Home security is an essential factor for living comfort in general. These days the security industry has many options to provide you.
Of course, the old but gold alternative to installing a security camera is still available and highly recommended by the experts.
Moreover, while we were doing this review to help you choose the best option for you, we figured out that the market has many options to offer.
If you know your priorities, tastes, and must-haves to include in your security camera capacity, you will have no difficulties making the best purchase ever.
Decide What Parts of Your Home You Want to Protect
Your main task is to consider what you want to achieve in your home security by having a security camera. Do you live in a region with a high crime rate?
If yes, you need a solid front and inside security system. If you will be absent often these days and have just hired a new babysitter, you might want to install a camera in the kid’s room.
In addition to these, focus on the valuable items at home. They point you out where to make the installation, too.
Choose Your Power Source At First
In this phase of the proper security camera selection, answer this question: do you want a wireless or an ordinary camera?
Most of the modern models are WiFi, but there is not going to be a problem for you to find a more bargain deal that involves using electric sockets. By all means, though, wireless security cameras provide more flexibility and convenience in both: usage and installation.
Speaking of which, professional locksmith services are necessary if installation is not included in the final security camera price.
Determine Your Budget And Choose The Optimal Offer
The security camera market is dynamic and huge. This is a bad thing if you don’t understand anything about these devices and you have to make your selection on your own.
However, it has a positive side, too. The more offers, the wider the price range. Even if you have a tight family budget now, there’s always a chance for you to fit in the maximum cost you can afford.
It’s good to know how much money you can spend on a security camera in advance, so when you enter the store, mention it to the consultant and get the best option for you.
Pick the Right Features In Advance
While you will be consulted in the store, some features might sound alien to you.
Don’t let this happen. Such a lack of knowledge will get you into a complicated situation. And with so much new information, it can be tough to make a quick adequate choice.
On the other hand, many of the features the consultant will explain would sound fantastic at first, but do you really need them? Don’t waste money in vain for features that are not necessary for your property type, location, and security level.
Consider whether you need these basic characteristics in advance:
- Audio, video, or combined recording;
- Motion sensors;
- Special alarm signals;
- Smartphone compatibility for as easy as possible usage, including in a remote mode;
- Level of resolution – low, middle, or high;
- Night vision feature;
- Floodlight alarming signal;
- Differentiation between animals and people;
- Anti-false alert system;
- Duration per recording;
- And many more.
Indoor or Outdoor Installation? – What do you prefer?
Remember when we told you how important it is to know what you want to protect at most via a security camera?
Well, there’s one more geographical question to consider: where will the installation take place? Sometimes, you don’t have plenty of options but only one concrete alternative.
In other cases, you can make the installation outdoors and inside. How to act in such a dilemma?
According to the experts, outdoor installation is the better solution, but only if you can protect the equipment from bad weather conditions. However, indoor security cameras are more budget-friendly.
Choose Your Recording Method, As Well
The main options you have to choose from are DVRs and NVRs. They are of a local type, which means that you will have your videos stored in a physical hard drive device.
On the other side, if you can afford it, the cloud recording feature lets you preserve your recorded materials online.
With this option, you’ve got more flexibility and convenience, but you will also have to pay more.
What to Look for in a Home Security Camera?
Last but not least, here’s our list of features and mandatory characteristics your security camera for home safety must possess:
- Proper connectivity, which in 90% of the cases means WiFi connection;
- Solid durability, which does not refer only to the water-resistant feature, but also to the reliability of the software (it should be updated regularly);
- Good enough video quality to know that you can rely on the records in case of a crime;
- Wide enough field of view. Many crime series progress in time with too many episodes because of the shortened security camera view. Don’t let yourself become the victim of such a reality;
- Night vision shouldn’t be an extra but a must-have feature. After all, crimes take place in the dark.
Conclusion
The right selection of a decent, bargain, and qualitative security camera for a home is critical. So are professional locksmith services if installation is not included in the final price.
But you shouldn’t underestimate how you install and use it in the future. This means assembling it independently without knowledge and experience might cost you 100% guaranteed safety.
In addition, if your camera is too modern or not optimal enough for normal usage, you will lose the chance to take advantage of its benefits. So, ensure you get yourself a camera that suits you.
