Why we love the Enabot ROLA PetPal

The Enabot ROLA PetPal is one of the best pet cameras we've ever tested (and the first one that doubles up as a toy!) Here's everything I love about it:

1. The remote-control steering

Perhaps the biggest selling point of this robot is the remote steering, which you can control through an app on your phone. It features a 360-degree joystick, a speed adjuster, and the ability to program it to move in specific patterns, like a figure eight or a circle.

2. The camera

Obviously, the 2.5K resolution isn't as impressive as the iPhone cameras we're all used to, but it's very good for a pet camera and a lot better than the average one, which has a resolution of 1080p. It picks up all the details you need, and after months of testing, I haven't experienced any delays or issues.

The camera is positioned at the same level as your pet, allowing you to observe their reactions. It’s so much fun to see what they get up to, and the 135-degree lens provides a great view of the surroundings.

You can replay footage and save it to your device, but keep in mind that saving to the app's Cloud storage requires a subscription plan, starting at $6 per month. That said, you can definitely get by without it.

3. The two-way audio

The two-way audio is another fun feature that lets you talk to your pet from another room or play pre-recorded sounds. It's also handy for those lazy moments when you need something from the other room!

4. The AI features

One of the coolest features of this device is its ability to recognize your pet and dispense treats specifically for them (you can buy the attachment on Amazon).

It can record videos of your pet throughout the day and edit them into a 'day in their life-style movie, which is then sent to your phone (with a subscription). There's also a smart reminder page, where you can set alerts for everything from deworming your pet to waking up in the morning (see second photo in gallery).

Additionally, the PetPal slows down when it detects an object in its path and alerts you to any unusual activity in your home that could pose a security concern.

5. The treat dispenser

I initially thought the treat dispenser would be tricky to set up, but to my surprise, it was incredibly easy and up and running within minutes. This feature is especially handy if you’re out of the house and want to give your pet a snack, though it’s a shame the attachment costs an additional $49.

Enabot ROLA PetPal: Specs

Enabot ROLA PetPal: User experience

Enabot ROLA PetPal Set-up

Setting up the Enabot ROLA PetPal was pretty easy – even for someone like me who hates reading instructions! I got it working in about 10 minutes and found lots of helpful videos online to guide me through.

At times, it takes a little while for the device to connect to the app, and I need to manually switch the robot on and off again, but this could be a Wi-Fi issue on my end. However, this would defeat the object if you're on vacation and can't physically do anything.

Enabot ROLA PetPal: Value for money

While $229 is a lot of money, this is not your standard security camera, and there are very few products like it on the market. Its competitor, the Rocki Robot, costs $20 less but doesn’t offer as good a camera. Enabot also has a more affordable mini robot for $149, but for the sake of $80, I think it’s worth paying a bit more to get all the cool features.

Yes, you can grab a 2K resolution security camera for under $100 (like this one we also tested from Amazon), but it doesn't have the remote control element.

My only hunch with the PetPal is that you have to pay extra for the treat dispenser and toy attachments, which I think should be included in this price.

Enabot ROLA PetPal: Design

The design is sturdy and I have every confidence that it wouldn't topple over if a pet wanted to play with it, but it's easy enough for a human to pick up and move around if needed. Steering takes a bit of getting used to, but this is probably due to my poor coordination more than anything else.

The app interface is user-friendly, and you can rotate your screen to landscape mode for a larger view of your pet. I think most people would find it easy to get the hang of, and there aren't too many buttons to get confused about.

This is more of a personal preference, but I don't love the charging dock and would much rather a plug-in lead. However, the auto self-charge feature is pretty convenient and saves you from having to remember to plug it in.

Enabot ROLA PetPal: Verdict

The Enabot ROLA PetPal is a great way to get up close and personal with your pets and check in on what they’re doing remotely throughout the day. I’ve had a lot of fun trying out this robot, and seeing my cat’s reaction on the camera has been hilarious and priceless – especially when I used the two-way talk feature!

I think the treat dispenser attachment is incredibly useful, but it’s a shame you have to pay extra for it when the device is already quite expensive. I also think the subscription-blocked features should be free, but that being said, you definitely don't need them.

Enabot ROLA PetPal alternatives

Feeling indecisive? Read our review on the Furbo Dog Camera and Petcube Cam 360. Or I taught my dog to communicate using the viral Amazon talking pet buttons – here's what happened and are pet cameras worth it?

