Analyzing The Top Home Security Cameras
It’s no secret that the world is a dangerous place to live in. In fact, it can be downright scary at times. Crime rates are higher than they have been in decades and people are worried about their safety when they go out into public. With all of these fears, more and more people are installing home security cameras; but which one should you choose?
This article will review some of the top home security camera systems on the market today with an eye for what features each has to offer as well as how each compares price-wise. We’ll also take a look at the pros and cons of each system so that you know which one is best for your needs.
Technology is steadily integrating with our lives more and more. Cameras are becoming a new norm in the home, helping people to feel safer while they’re away from their homes.
Some cameras can be set up wirelessly for easy installation, so you don’t have to be at your house to install them! But what makes one camera better than another? Read on to find out which security camera is right for you!
Arlo (Netgear)
First, let’s take a look at the Arlo system from Netgear. This camera provides a completely wireless solution to security which can be an advantage if you don’t want to run cords around your home.
It also has two-way communication so that you can hear what’s going on in your house no matter where you are, and it is weatherproof so that it will stand up to the elements inside or out.
The night vision on their cameras was created with an A+ rating for its ability to work even in complete darkness without compromising the quality of the picture.
The downside is that because there are no wires, sometimes these cameras just stop working after prolonged use. Also, they need batteries replaced every few months (the company claims six months, but in our testing, it was closer to four).
In addition, if you have a larger house or more than one floor for the camera to monitor, you may have difficulties with connectivity. If there are too many obstructions between the base station and the camera or if there is too much interference on your Wi-Fi network, then the signal won’t be able to get through.
This means that no matter how good your security cameras are at night, they can still miss things because of a glitch in their wireless connection. Of course, not everyone has this problem but it did seem to come up fairly often even among users who otherwise loved their Arlo system.
The other downside is that these cameras do require batteries meaning that when the batteries run out, they can stop recording. This isn’t a problem if you’re diligent about putting new batteries in them when needed but it does mean that you can’t always be sure that the camera is going to be running during a break-in attempt.
Additionally, these cameras don’t have any audio which is kind of frustrating for some users who would like a little extra insight into what is going on when they are not home. It’s also disappointing if you want to use your security cameras as a baby monitor or pet cam because, with just video alone, you won’t get that same level of comforting feedback from these devices.
Although the Arlo system includes several add-ons such as rechargeable batteries and wall mounts, there still is simply no way to get around the hassle of purchasing yet another product that you have to plug into an outlet.
Blink
At first glance, Blink may appear like any other wireless security camera but it’s actually unique in a number of ways.
The most important difference is that instead of using batteries or alternating current, the Blink system uses supercapacitors.
Supercapacitors are devices that can store up large amounts of energy which makes them ideal for powering cameras since they don’t need constant power input.
Not only does this make things easier for you as a user because there are no expensive battery costs involved, but it also means that you never have to worry about your camera dying on you at the wrong moment.
Despite their smaller size, these cameras can actually capture footage of up to 180° thanks to their high-quality lenses, which is a real step up from anything else in this price range.
The one downside is that the video that these cameras produce is in 480p rather than 720p or 1080p.
This isn’t a huge issue for the peace of mind they offer but it does mean that if you’re looking for crystal clear footage you might have to spend slightly more on a camera with higher resolution video.
Another nice feature of Blink’s system is the optional cellular feature.
Instead of having your home security cameras connected directly to your WiFi network, this system makes use of AT&T’s 3G/4G/5G cellular network and sends all recordings back over the internet.
There are no monthly fees with this system, it’s simply a matter of buying the hardware and starting to use it.
If you opt for the Blink XT over the regular Blink camera, there is one downside which is that they don’t currently offer any indoor cameras.
The main reason most people will look at outdoor security cameras is that they want something to monitor their home while they’re away on vacation or out of town for work.
If you need an accessible location to position your security camera, then there are pros and cons to having your camera outside. The pros are that the weather won’t damage the hardware, but the con is that anyone could potentially steal them as well. So if you do have a particular place in mind, make sure you think about this before you start making any final decisions.
Wyze Cam
The Wyze Cam V2 is the newest, and cheapest, version of their popular line of cameras. It’s a 1080p camera with night vision and two-way audio.
The hardware also comes equipped with passive infrared sensors that can detect motion and start recording immediately.
