Best treat-tossing camera: Furbo 360-Degree Dog CameraBest upgrade: Petcube Cam Pet Monitoring CameraBest design: Nooie Pet Camera 2KBest high-end: eufy Pet Dog CameraBest multi-camera system: YI 2pc Security Home CameraBest wall-mounted: Petcube Bites 2 LiteBest budget: Wansview Baby Monitor Camera
How we selected the best dog cameras
When selecting the best dog cameras, we compared over 50 products to select only those that offered high-quality features like night vision, 1080p camera quality, smart alerts, and other additional functions such as treat-tossing for the ever-so-slightly spoiled pup. Whether you need a no-frills option to ensure your dog isn’t shredding the new couch, or a more high-tech option to keep your pet entertained, we have a product for you. We also chose options that ranged in price, so there’s a dog camera for every kind of budget.
Best dog cameras: Reviews & Recommendations
The best dog cameras offer extra peace of mind when you’re away from home. Determine the most important features, whether that’s two-way audio, sound detection, or night vision, and narrow down the options to those that best fit your home and lifestyle.
Best treat-tossing camera: Furbo 360-Degree Dog Camera
Why it made the cut: With a treat launcher and built-in night vision, this rotating dog camera is purpose-built for your pooch, and gives you the tools you need to keep tabs on your pets when you’re away. Specs
Camera: 360 HD day and night vision with dog trackingAudio: Two-way audio with bark alertSubscription: Furbo Dog Nanny paid subscription for real-time alerts, as well as highlightsConnectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
Pros
Treat catapult handles decently sized treatsTalk to your dog from your phoneUseful pet updates with video
Cons
Requires a reliable Wi-Fi connectionMany updates require paid subscription
Keep abreast of your puppy’s shenanigans with the Furbo 360-Degree Dog Camera. This encrypted robotic dog camera is part treat-trebuchet, part two-way mic, and part home security camera. Connecting to your phone via Wi-Fi, the camera keeps you engaged with your at-home friend, even when you’re at the office or abroad. While many of Furbo’s advanced features require a moderately priced paid monthly subscription, the Furbo still works well without it. Easily jump into your living room from your smartphone app to access two-way talk and chat up your puppy while launching treats. With encrypted online security, you won’t have to worry about Furbo stealing your data, or your home stream being intercepted. All in all, the Furbo 360-Degree is a home pet camera that’s sure to be a hit with your fuzzy friends.
Best upgrade: Petcube Cam Pet Monitoring Camera
Why it made the cut: With features like vet chat, zoom, magnetic-mounting, livestreaming, and two-way audio, this is a versatile tool for pet monitoring. Specs
Connectivity: Wi-FiCamera quality: 1080p HDNight vision: Yes
Pros
Versatile mounting systemTwo-way audioVet chat available
Cons
Rewinding records requires a subscription
The Petcube Cam Pet Monitoring Camera uses Wi-Fi to offer a wide range of angles, alerts, and extra services. Its magnetic-mounting system can attach to metal objects, but it includes adhesives to attach underneath shelves and other unusual places to get the right angle. The pet cam offers 1080p HD livestreaming video with a 110-degree wide-angle view. You can also zoom in up to 8x. Two-way audio lets you give your dog commands when you’re away from home. This is also one of the very few cameras with built-in vet chat. You ask questions through the app about the behavior you’ve seen through the camera or that you’ve observed. You can also add cameras to your Petcube account, getting a full view of several rooms in your home. The downside with this camera: for full features, including fast forward and rewind of recordings, you have to have a subscription.
