Beginner’s Guide to Security Cameras

We think that home security cameras are the perfect way to dip your toes into home security. They provide a window into what happens around the house without committing to pricier home security monitoring. We created this beginner's guide to help you learn about specs and features common in all of the best home security cameras.

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Security cameras are a diverse lot, and while you can use most types interchangeably—outdoor cameras work just as well indoors—it helps to know the main purpose and various names of each type. We also included links to our various camera reviews as examples of what to expect with each type.

Video falls under one of our most crucial Ds of home security: Document. This is tangible evidence of the goings-on at home, like a thief grabbing your Amazon package or an intruder trying to open a window. The quality and quantity of video play a role in how effective a security camera is.

Security cameras rely on HD video to provide enough detail to help you identify people on camera. A camera's resolution, night vision, and field of view have the biggest influence on overall video quality.

It's standard practice for most security cameras to provide at least 1080p video, so you shouldn't accept anything less. If you have the budget, you can upgrade to a 4K (2160p) camera, but this uses up storage and wireless bandwidth a lot faster. A happy medium is 2K (1440p) video, which adds more detail without tearing through video storage and bandwidth as quickly.

Learn more in our HD security cameras review.

You'll find infrared night vision on most home security cameras, but the quality often depends on the camera's image sensor. Infrared nighttime video typically has less detail than daytime video, most notably the lack of color. It's increasingly common to find cameras with color infrared video or a spotlight that allows for colorful videos.

Another major factor in video quality is the camera's field of view—the amount of area it can see through its lens. A wide field of view between 130º and 180º works best for outdoor settings with no walls blocking your view. A narrow field of view, about 70º to 130º, is a good fit for rooms indoors.

You need storage for a security camera to help you monitor your home and capture video evidence effectively—it's nothing more than a glorified webcam without storage.

Gone are the days of security cameras storing security footage on VHS tapes. The humble microSD card calls the shots now. Buying a microSD card provides loads of video clips or continuous video recording for a bargain. Local storage can also save on internet bandwidth if you have a data cap.

The camera saves footage until the card fills up, and you can choose whether it deletes old videos or stops recording. You can also find local storage via a hard drive on a CCTV camera system DVR (or NVR) and a USB stick on a wireless camera using a base station (like Arlo Ultra 2).

Not all camera brands support local storage (it's more profitable to sell you a monthly subscription to keep your video online on a corporate server). But it's not without perks. Cloud storage doesn't disappear if someone runs off with your camera and often comes with advanced features like better notifications and emergency response services.

Most cloud storage costs less than a Netflix subscription, but you'll find the best deals on plans that allow for unlimited cameras for $10 a month or less. Videos on a cloud server expire after a while, usually 14 to 60 days, so you need to download anything you want to save permanently.

You'll find a lot of valuable features in security cameras beyond video, though most of these serve to improve the overall video experience.

Practically all modern home security cameras come with a free mobile app. You can use an app to set up the camera, watch live video footage, and speak with guests via two-way audio. Mobile apps are also your main method for connecting security cameras to other smart home devices.

Although apps are free to download, you may need a subscription to unlock features like cloud storage, enhanced notifications, and smart detection of people, animals, and vehicles.

Adding a built-in speaker to a security camera turns it into an intercom that pairs with your mobile device. You can use it to speak with people on the other end and deter trespassers.

Most security cameras have two-way audio so you're the one starting a conversation. Still, video doorbells flip the script by allowing visitors to catch your attention when they push a button. (You don't find two-way audio in a typical security camera system using a DVR.)

Learn more in our guide to security camera audio.

Security footage takes up a lot of memory, so most wireless cameras opt for short video clips instead of continuous video recording. That way, it shows you the highlights of the camera's day and saves you from manually sorting through long, empty videos.

You can adjust the motion detection sensitivity on most cameras to keep notifications from constantly interrupting you. But many cameras also use motion zones to limit where the camera looks for movement. It's even common to have cameras alert you to specific events through person, animal, vehicle, sound, and package detection.

Learn more in our review of motion sensor security cameras.

The type of home security camera influences where you can install it, so it's good to think about potential installation spots before buying. While you can expect to DIY install most security cameras, professional installation is available for around $50–$100 per camera or as part of a professional security system installation.

A typical indoor camera works well when resting above a power outlet on a wall or high shelf. If you care about power cables attracting curious fingers or messing with your decor, it's easy to hide them behind tall furniture and wall hangings. Most power cables are white so they blend in with walls.

Placing fixed-view cameras in a corner or a room's narrowest side maximizes the field of view as long as there aren't other obstructions. PTZ cameras work best on a wall or ceiling in large rooms where there's a clear line of sight to the subjects you want to monitor.

With outdoor cameras, be mindful of the closest power outlet (indoors and out) if there's a power cord. Cameras with a wide field of view work well on the front and back of your house, but try to minimize how much they can see on neighboring properties. (There's usually more flexibility for recording public streets next to your home.)

Although outdoor cameras offer weather resistance, it's a good idea to place them under an eave or overhang to help keep the lens clear of dirt and water droplets that rain and snow can leave behind. Outdoor cameras work best when there's no direct sun, which can cause overheating or blinding glare during certain times of the day.

• Everything You Need to Know about Home Security
• The 5 Ds of Home Security
• How Many Security Cameras Do I Need?
• Best Wireless Security Cameras
• Best Home Security Cameras
• Best Outdoor Security Cameras
• Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras
• NVR vs. DVR