Choosing The Best Security Cameras On a Budget

At a time when budgets are tight, purchasing a security camera may not be top of your to-buy list. With that said, home security should not take a back seat, with some really affordable options available today.

At time2 we understand that everybody is feeling the effects of the current cost of living crisis. We want to bring smart home security to as many homes as possible so that we can all have the peace of mind we deserve.

Whether you’re looking for an indoor WiFi camera or wireless outdoor security cameras the UK has some great options that won’t break the bank.

Outdoor Security Camera

Typically outdoor security cameras are more expensive than indoor ones, so be prepared to buy a little bit more. Having said that, there are still some really affordable and high-quality options to choose from.

Take the Oscar2 outdoor security camera, for example. This mains-powered security camera offers 24/7 home monitoring so you can feel safe all year round.

The camera comes in at £59.99 and with some quality home security features packed inside the device, it’s great value for money. If you’re looking to buy more than one camera then there’s good news. The more you buy the cheaper they are; buying two cameras works at out £54.99 each and when you buy three or more it works out at just £53.32 each.

The camera operates using WiFi so that’s one less wire to worry about and when it comes to the features the camera offers, you won’t be disappointed. This outdoor security camera comes with 1080p HD live streaming for a crisp video feed. The device also has great security features such as instant motion and sound alerts, which are sent directly to your smartphone device through the Clan at Home app.

Other features include:

Two-way talk: allows you to communicate with whoever is at your property without putting yourself in harm’s way.
Infrared night vision: This allows you to see what’s happening even in the dark, so you won’t miss a thing.
100° field of view: A wide-angle lens gives you greater coverage of the area you’re monitoring.
Customisable activity zone: This feature lets you specify an area that will trigger alerts to your smartphone, reducing false alarms.
Weatherproof: Essential for any outdoor camera is its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Indoor Security Camera

Indoor security cameras have a variety of applications. Whether you’re looking for a cheap monitoring camera or a wallet-friendly security camera it shouldn’t be too hard to find.

The Sophia2 indoor security camera is a small, sleek device that can be used for home monitoring of all kinds. Great if you have a vulnerable loved one who you’d like to keep an eye on, or even if you want to see what the dog gets up to while you’re at work.

Buying as part of a three-pack or more the cameras come in at just £32.66 each, £33.99 each when buying two and £36.99 when buying alone.

The mains-powered camera operates using WiFi so you won’t be restricted by where you have to place the camera.

When it comes to security and monitoring, there are plenty of features to help:

Two-way talk: This is particularly useful in an indoor camera as you can communicate with whoever is inside your home. If you’re using the device to monitor a vulnerable relative you can talk to them and provide reassurance.
Infrared night vision: Ever hear a noise in your home at night but you’re too scared to look? This won’t be a problem anymore with night vision.
Instant motion and audio alerts: Get alerted as soon as movement is detected in your home. So if grandma is on the move at home, you can check that everything is okay.
100° field of view: Wherever you place the camera you’ll have a good angle of any room.
Customisable activity zone: Especially useful in an indoor camera, if there’s somewhere you don’t want the dog to go you can be alerted if they ever sneak in.

Floodlight Security Camera

Floodlight security cameras can cost you a little bit more than your standard outdoor security cameras with WiFi. The technology that goes into these cameras does make them worth the extra cost though. They can act as fantastic deterrents against intruders and are perfect for driveways and gardens.

The Luna Outdoor Floodlight camera is £119.99 which when you shop around for floodlight cameras, you realise, is quite a reasonable price. When you look at the features included with this device the price is more than justified.

The device comes with some really useful and unique features that you don’t see on a lot of other home security cameras. One of the obvious features is the 2 large 2100LM 6000K LED floodlights. These lights make the camera a great deterrent against any unwanted visitors, illuminating the area in view whenever motion is detected. The other feature that isn’t so commonplace in security cameras is a built-in siren. The 120dB siren can be manually activated to scare off any intruders. This is best used if you receive an alert and can use the alarm to warn the neighbourhood of danger.

It comes with all the features you’d expect of a security camera too. HD 1080p live footage lets you see in detail what is happening at your property. You’ve also got two-way audio, a customisable activity zone and of course, the device is fully weatherproof.

One thing to bear in mind with the Luna floodlight camera is that a professional installation is recommended. This means the overall cost will be that bit extra but if you want the full package in a security camera, it really is worth it.

Don’t Put Home Security Last

The one thing we want you to take from this is that home security shouldn’t be neglected. It’s important to feel safe in your own home and a security camera is a great way to do this.

The affordable options available today mean that most of us can secure our homes with these smart devices. It’s always worth remembering that you get what you pay for. The very cheapest cameras on the market don’t always provide the quality you need, especially when it comes to home security. And don’t forget, there are many different types of devices such as indoor cameras, floodlight cameras or an outdoor security camera with WiFi to suit all budgets.

Posted on 10th Feb 2023 by Anesh Pillai