Everything to Consider Before Buying Home Security Cameras

So, you're thinking of maybe getting a security camera. Maybe you have a pet you want to keep an eye on, or perhaps packages keep disappearing from your front door, and you want to know who's responsible. The thing is, getting started can be overwhelming. There are tons of brands offering multiple types of cameras for all sorts of situations, and it's not always clear which you should spring for. Well, I've tried nearly one hundred of these cameras myself, so I can offer some advice: Here's everything you should think about before buying home security cameras.

What kinds of security cameras are there?

At a basic level, there are two kinds of security cameras: indoor cams and outdoor cams. Don't think of indoor security cameras as only being useful when you're away to keep an eye on things. I've found them beneficial for watching the stove from the couch, tracking progress of my plants, and even triggering my robot vacuum when a camera senses my dog coming in from outside. On the flip side, outdoor cameras do more than just keep an eye out for intruders. They capture fun moments of your loved ones, pets, and local wildlife out and about your yard, but they can also serve as triggers for other actions, like opening a gate or sending an alert.In fact, I used one to figure out how my doberman was escaping the yard, and to alert me whenever she did.

In terms of outdoor cameras, you've got some additional options to consider: There are hardwired cameras which you wire to existing exterior outlets; there are PoE (power over ethernet) cameras that obtain their power through a low voltage ethernet cable; and then, solar cameras. Don't discount solar, either, because I've been absolutely blown away by how consistently my cameras stay powered through dreary Pacific Northwest winters. Finally, there are battery powered cameras, and while they work, they're never my first choice. Every time you have to change the batteries, it involves unmounting the camera, remounting, and readjusting the focus.

You want to consider how these cameras connect to one another, and your existing network. Obviously, most security cameras use your home's wifi, and PoE cameras can be hardwired to your internet through an ethernet cable. There's an emerging class of cameras that connect via 4G SIM cards, specifically meant for locations your wifi can't reach-like a gate to your property a mile down the road, or a camera on a trail to catch wildlife. One downside of these 4G cameras is the rate at which they burn through data, which you, of course, pay for.

Finally, you want to consider how these cameras function: Are they fixed point cameras, which capture whatever is in the field of vision you manually set, or are they PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras, that you control through an app to move and zoom in on whatever you'd like to look at?We'll cover the pros and cons of each of these options below.

Is it better to have wired or wireless security cameras?

The short answer? Wired cameras are better. Wired cameras tend to have two types of "wiring." There's the power delivery, which is often simply referred to as "wired," and there's the connectivity, which you'll see referred to as PoE. Since wired cameras are directly connected to power at all times, you get consistent power. If you have a PoE camera, you also get a consistent connection, since you're similarly connected to the network at all ties. That means less lag time when recalling clips to your phone or computer, and no loss of power when batteries run out. The biggest advantage of wired cameras is that, lacking wifi, they're harder to hack or jam. If you're concerned about security, you can't beat wired.

The problem is that, most of the time, you can't exclusively use wired cameras. As soon as cameras are mounted in your yard, a tree, or away from your power main, you're going to need a wireless option, since you'll be away from ethernet and power. In those cases, you'll be using solar or batteries for power and wifi or 4G for connection. Don't completely discount these options though, because they still have one major advantage: If your power goes out, your solar or battery-operated cameras should still work, insofar as capturing clips. In the case of a 4G camera, they'll even still have connectivity.

How do you choose a security camera?

In the best possible case, you'll select your indoor and outdoor cameras from the same brand. You can choose different models, but it's best when the cameras work with one another, all use the same app, and share the same subscription-if one is necessary. (We'll get to that in a bit.)

Your first consideration should be the spaces you want or need to cover. For indoors, you'll likely place cameras in a corner, the higher the better, with a view of the whole room. The bigger the room, the less likely a camera in the corner will capture the whole space. In this case, a PTZ camera might be the right choice, since it'll allow you to move the focus around when it senses action. Also, consider how many cameras you'll need, based on the spaces you want to cover: Generally speaking, you'll most likely want to surveil common areas.

It's a little harder to divide up the spaces outdoors because there are more factors, and no easily defined rooms. You want to take into account where you have pre-existing wiring, if you're going with hardwired or PoE cameras. If you can wire up new connections so you're not limited, you'll want to start with each end of the house, and think about what each camera would see, and what might block the view (trees, outdoor furniture, landscaping). Add in additional cameras for the sides of your home, the areas that people access via gates.

In the front of your home, you'll want to include a video doorbell, which will cover more than you think, so long as there isn't anything blocking the view of the street. You might also need additional cameras if you have a remote structure like a shed or gate. Again, mounting the cameras as high as possible has been a real success point for me, because it means it's harder to meddle with, and you get a better viewpoint from above. The only time this is problematic is with battery operated cameras, since you'll need routine access to them.

