Top 10 home security cameras you can talk to via conversational AI

Virtual assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home or Siri have made the lives of people around the world easier, with the latest AI catering to every need they might have. Their capabilities don’t end there, though—conversational AI systems can also help keep their home safe.
 
For those who want home security that truly understands them, we have compiled this Top 10 of cameras for security in and around the home that come with advanced conversational features. For this article, conversational AI refers to security cameras that support two-way audio and can be controlled—or can actively communicate—via voice assistants or proprietary interfaces.
 
A few remarks before we start: While some of them can be ordered individually from your online platform of choice, to be delivered plug-and-play-ready to your doorstep, the more advanced ones among them are part of home security suites that are best installed by an expert in your area. Meanwhile, our Top 10 comes in alphabetical order: Cameras for different purposes in or around the home, coming at different price points cannot be ranked on a single, objective basis.
 

Abode Cam 2: “The cloud-first, all-purpose camera”

As a true allrounder, Abode Cam 2 can be installed indoors and outdoors, offers 1080p resolution, 121 degrees field of view and night vision via infrared LEDs. Used as an inexpensive standalone security camera, it can be voice-controlled via Google Home or Alexa. Cam 2 truly shines, however, when integrated within a full Abode Home Kit system, for example with door/window sensors, an intercom and alarms. In such a setup, advanced IFTTT applets can be used to unlock further conversational features, enabling you to truly converse with your home.
 
One important factor to consider, however, is that Cam 2 doesn’t have on-board, or “edge,” storage. It thus only works as a full-fledged home security solution when paired with Abode’s subscription-based home security suite. This enables it to stream footage to the cloud, where scenes cannot just be reviewed, but it also unlocks advanced AI analytics such as detecting incidents and persons, distinguishing between friends, strangers and the delivery driver.
 

Alarm.com ADC-V724: “Detering intruders via AI messages”

The ADC-V724 by Alarm.com is an outdoor bullet camera specifically designed for the front door. The ADC-V724 features 1080p resolution, high-dynamic range (HDR) video, IR night vision and 117 degree field of view. It cannot just heed voice commands, but also talk back. Integrated with Alarm.com’s subscription-based home security suites, it has convincing AI-powered conversational features. It can, for example, ask people approaching the door for the purpose of their visit and relay the message via an app to the homeowner. For unwanted guests, it can play various deterring messages and sounds.
 
Even though the ADC-V724 is meant to be part of a larger Alarm.com home security infrastructure, it has a slot for a microSD card, which enables privacy-conscious users to keep storage “on the edge.”
 

Aqara Camera Hub G3: “Security plus care”

In contrast to the previously mentioned models, Aqara Camera Hub G3 is designed for indoor use, enabling usage scenarios far beyond security—something that is especially beneficial for families with children or caring for elderly family members. The Camera Hub 3 comes with Gesture & Face Tracking, enabling it not only to "talk" back, but also to initiate conversations via automation triggers, for example when the person being cared for needs assistance.
 
Aqara’s offering is tailored to the needs of privacy-conscious and cloud-reluctant users. Storage of up to 8GB and AI analytics run on IoT gateways that can connect the Camera Hub G3 to wider Aqara home automation infrastructures. As such, the camera can be integrated with Alexa, Google Home and other voice assistants via the Zigbee protocol, enabling full conversational features.
 
Its core features are also convincing: 1296p resolution, 117 degrees field of view, and pan and tilt motors that enable 360 degree viewing angle.
 

Arlo Pro 5S 2K: “Strong performance, easily linked with common AI assistants”

The specs of Arlo’s Pro 5S 2K are at the upper end in the home security market, especially when zooming in on its core strengths: 2K video with HDR, 160 degree field of view, 12x zoom, Color Night Vision with two LEDs and wide hardware integration options, for example with the Arlo Solar Panel Charger. It also features full conversational 2-way audio and a siren to deter intruders.
 
While Arlo infrastructures, usually centered on an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, can be controlled via a centralized smartphone app, they can also be linked to your Google account, simply via the two apps on your smart phone. This integrates the Arlo Pro 5S 2K with the full Google Home lineup Now any Google Home Voice Controller is able to act as a conversational command interface.  
 

Google Nest Cam for fully integrated Google Homes

Many home security cameras can be integrated with solutions from Goole, Amazon and other tech companies, so it’s only natural that cameras native to respective ecosystems come with convincing features. Google offers Nest Cam models for indoor and outdoor use, for wired installations or using batteries. The latest generation offers 2k video, 152 degrees field of view and 6x digital zoom.  
 
