10 Best Home Security Cameras 2024 in the US

The “Home Alone” movie franchise has become elevated to classic comedy over the years, with an engaging plot: a child, Kevin McCallister, is able to outsmart relentless thieves trying to ransack the child’s house. Kevin first tries to make the house look occupied--but that can only last for so long. As in the movie, thieves are known for doing their “homework”--looking for times that the residents are on vacation, or out at a family affair, and using it to break into a house.  

You might not be able to have a Kevin McCallister protect your home when you’re away--but there are home security cameras that can do an awesome job of filming your home when you are away. There are cameras for filming outside as well as inside the house, and they can be sturdy enough to withstand any weather. They can be programmed to film the house at certain hours, and to sense any unexpected noise or movement that occurs. They can be set up to send you a phone or email alert the moment something happens--so that you can respond quickly and effectively. And if there is a break-in, they’ll save the footage where you can review it later, hopefully letting you find the culprits.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a home security camera. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of home security camera,

• See useful tips about that particular type of home security camera,

• Read reviews of different home security cameras, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of home security camera, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

There are two main types of home security cameras:

• Wireless security cameras: These are a recent advance over the older analog closed-circuit TV. IP cameras have become possible due to fast internet and the ability to make smaller camera sensors. These will come in two types:

  • Dome types: You will usually install a dome-type camera inside your home. Some, like the Zosi Home Security Camera System, are suitable for indoors and outdoors. It has the advantage of taking up very little space, hanging on the ceiling inconspicuously. It has some disadvantages, such as a shorter view distance. Also, you have to disassemble the dome cover to make adjustments to the zoom and focus of the camera.

  • Bullet types: These are mounted to the side of a wall. These are more appropriate for outdoor use, such as the Zmodo Security Camera. They will usually be waterproof, to be able to withstand the elements. A bullet-type camera needs a mounting bracket, which lets it swivel horizontally and vertically. It will have a bigger lens and offer a longer range of view.

Zosi Home Security Camera System

Zmodo Outdoor IP Camera

• Internet-connected video doorbells: These will look like a typical doorbell, but they will conceal a wireless camera. It will also send you a phone alert when someone is at the door.

• Can be used as a monitor: Some can be used as an intercom or baby monitor as well as a security camera. The Funlux Wireless Two-Way Audio Home Security Camera lets you talk and listen over built-in speakers. It can also be used for taking and storing candid shots.

• Get notifications only when you want them: You can program the home security camera to notify you when there is motion within a particular range, and/or at a particular time of day. This way, you can make sure that you won’t be alerted by false alarms.

• Storage: You surely want to save the video that your home security camera will record. One problem with home security cameras is where to store all the footage. Here are some of the options available:

  • Some companies, such as the makers of the Zosi 720p HD-TVI Home Surveillance Camera System require you to install a computer hard drive to the device, where it will store what you record. Ezviz Full HD camera has a built-in hard disk for storage.

  • A second option is storing the filming to a USB device. The Zosi Camera System allows you to automatically overwrite the oldest stored footage with new footage.  You can then store what you really want on a flash memory or external hard drive.

  • Yet another option is cloud storage. For a fee, you can upload the footage to be stored on the manufacturer’s server. Some companies, like Zmodo, have a complimentary offer, giving you storage space in their cloud for one month for free. Cloud storage lets you save, review, and share footage.

• Filming: Home security cameras will typically film in color during the day, and will film in black-and-white during the night. They are supplied with infrared illuminators to provide night vision.

• Weatherproof: The outdoor home security cameras have to be able to withstand harsh conditions. The Ezviz Full HD 1080p Outdoor Surveillance System is IP66 rated, meaning that it is protected from dust penetrating into the camera, and is protected from low-pressure water jets in all directions. It can survive in a wide temperature range, from - 40°F to 140°F.

• Canary-- was founded by Adam Sager of New York in 2014. Their staff includes experts in computer vision and machine learning for security purposes. Their products include HD security cameras with night vision, temperature and humidity monitors, and more.

• Zmodo--was founded in 2009 as makers of video and smart home products. They make indoor and outdoor cameras, security systems, Wifi beam extenders and door and window sensors, and more.

• Zosi Tech--makes surveillance systems, as well as wireless HD cameras and doorbells, CCTV systems, security recorders, and more.

• Ezviz--is a China-based subsidiary of Hikvision, who are established designers of video surveillance products. They are makers of cloud services and home video technology. They make Wi-Fi cameras, alarm devices, network video recorders, action cameras, and more.

• Funlux--manufacture IP cameras, wireless network video recorders, home security cameras, and more. One of the company's aims is to create smart living systems so that all the house’s appliances can be run automatically.