ADT® Authorized Dealer Serving The Entire St. Louis Metro Area
Outdoor camera in St. Louis
August 27, 2020

What To Look For When Buying A New Home Security Camera In St. Louis

Most home security systems use at least one home security camera in St. Louis. But with many different brands and features for cameras, it's tricky to know what’s really important in a camera. Do you purchase one from a big-box store and install it yourself? Or is it preferable to get your cameras installed by a pro? Should you ask for one that live streams in full HD? How do you decide between an outdoor camera right under the overhang or a doorbell camera?

To discuss these questions and more, here is what you should look for in a St Louis home security camera.

Three types of security cameras in St. Louis

Types Of Home Security Cameras in St. Louis

There are mostly three different types of home security cameras in St. Louis. Each type has a specific type of use and should easily integrate with your home security system:

  • Outdoor home security camera: These kinds of cameras hang on the outside of your home to provide a view of your yard and common entrances.

  • Indoor home security cameras: Indoor cameras are fixed to a wall or rest on a level surface, and usually view one room within your house.

  • Doorbell cameras: A doorbell camera replaces your current doorbell and lets you see who’s on your front porch.

How Do You Know It’s A “Good” Security Camera In St. Louis?

Stroll through the security camera aisle in a big-box store, and you’ll discover that there’s a lot of discrepancy in camera quality and capabilities. Here’s a list of features to look for in your home security camera:

  • Wide field of vision: You’ll likely want your camera to see as much area as possible. Without a wide-angle lens, you’ll likely have blind spots and spots for intruders to hide. Try to find cameras with at least a 140° to 180° field of vision.

  • Low-light vision: It doesn’t do you much good if your security cameras can’t view what’s going on at night. You will want a camera that uses infrared LEDs that offer nighttime illumination.

  • HD resolution: The days of pixelated blobs should be behind you. Only consider cameras that record and stream in 720 high-definition or higher.

  • Durable construction: Your exterior security cameras need to be able to function when there’s poor weather like storms, heat waves, or cold temperatures (some even include a built-in heater). Your interior cameras should survive if they’re bumped or lightly fall to the floor.

  • Motion detection: Although you can program your cameras for a non-stop record, that requires a lot of recording space and power. We recommend looking for a security camera with motion sensors that starts to automatically record when it senses motion.

  • Two-way talk: Doorbell cameras should include an intercom system, making it easy to talk with guests or delivery people without opening the door. However, the same 2-way audio functionality is nice capability with indoor or outdoor cameras, also.

  • Wireless capabilities: A wireless camera can go anywhere outside or in your home, and is easy to move if you’d like it somewhere else. Wireless placement is typically preferable to wiring your camera to your electric wiring.

  • A simple mobile app: What good is a security camera if it’s a pain to view its feeds? Get cameras with a mobile app that lets you see live feeds in high-definition, record and save clips, and get alerts when your cameras sense movement. It helps when your security app also syncs with your overall security and home automation system.       

Is It Best To Have Your Home Security Cameras Professionally Installed?

Once you have learned what’s important for you in a home security camera, you have to choose if you should get your cameras [[professionally installed|installed by a pro|installed by a professional. If you’re comfortable with tools, you may be able to install your cameras yourself. But if you are unsure the best spots for your cameras, or have questions about the tech, go ahead and get professional installation. Professionals, like Secure24 Alarm Systems, will place your cameras for maximum security and connect your cameras to the mobile app. You may also look into professional installation if your security cameras pair to a complete residential security system.

Find The Best Home Security Cameras in St. Louis With Secure24 Alarm Systems

The best home security cameras with professional installation in St. Louis come from Secure24 Alarm Systems. Simply contact us at (314) 274-9817 or complete the form below to receive your complimentary quote. We’ll discuss your best options and how your cameras can integrate with your residential security system.