Every year in the United States nearly 3 million burglaries take place. Some of these crimes target your property for theft while others result in damage to your property. The average cost of these thefts and damages totals around $2,000 per break-in.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to deter burglars from targeting your home. Installing the best security camera system could do just that. If you do have a break-in, one of these systems could help you to recover your property and convict the thieves.

But if you’re going to put your home’s security in a system, you need to pick that that you know you can trust to do the job. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide on what to look for from a security camera system.

Read on to find out our top tips when shopping and for a look at some of the best systems of the market at the moment!

What Does a Security System Do?

Security camera systems are a classic way of monitoring activity at your home whether you’re there or not. They all work in very similar ways, although some systems offer you unique gadgets or special insights.

All systems will come with one or more cameras that you set up at points around your home. It’s a good idea to set these up so that you have a clear view of any possible entry-points for your property. That way you can see whenever someone is trying to gain access.

With most modern systems, you can watch footage from these cameras on the system’s hub or on your computer. Some systems also let you watch security footage remotely using a web browser or on a smartphone app.

Depending on the system, you may also be able to sign up for a monitoring package. If you do sign up for this option, then someone from the security company will keep an eye on your property’s cameras at all times. Then they’ll alert you and the police if there are any problems.

As well as providing you with a live feed, most cameras record video footage so that you have a copy of it online or on the camera’s hub. This can take up a lot of storage space so most systems automatically record over old footage. This might happen after a day or so although some systems will come with more storage options.

Benefits of Installing a Home Security System

There are plenty of different benefits to installing a home security camera system at your home.

The best way to avoid having to deal with the fall-out of a burglary is to deter thieves from attempting a break-in in the first place. Installing high-quality locks and security cameras immediately makes your home look more secure.

This means that breaking into your property will look like more effort to thieves. In a lot of cases, this is enough to put thieves off completely. In fact, in a 2017 interview, several ex-burglars admitted that security cameras put them off trying to break into a property.

If there’s the risk of them getting caught mid-job, a lot of thieves will simply look elsewhere.

Unfortunately, not all thieves will be put off by a security system. But if you do fall victim to a crime, your security system will help you minimize the damage.

Often burglaries take place between 10 am and 3 pm because thieves can guarantee that homeowners will be at work. This means they can move around a property without being disturbed. By the time you get home, the thieves will be long gone.

With remote monitoring, you can disturb a burglary in its tracks to help minimize the damage done. You can call the police so that the thieves get caught red-handed. Some systems also let you set off an alarm in your home to scare thieves away before they even get into a property.

Because of this, installing a security camera system in your home means that you can go about daily your life with true peace-of-mind.

Different Types of Security Cameras

There are several different types of home security cameras that you can get for your home.

Some cameras are battery-powered while others connect up to power using wires. Each has its own benefits. You can position a wireless camera in more remote spots but you’ll have to keep an eye on its battery charge.

Nowadays a lot of systems are highly connective, which means that you can use a WiFi connection to check the footage. However, you can still get your hands on more basic systems if you’d prefer to use a traditional monitoring hub.

Choosing the best camera for you depends a lot on the size of your home and on how much you want to monitor. For smart camera systems, you’ll obviously need to have a smart hub in place at your home.

How to Find the Best Security Camera System

There are several things you should consider when shopping that can help you find the right camera for you.

If you have a big home, then you may want to install more than one camera. In that case, you should look for security packages that come with a couple of cameras or ones that you can expand.

Bigger homes will also require cameras with great connectivity if you’re using WiFi. You may be able to support these by investing in a couple of WiFi boosters.

In particular, cameras for outdoor use need to have great connectivity. If you’re going to position them outside, make sure you look for a camera that is specifically designed for this. They will be a lot more durable than indoor cameras.

Depending on where you’re going to put your camera, you should also think carefully about how mobile you need it to be. A fixed camera will only cover a certain angle, which can limit your view of things. In comparison, swivel cameras are great at capturing multiple angles from one position.

Make sure you check out the best home security camera system consumer reports to see which customers rate the most. This is a great way to get an idea about how durable a camera is and how easy it is to use.

Finally, don’t forget your budget. A home security system is an investment in your home protect but that doesn’t mean it has to cost the world. Prices can vary greatly so you should be able to find something to suit your needs without much trouble.

