Circuit & Chime

Where to Place Home Security Cameras

Coverage beats camera count. Here's where to put cameras for the biggest security payoff, the height and angle that actually work, and the placements to avoid — legally and practically.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we test

The biggest mistake people make with home cameras isn’t buying the wrong model — it’s putting good cameras in the wrong places. A thoughtfully placed pair of cameras protects a home better than six pointed at the wrong things. So before you drill a single hole, it’s worth thinking about coverage over count: which approaches to your home actually matter, and how to frame each one so the footage is useful when you need it.

Start with the entry points that matter

Prioritize the doors, in order of how exposed they are. The front entrancecomes first — it’s where deliveries land and where a lot of activity happens, so a doorbell camera or a camera on the front is the single most valuable placement. Next, cover the back and side doors, which are common forced-entry points precisely because they’re out of view from the street. Then add the driveway or main path for a wider view of anyone approaching, and any ground-floor windows that are hidden from the road. First-floor entries deserve attention long before you worry about upstairs.

Get the height and angle right

Mount cameras around 8 to 10 feethigh. Lower than that and they’re easy to reach or knock; much higher and you capture the top of a head instead of a face. Angle each camera slightly downward toward the area it covers, and frame the shot so a person walking into it fills a useful part of the picture — a camera that sees a whole yard but renders faces as tiny smudges hasn’t helped you. This is where resolution and field of view matter: a wider lens covers more but shows less detail at distance, so match the lens to the job.

Mind the light

Lighting ruins more footage than any other single factor. Avoid pointing a camera into the sunduring the day or straight at a bright outdoor light or window at night — both cause glare and backlighting that silhouette your subject and wash out the details. Position cameras so the light is generally behind the camera, falling on the area you want to see. For dark spots, look for a camera with good color night vision or a spotlight, which does more for identifying someone after dark than raw resolution does.

Placement, privacy and the law

Keep your cameras pointed at your own property. Aiming a camera into a neighbor’s windows or private space can create real legal and neighborly problems, and audiorecording is regulated more strictly than video in many places — some regions require everyone’s consent. Never place cameras in bathrooms or bedrooms, and be upfront with housemates about any indoor cameras. These aren’t just courtesies; they keep your footage on the right side of the line if you ever need to use it.

Secure the cameras you place

A camera watching your home is an internet-connected device with a view inside your life, so lock it down: a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication, plus firmware kept up to date, per the FTC’s and CISA’s guidance on home cameras. Local-storage cameras have a privacy edge because footage can stay on your own network — a good reason many people on our no-subscription listfavor them. Get the placement and the security right, and even a modest two-camera setup does its job well. When you’re ready to choose hardware, the best cameras roundup and the best camera systems guide take it from here.

General guidance, not professional security advice. Circuit & Chime is written by a smart-home enthusiast, not a licensed installer or security professional. For a home with specific risks, or for life-safety devices like smoke and CO alarms, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and, where it matters, a qualified installer.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I put my first security camera?

The front entrance. Most package deliveries and a large share of break-in attempts happen at the front door, so a doorbell camera or a camera covering the front entry gives you the most security value per camera. Add the back door and driveway next.

How high should a security camera be mounted?

About 8 to 10 feet off the ground. That's high enough to keep the camera out of easy reach and vandalism, but low enough to capture a recognizable face rather than just the top of someone's head. Angle it slightly downward toward the area you want to watch.

Is it legal to point a security camera at my neighbor's house?

Generally you should point cameras at your own property. Recording areas where someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy — like a neighbor's window or interior — can create legal problems, and audio recording is more tightly regulated than video in many places. When in doubt, aim at your own doors, driveway and yard, and check your local laws.

Should I put security cameras inside my house?

You can, and an indoor camera covering a main entry or common area adds a useful layer — but never place cameras in bathrooms or bedrooms, and be considerate of anyone living with you. Many people use indoor cameras only when away and disable them at home; some cameras have a privacy shutter for exactly this.

What areas should security cameras avoid?

Avoid pointing at bathrooms, bedrooms, and a neighbor's private space. Also avoid placements that shoot straight into the sun or a bright light, since glare and backlighting can wash out the very faces you're trying to capture. And don't hide a camera so well it can't see the approach it's meant to cover.

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