It’s understandable if you’re getting a security camera because you’re worried about home safety and burglars, or even home invasions. Those crimes have fallen in recent years, partly from the rise of smart home security systems, but a home security camera can do far more than just watch for a trespasser.
I use my home security cameras all the time — just not for any crime-related reasons. Those sensors, features and alerts are incredibly useful for everyday home tasks like managing smart locks, finding lost objects, taking care of pets or loved ones and even watching wildlife. Here are some of my favorite purposes my cameras have beyond security.
Read more: Spots to Never Install a Security Camera
Package instructions
Security cams can give delivery people instructions.
With their AI detection features, many home security cameras can recognize packages and alert you if they appear or disappear. That’s not only handy for stopping porch pirates. Even if your packages aren’t in immediate danger, it’s useful to see when a person is arriving with a package so you can give them quick instructions like placing it near the door so it doesn’t get rained on, putting it in a delivery box, waiting until you get the garage door opened, and so on.
If you don’t want to activate the two-way audio, a number of video doorbells and similar devices have customized preset messages that Alexa or other voice assistants can give with the press of a button to save time.
Opening your door for family
Yale’s latest Google Home integrations could enable even more routines.
Today’s video doorbells and security cameras aren’t just smart, they can also connect with other home devices and control them. One of my favorite tricks is using facial recognition for family and other allowed guests, then automatically unlocking a smart lock for them as they approach.
Not too many locks can do this yet but compatibility is on the rise if you don’t mind a bit of facial recognition. Yale’s latest smart lock can do this with a Nest Doorbell, for example, or integrate with an ADT+ security system to perform a similar task.
On a similar note, if you have a security camera at the right angle in front of your home, you can also use it to double-check if the garage door is closed, just in case you forgot.
Spotting bugs and pests
A security system can even do some pest control work for you.
Home security cameras aren’t always watching: When armed, they’re motion-activated and they can ignore certain types of motion like swaying branches or small pets. However, you can turn up motion sensitivity if you want to take a really close look at something, which can come in surprisingly handy if you’re trying to track down a pest problem.
From roaches to rodents, indoor cameras and their night vision capabilities plus motion detection can alert you when they appear and, most important, give you vital clues about where they are coming from and how to stop them.
Activating a backyard intercom
Outdoor security cams can make surprisingly useful intercoms.
Every home security cam worth its price includes two-way audio that you can activate from an app. That’s not only handy in video doorbell scenarios, it also makes a great mini-intercom when someone’s too far away to yell at, like sunning on the patio or playing in the backyard. Use the audio to call in kids for dinner, ask your S.O. what they want for takeout, let someone know the oven timer went off … OK, maybe I’m just hungry. But if there’s a walkie-talkie reason to talk to someone, your security cam can handle it.
Finding lost objects
More advanced security AI can help you find lost objects.
One of the 2025 advances in security cameras is the ability for AI like Google’s Gemini to look through saved security video footage in the cloud. Ring’s newest generative AI can perform the same sort of tasks, and upcoming upgrades to Alexa Plus and Siri are likely to include similar features.
If you’re OK with AI looking through your videos and identifying objects, it can be a great solution to track down something missing. In the case of Gemini, you can ask the AI directly, “Where did the kids leave their bikes?” or “Where did the dog leave the ball?” and it will answer with what info it can collect from the latest video footage.
Watching over your pets
Security cameras with AI detection and audio can also function as pet monitors.
Speaking of pets, if you leave a pet at home during the day or on vacation and would like to keep an eye on it, an indoor security camera can easily handle the job. Dedicated pet cams do exist but many general security cams can also recognize pets, send you alerts when one is spotted, allowing you to use the two-way audio to comfort them or, as needed, yell at them to get off the table. Switching to a dedicated pet cam allows for more specific controls, like tossing treats and getting more pet-related notifications.
Keeping older residents safe
Security cams can be an easy way to get alerts about older loved ones, too.
Granny pods and other independent living situations still let you keep an eye on loved ones with the right security camera. For example, a porch security camera with face recognition can let you know when an older relative is leaving at an unusual time, like “Front door cam sees Dolores leaving the house.” Or if older relatives like to go out shopping or for a walk, the same cam can send you alerts when it recognizes them returning home so you don’t have to worry.
Monitoring babies and toddlers
You can switch a security cam to baby and toddler duty, too.
At CNET we’ve tested a variety of dedicated baby monitors with plenty of useful features. Security cameras offer broad alternatives that you can repurpose for security or easily switch rooms later as needed. The security cam can still send motion alerts, let you check in on a baby at any time or provide notifications if it sees a toddler leaving its room — no matter where the parents may be.
Birdwatching
Security cameras are great for birdwatching in the right spot.
If you’re a fan of keeping an eye on what birds visit your feeders, posting a nearby security camera is a fun addition. You can peek through the live view whenever you want and save pics or videos when you spot an unusual or brightly colored visitor. Equip your birdwatching security camera with a solar panel and you’ll rarely have to worry about recharging, either. Oh, and you’ll get updates about strangers on your property, too.
Now that your mind is on home safety, why not visit my guide on the best DIY home security systems, the top tricks to prevent trespassing and the best mounting choices for security cameras.
