The Best Security Camera

Buying Guide

Whether you run a business or you just want to protect your home, a security camera can be one of the best investments you’ll make. With a camera in place, you’ll be able to check in when you’re away, which will give you the peace of mind you need. There’s a wide range of security cameras designed for indoor areas, and most are packed with features at affordable prices.

Vicki Liston, writer, producer and narrator of “On the Fly…DIY,” says there are three main criteria to consider when looking for a security camera: picture quality, night vision and motion sensing. “On the Fly…DIY” is an award-winning show that focuses on unique project tutorials for home improvement and DIY projects.

“A 1080p or higher video will give you the resolution you need, even at night when it’s hardest to see,” Liston says. “Night vision should be a given, as more crimes statically happen after the sun goes down. The motion-sensing feature starts recording (and some also send notifications to your phone) only when something is actually happening within the camera’s field of vision. This can save hard drive space or battery life, depending on the type of camera.”

If you choose a camera that records in 1080p resolution, also check into the storage you’ll be offered for those videos. Your recordings won’t be very useful if you’re constantly running out of room. You may find that your chosen camera brand provides cloud storage, but you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription price to store your videos. Alternatively, you can buy an SD card and store your videos locally, but you should factor that extra cost into your camera purchase.

Installation and setup should be part of your purchase decision. Some cameras are easier to install than others. Battery-powered cameras can be mounted anywhere, while you’ll need to make sure you’re close to a power outlet if you choose one that needs to be plugged in at all times. Also consider the type of mount your camera comes with and decide whether you can mount a camera with screws to that section of the wall. If you’re a renter, you may want to go with a camera mount that has an adhesive backing to avoid drilling holes in the wall.

• The quality of the images your camera captures is a prime consideration in any security camera. Some models use a feature called motion tagging that keeps objects clear even as they’re moving. Recordings are in 1080p and infrared night vision. Other cameras provide night vision via an infrared light that can capture images up to 65 feet away. Upgraded camera versions capture in 1080p for a higher cost.
• Installation can be complex with traditional security cameras. As Liston points out, though, some newer cameras run on batteries to make this part of the process much easier.

“Battery-operated cameras are incredibly flexible when it comes to installation,” Liston says. “Since they are wireless, you won’t have the added tasks of drilling holes, running wires and ensuring the camera is close enough to an outlet.  You can also choose to move the camera to a new location if that becomes necessary in the future. The drawback, though, is that these require a strong Wi-Fi signal and you’ll need to regularly access the camera to change out the batteries.  With that in mind, any battery-operated unit should be installed out of reach of a would-be intruder but still accessible enough for maintenance.”

• If installation is a concern, go for a battery-powered model, which can be installed anywhere.
• Mounting security cameras with a magnetic base is fairly easy. However, some don’t have a battery, so you’ll still need to be close to a power plug.
• Chances are, you won’t want your camera to capture video when nothing’s happening. Most security cameras are built to kick on when motion or sound is detected. Some cameras are triggered to record by both motion and sound. The motion detection on certain cameras is questionable, as there is a lag between movement and recording.
• With some cameras, you can speak to the person on the other end. That can come in handy if you have a visitor you want to address. Look for a camera that has two-way audio. With some security cameras, you’ll get two-way audio, but the person on the other end will need to be very close to the camera to hear.
• For those who have an Alexa device, look for a camera that connects up so that you can pull up your feed via voice command.
• As handy as it is to see what your security camera is capturing in real time, if an event takes place, you’ll want to have it captured for later reference. Some models provide 14-day cloud storage. With other models, you’ll need to either purchase a cloud account or an SD card.
• If something happens when you’re away from home, an alert can make all the difference. Consider a camera that lets you customize your alerts and tweak their sensitivity. You’ll also want to receive notifications if your smoke or carbon monoxide detector goes off.
• Many security cameras are built for indoor use. If you need a security camera you can put outside, exposed to the elements, you’ll need to shop specifically for an outdoor camera.
• Since you’ll be saving your videos to the cloud or accessing your live view remotely, you’ll need to choose a camera that will easily connect to your home’s Wi-Fi.
• One great feature to keep an eye out for is a pan and tilt feature that you can access remotely, using an app.
• Viewing angle is also important. Look for a camera with a 360-degree rotation and viewing capability.