Anyone got affordable security camera suggestions that don’t need a smartphone?

Hey all… I know this has probably been asked here before, but I’m in a rush trying to help a loved one out after a really upsetting incident with her pets. I’m looking for a simple, affordable security camera that she can monitor without using a smartphone… she’s older and doesn’t use one, but she does have a computer. Any suggestions would be so helpful, thanks a lot!

Wyze cameras are a good choice. They have a website and app access, but I’m not sure if you can set them up without the app initially.

Kiran said:
Wyze cameras are a good choice. They have a website and app access, but I’m not sure if you can set them up without the app initially.

That’s good to know, thanks for letting me know!

If you’re just looking for a single camera setup, Wyze works. But if there’s a chance of adding more in the future, TP-Link or Reolink might be better. They cost a bit more, but they’re simpler to use without the clunky setups. Plus, it’s easier to get a direct video feed to a monitor or tablet, which is nice if you want a constant feed.

@Barrett
This is super helpful, thanks so much!

I like Eufy cameras. They’re a good alternative since they don’t require subscriptions for recording or notifications like Wyze or Ring. Everything records directly to an SD card in the camera, which keeps things simple.

Not to add too much complexity, but just wanted to mention something about WiFi deauthentication attacks. There are these small, battery-operated devices that can disrupt WiFi cameras by temporarily disconnecting them from the network, so they’re not recording or monitoring during that time.

Some people don’t see it as a big deal, but it’s cheap and easy to do. There’s some talk about it on Wyze’s own forums, too.

If this is a concern, maybe look for a camera that supports 802.11w or WiFi 6 with protected management frames (PMF) since that stops this kind of attack. Just something to consider… anyone got more recent info on this?