create an automated set of responses, so, if you're not at home and it detects someone, maybe it could flash your smart bulbs , play dog barking sounds from your internet-connected speakers, and alert the neighbours? The possibilities are almost endless...

Now, we've seen a lot of internet-connected network ip camera, and some are better than others. It's a veritable minefield out there. With loads of cameras to choose from, T3 has narrowed down your options to nine of the best.

 

ELP is currently sat in my living room, protecting my humble abode. I don't think there's a better endorsement than that...

The ip network camera records in crisp 1080p video, with a wide-angle 147-degree lens, night vision and clear audio.

What really makes Canary a security ip network camera is the 90+ decibel siren, motion-activated recording, and emergency call shortcuts.

The network camera is also useful when you are home, with an air quality, temperature and humidity sensor, helping you create a pleasant and healthy atmosphere to live in.

This security kit from Panasonic is a little more comprehensive than most others on this list as it's a complete system rather than a single camera.

The starter kit comes with an indoor and outdoor network camera, capable of capturing 640x480 video, with a range of 300 metres (if your garden is that large).

The kit also comes with a window sensor, motion sensor, hub, handset and 4GB MicroSD card.

Optional extras include siren and smart plugs to simulate presence.

Particularly useful if you live in the dodgy part of town.

Arlo (from Netgear) is also based around always-on security network ip camera, and you can chose one, two or three depending on your needs and budget.

Everything is wireless and managed via a smart home base station and you should be able to get up and running with it in a few minutes - it's a good choice if simplicity matters to you. As with the likes of the Nest Cam and Piper, you can then tap into your video feeds from anywhere using the supplied smartphone apps.

As there are no wires you can position the cameras anywhere: they're waterproof so they can even go outdoors if you need to keep an eye on the back garden or the driveway while you're out.

Night vision and motion detection capabilities are included but there's no sound with these network ip camera and you are limited to 1GB of storage space in the cloud free of charge.

Because it's battery powered, it's more suited to occasionally checking in at home rather than constantly streaming, so bear that in mind.

Little-known French company MYFOX have really impressed us with their complete security system. Designed to stop intruders before they've even made it through the front door, this platform has some really nice touches.

As well as HD streaming, the ip network camera features a physical door which can be open or closed in front of the lens, to put those concerned about their privacy at ease.

Door sensors are stuck ont​​o the door, and if they sense vibration which is typical with a break in (drilling or hammering) and will sound an alarm as well as contact you or your neighbors.

An intelligent little keyfob or smartphone app lets you arm or disarm the alarm.

We've had the system for up for a while now and haven't experienced a break in -- so the system must work, right?

Here comes Withings – arbiters of elegantly designed wireless products and pink fitness trackers – with a security monitor that also serves as a pet watcher and air-quality sensor.

The Withings Home is a doddle to set up and works seamlessly with any iOS and Android device. Simply plug the unit in (no Ethernet cable required at any stage), download the Withings Home app, locate your broadband router on the list, type in your wi-fi password and that's it.

In true Withings fashion, a great deal of thought has gone into the design of the Home and, as a consequence, it looks nothing like other camera monitors on the market. In fact, doesn't look like a camera at all – we' d say it more accurately resembles an atomiser or a fancy electronic candle.

The Home can be set to trigger on both noise and motion and will stream HD footage to any device while recording events to the Cloud for later perusal (Withings is currently offering two free days of recording).

We really love the time-lapse function, allowing you to quickly recap the past 24-hours, and the GIF creation tool, which saves motion detected as a motion GIF.

Other functions include infrared night vision, two-way communication via the network ip camera's speaker, and the ability tp play a lullaby.

Its HD camera will capture crisp 1080 footage at 30fps with almost zero latency, and the wide-angle 135-degree image and can easily be zoomed and panned using the app's pinch controls.