Can an outdoor security camera help me keep track of my cat?

Yes — owners of indoor-outdoor cats commonly use porch or garden cameras to confirm the cat is back, review when it left, and spot visiting animals that might explain stress or territorial spraying. Motion notifications also alert you to your own cat waiting at the door. AI person/pet detection reduces false alerts from branches and shadows.

Are high-powered laser pointers safe to use around cats?

Only with deliberate care. Any laser — and especially higher-powered pointers — must never be aimed at eyes, at head height, or at mirrors and glass that could reflect the beam. Keep the dot on the floor and lower walls, use short sessions, and store the pointer where it can't be knocked on. For unsupervised or frequent play, a purpose-made pet laser toy with lower output is the safer choice.

Do I need a subscription for home security cameras?

Not necessarily. Cameras with built-in or local storage record and play back footage with no monthly fee, and several in this guide are explicitly subscription-free. Cloud plans add off-site backup and longer history, which matters for security use, but for pet-watching purposes local storage is usually sufficient.

Why does my cat go wild at the doorbell or door knocks?

Sudden unfamiliar sounds trigger either startle-flight or door-darting curiosity, depending on the cat. A video doorbell helps by giving you advance notice on your phone before the physical knock, so you can manage the cat first. Some owners also disable the loud indoor chime and rely on phone notifications alone, which removes the startle trigger entirely.

How long should laser play sessions last?

Two 10–15 minute sessions a day suit most adult cats. Because a laser dot can never be caught, always finish the session by switching to a physical toy — a wand or kicker the cat can grab and bite — to complete the hunt sequence. Ending on a 'catch' prevents the frustration that some cats develop with laser-only play.

Buying Guide

The 4 Best Home Tech Upgrades for Cat Owners in 2026

Caring for a cat doesn't stop at feeders and litter boxes — it extends to the home around them. An outdoor camera tells you whether your indoor-outdoor cat made it back to the porch; a video doorbell warns you before a delivery sends your cat bolting from an open door; and a good laser toy burns off the evening energy that would otherwise go into your curtains. We picked four pieces of home tech that earn their place in a cat household: two cameras for watching the home, and two laser toys for keeping its resident hunter busy.

Updated: July 6, 2026

Affiliate disclosure: PurRoutine earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. This does not affect our editorial recommendations. Learn more

Quick Comparison

Product	Best For	Key Pros	Main Con
eufy Security SoloCam S220, Solar Outdoor Camera, 2K	Best Outdoor Camera	Solar charging means no cables and no battery swaps	Mounting spot needs a few hours of daily sun	View on Amazon
Orbitell 1080p Wireless Video Doorbell Camera	Best Video Doorbell	AI motion detection warns you before the knock startles your cat	2.4GHz Wi-Fi only — no 5GHz support	View on Amazon
TBTeek Rechargeable Cat Laser Toy, Metal Case, 7 Patterns	Best Interactive Laser Toy	7 adjustable patterns keep sessions unpredictable	Handheld design means play requires your participation	View on Amazon
JANHER High Power Green Laser Pointer, USB Rechargeable	Best Multi-Purpose Pointer	One USB-rechargeable pointer for astronomy, work, and play	High output requires strict care: never near eye level or reflective surfaces	View on Amazon

Full Reviews

eufy Security SoloCam S220, Solar Outdoor Camera, 2K

Best Outdoor Camera

The SoloCam S220 pairs a 2K sensor with a built-in solar panel, so it runs continuously wherever it's mounted — over the porch where your cat waits, or the garden it patrols. Footage lives on 8GB of built-in storage with no subscription, and it slots into a HomeBase 3 setup if you expand later.

Pros

Solar charging means no cables and no battery swaps
2K resolution with built-in 8GB storage — no subscription
Wireless mounting goes wherever coverage is best
HomeBase 3 compatible for expanded eufy systems

Cons

Mounting spot needs a few hours of daily sun
Outdoor-focused; pair with an indoor cam for full coverage

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Orbitell 1080p Wireless Video Doorbell Camera

Best Video Doorbell

Orbitell's wireless doorbell gives you 1080p video, night vision, and AI motion alerts at the front door — advance warning that lets you secure a door-dashing cat before anyone knocks. Two-way audio means you can direct couriers without ever holding the door open.

