Is your home safe this summer? Security tech expert Chris Price shows how to expand a single camera into a budget-friendly home defence setup for when you're away on vacation

Date:
Sun, 02 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Description:
Sunscreen, beach towel... security camera? Make sure your home is properly protected and enjoy peace of mind when you're sipping cocktails on the beach.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Planning a summer getaway but worried about leaving your house for a few weeks? While statistically you are more likely to suffer a break-in during the winter months when its much darker, summer also presents an ideal opportunity for burglars. Even if
you're at home there are increased risks, especially if you leave your
windows open to get some fresh air into the house during a heatwave.

Of course, there are basic steps you can take to reduce your risk such as asking a neighbor to take in your mail and packages, and making sure windows are closed when you go out. But technology can help big time too. Whats more, you dont have to spend a fortune on all the gear. Whereas once you had to spend thousands on security cameras and PVRs (personal video recorders) that had to be professionally installed, now you can buy cameras and video doorbells for a fraction of the price that can be controlled easily via your smartphone. Starting simple The trick is to start simple. A good idea if you are going away for a long time is to have an indoor camera focused on the
most vulnerable part of the house where a burglar is most likely to break in such as a back door. Ive got a Nest Cam IQ Indoor focused on my patio doors leading out to the garden. I like it because it can record when it hears
sound (such as glass breaking) as well as motion. Latest Videos From
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However, there are other cheaper models available from companies such as Amazon -owned Blink and Ring as well as lesser-known, but popular, Chinese brands such as EZVIZ, Reolink and Aqara.

Focused on the front door I have a tiny Blink Mini 2K+ which also provides a chime for the Blink video doorbell so we can hear it ringing in the house. Usually, I switch the motion sensor off on the Blink Mini during the day because its triggered every time a family member opens the front door which can be a bit of a pain. However, when I go on holiday I switch the motion sensor on just in case. You may like The top 5 subscription-free security cameras to protect your home without monthly fees The best home security cameras: indoor, outdoor and subscription-free cams The best 3 smart locks to secure your home the easy way I use a Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor, which can record sounds like breaking glass One important consideration is how footage is stored either locally on a MicroSD card or in the cloud. Personally, I prefer storing footage locally on an SD card, although the downside is that you will usually have to buy a card separately. The advantage of local
storage is that not only is it generally more secure (there have been cases
of servers being hacked and private security footage being leaked), it also often works out cheaper in the long term. Thats because many home security companies will charge you a monthly subscription fee to store all your recorded footage and access advanced AI-driven features such as facial recognition and text descriptions of videos. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

While these features may be vaguely useful, especially if you have lots of people coming to the door, for the vast majority its probably not worth the monthly fee. Lets go outside Obviously, no discussion of home security is complete without talking about outdoor cameras and video doorbells. Whether its summer or winter, these devices are invaluable when it comes to
optimizing your home security set-up and helping to prevent burglary.

Choosing the type of outdoor camera you want is largely down to personal choice and the type of property you live in. Generally speaking, outdoor cameras should be mounted reasonably high on your property to give you a better view and to prevent theft. What to read next The best video doorbell: tested by experts The EZVIZ EP4 is a great security cam for renters, with one significant drawback Which Blink home security camera should I buy? A simple guide to the key differences Some security cameras, like the IMOU AOV PT, can pan and tilt to follow potential threats (Image credit: Future) Many offer a wide viewing angle of between 130 and 180 degrees, while some of the latest models, such as the latest IMOU AOV PT , are pan-and-tilt models that detect and track movement automatically.

Want a security camera to act as a deterrent to an opportunist burglar? Then its worth considering a device with a powerful built-in spotlight and loud siren. If there are two things that burglars hate more than anything else, they're excessive noise and light that draws attention to what they are up
to. Reolinks Solar Floodlight Cam covers both bases with twin spotlights either side of the camera and an integrated 110dB siren. Going solar Unlike indoor cameras, which usually plug into the mains, powering an outdoor camera is a little more challenging. Although some are designed to plug into the mains via a waterproof housing, most now rely on either disposable/rechargeable batteries and/or solar power. Indeed, solar-powered cameras, such as the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam mentioned above, have
become increasingly popular in the UK particularly as summers have got hotter and panels have become more efficient.

