Home security
How we test wireless security cameras
Wireless security cameras are put through numerous tests to find the best performers.
Which wireless camera suits your home use?
A wireless home security camera is designed to keep an eye on your home when you're not there. But how do you know what type of camera to buy? Whether it's an indoor camera or a weatherproof outdoor camera, there are many factors that can help you decide which model best suits your home monitoring needs.
We test these cameras based on how you'd use them at home. Our test scenario takes into account each camera's performance in normal and low-light conditions, as well as the all-important ease of installation and use.
In this article:
Our expert testers
All the tests and procedures described in this article are carried out by our professional in-house computer testing experts, who take into account not just the technical performance of the wireless security camera but also how easy it is to set up and use.
Scoring
Our overall score takes into account camera performance (60%) and ease of use (40%).Performance (60% of the total score)
The clearer the quality, the better the score and images scored worse when the picture was highly blurred, patchy, or over-exposed.
Ease of use (40% of the total score)
We test the ease of use of both the set-up and the use of a camera. The ease of use score is made up of:
- An evaluated installation (30% of the ease of use score).
- A recording and motion assessment (70% of the ease of use score).
Our rating system
CHOICE applies the following interpretation to the scores achieved in our tests. When we describe a result as "excellent", "poor" etc, it usually relates directly to a numerical score in that range.- 0–24: Very poor
- 25–45: Poor
- 46–54: Borderline
- 55–69: OK
- 70–79: Good
- 80–89: Very good
- 90–100: Excellent
Ready to buy?
See our wireless security camera reviews.