Motion activated surveillance cameras and sensors are a great way to keep your home and family safe. From potential intruders to unwanted pets, motion activated surveillance cameras can help you capture every moment.
The best motion sensor surveillance camera typically includes:
- Night vision allows for 24-hour image capturing in complete darkness
- Motion sensor activation allows the camera to only record when a subject is in range increasing battery life
- Remote viewing in real-time from anywhere with internet access allows for verification of intrusion
The cameras can be accessed via smartphone and monitor movement remotely. This article will cover 6 of the best motion activated surveillance cameras for homes giving benefits, advantages, and limitations.
Best Motion Activated Surveillance Cameras For Home -Overview
Best Motion Activated Outdoor Surveillance Camera – Swann Home Security Camera System
Best Motion Activated Indoor Surveillance Camera –eufy Security Solo IndoorCam C24, 2K Security Indoor Camera
Best Motion Activated Activated Surveillance Camera for Wildlife Photography – 1080P 16MP Trail Camera, Hunting Camera with 120°Wide-Angle Motion Latest Sensor View 0.2s Trigger Time Trail Game Camera
Best Motion Activated Ring Door Bell with Surveillance Camera – Ring Video Doorbell 3 – Enhanced WiFi, Improved Motion Detection
Best Solar HD Security Camera – Motion Activated- All-new Ring Stick Up Cam Solar HD security camera with two-way talk, Works with Alexa
Why Buy Motion Activated Home Security Camera?
Motion activated security cameras are beneficial for homeowners, business owners, or property managers looking to increase home safety. An outdoor motion sensor surveillance camera can provide the following:
- 24/7 real-time monitoring and recording of live video and audio footage
- Ability to verify intrusion via smartphone
- Increased personal safety and peace of mind
On the other hand, an indoor motion sensor surveillance camera provides the following benefits:
- Peace of mind for parents who are away from home
- Proving intruders on the property if they are caught on camera
- Real-time monitoring to check in on pets
Potential benefits of wildlife photography and other surveillance cameras:
- Wildlife observation and education (e.g. bird watching) can be beneficial to your business or for personal fulfillment
- Some wildlife observation cameras come with night vision, allowing you to observe nocturnal animals
6 Best Motion Activated Surveillance Cameras For Home
1. Swann Home Security Camera System
The Swann Home Security Camera System is an 8 channel, 8 bullet camera system that provides 24/7 protection for close-ups like faces, tattoos, labels on boxes & license plates in HD 1080p video.
Never worry about rain or snow again when you have the sturdy construction of these cameras which can withstand any climate.
The PRO-1080MSFB by Swann Security delivers 90-degree viewing angles and night vision up to 100ft in black & white and 32ft in color with a sensor warning light for nighttime visibility – no blind spot whatsoever!
With 16 infrared LED’s it sees up to 330 feet in pitch dark conditions and has a built-in powerful IR Illuminator that projects into your phone system. It has 1TB for guaranteed storage space.
Additionally, the camera is compatible with all Alexa-enabled devices, including Echo Spot, 4K Fire TV, and Echo Show. You can also use it with Google Assistant and Chromecast. Even better, you’ll have a full 12-month warranty.
2. Arlo VMS4120P-100NAS Pro 2
The Arlo VMS4120P-100NAS Pro 2 Wire-Free Home Security Camera allows you to see your home from anywhere, so you can watch what’s going on no matter where life takes you. Just download the free app and set it up in minutes.
Arlo Pro is now brighter, sharper, and more detailed with 1080p full HD quality video. It also boasts a 130″ field of view with night vision for a top-notch quality day or night monitoring at a distance that suits best.
The security camera works within a 300+ feet line of sight – which means you’ll never have any power cords or wiring hassles again!
Additionally, it has a smart siren that will enable you to stop crime before it even happens. You can control the 100-decibel siren remotely!
It comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts for long as long as you configure your setting right. We recommend that you control the sensitivity of the motion sensor, thus saving on battery life.
For example, you can configure to record a certain degree of motion, thus eliminating the chance of recording wind and such unnecessary stuff. Even better, you will get an alert on your Arlo App whenever the battery level is too low. You can also connect it to Arlo Solar if you want to go green.
3. YI 4pc Security Home Camera – Best Indoor Security Camera
Video chats with your pet or keeping an eye on young children just got a whole lot easier. YI 4pc Security Home Camera is the complete security solution for anyone who wants to scope out their space from any location in the world!
Two-way audio, motion detection, and video recording make this a must-have gadget to keep all of your important pictures and videos safe. With 940nm infrared LEDs, you can see what’s happening at night without compromising quality.
When there is no WiFi connection available, then it functions as a traditional webcam that allows you to capture that one special moment without worrying about taking up too much storage!
The possibilities are truly endless with YI 4pc Security Home Camera – get your hands on one today
4. Blink Outdoor Security Camera
Protect your home in style with the Blink Outdoor. With long-lasting battery life and reinforced wireless, you can monitor your property day or night.
