One of the most well-known and widely-used home security tools is the security camera. They’re the most effective approach to monitor activities in and around your house. With today’s surveillance systems, you can instantly playback recordings from your smartphone, view real-time activity, and converse with visitors. To give you complete control and peace of mind, our top security camera options detect motion, deliver quick video footage, and more.
If you are protecting the outside, it’s also a good idea at looking for indoor security cameras for the home.
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What Should I Look for in a Security Camera?
The best prevention, control, and peace of mind come from having a few essential characteristics in a security camera or home motion sensor. Remember that your needs for home security will have a big impact on the surveillance camera you choose.
HD video quality
The better the video resolution, the higher the quality. The view from security cameras that have a 1080p HD resolution or higher typically provides a clear picture of what is happening at your house. The top security cameras available offer a resolution of up to 2K. The greatest videos require HD quality, which a digital video recorder (DVR) must have if you intend to utilize one.
Field of view
How much of the area around your home may be captured in a single image depends on the field of vision. More of your home’s view is typically seen on cameras with a field of view of 110 degrees or higher than on others. Additionally, you should be on the lookout for fisheye-distorted cameras.
Digital pan, tilt and zoom function
Digital panning, tilting, and zooming are convenient if your camera’s field of view isn’t ideal or you need a closer look. Using your smartphone, you may tilt the camera or zoom in and out. This function is useful for people who need to watch activity outside the camera’s field of view but have large yards or long driveways.
Smart home compatibility
Although you’ll probably be able to control your camera with a mobile app and your smartphone, smart home features offer greater ease. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice commands can be used to operate some cameras. Some camera manufacturers also integrate with other gadgets so you can control everything with just one app or gadget.
Two-way audio
Using a feature akin to an intercom, two-way audio enables you to converse with visitors outside your home or children in the family room. Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can easily see and communicate with visitors by using the mobile app and your smartphone. All cameras, including video doorbells, inside cameras, and exterior cameras, prefer two-way audio.
Mobile control
You can fully operate your camera using mobile apps on your smartphone. On your smartphone, you’ll observe real-time activity and receive motion-triggered alerts. You might also get two-way audio functionality, video storage for convenient viewing, and person detection alerts when someone enters your house through the mobile app.
Storage options
You can store your videos from security cameras locally or in the cloud. A memory card is required for local storage. Your videos are kept on a server with cloud storage so that you can watch them on a smartphone. The camera you use and if you want to pay extra for cloud storage will determine your selections. Hackers are a concern for many homeowners, but it all depends on the individual. Your clips are encrypted by the top cloud storage services to keep them safe.
Motion detection
You no longer have to wonder if somebody is outside thanks to motion detection. The majority of security cameras have motion detection so they can inform you when someone enters your property. The best security cameras offer customizable activity zones so you can pick the locations where you want to receive alerts when there is any activity, like someone in your driveway or lawn.
Video Doorbell Cameras
We advise investing in a video doorbell camera if you want to keep an eye on your front door or any other point of entry to your house. We’ve compiled a list of the top video doorbell cameras, along with some more affordable choices you should look into. Doorbell video cameras are also a great way to further protect your home.
On our lists, the majority of the doorbell cameras offer HD video, two-way audio, notifications, and other features. In most situations, you can check your notifications, watch live streaming video, activate two-way audio, and more if you download the provider’s mobile app.
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How Security Cameras Work
PoE, a power cable, a battery, or solar power can all be used to power security cameras. To access services like seeing real-time activity and saving videos using your smartphone and mobile app, you’ll need to connect your WiFi. Here is how the installation of all security cameras works.
- Set up your camera in the proper spot.
- You can either turn on your camera or connect it to the right power supply.
- Get the camera app on your phone and start using it.
- Connect the camera to the Wi-Fi in your home.
- Use the mobile app for your camera to change settings and more.
