Best Pet Cameras
A pet camera lets you check on your dog or cat from your phone while you are out. Most let you talk through a speaker, and some toss a treat when you tap a button.
Updated October 27, 2026. Research by The Pet Gear Lab team.
Disclosure: Some links on this site are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Picks are labeled Research pick because they come from published testing and owner reports. How we pick.
The short answer
The Furbo 360 Dog Camera is the best overall pick for most dog owners. It tosses treats, turns to follow your dog, and sends bark alerts without a paid plan, and it was a top pick in several hands-on tests. If you only want to watch your pet without a monthly fee, the TP-Link Tapo C120 is the pick.
Key facts
- The ASPCA says highly anxious dogs usually won’t eat when their people are gone, so a treat camera cannot fix severe separation anxiety.
- Melissa Bain, DVM, of UC Davis advises using a camera’s two-way audio only to reward good behavior, never to scold.
- The FTC advises a strong, unique password, two-factor sign-in and current firmware for any internet camera.
The trouble is that the cameras look alike on paper. The real differences are whether you need treats, whether the camera can turn to follow your pet, and how much of it stops working if you skip the monthly plan.
A treat tosser is not a cure for separation anxiety. Vet and behavior sources say it can help you spot a problem, but a dog that panics when alone needs a training plan and often a vet. We explain what it can and cannot do below, along with simple steps to keep your camera private.
We sorted the picks by job.
Quick picks
Best overall, a treat tosser that turns to follow your dog
Best value treat tosser, for dogs and cats
Best without a subscription, records to a microSD card
Best for a whole room, pans and tilts to cover more space
Budget pick, simple live video for watching in
How to choose
Decide if you need treats. Consumer Reports staff tried two basic home security cameras with their pets and found they handled pet monitoring about as well as pet-specific cameras like Furbo and Petcube. What you give up is remote treat tossing. If you only want to look in, a plain camera costs less.
Check the view. A fixed camera sees only what its lens covers. CNN Underscored found the 110-degree Petcube Cam had the most limited view of the seven cameras it tested. A camera that pans, like the Furbo or the Wyze, can turn to find your pet. SafeWise suggests placing the camera at or a little above your pet’s eye level, away from bright windows and lamps.
Count the plan before you buy. Every pick works without a subscription, but alerts, recorded clips and video history are often behind one. Cameras that record to a microSD card, like the Tapo and Wyze picks, let you keep video without a monthly fee. See the next section for what each plan adds.
Check your Wi-Fi. The Petcube, Tapo and Wyze picks list 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only. Most home routers offer it, but make sure it is turned on before you set up.
Think about stability. Some treat tossers tip easily. Reviewed called the Petcube Bites 2 Lite “easy to knock over,” and Digital Camera World said boisterous pups can topple it. Wall mounting, or a spot your pet cannot reach, helps.
Dogs and cats need different things. Furbo’s camera is built for dogs. A Consumer Reports editor found her cat liked the Furbo’s treats, but the cat ended up waiting by the camera for more. Petcube says its cameras work for cats and dogs, and its alerts can detect meowing as well as barking.
Treat tossers, subscriptions and privacy
What a treat tosser can and cannot do for separation anxiety
It can show you what is really going on. Melissa Bain, DVM, a veterinary behavior professor at UC Davis, told Consumer Reports that a camera can reveal that a behavior has a different cause, such as boredom. She also noted that cats show anxiety in quieter ways, so you may only notice pacing or meowing on video. Dr. Jennifer Bruns of PetSmart Veterinary Services told NBC Select that a camera can help you learn how long your pet copes alone.
It can help with mild cases. The ASPCA suggests giving a dog a food puzzle toy each time you leave, to build “an association between being alone and good things.” A remote treat can fit that idea for a dog that is only a little uneasy.
It cannot fix moderate or severe anxiety. The ASPCA says “highly anxious dogs usually won’t eat” when their people are gone, so treats may go untouched. For these dogs, it recommends a structured desensitization and counterconditioning plan, and help from your vet, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
Your voice may not soothe your dog. Canine behavior consultant Cathy Madson told NBC Select that for some dogs, talking through the camera “actually increases anxiety,” because “they hear you, but they can’t find you.” A 2023 study summarized by Faunalytics gave dogs a device that dropped kibble every minute while they were alone for 20 minutes. Adding a recorded human voice made no difference. The study had no comparison group, and the sessions were short.
