Has an intruder ever entered your home?
It's a terrifying event. It's best to be proactive and take as much control as you can over this situation before anything happens. And even if you do have an unwanted visitor to your home, you can have the peace of mind that a home security camera provides.
With footage of the culprit, you can take the first step in securing your home. Even having the cameras displayed strategically in visible areas of your property can be a deterrent in and of itself. Nowadays, wireless home security cameras are common—you can be confident in your security without having to worry about having a mess of wires during the setup. It can even help keep your home safer because you won't have to worry about old, worn-out wires potentially causing a fire.
Wireless security cameras are a great first step in securing your home. Not only are they suitable for most homes, but they offer an extreme amount of flexibility. Our list is compiled of well-rounded wireless security cameras, but the Arlo Essential Spotlight takes home first place.
The 3 Best Wireless Home Security Cameras
How to Choose a Wireless Security Camera?
Your security camera is one of the most important parts of your home security system. Not only do you need a high-quality camera, but you need one that can work in the area you want it to monitor. If you have other smart devices in your home, you might want to choose a wireless home security camera compatible with the other instruments. Using your system can be as easy as, "Alexa, arm the security system.".
If you want the highest quality videos, consider a camera with excellent night vision and at least 1080p resolution. Facial recognition is another handy feature to consider. It's important to know where a camera can be placed or mounted to ensure it can monitor the locations you want. Lastly, price is essential—but just because you paid a high price for a camera doesn't mean you're guaranteed a perfect fit for your needs.
Averaging around $350 on Arlo for a pack of three (or $130 for a single camera), the Arlo Essential Spotlight is a top choice for wireless home security cameras that work on your home's Wi-Fi network. This camera is one of many offered by Arlo—among many other significant (but more expensive) choices. The Essential Spotlight doesn't need a base station to operate, and its spotlight gives it excellent color vision on the darkest of nights.
This camera has 1080p streaming and recording and boasts two-way audio so you can talk to whoever (or whatever) is on the other end. The Essential Spotlight doesn't have SD card capabilities, but you can get 60 days of cloud storage through Arlo Secure for $2.99 per month for a single camera, or $9.99 per month for multiple cameras.
Features like Object Detection, Activity Zones, and Intelligent Alerts make the Arlo Essential one of the best picks for home security. You can respond to any situation with just the tap of a button. The easy integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit make the Arlo lineup a great choice for anyone regardless of ecosystem.
The SimpliSafe SimpliCam is only $99 per camera and doesn't require a subscription to work (although signing up for one does enable additional features.) You can keep an eye on your home 24/7 from anywhere in the world on your phone, tablet, or even computer.
The SimpliCam will send push notifications as soon as motion is detected. The camera is designed to specifically pick up the heat signature of humans to reduce the number of false alarms, but if it does capture someone who's up to no good in your home, the footage is stored for 30 days in the cloud. You can download and share clips through the app, too.
The SimpliCam has a wide 120-degree field of vision, two-way audio, and high-quality nightvision. You don't need a lot of light in the room to see clearly. The one drawback is that it requires Wi-Fi, so if you place the SimpliCam in a room with a choppy connection, it might not work as well as you like.
Although the SimpliCam is designed for indoor use, it does an an outdoor-focused cousin that can withstand extreme weather conditions and keep an eye on the outside of your home.
The Frontpoint website doesn't offer this camera as a standalone option, but you can purchase it in a kit.
The easiest option is to get it through the Build Your Own package for $305, but if that's too steep of an upfront cost, you can finance it for as low as $7.38 per month. This kit allows you to customize your home security as much as you like.
The next option for a pre-built kit that includes the camera is The Bunker at a price of $634. It includes the Frontpoint Hub and Keypad, one Smoke and Heat Sensor, three Door and Window sensors, one Doorbell Camera, one Motion Sensor, and One Indoor Camera..
The final option is the Fortress. Priced at $798, it's an expensive investment, but it includes enough equipment to outfit even the largest home with a full range of security equipment.
The camera itself can detect movement and send the information directly to any device with the Frontpoint mobile app, so you can stay up to date at all times. It runs on your home's Wi-Fi and connects to its central hub for power. The footage—which you get 1,000 clips of storage—can be viewed on the Frontpoint mobile app on a device or even on your television with Apple TV or Roku.
