Camera shopping usually starts with resolution and field of view. It should start with storage, because where footage lands decides what an incident costs to review, how long you keep it and who can see it.
The three storage models
| Model | How it works | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud | Clips upload to the vendor’s servers | Easy to review anywhere; ongoing subscription; clips leave your home |
| Local (microSD / hub) | Footage stays on a card or base station | No monthly fee; footage dies with the hardware if stolen or damaged |
| Hybrid | Local first, cloud for events you choose to save | Best resilience; more setup and usually pricier hardware |
Questions that decide it for you
- What are you actually keeping? Parcel deliveries need a day of clips. Evidence for insurance or disputes needs weeks and reliable timestamps — that pushes you toward cloud or hybrid.
- Does the camera keep recording when the internet drops? Some budget models simply stop. Check the vendor’s documentation for offline behavior before buying, not after.
- What does the subscription actually unlock? Many cameras record motion notifications for free but require a plan for saved history. Price the second year, not the first.
- Who can see the footage? Cloud vendors vary in encryption defaults and how they handle law-enforcement requests. If the camera points at a street or a neighbor’s property, this matters as much as the hardware.
- How are clips deleted? Look for explicit retention windows you can configure, not marketing language about “security”.
A practical default
For most homes: local storage on a hub for continuous coverage, plus cloud backup on the one or two cameras that matter most — the front door and whatever faces the street. That keeps the monthly bill small without betting everything on a memory card.
Pair storage decisions with placement: our indoor camera guide covers where cameras earn their keep room by room.
Editorial note. This guide is compiled from official product documentation and practical buying checklists, not hands-on testing. Verify specifications and current pricing with the manufacturer before you buy. See our affiliate disclosure for how we fund this work.
