How Many Security Cameras Do You Need?

When it comes to home protection, you might think it’s better to have cameras covering every inch of your house. In modern times, this isn’t necessary because many of the cameras available on the market have a wide range of coverage or can track moving objects. Let’s go over exactly how many you need so that you can rest assured you’re well protected. You want good coverage without breaking the bank!

The short answer is that a home security system needs between two and six cameras. Simple, right? Not quite. Three factors go into the right decision.

#1: What areas do you need to cover?

When deciding on the number of cameras needed, you must consider the areas you’d like to record. This includes both indoor and outdoor spaces. The most common areas are:

  • Driveway
  • Front porch
  • Back deck
  • Front yard
  • Back yard
  • Sides of the house
  • Hallways
  • Living rooms
  • Children’s bedrooms
  • Sheds or storage areas
  • Rooms with safes installed

Added up, that’s over ten cameras. Thankfully, you can cover some of these areas with a single camera. For instance, you can angle your front porch camera to cover the driveway and front yard and your shed camera to cover the backyard and one side of the house. You’re already saving money and still keeping yourself protected. Similarly, a hallway camera can also cover the living room in most cases. If you’re still confused about placement, draw out your property and the viewing degree of the camera you’re interested in so that you can better see the coverage. Once you puzzle it out, you have your answer on the number of cameras needed.

#2: What’s your budget?

As previously mentioned, some cameras have high degrees of visibility or motion tracking, but these are on the expensive end of the spectrum. Buying two high-quality cameras can cost more than buying six fixed position cameras. Similarly, you don’t need the same amount of coverage inside as you do outside. You can purchase different types of cameras that fit your budget. Keep in mind that you needn’t buy every camera at once. You can acquire them over time if that’s what your budget allows. The bottom line is that you want to choose quality without putting yourself in a monetary dearth.

#3: Video Storage and Security Access

The last thing you need to consider is video storage and security access. Will you be purchasing a cloud subscription? Will you be using an SD card? Do you want the security system connected to a security firm that can show up during an emergency? These options change the price and availability of the cameras, as well as how many are required.

In some cases, you can rent a system for a monthly fee from a security company. In other cases, your purchase might be owned outright but only gives you access to a particular responder. Be sure to include this in your purchasing decision, so you know what to expect!