You've done some research and come to the conclusion that professionally installed service is not right for you, but you're still interested in smart security options. But what differentiates all the options? Here, we take a closer look at some of the essentials and differences of home monitoring kits so you can pinpoint what's right for you.
Storage options.
Are you the type of person who archives or skips to the highlights? Different home monitoring systems offer various solutions for video storage. Some offer accompanying DVR devices for constant recording onto a physical drive. Others record to servers in the cloud. Others record only when there's motion. If you're the curious type, constant recording is the way to go. If you're a minimalist, just access highlighted content in the cloud.
Real-time alerts.
Different security systems offer a range of alert options. Do you want a more passive system that only records and stores videos? Or do you want an active system that detects motion and sends text, email or phone alerts? If camera footage seems good enough for your needs, stick with a passive system. If security is of the utmost concern, we recommend a system with real-time motion alerts. Keep in mind that some systems may only alert you, while others can alert police under special circumstances.
There are plenty of other features and options you may see when perusing security cameras. Check out our handy guide to get the lowdown on security features inside and out.
Indoor and outdoor coverage.
Deciding what rooms you want to monitor should be the first question on your mind. If you plan to use your camera outside, you'll want to consider weatherproof options with a wider field-of-view (something greater than 130º should do the trick). Indoor cameras obviously don't need the extra weatherproof protection and most often won't need the wide field-of-view. Think about where you plan to place each camera and how many cameras you'll need of a particular type when planning your monitoring system.