Weather-resistant and tough enough to handle outdoor living, naturally soiling such as grass or pollen build-up is no match for this self-contained HD security surveillance system that’s undetectable from afar.
Blink Outdoor Camera is built with motion detection to help you protect what matters most in just a few steps. Set it up once, then let it do all of the work while monitoring on google Chromecast or android tv stick.
Outdoor features include infrared night vision and 1080p video resolution at 30 fps with optional audio recording (including zoom). It also has 2 AA lithium batteries that can run for up to 2 years.
You can talk back through two-way audio, see the activity up close on your phone app screens, and configure it so that if someone comes close enough to trigger motion sensors, all of their little trespassers will be caught red-handed for good! And who could forget about Alexa? Yes! This camera works well with Alexa.
5. WYZE Cam v3 with Color Night Vision, Wired 1080p HD Indoor/Outdoor
Need a camera for your home? The WYZE Cam v3 is a great option, with features like 1920 x 1080p HD recording and 24 infrared LEDs for night vision. With an IP65 rating, you can confidently install it outside in the rain or inside in the kids’ room.
Its phone compatibility is awesome- Android 5.0+, iOS 9.0+ to give you peace of mind that your recordings are always safe and sound wherever they go!
Additionally, no subscription is required. The free cloud storage ensures that your video recordings are safely stored in the cloud automatically.
You always have access to the last 14-days of recordings! That means no matter what happens, all of those precious moments will be intact.
WYZE Cam v3 is an all-in-one HD home security camera with motion & sound detection to keep you safe around your house, 24/7 live streaming capability, IFTTT certified connectivity for your devices and more.
Just install the Wyze Cam to continuously capture videos. Its easy installation is simple. Just plug in a power cord, run an ethernet cable outside of your home, then add a MicroSD card (sold separately) for continuous recording.
You can set custom settings like sensitivity notifications or turn them off completely. Take control of what action triggers alerts on your phone with ease so you always know when something happens at home! The only thing not included is one-way talk via Alexa.
6. ReoLink Spotlight Security Camera Wireless Outdoor
Seen anyone suspicious lurking around your property? Make use of ReoLink’s Spotlight Security Camera Wireless Outdoor Wire and get started on becoming the neighborhood watch you always set out to be.
Not only does it come with integrated 2pcs 6500K spotlights and a built-in siren, but also a push notification will pop out on your phone or tablet so you can know exactly when something fishy is going down in person.
Record motion-detected clips locally to a microSD card (up to 128GB slot available) and compatible with Reolink Cloud service which provides off-site backup and allows you to access live view and playback video history anytime, from anywhere. If that doesn’t seem like enough security for such an expensive investment, then perhaps the 4 free hours of cloud storage per month will convince you?
With this ReoLink Spotlight Security Camera Wireless, you can put your security camera anywhere outdoors and avoid that pesky cable. With motion detection and a solar panel for power, your cameras will never stop watching what needs to be watched.
Never miss a beat with this wire-free surveillance system. Designed to monitor outdoor areas where cables won’t reach (think woods or creek bed), the Reolink Spotlight Cam lets you set up an all-seeing eye like Fort Knox: simply mount it on high ground for monitoring purposes with its two included mounts.
Just beware of those pesky bugs! This waterproof device’s PIR sensor recognizes movement from as far as 33 feet away, so even if a fly lands on the lens at nightfall before your porch light goes on, the sensor will trigger recording.
Best Motion Activated Surveillance Cameras for Home [Buying Guide]
When buying your first security camera system, you’re likely to be a little confused about what exactly to look out for. If you’re in such a situation, then this guide is specially made for you!
We’ve put together a list of the top security camera system features, along with what you should bear in mind when buying your first surveillance system.
This guide is broken down into 8 sections:
1. Resolution
This section will tell you how many pixels are on the image sensor and what determines image quality.
It’s important to know that this number does not determine whether the camera has night vision, though some systems do come with a low pixel count or the term ‘black and white’.
Higher-resolution security camera systems can capture more detail of a scene, which makes it easier to identify specific items. A high pixel count means crisper images and better overall image quality. This is especially important when identifying faces.
Ideally, an excellent home security camera should be 4K resolution – 3840 x 2160p or about 8MP. This is the highest on the ranks and it will offer an aspect ratio of 16:9.
However, there are other equally good resolutions available for home security cameras including 2MP (1080p), 5MP (1920p), and 8MP (4K/2160p). These cameras will offer the best resolution that will yield stable image quality – both during the day and at night.
2. Night vision
Having a home security camera that can enable you to view clear images even at night is a plus for your security.
This simply means that even when it’s dark, you can still catch all the action.
However, most security cameras in the market do not come with this feature and one way to get around this is by ensuring that your camera has a built-in infrared light.
This will enable the camera to capture images in low-light conditions.
However, you should note that infrared lights might be visible to individuals who are doing something illegal and want to stay hidden. On the other hand, regular illumination such as streetlights or lighting from a passing vehicle may make it difficult for you to view an image at night – this type is called light pollution.
3. Range
Range refers to the distance from which your wireless security camera can be able to capture images and transmit them back to you.
