Best Home Security Cameras of 2024: Expert Reviewed
CNET has tested plenty of home security cameras over the years and can help you find one that suits your needs.
There are hundreds of home security cameras on the market, ranging widely in price, features, and quality. With so many options out there, it’s hard not to get overwhelmed quickly, especially when you consider something as important as home security. After CNET’s years of testing home security cameras, we have some recommendations for you if you’re looking for a new one. Here are some parameters to consider:
privacy
This is a big deal. You don’t want anyone peeking into your property or hacking into your camera. Wireless Home Security Cameras can be more Vulnerable to hackers Since they can connect to a Wi-Fi network and be accessed remotely, especially if your router has poor security. Wired home security cameras that don’t use Wi-Fi at all are generally more secure. (Read more about Here are the pros and cons of wired vs wireless systems.) As we mentioned above, data breaches and security breaches can also be dangerous to your privacy, so it’s important to consider a company’s recent reputation.
Indoor and outdoor
The first thing you need to consider is where you want to place your home security cameras. If you want the camera to be located outside, recording your porch or yard, you may want to outdoor camera It also has weather resistance or night vision capabilities.
While many cameras are interchangeable for indoor or outdoor use, some are only suitable for Indoor uselike the Wyze Cam Pan v2, so make sure the camera you buy can handle the outdoors.
Video resolution
Video quality should be a major consideration when purchasing a home security camera. Simply put, your camera won’t do its job if the only footage you record is grainy and unreadable.
The higher the resolution, the better the video quality. Most home security cameras on the market today have 1,080p resolution, but others even have 2K resolution (like the Arlo Pro 4) or 1,536×1,536 pixel resolution (like the Arlo Video Doorbell). Keep in mind that the higher the quality of the video, the more bandwidth it uses and the more likely it is that your camera will experience lag or glitches.
vision
Field of view (usually diagonal) refers to the width of the camera’s field of view. Generally speaking, wider is better because it takes up more space and makes it easier to spot activity. The average security camera angle tends to be around 130 degrees, but some cameras even go beyond that. Since the camera can be moved around, the pan and tilt capabilities make the field of view less important.
Battery or wired power
The choice of batteries and wireless vs. wired cameras is a matter of taste because Both types have advantages and disadvantages.
Wireless options are generally easier to install and operate, and often use cloud storage so you can access your footage from anywhere. Wireless security cameras have their own power source, so they can still record and save footage even during internet or power outages. One of the biggest disadvantages is that you often need to manually replace or charge the battery unless you have Solar Home Security Cameras.
Wired cameras are hardwired to a stable connection so they don’t need to be charged and can often provide high-quality video resolution. They tend to be more reliable, more secure, and have more consistent video quality while requiring no monthly cloud storage fees. The downside is that wired home security cameras typically require professional installation and don’t integrate with smart home systems like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Some wired home security cameras, like the Google Nest Cam Indoor, generally have better video and audio quality.
Local storage vs. cloud storage
Not all video storage is created equal. You have two main options, and choosing one depends on your personal preference. There’s cloud storage, which sends your video clips to a remote server for saving, and there’s local storage, which relies on separate accessories or hardware (usually a microSD card) to save any clips you want to save. Typically, cloud storage requires a monthly fee.
Wi-Fi quality and range
when you install Wireless Home Security Cameraplease remember smart home The quality of the camera you buy (and therefore your entire security system) depends on the quality of the camera you buy Wi-Fi in the location you plan to install. So check your Wi-Fi speed Before you drill holes in your walls or otherwise mess with your door frames, bricks, or home security camera siding. If your wireless security camera’s connection is spotty, you’ll notice noticeable lag time, pixelation in live feeds, and other Wi-Fi delays. These make the video quality poor and the home security camera a pain to use.
With a good Wi-Fi connection, you should be able to use your device in good condition Indoor home security cameras or Outdoor home security cameras There weren’t any major camera system issues and I got clear shots every time. Still have questions? look at mine Home Security Camera Buying Guide and FAQs below.