Security Camera Storage
The majority of security cameras allow you to store your video locally, in the cloud, or both. Here is a description of each kind:
You can save your recordings on an SD card, a DVR (digital video recorder), or an NVR (network video recorder) using local storage.
You can save your recordings to the internet using a cloud storage system. Usually, you are only permitted to save a particular amount of video in the cloud or video for a limited amount of time (10 days, 30 days, etc.) before the recordings are deleted.
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Security Camera Field of View
The term “range” usually refers to a camera’s field of view. Since many modern cameras have at least a 100-degree field of vision, you can view a larger area at once without having to change the camera’s angle or direction.
Mobile App Control
The majority of cameras come with mobile app control, allowing you to change settings, capture videos, create personalized activity zones, turn on any deterrent features, and more. You can use two-way audio and personalized motion zones with the mobile app for your security camera.
Know the Different Types of Security Cameras
There are several alternatives available to you when buying a new security camera. These are some of the decisions you must make. Remember that some cameras give you a variety of choices in a single gadget for greater versatility.
Depending on the part of your property you want to secure, you can choose between indoor and outdoor security cameras. In order to give you the most value for your money, the best security cameras are made to function both indoors and outside. Popular choices include SimpliSafe’s SimpliCam and Abode’s Smart Outdoor Cam. The main distinction between inside and outdoor security cameras is as follows.
Monitoring a room inside your home is frequently done with indoor security cameras. The majority of indoor camera features include HD resolution, two-way audio, night vision, and mobile notifications. Additionally, they are more likely to be compatible with other home automation systems through a single app in a smart home. An indoor security camera can be used to keep an eye on children in various rooms, monitor your own belongings, or communicate with loved ones in another room without shouting.
The exterior and surroundings of your home are monitored by outdoor security cameras. Night vision, two-way audio, and HD resolution are all still available. Outdoor surveillance requires a few additional features, though, like motion-triggered alerts, sirens, facial recognition, and customized activity zones. They can withstand the elements, unlike inside cameras. Outdoor cameras are frequently used to monitor when children get home from school, to monitor when a parcel arrives, or to monitor when visitors arrive at your house.
To make them less obvious to intruders, both cameras might have modern designs. Additionally, they provide a variety of power supply options, including wired and battery options. Whichever camera you select from our list of favorites, you’ll undoubtedly have some of the best home security camera in the business.
Determine the source of electricity for your camera next. Both wired and wireless cameras are available.
When looking for a more permanent solution, homeowners frequently employ wired security cameras. For power, it will be wired into the electrical system of your house. In order to set up a wired camera properly, expert installation is probably required. The good news is that your camera will always be powered on and connected to the internet. Additionally, most wired cameras contain a battery backup to keep your camera operational in the event of a power loss.
For renters who are unable to drill or rewire, wireless cameras are more popular. The camera will most likely be plugged into a wall socket or powered by a rechargeable battery. Installing wireless cameras on your own is simple. WiFi for wireless cameras allows you to control video storage and other functions. The functions offered by both cameras remain the same. It all comes down to how much strength you like.
Finally, you should choose between DIY and professional monitoring for your camera.
You will have to notify emergency services of any emergencies or intruders if you want to do your own monitoring. If necessary, you will be able to capture, save, and share video with law enforcement. Fortunately, you’ll save money on contracts and monitoring costs.
Alternately, you could pick professional camera monitoring. For your privacy, the majority of monitoring centers won’t have access to your camera footage, but the business will probably provide video verification to view footage if your alarm is triggered. To give you peace of mind, ADT, Vivint, and SimpliSafe currently offer video verification services. Depending on the supplier, professional monitoring may demand a contract or a monthly fee.
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Benefits of Security Cameras
There are several benefits to home safety and security that come with outdoor security cameras. Any outdoor security camera ensures these advantages, no matter the lens, video recorder, or other characteristics.
Convenient Control
With real-time video, rapid notifications, and motion-triggered recording, modern surveillance cameras may be controlled using mobile apps and mobile devices.
