The Best Light Bulb Security Cameras of 2024

Bulb fit

Light bulb cams use a standard E26 base, so compatibility shouldn’t be a problem. But room and positioning can be. You’ll want the right socket in the right spot, and the cam needs enough room along with a clear field of view. It can’t be blocked by overhangs or walls. Security bulb cameras also tend to stick out a lot more than light bulbs, around seven inches or so, so you’ll need clearance beneath as well. Before you buy, take a close look at your light sockets.

Also, keep in mind the light bulb cam will have a spotlight, not a full 360-degree light radius like a typical light bulb. You’ll be giving up a significant amount of light in the area, so don’t put it anywhere that badly needs illumination.

Resolution

Resolution is important for a camera like this, which will typically sit up high and take in a wide angle. Our picks all have 2K or more capture resolution to help with this, which works out to around a 1080p or higher effective video resolution. Higher is, of course, better.

Motion detection

A good light bulb security camera should have motion detection and tracking to keep an eye on nearby movement. We have found some have human detection to help cut down on false detection alerts, but these light bulb cameras don’t come with the advanced object detection features of other security cameras.

Video storage

Video storage is a complicated topic for light bulb security cams. Most models come with local storage supported by a microSD card, which you’ll have to buy separately. We suggest sticking with this non-subscription local option. While light bulb cameras do usually offer cloud storage, they just don’t the track records and trust that come with bigger brands like Nest, Arlo or Ring (which are themselves not immune to trouble) so we advise staying clear.

Light features

Light bulb cameras typically come equipped with small spotlights that can shine in the direction the camera is facing and are often triggered by motion detection as well. They can’t compare with spotlight cameras or floodlights and are usually limited to a few hundred lumens, but you should still look for a higher lumen count and the ability to adjust brightness if possible.

Night vision

A quality light bulb camera should have night vision options that go beyond just turning the light on.