Edited by Alexis de Leaver and Georgia Guerin.

One of the best home security camera ranges available comes from Blink and right now you can get your 'paws' on the highly rated Blink Mini 2 for just £17.49 at Amazon. That's a generous discount of 50% off the list price for this camera, which receives an average rating of 4.5 stars and is at its lowest-ever price on Amazon.

The best pet cameras are perfect for a unique insight into what your furry friends get up to when they are home alone or roaming around in your garden. They can also give you peace of mind, extra home security and can provide you with comedy moments and priceless memories.

What's to love about the Blink Mini 2

The best pet cameras in general are the most versatile way to keep tabs on your pet, especially if they are prone to anxiety or mischief-making. Vet, Dr. Hannah Godfrey said, "Pet cameras can help you monitor your pet and provide reassurance if you have to leave them for a few hours, especially if they're unwell or have a health condition, such as being prone to seizures."

The Blink Mini 2 ticks all the boxes for doing just that and has all the features you'd ever want at a superb price. This updated version is now weather-resistant, meaning you can place it indoors or outdoors (or move it around as you choose). It has a built-in spotlight, a wider field of view and a night vision mode – perfect for when your pet is in the garden for the last pee before bed.

However, the real highlight is the two-way audio which allows you to connect to Alexa devices and deliver reassurance or a ticking off to your pet in real time.

If you’re looking for more pet deals, check out our pick of the best Black Friday dog deals and best Black Friday cat deals. You might also consider the Enabot ROLA PetPal.

As much as we’d love to stay home with our dogs every day, life gets in the way, which means it’s not always possible. Whether we need to head to work or school, run errands, or visit loved ones, our pups will likely need to spend some time home alone.

But, what do dogs get up to when they’re home alone? You might want to know if they’re doing things you wouldn’t usually allow them to do, if they’re sleeping enough, or if they’re showing signs of anxiety, but it can be difficult to know if we’re not actually there – and that’s where the best pet cameras can come in!

Meanwhile, Juliana DeWillems, an expert trainer and the founder of JW Dog Training & Behavior, has explained why you might want to monitor your dog while they’re home alone, and how you can do so, in a new Instagram post.

DeWillems explains that it can be helpful to know what your dog is doing when you’re not at home, both from a training perspective and to help keep your mind at rest.

She suggests using a pet camera to gain insights into what your pup is doing at home when you can’t be there – some cameras can even give your dog treats. So, you could give your dog a treat through the camera for not reacting to sounds outside, for example, allowing you to continue reinforcing desired behaviors even when not physically present.

“We all know the importance of being able to reward desirable behaviors to build positive habits,” she explains.

And the most important things you can keep an eye on are as follows:

• Your dog’s sleeping pattern: Is your dog sleeping enough while you’re not there?

• Any signs of anxiety, like pacing, panting, and whining: Separation anxiety can be quite common, and here’s how to reduce separation anxiety in dogs.

• Reactive behaviors: If you find that your dog displays reactive behaviors while home alone, you can be proactive in addressing the problem – you can give them alternative behaviors, like sniffing, to partake in while you’re not there.

• Destructive behaviors: Many dog parents know that feeling of coming home to find a cushion destroyed, for example, but if you find out beforehand you might be able to tackle the issue.

As DeWillems says, “Being aware of these behaviors and addressing them can actually improve other behavior challenges.”

If you have to head out to work or school, you might find it useful to ask the question ‘How long can you leave a dog alone?’ And, don’t forget to take a look at the 32 common dog behavior problems and solutions for more tips!

I have a confession to make — as a pet parent, I'm not one for buying lots of stuff for my fur baby. Unless it's a product that can truly make life easier or better for me and my four-legged friend, then chances are, I won't be getting it.

However, every so often a really great deal comes along that not only screams 'buy me' but is also a product I would recommend to my family and friends. And 51% off the Furbo 360° Dog Camera in this year's Amazon Prime Day sale is definitely one of the best Amazon Prime Day dog deals.

I've been working sales events for five years and I've never seen the Furbo priced so low. At $49 + a small in-app subscription to access all the features, this is one of the best pet cameras on the market and a purchase that's well worth considering.

Brilliant for offering you peace of mind when you're away from home, the Furbo isn't just your run-of-the-mill camera. This little beauty features two-way audio, interactive treat tossing, security alerts, color night vision and the ability to monitor and track your dog's health and activity levels.

