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Modern security systems can be tailor-made to your needs, and many security providers offer security cameras to better protect your property and your family.
Updated September 19, 2023
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When you decide on a Vivint security system, you’ll quickly realize you’re getting some top-of-the-line protections and equipment — and this includes Vivint’s security camera offerings, too. They have indoor and outdoor cameras available as well as a pretty powerful video doorbell to help keep your property safe from burglars, and although their packages aren’t cheap, we think you’ll find they’re well worth the money.
If you’re looking for comprehensive home security, Vivint definitely needs to be on your short list. And if you need a home security provider that offers outstanding video surveillance, you should probably move them to the top.
Simply put, Vivint is one of the best providers of home security on the market today. Their systems are professionally installed and monitored, and each package is bespoke, meaning you’re going to get a system that works for your specific security needs. And if those needs include cameras, there are three options to choose from. Here’s a quick breakdown of what they have to offer:
| Vivint Camera | Price | Per Month Cost (60 month Contract) |
|---|---|---|
| Vivint Indoor Camera Pro | $200 | $3.33 |
| Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro | $399 | $6.67 |
| Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro | $249 | $4.15 |
One of our favorite features of all three of these cameras is their AI-powered active burglar deterrent. If they spot someone on your property that shouldn’t be there, they’ll take notice, alert you, and activate lights and sirens to scare the lurker away. As far as proactive security cameras go, these are among the best in the business.
Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro
Now keep in mind, you can’t purchase these pieces of equipment individually. They have to be added on to a complete Vivint security system and professionally installed. For some folks that’s no problem, but others might want a more DIY-friendly experience. If that’s you, by the way, we think number three on our list is just what you’re looking for.
That said, the primary drawback of any Vivint security system is going to be the price. There’s no two ways around this — if you sign up for a Vivint system, you’re probably going to be spending at least $1,000. That said, you’re also going to be paying for it over time, so you’re not going to feel a significant blow to your bank account right off the bat. Again, good news for some folks, others might prefer to pay for their system outright. It’s really a matter of preference. You can read more about this in our guide to Vivint’s prices, but if you’re looking for a security system with cameras you can trust, you should check out our full Vivint home security review.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | $600 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $40-$70 |
| Contract Length | 42-60 months |
ADT has been dominant in the home security space for years. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the primary reason is that ADT alarm packages come with a wide range of cameras to choose from. They also offer professional monitoring at reasonable price points, and even have DIY options through their ADT Self Setup system. If you’re looking for a full security suite that will help you keep an eye on things, ADT is certainly a provider that should be on your short list.
ADT gives you peace of mind through video surveillance services. You can choose from indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, and video doorbells. ADT cameras have 720p HD video recording with night vision. With ADT’s app, you can view, save, and store video clips recorded by motion detectors. You will receive a notification when your camera has detected new motion and recorded a new clip. You can also choose to see a live feed from your cameras right from the ADT app, and you can begin recording if you see suspicious activity.
The Ring app allows you the same control and access to ADT’s Ring video doorbell. The doorbell camera has two-way audio, so you can speak through your app to the person on the other end of the camera. The outdoor camera’s weatherproof design is resistant to snow, rain, and humidity.
And speaking of atmospheric conditions, a built-in heater ensures your outdoor camera works in temperatures below 42 degrees Fahrenheit. ADT stands out among security companies as one of the best systems for seniors, too. Read more about the classic brand in our full ADT review.
ADT Indoor Camera (left) and Outdoor Camera (right)
Additionally, ADT offers a wide range of equipment and services. ADT systems can include wired or wireless equipment made by GE, Honeywell, ITI, and other leading brands. All new systems are leased from ADT and include free professional installation.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | Starting at $109 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | Starting at $49 |
| Contract Length | 36 months |
SimpliSafe’s low-cost packages offer easy installation, affordable monitoring, and reliable DIY equipment. The brand, founded by Harvard alumni, happens to top our list of the best affordable home security systems, too. They offer 24/7 award-winning monitoring, and SimpliSafe systems do not require monitoring or contracts.
