Selecting Security Cameras For Your Home: 8 Factors To Consider

Decided that you want to install security cameras around your home? Finding the right type of camera is essential. This depends on where you want to place it and how much control you want over your home’s surveillance. Certain features may also affect the budget. To help you find the right camera, here are 8 factors to consider. 

Outdoor or indoor?

First, consider where your cameras will be installed. Outdoor cameras are waterproof and designed to handle harsh temperatures. Indoor cameras aren’t – use them outside, and they’ll likely get broken. The benefit of indoor cameras is that they are typically cheaper and more discreet. 

Wired or wireless?

Some security cameras are wireless, giving you the option to place them anywhere without having to trail a cable. Such cameras typically don’t have the same quality as wired cameras though, and you’ll need to regularly charge them up or replace batteries if they are not solar charged. Work out which option is more practical for you.

Resolution

The resolution of security cameras can vary a lot. Cameras in lower resolutions of 1080 pixels are cheaper, but won’t provide the same clarity. 4K cameras are often better at picking up details, which can be useful if you need to see things in the distance. They cost more however and require more storage space.

Number of cameras

Are you happy with just one camera? Or do you need multiple cameras around your property? 16 channel 4k security systems could be ideal for larger properties or properties with lots of different entry points. A single camera at the main entrance meanwhile may be all you need in an apartment. 

Field of view

The field of view determines how much of an area you can see. Cameras with a wide field of view could be better for surveying an entire yard or room. You can also buy cameras that can swivel using remote control settings – either on a phone or via a remote. 

Night vision

Some cameras do not have night vision and may not be able to pick up images in the dark. If you’re worried about threats at night and you don’t have any exterior lighting, you should consider a camera with night vision so that footage at night isn’t useless.

Motion detection

You can buy some cameras with motion detection – they will send an alert to your phone if the camera picks up motion. Just be wary that some of these can be very sensitive, so you may end up getting alerts every time a cat or bird passes. Others have motion sensing recording, which means they only record footage when motion is detected, saving storage space and preventing the need to search through idle footage. 

Audio input/output

Finally, it’s worth considering whether you want a camera that can pick up sounds. Two-way security cameras are particularly popular on front porches – these pick up sounds and allow you to speak through them, so you can greet delivery people (or warn shady characters to back off).