Smart WiFi Camera
Smart WiFi Camera connects wirelessly to your home Wi-Fi network and processes motion alerts based on the presence of people, animals or vehicles. They also have cloud storage available (usually with a monthly subscription fee).
You’ll need to download the app, scan the QR code on the base and link it to your home Wi-Fi. From there, you can watch a live stream or use the two-way talk function to communicate with anyone in its field of vision.
Cloud Storage
The best smart security cameras come with cloud storage, which means any recorded videos can be retrieved from anywhere. This also helps during power outages, as the footage won’t disappear as soon as the camera loses electricity.
The Merkury Innovations Smart IP Camera, for example, can save up to seven days of footage in its onboard memory. It also comes with a siren that can scare off intruders, as well as an IP65 weatherproof design and support for 128GB micro SD cards. You can access the camera’s live feed and playback stored video via its app. The app is straightforward to use and provides a nice layout for finding the features you want.
A good quality Wi-Fi camera will have password protection, and enabling encryption is recommended for any video recording. It should also support TLS for a secure connection, and the ability to connect using either your home or mobile data network.
Most smart security cameras can send alerts and remotely view footage, so it’s important that they’re protected from cyber attacks. The guidelines on this page explains how you can protect your smart security camera and baby monitor from some of the most common attacks. It’s also worth making sure you regularly update the software (also known as firmware) to ensure that it has the latest bug fixes and features.
Two-Way Talk
Having two-way talk capabilities for your security camera is a great way to keep tabs on your property. It allows you to hear what is going on around your home or business and speak with trespassers. This will help to deter crime by giving trespassers the impression that you are on guard.
Some smart cameras claim to integrate with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. This is generally referring to the ability to use your Smart WiFi Camera voice to arm or disarm the device, and sometimes simply to livestream footage on a compatible smart display. While it can be helpful to have these integrations, they should not be considered an essential feature for a security camera.
Security camera hacking is a common concern among consumers. However, as long as you buy from a reputable security brand and work to ensure your devices are secure with a strong password, there is little need to worry. Especially with major professionally monitored systems, or even individually sold cameras from reputable developers, most include high-end encryption to prevent unauthorized access.
Featuring a full HD resolution and infrared night vision, this wall-mounted security camera from Abode is both durable and aesthetically pleasing. It’s wire-free, and operates using AA batteries for a truly unobtrusive setup. It also has a built-in siren for deterrence, and comes with two-way audio and cloud video clip storage (first month is free, then it’s $10/month). It also integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant for easy automation.
Motion Detection
Many smart cameras can send an alert to your smartphone the instant they detect motion. This can be useful if you’re worried about intruders sneaking up on your home and breaking in. It also allows you to monitor your home from a remote location and stay aware of activity when you’re out of the house.
A good wireless camera will have motion detection capabilities that allow you to customize your detection zones and set a minimum movement threshold for an alarm to trigger. This way, you can avoid getting a ton of unwanted and unnecessary notifications that might be caused by moving tree branches or the dog walking around.
You can also use the camera’s settings to create inclusion areas and exclude zones, which means you can specify which parts of your yard or driveway you want to be monitored. This can help you avoid wasting battery and storage space by limiting the area in which motion detection is active.
Most smart security cameras are connected to your home’s Wi-Fi, which means they can be vulnerable to cyber attacks. You can protect your camera from hacking by taking precautions when purchasing your device and by securing your home Wi-Fi network. The following guidance will teach you how to do just that.
Night Vision
The best smart cameras with night vision offer the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you can check in on your home, even when you’re away. They track motion and send video clip alerts to your smartphone, so you Smart WiFi Camera can view and respond from anywhere. Often, they’re plug-and-play devices that you connect to a free app for remote access and control.
If you’re worried about privacy, look for a camera with end-to-end encryption that prevents your company from seeing your footage without your consent. Many brands also include two-step login authentication and WPA2 compatibility with your router for added security.
This battery-powered, wire-free model features a wide 115o field of view (FOV), so you can see plenty of space, but it also works well in low light conditions with color night vision. It uses infrared lights that are invisible to the naked eye but capture and illuminate objects, making it easy to spot a stranger or suspicious activity.
You can set this camera to automatically switch from black-and-white monitoring to color when it detects movement, and alerts you on your mobile device in real time. The camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can pair it with your voice-activated speaker or AI assistant to take full advantage of its capabilities. It’s not the cheapest option on our list, but it’s easy to install and doesn’t require any additional hardware.