Never scold through the speaker. Dr. Bain advises using two-way audio only to reward good behavior. The ASPCA warns that if you punish an anxious dog, “the problem could get much worse.”
Watch for warning signs. Howling, whining, accidents in the house, destruction, pacing, drooling and not eating are signs of anxiety, according to Dr. Bain. If you see them on camera, tell your vet.
Which features need a paid plan
Plans and their names change often, so check the app before you buy. Here is what the makers and reviewers we read say today:
- Furbo 360 Dog Camera: Live view, turning, treat tossing and two-way audio work for free. Furbo, CNN Underscored and Reviewed say bark alerts are free too, though Dogster lists them under the plan. Furbo Nanny adds recorded clips, person and activity alerts, emergency sound alerts and a daily recap video.
- Petcube Bites 2 Lite and Petcube Cam: Live video and two-way audio are free, and treat tossing is free on the Bites 2 Lite. Petcube Care adds video history (3 or 90 days, by plan), smart alerts for barks, meows, people and pets, clip downloads and web viewing. CNN found the Petcube Cam does little beyond live video without a plan.
- TP-Link Tapo C120: Recording to a microSD card is free, and Tapo says its AI alerts for people, pets, vehicles and crying babies need no subscription. Tapo Care adds cloud storage and alerts with snapshots.
- Wyze Cam Pan v3: Motion and sound alerts and microSD recording are free. Cam Plus adds cloud video, smart detection and barking-pet alerts.
Privacy and security basics
A pet camera is an internet camera pointed at your home, so treat it like one. The Federal Trade Commission suggests these steps:
- Use a strong, unique password for the camera’s account, and change any default passwords.
- Turn on two-factor sign-in where it is offered, so a stolen password alone cannot open your camera.
- Keep the app and firmware updated, and turn off features you do not use.
- Check the camera’s access logs for unfamiliar addresses or odd times.
Two-factor sign-in matters. In a 2023 complaint, the FTC alleged that Ring did not add multi-factor sign-in until 2019, which made it easier for attackers to take over accounts, as BleepingComputer reported.
Furbo offers 2-step verification by email code. Wyze says new accounts have two-factor sign-in turned on by default. Tapo offers two-step verification by app or email code. We did not find Petcube documentation for two-factor sign-in. Petcube says its cameras encrypt data in transit and use signed firmware updates.
Local storage keeps clips off the cloud. The Tapo and Wyze picks can record to a microSD card in the camera, so your video does not have to leave your home. The trade-off, PCWorld notes, is that a cloud copy survives if the camera is damaged or stolen.
Use privacy features. The Tapo C120 has a privacy mode and privacy zones that black out parts of the picture. The Wyze Cam Pan v3 has a privacy mode that tilts the lens down so you can see it is off.
Know the brand’s record. Mozilla’s *Privacy Not Included guide put warning labels on Furbo (reviewed 2021) and Wyze (reviewed 2023), while noting both met its minimum security standards. Mozilla flagged that Furbo’s policy lets it use your video to improve its AI. Wyze has had several incidents, including a 2019 database exposure and a February 2024 problem that let up to 13,000 users see images from other people’s cameras, according to Mozilla and SafeWise.
What to know about these picks
We have not tested these cameras. Our main hands-on sources are CNN Underscored, which tested seven cameras with the writer’s two dogs (the page shows no date), PetsRadar, whose testers used their picks for more than six months (updated June 2025), and Reviewed, which tested cameras for several weeks with an English bulldog. Reviewed’s page shows a 2022 date under a 2026 title.
We also used SafeWise’s in-home tests and its Wyze Cam Pan v3 review, Digital Camera World’s Petcube Bites 2 Lite review, Dogster’s July 2026 roundup and Furbo review, Tom’s Guide and PCWorld camera reviews, NBC Select’s 2023 guide, and three Consumer Reports hands-on articles from 2022. For behavior and security, we used the ASPCA, a veterinary behaviorist quoted by Consumer Reports, the FTC and Mozilla.
Wirecutter and PCMag could not be accessed for this update, and a Tom’s Guide pet camera roundup would not load. We did not find a recent The Verge pet camera roundup. Consumer Reports ratings behind its membership were not used.
