We’ve found the 6 best places to install security cameras for homeowners

Home security cameras, especially wireless models, offer incredible freedom of placement, whether you stick one on a shelf or mount it to your eaves. But with all the corners of an average garden, plus the interior spaces you want to keep an eye on without hassle, it can be tricky to find just the right spot.

A wide field of view and multiple angle options — like with Nest’s magnetic base — can go a long way. But you’ll still need to make a final decision about where to place your camera, and that’s where we come in. After years of testing security cameras of all sizes, here are our top recommendations for where to place a security camera.

For more home security tips, read how to prevent your security cameras from being hacked and the best cheap home security systems.

Where to Install a Home Security Camera

1. Exterior: Front door

You might think that intruders always sneak in through the 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 most likely to strike. A camera at your front entrance will keep an eye on everyone coming in and out of your home, from family members and babysitters to maintenance people, delivery people and more.

Professional tip: Video doorbells are a great choice for the front door. You can use them as a primary camera or in combination with another outdoor camera aimed at the yard or garage.

2. Exterior: Rear and side doors

Hidden doors allow visitors to enter unnoticed, whether they are invited or not. NACHI statistics show that 22% of break-ins occur through the back door. To ensure that everyone coming in and out is fully aware, add cameras to your secondary doors, especially if one of the doors is used as often or more than your front door, or if one of the doors (such as a basement door) seems particularly attractive or accessible to a potential intruder.

3. Exterior: Garage and driveway

Garages are a common target for burglars because they are one of the weakest entry points. A camera pointed at your garage and/or driveway will keep a close eye on bikes, tools, grills, sports equipment, cars, and anyone else who interacts with them. If your garage is detached, a camera will help you stay connected. If your garage is attached, the added layer of security will provide another possible entry point into your home. If there is a gate at the end of your driveway, you may want a camera that can spot anyone trying to get in.

4. Exterior: Spacious view of the garden

Keeping an eye on your yard can help you keep track of who is looking around your home. It’s also useful for capturing the activities of children, animals, and intruders. As with garages, look for cameras with a wide field of view to capture a lot of action, at least 130 degrees and preferably more. If you have a garden entrance, such as a gate or shed door, make sure the camera can see that.

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 be doing, if the babysitter is paying attention, what the pets are up to, or to keep an eye on household helpers like cleaners and repairmen. Consider prioritizing rooms with large windows on the ground floor — that way you can see if someone is tampering with them or using them as a break-in point. If there’s a focal point like a couch, dog bed, or play area in the living room, make sure the camera can see it.

6. Interior: Main staircase or hall

Place a camera on the main roads in your home to make it difficult for someone to walk around unnoticed. If someone breaks in through a bathroom, bedroom, or other unguarded area, they will still be caught on camera as they move through the home.

This is where you need to be never install a security camera

• Places that violate the privacy of your neighbors. Cameras are great for your safety, but you need to consider the privacy of others in your neighborhood. Generally, homeowners are allowed to have outdoor security cameras that cover a large area, and it’s usually okay to include your neighbor’s public property in the background of your footage. Learn more in our full guide.
• Bedrooms and bathrooms. The urge to keep an eye on the children or elderly in your household is understandable. However, some areas have a legitimate expectation of privacy. Furthermore, if you use a monitoring service, you run the risk of a hacker using a camera that has access to your private spaces. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives. Baby monitors are smart choices for the rooms of very young children. Motion detectors and glass break sensors, as part of a connected home security system, can be added to doors and windows. Personal medical alarm systems are strong choices for seniors.

Tips for installing outdoor security cameras

Once you’ve decided which locations to monitor, you’ll also need to plan your mounting decisions. These tips will make this step easy:

• Install cameras at a height of 2.5 to 3 meters from the ground. This height is low enough to capture fine details, but high enough to remain out of reach of thieves and vandals.
• Do not point cameras directly at the sun. Bright light will cause glare and high contrast in your footage, making it difficult to see what’s happening. Take the sun’s movement into account and aim your cameras at indirect light.
• Protect the camera from the elements. The best outdoor security cameras will have adequate weather and water resistance, but they are not all created equal. Choose a camera that is suitable for your climate and place it under the eaves or in another semi-protected location if possible.
• Avoid places that are too close to branches or bushesPlants grow over time and can block your security camera.
• Make sure cameras are visibleVisible cameras can deter theft and that is one of the best uses of your security system.

Tips for installing indoor security cameras

• Corners are your friends. Hanging an indoor camera in the corner of a room will usually give you the largest possible viewpoint.
• Choose a board for versatilityIf you don’t need to mount your camera, you can place it on a shelf so you can make adjustments later or even move it to another room.
• Windows can cause reflection problems. Pointing a camera at a window can degrade the image quality. Many security cameras have infrared light technology, which helps detect motion and allows the cameras to function in low-light conditions. IR light can reflect off windows and other glass objects and blur your images, especially in the dark. If your images look washed out or white, you likely have a reflection problem.
• Angle for indirect light. Again, direct light will wash out your images. For indoor cameras, be careful with lamps, light fixtures, and bright windows. Do not point your camera directly at these light sources.

Are there any special installation requirements for video doorbells?

Place video doorbells so they have a clear view of your porch or entryway. These cameras are tilted a little differently than other security cameras, so follow the instructions in the manual carefully. Typically, they should be placed about four feet above the base of the front door. In tight spaces, video doorbells should be tilted outward to capture as much activity as possible. Fortunately, many video doorbells come with a special wedge for this purpose. Otherwise, you should place the wedge in a spot where people would naturally press a doorbell.

Do Super Wearable Security Cameras Exist?

In some cases, you may want a security camera that you can move around all the time. That way, you can easily place it where the kids are playing, indoors or outdoors, or you can point it at a problem spot where things keep getting lost (avoid refrigerators in the workplace, please).

In these cases, we recommend battery-powered indoor/outdoor cameras that you can take anywhere, with weather resistance in case you leave it out in the rain. A candidate is Stick-Up Cam Pro from Ring ($180)with an excellent collection of alert features. Another option is the Google Nest Indoor/Outdoor Cam battery model ($176)which is often shown assembled, but can also be supplied with a table mounting.

To find out more, check out our picks for the best outdoor security cameras or explore our comprehensive guide to the best home security systems.