Home Security Cameras: 5 Indoor and Outdoor Options

Quick Summary

This guide compares five home security cameras suitable for UK properties including indoor and outdoor installations. Options include wired and wireless models with cloud storage, local storage, and integration with smart home systems.

Modern home security cameras capture video in resolutions from 1080p to 4K, with many including night vision capabilities using infrared LEDs. Cameras connect via WiFi (wireless) or Ethernet (wired), with some models offering both options for installation flexibility.

Storage methods include cloud services (subscription-based), local SD cards, or network video recorders (NVRs). Many cameras incorporate motion detection, person detection using AI, and two-way audio for communicating through the camera. Weather-resistant outdoor models feature IP65 or IP66 ratings protecting against dust and water.

The cameras featured here represent various approaches to home security, from basic indoor monitoring to comprehensive outdoor surveillance with advanced AI features. All models work with UK WiFi networks and power supplies, available from major retailers.

Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)

Ring Indoor Cam Product Image

The Ring Indoor Cam provides basic home monitoring with Ring ecosystem integration. This compact wired camera offers 1080p video, two-way audio, and motion-activated recording with cloud storage through Ring Protect subscription.

Key Specifications

Resolution: 1080p HD video
Field of view: 115 degrees diagonal
Night vision: Yes, infrared
Audio: Two-way talk with noise cancellation
Power: Mains powered (USB cable included)
Storage: Cloud only (Ring Protect subscription required for recording)

Pros

Integration with Ring ecosystem including doorbells and alarms
Compact design suitable for shelf or wall mounting
Privacy shutter physically blocks lens when camera disabled
Alexa integration for voice control and viewing on Echo Show
Competitive initial purchase price

Cons

Requires Ring Protect subscription (from £3.49/month) for video recording
No local storage option available
Wired power only (no battery option)
Person detection requires higher-tier subscription

Typical Use: Indoor monitoring for existing Ring ecosystem users. Suitable for pet monitoring, home security, or keeping eye on deliveries.

Budget

View on Amazon UK

TP-Link Tapo C200

TP-Link Tapo C200 Product Image

The Tapo C200 offers pan-and-tilt functionality with local storage capability. This budget indoor camera provides 1080p video, motion tracking, and recording to microSD card without subscription requirements.

Key Specifications

Resolution: 1080p Full HD
Pan/Tilt: 360° horizontal, 114° vertical rotation
Night vision: Up to 9 metres infrared
Audio: Two-way audio with built-in microphone and speaker
Storage: MicroSD card up to 256GB (card not included)
Detection: Motion detection with activity notifications

Pros

Pan-and-tilt covers entire room without multiple cameras
Local storage eliminates ongoing subscription costs
Motion tracking follows detected movement automatically
Sound and light alarm can deter intruders
Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

Cons

No battery option (mains power required)
Indoor use only (not weatherproof)
MicroSD card purchased separately
Cloud storage requires Tapo Care subscription if desired

Typical Use: Cost-effective indoor monitoring with flexible viewing angles. Suitable for individuals avoiding subscription services.

Budget

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Blink Outdoor 4

Blink Outdoor 4 Product Image

The Blink Outdoor 4 operates on AA batteries with up to 2-year life span. This wireless outdoor camera offers 1080p video, infrared night vision, and integration with Amazon Alexa ecosystem.

Key Specifications

Resolution: 1080p HD video
Field of view: 143 degrees diagonal
Battery: 2× AA lithium batteries (included), up to 2 years
Weather resistance: IP65 rated
Night vision: Infrared with enhanced night view
Storage: Cloud (Blink Subscription) or USB drive via Sync Module 2

Pros

Wire-free installation with 2-year battery life
IP65 weather resistance suitable for UK outdoor conditions
Wide 143-degree field of view captures large areas
Local storage option via Sync Module 2 with USB drive
Person detection included without additional subscription

Cons

Cloud storage requires Blink Subscription (from £2.50/month)
Sync Module 2 required for local storage (sold separately)
Recording limited to motion-triggered clips (not continuous)
Lower video quality than mains-powered alternatives

Typical Use: Wireless outdoor monitoring where mains power unavailable. Battery operation suits rental properties or locations without exterior outlets.

