When it comes to setting up a smart home, Samsung SmartThings is one of the best options. There are tons of SmartThings compatible devices to pick from, and it’s a user-friendly connected home platform. One of the most popular and easiest smart tech upgrades you can make is a camera system. Check out the best SmartThings camera options on the market!
What is Samsung SmartThings?
There are several different Internet of Things (IoT) communication protocols. SmartThings uses ZigBee and Z-Wave. Most Z-Wave and Zigbee certified products should work just fine with a SmartThings hub, although certain hardware is designated as SmartThings certified.
Samsung SmartThings Cam – Best SmartThings Camera Overall
The SmartThings Cam is a tiny security camera that simply works. Clocking in under $90 USD, the SmartThings Cam is an ultra-affordable security camera. While it’s an officially-sanctioned SmartThings compatible device, the SmartThings Cam uniquely doesn’t even require a SmartThings hub to function properly. You can connect it directly to your Wi-Fi network with its built-in 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands.
A small and unassuming camera, the SmartThings Cam appears like a standard webcam. Its hinged base rotates left and right. There’s a speaker baked into the unit and you’ll find dual integrated microphones for two-way audio. Popping the base off, you’ll find mounting holes. Set up is an absolute breeze, and you can integrate various sensors with the SmartThings Cam for automation. Picture quality is top-notch with 1080p HDR visuals.
However, you won’t find any specific security features such as an alarm or siren. It’s more a camera for monitoring. And while no subscription service is necessary, you will need a paid plan to record anything longer than 10 seconds. Still, the SmartThings Cam boasts excellent visual quality, a rich feature set, and incredible ease of use making it the best SmartThings camera for most users.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- 1080p HDR visuals
- Lots of in-app features
- Two-way audio
- SmartThings hub not required
- Built-in 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz wireless radios
Cons:
- Limited to 10-second recordings without paid subscription
- No siren or alarm
Arlo Pro 4 – A Great Smart Home Security Camera System that Works With SmartThings
One of the best-known names in smart home video security systems is Arlo. As such, its lineup of security cameras is a top choice. The Arlo Pro 4 is a great SmartThings compatible camera you can buy. The Arlo Pro 4 rocks 2K resolution video, two-way audio, and motion as well as audio detection. Its 160-degree lens captures stellar images.
Night vision ensures a crisp image even in the dark while its onboard spotlight warns unwanted visitors. Because it’s completely wireless, the Arlo Pro 4 is a breeze to set up and install. What’s more, there’s no hub required. Unfortunately, without an Arlo hub you’ll rely exclusively on Arlo’s cloud storage solution. Adding the optional SmartHub lets you store videos locally. Furthermore, its advanced object detection zones are limited to a paid Arlo plan. You may also consider the pricier Arlo Ultra 2, which includes a hub for local storage, steps up to 4K video resolution, and offers dual mics for improved audio.
Pros:
- 2K HDR video quality
- Two-way radio
- Night vision
- Motion detection
- Audio detection
- 24/7 recording available
- No hub required
- Built-in spotlight
- Siren
- Works with Samsung SmartThings, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT
- Detection zones available
- Weatherproof
Cons:
- Detection zones require an Arlo Smart Plan subscription
- No local storage without Arlo SmartHub
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera – An Awesome Indoor SmartThings Camera Option
Whereas the Arlo and Arlo Pro lineup is weatherproofed for outdoor use, the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera isn’t. As such, it’s built for an indoor smart home security system. It flaunts full 1080p recording capabilities, a wide 130-degree field of view (FoV), and night vision recording. You’ll find mobile app control, automatic alerts, and motion detection. There’s wireless connectivity, available cloud storage that’s on a rotating weekly schedule, two-way audio communication, and wired power adapters.
Because the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera doesn’t require a hub, it’s simple to install. But the hub is required for HomeKit support. Plus, while Arlo’s paid software is technically optional, you’ll need it for many premium features. Overall, the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera is a great smart home camera for Samsung SmartThings.
Pros:
- 130-degree FoV
- Night vision recording
- 1080p full HD recordings
- Two-way audio
- Alarm
- Mobile app control
- MicroSD card slot
- PoE
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Works with SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Google Assistant
Cons:
- No battery power
- Not weatherproof
- Cloud storage requires paid plan
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro – Best SmartThings Outdoor Camera With Lights
For a nifty outdoor lighting solution and home surveillance system all-in-one, check out the Ring floodlight cam. Boasting dual LED floodlights on articulated arms, the Ring floodlight offers motion detection support. Attached to the base of the unit is a camera rocking a 140-degree FoV and capable of shooting in 1080p full HD with HDR.
Onboard, there’s a speaker and a microphone for two-way audio. There’s a 110dB security siren, 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, and bird’s eye view support. Its 3D motion detection zones work up to 30 feet away. Although there are built-in lights, you can set them to turn off or not turn on at all, and luckily the camera includes night vision.
Its color night vision works well and we like the 3D motion detection with subject tracking support. Disappointingly, a subscription is required for video recording access. The Ring Floodlight Wired Pro is also pretty pricey. Especially at this cost, we’d expect Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit support, both of which are absent. You may also consider the cheaper Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus which delivers similar performance but cuts back on a few features like HDR, a 105dB vs. 110dB siren, and slightly less capable motion detection. For a battery-powered option, we recommend the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- 1080p full HD with HDR
- 140-degree FoV
- 270-degree radius motion detection
- LED lights built-in
- IP65 weather-resistance
- Dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi
- Siren
- Two-way audio
- Color night vision
- 3D motion detection with subject tracking
Cons:
- Pricey
- Lacks Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant support
- Requires paid subscription to view video recordings
Best Samsung SmartThings Cameras for Home Security Surveillance FAQs
Home security video surveillance systems from Ring, Arlo, Nest, and Imilab work best with Samsung SmartThings.
Most recent Arlo cameras work with SmartThings including the Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera 4K, Pro Spotlight 2K, Essential Spotlight Camera, Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, Arlo Q Indoor Security Camera, and Video Doorbell.
You can add a camera to your SmartThings smart home by navigating to the SmartThings app, then tapping the Devices tab, hitting Add (the plus/+ sign), selecting Cameras under Devices/Sensors, choosing your camera, then hitting Start and following the on-screen prompts.
The Best SmartThings Camera Options – Final Thoughts
Samsung SmartThings is an extremely user-friendly smart home ecosystem, and there are tons of devices that work with SmartThings. For a SmartThings camera, you can find anything from indoor home security cameras to outdoor cams and even video doorbells. Mostly, where you plan to install your video surveillance system and what you want to monitor will help you decide which camera is best. The Ring video doorbell Pro offers a more robust feature set than the Ring, but unlike the standard Ring it’s not wireless. The Arlo Pro is a superb pick for outside use, while the Arlo Q+ is great for in-home monitoring. Overall, there are plenty of SmartThings-compatible cameras to choose from.
Your turn: Which SmartThings cameras do you suggest?
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