Best CCTV Systems: Surveillance Camera Systems under $400

#1
Amcrest 960H
 
$279.99*
Pro Bullet 99.7° view angle
Con Bullet Potentially tricky interface navigation
#2
Swann 8 Channel 4
 
$279.99*
Pro Bullet Night vision up to 100 feet
Con Bullet Inconsistent customer experience
#3
Q-SEE 4-channel
 
$319.97*
Pro Bullet 106° view angle
Con Bullet Most expensive in this article
#4
ANNKE 8CH
 
$115.99*
Pro Bullet Lowest cost of all CCTV systems we reviewed
Con Bullet No included hard drive
#5
JOOAN 1080N AHD
 
$139.99*
Pro Bullet Camera’s operating temperature as low as -4°F
Con Bullet No included hard drive
*Amazon.com price as of 12/17/2019 at 1:45 p.m. MST.

Overview
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems may seem more old-fashioned than cloud-based security cameras, but CCTV systems have several upsides.

For starters, they allow you to connect all your cameras to one device. CCTV systems also use cables to connect directly to the hard drive, often leading to shorter loading times than you would get with a DIY system that connects to Wi-Fi.

Perhaps best of all, CCTV systems are often less expensive than purchasing multiple DIY security cameras. Check out our five picks for best CCTV systems under $400.

Best CCTV camera systems


General pros and cons to a CCTV system

CCTV systems are commonly used for businesses, but some homes use them for their security purposes as well. Below we’ve listed some reasons you may like a CCTV system versus a DIY system as well as some disadvantages to these systems.

Man watching security footage
Pros
  • Pro BulletCCTV system can be much less expensive than DIY
  • Pro BulletA CCTV system can be a selling point for potential home buyers
  • Pro BulletCCTV cameras may intimidate burglars
  • Pro BulletMultiple cameras give you multiple viewing angles of your property
Cons
  • Con BulletCCTV can be bulkier and less aesthetically appealing than DIY
  • Con BulletRecording 24/7 can make it difficult to skim back through footage
  • Con BulletCCTV tends to be less customizable than DIY

Compare top 5 best CCTV home camera systems

*Amazon.com price as of 12/17/2019 at 1:45 p.m. MST.

1. Amcrest 960H

Amcrest 960H
 
$279.99*
    Cable length
    60 ft. (8 included)
    Channels
    8 (4 cameras included)
    Resolution
    4MP
    Night vision
    Up to 98 ft.
    Viewing angle
    99.7º
    Operating temperature
    -22 to 122º F
    Warranty
    1 year
    Indoor and Outdoor?
    Yes
    *Amazon.com price as of 12/17/2019 at 1:45 p.m. MST.
    Pros
    • Pro BulletMotion-activated zones
    • Pro Bullet99.7° view angle
    • Pro BulletOperating temperature as low as -22°F
    • Pro Bullet1 TB hard drive
    • Pro BulletGreat mobile app
    • Pro BulletEasy setup
    Cons
    • Con BulletPotentially tricky interface navigation
    Why we recommend Amcrest 960H

    Amcrest is our #1 pick for best CCTV system for many reasons. For starters, the cameras can operate in temperatures as low as -22°F. This is crucial for those who live in areas with winter temperatures that reach single digits or even below zero. The Amcrest cameras are also made out of sturdy metal so they can truly withstand the elements.

    Perhaps the coolest feature of this system is its motion detection feature that allows you to create active zones, which alert you when the cameras detect motion within the zones. The Amcrest includes a 1 TB hard drive, which means you could have up to 30 days of recordings if you use motion detection or lower resolution settings.

    ASecureLife’s recommendation: With Amcrest, your home will be protected no matter the weather. And with lots of storage and motion zone options, you can save footage for about as long as you need it.

