Security in your home should always be a priority. Although you can get a professional for your home security camera installation, knowing your options and how they work is important.
There are two main categories of home security cameras available: indoor and outdoor cameras. Within the categories, there are several subcategories: wired and wireless, AC-powered and battery-powered, doorbell cameras, and floodlight cameras.
The primary difference between outdoor and indoor cameras is that outdoor cameras are resistant to weather changes to withstand the sun, rain, and dust. Most outdoor cameras have a protective coating on the lens and casing, making them more expensive than indoor cameras.
Your options for home security cameras include:
- Wired Indoor Cameras
The installation of wired indoor cameras involves connecting to a central recording device using ethernet or coaxial cable. They usually serve as dome cameras installed on ceilings to provide a wider view inside the house. Installing the wired indoor cameras requires a professional.
- Wireless Indoor Cameras
Wireless indoor cameras are also known as IP cameras or Wi-Fi cameras. They connect to a Wi-Fi network to store footage in the cloud. Wireless indoor cameras are easy to install and require no cable to transmit video feed. However, you have to plug the camera into a power source.
Several specialty indoor cameras are available, including cameras that do not set off the alarm from pet movements and baby cams that record humidity, temperature, and air quality in a room.
- Wired Outdoor Cameras
This camera type is connected to a central recording device and is commonly called a bullet-style camera because it has a long, cylindrical shape. You can mount the wired outdoor camera on the ceiling or walls, and there is no need to plug it into an outlet. Wired outdoor cameras require professional installation.
- Wireless Outdoor Cameras
They are similar to indoor wireless cameras but weather-resistant and larger. You need to mount the outdoor wireless camera on a structure or wall using screws and a special mounting plate.
Some outdoor wireless cameras have integrated spotlight and siren to scare intruders away and have a wide view, usually 130 degrees or higher. They also cover a larger area than most wired outdoor cameras.
- Wire-Free Outdoor Cameras
The wire-free outdoor cameras are wireless cameras that require batteries. These cameras are mostly rechargeable, so there is no need to plug them into a power outlet. Wire-free outdoor cameras are easy to install and can record only when they detect motion.
These cameras have similar features to wireless cameras, but the outdoor wireless cameras record continuously since they are plugged into a power source. You can attach some wire-free outdoor cameras to a solar panel to ensure their batteries are charged.
- Floodlight Cameras
They are wireless cameras attached to a large floodlight that comes on when the camera is turned on. The floodlight ensures clearer video and can scare intruders. You can connect the floodlight camera to an existing lighting wire or power it with an outlet.
- Video Doorbells
These are the most popular outdoor cameras used to replace the standard doorbell. Video doorbells detect motion or when someone presses the doorbells. They also record and can open two-way audio on your smartphone, smart TV, or smart speaker to allow you to see and talk to the person at the door. Doorbell cameras are easy to install. Some are battery-powered, and others need connection to an existing doorbell wiring.