A wider range means that you can have a clear view of an area from further away – this will come in handy if a lot is going on.
Alternatively, if the range is too short, you will be forced to install your security camera closer to an area that requires monitoring. This may not give you the desired results, rendering the entire purpose of having a home surveillance camera useless.
4. Field of View
Field of view is the area that your wireless security camera can monitor at any given time.
What this means is that if you want to monitor a large area such as the front yard, backyard, and garage – you will need three wireless security cameras instead of just one.
A wide field of view will allow your camera to capture more activities and areas at once – providing the best overall coverage for your home and property. On the other hand, a narrow field of view will mean that you have to have several video surveillance cameras installed in different locations around your home.
5. Audio/Sound Recording
This section talks about how your camera can capture audio and any features related to this capability.
6. Connectivity
This section talks about what kinds of devices your wireless security camera works with.
7. Power supply
This section talks about the power source of the wireless security camera and whether it has an internal battery or not.
8. Weatherproofing
The weatherproof rating for your home security cameras affects how long they can endure in tough conditions such as rain, snow, or harsh winds.
What should you look for when buying a wireless security camera?
1. Look At the Size of the Device
One thing you want to avoid with wireless surveillance cameras is getting an awkwardly-sized one that either sticks out or can be hard to install. Instead, opt for something that can blend into your home environment and won’t stand out like a sore thumb.
Ideally, you want something unnoticeable but can still provide the best coverage for your home or property.
2. Check Night Vision Capability
As previously mentioned, infrared lights come in handy when it comes to capturing activity at night without having to rely on street lights and other light sources.
Proper illumination will allow you to get a clear view of your home at night without having to rely on other factors such as the weather and natural light outside. Another thing to look out for is the camera’s ability to adjust according to lighting conditions – this way, it will be able to adapt when there are subtle changes in the environment.
At the end of the day, there are many types and brands of wireless security cameras out there – but finding one that suits your needs perfectly is a matter of finding the best wireless surveillance camera. While it may take a bit more time and effort in researching all the models available in stores or online, this will be well worth it when you get a durable and effective wireless security camera.
3. Type of Camera You Need
Motion sensor surveillance cameras vary by the type of subject needed for detection. Some motion activated cameras and sensors include:
- Passive infrared (PIR) heat signature motion sensor allows detection of warm-blooded subjects like people
- A camera-based motion sensor allows detection of movement via video stream
A passive infrared (PIR) heat signature motion sensor detects the heat signatures of warm-blooded animals, people, and pets. This type is typically used for interior surveillance to detect human presence versus passive infrared motion sensors that are better suited outside or in wildlife observation cameras.
Wireless motion sensor camera with night vision technology has increased portability for operation in any direction
4. Consider Added Features
- 1080p HD Security Camera – Motion Activated allows for full-color video feed during daylight hours and monochrome picture at night
- Built-in microphone records audio in addition to video footage when users are out of the home or office
- Most cameras offer an option to save video footage in cloud storage for a charge. Cloud storage is beneficial when homeowners are away from home and need access to the videos via smartphone or computer.
- Compatibility with Google Assistant, Alexa, among other assistants
5. Types of Surveillance Cameras
Surveillance cameras can be broken down into two types: wired and wireless.
Wired security cameras will always have an initial cost, but they allow for a more reliable connection to the internet and other devices.
Wireless security cameras are beneficial in that they allow owners options for mounting positions without being tethered to a power source or network wire, but wireless networks have been known to be unreliable depending on location.
Can You Turn Motion Sensors Off?
One of the disadvantages of motion sensor surveillance cameras is that the motion sensors cannot be turned off. For those who are frequently at home, it can lead to a lot of false alarms and notifications. There is also the possibility that the subject may break more than one camera as they vandalize your property or cause mischief around the home.
However, there are options for homeowners to turn on and off alerts that notify them when there is movement on any of the surveillance cameras.
Best Motion Activated Surveillance Cameras for Home- Conclusion
As a note, a wireless connection doesn’t mean that the camera has fewer wires or fewer parts. To connect your wireless security cameras to a main power source and device such as a monitor, you need the right cords and cables for this task.
The best way to ensure that everything is working properly is if you test out your new wireless surveillance cameras on your home or property. See if the device captures and records everything it should and if the wireless connection works as intended.
Do this for each camera you purchase to ensure that they all function correctly and will provide you with the footage and information you need when someone breaks into your premises.
The bottom line is, while some surveillance cameras can be expensive, they’re a worthwhile investment to protect your home and property – not only will you deter criminals from trying to trespass on your property but you’ll also have a way of collecting evidence against them if they do.
Finally, after purchasing a good wireless security camera system for the outdoors, make sure that you test it out before the return period ends or you will have a hard time getting your money back. Also, follow through on the other security precautions listed above to further ensure that your home and property are safe from criminals.
So, if you’re planning on buying a wireless surveillance camera for home or outdoor use, the information above should be enough to help you purchase one. Just remember to take your time and opt for a durable and effective system that will let you monitor your home or property in real-time.