Best Video Surveillance Systems of 2021

Because each business has different security requirements, costs, of course, run the gamut. 

You must also take into account how much or how little you need your system to do for you. For example, you should expect to pay more for an advanced video management system with analytics and centralized management, and less for a system that has limited viewing and control from an app. The number and type of cameras you plan to use will also contribute to your cost – if you have a large facility with many places you want to surveil, your costs will go up compared to a smaller business. 

Video surveillance systems typically range anywhere from $100 to $5,000 depending on the type, quality and number of cameras you require, as well as the amount and type of storage you use. 

Here is an example of how much a surveillance system can cost. If you have a small business with two doors, one main room, a parking lot and a stairwell, you will want a camera at each door, one in the parking lot, and one in the stairwell. Ideally, you want 30 days' worth of footage stored in the cloud. For a four-camera system with cloud storage, expect to pay roughly $600.00 upfront for the cameras and $30 per camera, per month for storage. Many companies offer plug-and-play cameras, but for advanced systems, be prepared to pay for professional installation, which can cost $1,500 or more if installation will be complicated or there are several cameras to be installed. So, all told, hardware and installation costs could top $2,100, and your monthly fees would then cost $120, or $1,440 annually.

Before you start contacting surveillance system companies, know what you want or need your system to do for you. Ask yourself these questions:

• How many cameras will I need?
• How do I want my video footage stored?
• How long do I want to store video footage?
• How do I want to manage my surveillance system?
• Do my cameras need to be weatherproof, vandalproof and able to pan, tilt or zoom?
• Do I want to integrate my video surveillance system with other systems?
• Will I ever need to scale my system?

Once you have a general understanding of the specific features you need in a system, you'll then want to determine what type of cameras you want and how you will place them. Cameras in plain sight can be a deterrent to intruders, though hidden cameras can help you build evidence or catch an incident in real time.

Next, decide which type of storage you would prefer. There are several options when it comes to how your footage is stored, how you access it and how long it stays in storage. A popular new form of storage is in the cloud, though many services provide it as a hybrid along with an NVR.

The last consideration is your preferred mode of managing the system. The most common method is by mobile app, which most services provide with the purchase of a system. The app allows you to control your cameras, review and share footage, and manage your storage.

What equipment do you need for a video surveillance system?

A basic video surveillance system requires at least one camera, either wired or wireless, and a way to store your video data. If you want more advanced features, or have several cameras to manage, you can also add a remote management system.

There are many types of cameras to choose from. The main types include:

Box: One of the most commonly used camera types. These are practical and cost-effective with minimal features. 

Dome: These also have minimal features, but they have a compact, discreet shape and are well suited for dirty environments, like kitchens or warehouses. 

Pan tilt zoom: These cameras feature pan-tilt-zoom capability, which allows the camera to move and survey a wide area. 

Bullet: These cameras work well in low-light environments; they require little maintenance and have a small footprint, making them ideal for small spaces. 

What is the difference between NVR and DVR?

Both an NVR and DVR record video captured by your surveillance cameras. The difference is how those systems process video and which cameras they are paired with.

DVRs are used primarily with analog cameras; they are always a wired system and process video data at the recorder.

NVRs are used with IP cameras; the cameras process and encode the video data, then stream it to the NVR, which is used for storage and remote viewing. NVRs can be a wired or wireless system.

What type of storage is best?

DVRs cost less than NVR systems, but analog systems are quickly falling out of use as image quality and storage capacity for NVRs becomes more advanced.

NVR systems provide greater flexibility in scaling, applying updates and new technology, and NVRs offer more features and customization options.

What main features should I look for in a video surveillance system?

Look for a storage solution that works for you, whether that is DVR, NVR, cloud or hybrid, and high-definition cameras that offer easy control and allow you to easily review footage.

Most cameras come with features like night vision, PTZ capability, a wide-angle lens, motion detection with alerts and weatherproofing. Determine which features are necessary for your business.