While many of the latest outdoor cameras comprise separate solar panels that need to be mounted separately and plugged into a USB-C socket on the camera, others such as the IMOU Cell 3C come with a solar panel built in. Chinese company Baseus even has an innovative solar-powered camera, the Baseus Security S2 , that boasts an innovative rotating solar panel that moves as
the sun moves in order to maximize power to the camera. Solar panels can dramatically extend the battery life of security cameras, and the Baseus Security S2 has an innovative one that rotates throughout the day to follow the sun (Image credit: Chris Price) Deciding how to power your outdoor camera isnt the only factor you need to consider either. You also need to think
about the technology you are going to use to transmit video clips to your phones security camera app. While for indoor cameras this is usually WiFi,
for outdoor devices getting a connection between the indoor router and
outdoor camera can be more challenging especially over distances of around 30m.

One option therefore, may be to buy a device that offers dual-connectivity, including Wi-Fi and cellular (usually 4G), such as the IMOU AOV PT or Eufy 4G LTE Cam S330. Optimizing your setup So youve got your outdoor camera. What next? Well, now begins the process of optimizing it for your security needs. Generally, most outdoor cameras are far too sensitive and record far more footage than you actually need to look at. As a result, you could find your entire time on holiday viewing footage of someone walking past your house, or a car whizzing by, instead of enjoying quality time away.

Not only is this highly annoying, it could really waste battery power something that's both costly and time-consuming, especially if you have to climb up on a ladder to take the device down to recharge or change the batteries every couple of weeks.

By reducing video quality you will be able to store more footage on the SD card/in the cloud Chris Price Within the app, its therefore a good idea to
set the motion detection zones so that the camera only records footage captured on your property and also reduce the sensitivity settings too so the camera isnt recording too much footage. If you know you are going to be away for a set period of time then its probably a good idea to ensure the camera can detect motion 24/7, but when you are home you may want to use the menus
so it only records at time of the day when you know family members or flat mates arent going to be entering or leaving the property (such as night
time).

When it comes to video quality, most outdoor cameras now offer at least 1080p video quality. However, some such as the Baseus Security S2 and the Reolink Altas PT Ultra , offer stunning 4K picture quality. While this is great, especially if you want to zoom in on close ups of a potential suspect, most
of the time its probably unnecessary. By reducing video quality you will be able to store more footage on the SD card/in the cloud and not consume as
much power either. Many modern security cameras, such as the Reolink Altas PT Ultra, can record in 4K, but dialling down the quality means you'll be able
to store more video footage when you're away (Image credit: Chris Price) For night-time monitoring, standard infra-red (IR) night vision provides clear monochrome visibility in total darkness while a colour night-vision option uses advanced low-light sensors or built-in LED spotlights to capture colour details after dark. Video doorbells its good to talk Think someone may be intruding on your property while youre not around? All security cameras that Ive ever tested (probably over 50 now) feature two-way audio so you can, if you so wish, talk directly to the intruder to tell him or her to get off your land. And they can also talk back to you, of course, using the built-in microphone.

Video doorbells [let] you speak directly to people who press the button, even if you are sitting on beach sipping a strawberry daiquiri Chris Price Some of the latest models even generate automated messages or use different voices so the person doesnt actually know who they are talking to (for example the
Aqara G100 indoor/outdoor security camera lets you turn your voice into that of a robot or clown.) Its a feature that some women and teens in particular might find reassuring, especially if they dont want a man to think they are
at home by themselves though I cant help thinking of Kevin McCallister in
the film Home Alone .