SimpliSafe offers an outdoor camera, indoor camera, and doorbell camera that you can use as stand-alone devices or as a part of a larger, integrated home security system. Here’s a quick breakdown of these models features and costs:
| SimpliSafe Camera | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Camera |
|
$189.99 |
| Indoor Camera |
|
$99.99 |
| Doorbell Camera |
|
$169.99 |
Pro Tip: SimpliSafe is currently running a pretty serious sale. Right now, all of their new system prices are 50 percent off, and they’ll throw in a free wireless indoor camera with Fast Protect Monitoring.
The SimpliCam indoor camera offers all the features you would expect from a wireless security camera, plus some you wouldn’t. It records video in 1080p, which isn’t the sharpest picture you can find in a security camera. But what it lacks in video quality, it makes up for in speed. With SimpliSafe’s camera, motion is detected in a matter of seconds, so you won’t miss any crucial activity. Video feed is protected by end-to-end encoding, bank-level encryption, and SSL security certification. You can watch live video from your camera at any time from your app.
SimpliSafe alerts you when the camera’s motion detector triggers, and the smart motion detector can tell the difference between humans and pets. With a recording plan, you can use the SimpliSafe app to record video at the press of a button, store videos for 30 days, and download and share videos.
SimpliSafe Indoor Camera
SimpliSafe’s DIY installation got high praise in our tests, too. It’s one of the quickest installations we’ve experienced in our testing protocols. Plug in the base station, place your sensors and cameras, download the app, and connect to Wi-Fi. If you need assistance, customer service representatives are there to help, or you can always find equipment guides and user forums online.
With the plug-and-play feature, new home systems can be protected in less than fifteen minutes. You can access your system at any time and arm/disarm from your app. SimpliSafe is unique among DIY security systems, because the system continues to protect your home even when the power is down for days. At most, other systems typically offer a 24-hour backup.
The SimpliSafe systems offer customers more independence. For starters, you install and setup the system by yourself. You design the specific system you want, by choosing a pre-made package or by piecing one together. If you want professional monitoring this month but not the next, SimpliSafe can provide those services at an affordable price and without any obligation to continue monitoring.
It’s no secret that SimpliSafe is a favorite of renters, too. Visit our best apartment security page as well as our best security systems for renters list to see how SimpliSafe stands out among the rest.
| Monitoring Options | None |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa, Google Home, and August Smart Locks |
| Equipment Cost | $169 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | None |
| Contract Length | None |
While they’re not really a household name, Frontpoint is known in the security world for their exceptional customer service and their affordable security packages. They’re one of our top systems for customer service as well as our list of the best overall home security systems, so they’re definitely a provider that’s worth checking out.
Frontpoint offers affordable live video through wireless indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, and doorbell cameras. Both indoor and outdoor cameras have full HD (1080p) video recording with night vision. They automatically record when motion is detected, and you are sent an email or text message that a new video clip is available. The Frontpoint app saves and stores all clips, allowing you to view video clips now or later.
The outdoor camera is weatherproof and can withstand temperatures below freezing. It also has a 49-foot vision range.The doorbell camera uses motion sensors to alert you every time someone approaches the door. The Frontpoint app allows you to view a live feed of your door at any time and to record videos and save them to your account. All of the cameras have two-way audio, so you can use your app to speak to the person on the other end of the camera. The Frontpoint app is free, but cameras are only available with their Ultimate Monitoring Plan. Learn more about how Frontpoint’s monitoring works, and don’t forget to check out our full review of Frontpoint.
Frontpoint – Outdoor Camera
Another thing we really appreciate is their customer service and the resources they make available to their customers. Their website offers a comprehensive resource center and support knowledge base that can answer most questions.
Frontpoint systems are monitored by Rapid Response Monitoring Services, an award-winning security monitoring company. They use the most advanced technologies available and staff qualified, extensively trained professionals to provide emergency support.
Frontpoint’s costs for equipment and monitoring are relatively low, and the best part is that their systems are easy to install, set up, and use. The do-it-yourself installation takes less than 30 minutes. Place the sensors and control panel, and then call customer service to activate the alarm and to perform a system check. It’s as easy as that.
