Installing a smart lock can go a long way in making your home more secure by allowing you to remotely control your locks and who can gain access to your home. However, when it comes to keeping your home secure, you can never be too careful so adding smart security cameras is also a worthwhile investment.

These cameras allow you to monitor both indoor and outdoor areas of your home remotely, keeping them safe from intruders. These cameras will send you alerts if they sense unusual motion or activity and, in the unlikely event of a security breach, they will give you recorded footage in HD video.

If you don’t have much experience with security cameras, you might feel overwhelmed by the options and features. To help you find the right camera for your home, here are a few things you should consider.

1. Indoor vs. Outdoor

There are both indoor and outdoor options when it comes to security cameras. Indoor versions are great for keeping an eye on deliveries you might be admitting remotely using your smart lock. They’re also great for monitoring kids and pets.

Outdoor cameras are better suited to monitoring your property and home for potential security breaches from the outside. Having several outdoor security cameras allows you to keep an eye on doors and windows where intruders can enter.  

2. Image resolution

Image resolution is another important consideration when choosing a smart home security camera. Most cameras these days offer high definition, or 1080p, resolution. I recommend sticking to an HD camera to get the clearest footage if there is a security breach.

3. Night vision

It goes without saying that your home is most vulnerable under the cover of darkness. As such, it’s important to choose a camera that has night vision capability. You’ll also want to be sure that you check the range on that night vision to ensure that it meets your needs based on where you plan to place the camera.

4. Alerts

A smart home security camera should send you alerts when it detects motion. For this to happen, the camera needs to be Wi-Fi capable and connected to a network, so make sure that the camera you choose works on your home network.

5. Storage

It’s important to look for a security camera that stores footage on the cloud rather than on a memory card. This will come in handy if someone steals the camera. It also helps to look for one that gives you the most storage possible, so you can keep footage for a little bit of time before it’s replaced by new footage.

6. Power

Some security cameras are battery operated while others require AC power. Consider where you plan to place your camera when deciding which one you prefer. If your camera will be close to an outlet, AC power might work just fine. However, if you can’t conveniently run a power cord to the camera, you should opt for a battery powered one.

7. Smart Home Integration

If you already have smart home devices, like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, it’s convenient to find a camera that can integrate with that system. This will enable you to control your camera using your existing set up. With these considerations in mind, you should be able to find the right smart home security camera for your home. Check out the following great models: Arlo Home Security Light, Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor Security Camera, Logitech Circle 2 Indoor/Outdoor Camera