Read on to find out more about the Furbo 360° Dog Camera deal and discover other top-rated pet cameras...

Not quite right for you? Here's some more brilliant bargains...

Investing in a pet cam is well worth it if you tend to spend the bulk of your day out of the house. It's a great way to give yourself peace of mind as a camera like the Furbo allows you to check in on your pet (and your home) at regular intervals and ensure they're safe, secure and keeping out of mischief!

While they can be pricey, choosing to shop during sale events like Amazon Prime Day means you can snap them up for well below their normal retail price. So, if you've been eyeing up the Furbo 360° Dog Camera, this is a fantastic time to buy.

However, don't worry if it's not something your budget allows for right now. I've seen the Furbo discounted at every Black Friday sales event over the past five years and I expect there to be another good deal on this come November.

Looking for more great deals? Our Amazon Prime Day pet deals and Amazon Prime Day cat deals have got you covered!

If you've been looking for a way to converse with your pup when you're out and about then look no further than the Furbo Dog Camera, which right now is down from $210.00 to $147.00 in the Amazon Prime Day Sale - that's an impressive 30% saving!

One of the best pet cameras that money can buy, the Furbo is packed full of great features that will let you see and talk to your pet, plus toss treats, from absolutely anywhere. 

The Furbo has garnered quite the fan base over the years and it's not hard to see why. With many of our canine companions suffering from separation anxiety when they're away from their humans, a pet camera can be a great way to stay connected until you're able to be reunited. 

Featuring a 360-degree rotating view for full room coverage, the Furbo comes with stunning 1080P full HD video quality with 4x zoom as well as color night vision so you can see exactly what your fur friend is up to once darkness descends.

We're huge fans of the auto dog tracking feature, a new addition to the Furbo, which means the camera will turn and track your pup as they move about the room without any blind spots. 

You'll find all the old and popular features are still present in the upgraded design of the Furbo, including two-way audio and treat tossing, so you can talk to your pet while you're out and about and dish out a tasty snack or two while you're at it. 

There's also the option of signing up to the Furbo Dog Nanny subscription which gives you a lot of useful bonus features, such as real-time smart alerts that let you know if your beloved bundle of fluff is barking or running around the house, cloud recordings that back up all those event-triggered video clips so you can rewatch them, and Doggie Diary, where Furbo captures your pup's most adorable moments and creates 60-second highlight videos.

Easy to set up, the Furbo connects to your home WiFi and is compatible with Alexa. 

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

Best pet camera overall

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

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

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

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

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

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:

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 my full review of the Petcube Cam 360 next Or, I taught my dog to communicate using the viral Amazon talking pet buttons – here's what happened and are pet cameras worth it?

Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.

Let your pets roam outside without worrying about them thanks to the best outdoor wireless cameras for pets. These high-tech gadgets let you keep an eye on your furry friends when they’re out in the garden, backyard, or any outdoor space, letting you get on with your day safe in the knowledge you can monitor them at any time.

Outdoor pet cameras are perfect for animals that live outside permanently, such as cats living in one of best outdoor cat houses or outdoor cat enclosures, but they can also be a great tool when transitioning from an indoor to outdoor pet, letting you check in on them as they adapt.

It’s worth noting that the specs that you’d look for in a traditional camera aren’t necessarily what’s important in a pet camera. You’ll want something durable and weather resistant, with a long battery life, since it’s going to be sat outside 24/7. Higher resolutions are nice, but 1080p is more than enough for a pet camera. Instead of looking for higher resolutions, check for features like animal tracking, automatic alerts and two-way communication — you’ll get more bang for your buck out of these features than a 4K resolution.

If you need to keep an eye on your furry friends inside the house, check out our guide to the best pet cameras.

The Quick List

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The best outdoor wireless cameras for pets 2026

1. Best overall outdoor wireless camera for pets

Whether you’re using it for pet watching or general security, the Arlo Pro 5S is the best outdoor wireless camera out there. The Arlo Pro 5S has a 2K video resolution with HDR, covers a 160° field of view, and even has color night vision so you can keep an eye on your pets after dark. It’s a wireless camera, which means no need to run cables, and it comes with a removable battery for easy recharging.

What we really love is how simple it is to set-up and use thanks to the user-friendly Arlo Secure app. You can easily access the various camera modes and features, which include an integrated spotlight, siren, and a low power mode to enhance battery life. It’s also compatible with several smart home setups including Alexa and Google Home.

