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Do I need a permit to install home security cameras in California?
eufy Indoor Cam C120
Our Picks
How Mesh Wi-Fi Networks Can (and Can’t) Make a Better Smart Home

Finally, no subscriptions are required since the camera stores up to 8GB of footage locally, which should amount to about two months worth of video history. The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro is pricier than the standard Stick Up Cam, but offers a lot more bang for your buck with features such as HDR video, color pre-roll footage, 3D motion detection, and dual-band Wi-Fi. 3D motion detection uses radar to detect the distance of an object for improved accuracy and fewer false alerts compared with the standard camera. This technology also powers a bird’s eye aerial view feature, which lets you see where visitors to your home have traveled while on your property. Read on to find out what features to look for in an outdoor security camera, and check out our top picks. Note that several of the cameras on this list are suitable for use both indoors and outdoors.

Do I need a permit to install home security cameras in California?

The brands on our list do fairly well at security, but if you’re looking for an alternative, Lorex is made for you. Their cameras, like this model, come with a 32GB (potentially upgrade-able) microSD card to save videos locally instead of on the cloud. If you're concerned about privacy and would rather not store your video in the cloud, look for a camera that offers a local storage option via a microSD card slot. A few cameras let you save video recordings to a portable USB or NAS drive, but these devices are rare. How long the battery lasts between charges will depend on how often the camera detects and records motion and how often the app is used to view the camera's live feed, but you can expect anywhere between one month and one year. Some home security cameras have swappable batteries, while others need to be removed completely to be recharged.

eufy Indoor Cam C120

If you want to keep it longer, the Nest Aware plan (starting at $8 per month or $80 per year) can store video up to 30 days, and adds in Familiar Face Detection. In addition, if you want 24/7 recording to the cloud, you’ll have to shell out $15 a month or $150 annually for the Nest Aware Plus plan. Consider this solar-powered outdoor camera that requires just two hours of direct sunlight a day for continuous power. As soon as motion is detected, a built-in 600 Lumens spotlight will turn on as the camera captures footage in color night vision. “The 2K video resolution and quality was really nice,” comments GH Data Engineer Nik Greenwald, who recently tested the camera. This is a top option for anyone in the market for a versatile 1080p indoor or outdoor security camera with advanced motion detection.

Our Picks

The Arlo Pro 4 has a bright, motion-activated spotlight for color night vision, which makes images slightly more vivid than simply using the two infrared LEDs for black-and-white night vision. There’s also an Auto Zoom and Tracking feature, which digitally zooms in on a moving object in the camera’s field of view and follows it around. This is an interesting and sometimes useful feature, though we wish it were slightly more fluid. Also, enabling this feature shortens battery life and lowers the resolution of recordings to 720p or less.

If that’s a dealbreaker for you and your wallet, this HD Tapo camera has a much lower offer. For under $30, TP-Link offers a remarkably complete indoor security camera with pan and tilt capabilities so it can capture an entire room via app controls. The S230 cam comes with an extra-high IP67 rating to stay active even in extreme weather, 2K resolution and a starlight sensor to keep details high at night. The battery is rated for about three months, but if you include a compatible Eufy solar panel, you may not have to worry about battery charging for a long time. Eufy’s AI detection also helps limit alerts to those involving people (plus customizable detection zones), and if the cam is close enough, you can activate the two-way audio for communication.

Best Indoor Security Cameras for 2024 - CNET

Best Indoor Security Cameras for 2024.

Posted: Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Spot 2: Looking directly at a neighbor's property

Looking for a home security camera that ensures tiny details are visible in the footage it records, even if the camera's field of view is in a large area. The Arlo Ultra 2, which records in 4K, offers just this and is excellent for mounting high-up on your property, for example looking over your driveway, ensuring you can still read a car number plate on the drive. One of the most affordable home security cameras on the market, the Blink Mini may be compact, but it certainly packs a punch. The full HD footage it records during the day and at night is clear, and we found the camera simple to set up and easy to control using the app. With comprehensive motion detection settings and local storage, this indoor camera is already a compelling choice. Reasonably-priced, this indoor camera is rich with features that include a privacy cover that cuts both video and audio as well as a color night vision.

