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Over time, the use of CCTV cameras has increased exponentially with global CCTV market trends forecasting a steady increase in the next few years as well. Everywhere you turn, you see a CCTV camera.
The UK is third on the list of the most surveilled countries in the world with an average Londoner expected to be caught on a security camera over 300 times in a day!
A simple walk around the neighbourhood will give you an idea of the popularity of these security systems, with many homeowners investing in them for safety and security.
They are, after all, touted as one of the most effective deterrents against burglaries and intrusions, with most criminals targeting homes that lack security systems such as alarms and CCTV cameras.
The mere presence of a CCTV camera is enough to send a potential criminal running away for the fear of getting recorded and caught. What more do you want, right?
Read on to find out our top picks of the best CCTV cameras for home security in 2022, how they can benefit homeowners, and how to choose the best one for your property:
WHY INSTALL CCTV CAMERAS FOR HOME SECURITY?
If you’ve ever experienced a package stolen from your front gate or your car or home being broken into, chances are that the perpetrators probably disappeared long before you even realised you were targeted by someone. You may not even find out who committed these criminal acts, which can be extremely agonising.
If any of this sounds familiar, you should consider investing in CCTV cameras for home security that allow you to view live and recorded footage of activities occurring inside and outside your home.
Depending on the features of the system, you may even receive alerts when someone is in the camera’s view and talk to whoever is on your property.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of investing in CCTV cameras for home security:
Crime deterrence
It is a fact that people tend to behave differently and are more likely to follow rules and regulations when they are being watched.
Based on the same effect, burglars are less likely to break into homes with CCTV cameras owing to the fear of being watched, recorded, and possibly caught.
CCTV cameras make it nearly impossible to break in without getting noticed, making them one of the most effective burglary deterrents.
Recorded evidence
CCTV cameras not only allow you to watch CCTV footage in real-time but also record it to let you view it at a later time.
In case of a burglary or intrusion taking place at your home, this recorded footage can be used to identify the criminals and increase their chances of getting caught.
This ease of evidence and the trail that burglars leave behind can work to their disadvantage, should they try to burgle a CCTV monitored home.
Monitoring family members
CCTV cameras offer more than just the protection of your property. They also allow you to monitor and check in on your family members while you’re away.
Leaving family members such as kids and elderly parents alone at home can become quite a predicament but is inevitable at times, such as when you’re at work.
CCTV cameras can be used to keep a check on them via remote monitoring, allowing you to live stream the CCTV footage from your office computer, smartphone, or tablet.
They can be used to keep an eye on little kids and their babysitters, as well as pets, making sure they’re not up to any mischief.
Integration with other security systems
Home security systems such as CCTV cameras and burglar alarms work very well with each other by providing double the protection by deterring criminals and recording evidence.
When integrated, in the event of the CCTV camera detecting any suspicious activity, the burglar alarm is automatically triggered scaring away the criminals.
It can also be beneficial for checking for false burglar alarms using CCTV footage. This is particularly useful when you are away and receive a notification from your alarm via remote monitoring. You can log in to check the camera footage and determine whether the incident requires action or not.
BEST CCTV CAMERA FOR HOME SECURITY 2022
Hikvision is one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers and the most popular CCTV brand used in the UK, making it our top pick for the best CCTV cameras for home security in 2022.
They offer a range of highly effective yet simple installations, adaptable to common scenarios in residential properties.
A few standout CCTV cameras from Hikvision for home security include:
2 MP DeepinView ANPR Moto Varifocal Bullet Camera
Perfect for perimeter protection for your home, this bullet camera offers high-quality imaging with a 2 MP resolution.
With clear imaging against strong backlight due to its LightFighter technology and excellent low-light performance via its DarkFighter technology, it is ideal for both day and night time.
It includes licence plate recognition and uses efficient compression technology to save bandwidth as well as storage.
It is water and dust resistant, vandal-proof, and uses advanced streaming technology to enable smooth real-time monitoring and data self-correction when the network quality is poor.
