CCTV and Security Camera Buying Guide

CCTV and security cameras are the perfect solution for monitoring a home or a business. They help deter theft and crime and are useful for business security, or at home, for checking on pets and family members. But with so much choice available, it can be hard to know which home CCTV systems to buy. 

This CCTV guide tells you everything you need to know about CCTV and security cameras to help you decide. It covers what CCTV is, the types of CCTV cameras available, and their features. We also give tips on calculating the number of cameras you need, where to position them, ways you can store the data, and things to consider before buying.

Wired CCTV cameras use cables for power, internet connection and video transmission. There are two ways this can work. 

1. Cameras with a BNC connection are wired into the electrical circuit. They have a cable that runs from the camera to a DVR recorder. There's then another cable that connects the DVR recorder to the internet router.  
2. Cameras with an ethernet (PoE) connection use an RJ45 cable which provides both power and an internet connection in one cable. This cable connects the camera to an NVR recorder which is connected to the internet router.

All wired CCTV cameras sold at Screwfix are also WiFi-enabled. This means that wired versions will have the option of transmitting data through a WiFi connection in addition to the wired connection. This provides backup data storage and allows the user to view footage live, from anywhere in the world, through a smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC, or smart TV. Wired CCTV cameras are more reliable than the other options, but their installation process is more disruptive.

WiFi CCTV cameras (also known as Smart CCTV cameras) are often mistakenly referred to as wireless. However, that’s misleading. The 'wireless' part comes from these cameras transmitting their footage wirelessly from the camera to a smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC or smart TV through a WiFi connection. But they still need wires to connect them to a power supply. WiFi CCTV cameras are easier to install than wired versions. However, their reliability can be hampered by a poor WiFi signal which may be weak in some areas of the home or business. Although installing a WiFi extender will help. 

Wire-free CCTV cameras are the only cameras with no wires at all. Instead, they are battery-powered and transmit their footage wirelessly from the camera to a smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC or smart TV through a WiFi connection.Wire-free cameras are much easier to install than 'wireless' and wired cameras because they can be positioned anywhere and don't require electrical wiring work. The only downside is the batteries will have to be changed every so often. And if the camera is placed in a high-use area with a lot of motion to trigger it, the battery will drain quickly. Also, the image quality on wire-free CCTV cameras isn't usually as good as other types of cameras because the footage is compressed to conserve battery life. If you're considering buying wire-free CCTV cameras, look for cameras with long battery life (one year) and rechargeable batteries. If it's an outdoor camera, look for one with a solar panel, so it charges from the sun.

The best outdoor security cameras are more robust and weatherproof than indoor cameras. They’re able to withstand high and freezing temperatures, as well as wind, rain, snow and hail. To determine how weatherproof a camera is, look at its IP (ingress protection) rating (not to be confused with an IP – internet protocol – system). The IP rating refers to how much protection the camera gets from its casing, and it's shown using the letters IP, followed by two numbers.  

• The first number will be 5 or 6, which refers to how resistant the casing is to dust. 5 means some dust will get into the case, while 6 is totally dust-proof. 

• The second number will be 5, 6 or 7 and refers to how water resistant the casing is. A rating of 5 is water-resistant, while 7 is waterproof. 

When choosing an outdoor CCTV camera, consider how it will be connected to power and the internet. The best outdoor CCTV cameras use WiFi to connect to the internet because it's hard to run internet cables outside. A wired connection is best for power, but it may be tricky to install. A wire-free, battery-powered camera is the easiest to install outdoors but consider how accessible the camera will be for battery changes. 

Other useful features to consider for an outdoor CCTV camera are night vision, motion sensors and a wide-angle lens. Some outdoor cameras record in HDR (high dynamic range), eliminating glare and shadows. And some cameras come with heat detection, which is more reliable than motion detection alone. Some cameras also play a noise through a speaker when it senses movement (such as a barking dog) to deter intruders.   

The best indoor security cameras for a home or business will depend on the size of the rooms they will be used in and what they will be used for. 

If you need multiple cameras for indoor and outdoor use, consider buying a CCTV system with several cameras that can be used in both areas. These kits are usually more cost-effective than purchasing single cameras. But, if you just need one camera for indoors, opt for indoor use only camera, as it will cost less than an outdoor one. 

If camera footage is going to successfully identify an intruder, then a high-resolution camera is a must. Resolution is measured in pixels, and a resolution of at least 720p is recommended, but 1080p is even better. 

Other useful features to consider for indoor CCTV cameras are night vision and motion sensors. Also, consider the camera viewing range (measured in degrees). Large rooms will benefit from a wider viewing range than small rooms.  

Smart security cameras also make great indoor security cameras. They connect to the internet through WiFi, and footage is viewed on a smartphone or tablet from anywhere in the world. Alerts can be sent to a mobile phone if the camera is activated so the homeowner or business owner can check-in to see if there's an intruder or a false alarm. They can also be used to check on a business, or pets and family members when away from home.  

