7 excellent security cameras that work with Amazon Alexa

Editor's note, March 26, 2021: Ring has been called out for its partnership with local police departments in the US, leading privacy advocates to express concern about the data Ring shares with law enforcement and how they use that information. In December 2019, thousands of Ring users' personal information was exposed, leading us to stop recommending Ring products. Ring has since updated its security policies, from offering customers a Control Center dashboard allowing people to more easily access privacy and security settings to requiring two-factor authentication. 

We have resumed recommending Ring's products with this caveat: If you have concerns about Ring's privacy policies, make sure to familiarize yourself with its privacy statement. You can read more about how we factor Ring's privacy policies into our recommendations here. CNET has not and will not be issuing Editors' Choice awards to Ring while the company's policies around law enforcement and surveillance remain on their current course.  

The Ring Spotlight Cam plug-in security camera goes outside, wherever you'd install a traditional spotlight. It has 1080p HD resolution, motion detection, night vision and a built-in siren.

Price: $199 (£199, AU$329)

The Nest Cam IQ Indoor security camera has 1080p HD resolution, night vision, free person alerts and optional facial recognition with a Nest Aware cloud service subscription. 

Price: $299 (£299, AU$329)

Logitech's Circle 2 wired security camera can be used inside or out. It has 1080p HD live streaming, a 180-degree viewing angle and free 24-hour event-based cloud storage.

Price: $180 (roughly £130 or AU$225)

Ring's Video Doorbell Pro is a hardwired smart buzzer. It has 1080p HD resolution, night vision and a compact design. Like the Spotlight Cam, the Video Doorbell Pro also works with Alexa.

Price: $249 (roughly £195 or AU$325)

The Netgear Arlo Pro 2 security system is a two-camera kit that comes with a hub you connect to your Wi-Fi router. These rechargeable, weatherproof cameras can go anywhere (within Wi-Fi range). Netgear also offers a free seven-day video history of saved motion clips.

Price: $480 (£345, AU$799)

The Amazon Cloud Cam security camera has 1080p HD resolution, free 24-hour video clip storage and motion detection. You can also get person alerts and motion-detection zones with an optional Cloud Cam subscription.

Price: $120 (roughly £90 or AU$155)

The Nest Hello is a hardwired video doorbell. Replace it with your current buzzer and see who's at your front door from the live feed on your phone -- or an Amazon Echo Show. 

Price: $229 (roughly £165 or AU$290)