If you are looking for a home security camera, there are a few different features to consider when choosing the right one. We recommend choosing a security camera that meets some minimum requirements to get the most bang for your buck—learn more below.
Security camera video quality
When it comes to buying a security camera, the video quality of your choice is more than just resolution. You also need to consider a camera’s field of view, frame rate and night vision quality. Here’s what we recommend to get good video performance out of your home camera system:
The video resolution of 1080p or higher will provide enough detail to tell people apart at relatively short distances. A lower resolution, such as 720p, will still be good for identifying a person with less-detailed features under closer inspection, but it’s not necessary — especially for automatic video monitoring where the camera is focused on a fixed area for long periods.
This camera features a 130° field of view, allowing the camera to see 90% of the area outside the camera’s coverage. This allows the camera to be used for both indoor and outdoor locations but with a narrower field of view than a traditional surveillance system.
You’re looking for a great CCTV security camera to keep an eye on your home at night. A frame rate of at least 15 fps is a must for anyone wanting smooth motion in videos. Smooth video is less susceptible to motion blur, which can reduce detail even on high-resolution machines. For results closer to what you expect from TV, choose a video surveillance camera with 24 fps or higher.
No matter how well it photographs at night, most wireless security cameras cannot give you the same level of detail as a wired camera. However, you can find models that have infrared LEDs and some even have secondary spotlights to help illuminate hard-to-reach spots in your home or business.
Essential security camera features
Choosing the security camera for your home will greatly increase its effectiveness. You should consider a number of factors, including quality, accuracy, and ease of use.
Many consumers are looking for an easy way to protect their homes with a wireless security camera. A mobile app for your Wi-Fi camera? Sign us up! It allows you to view video footage, receive notifications, adjust settings, and more from your smartphone or tablet. The best thing about this type of app is that all you need is a smartphone or tablet with internet access so it can access the proper video files.
Motion detection makes it easier to manage notifications and report video storage. Smart detection uses artificial intelligence to help a smart security camera identify and notify you of the people, animals, vehicles, and other objects it sees.
Optional security camera features
Anything beyond the basic security camera features we mentioned above won’t hurt your camera, but maybe your wallet. Here are some of the more useful features that we found:
If you’re installing a wired camera, we recommend you use a battery-powered camera to save on wiring and maintenance. The downside? You’ll need to recharge the battery every six months or so.
Outdoor cameras are good for many reasons. They can provide good views of the road or yard, do an excellent job in low light conditions, and you can hang them from trees or walls. The only drawback is that these cameras are usually rated as less expensive than indoor security camera models. But if you have an outdoor view of your property and children playing outside, it may be worthwhile to spend a little extra for a weatherproof camera with night vision capability.
When you move into a new home, one of the most important things you can do is protect your property with a security system. A security system is a great way to boost your camera’s skills by allowing it to work with a suite of security sensors and professional monitoring.