The best security cameras, according to hackers
4 security cameras were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 1 earns the Hacker Approved badge.
Top pick
The most recommended security camera with the badge. Each figure is one person. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Works with RTSP and open NVR software
People recommend Reolink cameras for good video quality, PoE power, and local-only operation without a subscription. Common caveat: some models need the phone app and still ping the cloud.
We may earn a commission. It never changes the order.
We may earn a commission. It never changes the order.
All 4 security cameras, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reolink security cameras | 14 | 6 | 70% | 5 | — | Approved |
| 2 | Ring security cameras | 11 | 97 | 10% | 7 | — | — |
| Tied 3 | Ubiquiti UniFi cameras | 8 | 3 | 73% | 4 | — | — |
| Tied 3 | TP-Link Tapo C200 | 8 | 12 | 40% | 3 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same security camera in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to security cameras that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.