How Many Security Cameras Do I Need for My Home?
By Ring on September 19, 2023
Choosing the right number of security cameras can be an unexpected challenge. Not having enough can mean missing out on important footage, but going overboard can leave you with unused devices and clips you don’t need.
How do you ensure you have the best camera coverage for your home without any blind spots or overlaps? This guide from Ring will walk you through each factor that will impact your camera setup and help you determine that magic number.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy Security Cameras
Answering these key questions can help you make the right decision:
How Will I Use My Cameras?
Cameras are designed to help enhance security around your home, but that’s not all they do. Some people buy cameras to stay connected with their pets from the office or check in with their kids when they arrive home from school. People who get most of their essentials delivered may use cameras mainly to communicate with delivery drivers and ensure their packages arrive safely. Frequent travelers may want a camera aimed at their driveway to keep an eye on any vehicles they leave behind.
If you intend to use cameras as more than a security feature, factor those special use cases into the total number you plan to buy.
How Large Is My Home?
Your home’s footprint has a big impact on your security camera needs, and that doesn’t just include the square footage inside. From driveways and garages to pools and decks, there are plenty of outdoor features you want to protect. Outdoor cameras can help you monitor activity or look back to see what triggered a recording.1
Common areas, like living rooms, hallways, kitchens, and basements, are the perfect places to put indoor cameras. You’ll be able to keep an eye on what’s happening at home when you’re away and check in if there’s unexpected activity.
How Many Cameras Can My Wifi Network Handle?
Security cameras need a wifi connection to transmit footage to your phone. If you plan to install cameras far from your router in areas with spotty internet, you’ll need wifi range extenders.
If you have a Ring Alarm Pro and plan to install Ring security cameras around your home, your Base Station can provide wifi coverage for up to 1,500 square feet, and our eero 6 Extenders2 can double that area to ensure a strong connection wherever it’s needed. Plus, with a Ring Protect Pro subscription3, sold separately, you can get 24/7 backup internet, so your cameras can continue capturing important footage even during an outage.
What’s My Budget?
Wireless, self-installed cameras are typically the most affordable options on the market, and they come with a range of high-tech features. If you don’t have the budget to buy everything you need right away, Ring allows you to add new cameras anytime and connect them to your Ring App.
The type of cameras you choose will impact the amount you spend. Ring has indoor and outdoor options to fit any price point, so you can decide which features, like 3D Motion Detection and Bird’s-Eye View, are worth a little extra peace of mind.
How Many Outdoor Cameras Do I Need?
At a minimum, we recommend most homeowners have at least one camera in the front and back of their home. To gain proper visibility into potential entry points, place additional cameras to monitor the following areas:
These outdoor security cameras from Ring can help provide the perfect amount of coverage around your home:
How Many Indoor Cameras Do I Need?
One indoor security camera is typically the minimum for most homes, but you may need several more to cover a larger area and meet your security goals. Place cameras in any rooms with valuables, common areas you want to monitor, around entrances, and in hallways.
With two indoor security camera options from Ring, you can easily keep track of your home, no matter where you are. Indoor Cam plugs into any outlet and comes with an optional mount for an overhead or head-on view of a room. Its Privacy Cover allows you to turn off audio and video with one swivel, making it perfect for areas you don’t want to record around the clock, like living rooms or kitchens. Stick Up Cams with Pan-Tilt can provide a 360° view of large rooms and help you keep furry friends in your field of view, even when they won’t sit still. You can tilt and turn the Stick Up Cam remotely from your Ring App and follow the action.
If you already have a Ring Alarm and receive notifications to your phone with a Ring Protect subscription,3 sold separately, you can use indoor cameras to assess the situation if a sensor gets triggered. Aiming cameras at areas monitored by your Alarm, like the front door and first-floor windows, can help you get a clear picture of what’s happening and help decide whether to seek emergency assistance.
Want to build a whole-home security system that integrates your new cameras? Read our guide to learn how.
Get Started With a Ring Security Camera Bundle
Now that you know how many security cameras you’ll need for your space, it’s time to start shopping. And whether you want to get started with a Peephole Cam and Indoor Cam combo or invest in all the outdoor security cameras you need to help protect your home, Ring has bundles for every price point.
If you want to get the most out of your new Ring Cameras, a Ring Protect Plus subscription,3 sold separately, provides 180 days of video history, storage and sharing,1 Snapshot Capture,5 Person Alerts, and more for all the cameras in your home.
Browse our collection of innovative security cameras now or speak to a specialist to find the best setup for your home.
1 Your Ring videos in the cloud are stored temporarily, up to 180 days. Changing your video storage time will only affect videos that are recorded after you adjust your storage time setting. Check Ring Protect Subscription Plans for more information.
2 Internet connection speeds and availability depend on your internet service provider. Maximum wireless signal rates are derived from IEEE 802.11 standard. Specifications assume wired Ethernet connection. Experienced speeds may vary based on network configuration. Coverage estimates are based on normal use conditions. Actual range and performance can vary due to factors such as interference, connected devices, device usage, building materials, and obstructions. Specifications are based on use of a Wi-Fi 6 or later generation client device.
3 Ring Alarm and all Ring Alarm accessories require a subscription for in-app features and digital notifications, including digital arming / disarming and integration with other Ring, Echo, Alexa, and third party products. Subscription sold separately. View ring.com/protect-plans for pricing and details.
4 Requires the Ring Alarm Security Kit.
5 Snapshot Capture photos in the cloud are stored up to 7 days. Your Ring videos in the cloud are stored temporarily, up to 180 days.Changing your video storage time will only affect videos that are recorded after you adjust your storage time setting. Check Ring Protect Subscription Plans for more information.
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