5 questions to ask before buying smart home security cameras
Installing security cameras in your home used to be a costly and time-consuming undertaking. In the past, you would have to go to a security specialist, who would arrive with ladders and install wired cameras which required holes drilled for their cables, mounting brackets, and additional hardware to stream their feed to your television, or a dedicated monitor. Today, with all the new features these cameras are bringing to market, you not only need a professional to help you install it, but a source to help you understand how all these new security camera features work, like AI motion detection and customizing activity zones.
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To help make the process is much simpler, we have compiled this article for our readers. While commercial-grade security systems like those installed by professional companies like ADT and Vivint, there are many simple. cheaper, and consumer-friendly alternatives.
Companies like Google Nest, Netgear's Arlo - plus cheaper options like Wyze and Aqara - all offer cameras with various abilities and prices. Some have advanced motion detection and facial recognition, while others tap into broader smart home systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit and IFTTT (If This, Then That).
But before you get started, these are some important questions you must ask yourself:
Indoor or outdoor?
GearBrain
Do you want your camera to work inside, outside or both? Something you need to decide prior to buying one.
This should be your starting point when it comes to smart home camera - do you want to install them inside, outside, or both? Inside cameras tend to plug into a wall outlet, while some outdoor cameras feature rechargeable batteries to save you the hassle of routing power cables through external walls.
Outdoor cameras offer a degree of weather protection and water resistance, whereas indoor cameras do not.
Indoor cameras are generally a bit easier to set up, and are simple to relocate throughout the home. But they can make it look like you are spying on your family or housemates, as no matter how friendly the camera looks, seeing one staring at you is always somewhat unnerving.
When positioning a camera outdoors, you must be aware of potential theft or tampering - fixing a camera high up, out of reach is best, but remember you may need to access it to recharge the battery every few months. You should also check the wireless signal at the location you plan to install or position your smart security camera. Security cameras need a good wireless connection in order to function properly. Remember, the security camera is recording and sending video clips or live streaming video over the internet which requires a good connection.
Nest Cam 2nd Gen Available on Amazon
Cloud or local storage?
The Wyze Cam costs just $20 and had local storage
Many smart home security cameras record their footage to the cloud, where you can view it via a web browser or smartphone app. This is convenient, but often comes as part of a monthly fee (see question four) and some users may not want their footage being uploaded to the servers of a company they don't trust.
Arlo cameras record footage to the cloud (where it is held for free for five days) but their base station also lets you attach USB storage or slot in a microSD card, giving you the option of local storage too. Cameras by Wyze Cam and also offer the choice of cloud and local storage, as do options from D-Link, Honeywell, Netatmo, Ezviz, Aqara and TP-Link's Kasa cameras.
More expensive cameras from the likes of Nest, Ring and Vivint tend not to offer local storage. This means you'll need to accept the footage is being uploaded to a server (but not seen by anyone but you, all being well) and you will need to place the camera within range of your Wi-Fi router.
Buy Wyze on Amazon for under $25
What can the camera see? Does it pose a privacy concern? Can you customize it?
GearBrain
Security cameras allow you to set zones for the camera to monitor and start recording when motion is detected in these areas.
There are several things to consider when choosing a location for your security camera. Naturally, you will want it to have a good view - of your front door, say, or of a gate leading to the garden. You will also want to locate the camera away from the reach of anyone looking to steal or tamper within it, yet in a place which is easy for you to reach when you need to recharge the battery (should you opt for a wireless camera). Also, some security cameras allow you to set motion zones. If so, you can adjust the camera to monitor only these areas, which you can exclude your neighbors.
But, aside from all this, you should think about the privacy of your neighbors. Does the camera look onto their land, or perhaps even through their doors or windows? For those living in apartment complexes with shared areas, this can be a tricky situation to get right and keep everyone happy.
If in doubt, speak to your neighbor - perhaps even show them an example of what your camera can see, then ask if they are fine with that view being recorded.
Are monthly subscriptions worth the money?
Netatmo
Some cameras offer all their features for free, while others only fully unlock if you pay monthly
A lot of smart home security cameras can be bought with a subscription package which adds extra features and stores more recorded footage in the cloud.
For example, without paying the subscription fee Nest's indoor and outdoor cameras only save videos taken when movement is detected, and stored them in the cloud for only three hours. So unless you log in and grab that image quickly, evidence of an incident like a burglary would be lost.
Instead, you need to pay for Nest Aware, which starts from $6 a month. This records continuous video, 24 hours a day, and stores footage in the cloud for five days. This subscription also unlocks extra features like 'intelligent alerts' and 'activity zones', which help to fine-tune what will cause the camera to alert you and start recording.
Buy Netatmo Indoor Security Camera on Amazon - $189
Alternatively, Arlo's Basic plan is free and stores your camera's recordings in the cloud for up to seven days; or you can connect your own storage to the base station to save recordings locally.
This is a pretty good deal - seven days of recordings saved in the cloud for free - when you compare it to Nest's lack of free functionality.
Another hidden cost to be aware of is how many companies charge more per month if you have multiple cameras, or if you want longer access to stored video. Also, some cameras require a monthly plan to use their advanced security features like AI tracking, facial recognition. customized motion zones, intelligent alerts and integrations with smart displays with Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. Make sure you check what is free and what comes with a monthly plan.
What other smart home devices is the camera compatible with?
Finally, it is worth understanding what smart home systems and applications the camera you want to buy will connect to. Many feature an Amazon Alexa skill, which means you can say something like "Alexa, show me the front door" and a live feed from the camera located there will show up on your Echo Show smart display.
Nest cameras perform similar trick, but instead use the Google Assistant and the Nest Hub Max. Say: "Hey Google, show me the front door" and the live feed from your Nest camera there will appear on your Home Hub, or on the TV with a Google Chromecast connected, if you so wish.
Many smart cameras also connect to IFTTT (If This, Then That), the smart home automation platform. This helps the camera communicate with other devices in your home; for example, you can set IFTTT to switch on an outdoor smart light when a camera overlooking the area spots movement at night.
For more information on what smart home devices work with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant, check out The GearBrain, our compatibility find engine for smart devices. It's free and easy to use.
