Burglars have been known to avoid apartments with adequate security cameras. It simply is not worth the hassle if they get caught on tape. This is the reason we are bringing our candid review on the best security cameras for your budget to ensure you capture all activities within your premises.
We know it can be a daunting task to simply choose just any security camera and you may be stuck for hours, trying to make out the best choice from just specifications alone. More often than not, the average shopper does not know what exactly to look out for when buying a security camera. Our review will provide you with the necessary tools to make the best decision and also offer you an insight into our top five brands in the security camera product line.
This review will also highlight pros and cons of each brand while also stating our recommendation on each one. This will be a useful guide in you choosing the right camera for your home or workplace.
Based on our findings, see below our compilation of the best security cameras you should purchase.
We know it can be a daunting task to simply choose just any security camera and you may be stuck for hours, trying to make out the best choice from just specifications alone. More often than not, the average shopper does not know what exactly to look out for when buying a security camera. Our review will provide you with the necessary tools to make the best decision and also offer you an insight into our top five brands in the security camera product line.
This review will also highlight pros and cons of each brand while also stating our recommendation on each one. This will be a useful guide in you choosing the right camera for your home or workplace.
Based on our findings, see below our compilation of the best security cameras you should purchase.
Reason to Buy
Two words; reliability and functionality. The Arlo Pro 3 has overtime, proven to be an exceptional and unique security camera. With impressive features of having both indoor and outdoor surveillance, alongside a video coverage of 2K HD that’s crisp and clear, weather resistant capability ; it’s versatility is second to none.
Although a bit more expensive than others, it compensates for this by producing an excellent output and boasts of an easy to use phone application which enables easy access to camera footage.
We will explore some other exceptional qualities of this top brand in our exhaustive review below.
Although a bit more expensive than others, it compensates for this by producing an excellent output and boasts of an easy to use phone application which enables easy access to camera footage.
We will explore some other exceptional qualities of this top brand in our exhaustive review below.
Top 5 best security cameras
Table of Contents
Overview
This superb camera has the capacity for both indoor and outdoor coverage. The Arlo Pro 3 is also equipped with a wire free design which is a plus if you are looking for aesthetic value also. Another amazing feature of this device is its high quality video output utilizing the 2k HD video technology to bring you crisp and clear footage while ensuring the images are not blurred or overly pixelated.
That is not all, it also features auto zoom and tracking, with H.264 and H. 265 encoding which helps improve image quality and reduce storage requirements.
You must be itching to know the battery life, well the Arlo pro 3 is an outstanding choice for a battery powered camera, as it is rechargeable and this battery could last for up to 6 months depending on the usage.
The battery charge time for a full charge via camera is approximately 3 and a half hours and if it is charged using a charger accessory, it takes an approximate of 3 hours. A good feature of this battery is it also comes with an AC power option, giving room for alternative points of current generation.
Another unique specification that makes the Arlo Pro 3 camera stand out is its flexible usage options. It can be used both indoors and outdoors as it is built to be UV and weather-proof resistant, having an integrated spotlight and night vision abilities which rides on high powered infrared LEDS(850nm) with an IR cut filter.
As far as compatibility with home assistant softwares like Google Assist and Alexa, this product ticks all the boxes. You also do not need to worry about storing footage as the Arlo Pro 3 comes with the option of video cloud storage with a duration period of 30 days after a recording. Other system specifications include, motion detection(130° horizontal), digital zoom and an amazing one year warranty!
Recommendation
The Arlo Pro 3 security camera is one the best cameras with an intelligent motion detection. One can bet that not a single movement would be missed within the range of the camera's detection. We recommend you save up and purchase this if you are all about a secure environment.
Overview
Next on our list is our little bird watcher. This camera as the name implies sees all possible angles just like a bird. If you need a camera that could serve as a ‘watchman’ for your home and the persons living with you (kids, pets) or you want to know who your delivery guy is even while you are away, or perhaps need to be aware of the slightest climate change, then look no further! Canary security camera is the best deal for you.
Built on an impressive 1080p HD technology, the canary camera is featured with a built-in siren, environmental sensor, intelligence alerts, climate monitor, privacy, clean and crisp video coverage, app phone motion, two-way audio and an inclusive insurance discount, all in one camera!
Amazing right?, that is not all, the camera stands out amongst other cameras because of its unique environmental sensor feature. It has the capability of detecting the quality of the air around, detecting dust, cigarette smokes, carbon mono-oxide and the likes. This is a plus if you have members of your family prone to allergies or suffering from breathing related health challenges.
It does not end there. The canary security camera enables you to reach out to the emergency services with just a click of a button. One can easily sound the 90 decibel built-in siren or simply connect with the local police via the user friendly canary app.
The camera is also developed in such an intelligent way to distinguish between a person and an object.
The two way audio enables communication easily even when you’re away. You could talk with your kids at home while you watch them from work. You could even say hi to your dog.
Recommendation
This is recommended for the modern tech savvy family who want more than just footage, but also want intelligence reports on house guests and occupants as the camera also has on site sound recording to give you an actual feel of what is going on.
Overview
Next on our list is our little bird watcher. This camera as the name implies sees all possible angles just like a bird. If you need a camera that could serve as a ‘watchman’ for your home and the persons living with you (kids, pets) or you want to know who your delivery guy is even while you are away, or perhaps need to be aware of the slightest climate change, then look no further! Canary security camera is the best deal for you.
Built on an impressive 1080p HD technology, the canary camera is featured with a built-in siren, environmental sensor, intelligence alerts, climate monitor, privacy, clean and crisp video coverage, app phone motion, two-way audio and an inclusive insurance discount, all in one camera!