Best Solar-Powered Outdoor Security Camera

The footage the Arlo Ultra 2 records is extremely clear and detailed and in color during the day and night, thanks to a built-in LED. It builds on the Arlo Ultra with support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-F bands and an increased range, which should end connectivity issues. It's also compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, and has a range of smart features that help reduce the number of alerts the camera sends you. The price is also right for this compact indoor camera, though it can get a bit more expensive if you opt for a subscription. And, unfortunately, you need one to unlock all the features and storage options that the Ring Indoor Cam has, such as being able to automate privacy or call back a recording from up to 180 days prior. We’ve also added several new models to the Other good outdoor security cameras and Competition sections.

Others, like Arlo's indoor camera, include design features that make it totally clear when the camera is watching and when it's not. In general, though, devices with physical shields are always a solid option if you're worried about maintaining your privacy. Cameras can really strengthen your home's security, but they can also degrade its privacy. Hackers have made headlines by spying on people or using two-way talk features with children in their rooms. Simply put, yes, your security cameras can be hacked, but it depends how vulnerable your devices really are. In layman's terms this means as long as you stay current with app and device updates, you should have little to fear of being hacked via software or firmware vulnerabilities.

The first digit following the IP prefix tells you how resistant the camera is to the ingress of solid objects such as wind-blown dust and ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (total protection against dust and dirt). The second describes how resistant the camera is to moisture and ranges from 0 (no protection) to 9 (protected against close-range, high-pressure sprays from all angles). Josephine Watson (@JosieWatson) is TechRadar's Managing Editor - Lifestyle. Josephine has previously written on a variety of topics, from pop culture to gaming and even the energy industry, joining TechRadar to support general site management.

It offers wireless, wired, and solar-charging options, and works with both 5GHz and 2.5GHz Wi-Fi networks (whereas many security cameras including the non-Pro Stick Up Cam only support 2.4GHz). Just be aware that like all other Ring devices, it doesn’t include native support for Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant. Also know that the Stick Up Cam Pro doesn't have an integrated light, which might be a drawback if you plan to use it outdoors.

The difference in price that you pay for is the quality of these features; you'll pay more to receive 4K footage, than full HD footage for example. You'll also pay more for color night vision, facial recognition and enhanced app features. If that's slightly out of your price range, consider the Arlo Pro 3, which also comes with a base station for local storage, or the Arlo Pro 4, which connects directly to your home Wi-Fi network. Both these Arlo cameras record in 2k, so they still offer detailed footage but are more affordable.

If that's not possible, activate any features the camera offers to block out sensitive areas while monitoring your driveway or back garden. It's one of the few outdoor home security cameras with an integrated stand, so it doesn't have to be mounted to a wall, although it can be if you'd prefer. That said, it requires a power outlet rather than a rechargeable battery, which may limit outdoor use depending on your setup. It records extremely detailed footage in full color, and has smart features that minimize false alerts and the ability to store footage in the base station. While it comes with a few compromises like unreliable motion and sound detection, this 1080p outdoor camera records clear footage, a MicroSD card for local storage, and an integrated stand.

Though you can always check your live video feed without a Ring Protect subscription, for $4.99 a month you’ll not only have access to live feeds but also 180 days of history. With this subscription, you'll get richer notifications, custom alerts and the ability to save and share videos. The test engineers and tech experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all types of home security devices throughout the year, from video doorbells to pet cameras, smart locks, smart garage door openers and more. If you're looking for an outdoor home security camera on a budget, you'll be hard pushed to do better than the Wyze Cam v3. This full HD camera records clear footage during the day and at night and comes with free cloud storage for up to 14 days and a Micro SD card slot for local storage, making it a more than worthy competitor to other budget cameras. In the crowded world of home security cameras, the Anker Eufycam 2 is a solid mid-range option at an affordable price.

That means you can't look back a few hours or days to see who was walking through your yard. And, most subscription plans also include extra features, such as custom motion zones. While the EufyCam 3 has a high upfront cost — $549 for two cameras and the base station — you can make it up on the back end, as you don't need to sign up for a subscription to store video.

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