YI 1080p Dome Security Camera

Whether you run a business or you just want to protect your home, a security camera can be one of the best investments you’ll make. With a camera in place, you’ll be able to check in when you’re away, which will give you the peace of mind you need. There’s a wide range of security cameras designed for indoor areas, and most are packed with features at affordable prices.

Vicki Liston, writer, producer and narrator of “On the Fly…DIY,” says there are three main criteria to consider when looking for a security camera: picture quality, night vision and motion sensing. “On the Fly…DIY” is an award-winning show that focuses on unique project tutorials for home improvement and DIY projects.

“A 1080p or higher video will give you the resolution you need, even at night when it’s hardest to see,” Liston says. “Night vision should be a given, as more crimes statically happen after the sun goes down. The motion-sensing feature starts recording (and some also send notifications to your phone) only when something is actually happening within the camera’s field of vision. This can save hard drive space or battery life, depending on the type of camera.”

If you choose a camera that records in 1080p resolution, also check into the storage you’ll be offered for those videos. Your recordings won’t be very useful if you’re constantly running out of room. You may find that your chosen camera brand provides cloud storage, but you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription price to store your videos. Alternatively, you can buy an SD card and store your videos locally, but you should factor that extra cost into your camera purchase.

Installation and setup should be part of your purchase decision. Some cameras are easier to install than others. Battery-powered cameras can be mounted anywhere, while you’ll need to make sure you’re close to a power outlet if you choose one that needs to be plugged in at all times. Also consider the type of mount your camera comes with and decide whether you can mount a camera with screws to that section of the wall. If you’re a renter, you may want to go with a camera mount that has an adhesive backing to avoid drilling holes in the wall.

• The quality of the images your camera captures is a prime consideration in any security camera. The Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera uses a feature called motion tagging that keeps objects clear even as they’re moving. Recordings are in 1080p and infrared night vision. The KAMTRON WiFi IP Security Camera provides night vision via an IR LED that can capture images up to 20 feet away. You’ll get 1080 x 720p recording quality. The YI 1080p Home Camera has an upgraded version for a higher price that captures in 1080p.
• Installation can be complex with traditional security cameras. As Liston points out, though, some newer cameras run on batteries to make this part of the process much easier.

“Battery-operated cameras are incredibly flexible when it comes to installation,” Liston says. “Since they are wireless, you won’t have the added tasks of drilling holes, running wires and ensuring the camera is close enough to an outlet.  You can also choose to move the camera to a new location if that becomes necessary in the future. The drawback, though, is that these require a strong Wi-Fi signal and you’ll need to regularly access the camera to change out the batteries.  With that in mind, any battery-operated unit should be installed out of reach of a would-be intruder but still accessible enough for maintenance.”

• If installation is a concern, go for a battery-powered model, which can be installed anywhere.
• Mounting the YI 1080p Home Camera is fairly easy, thanks to a magnetic base. However, it doesn’t have a battery, so you’ll still need to be close to a power plug.
• Chances are, you won’t want your camera to capture video when nothing’s happening. Most security cameras are built to kick on when motion or sound is detected. The Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera is triggered to record by both motion and sound, as is the KAMTRON WiFi IP Security Camera. The motion detection on the YI 1080p Home Camera is questionable, as there is a lag between movement and recording.
• With some cameras, you can speak to the person on the other end. That can come in handy if you have a visitor you want to address. The Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera has two-way audio, as does the KAMTRON WiFi IP Security Camera. With the YI 1080p Home Camera, you’ll get two-way audio, but the person on the other end will need to be very close to the camera to hear.
• For those who have an Alexa device, the Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera connects up so that you can pull up your feed via voice command.
• As handy as it is to see what your security camera is capturing in real time, if an event takes place, you’ll want to have it captured for later reference. The Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera provides 14-day cloud storage. With the YI 1080p Home Camera, you’ll need to either purchase a cloud account or an SD card.
• If something happens when you’re away from home, an alert can make all the difference. The Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera lets you customize your alerts and tweak the sensitivity. You’ll also receive notifications if your smoke or carbon monoxide detector goes off.
• The Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera is very affordable, but you’ll find the build is less than impressive. That’s a small price to pay to have a camera packed with so many features, though.
• The Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera, KAMTRON WiFi IP Security Camera and YI 1080p Home Camera are built for indoor use. If you need a security camera you can put outside, exposed to the elements, you’ll need to shop specifically for an outdoor camera.
• Since you’ll be saving your videos to the cloud or accessing your live view remotely, you’ll need to choose a camera that will easily connect to your home’s Wi-Fi. The Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera will only work on 2.4GHz, so check your router before you buy.
• One great feature of the YI 1080p Home Camera is that you can pan and tilt your camera remotely, using the app.
• Viewing angle is also important. The KAMTRON WiFi IP Security Camera has 360° rotation and viewing capability.
• If you’re on a budget, you’ll want to stick with the Wyze Labs Wireless HD Indoor Smart Camera, KAMTRON WiFi IP Security Camera or YI 1080p Home Camera. All three cameras are in a low price range but pack plenty of features.