2-inch 4 MP 4X Powered by DarkFighter IR Network Speed Dome
With high-quality imaging with a 4 MP resolution, this IR network dome CCTV camera offers excellent low-light performance powered by DarkFighter technology and clear imaging against strong back lighting due to 120 dB WDR technology.
It features 4x optical zoom allowing for closer viewing of subjects in larger areas and offers pan and tilt abilities to monitor zones of interest.
In addition to that, its IR range up to 20 metres ensures clear footage at night time as well, making it a great choice for outdoor surveillance.
7-inch 4 MP 32X Powered by DarkFighter IR Network Speed Dome
Another IP network dome CCTV camera, this model also offers high-quality imaging with a 4 MP resolution and delivers excellent low-light performance powered by DarkFighter technology.
With 32x optical zoom, 16x digital zoom, and an IR range of up to 200 metres, it can be used to secure an expansive area, even during the night.
It supports WDR, HLC, BLC, 3D DNR, defog, regional exposure, regional focus, rapid focus, and audio-visual alarm, which can be triggered by certain events.
4 MP ColorVu Strobe Light and Audible Warning Fixed Turret Network Camera
Providing real-time security via built-in two-way audio, this network camera offers high-quality imaging with 4 MP resolution and has an audio and alarm interface available.
With efficient compression technology, it provides 24/7 colourful imaging and focuses on humans and vehicles based on deep learning.
It offers clear imaging against strong backlight due to 130 dB WDR technology and features an active strobe light and audio alarm to warn intruders off. In addition to that, it is water and dust resistant.
4 MP ColorVu Strobe Light and Audible Warning Fixed Mini Bullet Network Camera
This mini bullet network camera offers the same features as the model listed above, with the only difference being its shape and size.
Due to its small size, it can be placed both indoors and outdoors and can be used as a hidden deterrent since it would be much easier to conceal as compared to a bigger model.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CCTV CAMERA FOR HOME SECURITY?
When choosing the best CCTV camera for home security, you need to consider several factors to make sure it is both effective and efficient.
Type of CCTV camera
There are various types of CCTV cameras to choose from, all of them varying in their specific features and special options.
A good CCTV camera makes sure it captures clear footage irrespective of the time of day, light availability, and extreme weather conditions.
You must make sure you have the right kind of system installed on your premises to guarantee its effectiveness and efficiency.
The most popular types of CCTV cameras include bullet CCTV cameras, dome CCTV cameras, C-mount CCTV cameras, PTZ Pan/Tilt/Zoom cameras, day/night CCTV cameras, infrared/night vision CCTV cameras, network/IP CCTV cameras, wireless CCTV cameras, and High Definition (HD) CCTV cameras.
Indoor or outdoor
CCTV cameras can be placed both inside and outside your home, and one of the most basic things to consider is where you intend to install your system since it will help you choose the right type and model.
Indoor and outdoor CCTV cameras are both effective when used as a monitoring system with the primary distinction being the external factors, such as extreme weather conditions that the outdoor camera can withstand.
Outdoor cameras are made using more durable material since they are also prone to tampering, while indoor systems are smaller, lighter, and generally simpler.
Installation positions
The positioning of the cameras is an integral part of your home security and placing them in the right places and at the right angles is absolutely crucial.
Your home may need a CCTV camera because there is a risk of a break-in, there are valuables on the premises, or there are family members who need to be monitored (kids and the elderly).
Depending on your requirement and your subject of interest, the cameras must be angled in a way to best cover the entirety of the area.
Typically, all the entry points of a house must be covered, including the front, back, and side doors and windows. Other outdoor areas that might need CCTV cameras are the driveway, shed, garage, and other storage areas.
Camera quality and resolution
Home CCTV cameras come in a range of resolutions ranging from 720p to 4K. The higher the resolution, the clearer the picture.
It is no use if the footage being recorded on the CCTV camera is grainy to the point that making up the face of an intruder becomes a challenge; therefore, a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels is recommended.
Power supply and battery
Wired CCTV systems work on direct electricity while the wireless version runs on batteries. Both are prone to stop working in the event of a power outage or battery failure.