To get the maximum field of view, indoor security cameras are best placed high up in the corners of rooms. Preferably facing the door to get a front view of anyone entering the room. Ensure they are angled correctly too. If the angle is too high, they will only record the top of an intruder's head If the cameras need to be wired in, choose a corner that’s closest to an electricity supply. It’s also important to ensure they’re securely fixed in place with screws so they can’t easily be knocked down. 

Also, be mindful of reflections and glare as these will reduce the quality of the video footage. In a sunny room, point the camera away from direct sunlight. Also, be careful of glare bouncing off mirrors. 

If you’re installing a WiFi CCTV camera, check it will get a strong enough signal from the WiFi router to work. WiFi extenders can be installed if the signal is weak. 

Outdoor cameras should be secured to a firm surface at a height of at least 10m. This ensures they get the best view and puts them out of reach so they can't be tampered with. Don't put them in front of anything that can obstruct their view, such as trees and bushes. And ensure they are tilted down at the right angle to capture what's going on at ground level. 

WiFi CCTV cameras are the easiest cameras to install outside. But a home's WiFi signal is often weaker outside than inside, considering it has to travel through solid walls. So, check the signal, and if it's not strong enough, either move it to an area with a stronger signal or install a WiFi extender. 

The number of cameras you need to install in a home depends on the size of the house and the level of security required. Below is a list of all the places you could potentially install CCTV cameras: 

• Entrances: As a minimum, install an indoor camera pointing to the main entrance at ground floor level. But, to increase security, you could install one at every entrance. This could cover a front and back/side door, as well as any doors that lead into the garden.
• Hallway/landing: Since most rooms are accessed via a hallway or landing, installing cameras in these areas means an intruder can't avoid being captured as they move from room to room.
• Ground floor, off-street windows: If an intruder enters a home through a window, they'll choose one that's out of view of the main street. So, CCTV cameras can be used inside or out to monitor these windows. 
• Main living rooms: Intruders are likely to search for valuables in shared spaces such as living rooms or kitchens, so installing cameras here is worthwhile. They can also be used in these rooms for monitoring pets and family members.
• Driveways and gardens: Outside cameras are useful for monitoring valuables outside, such as cars and anything stored in a garden shed or garage. They can also capture any suspicious activity.

We don't recommend installing CCTV cameras in bedrooms or bathrooms for privacy reasons. 

Once you’ve calculated the number of CCTV cameras you’d ideally like, check whether the system you plan to buy can support them. Also, consider whether there may be a need to add additional cameras in future. 

CCTV systems that use DVR or NVR recorders are restricted by the number of ports/channels the recorder has. Each port supports one camera. DVR recorders are available with a maximum of 8 ports, while an NVR recorder can have up to 16. If you buy a CCTV system kit, sometimes the recorder only has enough ports for the cameras it comes with, but sometimes they have extra. So, always check to ensure there are enough ports for now and the future.   

Most Smart CCTV cameras and standalone cameras don't have these limits. Although a few must be used with a smart hub that does limit numbers. For example, Blink branded CCTV cameras work with their own' sync module' that supports up to 10 cameras. 

It’s always important to do your research before buying CCTV and security cameras to ensure you’re getting the right product for your needs. 

Here are five other things to consider:

1. What resolution is required?

A good quality recording is essential to get a clear picture of a person or read a number plate on CCTV footage. So, check the camera's resolution, which is measured in pixels. The higher the number, the better the video quality. At the very least, opt for a 720p resolution. But some cameras can record in 4 or 5 megapixels or more for high definition, which is ideal for recording from long distances or zooming in. 4K options are also available.

2. How many days of footage, how many cameras, and what quality is needed

When deciding how much storage the CCTV system will need, there are three factors to consider. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]First: how many days of footage need to be stored at any one time? This could be the longest holiday period the user will take. Storing footage for a two-week holiday, for example, will require a large amount of storage. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Second: how many cameras are set up? The more cameras there are, the less recording time storage capacity they’ll have.[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Third: What quality footage is needed? High-definition recordings will use more storage space than lower quality resolutions. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]However, if the CCTV camera is set to only record when it detects motion rather than continuously, a smaller storage capacity will be sufficient.

3. Audio recording and two-way audio options

If there’s a need to capture sound along with video recordings, a CCTV camera with a built-in microphone is ideal. Most WiFi CCTV cameras have built-in speakers too. This allows the homeowner to communicate with the people or animals in their home when they’re away through a smartphone app.  

4. Motion alerts

Being able to watch video footage back after a burglary is useful. But being alerted to a burglary while it's happening is even better. WiFi security cameras often include motion alerts that trigger recording when motion is detected and send an alert to the homeowner's smartphone. This means the police can be called immediately.

5. Connect with smart home products

If there are already other smart home devices installed, check their compatibility with any smart CCTV cameras you intend to buy. For example, smart CCTV systems can be connected to a smart speaker, such as Alexa or Google Home, so the system can be voice-controlled. Others can be connected to other smart home systems via a compatible smart hub. These systems allow automation to be set up, such as turning on a radio or light if motion is detected through the CCTV camera.