    >>View on Amazon


    2. Swann 8 Channel 4

    Swann 8 Channel 4
     
    $279.99*
      Cable length
      50 ft. (2 included)
      Channels
      8 (4 cameras included)
      Resolution
      1080p
      Night vision
      Up to 100 ft.
      Viewing angle
      90º
      Operating temperature
      -4º to 122º F
      Warranty
      1 year
      Indoor and outdoor?
      Yes
      *Amazon.com price as of 12/17/2019 at 1:45 p.m. MST.
      Pros
      • Pro BulletGood company reputation
      • Pro Bullet90° view angle
      • Pro BulletNight vision up to 100 feet
      Cons
      • Con BulletShorter cables than the rest of the CCTV systems in this article
      • Con BulletInconsistent customer experience
      Why we recommend Swann 8 Channel 4

      Swann is a popular DIY security company with a good reputation, but this system has a few too many mixed reviews to earn it a higher spot in our rankings.

      Some customers say installation is easy, while others have difficulties. Others have good customer support and some have poor experiences. However, Swann is a highly regarded company, so if you’re looking for a low-cost CCTV system, this isn’t a bad choice.

      Similar to the ANNKE system, the Swann lets you skim back through footage to find incidents that happened throughout the day. The camera allows up to 1080p resolution at 30fps. At default settings, you can get three days of recording, but if you lower the settings you can get more than 15 days of recording on a 500 GB hard drive with eight cameras.

      ASecureLife’s recommendation: If you’re looking for something affordable and well known, try Swann.

      >>View on Amazon


      3. Q-SEE 4-channel

      Q-SEE 4-channel
       
      $319.97*
        Cable length
        60 ft. (4 included)
        Channels
        4 (4 cameras included)
        Resolution
        1080p
        Night vision
        Up to 65 ft.
        Viewing angle
        106º
        Operating temperature
        -22º to 113º F
        Warranty
        2 years
        Indoor and outdoor?
        Yes
        *Amazon.com price as of 12/17/2019 at 1:45 p.m. MST.
        Pros
        • Pro Bullet106° view angle
        • Pro BulletLonger warranty
        • Pro BulletGreat mobile app
        • Pro BulletGreat customer service
        • Pro BulletEasy setup
        • Pro BulletPlug-and-play installation
        Cons
        • Con BulletSmaller night vision range than the rest of the CCTV systems in this article
        • Con BulletSlightly unclear instructions
        • Con BulletMost expensive in this article
        Why we recommend Q-SEE 4-channel

        Customers have mostly positive things to report in their Q-SEE reviews, stating that the system is easy to install, has clear footage, and has a convenient and easy-to-use mobile app.

        We’re a bit bummed that this camera has the smallest night vision range while also being the most expensive. But the Q-SEE warranty is two years, as opposed to the one-year standard the rest of the systems we reviewed have.

        This camera has the smallest night vision range.

        The 1 TB hard drive included can hold about 10 days of 24/7 recording for four cameras.

        ASecureLife’s recommendation: If you’ve got a little extra to spend, try the Q-SEE 4-Channel.

        >>View on Amazon


        4. ANNKE 8CH

        ANNKE 8CH
         
        $115.99*
          Cables
          60 ft. (4 included)
          Channels
          8 (4 cameras included)
          Resolution
          1080p
          Night vision
          Up to 100 ft.
          Viewing angle
          82.2º
          Operating temperature
          -4º to 140º F
          Warranty
          1 year
          Indoor and outdoor?
          Yes
          *Amazon.com price as of 12/17/2019 at 1:45 p.m. MST.
          Pros
          • Pro BulletLowest cost of all CCTV systems we reviewed
          • Pro BulletNight vision up to 100 feet
          • Pro BulletMotion-activated zones
          • Pro BulletEasy installation
          • Pro BulletEasy-to-use phone app
          • Pro BulletResponsive customer support team
          Cons
          • Con BulletHard drive not included
          • Con BulletPlastic camera casing, which may strip screws
          • Con BulletComplaints of the mobile app not always working
          • Con BulletReports of night vision quality diminishing after about 15 feet
          Why we recommend ANNKE 8CH

          This ANNKE CCTV system is one of the most popular on the market. A low price point and overwhelming positive reviews helped the ANNKE make our top five. The ANNKE’s video timeline shows where moments of motion occurred so you can easily skim back and see the video activity for the day, which is a big plus for this system. The ANNKE also has the same motion-detection zone feature as the Amcrest. However, you get what you pay for, and with a lower price point, this system won’t give you all the extra features some other CCTV systems have.

