Security cameras have captured some of the strangest sights, like a runaway lawnmower, a curious deer, or neighbors just being weird. Besides providing you with viral video gold, security cameras help ensure your family's safety. While many security products offer robust preventative measures, cameras are one of the most popular tools. With the ability to monitor your home 24/7, security cameras provide a massive deterrent to would-be intruders, help identify threats, and possibly gift a hilarious bit of footage to show off at parties.
So, given that a security camera for home monitoring is an invaluable tool, what type of camera is right for you? After all, there are wide varieties of cameras, from units designed for indoor operation to weatherproof outdoor cameras. You'll need to decide how you want to power your new cameras, such as a battery, plug-in, or PoE(Power over Ethernet). In addition, for wireless cameras, would you prefer communication over WiFi or 4G? Security cameras also come with different features that determine monitoring capability. For example, some cameras have a fixed angle and can't move, while other more advanced units offer pan, tilt, and zoom.
Let's look at different security cameras and help determine which model would best help you against any threat, including clown ninjas.
Table of content:
- Indoor vs Outdoor
- Battery powered vs Plug-in vs PoE
- Wifi vs 4G
- Fixed lens vs PTZ
- Quick test to find the right security camera
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Indoor Security Cameras
An indoor model is one of the most straightforward security cameras to install, especially for beginners. These indoor cameras come with a base and can sit on a table, fireplace mantle, or shelf like the Reolink E1 Pro. You can avoid climbing ladders and securing cameras to your home with an indoor model that provides easy plug-in play functionality. One of the great aspects of indoor cameras is that they allow you to surveil your home in the middle of the night and when you're not home. An indoor camera helps you investigate any bump in the night with features like remote control, live viewing, and push notifications via the app. Fortunately, a late-night clang, bang, or splat is usually just the cat and maybe a sign they need more toys.
Indoor units can easily connect to your home's WiFi for fast and stable operation. These cameras can also come equipped with advanced features like infrared night vision, two-way audio, and 4MP video resolution like the Reolink E1 Pro. Some indoor security cameras also feature excellent movement, such as panning and tilting for a greater area of coverage. In addition, these cameras offer intelligent motion detection and alerts that notify you instantly when something occurs.
Regarding storage, units like the Reolink E1 Zoom provide options for local SD storage up to 128GB or the Reolink NVR.
Outdoor Security Cameras
While monitoring the home's interior is valid, it's also helpful to see what's happening outside your home. Outdoor security cameras are designed differently from their inside variant and feature weatherproofed housings and mounting hardware. These cameras are typically placed at the outside corners of the home, with units focused on covering as much of the perimeter as possible. For example, you might place a Reolink Argus 3 Pro security camera with a motion spotlight in a position to capture both the front driveway and the garden entrance. Pity the neighbor that tries to steal your prized garden gnome, if you have one.
Not only do these outdoor security cameras provide you with a view of the front and back of the home, but they also provide a visible deterrent. Imagine you're a thief looking to burglarize a home; would you approach the house if you noticed outdoor security cameras monitoring the property? Great options like the Reolink RLC-810A come equipped with enhanced intelligence and can better identify threats without issuing false alarms. It can understand the difference between humans and vehicles with built-in motion tracking ability. In addition, take advantage of features like remote access capability, live viewing options, and up-to-the-moment push notifications through a cutting-edge mobile app.
Outdoor security cameras like the Reolink RLC-520A provide remarkable color night vision up to 100ft for a clear viewpoint of your property. Depending upon where you live, you might experience significant street and sidewalk traffic and are concerned that you'll be getting inundated with movement notifications. However, units like the Reolink RLC-510WA provide a handy motion zone and recording schedule to help customize your home and neighborhood monitoring. You could also go the extra step and scatter Legos across your property, as they'll stop anyone in their tracks.
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Battery Powered vs. Plug-in vs. Power Over Ethernet Cameras
You'll have to consider how you plan to power your new security cameras. Like the Reolink E1 Zoom, indoor cameras conveniently plug into a wall outlet via an included power adapter. However, outdoor cameras might require other power sources, such as batteries or POE. Options like the Reolink Argus Eco security camera is cable free and equipped with a rechargeable battery and solar panel for an all-in-one power solution. The outdoor Reolink RLC-820A features PoE or Power Over Ethernet technology, where a single ethernet code carries data and power. PoE is a problem solver when the area you need to install the camera is void of electrical outlets.
The best way to determine which power option suits you is to decide where you wish to install security cameras. Then, verify if you have an outlet available or if you'll require other means to power the camera. The Reolink Argus 3 Pro is an excellent choice for a nearly cableless installation if you have a good place to capture sunlight with the solar panel nearby. If you plan to run ethernet throughout your home, you can incorporate PoE cameras like the Reolink RLC-520A for a more advanced security camera installation process.
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WiFi vs. 4G Cameras
While WiFi and 4G are both wireless, depending on your property, one may have an advantage over the other. For example, if your lot is sizeable and you plan to place an outdoor camera in an out-building a distance away from your home, WiFi may not work. Units like the Reolink Argus PT offer WiFi connections that work well when placed close to your home and internet router. However, the farther you travel from the router, the weaker the WiFi signal for security camera wireless performance. Think consistent buffering and the dreaded "signal lost" message when trying to view a live feed on the app. Cue sad music.
With options like the Reolink Go PT equipped with 4G connection capability, you can place the camera anywhere on your property without signal degradation. The 4G capable security cameras are great for more significant properties and those who want to keep an eye on things beyond the home's perimeter. For example, if you have a separate workshop not connected to the house but want to ensure no expensive tools go missing, a 4G capable camera is an excellent choice.
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Fixed Lens or PTZ/Zoom Cameras
Depending on what you're looking to monitor, you can choose between cameras with a fixed perspective or those that pan, tilt, and zoom. Options like the Outdoor Reolink RLC-511WA, a unit with optical zoom, provide excellent surveillance of entryways, gates, and other property access routes. A stationary camera doesn't allow you to move it around remotely and gives you a static angle for easy monitoring. Great for a set-it-and-forget-it installation, fixed cameras seem to catch a lot of strange activity. For those in Baselland, this activity may include a friendly fox stopping by for a visit and resting in the garden at night.
However, products like the Reolink Argus 3 Pro, which has a fixed lens, also provide a 16X digital zoom feature. If you have your fixed lens camera at a reasonable distance from the monitoring point, a zoom option may come in handy to identify faces or other details. The most versatile and advanced products like the Reolink Argus PT come equipped with a pan/tilt function and 6X digital zoom. Security cameras with remote-controlled movement provide a great way to surveil a larger area. However, these pan/tilt capable units require more experienced users to rotate their position regularly for best results.
Indoor cameras like the Reolink E1 Pro also provide additional movement with a 355-degree pan and 50-degree tilt for performance capable of capturing nearly the entire surrounding space. Also, your cat or dog will find them fascinating, which is an added bonus.
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What security camera should you get?
When choosing the best security camera for your home, there are many things to consider. Power supply, wireless connection, and PTZ capability aside, you should also think, for example, display resolution because an 8MP IP camera will definitely give you better image quality dah….
Storage is another aspect. Are you willing to pay an extra subscription fee for cloud storage? Or a simple SD card can do the trick? Do you want your security camera to record audio? Are remote viewing and two-way communication a must-have? Do you prefer to have a siren and spotlight to scare off would-be-intruders? The list goes on.