You can also talk to your pets in real-time thanks to the built-in speaker and microphone. It even has auto-zoom and tracking to keep an eye on your pet as they roam around the garden, though you’ll need to subscribe for this, and some other features.

And unlike older models, you can connect it directly to your router thanks to its dual band Wi-Fi, skipping the need for a base station or smarthub. You can just grab one camera, or link multiple together for wider coverage if you have a large garden.

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2. Best budget outdoor wireless camera for pets

If you’re looking for a more budget friendly pet monitoring system, then the Blink Outdoor 4 is tough to beat on value. You can get a single camera setup for under $100. For that bargain price, you get a 1080p camera with 143° field of view, infrared night vision, and two-way audio so you can talk to your pet (or anyone else hanging out in your garden).

It’s capable of motion detection, sending alerts to your smartphone app when it detects anything in the zones you’re monitoring. It can also specifically do person detection, but this feature is locked behind a $3 monthly subscription. That subscription also gets you access to cloud storage, but there is local storage available too via the included Sync Module.

The Blink Outdoor 4 also has a staggering two-year battery life (and there is a battery extension pack that boosts that to four years). Blink cameras are also compatible with Alexa, which makes sense given that Blink is owned by Amazon. This also helps to explain the amazing value of the Blink Outdoor 4 — it’s by far the cheapest option out there, but it still has a great feature set.

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3. Best hidden outdoor camera wireless for pets

If you're not concerned about the connectivity and smart features of commercial security cameras, here's an alternative option. The Victure Wildlife Trap Camera is a trail camera meant for tracking wild animals. There's no reason you can't employ the same tech in your garden to capture footage of your own pets or scope out visiting wildlife, and given its low price, this may well tick a few boxes that the others on this list do not.

You won't be able to bring up a live view on your smartphone or receive motion alerts as there's basically no smart functionality. Instead, you'll need to pull the Trap Camera open to view your footage or remove its SD card, where you'll find either high-resolution photographs of your garden goings-on, 1080p video footage or time-lapse video giving you a long-term overview of today's outdoor action.

There is motion detection, although it's on the more simplistic end, so may be easily triggered if you point this towards an area where there's likely to be unwanted movement. You can adjust the sensitivity, at least, though it may take a while to find the sweet spot.

There's also infrared night vision, with an array of 38 LEDs giving a bright view of what's happening, and waterproofing that is claimed to withstand the humid damp of a rainforest.

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4. Best wired outdoor wireless camera for pets

Ezviz's wired security camera is a tough old cookie. It's heavy, solidly built, and obviously made to withstand the weather. It also claims to feature colour night vision, although it's more 'spotlight night vision' in which the camera shines its impressively bright pair of LEDs onto the scene.

Those hoping for a full-color look at midnight garden invaders may be better served by the likes of the Arlo Pro 3. Credit where it's due, though: the monochrome infra-red night vision is superb, and manages a crisp 1080p picture day or night.

Being a wired camera, you have to be more careful with positioning. Waterproof adapters for its cables are included, and you'll need to supply a right-sized PVC pipe to run those cables along. The benefit, of course, is that this doesn't rely on potentially shaky wireless connectivity (though you can choose to run it on Wi-fi if you wish) and it doesn't require batteries. Once installed, it should work with no maintenance required.

The Ezviz C3N is a little rough and ready, and the app reflects that, but it’s still a better experience than you might expect at this price. It's not quite our favorite budget camera, as the Blink XT2's presentation and convenience are better, but if you want to hike up the ladder once and once only, the C3N could be the option that suits you best.

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5. Best premium outdoor wireless camera for pets

If you really want to push the boat out on a pet camera, the Arlo Ultra 2 is the way to go. It has all the key features of the Arlo Pro 5S– the weatherproofing, colour night vision, integrated spotlight – and a similar compact design. While the Pro 5S will do just fine for most tasks, such as security or dog-watching, the Ultra 2 brings a few upgrades to the table.

The 2K sensor of the Pro 5S has been increased to 4K here, meaning that it captures almost four times as many pixels. It also claims a 180-degree field-of-view and covers a wider area than its cheaper sibling.

The Ultra 2 has twin motion sensors on each camera unit for greater precision and a wider range of animal detection. Its extra resolution can be used to automatically zoom in on a target and track it through the frame – great if you're looking to watch back footage of far-off antics. This feature is also included on the Arlo Pro 5S, but it really shines with the resolution of the Ultra 2. Two-way talk gets an upgrade, with a twin microphone array able to cancel out wind noise.