You should also look for an easy management solution, whether it's a mobile app or sophisticated software. Most midlevel surveillance systems come with an app that you download on a smart device that allows you to control your cameras and review footage.

What types of businesses could benefit from video surveillance systems?

Any business that is looking to protect its assets and prevent theft or fraud can benefit from implementing a video surveillance system. Often, the mere presence of cameras can be enough to deter thieves or vandals.

Which is better? Wired or wireless security cameras?

Neither system outperforms the other, but there are certain benefits one system may offer over another, depending on your needs. Wired video surveillance systems tend to be more reliable, but can be clunky and difficult to use with modern technology. Wireless systems are easier to install and come with user-friendly software.

How does a surveillance system help improve a business's safety and security?

A video surveillance system can provide a deterrent to intruders just by being placed in a visible location. And if your business is broken into or experiences another type of incident,  a system can provide invaluable information. Video surveillance captures evidence and provides the peace of mind of knowing that you can see what’s going on in your business at any time.

Some systems automatically alert emergency responders if an incident is detected.

Where is the best place to put security cameras?

This will depend on your business and which areas you feel need surveillance. Most experts recommend placing a camera above the main entrance to your business and off-street windows, above a back door or garage (if applicable), and in the basement or storage room. Try to avoid placing cameras behind glass due to glare that will distort images.

What should you ask your security camera installer?

As you compare various installers, inquire about internet access requirements, recording time and ability, and the warranty length on camera parts and labor. Additionally, ask the installer for references or sample work before you hire them.

Do you need Wi-Fi for security cameras?

Typically, yes, for wireless security cameras, you will need Wi-Fi, though some cameras are battery-powered. Internet protocol cameras connect directly to an IP network to send and receive image data. These cameras require an internet connection, but your ability to monitor and control them is improved, you can easily access footage for playback, and you receive notifications whenever cameras detect movement.

What is an IP camera?

IP, or internet protocol, cameras run on a digital video system that transmits data over a network. (IP cameras are also called network cameras or webcams.) An IP system works with mobile devices, making it easy for you to view your security feed anytime, anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.

How can you keep your video safe and secure?

There are several things you can do to protect your security footage from hackers. You should:

• Choose a router with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) or WPA 2 security, which encrypts your video data.
• Utilize your camera's built-in firewall, which monitors and controls any information that passes to and from the camera.
• Use a password on your cameras.
• Use a different password on your Wi-Fi router.
• Turn on two-factor authentication, if it's an option.
• Regularly update your camera's firmware.

How long does surveillance footage last?

How long your surveillance footage lasts depends on your provider and the service plan you choose . Some plans allow you to store footage indefinitely; other plans automatically delete footage after a certain period of time, usually anywhere between 30 and 90 days.

Which security cameras work without Wi-Fi?

There are options available if you cannot use Wi-Fi-to connect your cameras. Some providers, like Blink, offer battery-powered cameras. However, these cameras typically have limited features and capabilities.

You can also use hardwired cameras, which offer security equal to Wi-Fi cameras. The downsides of hardwired cameras are that they can be difficult to install and don't offer access to live remote footage. 

What is good video image quality?

There are two main factors in security video quality: image resolution and frames per second (FPS). Resolution is the number of pixels that make up the image, and you can think of FPS as how many back-to-back still images each second of video footage contains. Generally, the higher the resolution, the better the image quality of the camera.

A security camera with a resolution of 720p to 1080p and a frame rate of 30 FPS will give you smooth, high-definition video. Anything higher than that will probably be unnecessary and take up too much storage. It doesn't have to be crystal clear, but you need the camera to produce images with recognizable details, and the exact resolution will vary from camera to camera, so ask the surveillance provider if you can see a demo before choosing a camera.

What is video surveillance used for?

Businesses mainly use video surveillance to help protect their buildings and offices against theft, burglaries and other crimes; to monitor a facility and its day-to-day operations; to protect their assets and employees; and to deter vandalism with visible cameras around the property.

