The clocks go back this weekend, so from now until spring it will be dark by the time most of us get home. That is when a lot of people start thinking about a security camera. Maybe a parcel went missing, or you just want to see who is at the door without getting off the sofa. Here is what to look for so you buy the right camera the first time.
1. Indoor or outdoor?
Start here, because it narrows things down fast. Indoor cameras are small and cheap and are good for checking on pets, kids or an empty house. Outdoor cameras need a weatherproof housing to cope with rain, wind and frost, and they usually have stronger night vision to cover a driveway or garden.
Do not put an indoor camera on a windowsill pointing outside. Glass reflects the infrared light and you will see a white glare at night instead of your garden.
2. Night vision
Most break-ins and doorstep thefts happen after dark, so night vision matters more than almost anything else. Most cameras use infrared LEDs, which give a clear black-and-white picture in total darkness. Check how far the night vision reaches. A front door only needs a few metres, but a long drive or back garden needs more.
3. Fixed view or pan-tilt?
A fixed camera points one way, which is fine for a doorway or a gate. A pan-tilt camera can turn left, right, up and down from the app, so one camera can cover a whole room or yard. If you are only buying one camera, pan-tilt gets you the most coverage for your money.
4. Resolution
1080P (Full HD) is the sweet spot for home use. It is sharp enough to recognise a face or read a number plate close up, and it does not eat up your Wi-Fi or storage the way higher resolutions can.
5. Two-way audio
A built-in microphone and speaker let you talk through the camera from your phone. It is handy for telling a courier where to leave a parcel, and a voice coming from a camera is often enough to make someone think twice.
6. Wi-Fi signal where the camera goes
A Wi-Fi camera is only as good as the signal it gets. Before you drill any holes, stand where the camera will go and check your phone's Wi-Fi bars. If the signal is weak at the end of the garden or on the front wall, a Wi-Fi signal amplifier will help. Our guide How to Fix Weak Wi-Fi at Home on this blog has more tips.
7. Power
Cameras either plug in or run on a battery. Plug-in cameras never need charging but need a socket nearby. Low-power and battery cameras, like most video doorbells, are easier to fit anywhere but need recharging now and then. Cold weather drains batteries faster, so check them more often in winter.
8. Storage and privacy
Most cameras save clips to a microSD card, a cloud service, or both. A memory card means no monthly fee. Whatever you choose, change the default password in the app, keep the app updated, and turn on two-step login if it is offered.
If your camera can see a neighbour's property or the street, UK data protection rules may apply. Point it at your own property where you can, and let visitors know a camera is in use.
Which camera suits you?
| If you want to... | Look at | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Keep an eye on pets or a room | Wi-Fi Smart Security Camera | £26.99 |
| Cover a whole room with one camera | Home Wi-Fi Pan-Tilt Security Camera | £34.99 |
| See who is at the front door | Low-Power Wi-Fi Video Doorbell | £41.99 |
| Watch a porch or side passage | Outdoor Waterproof Wi-Fi Dome Camera | £37.99 |
| Talk to visitors on the drive | 1080P Wi-Fi Outdoor Bullet Camera with Two-Way Audio | £49.99 |
| Cover a large garden or yard | Outdoor Wi-Fi Pan-Tilt Security Camera with Night Vision | £234.99 |
Quick setup tips
- Mount outdoor cameras about 2.5 to 3 metres high. That is high enough to be hard to reach but low enough to see faces.
- Angle the camera slightly down and away from bright lights and the low winter sun.
- Wipe the lens every few weeks. Cobwebs and rain spots show up badly with night vision.
- Test the night view on the first evening and adjust the angle if you need to.
Bottom line
For most homes, a 1080P camera with good night vision and a solid Wi-Fi signal does the job. Start with the spot you worry about most, usually the front door, then add more cameras later. With the darker evenings here, now is a good time to get set up.