After 41 hours spent researching the best dog cameras, we think Pawbo Life Wi-Fi HD 2-Way Audio Dog Camera is the best for most people.
This choice is based on several criteria: brand, color, resolution, lens angle, zoom, personal assistant, audio, wifi speed, night vision, activity alert, HD livestream, treat dispenser, dimensions, weight, and warranty, among other things.
| Product | Price | Overall Rating | Quality | Durability | Appearance | Maintenance | Value for Money | brand | color | resolution | lens angle | zoom | personal assistant | audio | wifi speed | night vision | activity alert | HD livestream | treat dispenser | dimensions | weight | warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pawbo Life Wi-Fi HD 2-Way Audio Dog Camera | Check Price | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | Pawbo | White | 720p HD | 130 degree | 4x | Not specified | 2-way | 2.4GHz wifi | No | No | Yes | Yes | 4.4 x 4.4 x 7.9 in | 1.2 lbs | 1 year |
 | Petcube Bites 2 Wi-Fi Treat Dispenser Dog Camera | Check Price | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | Petcube | Grey | 1080p HD | 160 degree | 4x | Alexa (built-in) | 2-way | 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz wifi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.7 x 2.8 x 10.5 in | 1.5 lbs | 1 year |
| Wopet Smart Wi-Fi Treat Dispenser Dog Camera | Check Price | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | Wopet | White | 720p HD | 123 degree | 4x | Alexa compatible | 2-way | 2.4GHz wifi | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 5.7 x 5.7 x 10 in | 3.2 lbs | 1 year |
 | Skymee 2-Way Audio Treat Dispenser Dog Camera | Check Price | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | Skymee | White | 1080p HD | 130 degree | 4x | Alexa compatible | 2-way | 2.4GHz wifi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.6 x 5.6 x 9.4 in | 2.5 lbs | 1 year |
| Furbo Treat Tossing Full HD Wi-Fi Dog Camera | Check Price | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | Furbo | White | 1080p HD | 160 degree | 4x | Alexa compatible | 2-way | 2.4GHz wifi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.9 x 4.7 x 8.9 in | 1.76 lbs | 1 year |
If you’re a busy dog mom or dad, you want to have the best dog camera available so that you can keep an eye on your furry friend all day long.
A versatile, fun camera can help you and your dog to be entertained, even when you’re apart.
We love to entertain our pets. Whether it’s buying them an automatic dog ball launcher or a dog pool, we want to find things to make them happy and healthy. Entertainment is just as important as dog flea treatment, using their dog brush or dog nail grinder, brushing their teeth with a dog toothbrush, or washing them with dog shampoo.
Taking them for walks is always a great idea. You can put their dog leash, dog training collar, harness, and/or service dog vest on (don’t forget their dog tag) and go! Just don’t leave your dog poop bags at home – your dog can carry them in their dog backpack.
And, of course, you can always put them in your dog bike trailer when you ride. Or, take them to the dog park and toss around their dog fetch toy. You can even train them using a dog whistle.
But sometimes, you just aren’t going to be able to be at home to entertain your pet. Keeping them in a certain part of the house with a dog gate can be helpful, but what are they supposed to do, other than eating from their automatic dog feeder when it’s feeding time or hanging out on their dog cooling pad if it’s hot?
The best dog camera can be a fun way to keep an eye on your dog and keep them entertained while you’re at work or running errands.
Selection Of The Best Dog Cameras
Here are the best dog cameras for most people according to Outlinist:
Buying Guide
Subscription Required?
Some of the models of cameras that you’re going to find will have a subscription plan that you have to sign up and pay for in order to use all of the different features that are available for it.
The typical subscription is somewhere between 5 and 15 dollars a month. Some of the more advanced options could be even more, depending on what sorts of features that you’re exploring. But, there are many models with no subscription plan required. Of course, those usually have fewer features.
2 Way Audio Options
A 2 way audio dog camera is one of the most common options you’ll find. You can use your phone app to “call” in to your dog and they’ll hear your voice through the speaker that is attached to it.
2 way audio options are awesome for many pet families, because they allow you to talk to your dog and keep an eye on them. You can even call them into the room(s) with the camera so that you can make sure that they aren’t getting into trouble.
2 Way Video Options
If you’re really going high tech, you may want to see if you can find a 2 way video dog camera. Not only are they going to be able to hear you, but these models also have a screen that your dog can look at in order to see you, as well.
Some of these can also provide entertainment for your dog. If you aren’t actively calling them through the app, they may have pictures that scroll along, or “TV shows” equivalent to what you’d see on a dog-centric TV station.
App Availability
There are pet monitor apps for iPhones, iPads, Macs, Windows devices, and Android devices. Find the camera and app combo that works for your needs.
Of course, no app will work if the camera isn’t working. Some devices are powered solely by batteries, some simply plug in. For plug-in models, look for options that also have a built-in battery backup that will kick on if the power goes out.
Treat Dispenser
Many of the cameras you see nowadays allow you to spoil your furry friend with a treat while you’re not home as well.
The best dog camera treat dispenser will pop out treats onto the floor or nearby surface so your dog can easily access it. You don’t want a camera where the treat dispenses into a cup or bowl that is attached to the camera, because your dog could move (or even break) the camera in its excitement.
Clarity of Picture
You want to know that your camera has the best pixel count possible, because you want to see your dog clearly not just as a blur. The best dog home camera is going to have somewhere between 720 pixels and 2 megapixels.
The more pixels a camera has, the clearer and more distinct the picture will be. With a good camera, you’ll have an easier time seeing if your dog is chewing the table leg or if they’re pulling at their dog recovery suit or cone if they’re home alone after a surgery.
