Indoor Security Camera Buying Guide: How To Find the Perfect Fit

When it comes to home security, you need the right tools to protect both the outside and inside of your property. One of the best ways to keep an eye on your home is to use a home security camera.

Security cameras are the foundation of an effective home security system. Depending on the layout of your home, you might use an indoor camera, a weatherproof outdoor security camera, or both.

This guide discusses indoor cameras, explains why you might consider getting indoor security cameras, and teaches you how to choose the best one for your security needs.

Why to consider an indoor security camera

There are several benefits to having an indoor security camera. They include:

Improving your home's security. Motion detectors alert you when they pick up movement, such as an intruder trying to enter your home. Sometimes, just seeing a security camera in your home is enough to make an intruder flee. The Vivint Spotlight Camera Pro will also illuminate a floodlight when it detects motion.
Helping care for loved ones. For example, you might have small children to watch over or parents with health issues. Indoor cameras let you keep an eye on them in real time from anywhere, and some have two-way talk functionality that lets you speak to people in your home to ensure everything's OK.
Evidence after a break-in. Indoor security cameras use either local storage or cloud storage to save home surveillance video clips. This can help law enforcement catch someone after they've committed a crime on your property.
Pet care. With the right smart tech, you can see, talk to, and even feed your animals from anywhere.

How to choose the best indoor security camera

The best indoor security camera system might look different for each person. Cameras come with an assortment of features and at a variety of price points. But before deciding which features you need, you'll need to think about the following based on your situation.

Deciding between wired and wireless options

First, consider whether you'll need a wired or a wireless (WiFi) security camera.

Wired cameras need to be tied into your home's electrical wiring. They typically use a coaxial cable to send recorded video clips to an on-site storage device. This is called local storage.

Wireless cameras work using your Wi-Fi internet instead of a wired connection, such as power over Ethernet (PoE). They'll generally send footage to a cloud storage service, although some wireless cameras use microSD cards to store video locally. A Wi-Fi security camera may also be compatible with other smart home devices. Vivint's Indoor Camera will also send notifications to your smartphone when there are issues in your home.

Some wireless systems use plug-in cameras. This means that even though the camera uses wireless internet, it still needs to be plugged into a socket to get power. Other wireless cameras are totally wire-free (battery-powered) and can be installed virtually anywhere.

However, if you have a wire-free model, you'll have to pay attention to its battery life to keep your camera operating continually. Some wire-free systems use a rechargeable battery, while others use disposable batteries.

Now, we'll go over some other helpful features indoor cameras can have.

Features to consider when choosing an indoor security camera

The features you'll need from a security camera can depend on things like your preferences and living arrangements. Here's what to look for based on your needs:

1080p resolution. While most security cameras capture high-quality HD video, not all cameras shoot in full HD, such as 1080p or 2K resolution. A camera with full HD video quality will provide crystal-clear images and video of your home.
Night vision. Cameras with night vision will provide clear video recording in low-light or even no-light settings. Night vision can clearly capture an intruder's face or help with day-to-day tasks, like monitoring a napping baby. Some cameras even have color night vision.
Motion detection. A camera with motion detectors will start filming the moment it senses movement in your home and may send real-time motion alerts to your smartphone so you can see what's going on if you're not home.
Smart home integrations. A smart security camera can connect with the rest of the devices in your smart home security system, like your smart lighting equipment and smart locks. This compatibility lets you do things like program your doors to lock and the motion sensors in your camera to automatically activate when you leave for work in the morning.
A mobile app. A reliable smart home mobile app will let you manage, control, and see live video or video clips from your smart surveillance camera remotely from your phone, computer, or tablet. An app also allows you to operate your security system through voice control using a home hub like Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
Two-way audio. This lets you speak to people on the other end of your camera from your control panel or smartphone. With two-way audio, you can tell an intruder they're on video, check in with your family members, or tell your dog to get off your new couch while you're away.
A wide field of view. Your camera's field of view is the area it can see from side to side. A camera with a wide field of view of 130 degrees or more will let you keep tabs on a large area of a room.
Pan tilt. Indoor cameras with a pan-tilt feature can rotate all the way around to see the entirety of a room.
Storage options. A camera with cloud storage will let you store clips from your camera online. Many security companies offer a cloud video storage plan for a monthly fee.
Person detection. Cameras with person detection can differentiate between human movement and other types of motion (like pets or swaying trees). This helps to reduce false alarms and ensures you only receive notifications when there's a genuine security concern.
NVR vs. DVR. Network video recorders (NVRs) are designed for IP cameras and store video data digitally over a network. Digital video recorders (DVRs), on the other hand, are typically used with analog cameras to record video data on a local hard drive.

Discover the best indoor security camera options from Vivint

If you're looking for effective ways to protect your home, consider the Indoor Camera offered by Vivint. Our camera has features like motion detection, two-way audio, and night vision that can provide your home with excellent coverage.

Whether you're looking for an indoor security camera, a weather-resistant cam for outdoor use, a smart floodlight camera, video doorbells, or any other home security device, Vivint has you covered. Our smart home security cameras even integrate with smart tools like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

If you want your security camera to be a part of a wider smart home system, our experts can help you design and install your ideal smart home setup.

Call us at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.

Have more questions about indoor cams? Below, we've answered some common questions consumers have about indoor cameras. Keep reading to find answers to your questions.

What is the difference between a wireless camera and a Wi-Fi camera?

While often used interchangeably, a "wireless camera" generally refers to any camera that doesn't require physical wires for power or data transmission, while a "Wi-Fi camera" specifically connects to your home's Wi-Fi network for wireless data transfer.

Can you install an indoor security camera yourself?

While it's possible to install an indoor security camera and other security equipment yourself, doing so can be difficult. Unless you have professional experience mounting and configuring security devices, you could damage your equipment during DIY installation.

Some security companies will even void your warranty if you don't have a professional install your camera. That's why security companies like Vivint offer professional installation. An expert installer will ensure that you get the most out of your security camera.

Can indoor security cameras integrate with existing smart home components?

Smart indoor security cameras can use your home's Wi-Fi connection to communicate with other smart devices. If you want your indoor security camera to be part of your home's automation system, you'll need to find a camera that integrates with all the devices you already have.

The easiest way to ensure all your smart devices work together is to rely on a trustworthy security company to set up your smart security system. When you purchase a system from Vivint, we'll set you up with an expert who can guide you through the process of choosing interconnected smart home devices to meet your security needs.

How can I hide my indoor security camera?

There are a few reasons you might want to hide your indoor security camera. You don't want intruders to identify, tamper with, or avoid them. You also may not want to make visitors feel like they're being recorded all the time.

Try hiding your camera in an everyday object in your home. For example, you might put a security camera in a plant or a picture frame on your shelf. Another way to conceal your cameras is to mount them high on your wall or ceiling, where intruders are less likely to catch a glimpse of them.

Are indoor security cameras worth it?

Indoor security cameras are great instruments for protecting valuables, privacy, and family. With smart indoor cameras, you can monitor your home from work, school, or anywhere else.

If you want the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home is protected when you're away from it, consider getting an indoor home security camera.