Keeping your home protected is now easier than ever before. Thanks to IoT devices, we can monitor and protect our home from anywhere over Wi-Fi. While one of the ancientest methods, security cameras are still highly effective. Keep reading this IP camera buying guide to know more.
According to studies, security cameras are one of the best barriers against burglaries. However, they don’t just keep offenders away as they also help gather evidence by recording and observing them if they try to sneak in.
Home security cameras deliver peace of mind and are equipped with sensors to monitor and protect your property, meaning they only work when triggered by movement. Some even have built-in lights. These devices allow you to sleep quickly and safely, knowing that your home is secure. Within this IP camera buying guide, we’ll glance at the essential features of security cameras to help you find the perfect one to keep your property safe.
Essential Features Your Security Camera Should Have?
Let’s explore some of the essential features when buying a security camera for your property.
Design
Your choice might depend on the amount of area you have and the angle it needs to cover. You might want to use big and bulky security cameras that act as a visual deterrent. Some choose to use small, discreet cameras that easily integrate into the surroundings.
Motion Sensors
Security cameras come fitted with motion sensors that begin recording as soon as they detect the tiniest bit of movement. The footage is recorded and is available for a specific time. Sometimes this is referred to as event-based recording.
Night Vision
As cameras need light to detect and record clearly, nighttime makes capturing clear footage difficult. The majority of outdoor cameras have excellent night vision that allows them to see better and distant during the night. Some high-end models even provide color night vision.
Resolution
Gone are the days of grainy CCTV footage. Today’s security cameras bear image resolutions varying from 720p to 4K. The higher the resolution, the clearer the image, more probably you can recognize the intruder. We suggest a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.
Field of View
The broader the field of view, the more space it will cover, and the fewer cameras you’ll need. Some cameras come with a wide default view. Others have flexible lenses with panning, zooming, and tilting components.
Audio
Audio surveillance is not without privacy matters and legal requirements that restrict it in some places. A security camera with a built-in microphone lets you see and hear what’s occurring. If you have two-way audio, you can talk to whoever is on your property.
Notification Alerts
Some devices offer customizable alerts and notifications sent to your smartphone when it detects any movement. However, you can’t watch real-time events unless you paid for a professional monitoring service, so this feature allows you to stay alert.
Storage
Security cameras record footage you can consider later. You can keep footage on the cloud or local storage, such as a microSD card positioned inside the camera or a separate hard drive. If you travel a lot, cloud access will deliver peace of mind as you can log in from anywhere.
Advanced Features
A range of advanced elements is also available, including built-in alarms, facial recognition, and pet-friendliness that help make your security cameras more effective and efficient.
