Are you looking for the best 4K security camera system?
I have tested the most popular 4k security cameras on the market today and in this article you will know my picks for the top 4K surveillance system for your home or business.
Check out the quick list below for price and customer reviews for my best 4K security camera picks, or read on for the full reviews:
- Reolink 4MP 8CH PoE Video Surveillance System, 4 x Wired Outdoor Cameras
- Swann 8 Channel NVR 2TB Hard Drive 4 x 4K Camera Security System
- Amcrest 8 Channel 4K Security Camera System Kit Weatherproof Wide Angle Night Vision
- LaView 2K 8 Channel Security 4 Camera System 4MP Night Vision 2TB Hard Drive
- Lorex 4K Ultra HD Wired Network Security System with Color Night Vision
I am a firm believer in having a quality, reliable security system for your home and business.
And with the advances in 4K security technology, it is easier than ever to install and operate your own surveillance system. Setting one up at your home and business is really a no-brainer.
Table of Contents
How to Choose a 4K Security Camera System
When you’re looking at a 4K security camera system, it’s important that you make sure that you choose the right camera system for your particular needs.
If this is your first time selecting a home security camera system, it can be challenging knowing what to consider before making the investment.
With technological advances in night vision capabilities it is possible for every one to include this option.
This will allow you to maintain a close eye on your home or business even when the lighting is poor.
For this reason I recommend opting for a security system with night vision capabilities.
One important factor to keep in mind, is the night vision range offered by your cameras. Opt for the highest night vision range within your budget.
It’s also important that you take into consideration the storage space of your security system.
Especially if you want to be able to save video 24/7. With advances in hard drive storage this is now a possibility. And well worth it too.
Most camera systems come with a pre-installed hard disk drive, but some will allow you to insert additional storage so that you can store more footage easily. Generally speaking, more storage is better.
Quality audio can now be captured and is well worth the investment.
Not all cameras offer this feature, so you need to decide how important it is to you before you decide on one of the below models.
4K Security Camera Advantages
A quality 4k security camera system will provide tremendous peace of mind knowing your property can be monitored no matter where you are.
Not all security camera systems are created the same.
4k image quality is incredibly crisp and detailed.
Have you ever seen the grainy video from an old fashion security system?
This can lead to a lack in identification of intruders, and hamper any property recovery efforts.
This is not the case with a 4K security camera system.
I find the significant increase in image quality well worth the investment.
A 4k security camera allows you to zoom in on your property without sacrificing video quality. Effectively allowing you to monitor your entire property with adequate camera coverage.
Additionally, when you go with a 4k security camera system, you will generally have a number of security cameras included in the system. I have focused my recommendations on out of the box ready systems that provide room for growth without requiring significant extra initial accessory purchases.
There is an incredible sense of calm I feel knowing I can keep an eye on my entire property even when I am away from home.
It’s hard to put a price on that comfort.
Features to Look for in Your 4K Surveillance Camera System
Due to the wide range of features available on the market, it is important to prioritize your personal security needs.
I find that there are a number of universal considerations to look at before making a final decision.
While it’s important to consider how many cameras are included in the system, as well as whether or not it offers powerful night vision capabilities, there are numerous othe
First look at your property and it’s major points of entry. Visualize how many cameras it will take to monitor these points and ensure that your system can handle all needed cameras.
Consider if night vision will be needed. I recommend everyone go with night vision equipped cameras, if your property has significant low light areas then night vision is a must.
One great optional feature is app supported monitoring. Systems that allow you to access your security video is a huge plus. I currently utilize this feature and can’t imagine going back.
Due to real time alerts and monitoring, I can view my home even when away for extended periods of time.
These alerts can be sent via email, text, and even push notifications.
If smart phones are not your thing, no worries. You can still get all the rest of a 4k security system benefits without a security app.
With most of these systems, you can access live feeds from your phone or laptop. I travel from home frequently and have accessed my home computer to view my live feed remotely, avoiding the need for my phone. These systems are incredibly versatile.
Mistakes to Avoid with 4K Security Cameras
When you’re setting up your new 4K security camera system at your home, you need to make sure that you avoid a couple common mistakes.
These mistakes won’t necessarily damage your system, but they can make it difficult for you to get the best performance out of your new cameras.
The first mistake that many people make is trying to hide their cameras so that they aren’t in plain sight.
While concealing your cameras may allow you to catch a criminal, you will sacrifice the deterrent factor.
