Many individuals are at home right now, practicing social distancing. The additional time spent in your house or apartment might have you thinking about security measures. In a tough economic climate, some people are going to be desperate. Keeping a close eye on your valuables becomes more critical than ever, especially if you live in a neighborhood where there isn’t a prominent police presence. It can be helpful to have security cameras in place to watch over your property. Let’s look at some popular options currently on the market.
Arlo
With home security cameras, most people opt for the wireless option. That is because they are much easier to install. Arlo is one of the most prominent names in this market. You can buy them on Amazon or elsewhere, and there are several different generations of the device that have come out in recent years. You can get an Arlo Pro 2 setup with two cameras and a hub for $242.98. You can also add additional cameras for $120.04 each.
As with most wireless home camera systems, the Arlo hub is relatively easy to set up. You can install the app on your smartphone, and then pair the cameras with it through a simple, intuitive process. The actual installation of the cameras is a bit trickier, but most people should be able to accomplish it. You’ll need a power drill, and then the camera bases, mounting brackets, and screws are all included.
The best place to install the cameras is somewhere like up under the eaves of a house. There, they won’t get wet. However, you can also buy separate housing systems for the cameras that will protect them from the elements.
The only complaint that some consumers have with Arlo is that the rechargeable batteries start to fail the longer you own the devices. Non-rechargeable batteries are more wasteful in an environmental sense, but they tend to last longer.
Blink
The Blink wireless camera system is very similar to the Arlo, and it is their main competition. On Amazon, a two-camera setup with a base will cost you $179.99. The real difference between Blink and Arlo is that Blink uses non-rechargeable batteries for its cameras. That solves the problem of the batteries being less effective as the system ages, so you might choose to go with Blink for that reason.
Other Options
There are also setups like Ring, where you install the camera, and then you pay a certain price for home monitoring. There’s no denying that this is the setup that is most likely to deter burglars since there’s always someone there to respond if an unsavory-looking person approaches the house. However, you have to pay a fee each month, rather than the one-time cost of Blink or Arlo.
As you’re trying to decide between these options, think about how much money you’re willing to spend. In these uncertain economic times, you may be better off going with a camera setup that doesn’t include a recurring monthly fee.
