Need camera recommendations

[Markvens]

Hi everyone!
I’m looking to set up two security cameras by my front door and could use some advice. I’d like to be able to check the feed from both my phone and my PC.
Ideally something reliable, easy to install and with a good app or web access. If you’ve got any suggestions or tips, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

I used to have Eufy cameras around my house, but that product was pretty bad. We ended up switching to Amazon's Blink. We like it, but it's still buggy.

Blink cameras use 2 AA batteries. They "highly" recommend using these expensive Lithium batteries. Regular AAs work fine but with reduced lifespan.

afaik, Blink only works in their phone app. There's no PC version.

lastly, while you can sign up for their subscription service to store clips in the cloud, they also offer a local usb drive option. that's what i use.

[Markvens]

Thanks for your reply!

I’ll definitely keep this option in mind, but the lack of a PC version is a bit of a downside for me.

[+BudMan MVC]

What sort of budget were you thinking?  Are you strictly looking for wireless, or open to running wire for poe cameras?

I put in a lorex nvr and 3 4k cameras a bit over 1.5 years ago and have been pretty happy with it. It has app for your mobile devices, one for your pc.  I also just access the feeds directly from the cameras with vlc on my pc.  Notification work great on phone app when motion detected, etc. 

I also found an app for roku to put the cameras views on my TV, its as easy as just opening the app - like you would with say netflix. Bit disappointed with trying to get camera view on my alexa show - it works, but its slow to show the feed, etc. So I don't use that.  

No subscription fee - but initial cost is way more than throwing up some blink cameras

For basic setup its pretty straight forward.. But accessing camera feed directly with vlc take a bit of understanding how rtsp works and networking.

The nvr capable of 16 cameras with 2 4k cameras was 400, I added another camera for 100 more, and then a few months later updated the disk in the nvr from 2TB to 16TB.. All in looking at about 650.. The move from 2TB to 16TB now allows me to store all 3 4k feeds continuous record for like 77 days vs the 2TB only about 7-8 days.  

[Markvens]

Thanks for the detailed response. I'm open to a wired setup if it provides better reliability and quality. My budget is around $500 to $700 for a solid, long-term system. The Lorex setup you mentioned sounds like a good option.

[+BudMan MVC]

I have a ups in my av cabinet where the nvr is, so even if power outage my cameras still record for some time. Haven't done the math on it but for sure its a good 30 minutes. I will take a look at that later today  Now that I mention it I am curious how long they would run.

But yeah wire and poe is always going to be better than some wireless camera. And with the cameras on a specific nvr network, none of the bandwidth for video is over your normal network. So not eating up your wifi..  No worry about signal strength either, etc. 

Part of the reason I went with lorex when looking was rating on the cameras down to -30 C / -22 F it gets cold here in chicago land.. Lot of the other systems I saw the cameras only rated to -4 F, etc. 

Not saying lorex is best there is - but I have been pretty happy with them.

edit: well no math needed  looked on the ups display and shows it currently at 9% output used and estimated runtime is 72 minutes. Sure that would be lower if avr was on by a bit.. But this would be say normal outage in the middle of the night, should be able to last good hour.  And since my network is on ups as well, even if I was remote and power went out I should be able to still check my cameras, and get alerts on motion, etc. 

BTW If you are looking for constant record, you really need a wired camera. I am not aware of any wifi that does constant record.  Maybe if they had constant power vs battery - but if your going to provide power to them, why would you not just run a wire for their connectivity at the same time (poe)..  Personally I don't get why anyone would run wifi camera unless there just is no possible way to run a wire.  But you should be able to just run into your attic and lines above the soffits.  And then drop down from your attic to where you nvr is or into your network.  I tried putting a wireless camera on the roof to catch some squirrels that were stealing my xmas light bulbs.  But guess they too small to kick off the motion detection.. Little bastards

Let us know what you decide on.. My buddy updated his not that long ago, like 12 cameras.. I will ask him what that brand was next time talk to him.

 

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 06/08/2025 at 07:30, Markvens said:

Thanks for the detailed response. I'm open to a wired setup if it provides better reliability and quality. My budget is around $500 to $700 for a solid, long-term system. The Lorex setup you mentioned sounds like a good option.

Yes do wired. Then if you want you can have a monitor which you can have ca constant live view of what's out side. That's what I do with my 5 cameras. Mine are all hikvision. I just connect in via wireguard to look at my cameras, when i'm away from home.

Other wise, above the TV in my living room I have a 27 monitor with a live view. Really great when you hear a bump outside, you can scan all the security monitors.

Plus it's great when i'm expecting a customer to arrive, I can be on the look out for them, slowly driving by my house as they can't find my house lol.

[Markvens]

Thanks so much for the advice! I’m not sure yet what I’ll go with but I’ll be on vacation soon and should have a bit more time to figure it all out. One thing I do know now is that wireless cameras aren’t the best option, so I’ll be skipping those.
Really appreciate the help!