The only issue with the Arlo Ultra 2 is its price. This is more the sort of installation you'd find in a professional environment than something used to spy on a cat. But if you have the money to spend, it's the best home and pet security product around.

It's worth noting, this is the second iteration of the Ultra, and it has most of the same specs as the original Ultra, but there have been some key upgrades. Wi-Fi connectivity range has been extended, alongside the addition of dual-band Wi-Fi support. You also now get a free trial of the premium subscription included too.

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6. Best outdoor wireless pet camera for Alexa

We’re loving the stylish battery-powered 1080HD camera from Ring with a motion-activated spotlight and infrared night vision that clearly captures what’s going on outside your home.

You can easily connect your Ring camera with Alexa and the two-way audio system lets you easily hear your pet or visitors and converse with them from your phone, tablet, or PC. There’s also a siren that can be activated remotely, so if you’re away from home and see something suspicious, it’s easy to raise the alarm.

With customizable motion sensors and instant motion-activated alerts, you’ll never miss a thing, and the adjustable mount means you can easily install and move the camera to wherever you want it to be.

It also comes with a quick-release battery pack, meaning you can charge the battery without having to take the camera down, and the recharge time is super speedy, with a USB cable getting the job done in around three hours. There’s also the option of adding on an additional battery pack for backup power or a solar panel for a continuous charge.

Standard features, such as two-way talk, instant notifications, and live view are available straight out of the box, but you’ll need to purchase a Ring Protect subscription for $3/month to be able to store unlimited footage in the cloud for 30 days.

Compatible with iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows 10, the camera comes with a one-year limited warranty and includes lifetime theft protection.

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7. Best outdoor wireless camera for cats

Cats can be a bit trickier to keep an eye on than dogs. After all, they can move around a lot more, get onto higher surfaces, and climb over fences.

With this in mind, this camera from DCT has almost everything you could possibly want from a camera designed to monitor your cat's activities.

Waterproof and wireless, it is perfect for outdoor operation. The battery life is impressive too, helped out by the fact that battery life is only seriously leached when notifications are triggered.

Speaking of which, in addition to comprehensive motion detection, there is the function for echo cancellation and noise suppression, as well as a two-way audio system that allows you to communicate with any strangers that may be in the garden.

All this can be operated from an app that you need to sign up for, with the option to use multiple cameras being available.

However, a lot of the features are only available as part of the subscription, meaning this could be an ongoing expense that you don't need. Also, the cameras can only be rotated by hand. This isn't always an issue, as it has a wide field of vision, but it seems strange that for a camera with so many functions, this seemingly basic feature isn't present.

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8. Best outdoor wireless camera with siren

One of the best-reviewed cameras on Amazon, this little beauty from Dzees has pretty much everything you could want in an outdoor wireless camera and not only does it also look stylish, but it's also affordable too.

With 360-degree coverage, the camera has 4X digital zoom and you can adjust the direction of the camera quickly and easily from the app. The wireless camera runs on 2.4 GHz WiFi and comes with a built-in battery that will give you get 3 - 6 months of life with each charge. It also has the option to be connected to a solar panel for additional peace of mind.

Featuring AI motion detection that will pick up on people, pets and vehicles, you'll receive instant security notifications straight to your phone, and it also has a built-in spotlight and 90db alarm siren, which can be activated manually or automatically from the app.

The camera has color night vision that can record up to 100 feet and with infrared and built-in spotlight integration, you'll be able to view the video with clear colors even in low light. It also has two-way audio, so you can converse with your pet in real time when you're out and about.

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9. Best outdoor wireless camera for easy installation

Aside from looking very sleek, the Nest Cam is one of the best outdoor wireless cameras on the market. As well as offering a wider field of view than many of its rivals, it also boasts great night vision and a high 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second which means the images are going to be sharp at any time of the day. Not only that, it's possible to pick up sound and to use the camera to have a two-way conversion with anyone who happens to be outside. You could, if you so wish, even call out your pet's name and see if they respond. It's a lovely way to engage.

The Nest Cam is also weatherproof, adhering to the IP54 standard, and it's really easy to install. Once you've set up the account and synced the device to your Wi-Fi, you simply attach the base to the wall. Since, the base is magnetic, it's then a case of just moving the camera close and it'll stick. This also means that you can easily pull the camera away from the base when you need to recharge it. You can also move the camera around a bit so that you get it at an optimal angle.

