Keeping an eye on your home is not always easy, no matter how many security guards you have. It is essential to know what is happening in your home even if you are not around. Thanks to technology, you can now get affordable home security camera systems.
With home security camera systems, you can get alerts, live videos, and video clips to your smartphone, wherever you are.
A home security camera is excellent for keeping an eye on your employees, pets, kids, and any valuable items in your home. Note that there are different camera systems. You can choose one depending on your need.
For example, you can get a camera that sends you notifications when it detects movement or activity or can get one just for monitoring your baby.
It is essential to understand the home security camera systems to make an informed decision when buying one. Below is things you need to know about home security cameras.
How To Choose A Security Camera For Your Home?
To choose a security camera for your home, you need to consider a few things. You need to know the primary determinant for buying a security camera. In most cases, you can choose a camera based on where you want to place it, its shape, connectivity, recording, and power. The main factors are location, power, and connectivity.
Here are the various types you can choose based on the three main factors.
By Location
In most cases, when people are looking for security cameras, their primary determinant is where they want to monitor. If your only concern is your apartment, you will probably prefer the indoor cameras. But if you have a yard or a big compound, you might also need outdoor cameras and video doorbells.
- Indoor Cameras
Indoor cameras should be placed in a busy area. For example, you can place it in your living room, but avoid private areas such as bathrooms and bedrooms. In most cases, indoor cameras are plugged into power, but you can always get a cellular backup.
- Outdoor Cameras
Outdoor cameras tend to be more costly than indoor cameras. That is because they have weather-resistant cases to withstand harsh weather conditions. They are more likely to be wireless since there are few outdoor outlets. Note that even wireless cameras may require having an internet connection.
- Video Doorbells
Video doorbells are mainly outdoor cameras that are usually built into or located on a doorbell. They may be used as doorbells so that when people visit you, you can see them and speak to them remotely. Most of them use low voltage wiring, but others use batteries.
By Power
If you are looking to buy security cameras based on how they will get power, there are two main types. You can either get a wireless or a wired camera.
- Wired Cameras
Wired cameras are plugged into a power socket. You do not need to replace batteries now and then. The only disadvantage is that once the power or the internet goes out, your cameras also stop working. But you can get a camera that has a cellular backup in case of blackouts.
- Wireless Camera
Wireless cameras use batteries since they are not plugged in. They are easier to install compared to the wired cameras. You can buy one with a rechargeable battery or choose to replace the batteries every time they get worn out. Some wireless cameras also have a solar panel package, which means they get charged from the sun.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, cameras can either be reliant on a Wi-Fi connection or not. If your camera does not use Wi-Fi, it can record the footage into a hard drive or SD- card.
What to Look For When Buying A Home Security Camera System
There are many home security camera systems, and you may get overwhelmed with all the options. Below are a few things to consider or look for when buying home security camera systems to help you make an informed decision.
- Night Vision
Outdoor cameras should have a night vision to help you keep an eye on everything happening at night. You should invest in a camera that has a good range even at night. You can buy one with a range of 50 feet minimum. Also, consider buying a camera that has a color night vision to see things clearly.
- Video Storage
With most cameras, you can store the footage in the cloud or use local storage of either a hard drive or a micro-SD card. To decide which option to use, you need to be realistic if you are looking to save cost. If you are only interested in the footage when movement is detected, then you do not need to store everything in the cloud and end up spending so much. You can save costs by saving the footage in a micro-SD card or saving relevant footage on the cloud.
- Resolution
If you need to see lots of details on the camera, you should invest in a high-resolution camera. Most people can use a full HD, but if you need to zoom in, you can get an ultra-HD with a better resolution.
- Field of View
Another thing to consider is the field of view. Field of view is simply how much coverage you need to get. The wider or bigger the field of view, the fewer cameras you might need for your entire property.
What Is the Best Home Security Camera System?
The best home security camera system depends on your preference. But, in most cases, the best is one that is reliable, affordable, wider field of view, and has a high resolution.
According to online reviews, some of the best-rated cameras are Ring and Nest Cameras.
Typically, choosing a home camera can be simple when you know what you are looking for. Do your research on the best cameras available and consult a professional to guide you in buying and installing.