          Many similarly priced systems include a hard drive; this system does not. One of the biggest complaints about the ANNKE is that the cameras are made out of plastic, which makes it easy to strip the screws, so carefully install all the components. Customers also report less-than-stellar night vision quality beyond 15 feet.

          ASecureLife’s recommendation: For an inexpensive offering, go to ANNKE.

          >>View on Amazon


          5. JOOAN 1080N AHD

          JOOAN 1080N AHD
           
          $139.99*
            Cable length
            60 ft. (4 included)
            Channels
            8 (4 cameras included)
            Resolution
            1080p
            Night vision
            Up to 100 ft.
            Viewing angle
            75º
            Operating temperature
            -4º to 122º F
            Warranty
            1 year
            Indoor and outdoor?
            Yes
            *Amazon.com price as of 12/17/2019 at 1:45 p.m. MST.
            Pros
            • Pro BulletCamera’s operating temperature as low as -4°F
            • Pro BulletExcellent night vision
            • Pro BulletExcellent picture quality
            • Pro BulletGood customer support
            Cons
            • Con BulletNo included hard drive
            Why we recommend JOOAN 1080N AHD

            We were surprised to find that this JOOAN CCTV system was so highly recommended. The company website is not the easiest to navigate, and we had difficulty finding some of the technical specifications. Still, customers are overwhelmingly pleased with the performance of this system for the price they pay, which is why it’s in our top five. It also has excellent night vision and receives rave reviews for customer support.

            You’ll have to purchase a hard drive separately since the system doesn’t include one. The maximum resolution is 1080p at 12fps. If you opt for a 1 TB hard drive, four cameras recording at maximum quality would give you about 10 days of recording. If you record at a lower quality of 720p at 25fps, you’ll get about 15 to 20 days of recordings, which would fall in the middle of competitors’ maximum recording.

            ASecureLife’s recommendation: To see your property day or night, try the JOOAN CCTV system.

            >>View on Amazon


            How we chose

            We looked at highly-rated CCTV cameras on Amazon.com and dug into the specs and prices.


            Other products we considered

            SMONET 5MP PoE Home Security Camera System

            This CCTV camera system comes with a two-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee. But it’s majorly expensive $729.99. Plus the images and description of the product aren’t very professional, making us think there will be bigger communication issues in the future.

            1080P Wireless Night Vision Security Cameras with Two-Way Audio

            This camera costs just $28.88. It has a 100°F viewing angle, up to 82 feet of night vision, and a built-in alarm. But it’s just one camera, though it does have plugs to create a wider CCTV system with other individual cameras.


            What to consider before buying

            outdoor security camera

            Perhaps one of the most obvious items to think about is where you will install the cameras. If you want them outside, make sure they can be used outdoors. All of the CCTV systems in this article are both indoor and outdoor capable, so you can place them wherever works best for you.

            After you have an idea of where you want to install the cameras, you’ll need to know how many cameras the system will be able to handle. If you want one by the front door, garage, back door, and shed, you’ll want to make sure the system can handle at least four cameras. If you’re considering expanding in the future, make sure you purchase one with additional channels. All the systems in this article include four cameras but have eight channels, so you can add cameras on as you see fit.

            One thing that many people overlook is the operating temperature. Before buying a system, think about how cold the winters are and how hot the summers are, and make sure the system can handle those temperatures.

            Another important thing to look into is whether the system requires additional equipment to work. Some of these CCTV systems on this list include a hard drive, while others will need them purchased separately. These will also need to be hooked up to a TV or computer for you to monitor the footage.


            Our recommendation

            Home security is necessary for helping you and your family feel safe, but it’s up to you to decide what level of home security you need. A CCTV system gives you the convenience of an all-in-one system without you having to do a lot of hands-on work.

            If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive all-in-one system that performs well and adds convenient local storage, we recommend any of the systems above. Each system on this list comes with its own benefits, so you should be able to find the perfect one for your needs.


            Contributing author: Celeste Tholen

            *Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable, at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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