Amazing right?, that is not all, the camera stands out amongst other cameras because of its unique environmental sensor feature. It has the capability of detecting the quality of the air around, detecting dust, cigarette smokes, carbon mono-oxide and the likes. This is a plus if you have members of your family prone to allergies or suffering from breathing related health challenges.
It does not end there. The canary security camera enables you to reach out to the emergency services with just a click of a button. One can easily sound the 90 decibel built-in siren or simply connect with the local police via the user friendly canary app.
The camera is also developed in such an intelligent way to distinguish between a person and an object.
The two way audio enables communication easily even when you’re away. You could talk with your kids at home while you watch them from work. You could even say hi to your dog.
Recommendation
Interested in straightforward secure camera and alarm system, we strongly recommend this camera as it is also easy to set up and install by simple downloading and making use of the app. It is also one of the best and affordable outdoor security cameras.
Overview
We threw this in for our budget friendly shoppers. The Eufy 2K indoor Camera is an inexpensive security camera that still ranks among the best security cameras you can get. As its name implies, its a 2k camera, which simply is interpreted as a camera designed on a 2k video coverage just like the Arlo Pro 3 security cam. The Eufy 2k camera is one of its kind with a human and pet AI, it is built in such a way that it differentiates and detects the presence of a human and a pet within the camera view.
It is also designed to identify the cry of a baby from other sounds within the house. This unique feature is targeted at young families and can help identify when your child needs your attention.
The 2k video coverage can have a digital zoom of 8x and boasts a field of view of 125°. Eufy 2K indoor cam has the ability for night vision and two way audio which, like every other camera listed to have the two-way audio, there can be communication between you and your kids or family members in the home.
This camera has dual storage options like the Ezviz C2W cam. I.e it uses both cloud storage and SD card. The SD card is also expandable to a storage of 128GB.
It is also equipped with a motion detector and instantly notifies you of suspicious movements within your home.
It as well supports Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. One very unique feature of the Eufy 2k indoor security camera is it enables you to customize your activity zone. Instead of just getting alerts from random areas within your home, you could customize it to focus on the areas you want to be alerted on.
Recommendation
This camera is highly recommended as a basic security camera for those who are not willing to overspend and just need the functionalities of a plain security camera.
Overview
This is another camera that combines the 1080p HD indoor capabilities with smart home functionality. With features which include human detection only, emergency notification through text and email, this camera is smart enough to only notify you when something is opened longer than it should.
It also comes with the night vision surveillance which can get up to 30 feet but may not be entirely clear if the supposed area it is detecting is pitch black (oops, no night vision here). The Wyze 1080HD cam has the two way audio too and as well , compatible with google assistant and Alexa.
The Wyze Cam indoor smart home camera is actually the only camera on our list with free cloud storage of 14-days and also an SD card slot for local storage. The SD card can take as much as 32GB of stored data. Surprisingly with this unique feature of cloud storage, it is also the cheapest one in this category.
Recommendation
This camera is highly recommended as a basic security camera for those who are not willing to overspend and just need the functionalities of a plain security camera.
Guide To Read Before You Buy
Buyer’s Guide or What to Look Out For
Having gone through our list of the top 5 security cameras, it is important to also provide a guide to enable buyers to be precise and know what to look out for when purchasing. Highlighted below are specifications that we need to identify to avoid wasting precious shopping time on mere auxiliary features.
- Video resolution: It is necessary to know why we need the security camera in the first place. Do you need it to see far distances or just within your environment? The video resolution limits how much distance the camera can view. So if you need to get a far view, a camera with high resolution will be your best bet.
- Camera Style: Depending on the type of camera system you’re planning to install it is also key to know what camera style or shape will be the best. There are basically three camera styles .
- The bullet camera: This type is quite easy to install. It has a high optical zoom and night vision.
- Dome camera: .requires more effort and more ideal for restaurants and homes. Weather resistant and vandal resistant too.
- Turret cameras: Provides the best of dome and bullet cameras. Also known as the eyeball camera.
- Pan Tilt Zoom camera: Most are costly but have more capability like the ability to auto track.
- Optical zoom or Digital zoom: The kind of zoom feature you want determines the security camera you should purchase. A security camera with optical zoom can zoom in on live feeds by adjusting the lens without altering clarity but a digital zoom is limited by its camera’s resolution. An optical zoom can not be done on a recorded video but a digital zoom can be done on both live and recorded video.
So, will it be an optical zoom camera or digital zoom?, we hope you are able to decide on the best fit for you.
Choosing the right security camera for your home or even workplace can be intimidating without the proper guide. This review we hope will make the process of finding a perfect fit more satisfying and fulfilling.
You know, there is that peace of mind that comes with it and we want to believe you would be able to make the choice without going into decision fatigue as we have been able to give us a list of the best you can choose from. Happy Shopping!
Everything we recommend
The Arlo Pro 3 security camera is one the best cameras with an intelligent motion detection. One can bet that not a single movement would be missed within the range of the camera’s detection. We recommend you save up and purchase this if you are all about a secure environment.
This is recommended for the modern tech savvy family who want more than just footage, but also want intelligence reports on house guests and occupants as the camera also has on site sound recording to give you an actual feel of what is going on.
Interested in straightforward secure camera and alarm system, we strongly recommend this camera as it is also easy to set up and install by simple downloading and making use of the app. It is also one of the best and affordable outdoor security cameras.
We recommend this for those on a budget who also want to get top quality camera features. If you are in search of an indoor security camera that is stripped down inexpensive with some of the most advanced and outstanding features ,then Eufy 2K Indoor Camera would be the right choice.
This camera is highly recommended as a basic security camera for those who are not willing to overspend and just need the functionalities of a plain security camera.