Reviewed’s top pick, the Eufy Pet Dog Camera D605, was listed as unavailable there, SafeWise lists Eufy’s pet camera as discontinued, and we found it only on Eufy’s Australia and New Zealand sites, so we left it out. The Furbo Mini had no independent test we could find and its maker page lists no specs in text, so it is not a pick.
Specs come from maker pages, retailer listings or the reviews named. We do not list prices, since they change often.
Specs compared
| Pick | Best for | Video | View | Treat tossing | Local storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furbo 360 Dog Camera | Best overall | 1080p | Rotates 360 degrees | Yes, holds 100 treats | No; recorded clips need Nanny |
| Petcube Bites 2 Lite | Value treat tosser | 1080p | 160 degrees, fixed | Yes, holds up to 1.5 lb | No; video history needs Care |
| TP-Link Tapo C120 | No subscription | 2K (2560 x 1440) | 120 degrees, fixed | No | microSD up to 512 GB |
| Wyze Cam Pan v3 | Whole room | 1080p | 360 pan, 180 tilt | No | microSD up to 256 GB |
| Petcube Cam | Budget | 1080p | 110 degrees, fixed | No | No; video history needs Care |
Specs come from Furbo, Petcube, Tapo and Wyze product pages, with Furbo’s resolution confirmed by PetsRadar and NBC Select and the Tapo’s resolution and view from PCWorld.
The picks in detail
Tech Dogs Research pick
Furbo 360 Dog Camera
Best overall
Verdict: The treat-tossing dog camera that came up most often as a top pick, with a view that turns to follow your dog and more free features than the other treat tossers. It also costs the most.
What it does well: PetsRadar named it the best pet camera overall, and SafeWise named it best overall, calling its bark alert the standout feature. CNN Underscored named it the best splurge and said “the Furbo app holds your hand” through setup. CNN also praised its flippers that clear treat jams. Dogster’s tester gave it 4.5 out of 5 after using it with a Cavapoo, and NBC Select said auto-tracking makes checking in “very easy.” Furbo lists 1080p video, 4x digital zoom, infrared night vision and room for 100 treats. It says round treats about 0.4 inch across work best. Without a plan, you get live view, turning, treat tossing and two-way audio.
The downsides: CNN says “it’s not cheap” and that it is bulkier than plain cameras. Reviewed found the bark alerts too sensitive and Alexa support poor. Dogster says night video can be unclear and it needs a strong Wi-Fi signal. Most smart alerts and all recorded clips need Furbo Nanny. Mozilla’s privacy guide gave Furbo a warning label. Sources disagree on the lens angle, so we list only the 360-degree turn.
Skip it if: you have a cat or do not care about treats. The Petcube Bites 2 Lite works for cats, and the Tapo C120 gives free alerts at a much lower cost.
See it at Furbo Not an affiliate link
Tech Dogs Cats Research pick
Petcube Bites 2 Lite
Best value treat tosser
Verdict: A lower-cost treat tosser with a wide fixed view and a large treat bin, for dogs or cats. It is easy to tip, so mount it if you can.
What it does well: NBC Select named it the best pet camera overall and praised its “impressive 160-degree wide-angle view.” Digital Camera World’s reviewer used it for several weeks with a young Flat-Coated Retriever and found the “treat dispenser works reliably,” with a “great night vision view.” CNN Underscored liked its spacious treat container and simple controls, and noted you can limit treats when you share access. Petcube lists 1080p video, 8x digital zoom, night vision up to 30 feet and room for up to 1.5 pounds of treats 1 inch or smaller. Three inserts control how many treats fly at once. It comes with a wall mounting kit. Live video, two-way audio and treat tossing work without a plan.
The downsides: It cannot turn, and CNN found it less stable on flat surfaces than round treat tossers. Reviewed said it is large and “easy to knock over.” Digital Camera World says two-way audio “isn’t the best,” the app can be slow to connect, and storing video requires a subscription. CNN notes smart alerts and saved clips need a paid plan. It works on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only.
Skip it if: you have a big, bouncy dog and cannot wall mount it, or you want the camera to follow your pet around the room. The Furbo turns and has a spill-proof base.
See it on Amazon Affiliate link
Tech Dogs Cats Research pick
TP-Link Tapo C120
Best without a subscription
Verdict: A small, sharp camera with free pet alerts and free local recording. It does not toss treats or turn, but it does the watching well.