The Frontpoint camera is equipped with outdoor capabilities. It covers a 177-degree field of view and has a range of 40 feet. It has night vision, but it doesn't come with facial recognition abilities. It's built with two-way audio, and it can also sound a siren if one of its sensors is triggered. For added convenience, you can turn your system on and off through your phone using the Frontpoint app.
Wireless Security Camera Features
Wireless home security camera systems come jam-packed with all the features you'd want from a camera—even some features you may not have thought were possible or commonplace for wireless home security cameras.
Other features that will help you choose which wireless home security camera is best for you and your home include the video quality. A great camera will have at least HD video, or a 1080p resolution. The best cameras will have either 2K or 4K resolution. Motion sensors and facial recognition capabilities also help the top-of-the-line wireless home security cameras stand out from their competitors. These Wi-Fi home security cameras can detect even the barest movement and begin recording.
With microphone capability, some cameras offer the ability to do two-way audio. You can hear the noises that your wireless home security camera picks up and even respond to visitors. No need to answer the door for solicitors anymore; you can simply tell them you aren't interested via your security camera. Two-way audio can also be used to greet someone—akin to buzzing them in.
Another handy feature on many Wi-Fi home security cameras is color night vision. Of course, it's hard to see in the dark—especially if you are trying to follow someone on-screen wearing dark clothing. Color night vision can provide you with more relevant details.
Now, since wireless home security camera systems use Wi-Fi to store their footage, you want to be on the lookout for a camera with a spacious and easy-to-use storage system. Just as if the battery died, you don't want to look back in hindsight and realize you let your storage fill up. The good thing is that many wireless home security cameras have updated innovative storage systems that automatically erase the oldest footage when necessary.
Of course, the final aspect to consider is price. Some people are looking for the absolute best wireless home security camera system despite any cost or fee, while others are looking for a bargain. One thing we can all agree on, though, is that when purchasing anything, getting the maximum bang for your buck is always appreciated.
If you do have a budget for the wireless outdoor home security cameras you are looking to buy, make sure you consider all of the available options. Maximizing your value is possible—there are some great options for high-quality wireless home security cameras out there!
How Long Do Batteries Last in Wireless Cameras?
Most wireless home security cameras are powered by rechargeable batteries. The average charge time for wireless home security cameras tends to be about two months, but some can last up to six months so there's definitely a range to consider. Cameras with replaceable batteries tend to use a lithium-ion battery or nickel-metal hydride battery. Nickel-metal hydride batteries usually have a longer charge time but can be touchy in extreme temperatures. Lithium-ion batteries do better in extreme weather conditions and also don't need as much time to recharge.
It's also becoming more popular to include solar-charging options with wireless outdoor cameras. This allows for more creative placement since you won't need to take the camera down on a regular basis.Features of Wireless Home Security Cameras
Some features that will help you choose which wireless home security camera is best for you and your home include the video quality. A great camera will have HD video, otherwise known as 1080p. This has become the standard for most sizes — such as monitors, projectors, and smaller TVs — not just wireless home security cameras. Motion sensors and facial recognition capabilities also help the top-of-the-line wireless home security cameras stand out from their competitors. These Wi-Fi home security cameras can detect movement from small animals to camouflaged intruders.
Is a Wireless Security Camera Worth It?
One of the top things on anyone's home security checklist is installing security, and finding a wireless home security camera system that best fits your needs will do just that. Not only do you need a high-quality camera, but you need one that can work in the area you want it to monitor or one that can handle the weather in your area if you want to use it outdoors. If you have other smart devices in your home, you might want to choose a wireless home security camera compatible with the other instruments. Using your system can be as easy as, "Alexa, turn on the security system.".
If you want the highest quality of images and videos, you should consider a camera with excellent night vision and at least 1080p footage. Facial recognition is another handy feature to consider. It's important to know where a camera can be placed or mounted to ensure it can monitor the locations you want. Lastly, price is essential — but just because you paid a high price for a camera doesn't mean you're guaranteed a perfect fit for your needs.