One of the standout features of this home security camera is its app, which allows for live streaming from your phone or computer to get alerts when something happens while you’re away so you never miss a moment.
The best thing about this outdoor security camera is how easy it is to set up and use. Once you plug in all of the wires we’re pretty much ready to go. However, we did have to download the app before we could get started.
Once you open it up, it walks you through the steps in connecting your Amcrest Security Camera to Wi-Fi.
After that, all you have left to do is go into the settings and adjust how long it takes for the alerts to come into your phone or email, and which notifications you get.
You can also set up multiple cameras with this system so if need be, you can monitor what’s going on from several angles at once.
The final step of setting up our camera was positioning and adjusting the view so we could see what we needed to see.
Amcrest Security Camera
The range is relatively decent for a security camera, up to 98 feet from the router will give you a signal according to Amcrest’s website. In my experience, it was less than this but still enough range to cover most areas of my home without too much trouble.
The night vision feature does its job well and picks up the color in complete darkness up to 32 feet away.
When we started our full review process with the Amcrest Security Camera system, we had high hopes that everything would work easily and smoothly.
While there were a few hiccups along the way, it proved surprisingly difficult after all was said and done to find any major flaws with this unit.
The pros definitely outweigh any cons, and we believe that the Amcrest 1080p camera system is well worth your investment. The sheer amount of features included, excellent picture quality and compatibility with third-party services make this unit one of the best home security cameras on the market today.
It has a standard 4 out of 5-star rating across most online retail sites including Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, CDW, B&H photo video, Best Buy, Newegg, Frys Electronics, Abt electronics, and more.
Ring Doorbell
The Ring Doorbell Camera is a very popular option among consumers at the moment. It’s a security camera that you attach to the outside of your home and it rings inside the house when someone presses the button.
The Ring Doorbell version 4 offers 1080p HD video with a 160-degree field of view and the chance to add on up to six additional cameras for just $20 USD each.
You can connect it directly to your home router or you can use the cloud storage subscription at $3 USD per month.
One of Ring’s biggest draws is that if someone steals something from your front porch, you are notified via email with a snapshot of the thief.
Other features that are touted Ring Doorbell are two-way talk where you can speak to someone through the doorbell’s speaker, night vision, and motion detection.
iSmartAlarm iCamera Keep Pro
The iSmartAlarm iCamera Keep Pro has an option that is available in black or white and offers 1080p resolution along with night vision capability. It has infrared sensors built into its two-way talk feature so you can see what’s going on even in the dark.
You get two-day free cloud storage with it and the ability to store up to 30 days of video for an additional fee. It also works with Alexa voice commands.
This doorbell offers night vision, 720p high-definition resolution with a 160° field of view, customizable motion zones, cloud recording options available with subscription or external storage device purchase, two-way audio communication between two devices with a sound indicator when someone is at the door.
There are four interchangeable faceplates included in your purchase price which you can swap out based on your preferences or move them around to different doors if needed. Another unique feature is that this model has no battery backup so, in the event of a power outage, you will need to plug it into an outlet.
Night Owl Security Camera
System was started in 2006 by a former IT specialist with the goal to create affordable, high-quality security systems that could be installed and used right out of the box.
Their line of home security cameras is designed for both indoor and outdoor use which means they can hold up to the outdoors very well.
While this model does not have all of the bells and whistles that other models may offer, it is considered one of their most popular due to its network compatibility (NVR makes available additional storage options while cloud storage plans are offered by Night Owl), multiple recording options (can record continuously or on motion activation), outdoor capabilities (weatherproof construction) and ease of installation.
Final Thoughts
So what should you do? We recommend looking for a camera that has all of the features and functions you want.
You can also check reviews from other customers to see how they liked their experience with the product, or ask your friends about which cameras they have found helpful in protecting their home.
Additionally, look at security company websites for recommendations on specific models before making a final decision. Once you’ve chosen a model that meets your needs, research installation options so it is easy to set up once it arrives!
The last thing anyone wants is an expensive purchase sitting unused because there was too much hassle installing it. With some careful thought and consideration, choosing a new surveillance system will be a simple and enjoyable experience.
There are dozens of models on the market that all claim to offer superior protection for homes. We’ve listed just a few of them, but I can assure you that having some protection is better than having none at all.
