The Benefits of a Smart Home Camera

A smart home camera is a great way to monitor activity around your property. Positioned in strategic locations, they can also help deter criminals and provide valuable forensic evidence if a crime does occur.

Look for models that encrypt internet transmission to protect your privacy and prevent hackers from spying on you. Some also feature 105-decibel sirens that can scare away intruders.

Features

A smart home camera can serve as a deterrent to potential burglars. It can also provide peace of mind, particularly when used in conjunction with a smart hands-free system and integrated two-way communication. This allows property owners to check on their children or their homes while they are away and also communicate with visitors who ring the doorbell.

Smart security cameras connect to a WiFi network so that property owners can monitor them in real-time using an app on their smartphone. They can also record to local storage for future use.

Many of the most popular smart security cameras have night vision and can detect movement. The cameras then send a picture or notification to the property owner. Some models can also distinguish between different types of movement, such as pets, vehicles and people, and then only send pictures or notifications for those movements.

Some brands offer cloud storage for free or for a small monthly fee. Other brands offer local storage on an SD card and are not dependent on an internet connection. Most of the more advanced smart home camera models feature features such as zoom and pan, two-factor authentication and face recognition. Some cameras also come with a built-in siren or floodlight that can act as a deterrent. Other advanced features include a geofencing option that lets users turn the camera off when they enter their home and back on again when they leave.

Benefits

You can monitor things around the house from your smartphone and receive alerts when motion is detected. Many of the devices can even let you communicate with people who visit your home, warning them that they are being filmed and that you will call the police if they don’t leave. This type of system is more proactive than a traditional alarm that only allows you to phone the authorities after a break-in has happened, and can help prevent criminals from entering your home in the first place.

Some smart cameras are able to differentiate between different types of movement such as cars, animals and people. This technology is particularly useful in outdoor areas and can protect your property from theft. Other smart camera features include geofencing, face tag, remote disarming and voice command for arming and disarming. You can also connect your smart home security cameras to other smart device such as smart lights or a smart display to see the live feed on a bigger screen.

Wireless devices that use Wi-Fi to communicate and send footage can be vulnerable to cyber attacks. To protect these’smart’ gadgets, make sure that you have a secure password and keep the app up to date – regularly installing software updates is essential to help the camera stay safe. It’s also worth changing the default password if you have one, to a unique set of random words (or a password generator) that is hard to guess.

Installation

A smart home camera is a small device that records images and transmits them over the Internet, so homeowners can check in on their property from anywhere. Some even record two-way audio and allow residents to control the device using voice commands or a mobile app. These smart home camera cameras can also connect to other connected devices, such as smart sensors that turn on lights and doors in response to motion.

To set up a smart home camera, residents need to first decide where to place it and choose the right model for the location. They should then review the instructions that came with the camera, which will explain how to install it and create a wireless connection with the home’s Wi-Fi router or add an external hub. If the camera will be mounted outdoors, a weatherproof model is recommended to protect it from rain and snow.

If the camera requires hardwiring to a power source, residents will need additional tools and supplies, such as a drill with a wide range of attachments for different surface types (including masonry) and extension cords. They may also need fish tape for dragging cables through walls without drilling unnecessary holes, and a tube of caulk for sealing small gaps around an exterior mount or electrical outlet.

Once the cameras are mounted, residents will need to make sure they can see the areas they want to monitor clearly. They can adjust the viewing angle, resolution and other settings through the camera’s manufacturer-specific app or a home security device that works with their system.

Pricing

Depending on the features and area of application, smart home cameras can cost between $100 and $500. They can be battery or solar-powered and offer different form factors including video doorbells, floodlights with camera or hidden cameras in teddy bears to monitor your children or the nanny. Linked to your smart home hub like Constellation Connect and controlled via voice, mobile app or web interface, they can provide security for your property as well as convenience for monitoring your home while on the go.

For example, the Abode Cam 2 is an affordable option that can be mounted inside or out. This small, weatherproof camera records 1080p footage at 20 frames per second and can send notifications based on motion or sound. It also includes two-way audio and night vision and works with your voice assistant to give you peace of mind when away from home. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution, consider the Abode Cam Pro, which is more expensive but offers a wider field of view and a higher resolution as well as motion, person and sound detection.

Many Wi-Fi-connected smart devices, including home cameras, are vulnerable to hacking and could be exposed to unauthorized access of the camera feed, stored videos or account information. To mitigate this risk, look for smart home cameras with a two-step authentication process and end-to-end data encryption. Our top picks include cameras with these features from established brands like Wyze, GE, Arlo, Amazon Blink and TP-Link.