Best design: Nooie Pet Camera 2K
Why It Made The Cut: Track your pup with motion detection, a swivel build, and night-vision, and follow along over a secure connection (or after the fact on an SD card), with this Google Home and Alexa-compatible pet camera. Specs
Resolution: 2KZoom: 8x zoomAudio: Two wayConnectivity: Google Home, Alexa
Pros
Solid night-visionSwivels 355 degrees horizontally for full motion trackingTwo way talkSecure connection
Cons
Clunky app and sometimes difficult connectivity
Proud pet owners know the anxiety of leaving town, with their trusty pooch left at home. However, with the Nooie Pet Camera 2K, there’s nothing stopping you from keeping up with the pup. This pet cam comes with an AI-driven motion detector that swivels the camera 355 degrees for full horizontal coverage, and 94 degrees of vertical coverage (enough to follow the cat up the refrigerator). It also sports solid night vision, and two-way talk.
Best high-end: eufy Pet Dog Camera
Why it made the cut: Keep your pooch entertained with this treat-tossing and wide-angle option. Specs
Connectivity: Wi-FiCamera quality: 1080pNight vision: Yes
Pros
Auto-tracking60 days of local storageRotatable anti-clog treat-tossing Dishwasher safe
Cons
More pricey option
The eufy Pet Dog Camera offers a 170-degree wide-angle lens and 270-degree rotatable three-distance treat-tossing—meaning that this pick can keep a close eye on your pooch and have them entertained and appeased with intermittent treats. This high-quality pick also has AI-powered movement tracking, plus four infrared sensors for low-light/night situations, so you can be sure your pup isn’t causing any chaos. The barking notifications and two-way audio also allow you to calm down your pup from far away, which is a must for active or noisy dogs. And with 60 days of local storage, there’s plenty of time to get adorable videos or collect evidence of your furry friend’s activities.
Best multi-camera system: YI 2pc Security Home Camera
Why it made the cut: If you want to capture more than one room on camera to keep an eye on your pet at all times, this system from YI can nix any blind spots. Specs
Connectivity: Wi-FiCamera quality: 1080pNight vision: Yes
Pros
Alexa compatibleMultiple cameras and anglesCloud storage for all footage
Cons
App alerts can be too frequent
The YI Home Security Camera is easily accessible through the YI app and offers added features like nine live feeds, activity alerts, cloud storage, Alexa compatibility, and emergency response services. You can share your video stream with up to five people, and control the activity alerts using the app—making this product easy to tailor for your unique setup. The camera provides 1080p with enhanced night vision and a 106-degree angle view. With two cameras, you can get multiple angles in the same room or put them in separate rooms for a fuller view of what’s happening in the home.
Best wall-mounted: Petcube Bites 2 Lite
Why it made the cut: This wall-mounted pet camera packs plenty of features while being out of paw’s reach
Specs
Connectivity: Wi-FiCamera quality: 1080pNight vision: Yes
Pros
Lightweight160-degree wide viewing angleAlexa compatible
Cons
Does not support 5GHz networksRewinding records requires a subscription
What good is a pet camera if your pet constantly knocks it over? The Petcube Bites 2 Lite solves that problem with an included wall-mounting kit that gets the camera out of paw’s reach. The camera lets you see—and hear—your pets loud and clear with 1080p video, a 160-degree wide-angle view, and 30-feet of night vision. The treat dispenser can toss treats a short, medium, or long distance to wherever your pet is parked. Additionally, the camera and detachable dishwasher-safe container (filled with up to 1.5 lbs of treats) work equally well on a flat surface if you don’t want to mount anything on the wall. Setup only takes a minute, and each camera includes 24/7 access to customer service and a vet with the Petcube app. Much like the Petcube Cam Pet Monitoring Camera, some features—video downloads and smart alerts, for instance—are only available with a subscription.
Best budget: Wansview Baby Monitor Camera
Why it made the cut: If you want to keep tabs on your pooch without spending heavily, this affordable option fits the bill. Specs
Connectivity: Wi-FiCamera quality: 1080p HDNight vision: Yes
Pros
Smart pan, zoom, and tiltMore budget-friendly than othersSmart motion alerts
Cons
Set-up is slightly more difficult
The Wansview Baby Monitor Camera includes some of the features of higher-end cameras, but they’re a bit more difficult to access and use than more expensive models. Through the app, you can set up motion detection alerts. The camera records a 10-second clip to send with the motion alert, so you can determine if you need to take action. However, you still get access to a 1080p HD camera that pans, tilts, and zooms. It’s Alexa-compatible and provides two-way audio to calm your pet or check on kids when they get home from school. Finally, there’s also night vision to keep track of any pet wanderings.
