Cameras
We considered the type of cameras that the security system provides and how many there are. You should know that, for optimum safety, cameras should be set up both inside and outside the house. Cameras installed indoors can be equipped with infrared lighting and motion sensors to notify the owner immediately of any suspicious activity. Many outdoor cameras also feature motion-activated floodlights and are designed to withstand all types of weather. Some models can even capture hours of footage and stream it in real-time. Added to that is the fact that the mere presence of a camera is sometimes enough to deter a would-be intruder.
Nightvision
In addition to being able to see during the day, a camera should also be able to do so at night. There are two types of night vision technology: infrared, which uses LED sensors and generates black and white footage; and color, which uses powerful white illumination. We checked out various options to make sure that the cameras, which are the core of your security, are capable of all-around vision.
Number of cameras
The size of your property and the level of protection you feel you need will determine how many security cameras you should install. It is advised that you install a camera at your home’s ground-level entry as a bare minimum. Extra security cameras should be installed on the ground floor and in any rooms used frequently or used for entry and exit. Main halls on the second and third levels are also ideal locations for security cameras. However, due to privacy concerns, we do not advise installing cameras in private spaces like bedrooms or bathrooms.
Quality of picture
We checked the quality of pictures provided by the security cameras and found that most state-of-the-art surveillance cameras now offer full 1080p HD quality, an upgrade from the standard 720p HD. The resolution of modern cameras, at 2K or 4K, is double that of 1080p HD, allowing for a much clearer and more detailed image. Therefore, we made sure that our picks were upgraded systems that provided pictures of high resolution.
Storage and recording capabilities
Local storage and cloud storage are the two main types of data storage. A micro-SD card or an external hard drive provides local storage for most cameras. The film is recorded locally on a card or hard disk, while in the cloud, it is uploaded to a server and stored there, which may or may not require a subscription. We recommend cameras that can store data in the cloud as well as on the device itself, just in case.
Motion detection
For maximum coverage, these are typically installed in the upper corners of the ceiling in a room. Motion detectors can be set to alert you to any suspicious activity even when you’re not there. These can be adjusted to disregard individuals or objects below a given weight, such as your pets.
Connection to smart devices
We also considered the security system’s ability to connect with smart devices to provide you with a fully integrated security system and allow you to control your security hub from an application on your phone.
Notifications
What good is a security system if it doesn’t tell you when it’s spotted someone? When the security cameras we tested were activated, the vast majority of them alerted us to either motion or a human, depending on their level of sophistication, and if connected to our phones, they sent a notification on the application.
Power
Is your camera powered by batteries or a wall plug? This is a crucial query to answer before making a camera purchase, and the answer may come down to individual taste, as there are benefits and drawbacks to every option. Wired cameras, which are more common indoors, have the advantage of never needing new batteries because they are either hooked up or hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Since wireless cameras are simpler to set up than wired ones, we prioritized their convenience.
Battery life
We also considered the base and camera battery life, and we found that a year was a good average for most of them. We also found that while some batteries can be recharged (sometimes with additional solar equipment), others require regular replacement.
Wired or wireless?
Your alarm sensors and other devices can’t keep in touch with your base station if they lose their connection to the internet. It’s also what keeps your system connected to the monitoring center for a swift response if you sign up for 24/7 expert monitoring. Since cellular signals are more stable than Wi-Fi and landline connectivity, they are typically our top recommendation for home security systems. Wi-Fi with a cellular backup is the foundation of most do-it-yourself systems today, and it performs admirably.
A hardwired network is another option. Connecting a security system to your home’s electrical system provides a steady flow of electricity, making it ideal for 24/7 monitoring. If you can afford Power over Ethernet (PoE), you’ll get a connection that’s both fast and stable. Power over Ethernet (PoE) supplies energy and sends data to your devices at the same time.
Price vs. quality
Home security system providers are constantly competing with one another, sometimes by expanding the number and variety of services they provide, while others compete based on pricing. We made this list to make sure you can discover an awesome security solution that works for you no matter what your budget is like.
Ease of set-up
Smart home systems and voice assistant gadgets are all the rage in the modern household. If you are a homeowner who has come to rely on any of these convenience items, you must invest in a security system that is compatible with what you already have and that can be installed without much stress by you or without the installation company stressing you during installations.
Internal or external set-up only
One cannot overestimate the value of having solid internal and external security measures in place for one’s home. We considered the setup of each security system along with the ease of setup to make sure that the choices we made were convenient. We chose options that used a combination of both set-ups to ensure efficient security measures, as this was the best approach.
Style/design
Although cameras are all tech, white, black, glass, and plastic, we didn’t want to select cameras that looked awkward or made you think of a hooded owl. Fortunately, although our picks were selected based on how we prioritized other selection criteria, they had great styles and amazing designs.