Would be criminals are opportunists and a visible security system will ward off most petty thieves.
I think that it’s best to have your cameras in a location where they are visible to everyone who steps foot on your property.
At the same time, make sure that your cameras are positioned correctly so that you can maintain 24/7 coverage of all entry points to your property.
Also make sure that you buy a quality system that is built to last. While less expensive systems may seem like a great deal, they often won’t last nearly as long.
Security is one of the areas of life where you generally do get what you pay for.
Best 4k Security Camera Systems
Great for audio and continuous video surveillance. If you are looking for a camera system that features four cameras, the ability to install four more, as well as a powerful video recorder, then you will love this powerful option from Reolink. It has two stable network connections so that you can easily view your footage and camera at all times.
Pros
● Records audio via the built-in mic
● Provides 24/7 recording from up to eight different cameras
● Sends real-time alerts to your phone or email
● Offers playback with four camera views at the same time
● Can operate from 14F-113F without failing
● Pre-installed hard drive can be replaced with a larger one
● Motion detection can be turned on to only record when there is movement
● Create customized detection zone
Cons
● Not compatible with Blue Iris
● IRS are bright and reflect all debris in the air, triggering recorder
Enjoy face detection so that you can trigger alerts for certain people coming near your home and rely on your camera to easily distinguish between people and animals so that you don’t waste time recording animals around your property. This camera is easy to use and can detect perimeter intrusions so that you can be aware of unwanted visitors. Huge storage capacity.
Pros
● Can record 300+ days onto the hard drive
● Offers incredible infrared night vision
● Durable for indoor and outdoor use
● Offers live view and playback via smartphone
● Can easily and reliable detect people and other heat-generating objects
● Easy to set up and use
● Records off-screen noises
● Ability to save snapshots to Dropbox
Cons
● Can’t add wireless cameras to the system
If you want a 4K security camera system that is easy to set up and use right away, then you will need to consider this option from Amcrest. It is not only easy to install, but it offers incredible recording, as well as the ability to easily view your streams real time or at a later time. Set up alerts to keep an eye on your property.
Pros
● Plug and play setup is easy to configure, control, and access
● Enjoy live viewing and fast playback from the app
● Can connect to all POE EIP cameras at your home
● Enjoy seamless viewing of your recordings
● Full year guarantee from the company
● Offers multiple alarm events to trigger recording, email, buzzer, or video push
● Provides custom record modes
Cons
● Using the wrong cable will prevent the system from working
● Dome cameras do not offer the best night recording
Ok, so technically I cheated on this one. But this 2K system is excellent and deserves a look. This is a powerful security system that offers night vision up to 100 feet, as well as a 79 degree field of view so that you can easily keep an eye on what is going on around your home. You’re sure to love how durable the cameras are, especially if you live in an area with severe weather or where there is a lot of dust or ocean spray, as they can stand up to the elements.
Pros
● Provides crystal clear footage during the day and at night
● Rated to work outdoors in all weather
● Can work from -4F – 140F
● Advanced settings allow you to get motion detection alerts so you can remain connected
● Phone app is easy to navigate and to use
● Even when running 24/7 doesn’t heat up very much
Cons
● There isn’t good documentation for setup and using the system
● Moderate setup difficulty
Excellent color night vision! One of the main pros that this camera system offers over others is that it comes with six cameras ready to be set up so that you can keep an eye on more areas around your home. Thanks to the secure app, you can easily keep an eye on your home instantly, and the color night vision technology allows you to easily tell who is at your door, even in the dark.
Pros
● Provides color night vision
● The secure app allows you to stream live video on the go
● Built-in hard drive provides 2TB of storage
● Rated for indoor and outdoor use
● Offers up to 130 feet of vision range during the night
● Ships with six cameras
● Installation is fast and simple with one cable to attach for each camera
Cons
● Rapid Recap feature doesn’t work as advertised and is expensive
For more security guides and tips read these articles:
If you are in the market for the best 4K security camera system that is easy to use, installs quickly, and will allow you to keep an eye on your home even when you are traveling, then you will want to consider getting the Reolink Video Surveillance System.
I love that this system ships with four cameras, but will allow you to connect four more, if you need more coverage.
Additionally, this system has a powerful app that you can use to keep an eye on your home. And if you set up alerts, you will be notified when something is wrong or when you have an unexpected visitor on your property.
Any of our picks will provide you with the quality 24/7 security you need for your home and business. Let me know which system you chose in the comments below.