What to consider when shopping for the best dog cameras
The focus when picking the best dog camera for you is purpose, position, and accessibility. These can help you decide on a model that will fit your goals, home, and lifestyle. Dog cameras come with a wide range of features. Some models include an app, while others require you to log in to a website to check the camera’s feed. The amount of control you want, along with what kind of activity you want to monitor, should all factor into your decision.
How many rooms do you need to monitor?
You’ll need to decide what and how much of your home you want to monitor. Dog monitoring systems typically have one camera. However, some advanced models come with two, with the option of adding more. If the goal of the pet camera is to only monitor your pet’s activities, you only need a camera in areas to which he has access. One camera will do if he’s limited to a single room. However, if he has the freedom to roam, a multi-camera system will let you keep a closer eye on activity. You may also only need a camera in problem areas. Dogs who get separation anxiety may take out their anxiety behaviors near the front door. A single camera located there lets you know when he’s having a hard time.
Do you need advanced features?
Consider what features you really need and make sure you’re not paying for extras that you don’t. There’s a long list of potential advanced features. The most common include two-way audio, tilt control, rotational control, remote app access, sound detection, motion activation and detection, vet notification, and night vision. Advanced features add to the price of the camera but may add functionality that makes it more valuable to you. Features like camera position control are more common and don’t significantly add to the price, while less common features, such as vet notification, are more expensive. This feature provides 24/7 access to a veterinarian if you notice any problem behavior related to the dog’s health. Dogs with separation anxiety or barking habits that disturb neighbors may require a sound-detection feature. This feature alerts you to noises above certain levels, letting you take action before there’s a problem.
What kind of remote control do you need?
Dog cameras either include an app that provides remote control or they require you to create an account and log into the company’s website to control the camera. Either option can work well, but personal preference can determine which is easier for you. People who use their mobile devices for everything will probably find an app easier to interact with. However, make sure the app works with your device’s operating system—iOS or Android. Those who use a work PC or laptop may find a website easier to monitor throughout the day.
Do you need a treat dispenser?
This unique feature of some dog cameras adds another dimension to the camera’s functionality. It becomes a rewards center for your dog. This feature can help distract your dog when he’s misbehaving or showing the initial signs of separation anxiety. It’s not an absolute necessity, but it is a feature only found on cameras specifically designed for dogs versus those designed as a baby monitor.
Do you use a virtual assistant?
Some cameras are compatible with popular virtual assistants like Alexa. Virtual assistant-savvy owners can easily integrate camera control into the assistant’s list of commands. You can then use voice control and add the camera to the list of devices controlled through a single access point for easier digital monitoring.
What kind of video storage options do you want?
Some camera companies offer video cloud storage for a monthly subscription fee. These subscriptions also give you access to advanced video options, including the ability to fast-forward, rewind, and take snapshots. Others also include the option to use an SD card or similar device to record and review videos. Other companies may let you view video for a limited time before it’s no longer available. Without some kind of recording option, you’ll only be able to view a live stream. That’s helpful but may not provide as much monitoring ability as you need.
Will you use the camera for something other than monitoring the dog?
Do you plan to use the camera for security monitoring or monitoring children in addition to the dog? If so, video recording and monthly subscriptions might be more worth it. Features like two-way communication are also more important if you’re using the camera to alert you when kids get home from school.
The final word on the best dog cameras
The best dog cameras offer the features you need to monitor and calm your pet when you’re not home. A puppy cam with two-way communication and a treat dispenser might be right for some homes. Other pet owners may only need to get to the bottom of the shenanigans of a mischievous pet. Even budget-friendly pet cameras offer a glimpse into the life of your dog that can help you relax (and help keep your home in one piece) when you’re away.
