Are you looking for a home security camera but are not sure which one to choose with all the options available these days? We have reviewed 8 of the best security cameras to help you make an informed decision. Our picks are professional grade equipment that feature video analytics to secure your home with AI in the 21st century. AI in surveillance helps reduce false motion alerts to provide greater peace of mind.
Below you’ll find some of the key features you may want to be aware of when you’re shopping for your next security camera. Although most security cameras have these features, they may differ from device to device.
Night Vision
As seen in the comparison chart above, most security cameras are equipped with night vision. This feature can be make or break for emergencies where you may need your security footage most.
Robberies and burglaries often happen at night, which makes night vision capabilities crucial to protecting your household. Without these capabilities, cameras may not capture clear visual information in low-light, making it harder to interpret your footage and keep yourself safe.
Microphone
Audio capability can be an equally important feature you may want your security cameras to have. This can be a pivotal feature in situations where you want to document conversations occurring in front of the camera. Most of these security cameras can pick up audio at a distance of up to 30 feet in the direction the camera is pointed.
Audio recording capability can be useful in workplaces, to mitigate risk or safeguard against potential legal issues.
Face Detection
Thanks to advancements in technology, most security cameras are equipped with high definition sensors which can provide face detection at distances impossible with conventional standard definition CCTV. These high definition sensors allow you to zoom in a certain amount of feet and still be able to make out a face clearly.
This feature can be critical in clearly identifying people standing at a distance, especially in protecting against potential criminal activity.
Tilting and Zoom Capabilities
You may want a home security camera that has tilting and zoom-in capabilities. This feature is useful for instances where you need to see what’s going on just outside of the frame. While watching a live video feed, you’ll be able to tilt up and down, as well as side to side.
Zoom-in capabilities allow you to magnify distant objects so that they are more visible, all while watching live video from the camera. This feature can be vital for situations where you’re looking to find specific information, like scanning a large parking lot for a license plate number.
Artificial Intelligence
Recent developments in artificial intelligence technology enhance outdated motion detection features in older cameras. Whereas traditional motion detection features often flag false positives due to changes in light, new Smart Detection capabilities in many of our models offer more precise monitoring of your field of view. These capabilities exceed basic motion detection, providing the ability to detect intruders crossing a virtual tripwire, or track the status of objects to check for theft or abandonment. Additionally, some cameras offer heat map features which highlight hotspots for motion in your recorded area.
Depending on your business, having some of these features may be crucial to effective surveillance. For example, businesses focused on theft prevention would benefit greatly from Missing Object Detection, business owners looking to monitor their loading dock would want a device with Abandoned Object Detection, and companies looking for analytics on foot traffic could find an answer in a People Counting feature. In our summary of standout features for each camera, we’ve identified which Smart Detection capabilities our picks have under Video Analytics.
We believe this home security camera is the best overall pick due to its video clarity and affordability. The image is incredibly clear, and facial recognition can clearly identify faces up to 70 feet away. We also think that the night vision this camera offers outperforms other cameras on the market due to the Super Infrared LEDs this model has.
Stand-out features
4K 8MP UltraHD video resolution
Amazing 70ft of facial clarity
Up to 200ft Night vision for general detail in complete darkness
4mm lens, 87-degree view
Video Analytics: tripwire, intrusion
Outdoor weather rated to IP67 Standard withstands harsh weather
If you’re looking for a security camera specifically for the night vision feature, this is an excellent option. The camera has a night vision range of 330 feet, and it can even be remotely controlled over the web. The motorized zoom lens can be adjusted by the push of a button from an app on your smartphone, making it a great choice for use as a home security camera to see whose lurking at your front gate.
Stand-out features
4K 8MP UltraHD video resolution
330ft Night vision
Remotely controlled Motorized Zoom Lens
Add-on Microphone capable
Built-in microSD slot for recording inside the camera
Identify a face up to 250ft away when zoomed-in to max setting
Video Analytics: tripwire, intrusion, abandoned or missing object detection
Outdoor weather rated to IP67 Standard withstands harsh weather
Having a home security camera is a great way to keep you and your loved ones safe. Our pick for your best choice is a wireless IP camera that transmits video using a Wi-Fi network. It’s easy to set up and relatively inexpensive, but delivers on quality, offering zoom-in capability that can clearly make out faces up to 30 feet away. You can even access live video from your computer or smartphone.
Stand-out features
WiFi security camera
Great for homeowners who don’t want to run cabling
Works off of home WiFi
Video can be recorded to microSD slot in the camera
Compatible with WiFi NVR to record to a central recorder
3MP resolution
40 feet of facial detail
100ft Night vision for general detail
Only requires a small power adapter plugged into a nearby power outlet
Can use one camera to store video inside, or make a complete system with multiple cameras
Promoting a healthy, problem-free office environment requires a focus on employee safety and keeping proper documentation of workplace happenings. Having a security camera in your office can be incredibly important for both of these concerns. We love this 4MP resolution IP dome camera that has everything you need to keep your workers safe and to keep visual records of critical situations at work. This camera is unique because it is vandal-resistant and is flush mountable. It’s easy to mount onto a ceiling tile and shouldn’t take much time to set up.
