Home security cameras
Updated
Where to place cameras, how much storage they need, wired or battery or solar, night vision, and what neighbors and the law allow.
A good camera setup starts with placement and power, not resolution. Cover the entry points and the paths to them, keep cameras out of reach, and decide early between battery, plug-in, Power over Ethernet and solar.
Storage decides the running cost: cloud plans charge monthly, local storage needs a card, a base station or a recorder. Respect your neighbors’ privacy and your state’s rules on audio recording.
Calculators 1
Kits 1
Guides 13
GuideHOA rules for security cameras, video doorbells and outdoor smart devicesBefore you mount a camera or doorbell in an HOA community, read the CC&Rs, ask in writing and know what the FCC antenna rule does and does not…GuideSecurity cameras with no monthly feeYou can run home security cameras with no subscription if you accept local storage: a microSD card, a base station or an NVR. Here is what you…GuideWhere to place home security camerasCover the front door, back door, garage and ground-floor windows first, mount at 8 to 10 feet, angle down and avoid glare. Here is a room-by-room…GuideSecurity cameras and neighbors: what the law allowsFilming your own property is generally fine, but pointing a camera into a neighbor’s windows or recording conversations can cause trouble. Learn…GuideSolar-powered security cameras: does solar really work?A solar panel can keep a battery camera charged, but only if the panel gets enough direct sun and the camera does not trigger all day. Check…GuideSecurity camera night vision: infrared vs colorInfrared night vision shows black-and-white video in total darkness, while color night vision needs some light. Learn what each does, why glass…GuideCan you put a camera outside your apartment door?Often you need your landlord’s permission, because the hallway is a shared area and mounting hardware may count as a change. Read your lease…GuideRemote monitoring for a cabin without internetNo broadband at the cabin? A cellular router, LTE cameras or low-power LoRa sensors can still send temperature, leak, power and camera alerts.…GuideIndoor cameras and privacy at homeAn indoor camera watches your home, and sometimes the people in it. Here are the settings, room choices and consent rules that keep it from…GuidePet camera features that matter, and whether a treat dispenser is worth itField of view, night view, two-way audio, bark alerts, treat dispensers, storage and subscriptions: which pet camera features earn their price and…GuideHomeKit Secure Video: how it works, what it needs and its limitsHomeKit Secure Video stores camera clips in iCloud with end-to-end encryption after Apple devices at home analyze them. It needs a compatible…GuideWhich security camera for your driveway?A driveway camera has to cover distance, darkness and weather. Match its field of view, light and power source to your driveway length before you…GuideWhich security camera resolution do you need?More pixels cost more storage and bandwidth. Match 1080p, 2K or 4K to the distance you must cover and the detail you need, then check the lens,…
Comparisons 5
ComparisonPoE vs Wi-Fi security camerasPoE cameras get power and video over one Ethernet cable; Wi-Fi cameras need only a power source. Compare reliability, cabling, recorder, cost and…ComparisonBattery vs wired security camerasBattery cameras mount anywhere in minutes but sleep between events and need recharging. Wired cameras record more and never run down, but need a…ComparisonFloodlight camera or standard outdoor camera?A floodlight camera lights the yard and records in color, but it needs a fixture-style install. A standard outdoor camera mounts almost anywhere.…ComparisonLocal or cloud storage for security camera video?Where the video goes decides what you pay each month, what survives a theft and who can see your footage. Compare microSD, hub and NVR storage…ComparisonVideo doorbell or a camera aimed at your front door?A video doorbell answers the door and sees faces. A separate camera watches the porch, the driveway and the doorbell itself. Compare what each…