Real estate listings for fortresses with alligator-filled moats is in short supply. (Wild housing market man. Recent advancements in home automation have led to the creation of a DIY option for anti-intruder protection and theft protection: The home security camera.Major tech companies now offer their own versions of the home monitoring devices Amazon and Google, which adds another layer to a market already saturated by security giants such as SimpliSafe and Frontpoint. You can now buy a home security system camera at a fraction of the cost. However, you have a lot more options than ever before.How do you choose the right home security camera for you? This guide will help you do that.Let's start with the basics: How do home security camera work?A home security camera can be connected to your network to record video. You can access the footage via an app or web portal. It's a camera that can be connected to the internet. However, most models go beyond these basics.There are three types of security cameras available: wired, wire-free, and wireless.An ethernet cable is required to connect to the internet, and a cable to connect with an electrical outlet.Wireless security cameras can be connected to the internet via WiFi, but they must be plugged in to an outlet.Cameras that are wire-free don't require any wiring (duh), but instead rely on WiFi and batteries to provide power.Are home security cameras really worth the cost?Security cameras for your home: These are not just for those who want to record their demons! It seems that this is still a thing, even though there is a seventh Paranormal Activity movie planned for 2022. It's amazing.To answer your question, yes. A home security camera will allow you to see who is stopping by. Research shows that burglars are less likely target homes with security cameras. This is especially true if they are used in conjunction with other surveillance equipment (such as alarms and decent lighting). If someone steals your next Amazon package, a security cam can help you pursue a refund or recovery.A security camera is not only useful for home monitoring but can also be used to monitor an elderly relative, pet or baby from far away. Make sure they are aware that the camera is there. Perhaps it's possible to use a security camera in situations where strangers cannot be approached face-to-face. A security camera can make it easy for Instacarters and Uber Eaters to order contactless.Smaller households might find it more cost-effective to install a few security cameras than installing a complete home security system. This can run upwards of $300 and require a professional monitoring plan. These are some other options if you're looking for something more.What are the key points to consider when purchasing a home security cameraThese are some factors to consider when you weigh your options.Connectivity: Every type of security camera comes with its own pros and cons. Although they can be difficult to set up (sometimes needing professional installation), wired cameras have better connectivity and are more mobile. Wireless cameras, on the other hand, are much easier to set up, but more susceptible to hacking and signal drops. Wireless cameras are portable and flexible, and can be used even in power outages. However, you must ensure that your batteries are charged regularly. We can confidently say that a dead camera doesn't make a great deal of sense.Location: Cameras that are installed outside must be weather-resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures. An indoor camera should blend in with your decor and look good.Resolution: For crystal-clear footage, a security camera that records blurry or low-quality video can be deemed useless. Get one with at minimum 1080p (Full-HD) video quality.Night vision: You should be able to see the person who is coming to you, no matter what hour it is. You will usually pay more for color night vision than infrared which creates a black-and-white picture.Field of view (FOV). A camera with a wider viewing angle will allow you to see more, but may cause distortions such as barrel (or fisheye). Some security cameras can also pan and tilt, such as the eufy Solo IndoorCam P24. This camera is one of our top picks, which gives you a large FOV without any bulging or curved effects.Two-way audio: A security cam with built-in microphones and speakers can let you talk and hear the person who is visiting.Type of recording: Most security cameras will only record motion within their FOV. These are known as event-based recordings. However, some security cameras offer 24/7 or continuous recording. This is less common as it takes up a lot of storage space.Notifications: You don’t have to be in a mission control area to keep up with what your monitoring system is seeing. Most security camera companion apps provide instant motion alerts as well as a live feed.Integration of smart home devices: Do you have an Echo Show, Google Nest Hub or similar device? For hands-free voice control, get a security camera compatible with smart assistants. "Alexa, show my backyard camera. If you are interested in automating your camera with other smart home devices, IFTTT and Apple HomeKit support are also available.Storage: Although a few cameras have microSD cards support, most of them use cloud storage for remote access and clip storage.Add-on services: Need extra protection? Many security camera manufacturers offer monthly subscriptions that allow you to add premium features such as continuous recording, activity zones, facial recognition and AI-based object detection. Cloud storage is often included in these subscriptions. These additional monthly fees will be added to the cost of your camera.Cost: A good security camera can cost between $50 and $200, depending on what features you want. If you tend to gravitate towards options at the top end of this spectrum, make sure they have extras such as sirens and floodlights, spotlights and/or storage.What is all the fuss about Ring?ICYMI, Amazon's highly-respected Ring security brand has a serious problem with cops: It has partnered up with thousands of U.S. law enforcement departments that can request footage from its camera doorbells. This has created what is arguably a huge private surveillance network.These requests had to be made public by June 2021. However, it is not enough to address privacy concerns. Especially when you consider the 2019 class action lawsuit alleging Ring’s failure to protect camera owners' accounts against hackers. (Since then, the company has implemented end-to-end encryption on its video devices.The moral of the story? Ring's security cameras were recommended in an earlier iteration. However, this time we are unable to recommend them in good faith.Which is the best home security camera for you?Continue scrolling to see our top eight picks to keep your stuff and home safe, based on the aforementioned criteria.