Pros

AI motion detection warns you before the knock startles your cat
Two-way audio handles deliveries without opening the door
1080p with night vision covers the entry around the clock
Wireless install — no doorbell wiring needed

Cons

2.4GHz Wi-Fi only — no 5GHz support
Cloud storage may carry ongoing fees for history

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TBTeek Rechargeable Cat Laser Toy, Metal Case, 7 Patterns

Best Interactive Laser Toy

This two-piece TBTeek set wraps seven switchable projection patterns in a durable metal case with USB recharging — no coin-cell batteries to chase. The pattern variety keeps play less predictable than a plain red dot, which is exactly what holds a cat's hunting interest over weeks.

Pros

7 adjustable patterns keep sessions unpredictable
Rechargeable — no disposable batteries
Metal casing survives drops and bites
Two units included: one to use, one as backup or for a second room

Cons

Handheld design means play requires your participation
Pattern caps can be misplaced by small hands or paws

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JANHER High Power Green Laser Pointer, USB Rechargeable

Best Multi-Purpose Pointer

JANHER's green pointer is a do-everything tool — bright enough for astronomy and presentations, with a removable star cap that scatters the beam into patterns for supervised play. Green light reads far more visibly than red on daylight floors, though its higher power demands disciplined handling around pets.

Pros

One USB-rechargeable pointer for astronomy, work, and play
Removable star cap adds pattern variety
Highly visible green beam works even in bright rooms

Cons

High output requires strict care: never near eye level or reflective surfaces
Supervised, short sessions only — not a leave-out cat toy
Single pinpoint mode is less engaging than dedicated pet lasers

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Choosing Home Tech That Works for a Cat Household

For outdoor cameras, power source determines placement freedom. Solar-charged wireless cameras can be mounted wherever coverage is best — over the garden, the porch, or the spot where your cat sunbathes — without routing cables. Check that the mounting position gets a few hours of direct sun daily, or you'll be climbing a ladder to recharge.

Subscription-free local storage is worth prioritizing. Cameras with built-in storage record continuously or on motion without a monthly fee, and footage stays available even if your internet drops. Cloud-dependent cameras are cheaper upfront but the subscription typically exceeds the hardware cost within two years.

A video doorbell is an underrated tool for door-dasher cats. Knowing someone is approaching before they knock lets you shut the cat in another room or position yourself at the door. Two-way audio also lets you ask delivery drivers to leave packages rather than wait — fewer prolonged open-door moments.

With laser toys, treat power ratings seriously. For play, lower-powered pattern lasers designed for pets are the right tool — varied patterns hold attention and the beam is safe for indoor use. High-powered pointers marketed for astronomy produce a brighter dot but demand real care: never aim near eye level, never at reflective surfaces, and always supervise. Whichever laser you use, end sessions with a physical toy the cat can actually catch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Final Recommendation

The eufy SoloCam S220 is the standout — solar charging and built-in storage with no subscription make it the lowest-maintenance way to watch your porch and your cat's comings and goings. The Orbitell doorbell adds affordable front-door awareness for door-dasher households. For play, the TBTeek laser with seven patterns is the better everyday cat toy, while the JANHER high-power pointer suits owners who want one rechargeable pointer for astronomy, presentations, and careful supervised play.

The 4 Best Home Tech Upgrades for Cat Owners in 2026

Quick Comparison

Full Reviews

eufy Security SoloCam S220, Solar Outdoor Camera, 2K

Pros

Cons

Orbitell 1080p Wireless Video Doorbell Camera

Pros

Cons

TBTeek Rechargeable Cat Laser Toy, Metal Case, 7 Patterns

Pros

Cons

JANHER High Power Green Laser Pointer, USB Rechargeable

Pros

Cons

Choosing Home Tech That Works for a Cat Household

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Final Recommendation

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