Garage Security Cameras

A garage camera does the same core job as any home security camera. It captures video, sends the footage to a local recorder or the cloud, and lets you watch the stream on your phone or computer. Many new units double as a garage door opener with camera. They link directly to the opener's control board or replace the wall button.

A quick glance at any hardware aisle shows dozens of models. To keep the choice simple, break them into three clear groups:

- Indoor vs. Outdoor Garage Cameras: Indoor units sit on a shelf or mount to the ceiling inside the garage. Outdoor units mount above the vehicle door or under the eave. They shrug off dust, rain, and heat.

- Wired vs. Wireless Garage Cameras: Wired cameras draw power through PoE (Power over Ethernet) or a low-voltage cable. Wireless cameras rely on a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi signal and run on batteries or a plug-in adaptor.

- Smart Garage Door Opener with Camera: This third option merges two devices into one body. You swap your current wall switch or opener hub for a smart version that holds a small HD camera. It controls the motor, monitors the door, and streams live video in a single app.

With so many models on the shelf, focus on six key points before you click "Buy":

- HD Video Quality: Look for 1080p at a bare minimum. Higher resolution, such as 2K or 4K, lets you zoom in on details without blurring the picture.

- Motion Detection Alerts: A camera that notices movement saves storage and tells you the second something changes.

- Night Vision Capability: Check the infrared range. Ten meters covers most two-car garages. If you mount outside, pick a model with color night vision or a white-light LED for richer detail after dark.

- Remote Viewing via Smartphone: Make sure the brand offers iOS and Android apps with a simple, ad-free interface. Test live view speed and clip playback, as delays kill the benefit of real-time alerts.

- Two-way Audio: A built-in mic and speaker give you a quick intercom. You can guide a courier to leave a parcel by the workbench or shout at a snooping stranger.

Good gear fails if you mount it in the wrong spot. Follow these placement rules for a clear view and a strong signal:

- Cover the Main Door First: Place the lens above and slightly to the side of the roll-up or tilt-up door. Angle it down at 30° to capture faces and vehicles without staring at the ceiling.

- Watch the Service Door: Many burglars skip the big door and kick in the side entry. Mount a second camera over this doorjamb to catch anyone who slips past the driveway.

- Mind the Sunlight: Avoid backlighting. If bright morning rays shine through the door windows, position the camera off to the darker corner so the sensor balances exposure.

- Keep It Out of Reach: Install at least nine feet high. Thieves can't swat the camera with a broom, and you still keep the detail when you zoom in.

- Test Wi-Fi Strength: Before you drill, open the app in live view. If the stream freezes, add a mesh Wi-Fi node or choose a wired model that runs PoE to a switch in the attic.

Yes, in most homes, a garage camera is a smart upgrade. The space stores high-value goods, yet many people leave it dark and unguarded. A camera deters crime, provides video proof for insurance, and lets you keep an eye on kids who use the garage as a play area.

Federal law allows video recording on your own property as long as you do not capture audio without consent. Audio triggers stricter rules. Eleven states demand two-party consent for any voice recording: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Hawaii for cameras in private areas.

Interference is rare but possible. Most wireless cameras use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, the same band older remote controls use. If you notice the door stalling or remotes failing after you install a camera, change one of three things: switch the camera to the 5 GHz band, move the router farther from the opener's motor head, or hard-wire the camera with Ethernet.

Use an opener that changes its radio code each time you press the button. Code grabbers then fail to replay a stolen signal. Thread a plastic zip-tie through the release latch. In an emergency, pull hard to break it, but a coat hanger trick from the outside no longer works.

A camera on or near the opener is not mandatory, yet it adds clear value. You see the door status, confirm it closed, and catch any tampering right away. If you often leave home in a rush, the live view spares you the "Did I shut the door?" panic. A built-in lens also captures the top half of anyone who ducks under the rising door—an angle many wall-mounted cameras miss.