Watch and video value

For home surveillance cameras, resolution and field of view are often important. Up close and at a distance, checking information is very important for life landscapes and the quality of recorded videos. It’s crucial to pay attention to resolution numbers and the size of the field of view as well as whether a brand locks higher resolutions behind a subscription ( some do ).

store of videos

store of videos refers to how easily video can be recorded and shared, typically either in the cloud or locally through an attached hub/hard drive. Cloud storage is almost always locked behind a subscription, except in rare cases like Google Nest and some others. Local storage is generally a better way to avoid subscriptions and still get this important quality-of-life feature.

Integration of intelligent homes

What you see in the specs is what you get, not the subscription-based voice assistants ( Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant ) or platforms like Google Home or Apple Home. That can be spread out across multiple platforms or be limited to a single platform ( Amazon prefers to keep its devices focused on Alexa for the time being ). Look for a camera that is compatible with it if you already have voice assistants or a complete bright home security system.

precision with thing recognition

Another characteristic frequently locked away behind a license is object detection, similar to recognizing packages or human-shaped humans approaching. Some cameras provide thing detection for free. Some of Eufy’s cameras use individual diagnosis, and numerous Lorex cams offer free recognition, and TP-Link Tapo cams also offer package and people detection.

Functionality of the software

High-quality, safe cams come with instinctive apps with manageable settings. A great plus is that they don’t constantly pop-up ads telling you to subscribe.

Night perspective

Night vision is constantly monitored closely to make sure it is functioning correctly and has plenty of use for taking pictures from the other side of your home or area.

Two-way music

Two-way musicfeatures help scare away intruders, talk to strangers or tell the kids to get inside for dinner. They’re always free, but we take a close look at their quality and range, too. 

Installation details

Depending on where you want to mount your security cameras, they usually have wall or shelf mounts. Have a good idea of where you want to put the camera first; sometimes you have to purchase a wall or table attach differently. Some wall mounts require drilling in, but some do occur with adhesive bolts, which need to be placed on a soft, clean surface in order to fail. A hammer and a chisel are typically all you need for a screw-in attach.

Conditions weight

If you’re going to use your camera anywhere, you should look for one with IP ratings, particularly IP65 or higher. That indicates that there is enough dirt and water resistance for outdoor use in the majority of cases. Before buying, make sure to check the operating temperature range as well if it gets pretty hot or very warm where you live.