But how long will the battery last? According to Google, recording 20 to 25 events per day will see the battery run down within six weeks. Yet, if it records just two to four events per day, you'll get seven months out of it. Much depends on the ambient temperature too, though. Zooming in and out using the 6x digital zoom may have an effect and talking too much will mean more frequent charging.

Opt for a subscription and you'll get a little more out of the camera. As it stands, you will be able to store three hours of rolling video for free and detect animals, people and vehicles but pay each month for four week's worth of storage and face detection. All-in-all, it's a good offering, especially if you're already part of the Google ecosystem. If there's a downside, it's that you can't remove and replace the battery so you'll be without coverage for a short while while it charges.

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How to choose the best outdoor pet cams

If you're installing a wireless outdoor camera, you'll need to consider battery life first and foremost. The actual battery life may vary from the manufacturer's stated claims depending on how often the camera is activated; it's safe to presume, in most cases, the life will be a little lower than suggested.

Every time a wireless camera runs out of juice you'll either have to bring it inside to charge it, putting that camera out of action for some time, or switch out a fresh battery. If you've mounted the camera somewhere high up, that means getting the ladder out – so a longer lifespan is, clearly, preferable.

Motion detection is particularly important if you're aiming to use a camera to watch your pets. You'll need to mount your camera, wired or not, somewhere it won’t pick up too many false positives. Even if your camera is smart enough to tell the difference between people, animals, and cars, ensure you angle it in such a way as to avoid busy roads or frequent public thoroughfares.

Finally, of course, there are the specs: a higher resolution sensor gets you higher quality footage and the various storage options allow you to access that footage in different ways. Night vision is probably essential, but if you spend a little more you'll likely end up with a sensor which can handle low light (and glare) with much more aplomb, raising the threshold for having to switch to a night vision mode and letting you see further into your garden when things are dark outside.

Where should I place my pet camera?

Placing your outdoor wireless pet camera is a bit of a balancing act. You want to place it in an optimum spot where it can see the largest possible area of your garden, backyard, or whatever space you're monitoring your pets in. If your pets favor a particular area, such as under their favorite tree, then you may want to give up a bit of that coverage area in favor of pointing it at their regular play and rest areas.

The flipside of that is that most wireless cameras require a wireless connection, which means they need to be placed somewhere that has a solid Wi-Fi connection. If your camera needs a constant connection, you’re probably going to be best off placing it on the outside wall of your house, where it’s as close as possible to your router.

If your garden is particularly large, or is shaped in such a way that there will be blind spots from a house-based mounting position, you’ll need to consider a multi-camera set-up. In this case, you can look at getting a Wi-Fi range booster, a second router, or even a wired camera connection to ensure a strong signal.

Do you need WiFi for an outdoor pet camera?

While most households have a WiFi connection these days, not everyone has wireless internet access. This can limit your options when it comes to smart home tech like outdoor pet cameras. It’s also entirely possible that you have WiFi, but that it doesn’t extend out far enough to reach the spot you want to place the camera. Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there that don't need a constant internet connection.

Some outdoor wireless cameras which focus on real-time monitoring, such as the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery, require an active internet connection to function at all. If you can’t get a WiFi connection in your garden then avoid models like this and look for cameras that have local storage.

Most of the cameras in our list have a local storage option — some have built-in hard drives, while others have slots for SD cards. Be aware that you’ll need to periodically clear footage if these storage devices become full, or they won’t be able to record any more.

Read next: Petcube Cam 360 review

The Ring Spotlight Cam Battery is a sophisticated wireless outdoor security camera that will let you monitor both your home and your pet when you’re out and about.

One of the best outdoor wireless cameras for pets, the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery features a 1080HD video with infrared night vision and live view, plus it comes with built-in LED light strips and a siren so you can scare off intruders and stop crime in its tracks.

Just like many premium pet cameras on the market, it has a crystal-clear microphone and speaker that allows you to converse with your fur baby or visitors to your home, and the adjustable mount and wire-free design makes it a breeze to install. This little beauty is also compatible with Alexa and can be easily accessed from a phone, tablet, or PC.

While the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery isn’t the slimmest or sleekest wireless camera on the market, it has a lot going for it, so let’s take a closer look and see if the perks outweigh the design drawbacks.

