A nanny camera is a device that helps parents watch over their children from a mile away. It helps you keep an eye on the kids when in the care of a babysitter/nanny. With the growing number of child abuse cases, it is only natural that parents would want to know everything that goes on with their child, especially in their absence.
Buying a nanny camera can be quite dicey as there are many nanny cameras available on the market. You will find products from tech companies like Wyze, Ring, Google Nest, Blink, and many others. You’d be spoilt for choice.
Having said this, the question really is: how much does a nanny camera cost?
Factors that Affect the Price of Nanny Cameras
If you want to buy a nanny camera, the first step is to prepare your budget. The cost of nanny cameras varies according to the specs you’re looking out for. Some go for as little as $35, while others are sold for a staggering amount of $400 or more. If you want a nanny cam that does more than the basic surveillance function, then you should be ready to pay more.
Some of the factors that affect the price of nanny cameras include;
- Brand reputation.
- Camera size and quality.
- Camouflage design.
- Compatibility with other home security systems.
- Sound or motion detection.
- Video quality/resolution.
- Wireless or self-recording.
- Viewing angle and storage.
Size
Small nanny cameras with dimensions of about 3.5×7×1.7 can easily be hidden in regular objects like your kid’s stuffed toys, books, alarm clocks, phone chargers, picture frames, wall clocks, or even the potted plant in the living room. Such nanny cams have high video resolution. They have motion sensors that are triggered when there is movement at your front door. Most micro nanny cameras cost under $100.
Design
Nanny cameras come in different shapes and forms. Your preferred design depends on what you need. Some newer models of nanny cameras come in designs that disguise them as everyday items. It’s not strange to find nanny cameras that are designed as pens, alarm clocks, flash drives, and toys. This type of nanny camera would naturally cost more. While the regular models that look like security cameras would be valued at lower prices.
Compatibility
Compatibility with devices and other home security systems can rack up the price of a nanny camera. With the advancement in technology, these smart nanny cameras are in high demand. Cameras with remote access to Apple or Android devices, PCs, Tablets, etc can cost up to $200.
Wireless or Self-recording
With the new technological advancements, analog systems are fast phasing out. This includes hard-wired and self-contained types of nanny cameras. Newer models of nanny cameras with WiFi connections and remote viewing systems. However, they are more expensive than older models. Such nanny cams are valued between $300 and $500 because of their advanced features.
Viewing Angle
Some nanny cameras are designed to give you a wide view of living space while others only capture a certain angle. If your nanny camera has a wide field of view, you can zoom in to have a closer view of an image on the camera. You can also move the lens of the camera to capture different areas of the room. But such nanny cams come in big sizes and can be easily identified as security cameras.
Cheap/Low-End Nanny Cameras
These nanny cameras cost roughly about $35 to $80. All cameras in this category do not necessarily function alike, but they lack certain features found in the more expensive nanny cameras.
One of the limitations associated with these nanny cameras is their inability to record audio. Unlike other advanced models, they do not have a two-way audio system that allows you to talk with your kids and listen to conversations with their nanny. Even when they record audio, the recording comes out muddled up.
Also, they cannot be connected to a WiFi network. Thus, you cannot watch a live stream or run remote surveillance. If your kids are in danger while you’re away at work, you’ll be left in the dark till you get home. You will need an external SD card to save and watch the recorded video later in the day.
Their lenses are fixed which makes the cameras prone to blind spots. The lens can’t move flexibly to capture different angles of the room. And in a bid to get a better view, you may mistakenly expose the camera. If you want just basic surveillance functions, then you can consider cameras within this range. But if you want more advanced features, then you may need to spend more money.
Expensive/High-End Nanny Cameras
The cost for these nanny cameras may be on the high side, but they are definitely worth the price. They come with a range of interesting features that not only make surveillance better but also improve overall security.
With these nanny cameras, you don’t need an external SD card. The camera is connected to your smartphone or any other viewing device. You can also connect them to your home WiFi. They have a large storage space that allows you to watch live streams and save video footage to the cloud to replay later.
These cameras have good video resolution, motion detectors, and flexible lenses. Nanny cameras within this range can be controlled remotely. The sensitivity of the motion sensors can be adjusted to your taste. And the lenses can also be adjusted to various angles or zoomed in for a better view.
They also have night vision features that give clear video recordings in the dark. High-end nanny cameras have rechargeable batteries which have long battery life. They can record videos for long hours without running down.
The camera also offers a two-way communication system that records audio. You can also create customized lullabies for your kids. They can be camouflaged to blend into the child’s personal belongings or house furniture.
The bottom line remains- the more features the camera has, the more expensive it will be. If you’re ready to make a purchase, you can check them out here.