What it does well: CNN Underscored named it the best pet camera overall, citing a “surprisingly sharp 2K image” and night vision sharper than almost every other camera it tested. CNN liked its magnetic base and flexible neck. Tom’s Guide gave it an Editor’s Choice badge for its free AI alerts, color night vision and built-in siren and spotlight. PCWorld lists 2560 by 1440 video, a 120-degree view, an IP66 weather rating, and microSD support up to 512 GB. PCWorld says it can detect barking dogs and meowing cats. Tapo says its AI detection of people, pets, vehicles and crying babies needs no subscription. It has privacy zones and a privacy mode, and works with Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings.
The downsides: No treat tossing and no turning, so place it where your pet spends time. CNN says finding settings in the app “takes a little practice,” and Tom’s Guide calls the app cluttered. Tom’s Guide says the microphone sounds “clipped.” It does not work with Apple HomeKit and uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only. Cloud storage needs Tapo Care, and you supply the microSD card. Tapo’s site lists a v1 and a v2 version without explaining the difference.
Skip it if: you want to reward your pet from afar. Choose the Petcube Bites 2 Lite or the Furbo.
See it at Tapo Not an affiliate link
Tech Dogs Cats Research pick
Wyze Cam Pan v3
Best for a whole room
Verdict: A low-cost camera that pans and tilts to follow your pet across a big room, from a brand with a mixed security record.
What it does well: SafeWise made it the budget pick in its pet camera tests, saying its motion tracking is smoother and faster than the older model and its video is clearer than most pet cameras it tried. SafeWise’s full review praised its “excellent automatic motion tracking.” Wyze lists 1080p video, a 360-degree pan and 180-degree tilt, a 120-degree lens, color night vision, an IP65 water rating, two-way audio and microSD support up to 256 GB. Its privacy mode tilts the lens down toward the base, so you can see it is off.
The downsides: SafeWise lists “delayed motion detection,” “passable audio quality” and clunky playback from the memory card, and notes there is no free cloud video. Smart detection and barking-pet alerts need Cam Plus. It uses 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only. Wyze has had security problems, including a February 2024 incident that let up to 13,000 users see other people’s camera images, according to SafeWise. Wyze says new accounts now have two-factor sign-in on by default. When we checked, Wyze’s page showed some color and pack options as sold out or unavailable.
Skip it if: the brand’s security history worries you. The Tapo C120 is the no-subscription alternative. If you want a fixed Wyze camera instead, the Wyze Cam v4 earned an Editor’s Choice from Tom’s Guide and was Dogster’s best value pick.
See it at Wyze Not an affiliate link
Tech Dogs Cats Research pick
Petcube Cam
Budget
Verdict: The smallest and lowest-cost pet-specific camera here, but most of its useful features need Petcube Care.
What it does well: Reviewed named it the best value and called it “the most affordable pet camera we’ve come across,” praising its compact size and audio. Dogster named it the best overall pet camera for dogs. Petcube lists 1080p video, a 110-degree lens, 8x digital zoom and night vision up to 30 feet. Its body is about 2.4 by 2.1 by 3.2 inches, and a magnetic foot lets it sit on a shelf or attach to a wall. CNN Underscored liked its sturdy square base. Petcube’s product page also names a 24/7 online vet service.
The downsides: CNN found its view the narrowest of the cameras it tested, its night vision blurrier than most, and its tilt manual only. Without a plan, CNN says you get little more than live video, and alerts and video history need Petcube Care. Dogster says sound reaches the camera “a few seconds” late, with occasional glitches. On Chewy it rates 3.7 out of 5 across 213 ratings, and owners report Wi-Fi setup trouble, distorted audio and ads that oversell paid features. Petcube’s page does not explain how the vet service works.
Skip it if: you want alerts or recordings without paying monthly. The Tapo C120 includes both for free.
See it at Chewy Affiliate link
Questions people ask
Do pet cameras help with separation anxiety?
They help you see it, not fix it. A camera can show whether your pet is anxious or just bored, says veterinary behavior professor Dr. Melissa Bain, and she advises telling your vet if you see signs of anxiety. Treats may help a mildly uneasy dog, but the ASPCA says highly anxious dogs often will not eat when alone. Those dogs need a training plan and professional help.
Do I need a subscription for a pet camera?
