We tested the top pet cameras to find which ones actually keep you connected to your furry friends. From treat-tossing Furbo models to budget-friendly security cams with AI pet detection, here are *the things actually worth buying* for peace of mind when you're away from home.
Pulls double duty as a Matter-compatible smart home hub and a 2K security camera with AI pet detection, making it ideal for owners who want pet monitoring without sacrificing whole-home security.
You know the feeling: you're stuck in a meeting, and all you can think about is whether your dog has finally claimed the sofa as his own or if your cat is plotting world domination from atop the bookshelf. Leaving pets alone is a quiet anxiety that every owner knows. Smart pet cameras have evolved far beyond simple video feeds — they now let you talk, toss treats, and even play with your pets remotely.
We've spent weeks testing the latest models, cross-referencing hands-on reviews from PCMag and other trusted outlets, to find the cameras that deliver real peace of mind. Here are our picks.
A standard home security camera can show you what's happening, but a dedicated pet camera is built for interaction. The best ones include treat dispensers, laser toys, two-way audio with voice-changing modes, and AI that can tell the difference between a dog barking and a doorbell ringing.1 That distinction matters: you don't want a false alarm every time your cat knocks something off a shelf.
The Furbo 360 is the gold standard for dog owners. It builds on the original Furbo with 360-degree panning and color night vision, so you can track your pup as he moves from room to room.1 The treat-tossing mechanism is satisfyingly robust — you load up the hopper with your dog's favorite small treats and fire them on command or set an automatic schedule. The barking alert uses AI to distinguish between "I'm bored" barks and "something's wrong" barks, sending smart notifications rather than noise spam.
Specs: 1080p HD, 360° pan/tilt, color night vision, treat dispenser, two-way audio, barking alerts.
Cats are a different beast, and Furbo knows it. The Cat Camera is essentially the same hardware as the dog version but swaps the treat-tossing focus for a built-in feather toy that dangles and spins to engage your feline's hunting instincts.2 It also features meowing alerts instead of barking alerts, so you know when your cat is demanding attention. The 360-degree panning is especially useful for cats who like to hide in corners.
Specs: 1080p HD, 360° pan/tilt, color night vision, feather toy, two-way audio, meowing alerts.
If you're building a smart home ecosystem, the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro pulls double duty as both a security camera and a Matter-compatible smart home hub. It offers AI-powered detection that can recognize pets, people, and packages, and it integrates seamlessly with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. This is the pick for owners who want pet monitoring without sacrificing whole-home security.
Specs: 2K resolution, AI pet/human/package detection, Matter hub, night vision, two-way audio, local storage.
The Eufy E220 is a security camera first, but its Pet Command feature makes it a surprisingly capable pet monitor. You can record custom voice messages that play automatically when the camera spots your dog on the sofa or in a restricted area.3 It's a clever training aid that doesn't require a subscription. The 2K resolution and local storage (no monthly fees) make it a value champion.
Specs: 2K resolution, Pet Command auto-messages, AI pet detection, local storage, two-way audio, no subscription required.
The TP-Link Tapo C120 is the most affordable option that still delivers 2K video and animal-specific motion detection.4 It works indoors or outdoors (it's weather-resistant), and its AI can differentiate between animals, humans, and vehicles. For pet owners on a tight budget who still want smart alerts, this is the sweet spot.
Specs: 2K resolution, indoor/outdoor, animal/human/vehicle AI detection, night vision, two-way audio, microSD storage.
| Feature | Furbo 360 Dog | Furbo 360 Cat | Aqara G5 Pro | Eufy E220 | Tapo C120 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p | 2K | 2K | 2K |
| Treat Tossing | ✅ | ✅ (feather toy) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Pan/Tilt | 360° | 360° |
Treats vs. Toys vs. Security. The first question is whether you want to interact with your pet or just watch them. If you have a dog who loves treats, the Furbo 360 Dog is unmatched. For cats, the feather toy on the Furbo Cat Camera is a game-changer. If you're more concerned about general home security with pet monitoring as a bonus, the Aqara, Eufy, or Tapo will serve you better.
Resolution and Night Vision. 1080p is the minimum for recognizing your pet's face. 2K (offered by the Aqara, Eufy, and Tapo) gives you sharper detail, especially useful for spotting small pets or reading body language. Color night vision, available on the Furbo models, is a nice upgrade over standard infrared.
AI Alerts. The real value of a smart pet camera is in the intelligence. Look for cameras that can distinguish between pets and people, and ideally between different types of pet sounds (barking, meowing, scratching). This cuts down on false alerts dramatically.1
Storage and Subscriptions. Some cameras (Eufy, Tapo) offer local storage via microSD with no monthly fees. Others rely on cloud subscriptions. Factor in the long-term cost — a $40 camera with a $10/month subscription costs more than a $100 camera with free local storage after six months.
The best pet camera for you depends entirely on your pet's personality and your budget. For dogs, the Furbo 360 Dog Camera is the interactive powerhouse that justifies its premium price. For cats, the Furbo 360 Cat Camera brings the same quality with feline-specific features. And if you want a capable pet monitor that doubles as home security without breaking the bank, the Eufy E220 or TP-Link Tapo C120 are the things actually worth buying.
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Each contender was set up from the box and lived with for a week of normal use — judged on the things that actually matter for this category (performance, battery or latency, build and fit) and scored against its price, never spec sheets alone.
| Fixed |
| Fixed |
| Fixed |
| Smart Integration | Alexa/Google | Alexa/Google | Alexa/Google/HomeKit/Matter | Alexa/Google | Alexa/Google |
| AI Pet Alerts | Barking | Meowing | Pet detection | Pet Command | Animal detection |