Now you know what to look for when shopping, let’s take a look at some of the systems on the market at the moment.

1. Arlo Pro 2

Arlo Pro 2 is a great wifi security camera on the market at the moment. It is wireless, which means you can place it anywhere and is suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

It delivers amazing picture quality in different lighting conditions. It also sends motion detection alerts to you wherever you are and even has a built-in alarm that you can trigger from the app to scare off burglars.

The only downside of this camera is the high price-tag. You also have to buy a base station to run the cameras from, which drives the price up to $200 or more.

2. Canary All-in-One Smart Security

When it comes to smart-home security, the Canary All-in-One is your best bet.

Some of its great features include a siren and environmental change detectors. It also has a direct connection with emergency services in your area.

On top of all this, the Canary All-in-One is so highly respected that it can knock off a bit from your home insurance policy. This is a great way to justify its slightly higher price.

3. Ring Spotlight Camera

This battery-powered camera is a great outdoor option for your home. It can be placed anywhere and is available with solar panels to support its battery life.

It features motion sensors, two-way communication, and a spotlight to help deter burglars. The Ring Spotlight is compatible with smart home systems but you can use it without one.

4. Wyze Cam Pan

If you’re on a budget then the Wyze Cam Pan is a great option as it costs less than $40 and you certainly get a lot for your money!

The Wyze Cam Pan comes with 360-degree motion tracking, motion alerts and 14 days of free cloud storage. It can scan a room for motion in just three seconds so you’ll need fewer cameras to keep tabs on things in your property.

5. Reolink Argus 2 Wireless Security Camera

The Reolink Argus 2 is another great camera for indoor and outdoor use. It includes a microSD slot for recording and additional solar power charging for its batteries.

One of the biggest benefits of this camera is its exceptional night-vision, which provides a clear picture for up to 36 feet!

To set this up you’ll need to download the mobile app, which can take a bit of time. But, once this is in place, it will send you push-notifications to update you wherever you are.

6. Google Nest Cam Indoor

This Google security camera is part of the highly respected Nest range. It can work with other Nest products or as part of your smart home system easily.

It offers truly amazing quality in both image and sound recording. This means you can rely on it to get high-quality images that will be useful after a break-in.

It also features high-quality two-way communication so you can speak to anyone in your home from wherever you are.

7. Amazon Cloud Cam

The Amazon Cloud camera is great but to unlock its prime feature you’ll need to subscribe to Cloud Cam.

With your subscription, you’ll be able to store 24-hours of footage for free and set up multiple cameras easily. You can even set up person detection and specific motion zones to watch. This means that you can avoid false alarms from your smart app.

It can team up with your Alexa or Fire TV to create an amazing smart home security system.

8. Amcrest ProHD Indoor

The Amcrest camera offers you amazing possibilities when it comes to camera angles thanks to its multi-tilt function. It can easily pan a room and rotate to track movement.

This camera also comes with great video storage, is easy to set up and allows two-way communication. Even more remarkably, it is available to do all of this for less than $100!

9. Lorex Security Camera

The Lorex Security Camera is a more traditional style of camera and is ideal for use outside.

Its heavy-duty casing means that it’s built to last but this doesn’t limit its movement. The camera can cover a 112-degree view while recording 4K video. In particular, the quality of its night vision images makes the Lorex a cut above other outdoor cameras.

You can also set up several motion trigger zones to keep tabs on vulnerable spots around your property.

10. Swann Bullet Camera

The Swann Bullet camera offers a unique feature in comparison to other styles of security cameras: thermal sensors.

This allows the outdoor camera to pick up on potential threats to your property even before you can see them clearly. It combines this with motion sensors to alert you to any problems around your home.

This camera also comes with a 60-inch power cable so that you can position it easily in lots of places around your property.

11. YI Dome Camera

The YI Dome is a great camera by all accounts but one of its huge benefits is the high-quality audio that it offers. It has a built-in anti-noise feature, which allows you to hone in on specific conversations or sounds in your home.

Its other benefits include motion tracking and unlimited free cloud storage for your video footage.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to keeping your home safe, the best security camera system could give you the peace-of-mind you need. This will deter potential burglars and help to catch thieves in the act.

For more help setting up your security, check out our top picks for business locks. Or get in touch today for help setting up your system.