Everything You Should Consider Before Buying a Home Security Camera
So you’re thinking about purchasing a security camera. Perhaps 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 is responsible. The thing is, getting started can be overwhelming. There are many brands offering several types of cameras for a variety of situations, and it is not always clear which one to choose. Well, I’ve tried about a hundred of these cameras myself, so I can give you some advice: Here’s everything you should think about before buying home security cameras.
What CCTV cameras are there?
At a basic level, there are two types of security cameras: indoor cameras and outdoor cameras. Don’t think that indoor security cameras are only useful when you’re away from home to keep an eye on what’s going on. I’ve found them useful for monitoring the stove from the couch , tracking the progress of my plants, and even triggering the robot vacuum when the camera detects my dog coming in from outside. On the other hand, outdoor cameras do more than just keep an eye on intruders. They capture fun moments with your loved ones, pets, and local wildlife in your yard, but they can also serve as triggers for other actions, such as 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 when she did.
When it comes to outdoor cameras, you should consider some additional options: There are wired cameras that plug into your existing outdoor outlets; There are PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras that receive power through a low voltage network cable; and then solar cameras. Don’t discount solar power either, because I’ve been absolutely amazed at how consistently my cameras have stayed on during the dreary Pacific Northwest winters. Finally, there are battery-powered cameras , and although they work, they are never my first choice. Every time you have to change batteries, you need to remove the camera, remount it, and adjust the focus.
You want to consider how these cameras connect to each other and to your existing network. Obviously, most security cameras use home Wi-Fi, while PoE cameras can be connected to the Internet via a network cable. There’s a new class of cameras emerging that connect via 4G SIM cards, specifically designed for places your Wi-Fi can’t reach, like your front gate a mile down the road or a camera on a wildlife trail. One of the downsides to these 4G cameras is the data burn rate, which you of course pay for.
Finally, you want to consider how these cameras work: are they fixed-point cameras that capture everything in the field of view that you set manually, or are they PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras that you control via app to move and zoom in on everything you want to look at? Below we’ll look at the pros and cons of each of these options.
Which is better: wired or wireless security cameras?
Short answer? Wired cameras are better. Wired cameras usually have two types of “wiring”. There’s power delivery, which is often referred to simply as “wired,” and there’s connectivity, which you’ll see called PoE. Because wired cameras are always connected directly to a power source, you get consistent power. If you have a PoE camera, you also get a stable connection since you are equally connected to the network on all channels. This means less latency when recalling clips to your phone or computer and no loss of power when batteries run low. The biggest advantage of wired cameras is that, due to the lack of Wi-Fi, they are more difficult to hack or block. If you’re concerned about security, wired networks are a must.
The problem is that in most cases you can’t use wired cameras exclusively. Once the cameras are installed in your yard, in a tree, or away from the power grid, you will need a wireless option since you will be away from Ethernet and power. In these cases, you’ll be using solar or battery power for power, and Wi-Fi or 4G for connectivity. However, don’t completely discount these options because they still have one important advantage: if your power goes out, your solar or battery powered cameras will still work because they record clips. In the case of a 4G camera, they will even have connectivity.
How to choose a CCTV camera?
At best, you will choose indoor and outdoor cameras of the same brand. You can choose from different models, but it’s best if the cameras work with each other, use the same app, and have the same subscription – if one is required. (We’ll come back to this a little later.)
First of all, you should think about the spaces that you want or need to cover. Indoors, you will most likely place the cameras in the corner: the higher the better, so that the entire room can be seen. The larger the room, the less likely it is that a camera in the corner will take over the entire space. In this case, a PTZ camera may be the right choice as it will allow you to move the focus when it detects action. Also, consider how many cameras you’ll need depending on the space you want to cover: generally speaking, you’ll most likely want to monitor common areas.
It’s a little more difficult to divide an outdoor space because there are more factors involved and there are no easily defined rooms. You’ll want to take into account where you already have wiring if you’re using wired or PoE cameras. If you can make new connections to avoid being restricted, you should start at each end of the house and think about what each camera will see and what might be blocking the view (trees, outdoor furniture, landscaping). . Add additional cameras to the sides of your home in areas where people enter through the gate.
You will need to install a video intercom in front of your house, which will cover more than you think, as long as there is nothing blocking the view of the street. You may also need additional cameras if you have a remote structure, such as a shed or gate. Again, mounting the cameras as high as possible has been a real winner for me because it means they are harder to tamper with and you get a better view from above. The only time this is problematic is with battery-powered cameras, as you will need to access them regularly.