24/7 Home Surveillance
Your security camera system is intended to keep an eye on your house even while you’re not there, day or night. It is equipped to automatically identify any activity and notify you of it.
More Safety
The camera automatically delivers smartphone alerts and records any motion it detects so you can study it later. The best security cameras have two-way audio and a real-time view to deter burglars from utilizing your mobile device. Some fully monitored home security systems additionally alert the monitoring center of your security provider to motion-triggered behavior.
How To Rank the Best Security Cameras
Compare and order security cameras based on their price, consumer reviews, video specifications, quality, power supply, storage, installation, smart home capabilities, and monitoring choices.
Value: When ranking cameras, take into account the entire value that customers are receiving. Value is determined by taking into account both the price and the details of the video, which affects how we rate products.
Consumer Ratings: Wunt for security cameras with positive user ratings and reviews for our shopping guides.
Video Specifications & Quality: High definition (HD) video resolution and other capabilities like night vision, two-way audio, cloud & local storage, lights, a siren, and other features are what we seek for in cameras to deliver the greatest possible video quality. In our shopping guidelines, cameras with these features and more are rated higher.
Storage: We search for cameras that provide local, cloud, or a mix of both forms of storage. In our rankings, cameras with a combination of these types are given favor.
Installation: The finest security cameras provide various installation options and are simple to set up. Installation simplicity and adaptability (DIY and professional choices) are taken into account.
Power Options: Every customer will have distinct requirements for available power sources. Battery power may be preferred by some customers over connected power, while the latter may prefer the latter. Options for flexible electricity are prioritized more.
Smart Home Functionality: Many of the products we use on a daily basis now come with smart technologies. Our guides place higher value on security cameras that support Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and other smart technologies.
Professional Monitoring: We also take into account brands in our rankings that use cameras to provide expert home security monitoring. Typically, the company’s home security system offers professional monitoring. To activate this feature, customers might need to buy the entire system together with their camera.
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Home Security Camera FAQs
How does video surveillance security work?
Comparatively to the days of closed-circuit television (CCTV) and digital video recorders (DVR), having a solitary security camera is considerably simpler today. No matter how many cameras you have, they all use your WiFi network to relay video to your mobile device. The majority of consumer cameras store their data either locally, remotely, or both on a microSD card.
How much home security camera coverage is needed?
The amount of space that the camera will cover is determined by its viewing angle. Wide-angle lenses cut down on the quantity of cameras needed to watch over your house. The finest security cameras offer a view of at least 100 degrees or better, however some outdoor security cameras feature a wide-angle lens that may display a 360-degree view.
How does home security camera video storage work?
Let’s say you want to watch your video recordings. In that scenario, you’ll need a camera with built-in secure digital (SD) or microSD slots for enough recording space, or cloud recording capabilities. You’ll need to delete film or store it elsewhere once the memory card is full. Some well-known cameras overwrite expired videos automatically, which might not be the best home security camera option if you need to save a video.
To securely save videos on the cloud, some providers of security cameras provide monthly cloud storage options. Using the mobile app and your smartphone, you can access them whenever and wherever you are.
Can home security cameras be hacked?
Yes, hackers can access security cameras. However, you can take precautions to avoid this from happening. Make sure your WiFi is protected with a challenging password. Additionally, search for security camera choices that provide additional privacy features and video encryption.
Do wireless cameras need WiFi?
In order to send mobile notifications and make use of the majority of capabilities, such as two-way audio, video playback, and motion-triggered recording, the majority of wireless cameras do indeed require a WiFi connection.
How many home security cameras do I need?
How many places you wish to watch will determine how many cameras you need. When estimating the number of cameras you’ll need to monitor sizable areas, always take the camera’s field of vision into account. You might be able to use just one camera to cover a whole room or region if it pans or tilts.
Are home security cameras worth it?
A home security camera, in our opinion, can improve your family’s safety. When you’re away from home, a security camera can alert you to any activity inside or outside your house.