Here’s a breakdown of Frontpoint’s costs. Also something to point out is that they’re currently running a sale — 50 percent off sitewide. If you’re interested in taking advantage of these savings, make sure you move quickly. We’re not sure how long this one’s going to last.
| Frontpoint Security Package | Regular Price | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Family Lookout | $790.91 | $349.00 |
| The Home Shield | $678.91 | $269.00 |
| The Starter Pack | $402.96 | $129.00 |
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | $99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $18 |
| Contract Length | 1-36 months |
Like many of the top brands out there, Alder security systems offer feature-rich cameras as part of their generous menu of options. And they provide crisp, clear HD video with plenty of great features like mobile app controls. So if you’re looking for quality home surveillance — from a company that delivers some of the fastest response times in the industry — then Alder is worth a closer look.
Sometimes we go for quality over quantity, and that’s precisely why Alder made it onto this list. They currently only offer three cameras, but they are some of the best cameras available today.
Alder Indoor Camera
But there’s more to Alder than just cameras! Their systems use 4G LTE cellular monitoring to provide the fastest response time (3.4 seconds on average) in the industry. The equipment is easy to install on your own, but you can always opt for Alder’s free professional installation.
Finally, if you’re into smart home automation, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. Alder works with Alexa for voice control, and offers Z-Wave device compatibility. Learn more about the brand in our complete Alder review.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional or DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | $0 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $35 |
| Contract Length | 36 months |
Cameras offer practical benefits for security and beyond. Here are advantages to consider.
You can expect high resolution from today’s home security cameras. The majority of the top security cameras in the industry offer full-color night vision, allowing users to see detail even in very dim lighting. The high-quality video can help you identify a potential prowler and share the intel with neighbors and law enforcement. More basic cameras can capture still images when a sensor is triggered, while more advanced cameras capture video. Cameras can be installed both indoors and outdoors to protect your whole property. Today’s cameras offer great efficiency and only record when motion is detected. For better control, owners can monitor and manipulate their cameras remotely. Video clips from wireless cameras are saved online.
Home security cameras are your eyes when you can't be home. They allow you to see why your alarm was triggered, so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed. False alarms can cost you money and waste first responders' time. Other than remote viewing, many home security cameras also allow you two-way communication with the person on the other side of the camera, so it's like you're home even when you're not.
The benefit of a top-notch wireless security camera is that you can install it wherever you want — within the confines of your Wi-Fi range, of course. You can place wireless cameras where you want. As with any security camera, consider the video quality, length of filming, field of view, and video storage.
All the cameras on our list are HD, so they will produce high-quality video. But the difference between Full HD (1080p) and the next common HD (720p) can be a drastic and frustrating difference if you need to identify someone on an outdoor camera. 1080p and 720p refer to the pixels in the resulting video, so the more pixels you have, the clearer the image will be. Among the best outdoor security cameras available today, it’s rare to find a device that records in less than 1080p (or full HD) resolution.
Some cameras give you continuous live streaming but with no recording. Others record continuously for a set amount of time, and still others will only record when you tell it to or when a motion sensor triggers. A camera that records continuously makes more sense outdoors than indoors, but you could just as easily go with a motion-triggered device. Consider where your specific camera is and why you've placed it there to determine which type of filming is best for you.
Field of view is how much of the world your camera sees. The visible area is measured in degrees. A wide-angle camera with a 180-degree field of vision will capture more than a camera with a 120-degree field of vision, but a larger field of vision isn't always better. A wide-angle lens with a large field of view allows you to see a larger area, but items on the film will appear smaller. A smaller field of vision will allow you to see much less, but what you see will be clearer and larger. Tailor the field of vision to the area you want monitored. You typically want cameras with a larger field of vision stationed outside your home, and cameras with a smaller field of vision placed inside. For more tips on where to place cameras, visit our full security camera installation guide.
Wireless cameras can store videos on a local SD card, on the cloud, or both. Video monitoring packages often include cloud storage, but you may have to purchase a cloud subscription separately.
As a newer and smarter crop of security cameras enters our testing rotation each year, we continue to see amazing tech advances on both the hardware and software side, with Wi-Fi security cameras consistently dominating the market.
For folks who would rather use their cameras without Wi-Fi, or who live in an area with shoddy internet access, this wireless camera trend does limit your choices somewhat. But we have good news: It is still possible to own security cameras that don’t need Wi-Fi to work and will get you solid video footage and peace of mind.
If you’re looking for cameras like this, we suggest targeting your search to one keyword: Hardwired. Like the best hardwired security systems, cameras that can be hardwired into your home ensure a smooth, reliable connection without the need for Wi-Fi.
