Home artificial intelligence has never been better. Our security cameras and video doorbells are telling us when UPS trucks and packages appear, identifying family by name, summing up what they saw for the day and even helping the neighborhood locate lost pets. However, most of these features require pricey monthly subscriptions if you want to add them — unless you know where to look.
Below are my favorite ways to use AI features in home security without paying extra. Take a look at what you can get for free, and if these home upgrades are what you’ve been needing.
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Use Google Nest’s free AI services
Google’s Home app makes managing the Nest Doorbell easy, especially if you have other Home devices.
Not every smart home brand charges money for AI recognition features. In fact, Google Nest devices like the Nest Doorbell or Nest wireless cam are some of my favorites because they offer both free hours of video storage and free object recognition. Nest’s latest line of 2K wired cameras even increases the free hours of cloud storage you get from three hours to six, giving you more time to catch up on notifications.
When set up, a Nest camera or doorbell can ignore animals and vehicles while giving you alerts about people and packages at no cost. That’s especially handy if you want to watch out for porch pirates. If you feel like an eventual upgrade, a Google Home Premium subscription can add features like facial recognition and conversational video searches with Gemini.
Install a Tapo security cam
You get a whole lot for a low price with this Tapo cam.
Tapo security cameras are one of my go-to suggestions for a cheap cam that still has plenty of security features. You can find one for only $20 that still includes voice assistant support, motion detection and, yes, AI features for person recognition and crying baby detection, depending on how you want to use the cam. With onboard video storage options, there’s no need to pay ongoing fees to use this camera.
Mount a Lorex outdoor camera
Lorex cameras are subscription free and offer object recognition.
Lorex specializes in cameras that come with their own microSD cards, so you can get immediate video storage without subscriptions or paying extra. But they have another trick: They include AI that can detect a human shape and weed out other motion, so you only get important alerts that matter. Lorex’s high-resolution lenses also make it a good pick for outdoor security cameras.
Set up a Eufy video smart lock
Eufy’s new video smart lock pieces on a wood table.
In addition to free onboard video storage, Eufy’s cameras also include AI detection that pick up people, animals and packages, and give you alerts based on what you’re interested in, without requiring any extra charges. Those features work for many Eufy models, but one of the most innovative is Eufy’s latest video smart lock S330, which combines a smart lock and video doorbell into one gadget.
Use a Wyze window cam
Wyze’s window cam makes the concept work at last.
Wyze’s latest v4 camera comes in versions you can attach to your window, stick to a wall or mount on a shelf (plus an outdoor option with the right adapter). My favorite part of this versatile little cam is the free features Wyze includes, such as smart object recognition that can reliably distinguish between animals, packages, people and vehicles. The Wyze app is also very user-friendly, making it easy to fine-tune alerts and adjust detection sensitivity. Despite its small size, the camera even includes a microSD card slot, giving you an alternative to cloud-based video storage.
To learn even more, check out our recommendations for the best smart home devices, how home security can save you money each month and how smart thermostats can save you cash, too.