Budget

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Eufy SoloCam S340

Eufy SoloCam S340 Product Image

The SoloCam S340 incorporates solar charging and dual cameras for pan-and-tilt outdoor surveillance. This wireless camera provides 3K resolution, AI person detection, and local storage without subscription requirements.

Key Specifications

Resolution: 3K (2304×1296) main camera, 2K telephoto
Pan/Tilt: 360° horizontal, 70° vertical motorised rotation
Power: Solar panel with battery backup
Storage: 8GB local storage built-in
Weather resistance: IP65 rated
AI: Person, vehicle, and pet detection

Pros

Solar charging eliminates battery replacement
No subscription fees for AI features or storage
3K resolution provides detailed imagery
Dual cameras enable wide and telephoto views
AI accurately differentiates people, vehicles, and pets

Cons

Higher initial purchase cost
Solar charging requires adequate sunlight exposure
8GB storage limited compared to expandable microSD
Larger size than basic security cameras

Typical Use: Comprehensive outdoor monitoring without ongoing costs. Solar power suits sunny locations with good daylight exposure.

Premium

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Reolink RLC-810A

Reolink RLC-810A Product Image

The RLC-810A delivers 4K video with Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectivity. This wired outdoor camera features person and vehicle AI detection, colour night vision, and local NVR recording capability.

Key Specifications

Resolution: 4K (3840×2160) 8MP
Field of view: 87 degrees
Power: PoE (Power over Ethernet)
Night vision: Colour night vision with spotlight
Storage: MicroSD (up to 256GB) or NVR
AI: Person and vehicle detection

Pros

4K resolution captures fine details for identification
PoE provides power and data through single cable
Colour night vision with spotlight improves nighttime clarity
No subscription required for AI features or local storage
Compatible with Reolink NVR for multi-camera systems

Cons

Requires PoE switch or injector (not included)
Installation complexity higher than wireless alternatives
No battery backup during power outages
Premium pricing reflects professional positioning

Typical Use: Professional-grade outdoor surveillance for individuals building comprehensive multi-camera systems. PoE suits new installations or properties with existing structured cabling.

Premium

View on Amazon UK

Toolkit Extras for Security Installs

Seal every install with a few pro-level touches.

Mounting hardware pack

Keep masonry bits, wall plugs, and UV-rated cable clips so outdoor mounts stay solid.
Add silicone grommets to weatherproof cable penetrations.

Power & data labels

Label PoE ports, breakers, and USB chargers to simplify future troubleshooting.
Create a laminated map showing which camera covers each zone.

Privacy & update log

Track firmware versions and subscription renewals to avoid expired cloud storage.
Document where privacy masks are applied for compliance checks.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Ring Indoor	Tapo C200	Blink Outdoor	Eufy SoloCam	Reolink 810A
Resolution	1080p	1080p	1080p	3K	4K
Location	Indoor	Indoor	Outdoor	Outdoor	Outdoor
Power	Wired	Wired	Battery	Solar	PoE
Storage	Cloud only	MicroSD	Cloud/USB	Built-in 8GB	MicroSD/NVR
Subscription	Required	Optional	Optional	None	None
Pan/Tilt	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Price	Budget	Budget	Budget	Premium	Premium

Things to Consider When Choosing Home Security Cameras

Indoor vs Outdoor Installation

Indoor cameras lack weather protection and should not be exposed to rain or extreme temperatures. Outdoor cameras feature IP65 or IP66 ratings indicating dust and water resistance. Weather-resistant housings protect against UK rainfall and temperature variations. Some cameras function both indoors and outdoors if weatherproof. Consider placement requirements: outdoor cameras benefit from eaves or overhangs providing additional protection whilst maintaining clear view of monitored areas.