4K Security Camera FAQ
How does a 4K security camera work?
So what is so special about a 4K security camera and why is it the best security camera system for you? 4K security cameras have a specialized security sensor that is significantly larger than other security camera systems and offers increased sensitivity in the camera in low light environments. This allows a 4K security camera to offer 8mp high resolution images. 4k security cameras additionally features advanced video codec that is either 10 bit or 12 bit. Even CCTV 4k security cameras offer high quality security images.
What performance advantages does a 4k security camera offer?
The first feature you will notice with your top 4k security camera is the amazing image resolution quality. 4k security cameras offer over eight times improved image clarity over standard 720p cameras. The clarity extends to video quality as well. 4 K security cameras provide videos at over four times clearer resolution to 1080p security systems. The best 4k security camera will offer clear images and video at up to 80 feet away. This allows you to identify faces at large distances when using a 4k security camera. This is a game changer in your home business security preparation.
An 8MP 4k security camera actually lets you zoom in your video and images without losing detail. Other security camera images will become blurry when zoomed in. An image or video from a 4k security camera system will be at least twice as clear as lesser camera technologies.
Not only do 4k security cameras offer a significantly clearer image, they also provide a much wider viewing range. 4k security cameras have a larger image sensor that allows them to capture more with their wide angle lenses. This provides significant cost savings as fewer cameras are needed to cover the same area when using a 4k security camera. These savings can be significant if you have a large property, home, or business to track. Add onto that, some 4k security cameras feature an automatic rotation feature that will truly expand it’s sight range.
4K security cameras are quickly becoming the standard in home and business security due to their unmatched performance and reliability. A top quality 4k security camera system will provide years of reliable security coverage making them an excellent investment. With their superior image and video quality coupled with excellent audio capture a 4 security camera covers all the features needed for a top quality security system.
What are the specification differences between 4k security cameras and other camera types?
Here the tech specs of the most popular security camera options on the martket.
4K Security Cameras: 2160p ultra high definition, 8MP, 3840*2160
2K Security Cameras: 1440p or 1080p high definition, 4MP or 2MP, 2560*1440 or 1920*1080
Analog HD Security Cameras: 720p, 0.9MP or 0.4MP, 1280*720 or 640*480
4k Security Camera Feature Breakdown
8MP 4k Security Camera Resolution
A true 8MP 4k security camera will offer the best image and video quality you can get. When selecting your 4k security camera ensure that they offer 8MP. Lesser quality 4k security cameras will advertise themselves as true 4k but only offer 1080p images and video. Always opt for a 8MP 4K IP security camera to get the best image and video quality.
4K Security Camera Codec
HEVC stands for high efficiency video coding. This important feature allows a 4k surveillance camera to store high quality image and video files in a small and efficient size. This is required for the camera to provide 8MP quality images without overloading your network while also saving file storage space. Without Codec technology you will not be able to deliver 8MP quality images with your 4k security camera system.
2160p 4k Security Camera Lens
The best 4k security camera offers not only 8MP security sensors, it also features top quality lenses. This is imperative for your 4k camera to capture high quality images and video. True 4k security cameras offer wide angle lenses capable of capturing clear images. These 4k IP camera lenses are capable of covering a much wider range and capture clear images that can be zoomed in without quality loss. This long focal length allows a 4k surveillance camera to capture clear images of targets at a longer distance.
Viewing Range of 4k Security Cameras
4k Security Camera Performance
4k Security Camera Video Fluency
FPS stands for frames per second. You will see this in your 4k surveillance camera specifications. This number relates to the video fluency of your system. Always check for fluid video images and as a general rule an FPS of at least 30 is recommended.
8MP 4K Security Camera Night Vision
While all true 4k security cameras provide clear video and images in the daylight, it is important to ensure that your 4k camera is night vision equipped. Many would be intruders attempt break ins at night and without night vision your 4k camera will not pick them up. Some 4k surveillance cameras feature night vision capabilities and 3D DNR is an excellent form of night vision. As always, test the night vision image and video quality of your security cameras after installation. One important note on night vision, the only way to pick up color via night vision is with some ambient light present.
Fred is the Ready Zeal owner and editor. He has been passionately pursuing all things emergency preparation since working alongside his grandfather as a boy growing up in the Midwest. When not working on the family homestead he can be found brewing coffee and reading a good book or backpacking in the wilderness. Contact Fred at fred@readyzeal.com