Home security camera buying guide: How to choose the right CCTV camera for home

Safety is a major concern across India, whether you’re in a city, town or village. With the increase in thefts and break-ins, you need to ensure that you stay safe. Installing home security cameras is one effective way to enhance your home’s security.
Security cameras help you monitor your home even when you’re away. They’re valuable for monitoring indoor as well as outdoor activities, allowing you to see who’s at your door, check on deliveries and keep an eye on your property. This is especially useful if you have children playing outside or elderly family members at home.
In our exclusive home security camera buying guide, we’ll address all your queries about security cameras and help you choose the right fit for the safety of your loved ones.
Home security cameras are devices that monitor and protect your home. You can purchase indoor and outdoor security cameras. And they often include HD resolution and other features like two-way talk, night vision, and smartphone controls.
Footage capture: Security cameras record video of your home or property, which you can view on your computer or smartphone.
Motion detection: Many cameras only start recording when they detect movement, saving storage space and focusing on key events.
Storage options: Recorded footage is saved either on a local SD card or in the cloud, depending on the camera system.
Remote access: You can watch live or recorded footage from anywhere with a good internet connection.
Two-way audio: Some cameras include two-way audio, letting you listen to and communicate with people within the camera’s view.
Once you have an answer to the following questions, you know that you require a home security system.
But now the question is what type of home security camera is suitable for your house. Read further to find out.
Also read: Best wireless outdoor security cameras for home surveillance: Top 10 picks for convenience
Check out these home security cameras on Amazon
Here are the types of security cameras available in the market and the areas they are perfect for.
Security camera type
Best for areas
Who should buy
Connectivity type
Also read: Best Wi-Fi security cameras for home surveillance: Choose from top-rated options
Resolution and video quality
Higher resolution cameras (HD, Full HD, 4K) give clearer, sharper images. This makes it easier to see faces and details, which is important for identifying people and objects.
Field of view
Cameras with wide-angle lenses cover more area. This means fewer cameras are needed and you get better overall coverage of your property, reducing blind spots.
Night vision
Infrared night vision lets cameras see in the dark, while colour night vision provides clearer images at night. Both are crucial for 24/7 security, even when it’s dark.
Motion detection
Motion detection triggers the camera to start recording when it senses movement. This helps save storage space and alerts you to unusual activity, keeping an eye on important areas.
Storage options
Cloud Storage saves your footage online, making it accessible from anywhere and protecting it from theft or damage. Local Storage (SD cards, DVRs) keeps footage on-site, which is cheaper but needs regular checking and can be more vulnerable to theft.
Two-way audio
Allows you to talk to people near the camera, like answering the door or speaking with delivery people. 
Smart home integration
Works with smart home systems like Alexa or Google Home. This lets you control your camera with your voice and connect it to other smart devices.
Power source
A battery-operated camera offers flexible placement but needs regular battery changes or charging while a wired one runs on constant power, so you don’t need to worry about changing batteries.
Weather resistance (For outdoor cameras)
Cameras with high IP ratings can handle rain, dust, and extreme temperatures. This is important for outdoor cameras in India’s varied weather.
Ease of installation
DIY installation is cheaper and faster, but professional installation ensures the camera is set up correctly and in the best spot. Choose based on your comfort level with technology.
Mobile app and remote access
Apps let you view and control your cameras from your phone, wherever you are. This makes it easy to check your home and get alerts on the go.
Urban region
In urban areas, smart cameras and IP cameras are suitable due to their advanced features like real-time monitoring and integration with smart home systems. These cameras offer HD video and remote access, crucial for managing multiple security aspects in densely populated areas.
Rural region
In rural settings, outdoor cameras with robust weather resistance and CCTV cameras for large properties offer reliable 24/7 surveillance. Wired cameras can be beneficial here for their stability and continuous monitoring capabilities.
Apartments
For an apartment, wireless cameras or smart cameras are perfect. They offer flexible placement options and are easy to install without the need for extensive wiring, which is especially beneficial in rental properties. Indoor cameras can monitor specific areas like entryways and living rooms effectively.
Independent houses
For an independent house, outdoor cameras are crucial for monitoring the perimeter, including driveways and gardens. Wired cameras can also be a good choice here for stable connections across larger spaces. Additionally, combining video doorbells with smart cameras enhances security at entry points.
Also read: Best wireless security cameras for home surveillance: Pick from top 7 options
In India, home security cameras vary in price from around ₹1,500 to ₹10,000, depending on features such as video quality, storage capacity and smart functionalities. To set a budget, first decide on essential features like HD resolution, night vision, and remote access.
Yes, getting a security camera with a microphone can be beneficial. It allows you to listen in on what’s happening in real-time and communicate directly through the camera. This feature is useful for monitoring pets, talking to family members, or deterring intruders by making your presence known. Just ensure you check local regulations about audio recording to ensure compliance.
Yes, be aware of privacy laws and regulations in your area. Ensure cameras are not placed in private areas like bathrooms or bedrooms and inform guests or neighbours if cameras are recording in shared spaces.
Yes, privacy concerns can arise if cameras are not properly secured. Ensure your camera’s firmware is up-to-date, use strong passwords, and adjust privacy settings to avoid unauthorised access. Be mindful of where cameras are placed, especially in private areas.
Looking for the right security camera to install at your home? Check out our top picks here!
The Tapo TP-Link C200 offers clear 1080p HD video and 360° coverage. It includes night vision up to 30 feet, motion detection alerts, and two-way audio. The camera integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control and features a sound and light alarm to deter intruders. 
The Tapo TP-Link C210P2 features 3MP resolution for sharp 2K video quality and 360° pan/tilt coverage. It includes night vision up to 30 feet, motion detection alerts, and two-way audio for communication. With Alexa integration, you can control it via voice commands. This pack of two cameras supports local storage of up to 256 GB on a microSD card for up to 21 days of footage for each.
The CP PLUS 3 MP Full HD CCTV Camera delivers clear video and 360° pan with 85° tilt for full area coverage. It features night vision, motion detection alerts, and two-way audio. Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, it supports up to 128 GB SD card for local storage. Perfect for indoor use, it offers comprehensive security with easy setup and smart features.
Also read: 10 Best smart door locks for home security in 2024: Top picks for a safe home
The IMOU Ranger 2 provides 1080P Full HD video with 360° pan and 85° tilt for complete coverage. It includes night vision up to 33 feet, human detection with instant alerts, and two-way audio. The camera supports Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections, with local storage up to 256 GB. 
Check out more security camera systems for your home
Choosing the best security camera for your home means considering what you need, how much you want to spend, and what features you want. Whether you care about video quality, data use, or smart functions, there’s a camera for you.
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Yes, an internet connection is typically required for most security cameras to enable remote viewing and cloud storage. However, some cameras offer local storage options that don’t need an internet connection for recording.
Data usage depends on the camera’s resolution and recording settings. On average, a 1080p camera may use around 60-90 GB per month for continuous recording. Lower resolutions or motion-based recording can reduce data usage.
Yes, many security cameras offer local storage options on SD cards without requiring a subscription. Some also provide limited cloud storage for free, but advanced features often require a subscription.
If there’s a power outage, your security camera will stop working until power is restored. To mitigate this, consider a camera with battery backup or connect it to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
To prevent hacking, use strong, unique passwords for your camera and Wi-Fi network. Regularly update firmware, enable two-factor authentication, and ensure your network is secure with encryption and a strong router password.
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