Best Security Cameras for Apartments

The best security cameras for apartments are wireless, battery-powered, and mountable without drilling into walls or exterior brick — since most leases prohibit permanent alterations. The Eufy SoloCam S340 is our top pick for renters thanks to its no-subscription local storage, and the Ring Indoor Cam is the best simple option for inside your own front door.

Why Apartment Cameras Are a Different Category

A homeowner can hardwire a camera into siding or drill into brick. A renter generally can't — and often can't point a camera at shared hallways or a neighbor's door either, which raises both lease and privacy issues. Apartment-friendly cameras need to be:

• Battery or plug-in powered — no electrician or hardwiring required.
• Mountable with adhesive or tension mounts — no drilling into walls, door frames, or brick.
• Pointed only at your own doorway or interior — not shared hallways, elevators, or a neighbor's door.

Top Picks for Apartments

1. Eufy SoloCam S340 (Best Outdoor/Balcony Option)

Battery and solar powered with 3K resolution and fully local storage — no subscription needed, and easy to remove if you move.

• Pros: No monthly fees, no wiring, removable without damage.
• Cons: Best suited to a balcony or private outdoor space rather than a shared building entrance.

2. Ring Indoor Cam (Best for Just Inside Your Door)

A compact plug-in camera that watches your own entryway from inside your unit, avoiding any hallway privacy concerns entirely.

• Pros: Very affordable, simple setup, avoids pointing at any shared or neighboring space.
• Cons: Only sees inside your apartment, not who's approaching your door from the hallway.

3. Brinno Peephole Camera (Best for Building-Restricted Doors)

For buildings that prohibit any exterior-facing camera or doorbell replacement, a peephole camera fits inside your existing door viewer with no visible exterior hardware at all. See our full Brinno review.

• Pros: No visible change to the door's exterior, no lease conflict with hallway-facing devices.
• Cons: No remote phone alerts — local viewing only.

Lease and Privacy Considerations

Before installing any camera, check your lease for camera restrictions and confirm your device's field of view doesn't capture a shared hallway, another unit's door, or common areas — this is both a lease issue and, in many jurisdictions, a legal one. When in doubt, an inward-facing camera like the Ring Indoor Cam sidesteps the issue entirely.

Cloud vs. Local Storage

Renters without a long-term commitment to one apartment often prefer local storage (no subscription to cancel when you move) — see our cloud vs. local storage comparison for the full tradeoff.

Related Reading

• Best Outdoor Wireless Security Cameras
• Camera Placement Guide for NYC Buildings
• Best Smart Locks for Apartments

Not sure what fits your specific apartment? Take our free Security Assessment.