Home security cameras, especially wireless models, offer incredible freedom in placement, whether you’re putting one on a shelf or mounting it to your eaves. But with all the angles of average yards, plus the indoor spaces you want to keep watch on without running into problems, finding just the right spot is challenging. A wide field of view and multiple angle options — like with Nest’s magnetic base — can help a lot. But you still need to make a final placement decision for your cam, and that’s where we come in. After years of testing security cameras of every size, here are our top recommendations for placing a security camera.
For more home security tips, check out how to prevent your home security cameras from being hacked, and the best cheap home security systems you can buy.
Where you should install a home security camera:
1. Exterior: Front door
You might assume that intruders always sneak into side entrances, but statistics from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors show that 34% of burglars use the front door. It’s also where package thieves are likely to strike. A camera at your main entrance keeps tabs on everybody going in and out of your home, from family members and babysitters to maintenance people, delivery people and more. Pro tip: Video doorbells are great picks for the front door. You can use them as the primary camera or in conjunction with another outdoor camera aimed at the yard or garage. Blink’s Outdoor 4 cam is easy to mount and reliable for watching an outdoor space.
2. Exterior: Back and side doors
Doors that are out of sight allow visitors to enter undetected, whether they’re invited or not. NACHI statistics show 22% of break-ins happen through the back door. To ensure full knowledge of everyone who enters and exits, add cameras to your secondary doors, especially if one of them is used as often or more often than your front door, or if one (like a basement door) seems particularly enticing or accessible to a potential intruder.
3. Exterior: Garage and driveway
Garages are a common target of burglars because they’re one of the weakest entry points. A camera pointed at your garage and/or driveway keeps a watchful eye on bikes, tools, grills, sports equipment, cars and everyone that handles them. If your garage is detached, the camera helps you stay connected. If the garage is attached, the extra layer of security monitors another possible entryway into your home. If there’s a gate at the end of your driveway, you may want a camera there to spot anyone attempting to get in.
4. Exterior: Wide yard views
Monitoring the yard will help you keep tabs on anyone scoping out your house. It’s also handy for capturing the activities of kids, animals and trespassers. As with garages, look for cams that have a wide field of view to capture lots of action, at least 130 degrees and preferably more. If you have a yard entrance, like a fence gate or a shed doorway, make sure the camera can see it. Blink offers a cheap option for a smart floodlight cam.
5. Interior: Common areas
Placing cameras in gathering points like the kitchen or living room is a great way to see if the kids are doing what they’re supposed to do, if the babysitter is attentive, what the pets are getting into, or to check on household help like cleaners and repairmen. Consider prioritizing any rooms that have large ground-floor windows — that way you can see if anyone tampers with them or uses one as a break-in point. If there’s a key point of interest like a sofa, pet bed or living room play area, make sure the camera can see it.
6. Interior: Main stairway or hallway
Place a camera in the main thoroughfares inside your home to make it difficult for someone to move about undetected. If someone breaks in through a bathroom, bedroom or another unmonitored area, they’ll still be captured on camera if they move about the house. Indoor security cameras are useful, but finding ones with privacy shields are worthwhile to help minimize the risks of hackers gaining access to sensitive footage. Arlo
Here’s where you should never install a security camera:
– Places that violate your neighbor’s privacy
– Bedrooms and bathrooms
Tips for outdoor security cam placement:
– Install cameras 8 to 10 feet from the ground
– Don’t point cameras directly at the sun
– Protect the camera from the elements
– Avoid places too close to branches or bushes
– Let cameras be visible
Tips for indoor security cam placement:
– Corners are your friends
– Choose a shelf for versatility
– Windows can cause reflection issues
– Angle for indirect light
Do video doorbells have special installation rules?
Position video doorbells so they have a good view of your porch or entryway. These cameras are angled a bit differently than other security cameras, so follow manual instructions carefully. Usually, they need to be placed around 4 feet up from the base of the front door. In tighter spaces, video doorbells should be angled outward to capture as much activity as possible. Fortunately, many video doorbells come with a special wedge just for this purpose. Otherwise, put it where people would naturally press a doorbell.
Are there super-portable security cams?
In some cases, you may want a security camera that you can move around all the time. That makes it easy to put down wherever the kids are playing, indoors or outside, or to focus on a problem spot where things keep going missing.