Free planner · US & Canada · updated 2026-09-15
How many security cameras does your house need?
A detached house with an attached garage usually needs 3 to 6 outdoor cameras plus a video doorbell to see the front door, driveway and backyard. A townhouse needs 2, and a condo 1 to 2 including the doorbell. Where you mount them matters more than how many, and so does whether each one needs a monthly plan to record.
No account. Your plan stays in your browser, and you can share it with a link.
Start from the layout closest to yours
Pick a layout, then switch areas on or off, mark what you already own, and set your budget.
The monthly fee is the biggest cost you don't see on the box
Three years of owning one camera, and four, at list price plus the cheapest plan that lets each camera save video. Cameras that record to a card or hub pay nothing a month.
| Camera | Needs a plan to record? | Price | 1 camera, 3 years | 4 cameras, 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Tapo C460 | No | $84.99 | $85 | $340 |
| Wyze Battery Cam Pro | No | $89.98 | $90 | $360 |
| Ring Outdoor Cam 2K (2nd Gen) Battery | Yes, from $4.99/mo | $99.99 | $280 | $760 |
| eufy SoloCam S340 | No | $199.99 | $200 | $800 |
| Blink Outdoor 2K+ | Yes, from $3.99/mo | $99.99 | $244 | $832 |
| Reolink Argus 4 Pro | No | $214.99 | $215 | $860 |
| Arlo Pro 6 | Yes, from $9.99/mo | $124.99 | $485 | $1,220 |
US list prices and plan prices checked 2026-09-15. Four cameras use the cheaper of per-camera or unlimited plans. Brand-by-brand comparisons
What you get that a chatbot answer can't give you
Your blind spots
Cameras are drawn on your layout with real viewing angles. The house and garage block the view, and spots no camera can see get flagged.
Power that fits each spot
Doorbell wires, porch lights, outlets, sun or battery, mount by mount. Cold-climate homes get winter charging estimates.
Three plans side by side
Lowest 3-year cost, easiest install in one app, or the most coverage. Each plan says what you give up.
Devices you already own
Mark the doorbell or cameras you have, and the plan builds around them for free.
Wi-Fi reach
Drop your router in and see which spots are likely too far, and where a mesh node would help.
Buy in phases
Phase 1 covers what matters most. Everything else can wait for the next paycheck.
Example plans
- Security cameras for every side of a house with an attached garage, with no monthly fee $250
- Security cameras for every side of a house with an attached garage, for under $500 $825
- Security cameras for every side of a house with an attached garage, for under $1,000 $895
- Security cameras for every side of a house with an attached garage, without running new wires $720
- Security cameras for every side of a house with an attached garage, with wired cameras $895
- Security cameras for the front door and driveway of a house with an attached garage, with no monthly fee $125
- Security cameras for the front door and driveway of a house with an attached garage, for under $500 $390
- Security cameras for the front door and driveway of a house with an attached garage, without running new wires $220
Quick answers
How many security cameras does a house need?
A detached house with an attached garage usually needs 3 to 6 outdoor cameras plus a video doorbell to see the front door, driveway and backyard. A townhouse needs 2, and a condo 1 to 2 including the doorbell. Where you mount them matters more than how many, and so does whether each one needs a monthly plan to record.
Do I need a subscription for outdoor security cameras?
Not always. Ring and Arlo cameras save no video without a paid plan, and Blink needs a plan or a Sync Module with storage. eufy, Reolink, Tapo, Wyze, Lorex and Aqara cameras record to a microSD card, built-in storage or a hub for free.
Where should outdoor security cameras go?
Cover the front door, the driveway and any gate or back door first. Mount under the eaves about 8 to 10 feet up, angle cameras along the house rather than straight out, and check the live view before drilling. Our planner marks spots no camera can see.
Are battery security cameras OK in cold winters?
They work, but lithium batteries don't charge below freezing and run down much faster in the cold. In Canada and the northern US, put solar panels under the eave where snow can't cover them, or use a plug-in or wired camera for the spots that matter most.
Numbers on this site come from manufacturer spec pages and store listings, each with a checked date. We don't claim lab testing. See exactly how we calculate coverage, battery life, Wi-Fi and cost.