What Should I Look for When Buying A Security Camera?

John Carlsen

Senior Staff Writer, Security & Smart Home

Knowing what to look for in home security cameras can relieve a lot of time when you come across a auction on a camera you might desire. Nosotros recommend choosing a security camera that meets some minimum requirements to get the well-nigh bang for your buck—learn more than below.

Security photographic camera video quality

Video quality helps a wireless security camera do its job, just it's a lot more than video resolution. You besides demand to consider a photographic camera'due south field of view, frame rate, and night vision quality. Here's what we recommend to get good video functioning out of your security camera:

  • A video resolution of 1080p or college volition provide enough detail to tell people apart through their facial features, clothing, and actions. Plus, 1080p resolution looks good on larger computer monitors and TV screens, so you lot don't need to rely on a minor phone screen. The Reolink Argus three Pro and its 2K video resolution brand a not bad example of excellent video resolution.
  • A field of view around 130º allows the photographic camera to come across a large surface area indoors and outdoors while keeping subjects a reasonable size inside the video frame. You lot might consider a wider viewing angle around 160º for a video doorbell or outdoor security camera, like the Arlo Pro 4, then y'all don't demand as many cameras for complete coverage of your property.
  • A frame charge per unit of a to the lowest degree 15 frames per 2d (fps) is a must for anyone wanting smooth movement in videos. Polish video is less susceptible to motion blur, which can reduce detail even on loftier-resolution cameras. For results closer to what you lot look from a Television receiver, cull a video surveillance camera with 24 fps or higher, like Google Nest cameras.†
  • A nighttime vision range of 30 feet or more helps a wireless photographic camera produce vivid images after the sun goes downward. Nearly security cameras use infrared LEDs to record in complete darkness. Still, you might consider a model with a secondary spotlight—like the Ring Floodlight Cam—which tin deter intruders and provide color nighttime vision.

Security photographic camera video storage

Video recording keeps a history of the happenings effectually your dwelling house—without abiding vigilance of watching a alive feed or responding to every notification that pops upward on your mobile device. Whether you cull cloud or local storage depends on your budget and personal preferences, but here'due south what we recommend for each blazon:

  • A local storage capacity of 32 GB or higher (preferably on an SD card) gives yous plenty of space to record a couple of weeks' worth of video clips. Cameras with resolutions above 1080p, like most Eufy cameras, should support 64 GB or 128 GB microSD cards if possible. If y'all take a security camera organisation with multiple analog cameras, we recommend an NVR of 1 TB or higher.
  • A deject storage video history of 14 days or more volition keep recordings effectually long enough for y'all to review and download if something exciting or suspicious catches your IP camera's attending. Storage plans nether $4 a month for a single doorbell camera or $x a calendar month for multiple cameras will keep your monthly costs reasonable. Wyze's $2 cloud programme is a practiced identify to offset.

Essential security photographic camera features

While video quality and storage practice virtually of the heavy lifting on security cameras, these features tin brand your photographic camera easier to use and more constructive:

  • A mobile app is the most convenient way to control your Wi-Fi security cam. Information technology allows yous to view video footage, receive notifications, and accommodate settings for a improve everyday experience. It besides gives you access to useful features like two-style audio, smart home controls, and sharing camera access with your household. Blink is a expert example of a elementary but effective mobile app.
  • A movement detection camera makes it easier to manage notifications and video storage. Models with adaptable motion zones and motility sensitivity are plenty for most folks, just yous can add smart detection if you accept the budget. Smart detection uses artificial intelligence to assistance a smart security photographic camera place and notify you of the people, animals, vehicles, and other objects information technology sees.

Optional security camera features

Anything beyond the basic security camera features nosotros mentioned above won't hurt your camera, merely maybe your wallet. Here are things that are squeamish to have, only y'all don't necessarily need:

  • A battery frees you from stringing power cables during installation, but you lot however need to recharge information technology to proceed your camera running. Batteries are prissy to accept on an outdoor camera, but nosotros think sticking to a wired photographic camera is more user-friendly. (You already hate switching out the smoke detector's batteries, then a power-hungry indoor security camera may be more than trouble than it'southward worth.)
  • A weatherproof outdoor camera is some other thing y'all don't need inside the house, so you can save a few bucks by opting for an indoor camera instead. But you might consider using an outdoor camera in parts of your dwelling without heating, like the garage or workshop.
  • A security organization is a great fashion to heave your camera's skills past allowing it to work with a suite of security sensors and professional person monitoring. Notwithstanding, it'll add a lot to your budget in equipment and monthly monitoring costs. Endeavour getting comfortable with your security photographic camera earlier making a big investment in a security system.

How do wireless security cameras work?

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John Carlsen

Written past

John Carlsen

John is a technology journalist specializing in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over nine years of feel researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Top Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife before joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020. John holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism emphasis from Utah Valley University. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting endless DIY projects he has yet to complete.

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