Outdoor security cameras: how can you choose the best system for your home?

With such a wide range of outdoor security cameras out there, it can be tricky to choose the right system for your home. Are wired or wireless outdoor security cameras the right option for your home? Will you use a cloud storage system for your video? Do you want your outdoor security cameras to have night vision, motion detection and smart features? At Netatmo, we’ve put together a guide to help you choose the best outdoor security cameras for your home.

Where should you position your outdoor home security cameras?

If you’re installing outdoor security cameras to increase your home security, you’ll want to make sure you place them in the most effective locations around your home.

Make sure your outdoor security cameras are positioned in strategic locations around your home, so they’ll be able to record video of vulnerable points:

The front door of your home (an obvious choice, but frequently used by burglars)
The garage and driveway of the home
Any back or side doors of the home
Lower, more accessible windows around the home
Any smaller buildings around the home, such as garden sheds

Ensure that your outdoor security cameras are also well out of reach of potential intruders. Place them high up and out of range; then, your new outdoor security cameras won’t be tampered with.

When you install your new home security cameras, you might also want to place camera stickers around your home.

These stickers will alert potential intruders to the fact that you have an outdoor security camera system in place in your home. This could deter possible crime.

What’s more, these stickers will also alert anyone visiting your home, as well as the general public, that your outdoor security cameras are recording video on your property.

Under current data protection laws, it’s vital to inform any individuals that they may be recorded by your private home security cameras.

If you do choose to install an outdoor security camera system in your home, make sure to comply with regulations. Home owners have the right to install a security system in their home, but laws apply to video recording of public or shared spaces. Thanks to the Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera be alerted immediately if a person or car trespasses on your property

Choosing the features of your outdoor security cameras

With wide-ranging added functions, it’s never been easier to choose the best outdoor security cameras for your home. Below, you can check out information on everything from night vision features to the benefits of wireless home security cameras.

Smart features and cloud video storage

Smart features are increasingly common in outdoor security cameras. Smart cameras will allow you to control your home security remotely, via an app downloaded to your smart devices.

So, while you’re at work or away on holiday, you’ll be able to control and monitor your smart home security cameras.

A wireless security camera system will likely enable quick, easy cloud storage for your security video footage.

Wired or wireless security cameras?

Traditional outdoor security cameras operate using a wired system, attached into the walls of your home.

Wired systems are reliable, but they do generate higher installation costs than wireless security cameras (with a wireless camera system, you may well be able to install the cameras yourself, with a little DIY).

If you’re investing in more recent outdoor security camera models, you might opt for a wireless outdoor security camera system. Wireless cameras will make your home security system much more flexible.

A wireless system enables you to install your security cameras anywhere in your home, as well as to easily adjust their position over time. Plus, if you move to a new home, you’ll be able to take your wireless outdoor security cameras with you to the new property.

If you install a wireless home security system, you’ll also be able to add more security devices very easily. If you want to install additional indoor our outdoor cameras, security alarms or motion sensors, a wireless system will enable you to periodically increase your home security.

Night vision function and motion detection

An infrared system will mean your outdoor security cameras can also record video at night, keeping your home safe around the clock.

You may also be able to combine your outdoor security cameras with motion detectors, to keep track of movements around your home.

Consider whether perimeter detectors or volumetric detectors would be the right choice for your home: perimeter motion detectors mainly monitor the perimeter of your home, whereas volumetric motion detectors focus on picking up motion inside the monitored area.

Smart motion detectors can often tell the difference between suspicious movement and normal, daily movements around the home. If your motion detectors are linked up to your home security alarms, this means the alarm will only be triggered when required.

Outdoor home security cameras: practical considerations

You’ll also want to think about some more practical aspects of your outdoor security cameras:

Outdoor security camera surveillance range

Where do you want your security video to cover around your home? Where are the most vulnerable locations around your home?

Make sure your outdoor security cameras are angled so that they have these points in their video range.

Remember, a wireless outdoor security camera system will ensure you have greater flexibility when installing your home security system.

Plus, smart home security cameras will enable you to remotely control the angle and range of your home security cameras.

Outdoor security camera power supply

Most wireless security cameras will run on batteries. No wiring and no potentially expensive, complicated installation!

It’s also important to bear in mind that wireless and smart security cameras will need to connect to your home’s wireless Internet connection.

When you’re positioning your outdoor security cameras around the home, make sure they’re within good range of this WiFi connection.

Why not install outdoor security cameras as a first step towards a complete home security set-up? Integrate a smart, wireless system to keep your home safe, wherever you are.