Ring Spotlight Cam Battery: Features

There’s no denying that there are more visually appealing wireless camera’s on the market, but the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery more than makes up for its lack of style with a ton of substance.

The industry-standard 1080HD video is no surprises here, but we’re giving points for the clarity of the image, which is of a higher-quality than some other models on the market. The 140-degree wide field of view is good and you can zoom in digitally via the app. The quality of the built-in microphone and speakers is excellent, so you’ll have no problems conversing with your pet if you notice them getting up to mischief in the backyard.

If you’re an Alexa-lover, you’ll be happy to hear that you can link your Ring account for hands-free home monitoring. Enable announcements though the Alexa app and then talk to your pet or visitors through compatible Echo devices.

We love the motion sensors on the Ring and the fact that they’re customisable with different zones means you can choose the perfect setting for your home. There are also motion-activated alerts that immediately let you know if something is happening on your property.

The after-dark settings are impressive too, with a motion-activated spotlight triggering color night vision and a security siren alarm that you can trigger from anywhere via your phone, tablet or PC to help scare off potential intruders.

As we’ve mentioned, the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery is chunkier and less attractive than a model like the Arlo Pro 3 Camera, but we love the security and convenience it offers and that extends to how easy it is to install. It also has a quick release battery pack that gives six months of charge and you can purchase a second battery pack for backup power or a solar panel for a continuous charge.

While you can use the Ring without a subscription, we recommend parting with the $3/month to get full use of your new device. You’ll be able to record, save and share photos and videos and see exactly what triggered an alert with a photo preview in the notification to save you opening up the app.

Ring Spotlight Cam Battery: User reviews

With over 20,000 5-star reviews on Amazon and similar ratings across all the major online retailers, it’s clear the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery is proving super popular with people wanting to keep an eye on their pets and their home.

So, what exactly is it that people are going stark-raving mad for? The easy installation is certainly a huge hit, but Ring enthusiasts also praise the clarity of the camera and its overall responsiveness to motion. One happy customer had this to say:

“Wow! I had no idea so much happens outside my front door! We've captured deer, birds building nests in my door wreath, a fox trying to get in the front door and even raccoons and stray cats wandering on our front porch, not to mention our guests and pets whom I can speak to from other locations."

"If someone is up to no good, I can sound the alarm from my cell phone. We also can monitor the live feed from our Alexa. We upgraded and purchased the yearly subscription to save all our videos."

"This camera works great and is very responsive. The angle of recording is large enough to capture almost 180. We purchased a second camera to cover our pool and added solar panels to keep it charged. It is great at capturing motion before anyone gets even close to the pool. Great when you have little ones or pets who somehow always find ways to go where they're not suppose to.”

While there are plenty of rave reviews, as you’d expect there are a few negative ones too with some people feeling that both the battery life and the overall look is inferior to the sleeker and more sophisticated looking Arlo (its fiercest rival). The design definitely isn’t as polished, but when it comes to features, the Ring actually ranks higher amongst users than its more aesthetically pleasing competitor.

Should you buy the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery?

The Ring Spotlight Cam Battery is a high-quality outdoor wireless camera that comes with enough features to suit most people. The security and convenience it offers are both impressive and while aesthetically it may not please everyone, we feel the that the Ring has more than enough going for it to be a worthy contender for monitoring your pet and your property when you’re away from home.

If you want something a little more interactive, we recommend the Enabot ROLA PetPal instead. Or, read our review of the Petcube Cam 360

The Arlo Pro 3 Camera is a wireless security camera that will keep watch over your home and furkids whenever you’re out and about. One of the best pet cameras on the market, this sleek device lets you stay connected to your pet no matter where you are.

Stylish and sophisticated, this self-installed camera has powerful 2K HDR video recording, color night vision, and up to 12x zoom. The two-way audio lets you hear and speak to your pet and the wide 160° diagonal viewing angle, meaning that you can keep tabs on your furkid no matter where in the room they are.

Alongside the best pet trackers, security cameras like the Arlo Pro 3 are a great way of making sure your precious pooch or much-loved moggy is always safe and sound. But this little beauty doesn’t come cheap, so is it worth the price tag, or would a cheaper camera get the job done just as well? Let’s find out.

Arlo Pro 3 Camera: Design

We have to admit, we love the look of the Arlo Pro 3 Camers, but we promise it’s not all style and no substance. The exterior has a sleek and high-end appearance, which we’d expect from a device at this price point, but it has plenty more going for it too.