Once you have an inventory of what locations you need cameras for, it's time to go shopping. If you've decided you want PoE cameras, for instance, there are a finite number of established brands, like Unifi and Reolink, that provide them. If you want battery powered cameras or are looking for less expensive cameras, brands like Amazon's Blink are ideal. If you're really tied into Google's ecosystem, they offer a selection of mid-range cameras, as does Arlo. I've been personally impressed with Eufy cameras for the last few years, reinstalling them whenever I'm not testing other cameras.

Lastly, you'll want to include subscription costs and the ability to back up video locally in your decision. Some brands, like Eufy, Blink, and Reolink, allow you to skip a subscription (again, more on this later) and purchase a branded hard drive to store your clips. But other brands, like Ring, do not offer this and more or less require a subscription.

Security cameras are an excellent item to purchase during a big sale, like Amazon's Prime Day or on Black Friday. They're often highly discounted, and in the end, even the cheap ones are going to cost you some setup.

What home security systems can't be hacked?

Here's the thing: Your system can be hacked. Chances are, if someone really wants to hack your home security network, and they've got the money or skills, they will. That said, you certainly don't need to make it easier for low-level thieves and miscreants. It starts with best practices, which is about your behavior, not the hardware itself.

First and foremost, you need a legitimately strong and unique password to protect your network with. And before a would-be hacker tries to take advantage of the "lost password" link on your account, think about creating fake answers to challenge questions your camera company uses.(What's your mother's maiden name? Mine is 1Skm6nas!~8DgOx3.) Change your security codes with regularity. But that's not all you should be changing: You should ensure that you switch up your wifi network name and channel, too. To change the channel of your wifi, you'll need access to your router.

It will be helpful to ensure that any cat5 cables (the cables that bring internet into your home from the street) on the exterior of the house are out of reach and hidden, if possible. If there's a junction box, lock it.

Storing video locally instead of on the cloud lessens the chances it will be stolen. Cameras like Reolink, Eufy and Unifi offer this option through branded hard drives.

There's an argument that you should choose a camera brand with a good track record in terms of security breaches, but I'd argue that there's an equal benefit to choosing a company that had a breach they've remediated. I maintain that Wyze has one of the best PTZ indoor cameras, and I still regret getting rid of mine following a past breach.

Again, none of these actions will absolutely prevent a security breach, but this Swiss cheese method of prevention will go a long ways to making it less likely.

What security systems don't require a monthly fee?

When we talk about monthly fees, we're talking about the subscriptions that most cameras offer, and some require. Generally, those subscription fees cover storage of video clips and the ability to recall them, and often now include additional features, like package recognition and notification, and AI features like facial recognition (the ability to know that someone in your yard is a member of your family or a pet versus a stranger). What you can usually get without a subscription is the ability to pull up a live feed, speak to and hear people through the camera, and control it if it's a PTZ. Now, that sounds like all you need, but remember that in the majority of situations, you will not be viewing a live feed, but a clip. You'll get a notification that someone is at the door, and you'll go to pull it up. By that time, the person is already gone, so you're watching a video. Without the ability to pull clips, you'll find your cameras far less effective.

Still, there are ways to save money on subscriptions, and to circumvent them altogether. Obviously, keeping all your cameras within the same brand will save money, as you'll only pay for one subscription. But you can also choose a brand that allows you to use local storage to avoid a subscription for cloud storage and access. On the less expensive side, Blink cameras have a Sync module that uses a USB key to allow for local storage, and it works pretty well, so long as the module is close to your cameras. On a higher end, you've got Unifi's extensive hard drives, and in the mid range, Eufy and Reolink, which offer home hubs that essentially do the same.

Subscriptions are rarely more than $10 a month, and most offer a deal on yearly payments over monthly, but it's still another routine cost pinging your wallet, and if it can be avoided, is probably worth it.

What is the best DIY home security camera system?

The disappointing answer is that there isn't a "best" security system, there's just too many factors to consider. The best security system is the one that works for your connectivity, wiring, and spatial needs, all while staying within budget.

That said, I can make some generalities. If I were building a security system from scratch, and had no constraints, I'd use PoE, PTZ cameras exclusively, where I could. That means I'd be going with Reolink or Unifi cameras. I'd use a home hub or hard drive, which both brands offer. But this has limitations: These are expensive models, and would only be able to be mounted on my home.

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For midrange priced options, I'd choose Eufy cameras, and I'd stay with their PTZ line. I also find their outdoor solar cameras excellent. I've been pleased with the recall time and uptime for all the cameras, even in the nastiest weather, and I find the app pleasant and easy to use.

If you're just looking to jump into home security, get a Ring doorbell camera. No matter how much I enjoy other brands, I come back to my Ring doorbell over and over. Sure, the subscription costs are annoying, but I've yet to find a better video doorbell.

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Lastly, if you're looking to save some money and are just dipping your toes in, I think Blink offers a good range of options. I don't love changing the batteries on their models, so get solar backup for each camera. Make sure you get a Sync module. These options are low cost, and overall, I found the video and sound quality really decent.

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