Home Security Cameras Buyer’s Guide – Things to Know Before You Buy

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Home security cameras can be a valuable addition to your home, assisting in the protection of your house, loved ones, and pets while providing you with peace of mind. We’ll go over how to choose the right home security camera for you in this guide.

We’ll go over everything from the concept of a home security camera to the features you’ll need and what to look for in a good one.

What Is the Purpose of a Home Security Camera?

A home security camera is a monitoring system that allows you to keep an eye on your property from anywhere by transmitting live or captured footage to your smartphone or camera through an internet connection.

Features of Home Security Cameras

Use Wi-Fi to communicate wirelessly or wires to communicate.
Wires, batteries, or a wall outlet are used to fuel them.
Are made to be used both indoors and outdoors.
Video can be livestreamed and managed through a smartphone app.
Offer standard or high-definition video resolution (which is more common).
A digital zoom can be used to zoom in on footage.
Record constantly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or when motion is detected.
They have “night vision,” which allows them to see in the dark.
Two-way audio and a built-in alarm may be included.
To see beyond a normal field of view, wide-angle lenses and/or pan/tilt capabilities may be included.

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Benefits of Home Surveillance Cameras

The feeling of being violated that comes with someone breaking into your safe space is possibly worse than the thought of getting your belongings stolen. Home security cameras are a cost-effective way to gain control over suspected criminals.

If anyone does break into your home, you will have recourse thanks to home surveillance cameras. You should give the cops their photo to improve the chances of them being arrested (and bring back your stuff too).

When you use smart security cameras, you will get instant warnings while you’re away from home, allowing you to contact the police and potentially catch a criminal.

When you have smart security cameras installed, you can get instant alerts when you’re away from home, allowing you to contact the authorities and possibly catch the thieves in the act.

Indoor security cameras can also be used to check in on your dog while you’re away, which is a lighter note. If you simply miss your dog while you’re away, or if you’re concerned about them getting into things they shouldn’t while you’re gone, a camera allows you to check in on them.

If all of this appeals to you and you’re ready to take the next step in protecting your home, our security camera buyer’s guide can assist you in selecting the best security camera for your needs.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Home Security Camera

There are some important factors to consider when looking for the right home surveillance camera for your needs.

Video Quality

Video quality is one of the most significant differences between various brands and models of home security cameras. It won’t help you much if the image is blurred. Clear image quality cameras are more expensive, but they improve the chances of identifying a criminal and catching them.

Color is also a factor in video quality. Some cameras are available in black and white, while others are available in color.While color isn’t necessarily required to identify an individual on video, it does increase the likelihood of the offender being identified and apprehended.

Wireless vs. Wired

Choosing between a wireless camera that operates on batteries and a wired camera that must be plugged in is a major factor in terms of convenience.

You have more flexibility with where you mount it and you don’t have to deal with any annoying wires, but you must remember to check on and refresh the battery on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, In the event of a power outage, wireless cameras will continue to function as long as the batteries are still functional. For ease of use, the majority of people would choose a wireless camera.

A wired camera must be placed near enough to an outlet to be plugged in, and you must find out how to hold the cord out of the way once it is in place. It also raises the alarming possibility that if a thief notices the camera and also notices the cable, they can easily disable it by unplugging it.

You never have to think about removing or recharging batteries, on the other hand, if that’s something you find bothersome.

Field of View

The field of view of a camera determines how much of what’s going on you can see. Bullet cameras usually have a narrow field of view, only seeing what is directly in front of them, although dome cameras have a broader range of vision. If you like to see more of your front yard or the rooms in your home, you’ll either get a camera with a wide field of view or a set of smaller cameras that you can scatter around the house.

Connectivity

The ability to stay connected to smart home security cameras even when you’re not at home is what makes them so famous.

Home security surveillance cameras will connect to the home’s WiFi, your mobile app, and any additional cameras you mount. The more integrated your cameras are, the more you’ll be able to monitor events from afar and respond to threats more quickly.

Motion Detection Range

Motion detection is used by most home surveillance cameras to decide when to switch on and start recording (so you’re not wasting energy all day). The range of motion detection determines how well this function will perform.

If the range is limited, it will only capture people who are in near proximity. Someone stealing your car in the garage, for example, could not set it off, minimizing its use to you.

Indoors/Outdoor or Both

vava-wireless-home-security-camera-in-outdoors

You may find home surveillance cameras that are designed to be used mainly indoors as well as those that are designed to withstand the elements when used outdoors. Determine where you’ll be mounting your camera before making a purchase to ensure you get the correct one.

An indoor camera placed outside will not last long, and an outdoor camera placed inside will cost you more than you anticipated. But oftentimes security cameras are placed both indoor and outdoors.

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Visibility

Some surveillance cameras are designed to be difficult to find by criminals. Whether it’s due to their small size or the fact that they’re designed to resemble a common object rather than a camera.

These won’t discourage potential criminals, but because they’re less likely to spot them, you won’t have to worry about them avoiding or covering up the camera’s view.

User-Friendliness

After you buy any type of piece of technology, you’ll have to figure out how to use it. Although security camera manufacturers strive to make their products as user-friendly as possible, certain security cameras will be simpler to use than others, and some features will add a great deal of convenience.

Choosing a wireless camera will make placement simpler in most cases, but you will need to remember to replace the batteries on a regular basis.

Special Features

The majority of us want cameras to keep an eye on our homes while we are away. But you’ll want to make sure the camera’s software has a lot of features and is simple to use. Here are some features to look for in an app.

Two-way Audio: With this feature, you and someone on the other side of the camera can hear each other. It’s a common option among dog owners who use cameras to keep an eye on their pets.

Live View: Use your camera to see what’s going on around you. To save battery life, you can turn this setting off on some cameras.
Alerts: When motion or, in some cases, sound is detected, most apps will send you an alert. This is normally something that can be changed in the app.
Shared Access: Some apps make adding a user simple, which is particularly useful for doorbell cameras.
Motion Detection: Motion detection prevents your camera from wasting energy and storage by recording continuously; instead, recording begins when motion detects something.
Image Stabilization: A camera with image stabilization can have a clearer image. The majority of security cameras now have the ability to record in 1080p Full HD resolution. Some can only record in 720p, while others can record in 4K.
Live Streaming: A live streaming option allows you to see what’s going on at your home in real time.
Night Vision: Night vision cameras make it possible to see what’s happening in a video at night.

Camera Lens Maintenance

Check that the camera lens is correctly focused and calibrated, and that the camera view hasn’t been knocked off course, and that you can clearly see your property perimeter.
With a can of compressed air, clean any dust or stains off the camera lens, and clean the camera cover with a microfibre cloth.
If you have motion detection sensors, make sure they’re working.
Check that the camera’s functions, such as zoom and pan, are working properly using your controller.
Remove any foliage that is obstructing the vision.
Make sure the cameras are safely mounted on the wall.

Checking Wirings

Inspect wiring for signs of wear and tear, as well as exposed wires.
Look for some loose wires.
Make sure you’re having a perfect sound and picture transmission with no distortion.

Final Thoughts

Home surveillance cameras are more than just a purchase; they’re an investment in your home’s long-term comfort. We hope that this buying guide to choosing the best home security cameras has given you plenty of food for thought when it comes to home surveillance.

Taking the time to evaluate the features and technology that distinguishes these cameras, as well as using our firsthand experiences as a reference, can help you make a more informed and cost-effective decision about your home security needs.