Being wireless and water-resistant, you can easily mount this camera in your backyard to keep an eye on your pets when they’re outside and it has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to six months. The full recharge time is impressive too, coming in at just under three hours.

The device itself measures approximately 3.25 x 3.25 x 2 inches, and is attached to the wall using a magnetic mount. The lens, speaker, and microphone are all found on the front of the camera, and there’s also a 6500K spotlight that’s motion-activated.

When it comes to the lens and the quality of the images, the 2K 1440p resolution is a step up from Arlo’s earlier models, and combined with the 12x zoom, you’ll get clear and sharp video footage of your pet. You can set up five activity zones per camera, so that should allow you to fully monitor the room you’ve set the camera up in.

The Arlo Pro 3 has also been designed with a mandatory two-factor authentication process, so the only person who’ll be able to see your videos is you.

Arlo Pro 3 Camera: Features

While the Arlo Pro 3 Camera won’t toss out treats or play with your pet like the Skymee Owl Robot, we like that this device focuses on doing one thing well: making sure your home and pet stay secure.

The feature that’s likely to prove one of the biggest draws is the two-way talk system, which many pet parents find is a great way to help them reduce separation anxiety in dogs and cats. Your furkid will be able to clearly hear your voice, enabling you both to stay connected when you’re away from home.

Working with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, the camera sends you instant alerts to your phone when motion is detected, and thanks to object detection, the Arlo Pro 3 can tell the difference between your pet and a person.

If there’s a problem, the intelligent alert system lets you quickly dial 911, phone a friend, or sound the alarm straight from the app on your phone with the included Arlo Smart trial. To continue on with this at the end of the three-month trial it’s $2.99 per month for one camera or $9.99 a month for up to five.

We like the night vision feature, which sets itself to color automatically, but allows you to easily toggle back and forth between that and the more traditional infrared grayscale. The integrated spotlight does a great job of helping you to identify unique details too, so you’ll quickly be able to spot if your pet is up to mischief during the night, and what the target of their mischief is!

In terms of storage, Arlo Smart gives you access to 30-day Cloud storage for each video, and for local storage, you’ll need to get a USB storage device. It’s worth pointing out that there’s no remote access to your video history with the Arlo Pro 3 Camera, which means you need to physically connect it to a computer if you’re wanting to skip back.

Arlo Pro 3 Camera: User reviews

The Arlo Pro 3 Camera has remained a favorite among pet parents since it launched in 2019, with 70% of buyers giving it 5 stars, and 83% of reviewers awarding it 4 stars or higher.

Peace of mind comes out near the top of why many pet parents chose to invest in this device, with many reviewers praising its ease-of-use and crystal-clear image quality. The simple installation and its accuracy in differentiating between people and pets have also received frequent praise.

When it comes to drawbacks, the price is the major sticking point, but that’s not the only thing that’s got former Arlo fans up in arms. Unlike previous versions that offered free 7-day Cloud storage regardless of whether you subscribed to Arlo Smart, the Pro 3 eliminates this, meaning you have to sign up if you want that benefit.

Those things aside, the rave reviews far outweigh the negative ones with most pet parents being really happy with the Arlo Pro 3 Camera's ability to keep their furkids safe and sound.

Should you buy the Arlo Pro 3 Camera?

The Arlo Pro 3 Camera is a significant improvement on the Arlo Pro 2, offering both a spotlight and siren and having a higher resolution and closer zoom, all of which are great additions for pet parents. It’s also the perfect (and cheaper!) alternative to the Pro 4, which offers very little advancement, except that it’s hub-free.

As far as we’re concerned, that makes the Arlo Pro 3 Camera the perfect compromise - you’ll be spending more than on the Pro 2, but getting more features and not wasting money on the Pro 4 for few additional benefits. While the lack of the free cloud storage plan does mean you’re forced into signing up for Arlo Smart, investing in a USB storage device can help you get around this.

Overall, while not perfect, we feel the Arlo Pro 3 Camera is worth the money if you want peace of mind that your pet is safe when you’re apart. You’ll be able to check-in whenever you want, keep an eye on your furkid day or night, and the cherry on top is that this little beauty won’t just protect your pet, it’ll protect your home too.

Looking for alternatives? Read our honest review on the Enabot ROLA PetPal and Petcube Cam 360