Smart Security Camera Buying Guide

Last updated September 7, 2023
When you want a convenient way to monitor your home or property, smart home security cameras can provide you with that peace of mind. With all the available options and features, it can be difficult to know where to start. You want cameras that meet your needs and stay within your budget that are DIY-friendly and easy to maintain.
Finding the best smart home security cameras doesn’t have to be complicated. And for most cameras, installation is easy to do yourself, saving you time and money.
Looking for the best smart home security cameras for your home or property? We’ll help you decide the best options for you.
Table of Contents
What Types of Smart Security Cameras are There?
Choosing Features for a Smart Security Camera
How Many Smart Home Cameras Will I Need?
Choosing a Type of Smart Home Camera
CCTV vs. Smart Home Security Cameras
What Types of Smart Security Cameras are There?

Power options for smart home security cameras are wired, wireless and wire-free.
- Wired cameras must be wired into your internet network as well as a power source.
- Wireless cameras connect wirelessly to your internet network, but use a power cord.
- Wire-free cameras don’t need a power cord or wires. They run off batteries or solar power.
- Wireless cameras are easier to install than wired ones and are easy to move.
- Wired cameras offer the most reliable connection and are more difficult to steal.
There are also indoor and outdoor options for cameras.
- Indoor cameras monitor your home for security threats such as intruders.
- Some models are ideal for checking on children and pets.
- Outdoor smart home security cameras monitor your property for trespassers and theft.
You can also choose to have a single smart home camera or a camera system.
- Single smart cameras can easily be monitored through an app, and many are designed for quick DIY installation.
- With a smart home camera system, you can choose a system you monitor yourself, or you can pay a subscription fee for professionals to monitor your home.
- Single cameras connected through an app are usually a more budget-friendly option than a dedicated security system.
Choosing Features for a Smart Security Camera

To choose the right camera for your needs, first you should consider your smart home system. Some smart cameras are compatible with multiple systems such as Alexa or Google Assistant. However, other cameras only work with one specific system. Make sure the camera you choose works with your smart system.
The features you’re looking for are also important. Cameras can provide a wide range of capabilities, some that you may want more than others.
- Camera resolution is the total number of pixels the camera has. The more pixels, the sharper the images.
- Night vision cameras have infrared or full color vision to allow you to see images clearly, even in total darkness.
- People/pet recognition is a feature of CCTV cameras. They can identify people and animals in your home and do not send off an alarm when they detect one. You must set up a database for this to work correctly.
- Data storage is where your security photos and videos get stored. Some cameras use micro-SD cards and others provide Cloud storage, usually for a monthly fee.
- Audio allows you to hear sounds along with seeing images. Two-way audio enables you to both hear sounds and be heard through a two-way microphone.
- Motion detection notifies you when there is movement. Depending on your settings, this can be a person or animal, or something smaller, such as birds or falling leaves.
- Sirens – this alarm system feature activates a siren when the camera detects motion in your home. Some systems have built-in sirens. Others allow you to connect one to your system.
Depending on whether you want an indoor or an outdoor camera, certain features may be more valuable than others.
- For indoor cameras, good features include night vision, two-way audio and motion detection.
- Premium indoor smart home security camera features include sound detection, person detection, zoom, light and siren.
- Choose a weatherproof outdoor smart home security camera; it can handle rain, snow and different temperatures.
- Outdoor cameras should have good resolution and night vision so you can easily see people and objects.
How Many Smart Home Cameras Will I Need?

The amount of security coverage you want will help you decide how many cameras you need. Do you only need to cover your front yard and porch, or do you have a large property to monitor? Find out the distance between the camera’s installation point and the area that you want to keep watch over and purchase cameras that will cover that amount of property.
If you want multiple rooms in your home to have coverage, you’ll need a separate camera for each individual room. Areas with an open floor plan may only need one or two cameras.
Choosing a Type of Smart Home Camera

Once you know what features you want and the size of the area to keep watch over, deciding what type of security camera to buy is a lot easier. This information will help you make the best choice for your security needs.
If you’re looking for a fast installation, you may want wireless smart home cameras. These are easy to install and offer a variety of features such as two-way talk and adjustable motion detection. You can buy single cameras or a whole home security system.
Budget-friendly cameras are available from most brands. They typically all have the same base features but may not have advanced features such as full color night images or 24/7 continuous recording.
Premium cameras offer additional features such as customizable alerts, continuous recording for up to 30 days and distinguishing between people and objects. They usually have lens, housing and design construction that provides maximum damage protection and keeps them clear.
CCTV vs. Smart Home Security Cameras

A CCTV (closed-circuit television system) is a network of cameras that provide a comprehensive view of your home’s interior and/or exterior. CCTV is a good choice if you want to check up on your home 24 hours a day. A disadvantage is that the images can be grainy or blurred because they have lower resolution.
A smart home security camera can be placed anywhere on your property. Because it’s motion-activated, you can easily see who has entered, what time they entered and when they left. A disadvantage is that smart home security cameras are targets for vandals.
Choosing the best smart home security camera for your needs involves knowing how much coverage you want, the features you need and whether you want a single camera or a camera system. Once you have this information, buying a camera can be straightforward and easy.
To find the right camera for you, The Home Depot Mobile App makes it easy to order and has convenient options for pickup or delivery.