Clarity of Audio
You also want to be sure that you can hear as well as you possibly can. Nowadays, good speakers are smaller than ever before, so you don’t necessarily need a really big camera to be able to hear your dog.
The speakers should be housed on the camera in a place where the dog can clearly hear them. Not only that, but you want at least 70 decibels (db) of sensitivity, if not more. For reference, most Bluetooth speakers nowadays fall between 80 and 92 db.
Alert and Detection Options
The best dog camera for pet monitoring is going to have options for noise alerts and movement detection. You want to know what your dog is doing, even if you aren’t always watching the stream.
Many cameras will let you know if your dog is barking at something or if there’s a loud noise of some sort. They will also alert you if the dog is in the line of sight of the camera, giving you a picture of them and letting you know what it is that they are doing at that point in time.
Takes Pictures
While these are mainly video cameras, many dog cameras will also allow you to take still pictures or screen shots of your dog.
Some of the most advanced models can even sense when your dog is looking directly at the camera (it looks for their eyes). Then, if the dog is facing the camera, they’ll take a snapshot and send it to your phone or other device so that you have a cute picture of them.
Calming Options
Anxious dogs really benefit from dog cameras because it allows you to check in with them, see them, and say hello no matter where you are during the day.
Since many owners have gotten these to help their anxious canines, several companies have actually added calming options to their devices. Some cameras diffuse a little lavender (or other aromatherapeutic scents). Others have calming music or TV shows that can help your dog to relax.
Fixed or Flexible View?
The best camera to watch dog antics is one that allows you to get the best view of the spaces that they are in. Some cameras will just have a wide lens, which makes it simple for you to view the entire space that it’s pointed at.
Other cameras have the functionality to pan the camera from side to side or up and down so that you can change the view. The most advanced options will also use motion sensors to “track” where your dog is in a room and pan to where they are.
Easy to Update Firmware
Like any other electronic device, your dog electronic camera is going to need to be updated from time to time. But, how can you do that?
As you may expect, all cameras need to be able to connect to a wireless network in order to see the dog from your phone. Some models will just take care of updates by telling you there is one and giving you the option to update. Other models may require you to connect it to a PC in order to update.
Interactive Games
Dogs love fun and companionship, and a dog camera with interactive functionality is a fantastic way to have fun with them when you’re not home.
Some of the interactive games you may find are laser pointer games (where a laser dot moves around while your pet tries to catch it), the ability to “call” you (by pressing a button), and the TV-style shows mentioned earlier.
Night Vision
Does your smart device not turn on every light in your home? Or, do you want to be able to see your dog even if the power goes out? Then night vision is a must-have.
Night vision is never going to be as clear as what you see with the lights on. But, it can at least let you peek in and see if your dog is pacing around the house or relaxing on their favorite chair while waiting for you to get home.
Warranty
Electronic devices should always have a warranty with them. Accidents happen, inexperience could cause you to damage the unit, or it may be defective, so you want to have that safety net available.
The best dog camera usually has a 3 to 5 year warranty associated with it, and many retailers will allow you to buy an extended policy if you wish to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I get a dog camera?
First, for your peace of mind. Many people feel bad leaving their pet home alone, and so they want to do everything possible to know that their dog is going to be as safe as they can be.
Secondly, it’s a good form of fun and entertainment for your dog. If you have an anxious dog, they may feel better if you can check in on them and talk to them. Overall, they’re just a solid investment for both you and your pet(s).
Where is the best place to put a camera?
Where does your dog spend most of their time? Then that’s the place where you want to have the camera. It’ll give you the best view and it’ll be easier for them to come listen to or see you.
Finding the best dog camera mount can take a little time. Some cameras come with mounts; others only sit on flat surfaces. Find the place where you’ll get the biggest and best view and you’ll be happy with your camera placement.
Can I use a dog camera for other pets?
Absolutely! A pet surveillance camera can help you to see and communicate with any of the furry, feathered, or scaly pets that you may have in your home.
While many of these cameras are specially designed for dogs (especially those with treat dispensers), you can use them in a lot of different ways. There are even some that people have used as baby monitors! They’re that versatile, affordable, and easy to set up.
What’s the difference between these and a typical security camera?
Not a lot, actually. Many of them have the same pixel counts nowadays, and you can set them anywhere that you want. Most security cameras have more outdoor safety features than dog cameras do.
But, dog cameras are designed for interaction more than security cameras. So, while you could set up a security camera for your dog, you won’t be able to give them treats; and some security cameras don’t have 2 way audio options (and most don’t have 2 way video).
Will cameras with alert systems just spam alerts with any movement?
Many early dog camera models had really sensitive and inaccurate alert systems that would spam their owners with tons of dog camera bark notifications, even if the dog wasn’t really barking.
Nowadays, the technology has gotten much more advanced, and they can actually tell when a dog is barking as opposed to other noises. They can also tell the difference between your pet moving and a human moving or something falling down.
Sources
- Camera Specifically Designed for Use With Dogs Saves One Dog's Life, American Kennel Club, Nov 27, 2017
- Why aren't you spying on your dog? A handy guide to using pet cams, Mashable, Jul 24, 2018
- Should You Buy a Smart Camera to Spy on Your Dog?, New York Magazine, Jul 17, 2018
- The 8 Best Pet Cameras of 2019, The Spruce Pets, Feb 28, 2019
- Best Pet Cameras: Furbo, Petzi, Petchatz, Pawbo, WIRED, May 12, 2018
- Dog Cameras & Monitors: Wi-Fi, Video & More, Chewy
- Best pet cameras to keep tabs on your dog or cat, Mashable, Nov 2, 2018
- The 8 Best Pet Cameras of 2019, Lifewire
- Pet Camera, eBay
- Pet Cameras & Accessories, Best Buy
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