Stand-out features
2K 4MP resolution
Realtime 30fps video capture
2.8mm lens for a wide 104-degree view
40 feet of facial detail
Low profile camera design that is discreet
Built-in microphone for audio capture of conversations up to 30ft away indoors
Best PTZ Security Camera
5. Outdoor PTZ Camera with Microphone and Night Vision, IPSDIR3X
If you’re looking for a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) security camera, this dome-shaped model has built-in pan capabilities up to 355° and tilt capabilities up to 90°. The impressive three times optical zoom allows for clear identification of faces that are up to 60 feet away. This camera can be remotely controlled from your desktop computer, laptop, or even your smartphone. Its discreet size and unobtrusive shape practically make the camera barely noticeable. It’s easy to mount onto a ceiling tile and shouldn’t take much time to set up.
Stand-out features
Low profile dome camera that is discreet
2MP 1080P HD Sensor
3X Optical Zoom Lens
You can zoom in to see further detail during live viewing
60ft of facial detail at full zoom
50ft of IR night vision in complete darkness
Starlight technology for color night vision in low light conditions
The camera is a Pan Tilt Zoom type that means it can be moved around by using a phone app remotely over the internet
Built-in microphone for audio capture from up to 30ft away
Built-in microSD slot for recording inside the camera
Video Analytics: tripwire, intrusion, abandoned or missing object detection
We chose this model for the best security camera with audio for two reasons. First, not only is the video quality excellent on this camera, the audio pickup distance is 30ft. A further unique benefit about this security camera is that it can withstand extreme temperatures on both ends of the spectrum. Although it’s advertised as an outdoor camera, this camera can be placed indoors with no problems.
Stand-out features
2K 4MP resolution
2.8mm lens producing a wide 110-degree view
Facial detail up to 50 feet
30fps real-time capture producing fluid video
165ft IR light for capturing in complete darkness
True Wide Dynamic Range for varying light levels to create a good picture
Built-in microphone for audio capture from up to 30ft
Video Analytics: tripwire, intrusion, abandoned or missing object detection
Built-in microSD slot for recording inside the camera
We at CCTV Camera World know that as important as key features like night vision and audio capability are, the price of a camera plays a role in your choice. This is why we’ve decided to include our pick for the best budget security camera. This model is one of our best-selling cameras and can be used indoors or outdoors. It has incredibly clear video and is equipped with 18 infrared LEDs that provide light during evening and overnight hours. It also has a digital noise reduction feature which can be valuable if you need to check the audio on your footage.
Whether you need an intercom security camera for your home, business, or office, it’s important to have a high-quality device you can use. This camera not only will show you who’s at your door, but will enable you to communicate both ways with the built-in microphone and speaker when paired with an indoor LCD intercom monitor. It also has two infrared LED lights that can light up the area in front of the camera at night. We also love that you can record continuous video (which can be played back later) to a NVR at any time.
Stand-out features
Professional style intercom for use with multiple intercom LCD monitors inside the house or with a network video recorder inside the home to record constantly without having to pay monthly fees
Press the intercom button and a video of the person at the door appears on the indoor monitor
Two-way talk from the monitor to the person at the door
Works with multiple intercom LCDs
Built-in microSD slot for recording inside the intercom
Benefits of a Security Camera
Whether your focus is protecting your home and keeping your family safe, or preventing problems in the workplace, the benefit of safeguarding your home or business with a security camera can not be overstated. At home or at the workplace, a camera can prevent crime and mitigate potential risk. Security cameras allow you to see who’s at your door, outside the building, or even communicate at a distance via audio and video.
You may also benefit from a security camera if you have an unfortunate event happen, such as a robbery or burglary. Security cameras not only help bring peace of mind after a traumatic incident, but reduce the possibility of potentially dangerous situations occurring in the future.
Surveillance Camera FAQ
Which resolution is best for an outdoor security camera?
Outdoor security cameras are usually needed to keep an eye on action happening near and far, which can best be done
by using a high definition security camera. As of 2020, 4K security cameras (also called 8MP cameras) are the recommended
resolution of surveillance cameras for outside use as they provide the greatest detail while providing a wide field of view.
A professional 4K security camera with 4mm lens provides up to 70ft of facial detail during the day with an 87 degree angle of view.
Can a security camera see in color at night?
While there is no such thing as color night vision in complete darkness, Starlight cameras have special sensors that can see
in color in low light. However, in low light the picture can be noisy when in color mode. To reduce picture noise, night vision security cameras are made with infrared LEDs and programmed to switch to black and white mode.
Do all security cameras require WiFi?
Not all security cameras require WiFi, but some of them do. Be sure to read the product description before buying to find out if your specific camera requires a WiFi connection.
Can security cameras get hacked?
Unfortunately, it is possible for just about every security camera to get hacked. However, you can take precautions to protect yourself. Password protecting cameras make it more difficult for hackers to gain access. The best way to protect yourself is to use a security camera that does not record to the cloud.
Is it better to have a wireless or wired security camera?
While more expensive, wireless security cameras are much easier to set up as long as there is a strong WiFi signal and a power outlet nearby. However, choices within wireless models are limited. For example, it is not possible to have 4K UltraHD wireless security cameras because of the amount of bandwidth needed. While the answer depends on your preferences, most people prefer wired security cameras for these reasons.
Don Stephens is a Technical Support Manager at CCTV Camera World, a leading Security Camera distributor located in Buffalo, NY. His area of expertise is in designing professional security camera systems for medium and large scale businesses, schools, and government projects.
