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The best smart security cameras of CES 2020: Arlo, ADT and a Bee drone

Alina Bradford
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This story is part of our continuing coverage of CES 2020, including tech and gadgets from the showroom floor.

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If you’re in the market for a new smart security camera, CES 2020 has some great new options that are being unveiled this week. We’ve seen three new cameras from ADT, a cool new floodlight from Arlo, and even a security camera drone that mimics a bee. Here are all the best smart security cameras and gadgets we’ve seen so far.

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<strong>Top Tech of CES 2020: Editors' Pick</strong>
The products in this article were selected by our editors as standouts in the smart security cameras category at CES 2020. Check out our Top Tech of CES Awards, which award our favorite products in over ten categories, to see all the hottest gear.
best tech ces 2020 digital trends editors pick
CES 2020

New Blue by ADT cameras

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Blue by ADT lineup got three new members at CES this year: the Blue by ADT Indoor Camera, Blue by ADT Outdoor Camera, and the Blue by ADT Doorbell Camera. All of the cameras capture video at 1080p resolution, have facial recognition technology, and are compatible with existing LifeShield systems and Blue by ADT systems. You can also control other Alexa compatible devices using voice commands through the devices. The new Blue by ADT cameras are $199 each and are available for pre-order now.

Ring Access Controller Pro

ring access controller pro
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While the Ring Access Controller Pro isn’t a camera, we felt it deserved a mention. When combined with your Ring security cameras it can let you see who is at your gate, then you can open the gate remotely. It can also be paired with Key by Amazon so your boxes get delivered inside your gate, safe from package bandits. The system is available now for $299.

Sunflower Labs’ Bee

Sunflower Labs Bee Drone
Sunflower Labs

Mark this smart security camera as our pick for strangest entry of the year. The Sunflower Labs’ Bee security drone detects movement, then sweeps into video the source of the movement without the need for a human to control it. The Bee, of course, comes with a hive, which is where it charges. The Hive is also the Bee’s brain and boy, is this bee smart. It has ultrasonic collision-avoidance sensors to keep it from crashing into things, and it also has GPS. The Bee is available for pre-order now with a deposit of $999. The base price of the system starts at $9,995.

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera

Arlo Pro 3 Flood Light on white house
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Arlo has been one of Digital Trends’ favorite security camera companies for a while now, so we were more than a bit excited when the brand announced its new Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera. This camera is jam-packed with goodies. It has a bright spotlight, a 160-degree field of view, a built-in siren, 2K video with HDR, color night vision and two-way audio. Even better? It’s battery-powered so there’s no need for a professional installation. The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera will be available this spring for $250.

Abode Smart Camera

adobe smart camera on front door
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Abode Smart Camera wowed us at CES because it can be either a doorbell or a security camera. It’s made for indoor and outdoor use and can be mounted just about anywhere, making it super versatile. It also has a lot of great features, like it can learn to recognize faces over time and store all the faces it sees in a database that you can view to see just who has been creeping around your property. If that weirds you out, don’t worry. The function can be turned on and off. When the Smart Camera is released (no word on a date yet) it is expected to retail for $199.

Follow our live blog for more CES news and announcements.

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Alina Bradford
Alina Bradford
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alina Bradford has been a tech, lifestyle and science writer for more than 20 years. Her work is read by millions each month…
The best smart locks of CES 2020: Lockly, August, Kwikset, and more
Lockly Vision on brown door

This story is part of our continuing coverage of CES 2020, including tech and gadgets from the showroom floor.

CES 2020 has paved the way for some amazing new smart locks from Lockly, Kwikset, and BenjiLock that are tough, intelligent, and straightforward. We're surprised that Ring hasn't unveiled its Ring Video Doorbell 3, especially since the company filed a patent for the device last year, but there is still time. For now, here are the best smart locks we've seen so far at the annual tech show.

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Sunflower Labs’ Bee is a fully autonomous home defense and observation drone
sunflower-labs-bee

Imagine for a moment a scenario where someone enters your yard uninvited. Maybe they jump over a fence, or they sneak in through the back gate. Within a few seconds of entering your property, the intruder hears a sound like the buzzing of a swarm of bees — and a drone descends from the sky to capture them on video and provide you with a live view of everything the intruder does. This is the concept behind Sunflower Labs’ Bee, a fully autonomous drone that automatically responds to vibrations and motion on your property. 

The Bee is equipped with ultrasonic collision-avoidance sensors, precision GPS, and a crisp camera that livestreams everything the Bee sees. The Bee automatically deploys from its base station, a device called The Hive. The Hive not only charges the Bee, but acts as the brains for the entire system. It’s built with an inverted cone shape to guarantee the Bee lands properly every time. It also guarantees the charging points are in the proper position to ensure a solid charge. 

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Blue by ADT’s revamped home security lineup features Alexa-enabled cameras
blue by adt three alexa compatible security cameras ces 2020

ADT made a name for itself as a home security company. The announcements ADT made today at CES 2020 shows it intends to continue to grow that reputation, and in a big way. ADT announced three new security devices in the “Blue by ADT” lineup: An indoor camera, an outdoor camera, and a doorbell camera. The devices aren’t just run of the mill security cameras, though. They integrate Alexa in a different way than most security systems.
The Blue by ADT Indoor Camera streams and records video at 1080p and has two-way talk, support for up to 128 GB of local storage, and Alexa integration. Users can ask Alexa to set specific recording rules and manage other Alexa-enabled devices in the home like a thermostat or a smart lock. The Indoor Camera can detect your home’s existing smoke and carbon monoxide siren and alert you if it triggers.
The Blue by ADT Outdoor Camera is essentially the outdoorsy counterpart to the indoor camera. It also streams and captures video at 1080p resolution and boasts night vision capabilities. It can also store up to 128 GB of footage on a local memory card. The Blue by ADT Outdoor Camera is IP-65 weather-resistant, so it can withstand most average weather conditions. It’s powered by a rechargeable battery, so you do not need to run a cable to it -- a fact that allows for more creative placement.
Finally, the Blue by ADT Doorbell Camera streams 1080p video, has two-way audio, and a 180-degree field of view. It is available in Pearl Grey right now, but a new graphite color option is coming soon. At the moment, it only works with Amazon Alexa, but Google Home and Apple HomeKit compatibility are on the way.
These devices have a lot of appeal already, but all three share several extra features, the first of which is facial recognition. The camera can detect a familiar face and alert you when that person comes into view. All three devices are also compatible with existing LifeShield systems as well as the upcoming Blue by ADT Security Systems. You can create custom motion zones with each camera to cut down on the number of false alerts, and the built-in Alexa functionality means you can control any other Alexa-compatible device in your home from these cameras.
Something else all three share is the price point. All three Blue by ADT cameras are $199 and available for preorder now. You can also invest in the Blue by ADT Extender + Chime for $49 which improves the life of the outdoor camera and plays a preset chime when someone rings the doorbell.
Follow our live blog for more CES news and announcements.

 

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