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A security camera for renters and apartments
Updated
For most renters, the best fit is a battery camera that can sit on a shelf, sill or balcony rail mount without new holes, and that saves video in a way that moves with you. Before you mount anything outside your unit or aim at a shared hallway, read your lease and ask the landlord.
What matters more when you rent
| Renter need | What to look for on the listing |
|---|---|
| No holes or small holes | A stand, or a mount that needs one screw. Battery power, so no cord through a wall |
| You will move | Storage on a card or in the camera, not tied to a building system |
| Shared WiFi or weak WiFi | Check the band. Most outdoor cameras here need 2.4GHz |
| Neighbors close by | Motion zones and a privacy mode, so you record only your own door or balcony |
Picks that suit a rental
- The Ring Outdoor Cam listing says it sits on a flat surface or mounts to a wall, and it runs on a rechargeable pack. It is the easiest one here to set on a shelf and take with you. Caveat: saved video needs a Ring plan, per the listing and Ring's support page.
- The eufy SoloCam S220 saves clips with no plan, and the maker says it takes one hole to mount. Caveat: the solar panel needs a sunny spot, which many balconies and ground-floor doors do not get.
- The Blink Outdoor 4 is small and runs on two AA lithium batteries. Caveat: the Sync Module Core in this box has no local storage, so saved clips need a plan or a different Sync Module, sold separately.
The two plug-in picks, the WYZE Cam v4 and Tapo C500, need an outdoor outlet and a cord run, which most leases do not allow you to add. If you have a covered balcony with an outlet already there, they are worth a look.
Balcony and front door tips
- Set a motion zone that covers your door or balcony and cuts out the hallway, the street and the unit next door.
- On a battery camera, a busy hallway means more wake-ups and faster drain. The battery guide shows the math.
- Check the WiFi signal at the exact spot before you buy. A camera outside a door or on a far balcony may be at the edge of your router's reach.
- Keep the box and the receipt until you have seen a few days of clips. Our roundup lists what each camera does with no plan.
Lease and privacy rules
Many leases limit what you can attach to walls, doors and railings. Shared areas like hallways, lobbies and parking lots belong to the building, and the landlord may have rules about cameras there. Some cities and states have rules too. Ask in writing, and keep a copy of the answer.
Privacy and the law: Aim cameras at your own property. Keep neighbors' windows, yards and other private areas out of the frame. Rules on recording audio differ by state, so check yours before you leave the microphone on. This is general information, not legal advice.