Maximum number of channels Number of included cameras Storage type Storage limit Installation difficulty Internet requirements
Amcrest’s security system takes the top spot on this list for a few reasons. Its resolution is greater than every other camera on the list, and you can expand its storage from 1 TB to 8 TB. Although it has fewer channels than some of its competitors, its price is reasonable: this is the second-cheapest camera on our list. In short, if you’re looking for quality, you’ll find it in Amcrest. But if you need lots of channels, this system isn’t the best fit. What about nighttime? A camera worth its salt should be your eyes and ears while you’re sleeping. Amcrest’s system is no exception. Customer reviews rave about the clear 98-foot night vision, and the cameras also have motion detection to catch suspicious movement. Either way, Amcrest sends you a notification when your storage is full. Keep your expectations low, though. Reviews indicate the support is less than impressive. There’s something to be said for a pretty camera. We especially like Night Owl’s sleek design because it also takes user experience into account. The camera looks appropriately intimidating, and it has a lip to keep rain and snow off the lens. It also has two-way audio in case you want to confront the suspicious-looking stranger lurking in your backyard. True to its name, Night Owl sees in the dark for up to 100 feet. And like other recommendations on this list, it takes HD video at 1080p. We chose Reolink because its surveillance systems are flexible. You can add more Reolink cameras and CCTV setups to your system as needed. That makes this system a perfect way to get started with CCTV. It’s an especially good choice if you have a large home and want to test a partial system before decking out your whole space with cameras. We also love the 2 TB of built-in storage, which is double the 1 TB standard. ZOSI’s another easy-install, eight-channel system. Instead of coming with a single-year warranty like Amcrest, it offers inexpensive two- or three-year protection plans when you buy. We’re big fans of this feature. When you make a costly investment like a CCTV system, you should be able to protect it for an extended period. Especially if you’re just starting a small business, the comforting knowledge that ZOSI has your system covered could go a long way. The recording for ZOSI’s eight cameras is motion based. When a camera detects motion, it begins recording and sends either an email or mobile notification to you. ZOSI’s easy to set up, which is an indicator of good customer service. But apparently, the system is unreliable. That doesn’t make for a pleasant user experience. To recap, here are the options we recommend.
Amcrest is relatively inexpensive but has some of the best features on the list. Customers love this cheap Annke. Night Owl’s product was clearly developed with customer needs in mind. Start with this basic Reolink system and then add to it as needed. Get an extended protection plan with ZOSI.
If you want to learn more about whether a CCTV system is right for you, check out our comparison of CCTV systems and traditional security systems. You can also look at our reviews for indoor and outdoor security cameras. You’ll notice that most of our top picks don’t have that high of star ratings. That’s because CCTV systems are, by nature, not the easiest thing for the average person to set up and use. Also, they’re expensive. We’d rate more CCTV systems higher if they were cheaper and easier to set up. Here’s a brief rundown of the features you need to look at when shopping for a multi-channel video recorder. Security cameras can record anywhere from five frames per second to 30 frames. Cameras that capture 30 frames are called “full” frame. Whichever you choose, we recommend using a camera system with a mobile app. That way, you can see what’s happening around your home even while you’re away—a perfect feature for someone who travels. For a home, we still recommend putting cameras on entrances and exits. We think you should also keep one pointed at the garage/driveway. Beyond that, though, it depends on how big and costly your home is. Also, if you have a lot of valuable stuff in your house or your yard, you’ll probably want eyes on a larger area.
