Indoor Camera setup
What Are Indoor Cameras?
Indoor cameras can be smaller, more lightweight and are usually less intrusive than bulkier outdoor cameras. Both indoor and outdoor cameras utilize features like infrared, allowing for clear pictures in low light conditions and easy transitions when there is a sudden change in light-changing automatically from color images in bright light to black and white when it gets darker.
You Only Need One Reason To Get An Indoor Camera. Here Are 10.
1. Sourcing weird sounds (hint: it’s usually a cat)
Two of our staff writers have used cameras to track down weird sounds, so we had to mention this first. The best part? Cats were the culprit in both cases!
So whether a random cat is in your crawlspace playing the drums on your tub (true story) or wailing every time it hears you walk around (also a true story), get to the bottom of it with a camera.
You can stage a “spot the cat” viewing party from the comfort of your living room or just wait for the camera’s motion sensor to do the hard work for you. Either way, good luck with the cat.
2. Discovering a sleepwalker
It could be you, your partner, your kid—someone’s been wandering around at night helping themselves to Pop-Tarts, and no one’s fessing up.
Discover the sleepwalker among you with a camera.
3. Gathering toddler intelligence
Maybe your baby is a sleepwalker, or maybe they’re just really good at pleading the fifth.
Regardless, it sure would be nice to find out why you put them to bed with the door closed and always find them in the morning with the door open, the dog in their bed, and a faint smell of fruit snacks on their breath.
Very suspicious. What else are they doing? Cameras everywhere, pronto!
4. Becoming TikTok famous
If it didn’t happen on camera, did it really happen? And can it ever be truly recreated for TikTok fame?
Your viral moment could be just around the corner. Better keep an HD camera rolling just in case.
5. Backing up your insurance claims
Sometimes it’s not the social media masses you’re trying to impress—it’s your insurance agent.
“No, my kid didn’t do this. A deer jumped through the window. Really, I’ve got it all on camera!”
The insurance claim practically writes itself.
6. Protecting the cute and innocent
It’s a common problem in multi-pet households: Which dog keeps having accidents? Or tipping over the garbage? Or barking for two hours straight when you leave?
Or has it been the cat this whole time?
If you’re like me, you know one of your pets is a total angel. So you’ll probably need some undeniable proof before you think otherwise.
7. Catching ghostly footage
Maybe those strange noises, cold spots, and self-propelled rocking chairs have perfectly logical explanations. But what if it’s a ghost?
You won’t know until you get some hard evidence. Point a camera at the spooky spot and see what happens.
8. Out-sneaking a sneaky teen
So your teen chose the rebel path and sneaks out past curfew. Maybe they’re denying it. Maybe they even dared you to show proof!
“Bring it on,” you say. You could set up a sleeping bag by the door and wait to get stepped on … but getting a decent night’s sleep sounds way better. Let a camera do the work.
Don’t forget to set one up to catch any unauthorized teen parties too. Your home is not an ‘80s film set!
9. Spotting sticky fingers
Which roommate keeps taking your clothes? Using your lotion? Eating leftover desserts clearly labeled with your name?
Set up a camera to find out once and for all—just make sure you brush up on your state’s camera laws first.
10. Identifying an intruder
A well-positioned indoor camera could get a good look at anyone who dares enter your home. Share that footage with law enforcement to help track down the suspect and maybe even get some of your stuff back.
Features To Look For
- Power Source: Outdoor security cameras varied in terms of power sources. The main choices were plug-in power, battery power, and solar power. Each of our top choice brands had models we could set up wire-free. Cordless outdoor cameras were generally powered by long-lasting rechargeable batteries. One company we mentioned, Arlo, offered solar-powered cameras. If a camera used mains power, it also likely had a cord. The best outdoor cams with cords had protected cords to help defeat vandals plus they had battery backup.
- Continuous Video Recording: Some outdoor security cameras only recorded audio and video when triggered by trespassers. Others could record continuously. Continuous video recording was sometimes advertised as CVR.
- Resolution: Resolution on leading cameras ranged from 720p to 4K. The most common was 1080p, which meant video that was 1080 pixels tall and 1920 pixels wide.
- Two-Way Voice: Our selections for best outdoor security cameras captured exceptionally clear audio. Ideally, they’d have all had echo cancellation and other advanced audio features. Some also had two-way voice, which let us holler at potential criminals or stay in touch with family members around our property.
- Recording Cost: Each brand below had smartphone or desktop apps. Apps let us view live camera footage for free. However, generally, a paid plan was needed in order to save video clips or record continuously. One exception was Blink XT, a budget security camera brand. Blink gave us very minimal cloud storage for free. Many paid plans for home security combined video storage with professional monitoring of our system. Professional monitoring alerted emergency dispatchers of potential trouble. This way, they could send the police even when we couldn’t call 911. Most alarm monitoring companies could also dispatch firefighters and paramedics.
- Doorbell Video Camera: A wide-angle doorbell camera guarded our doorstep and provided us with a long-range view. A smart-motion detector ignored running squirrels and swaying trees and alerted us of a person’s presence, even if they didn’t ring the bell. A smartphone app let us use two-way talk and gave the impression that we were at home, no matter where we were. Additionally, some doorbell security cameras, such as the Nest video doorbell, recognized familiar faces and played pre-recorded messages for expected visitors.
How To Power Indoor Security Cameras
Home is in your hands
Our smart home security cameras let you see, hear, and speak from the Blink Home Monitor app. Experience HD day and night video, two way audio, motion detection, and more. Get up to two years of battery life* with our wire-free cameras.
Blink Mini
Mini is a mighty but tiny indoor plug-in smart security camera. As an Amazon’s Choice product starting at $34.99, it’s a great first step towards smart security.
Blink Outdoor
Outdoor weathers the storm so you don’t have to and runs for up to two years on the two included AA batteries to help you protect your home inside and out.
Blink Indoor
Indoor is a wireless security camera that you can place anywhere inside your home to stay connected to what’s happening no matter where you are.
Blink and you’re home
See, hear, and speak from anywhere
The Blink Home Monitor app connects your home to your phone for the ultimate peace of mind. With multi-system support, you can use Blink to help watch over your home, vacation home, or business all at the same time. Plus, control multiple Blink systems in one app.
Blink Indoor
Power Blink Outdoor sustainably with our new Solar Panel Mount — a wireless accessory that supplies a non-stop charge from the sun. Pivot the panel or detach it from the mount and move it up to two feet from your camera for optimal sunlight.
Blink Subscription Plan Features
Extended Live View
This feature provides live views up to 90 minutes at a time, without user intervention, for the Blink Wired Floodlight (US only) and Mini cameras.
Unlimited video recordings
All motion detection and live view recordings are stored in the cloud. Clips stay viewable until they’re manually deleted or automatically when 60 days old (30 days in the EU/UK).
Auto local storage backup
With a Sync Module 2 and USB drive inserted, copies of any new clips in cloud storage will be backed up to your USB drive every 24 hours.
Rapid video access
Allows you to instantly watch your videos as soon as they’re recorded. Videos can be accessed with reduced-loading times from the cloud, compared to clips viewed from local storage.
Photo Capture
Allows your camera to take a photo every hour while your system is armed, which display in your clip list.
Person Detection
Available for the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera (US only). This feature uses computer vision to detect people.
10% off Blink devices
Your discount on Blink hardware and accessories is automatically applied at time of checkout when you shop
Extended warranty coverage (US and Canada)
When you subscribe to a Blink Plus Plan, the extended warranty coverage applies to all of your Blink devices when they’re within their original warranty period.