Essentially video doorbells take the technology one step further by enabling you to speak directly to people who press the button, even if you are sitting on beach sipping a strawberry daiquiri on your summer vacation (as with the G100, Aqaras G410 Doorbell Camera Hub also allows you to disguise your
voice). Invented by Rings founder Jamie Siminoff back in 2013, video
doorbells have really taken off in the last few years with most home security manufacturers now producing models. Video doorbells let you see and speak to visitors (welcome or otherwise) when you're away from home via an app, and some can even change your voice for privacy (Image credit: Chris Price) Usefully, not only do video doorbells enable you to talk to whoever comes to the door as if you were at home, they can also be set up to detect and record nearby movement just like standard outdoor security cameras. The only real difference is that, whereas outdoor security cameras often have a wide
viewing angle and wide aspect ratio, video doorbells tend to offer a much squarer field of view often 1:1 so you can see whoever is at the door more clearly. Advanced functionality For those looking to replace their
traditional doorbell, video doorbells are a great solution. With many models, its even possible to use existing doorbell wiring to power them, rather than having to rely on disposable or rechargeable batteries. Many come with separate plug-in chimes so you can hear the doorbell clearly inside the house with a choice of customizable ringtones, ranging from classical music to Christmas carols. Did you know TechRadar now has membership? (Image credit: Future) Become a TechRadar Insider by simply clicking 'Join Now' at the top
of this page. Have a question? Please email membership@techradar.com Thats
not to say that video doorbells are the perfect security solution for everyone. Theyre not. Often, Ive found there is quite a lag when you are talking to someone and if you live on a busy street it can be difficult to hear what they are saying. To counter this, some models, including those from Ring, enable you to play automated responses to the visitor, a bit like an old-fashioned answerphone for example, please leave the parcel outside or call back in an hours time.

Another issue is that with subscription services such as Ring Pro you can spend up to $19.99 / 15.99 a month on premium features such as person,
package and vehicle alerts, video descriptions and 180 day video playback. At least with a Blink video doorbell its possible to store clips on the Blink Sync Module 2 hub using a separate USB drive while the TP Link Tapo D235 is one of the few doorbells with integrated MicroSD storage (it also offers free AI smart detection to distinguish between vehicles, pets and people).
Complete security solutions Looking for a more advanced security solution for when you go away over the summer? Most manufacturers will allow you to view several cameras via their app. However, if you want to put different types of security devices together such as locks, lights and a burglar alarm then
you will need a more advanced setup.

Ring Alarm supports certified third-party products via the encrypted Z-Wave network Chris Price For example, one advantage of the Aqara G410 video doorbell is that its actually a fully-fledged smart home hub with a built-in Matter bridge and Thread border router that can be used as part of a smart home ecosystem such as Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Smart Things.

Owned by Amazon, Ring products including cameras, video doorbells and burglar alarms can easily be controlled using Alexa routines with footage viewable
via Echo Show devices. Furthermore, Ring Alarm also supports certified third-party products via the encrypted Z-Wave network, including smart locks from Yale, Schlage and Kwikset. This means you can lock/unlock doors, manage guest PIN codes and trigger automated security routines (such as arming the alarm when the door is locked) all inside the Ring app. Securing your home
for summer With the summer holiday season well and truly upon us, and houses left empty as we down tools for a well needed break, now is the time to think about securing your home. While traditional precautions such as securing windows, clearing letterboxes and locking away garden tools (including ladders) remain essential precautions, modern technology can help too.

Protecting your home against burglary neednt cost the earth either. You can now buy indoor cameras focused on vulnerable parts of the house for less than $70 / 50 while most outdoor cameras and video doorbells cost between $120 / 100 and $250 / 200. And while subscription charges do push up prices, often these arent necessary especially if you can store footage locally on an SD card or USB drive.

Ultimately, combining the latest tech solutions with solid physical security will give you the peace of mind needed for you to truly unwind, ensuring your home remains a well-guarded fortress while you enjoy your break. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Today's best home security deals Blink Mini 2K+ 39.99 View See all prices Nest Cam IQ Indoor 181.30 View See all prices IMOU AOV PT 129.99 View See all prices Reolink Solar Floodlight
Cam 99.99 84.99 View See all prices Imou Cell 3C All-In-One Security Camera 49.99 View See all prices Reolink Altas PT Ultra 189.99 164.99 View See all prices Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 144.99 129.99 View See all prices Blink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) + Sync 59.99 View See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices



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