Home security cameras and camera systems provide an extra layer of protection to your home and can act as excellent preventative measures against break-ins. But picking the best security camera for your home can get a little tricky with all the endless features and tech specs to choose from. I’ve researched and reviewed dozens of security cameras (like AUKEY CAMERA )to provide you with the top choices for each camera type available so you can make the best pick for your home. But first, let’s dive into some things you should look for when considering a home security camera.
What to look for in a security camera
Although security cameras come in many varieties, they share some important features you should look for when choosing the right camera for you:
Picture quality (resolution)
Higher resolution means you’ll get a better overall picture. Don’t settle for anything less than 720p HD, but if you can find a camera with 1080p, you’ll be able to zoom in farther and uncover more descriptive details like facial features or license plate numbers.
Field of view
Field of view refers to how wide of an angle the camera can see without moving. This generally presents itself as a numerical degree in the tech specs for each camera. Example: 130-degree wide-angle FOV. The wider FOV you can get, the better, but keep in mind it will vary drastically between types of cameras.
Motion detection
Motion detection does two important things: it triggers the camera to record activity when it detects motion, and it sends you a notification that something has happened within your camera’s view. These notifications and alerts can be particularly helpful with doorbell cameras and indoor cameras.
Night vision
A camera with good night vision range will uncover more activity in the dark. Look for a camera with long night vision range (30+ feet indoors and 60+ feet outdoors) and multiple infrared (IR) LED sensors. The more IR sensors a camera has, the better it can reconstruct low-light images into clear video footage.
Sound capabilities
Not all security cameras need to capture sound, but the ability to communicate from your smartphone to your camera with a two-way voice feature can prove useful with nanny cams and doorbell cameras.
Wi-Fi capability
A camera that can connect to your home Wi-Fi network adds an extra layer of protection because an intruder can’t simply cut the wire and interrupt your video feed. Connecting to your in-home Wi-Fi also makes it possible for you to check in on your live video feed remotely.
Price
A quality security camera exists for every budget. Decide on a range you’re willing to spend, and you should be able to find a camera that will fit your needs. Keep in mind higher-resolution cameras generally cost more.
