7 Things I Learned After Buying a Smart Home Security Camera

If you bought a home security camera on Black Friday, received one for Christmas, or plan to buy one during the January sales, you may be wondering how to get the most out of it. Is it as simple as inserting the batteries or plugging it in and then letting it do its thing?

Net necessarily, but smart home expert Chris Price is here to help, sharing his experience owning and testing dozens of cameras over the years so you can do more with yours and avoid some of the common pitfalls .

1. You don’t need to record everything!

Unless you live in a very remote location, there’s a good chance that many people pass your house every day. Checking alerts every time an innocent old lady walks by or a car speeds by is probably not a good use of your time. It’s also not a good use of the device’s batteries if you’re recording images all the time. Make sure when you get an outdoor camera/video doorbell that you set the detection zones to only record movement just outside your property. You should also adjust the sensitivity setting (some devices are much too sensitive) and, if necessary, adjust recording times when everyone is usually away from the house – especially useful for indoor cameras.

Some home security cameras, like the ReoLink Altas PT, come with solar panels that are convenient as a power source if you live in a sunny area. (Image credit: Chris Price)

2. Be prepared to remove the device to recharge/replace batteries

Video doorbells and security cameras can be powered in several ways. While most indoor units are designed to plug into the mains, outdoor cameras and video doorbells are typically powered by either AA/AAA batteries or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Some devices, such as the ReoLink Altas PT, also come with a solar power option – handy if you live in a sunny climate, but not so ideal for winter in the UK.

While it’s usually pretty simple to plug an indoor security camera into the mains, when it comes to powering outdoor devices, it gets trickier. Most devices will need to be removed temporarily either to recharge or to change the battery every two months. So make sure your camera is reasonably accessible with stepladders. If your camera is powered by AA batteries, we also recommend purchasing heavy-duty lithium batteries rather than cheaper zinc batteries.

3. Security cameras and doorbells are pretty cheap – so buy a few

The prices for security devices are quite reasonable, especially if you shop online. For example, you can now get a basic indoor security camera for well under £50 (Amazon-owned Blink now sells two of its mini indoor cameras for £25) with outdoor cameras and video doorbells starting from of around £100. Most manufacturers allow you to use multiple cameras from the same brand together through their app. Alternatively, you can install several different apps on your phone, although this can be a bit overwhelming.

The benefit of having multiple cameras is that you can monitor multiple parts of your property at once (I have three external cameras – one on the back door, one on the front door and a video doorbell). Alternatively, you can consider purchasing a 360-degree camera such as the indoor IMOU Rex 3D or the outdoor Reolink Altas PT Ultra. Check out our guide to the best home security cameras for more options.

4. You don’t need to shell out for a monthly subscription

Obviously, one of the reasons hardware is generally cheap is that manufacturers hope to tie you into a subscription. As if we didn’t already have enough! Typically these cost between £4 and £5 per month. Usually, the subscription will give you additional features such as larger cloud storage and more sophisticated motion detection (providing for example the differentiation between a pet, a package and a car). But while these additional features may be nice, they are not essential. Several video doorbells such as the recently reviewed SwannBuddy4K come with a bundled MicroSD card for local storage, as many security cameras do. Check out our guide to the best video doorbells.

Cameras like the IMOU Rex 3D are designed to keep an eye on your pets when you’re away (Image credit: Chris Price)

5. Cameras are great for monitoring your pet (or kids), but don’t be too intrusive

Although security cameras are often presented as devices to prevent package theft or even burglary, the reality is often much more mundane. Chances are, most people who come to your door are doing so with perfectly innocent intentions – delivering mail, packages, etc. – while inside your house, it’s usually other occupants moving around, rather than thieves with a bag of goodies stealing your jewelry.

An indoor camera pointed at the front door is a great way to check that the kids are home safely, while one focused on where your dog is can be helpful in seeing what’s going on. he does. You can even talk to your pet through the camera’s built-in speaker, although this might scare them at first. There’s even a security camera dedicated to monitoring dogs and handing out treats called Furbo. Of course, it goes without saying that cameras should be placed outside of bedrooms unless they are being used to monitor a baby.

6. Keep exterior safety devices out of reach

Although it is unlikely that your device will be stolen, it is still possible that if someone intends to rob you, they will also steal your cameras! It is best to install outdoor security cameras high up on your property, as you would with security lighting if possible. And while the doorbell obviously needs to be mounted at head height or slightly lower to see who’s at the door, you need to make sure it’s properly installed inside the mounting bracket, with anti-screw/pin break-in fixed.

We’re all so busy these days that it’s not always possible to respond in time if someone shows up at our door. Most video doorbells and many security cameras allow you to add family members to your device. This allows them to view the images on their smartphone and, if necessary, interact with the delivery people who arrive at your door. Even if the device doesn’t strictly allow sharing, it’s usually possible for them to download the app and use the same username and password.