Not to watch live. Every pick in this guide streams live video without a plan. Recorded clips, video history and smart alerts are where plans come in. The Tapo C120 and Wyze Cam Pan v3 can record to a microSD card for free, and the Tapo includes pet alerts without a plan.
Can I use a regular security camera as a pet camera?
Yes. Consumer Reports staff found basic home security cameras watched pets about as well as pet-specific models. CNN Underscored’s top pet camera, the Tapo C120, is a general home camera. You give up treat tossing and pet-specific features like bark alerts on some models.
Furbo or Petcube: which treat camera is better?
It depends on your pet and your space. The Furbo turns to follow a dog and includes more free features, but it costs more and is built for dogs. The Petcube Bites 2 Lite costs less, works for cats too and has a wider fixed view, but it cannot turn and tips more easily.
Sources and further reading
- CNN Underscored, “The best pet cameras we tested” (date not shown on page)
- PetsRadar, Megan Milstead, “We tested the best pet cameras, here’s what we recommend after months of use” (updated June 16, 2025)
- Reviewed, Rachel Murphy and Camryn Rabideau, “The Best Smart Pet Cameras of 2026” (byline date shown as October 3, 2022)
- SafeWise, Katie McEntire, “Best Pet Cameras of 2026” (October 9, 2025)
- SafeWise, John Carlsen, “Wyze Cam Pan v3 Review” (February 20, 2024)
- NBC Select, Henry St. Leger, “Top-rated pet cameras: How to find the best one for your home” (updated December 21, 2023)
- Digital Camera World, Lauren Scott, “Petcube Bites 2 Lite review: the top dog in affordable pet cameras” (December 5, 2023)
- Dogster, Ed Malaker, “7 Best Pet Cameras for Dogs in 2026” (updated July 4, 2026)
- Dogster, Jessica Kim, “Furbo 360° Dog Camera Review 2026: Our Expert’s Opinion” (July 4, 2026)
- Tom’s Guide, Hunter Fenollol, “Tapo C120 hybrid camera review” (June 8, 2024)
- Tom’s Guide, Hunter Fenollol, “Wyze Cam v4 review: The new king of budget security cameras” (March 26, 2024)
- PCWorld, Michael Ansaldo, “Tapo Indoor/Outdoor Security Cam review: Full-featured, budget-priced” (January 1, 2024)
- Consumer Reports, Mary Beth Quirk, “Can You Use the Furbo Dog Camera for Your Cat?” (January 6, 2022)
- Consumer Reports, Mary Beth Quirk, “We Tried a Wyze and an Arlo Home Security Camera as Pet Cameras. Here’s How It Went.” (January 6, 2022)
- Consumer Reports, Mary Beth Quirk, “Petcube Bites 2 Camera Review” (January 6, 2022)
- ASPCA, “Separation Anxiety” (date not shown on page)
- Faunalytics, Ozy Frantz, “Enrichment For Dogs With Separation Anxiety” (August 11, 2023), summarizing Flint and others in Animals (2023)
- Federal Trade Commission, “Securing Your Internet-Connected Devices at Home” (updated November 15, 2024)
- BleepingComputer, Bill Toulas, “Ring customers get $5.6 million in privacy breach settlement” (April 24, 2024)
- Mozilla Foundation, *Privacy Not Included, “Furbo Dog Camera with Dog Nanny” (reviewed November 8, 2021)
- Mozilla Foundation, *Privacy Not Included, “Wyze Cams” (reviewed November 1, 2023)
- Furbo, “Keep Your Furbo Account Safe with 2-Step Verification” (June 28, 2022)
- Wyze Support, “How do I opt-in to Two-Factor Authentication?” (date not shown on page)
- Tapo, “Making Your Account More Secure: Introducing Two-Step Verification (2FA) for the Tapo App” (updated September 29, 2026)
- Petcube Support, “What is Petcube Care Membership” (date not shown on page)
- Furbo, Furbo 360° Dog Camera
- Petcube, Bites 2 Lite
- Petcube, Petcube Cam
- Tapo, Tapo C120
- Wyze, Wyze Cam Pan v3
- Chewy, Petcube Cam HD Monitoring with Vet Chat Pet Camera
Product details, apps and paid plans change. Confirm the model, version and plan on the maker or retailer page before you buy. A camera is not a treatment for separation anxiety; talk to your vet. General information, not veterinary advice.
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