Keep in mind, though, that installation is more difficult in these, which is why we typically don’t recommend cameras like this for DIYers.
You’ll need a way to route cables from the hub (usually a network or digital recorder box) to wherever you’re installing the cameras. If you’re looking for a ceiling configuration with dome or bullet cameras, Swann makes some impressive hardwired (also labeled as wired or wired CCTV) systems that are built to be installed through ceilings, floorboards, and walls. But they’re going to be more difficult to install than a Wi-Fi system, by and large.
So, you’ll clearly have more work to do to get a hardwired camera online. But if this is the setup you’re after, we’re glad to see a few solid options out there. Here’s our roundup of the best wired security cameras available.
Crime is often the number one reason people choose to add cameras. But do they really work as an effective deterrent against burglaries, trespassing, and other property crimes?
Based on our research and experience, we've discovered that learning how criminals think is the best way to measure how effective home security equipment is. The University of North Carolina conducted a poll of convicted burglars,1 and 60 percent said they would check for a security system before deciding to break in, and 40 percent said they would likely leave the area if they noticed one.
While we can’t say security cameras will prevent break-ins 100 percent of the time, we will say this: When it comes to deterring crime, cameras are a solid and necessary tool for peace of mind and visual protection.
What are the essentials and options with home security cameras?
Here are details about cameras and monitoring services.
Home security system Control Panels are sophisticated and easy-to-use. You can access, monitor, and take total command of your security cameras with sleek touchscreen control panels. Today’s panels boast advanced technology with features galore. When looking for a home security camera system, don’t settle when it comes to control panel quality.
This tech-forward feature lets you securely access, monitor, and control your home security cameras with your smartphone. That’s right, any security camera worth its salt will offer a user-friendly companion app, essentially putting home protection in the palm of your hand. Simply login to the app to view live-stream video, save footage, talk to visitors, and even control your camera settings.
The best home security cameras come equipped with motion detection — an impressive feature that records only when movement is detected. Gone are the days of sifting through hours of recordings, simply to learn the ‘bump in the night’ was just a tree branch hitting the roof. Automate your security recordings, and get exactly what you need, when you need it.
Up, down, side-to-side. The Pan and Tilt feature lets you remotely control your security camera every-which-way to get the best view possible. Today’s top home security cameras even offer a zoom feature that picks up the finest details. Pan and Tilt, combined with a zoom function, can make a world of difference in catching and prosecuting porch pirates and home intruders.
Fixed Cameras are a cheaper alternative to Pan and Tilt. These cameras, as the name suggests, remain fixed and motionless. Where you sacrifice in the field-of-view department, you make it up with fewer moving parts and an overall less expensive camera. Consider your space and angles, and make an informed decision on the type of home security camera you need.
With Scheduled Recording, you decide what to monitor and when. Security cameras with this feature let you program recordings for a specified time. Set to record while you’re on vacation. Record the little ones getting home from school. Or set to record when the dog-walker comes for the pup. Scheduled Recording puts you in the Captain’s seat of your home security cameras.
Here’s a helpful feature that tells the full story. Home security cameras with audio let you hear what you’re seeing. Many cameras pair audio and visual, while others have built-in speakers to scare off a would-be intruder. If the camera combines microphones and speakers, then you’ve got a two-way voice intercom system. Audio is a key feature for a robust camera system.
The best home security cameras offer Night Vision, an essential feature powered by infrared technology. A night vision camera can detect and record suspicious activity in the cover of dark. The most advanced security cameras with night vision boast full-color picture, and can even illuminate the darkest, shadowy areas in the middle of the night. Dominate the dark with night vision cameras.
Professional monitoring is a popular feature offered by many home security companies. When your security cameras are stacked with 24/7 monitoring, you get the peace of mind knowing your property, home, valuables, and family are backed by a highly-trained response team. These people live, eat, and breathe home security. Professional monitoring is certainly a feature worth looking in to.
University of North Carolina Charlotte. (2013 May 15). THROUGH THE EYES OF A BURGLAR – STUDY PROVIDES INSIGHTS ON HABITS AND MOTIVATIONS.
https://inside.charlotte.edu/news-features/2013-05-15/through-eyes-burglar-study-provides-insights-habits-and-motivations