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in several changes in the video surveillance space. Many consumers sought pandemic-specific solutions such as video doorbells and touchless security features. Some of those trends may continue in 2021, while others will likely wane as the world moves on from the worst of the pandemic post-vaccine.

Specific products, such as thermal cameras, which became popular during the pandemic to identify visitors with raised body temperatures, may remain popular. These products offer other uses as well, such as detecting intruders.

Many security systems have adopted deep learning analytics and provide AI-assisted notifications that alert businesses much more quickly to security concerns, such as broken windows or loiterers.

The video surveillance industry is expected to exceed $86.5 billion by 2027. That growth is driven in large part by business adoption of high-tech video surveillance equipment and supporting software. We, at business.com, expect both B2C and B2B businesses to continue incorporating video surveillance technology as part of their security in 2021.

In 2021, you can expect to see the following trends:

• Demand for cloud-based solutions. Cloud-based video surveillance systems offer businesses numerous benefits, including cost savings, enhanced data security, easier remote access, flexible storage, and the ability to recover data and systems more quickly in the event of a disaster. 

• Integrated compliance measures. As video surveillance continues to have more of a presence in everyday life, stricter regulations and compliance measures are expected. We expect that more video surveillance systems will be manufactured with built-in compliance measures to help companies comply with federal, state and industry regulations. 

• Interest in open, integrated systems. With an open system, users can easily integrate other applications into their video surveillance system and manage them all from one place. Users are transitioning from systems that lock them into certain cameras and integrations and, instead, are seeking more flexibility in building custom systems.

Business News Daily strives to find the best products and services for your small business. We invest hours into identifying and researching the best products and services so you feel confident about our recommendations.

We revisit our categories each year, evaluating new changes in the industry and new companies. Our process involves revisiting our previous best picks to determine if they are still the best in their category.

In addition to our current recommendations, here are the companies we selected as best picks last year:

Best Overall Surveillance System: TRENDnet

Best Budget System: SecurityMan

To help you find the right Video Surveillance Systems, we researched and analyzed dozens of options. Here is a roundup of our best picks for Video Surveillance Systems and an explanation of how we chose them.

Locating the Best Services

We spent dozens of hours researching various video surveillance systems to come up with our best picks. We gave each vendor equal consideration. 

We began by compiling a list of vendors that offer video surveillance systems. We searched the web and consulted other lists and reviews of the most popular vendors. Our initial list topped 43 video surveillance systems.

Next, we visited the websites of each vendor, comparing pricing and features. We scrutinized the systems companies offered, such as digital or network video recorders, and the variety of cameras available. We spent considerable time comparing features; for example, does the system support IP cameras, mobile viewing and motion detection? Can you easily scale up the system? Does it cover multiple locations? At the end of this process, a pool of 38 candidates remained. 

We also watched product demos (if they were available) to understand the system's interface and how the surveillance system worked.

Choosing the Best Services

We called all of the services we were considering, posing as a customer (except for a few services that offered email-only contact). We wanted to experience how companies handle actual customer interactions. 

We asked all of the customer service reps the same set of questions about features, options, and pricing, and we evaluated the overall experience. Company representatives who were friendly and forthcoming got higher marks, and those who were less than helpful or too pushy scored lower.

Researching Each Service

For our overall best pick, our final decision came down to which company offered the best balance of affordability, desirable features, and ease of setup and use. We shied away from vendors that offered extremely low-priced, off-the-shelf solutions that might not be as durable as other systems. We also ruled out expensive and specialized services that cater to one industry in particular, or that offer advanced capabilities (which most small business owners likely will not need).

Many of these services are great – and worth the investment for some companies – but our goal was to choose the service that provided the best value and benefits for the largest number of businesses.

From 38 candidates, we arrived at our final winners for the best overall surveillance system, the best budget system and the best hybrid system.