All Nest Cams are designed to be operated via Google Gemini, the company’s proprietary AI chatbot, ensuring that it’s “always at home, even when you’re not.” Just as in the browser version, Gemini—used as Nest Cam controller—responds to typed and voice input, presenting footage and interpreting events within seconds.
 
For users who wish to make full use of Google Home features, there are several subscription options, offering from 30 to 60 days of event-based video history, intelligent alerts including zoomed-in previews and a wide range of home automation options when integrated with other Google devices.
 

Reolink TrackFlex Floodlight Wi-Fi Camera: “The security champion”

Reolink offers security cameras for all professional and home security purposes. Compared with other outdoor cameras with two-way audio, the TrackFlex Floodlight Wi-Fi Camera offers a comprehensive package. It features two lenses—one with 4k wide view for situational awareness, and one offering up to 6x hybrid zoom that allows the system to close in on faces, license plates or the labels of packages left at the door by the delivery driver.
 
With AI-powered motion tracking and dual-color floodlight, it can help parents keep an eye on their children when they’re playing in the yard, as well as deter intrusion attempts at night, if, for example, paired with a third-party alarm system.
 
Voice controls can be used via Alexa or Google Home, unlocking a full range of AI features, including semantic search. Users can, for example, ask their virtual assistant to show them footage of when the dog sitter left the house and when they came back, or even ask whether they walked the dog for the agreed upon time.
 

Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2: “The Amazon cam”

Similar to Google with its Nest Cam lineup, Amazon offers a full range of Alexa-native home cameras through its dedicated security brand Ring. This includes the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, which is, as the name suggests, an integrated solution featuring a doorbell and 1536p HD “head-to-toe” video camera with two-way voice controls. Video Doorbell Pro 2 might be the most convincing solution for frequent Amazon customers who want full visibility of the last-mile delivery of their orders, as the camera can be set up for full integration with the user’s Amazon account, including enabling them to talk to the delivery driver at the door via Two-Way Talk with noise cancellation.
 
In the security domain, Video Doorbell Pro 2 enables 3D motion detection and color night vision, sending the user customized alerts when the AI detects an event.
 
Basic features, including real-time notifications, are available without a Ring Home subscription, while subscribers can also review videos after an event and share them with anyone through the app.
 

Ulticam IQ V2 AI Security Camera: “The latest contender”

The Ulticam IQ V2 AI by Xthings is the latest release among conversation-ready home security cameras. It features 4K video, HDR, 160 degrees field of view, a siren and a spotlight to deter potential intruders. While Ulticam offers edge storage via an SD card for redundancy, the IQ V2 AI is designed for integration with the Xthings Cloud, which offers lifetime free rolling 7-day storage without a paid subscription.
 
Meanwhile, the IQ V2 AI comes with an egde AI-enabled chip capable of smart object detection and classification. AI metadata generated by the camera itself—based on images and sounds, including speech—can be accessed via Google Gemini, which serves as the conversational interface through which users can communicate with their device.
 

Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro: “Security first”

With the Outdoor Camera Pro, Vivint offers robust hardware with convincing tech specs—4k video, HDR, 140 degrees field of view, 3x optical and 10x digital zoom. As a device focused more clearly on security than additional IoT functions, Outdoor Camera Pro comes with two far-field microphones with echo cancelation, and can play event-triggered audio clips of up to 90 seconds.
 
The Outdoor Camera Pro is designed to be part of a multi-device home protection architecture centered on the subscription-based Vivint Monitoring service. While this includes emergency dispatch of security personnel and system support by local Vivint contractors, Outdoor Camera Pro can also act as part of Alexa or Google Home-centered infrastructures of IoT devices, including conversational features.
 

Xiaomi Mijia 1296P PTZ Smart IP Camera: “The budget solution”

The Xiaomi Mijia 1296P PTZ Smart IP Camera is an entry-level device with convincing conversational features via Alexa and Xiaomi’s Mi Home suite, which enables users to control, and converse with, all kinds of Xiaomi smart home devices.
 
As such, the Mijia 1296P enables 2k video, infrared night view and PTZ rotation angles of 355 degrees vertically and 56 degrees horizontally. Storage options are local storage via microSD card, local NAS storage via an IoT gateway, or storage in the Xiaomi cloud, making AI analytics accessible via an app.
 

Conclusion

Many manufacturers of home security cameras have begun integrating conversational interfaces—a trend that’s only set to continue as AI advances. While there is no overall best solution, there are more and more cameras that explore what is possible for different purposes and scenarios.