Security systems are becoming a must-have as more and more people recognize the need to protect themselves from malicious third parties. Whether it’s your home or an online account where your personal space and monetary transactions are involved, you must be vigilant. Online platforms like Vulkan Vegas Europe, for instance, protect their user accounts using methods such as two-factor authentication and leading-edge encryption protocols to ensure that user data and transactions are 100% secure. The platform operator often cares more about your security, sometimes more than you do. However, when it comes to home security, things are completely different as all the security burden lies on you. Secure locks for doors and windows aside, home security cameras are the ultimate reinforcement you can have to protect yourself and your family.
However, the subject of security cameras is a little more complicated because there are no cookie-cutter solutions for securing all houses. Each homeowner will have priorities, level of security and a specific budget for their home security cameras. If you are on the hunt for the best home security cameras, here are some crucial factors you should consider before making your decision. Don’t rush to buy that cool-looking home camera that ends up being as dead as a dodo one week later because you installed it outdoors when it was, in fact, an indoor camera!
Data Storage
Your property size will determine the number of cameras you need, and this will, in turn, determine what kind of storage works best for your setup. Also, whether you are recording only motion-triggered incidences or continually recording, you will need enough storage. The main sources are SD cards, hard drives and cloud storage which requires a monthly subscription. The type of NVR (network video recorder) system for hard drive storage is also critical here.
Indoor or Outdoor?
There’s a difference between indoor or outdoor home security cameras, and the price range will also differ to some extent. Most outdoor cameras will be the bullet type and have a higher dust ingress protection factor plus a more robust waterproof and snow-proof exterior to protect from harsh weather elements. Outdoor cameras may also include ones installed in or on pools, which must also be able to withstand water pressure to a certain depth. Most indoor cameras are more on the aesthetic side as they are already protected for elements but always remember that quality and functionality are key.
Data Transmission
In the age of IoT devices, home cameras have not been left behind. Since most homeowners want to have access to what’s happening in their homes, internet connectivity is vital to provide reliable data transmission. The question of Wi-Fi vs. wired connections relies on the camera location on the property and the strength of the connection.
Image/Video Quality
The point of a good home security camera is the ability to capture reliable images and videos that will be useful in case of an intrusion. The pixel resolution and the camera’s focal length determine the distance it can record and with what focus. The infrared illumination level of your camera will also dictate what kind of night mode quality you get if any.
Power Source
Home cameras need a direct power transmission that is uninterrupted. Most Wi-Fi home cameras are battery-powered, which allows for an on-demand live view from anywhere and are very easy to install. The battery-powered cameras also allow event-triggered recording, which means that there is no continuous recording to save on power and data storage.
One setback of these is their reliance on the cloud for storage which requires monthly fees and recharging. On the other hand, there are directly powered cameras that are cheaper to set up and are great for the outdoors since they can withstand really low temperatures, unlike lithium batteries, and there is no need to keep recharging.
Which Brands Are the Best?
Now that you have an idea about the factors to consider before settling for home security cameras, the next big question is – what brands should you go for? Some of the best brands on the market today are Reolink, Eufy, Blink, Blue, Wyze, Ring, Arlo and Tuya, among others.
However, this doesn’t mean that the whole range of one of these will be perfect for all your needs, but they are really good for the average consumer. In addition, most of the brands today have person detection, which is probably the most useful aspect as you get notifications if someone is on your property. Whichever your needs are, before you finally make your purchase, ask as many questions as you can to your security camera providers and see if the specs meet your requirements.