We all know how frustrating it feels when we miss that crucial delivery or when we keep worrying that our home isn't secure while we're out – and that's especially true if you're plagued with concerns while you're meant to be relaxing on holiday. The best wifi security cameras can help with these concerns, keeping an eye on your property when it's unattended.
The best wifi security cameras will be simple to install, have long battery life and record sharp high-quality videos when they sense motion. Whether you're going on holiday, just popping to the shop or waiting on a package, a wifi security camera can help let you know what's going on at home. Whatever your specific needs and budget, there'll be an option for you, and we've rounded up the best models below.
Related: Best smart alarms systems in the UK
What is a wifi security camera?
Much like a smart video doorbell, a wifi security camera records anything within its field of view, so you can check in on it and watch a live stream (via an app) while you're out. It'll also detect any motion – whether caused by a person, animal or vehicle – and can notify you. Some wifi security cameras can recognise what caused the motion too. With these, you can choose to get a warning for a human, for example, but not every time the neighbour's cat runs through your garden.
The cameras will save videos (either in the cloud or on the device itself) and as they're wireless, you won't require cables running all over your property or a hefty central unit, as you would with a conventional CCTV system. Some connect to your home internet connection while others need a base station that plugs into your router and remains in your home.
Our best wifi security camera picks are:
-
Best wifi security camera for 4K quality
Arlo Ultra 2
Read More
-
Best wifi security camera for most people
Arlo Pro 4
Read More
-
Best wifi security for free storage
EufyCam 2
Read More
-
Best wifi security camera starter kit
Arlo Pro 3
Read More
-
Best w-fi security camera for facial recognition
Google Nest Cam Indoor or Outdoor
Read More
How the GH Tech Team tests wifi security cameras
Our experts evaluated the performance, ease of use and design of some of the best wifi security cameras available to find the right one for you. We looked at the quality of the video, during the day and at night, and how clear the audio is, including the microphone that lets you talk to people at your property as well as hear them.
We also looked at extra features such as sirens, how simple the app is to navigate and, if relevant, how long the battery will last. Every camera isn't cut out for every need, though, so we've weighed up which ones are the best if you're on a budget, if you would like to record indoors, and if you need something weather-proofed for use outdoors. This list contains top-performing models vetted by our testers, along with the expert picks from our rigorous research.
We've also run through all the key things to consider when buying a wifi security camera below our list.
Best wifi security camera for 4K quality
Arlo Ultra 2
Best wifi security camera for most people
Arlo Pro 4
Best wifi security for free storage
EufyCam 2
Best wifi security camera starter kit
Arlo Pro 3
Best w-fi security camera for facial recognition
Google Nest Cam Indoor or Outdoor
Best wifi security camera with built-in storage
Eufy SoloCam E40
Best budget indoor wifi security camera
Blink Mini
Best wifi security camera for pet owners
Ring Indoor Cam
Best indoor security camera with a siren
Yale Indoor Wifi Camera Pan & Tilt
Best wifi security camera for gardens
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
Best budget wifi security camera with facial recognition
Swann Wire-Free 1080p
Best affordable security camera system
eufyCam 2C 2-Cam Kit
Best security camera for versatility
Arlo Go 2
Best wifi security camera for battery life
Blink Outdoor
Outdoor vs indoor security cameras
Outdoor security cameras
Outdoor cameras are weatherproof and can be installed on the exterior of your home. You may need to do a little DIY, such as drilling holes in a wall to fix the camera to it. You should also put them at a high level so that nobody can steal your camera. These are great at acting as a deterrent to intruders and are also handy if you want to keep an eye on your garage, shed, or car on your driveway. If the worst does happen, you'll have footage that you can give to the police to help them identify and prosecute the perpetrator.
There are both mains-powered and battery-powered outdoor cameras on the market. Mains-powered ones are harder to install, though. How often you'll have to replace or charge up the batteries (either rechargeable lithium-ion or standard alkaline) on wireless models will depend on if you use live-view and how many times the camera detects motion. Expect to get anywhere between three months to a year.
Indoor security cameras
As the name suggests, indoor wifi security cameras go in your home and won't be weatherproof. They're often mains-powered, but there are some battery-operated indoor cameras that are handy if you need to move them around.
If you live in a flat or rented accommodation where you're not permitted to install cameras on the exterior of the property, get an indoor model. These can also be useful if you want to check in on your pets when you're not around or to confirm the kids are home from school.
What should I look for when buying a wifi security camera?
There's a lot to choose from when it comes to selecting a wireless home security camera, but there are two main types you need to consider: outdoor and indoor.
Video storage: Most cameras store your videos in a secure "cloud" online. Some give you free access to video clips for a short time (24 hours, for example), but if you want to view or download them to your phone up to 30 days later, you'll need to subscribe to a monthly service that can cost anywhere from £3 to £7. For some others, you must have a subscription to view footage, and some come with a free trial. Or, some cameras have local storage and allow you to save the footage to a micro SD card (either in the camera or base station).
Video quality: Each camera records video at different resolutions. Look for one that records in at least Full HD (or 1920x1080 pixels). If it's lower than this, it might not be clear or detailed enough. A 2K camera with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels will be sharper still, and high-end systems with 4K quality (that's 3840x2160 pixels) deliver the most vivid and detailed videos.
Field of view: Different cameras have different fields of view, which refers to the area covered by the lens. The larger this is, the more the camera will see. Think about where you put the camera and whether its field of view will cover everything you need.
Colour night vision: Most only offer black and white night vision, but some cameras have colour night vision. This can be beneficial if you need to give a more detailed description of someone suspicious on your property.
Two-way talk: Many wifi security cameras also include a built-in microphone and speaker. This means you can talk to and hear anyone in view of the camera. This is as handy for shouting at trespassers to get off your property as it is for talking to your pets when you're not home.
The number of cameras: Some models are available in kits that include two or more cameras. These are ideal if you want to cover more areas of your property than one camera's field of view can reach. It's usually better value to get a kit with a few cameras instead of going for a single-camera kit and buying extra cameras at a later date.
Sirens: Some wifi security cameras have a built-in siren that you can turn on from the app or set to go off when it sees any motion.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
0 Response to "Easy Set Up Wireless Home Security Cameras"
Post a Comment