Types of Home Security Cameras and Their Applications

Home security cameras come in two main categories: indoor and outdoor. They are further sub-categorized as wired, wireless, battery-powered, AC powered, floodlight, and doorbell cameras. Outdoor cameras have protective coatings that enable them to withstand harsh conditions such as rain, sun, and dust. For this reason, they are more durable and also more expensive to buy.

This article explores the various types of indoor and outdoor security cameras.

1. Wired Indoor Security Cameras

Typically, wired indoor cameras are dome cameras that can be screwed to ceilings. They focus on a wide field inside a home and require professional installation. A coaxial cable or an ethernet cable connects wired indoor security cameras to a central recording device. 

2. Wireless Indoor Cameras

They are also known as IP or Wi-Fi cameras. They use internet protocol (IP) addresses instead of physical connections to communicate with other devices. They can transmit video footages to a smartphone, computer, or store them in the cloud. They are easy to install since they don’t use a wired network.

3. Wireless Outdoor Security Cameras

Like wireless indoor cameras, wireless outdoor cameras use Wi-Fi technology to interconnect and transmit video footage. However, they are larger, weather resistant and have mounting plates for mounting on the walls. They also provide a wider field of view.

4. Wire-free Outdoor Security Cameras

Wire-free outdoor cameras are similar to wireless outdoor cameras, except that they run on rechargeable batteries. They usually have motion sensors that trigger them to record videos whenever there is motion in their field of view.

5. Floodlight Cameras

Floodlight cameras are outdoor cameras with floodlights that enable them to capture clearer views at night. These types of cameras use power from the outlet and sometimes can be hard-wired to existing lights.

6. Doorbell Security Cameras

Doorbell cameras are outdoor cameras that allow homeowners to monitor their front door, whether they are in the house or away. They can be connected to smartphones, computers, or smart TVs to enable homeowners to see and talk to anyone at their door.

Doorbell cameras usually have motion sensors that trigger action when they detect motion or when a someone presses the doorbell.