Once you have a list of the places you need cameras for, it’s time to start shopping. For example, if you decide you want PoE cameras, there are a limited number of well-known brands that provide them, such as Unifi and Reolink . If you need battery-powered cameras or are looking for less expensive cameras, brands like Amazon Blink are good options. If you’re really committed to the Google ecosystem, they offer a selection of mid-range cameras , as does Arlo . Personally, I’ve been impressed with the Eufy cameras over the past few years and reinstall them whenever I’m not testing other cameras.
Finally, you’ll want to include subscription costs and local video backup capabilities in your solution. Some brands, like Eufy, Blink, and Reolink, allow you to skip the subscription (again, more on that later) and purchase a branded hard drive to store your clips. But other brands like Ring don’t offer this and more or less require a subscription.
Security cameras are a great product to buy during big sales like Amazon’s Prime Day or Black Friday. They are often heavily discounted, and in the end, even the cheapest ones will cost you some installation.
Which home security systems cannot be hacked?
Here’s the thing: your system can be hacked. Chances are, if someone really wants to hack your home security network and has the money or skills, they will do it. However, you definitely don’t want to make life easy for thieves and low-level attackers. It all starts with best practices regarding your behavior, not the equipment itself.
First and foremost, you need a legally strong and unique password to protect your network. And before a potential hacker tries to use the “lost password” link in your account, consider creating fake answers to the difficult questions your camera company uses. (What’s your mother’s maiden name? Mine is 1Skm6nas!~8DgOx3.) Change your security codes regularly. But that’s not all you should change: you should also make sure that you change the Wi-Fi network name and channel. To change the Wi-Fi channel, you will need access to your router.
It will be helpful to make sure that all Category 5 cables (the cables that bring the Internet into your home from the street) outside the house are out of reach and, if possible, hidden. If there is a junction box, lock it.
Storing video locally rather than in the cloud reduces the likelihood of it being stolen. Cameras like Reolink, Eufy and Unifi offer this capability via proprietary hard drives.
There is an argument to be made that you should choose a camera brand with a good reputation for security breaches, but I would argue that there is just as much benefit in choosing a company that has had a leak that they have fixed. I maintain that Wyze has one of the best indoor PTZ cameras , and I still regret getting rid of mine due to a past hack .
Again, none of these steps will completely prevent a security breach, but this Swiss cheese prevention method will go a long way to reducing the likelihood of it happening.
Which security systems do not require a subscription fee?
When we talk about monthly fees, we are talking about a subscription, which most cameras offer and some require. Typically, this subscription fee covers storage of video clips and the ability to recall them, and now often includes additional features such as packet recognition and notifications, as well as artificial intelligence features such as facial recognition (the ability to know that someone is in your yard is a member of your family or pet versus a stranger). What you can usually get without a subscription is the ability to live stream, talk to and hear people through the camera, and control it if it’s a PTZ. This may seem like all you need, but remember that in most situations you won’t be viewing a live stream, but rather a clip. You will receive a notification that someone is at the door and go pick it up. By this point the person is no longer there, so you watch the video. Without the ability to remove clips, your cameras will be much less effective.
However, there are ways to save on subscriptions and bypass them altogether. Obviously, using all the cameras from the same brand will save money since you will only be paying for one subscription. But you can also choose a brand that allows you to use local storage to avoid having to subscribe to cloud storage and access. On the other hand, Blink cameras have a sync module that uses a USB dongle for local storage, and it works quite well if the module is located near your cameras. At the higher end you have the extensive Unifi hard drives, and at the mid-range you have Eufy and Reolink, which offer home hubs that essentially do the same thing.
Subscriptions rarely go over $10 a month, and most offer a deal with annual payments instead of monthly, but it’s still another routine expense that will test your wallet, and if it can be avoided, it’s probably worth it.
What is the best DIY home security system?
The disappointing answer is that there is no “best” security system; there are too many factors to consider. The best security system is the one that meets your connectivity, wiring and space requirements while staying within your budget.
However, I can draw some general conclusions. If I were building a security system from scratch and had no restrictions, I would exclusively use PoE and PTZ cameras where I could. This means I would choose Reolink or Unifi cameras. I would use a home hub or hard drive that both brands offer. But this has limitations: these are expensive models and can only be installed in my home.
For mid-priced options, I would choose Eufy cameras and stick with their PTZ line. I also find their outdoor solar cameras to be excellent. I was pleased with the call time and uptime of all cameras even in the worst weather, and I found the app pleasant and easy to use.
If you just want to get into home security, invest in a Ring doorbell camera. No matter how much I like other brands, I keep coming back to the Ring doorbell. Of course, the subscription cost is annoying, but I have not yet found a better video intercom.
Finally, if you’re looking to save money and are just diving in, I think Blink offers a good selection of options. I don’t like changing batteries on their models, so get a solar battery for each camera. Make sure you have a synchronization module. These options are inexpensive, and overall I think the video and audio quality is really decent.