Backup batteries are crucial for both systems and a feature worth considering since it gives you confidence that your CCTV would remain running at all times.
Additional features
There are additional, very handy features such as night vision mode, microphone and speaker functions, and facial recognition that can take CCTV monitoring up a notch.
Night vision mode is a very useful add-on that helps the CCTV camera record footage at night. Microphones and speakers can be used to communicate via the camera, such as giving an intruder a warning and possibly scaring them away.
Some CCTV cameras also offer pan/tilt/zoom features where you can remotely move the camera for the best monitoring angles.
Budget
Your budget is a huge deciding factor when it comes to choosing a CCTV camera for your home, but the good news is that CCTV systems are becoming affordable by the day, offering top-notch quality at great prices.
For instance, High Definition (HD) analogue cameras have tremendously increased their resolution and picture quality, offering the perfect balance of convenience and quality for homeowners, giving their more expensive digital counterparts a serious run for their money.
COSTS INVOLVED
The costs involved with installing CCTV cameras in your home should not be considered costs, rather an investment due to the plethora of benefits and long-term savings they provide.
Professional CCTV installation
CCTV installation costs vary depending on several factors such as the type of cameras, the size of the system, the camera’s location, the property type, and integration with other security systems such as burglar alarms.
The cost of installing a basic 4-camera wired CCTV system may start from £800 while an 8-camera wired system may cost around £1000 plus the labour cost for installation.
If you’re looking to have a wireless CCTV system installed in your home, you can expect to pay anywhere between £900 to £1,300+.
It is always best to speak to a professional directly for accurate costs since advanced systems can cost substantially more to supply and install.
Low prices might seem lucrative at first, but in the long run, they cost more. At Calder Security, we give you the most competitive prices in Yorkshire along with your money’s worth by providing you with state-of-the-art CCTV cameras, qualified security specialist engineers, and SSAIB approved installers.
Professional CCTV monitoring
CCTV monitoring works by sending the footage that the camera picks up to a remote monitoring station via the internet. These monitoring stations are manned by experts trained to take rapid action and respond to any suspicious activity, protecting your home from all kinds of threats.
If you have a CCTV security system installed, you must have it monitored. Although you can check the recorded video later yourself, for real-time surveillance and to keep your home protected, it is advised to opt for professional CCTV monitoring services.
The cost for CCTV monitoring can cost you anywhere from around £12 to £36 a month.
Professional CCTV maintenance
Maintaining your CCTV security system will ensure that your investment is working efficiently with minimal disruptions.
An annual service check is recommended to check all the equipment and cables, clean the lenses, cameras and housing, and test the system to keep your CCTV security system working as it should. On average, a maintenance visit would cost you around £75-£125.
You must regularly service the system yourself too by keeping it clean and dust-free. A simple wipe with a clean cloth should suffice. Don’t open the equipment since it might do more harm than good and leave the professional servicing to the professionals.
Professional CCTV repair
Your CCTV security system can malfunction for several reasons such as bad weather conditions, power surges, or general wear and tear. Whatever the issue, you need to resolve them quickly by an engineer who knows what they’re doing.
The total charges may vary depending on the nature of the fault, which is why it is best to consult with a professional security company for the exact costs.
WHY CHOOSE CALDER SECURITY?
Calder Security offers a comprehensive solution for CCTV cameras that are state-of-the-art and comply with CCTV laws and regulations.
We understand the special security and safety needs of various properties and offer professional installation services for CCTV systems bespoke to each home.
We are expert SSAIB-approved security system installers and supply only high-quality CCTV equipment from trusted brands such as Hikvision, one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers.
We conduct every aspect from surveys, design, specification, and installation ourselves, and our professional repair and maintenance services ensure that your CCTV systems work in the optimal condition all year round, guaranteeing effectiveness and compliance with the law.
We also offer professional CCTV monitoring services that help detect criminal activity and security breaches as they are in progress for the appropriate action to be taken, even when your house is empty.
Contact us here or call us on 0800 612 9799 to talk to our security experts right away!