Things to consider before buying a security camera for your home

1. Which smart home ecosystem are you using?

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One major consideration when looking to buy a security camera for your smart home is the ecosystem you're using. Make sure that the camera is compatible with the smart home ecosystem you use. For example, if using Amazon Alexa, the camera also needs to be compatible with your Echo devices. Buying a camera that only works with Apple HomeKit will be useless with the Echo speaker and cause other problems that defeat the purpose of the smart home.

If a security camera is your first smart home device, consider the three main smart home systems - Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit - so you can choose which system is best for you.

2. Can the camera be used outside or indoors?

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Another issue to consider when looking for a security camera is where you want to place it. There are two main types of cameras. One type can only be used indoors while the other is made for outdoor use and can withstand elements such as rain and large temperature swings.

Cameras made for outdoor use are often more expensive than indoor-only models but often have more features because outdoor surveillance is more difficult due to lighting and environmental conditions.

3. Does the camera require power or use batteries?

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Another big difference in security cameras is the power source. Some cameras use a traditional power plug for power while others use rechargeable batteries.

Battery-powered cameras offer more flexibility in terms of where they can be installed because they do not require a power source. But the big downside is that the camera will need to be recharged at certain intervals, from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the amount of video recorded.

Battery-powered cameras are often more expensive than those that plug directly into power.

4. Camera field of view

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One of the most important specifications to look for when buying a camera is the field of view. As the name suggests, field of view is the viewable area of ​​a location captured by a camera. A camera with a 180-degree field of view can capture everything in its path. A smaller field of view captures less area.

After deciding where you want to place the camera, you need to find the field of view that best suits that location. For example, you wouldn't want to buy an outdoor camera with a small field of view that misses most of the yard.

Additionally, some cameras on the market also offer pan/tilt/zoom capabilities. That means you can rotate the camera up/down and left/right to capture more areas.

5. Does the camera require a monthly subscription to view recorded videos?

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There is usually a cost when using a smart home camera. It's a monthly subscription to capture and store recorded video, one of the essential uses of the camera.

Since all smart home cameras require Wi-Fi, many options available on the market use cloud storage for video. Since that costs the manufacturer, it will be passed on to the user. Monthly subscriptions can range from $2.99 ​​to $9.99 depending on the manufacturer and how many cameras you have at home. Be sure to take that cost into account when looking for a camera.

There are some cameras that do not require registration by allowing video to be stored directly on the camera via built-in memory or a microSD card.

6. Camera video resolution

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Just like TVs, security cameras offer different video resolutions. Currently, most cameras offer one of three types of resolution - HD 1080p, 2K and 4K. As you might guess, 4K cameras offer the best possible resolution, followed by 2K and then 1080p HD.

All three options have advantages and disadvantages. For indoor options, an HD or 2K option will likely provide the picture quality you need. But if you're looking to see outside your home, consider a 4K camera. Although more expensive, it can show more detail over a wide area and will work especially well when zooming in on something like a license plate.

Kareem Winters

Update 23 May 2024