Wired vs Wireless Power

Wired cameras require mains power or PoE connections, ensuring continuous operation without battery concerns. Installation complexity increases with wired cameras requiring cable routing. Battery-powered wireless cameras offer installation flexibility but require periodic recharging or battery replacement (typically 2-6 months depending on activity and settings). Solar-powered cameras combine wireless convenience with minimal maintenance in locations receiving adequate sunlight.

Resolution and Image Quality

1080p (2 megapixel) represents minimum recommended resolution for identifying faces and reading number plates at moderate distances. 2K-3K cameras (3-4 megapixel) improve detail clarity. 4K cameras (8 megapixel) capture fine details but require more storage space and bandwidth. Higher resolution benefits cameras monitoring large areas or positioned far from subjects. Consider that increasing resolution increases file sizes and may require faster internet for cloud uploads.

Night Vision Capabilities

Infrared night vision uses IR LEDs invisible to human eyes, producing black-and-white images in complete darkness. Effective range typically 8-15 metres for consumer cameras. Colour night vision incorporates white LED spotlights or starlight sensors maintaining colour imagery in low light. Spotlights may disturb neighbours or alert intruders to camera presence. Some cameras offer both infrared and spotlight modes selectable based on preference.

Storage Options and Costs

Cloud storage requires monthly or annual subscriptions (typically £3-10/month per camera or property). Benefits include off-site backup protecting against camera theft or damage, and accessibility from anywhere with internet. Local storage (microSD cards, USB drives, NVRs) eliminates ongoing fees but requires physical access to retrieve footage. Cards typically 32-256GB storing 2-30 days of motion-triggered recordings depending on activity levels. Consider that cloud storage subscription costs accumulate over camera lifespan potentially exceeding camera purchase price.

AI Detection and Smart Alerts

Basic motion detection triggers on any movement including pets, vehicles, trees, shadows, potentially causing frequent false alerts. Person detection AI differentiates humans from other motion sources, reducing false notifications. Vehicle detection identifies cars entering driveways. Pet detection available on some cameras. Package detection alerts when deliveries appear. Accuracy varies between manufacturers and models. Some brands include AI features without subscriptions whilst others paywall advanced detection behind premium plans.

Field of View and Coverage Area

Field of view determines area visible to camera. Narrow fields (70-90 degrees) focus on specific zones like doorways. Wide fields (110-143 degrees) monitor larger areas with single camera but reduce detail at edges. Pan-and-tilt cameras rotate to cover 360 degrees but cannot monitor entire area simultaneously. Multiple fixed cameras often more effective than single PTZ for comprehensive coverage. Calculate required cameras based on property layout and monitoring objectives.

Two-Way Audio and Intercom

Built-in microphones capture audio accompanying video footage. Speakers enable talking through cameras to delivery personnel, visitors, or potential intruders. Audio quality varies significantly: budget cameras provide basic intelligibility whilst premium models incorporate noise cancellation and echo reduction. Consider privacy regulations: audio recording subject to stricter legal requirements than video in UK. Some locations prohibit audio recording in semi-public spaces.

Smart Home Integration

Cameras integrate with smart home platforms (Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit) enabling voice control and viewing on smart displays. IFTTT support automates actions based on camera events (e.g., turn on lights when person detected). HomeKit Secure Video stores encrypted footage in iCloud with no separate subscription for up to 5 cameras. Platform compatibility important for individuals with existing smart home ecosystems.

Installation and Mounting

Magnetic mounts offer quickest installation but may not secure cameras adequately in exposed locations. Screw mounts provide permanent secure attachment requiring drilling. Adjustable mounts enable precise camera angling. Consider cable routing for wired cameras: external conduit protects cables whilst maintaining professional appearance. PoE cameras require Ethernet cable routing which may necessitate professional installation unless existing network infrastructure available.