House Grail is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

6 Types of Home Security Cameras (With Pictures)

technician installing CCTV camera home security system

Once upon a time, home security was expensive. However, home security cameras are much less expensive today than there were in the past. Plus, with the growth of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, many cameras are not very easy to install. Most are battery-powered and connect via an app on your phone.

Today, the problem isn’t so much that these cameras are costly or require professional installation. Instead, it’s all the cameras available. There are so many types that finding an option that works best for you requires a lot of research and digging.

Security cameras fall into two main categories: indoors and outdoors. Many cameras are durable enough to be used for both, however. Beyond that, there are many sub-types that you need to consider.

house divider

The 6 Types of Home Security Cameras

1. Wired Outdoor Cameras

CCTV surveillance during night
Image Credit: Vasin Lee, Shutterstock

These cameras are designed to be utilized outdoors and must be wired into your home’s electricity. Therefore, they often require professional installation. However, some are designed to be used in place of your flood light or similar outdoor electric device, which can make installation a bit easier.

The biggest benefit of these cameras is that they don’t have batteries, so you don’t have to worry about changing them. You usually don’t have to plug them into an outlet, though a professional must wire them directly into your home. As you’d guess, this adds to their cost.


2. Wire-Free Outdoor Camera

outdoor cctv camera home security system
Image Credit: gregden, Pixabay

As the name suggests, these cameras don’t have to be wired directly into your home. Instead, they run on batteries that are usually rechargeable. They’re much easier to install because they don’t need to be wired directly into your home. However, you do have to worry about changing or recharging the batteries as needed.

Often, these cameras don’t record continuously to help save battery power. However, they are often motion-sensing, so they automatically turn on when they sense movement. Many can also be activated from your phone or another device.


3. Floodlight Cameras

outdoor cctv camera home security system with floodlight
Image Credit: Henrikas Mackevicius, Pexels

These cameras are basically large floodlights that activate and record when movement is detected. Often, they work just like a floodlight but with the addition of a camera. You can usually hardwire these into an existing floodlight port or wire them into your home.

Sometimes, the cameras require professional installation, and your costs may be higher for this type of camera in many cases than others.


4. Wired Indoor Cameras

wired indoor cctv camera home security system
Image Credit: cctvsmartsystems, Pixabay

Indoor cameras sometimes require wiring. When these devices are wired, they are often connected via a cable to a central recording area. These cameras usually record constantly and may even connect to viewing screens within the home. They’re the traditional security cameras that are often inside commercial buildings. However, they can be expensive to purchase and set up.

You’ll have to pay a professional to wire these cameras together. You may also need to set up a centralized recording location with screens and other accessories. Therefore, they tend to be one of the more expensive options.


5. Wireless Indoor Cameras

man setting up indoor cctv home security camera on his phone
Image Credit: Gorodenkoff, Shutterstock

These cameras connect to your Wi-Fi or your phone via Bluetooth. Most newer cameras fall into this category. They store their recordings in the cloud, allowing you to access them remotely from your phone. You don’t need a centralized viewing area or anything of that sort, making this a suitable budget option.

Because these cameras are wireless, they run on batteries most of the time. Sometimes, they need to be plugged into an outlet, however. You must remember to charge the batteries, and many of these devices do not always stay on. Instead, they may sense motion or require activating from an app.

These cameras don’t usually require professional installation. Instead, they are easily installed by the average homeowner.


6. Video Doorbells

person pressing the button on a doorbell with camera
Image Credit: voronaman, Shutterstock

Video doorbells have recently become popular. Several top-rated models on the market, but they all work similarly. Once the doorbell detects motion or gets pressed, the camera switches on. Usually, you can see the camera on your phone, and your phone may also get a notification that there was movement detected.

Sometimes, these cameras have speakers that allow you to talk to whoever is at the front door. However, there is usually no screen to allow the other person to see you. Most also record videos to some extent. If you don’t answer the call, the footage is sometimes recorded for you to review later.

Luckily, most of these doorbells use your existing doorbell wiring and don’t require a professional setup. You can easily install it yourself in most cases. Companies have made these doorbells extremely user-friendly, which is always a plus. Alternatively, a few battery-powered models for homes do not have doorbells.

house divider

Conclusion

Today, there are many types of security cameras. Traditional models that require wiring still exist. However, these are pretty expensive and often require professional installation. They tend to be more expensive upfront and to install. Therefore, they have largely fallen out of favor today as cheaper and more user-friendly options have entered the market.

Today, you can easily install your own home security cameras. Many do not require direct wiring into your home. They may run on batteries and send recordings to an app on your phone. Many produced by the same company even connect via Bluetooth. These cameras are usually cheaper, too, and you won’t have to pay a professional to put them in.

Furthermore, there are more specialized security cameras with doorbells and floodlight cameras. These are typically used in very specific situations. Many companies that make wireless cameras also produce these other security cameras, allowing you to have them all on the same system. Several doorbell cameras also have added features like the ability to talk through them to whoever rang your doorbell.

With that said, many of these wireless devices may require a monthly fee, which can add up pretty fast. Therefore, while they are easy to use and don’t require professional installation, hidden fees may be involved.


Featured Image Credit: APChanel, Shutterstock

Contents

Related posts

OUR categories

Project ideas

Hand & power tools

woodworking

Garden

Automotive