Top 10 AI Smart Security Camera Systems

Thanks to advances in AI and computer vision, modern security camera systems can almost fully eliminate false motion detection alerts through algorithms for person detection, face detection, vehicle detection, object detection and more.

This identification and categorization of humans, vehicles, animals and objects occurs in real-time (well with a very slight delay). Facial recognition algorithms can even allow you to define an approved list of faces so you only get notified when a stranger is identified.

So, if you'd like to install an AI smart security camera system that can perform these functions, you’ve come to the right place. We've broken down our list into wired and wireless kits as they have different audiences.

Top 10 AI Smart Security Camera Systems

Wired AI Smart Security Camera Systems

In our first section, we will be talking about wired camera kits. These are usually IP-based systems that use PoE as the medium for power and data transmission. PoE systems are the most widely used because of the reliable wired connection that is more secure against interference and delays. Apart from that, a PoE connection ensures that you won’t need to supply separate AC or DC power to the cameras.

However, their need to have a physical connection from the NVR to the security camera can make it difficult (and sometimes expensive) to set up the cabling infrastructure. (You’ll often have to drill through walls, hide cables around your house, etc.)

Our top pick for the wired AI smart camera system is Reolink’s 4-camera 8-channel kit. Along with the 8-channel NVR, this system includes four Reolink RLC-812A bullet-type cameras.

Regarding intelligent features, this system sticks to the basics. Hence, including only person and vehicle detection along with customizable motion zones. The reason for this is that the object detection functions are carried out by the RLC-812A cameras and not by the NVR.

Therefore, you can use the cameras through the Reolink app as long as you provide power and access to the internet via a PoE switch. However, we do not recommend bypassing the NVR because you will be missing out on high-capacity local storage.

Our second-best wired intelligent system is Lorex’s 8-channel kit. This kit includes the Lorex N843 Series - 4K Fusion NVR with four E892AB Series 4K resolution IP cameras.

AI processing is carried out by the NVR. You can configure the cameras to perform face detection or person and vehicle detection. It cannot perform all three object detection algorithms simultaneously.

Also, there are a couple of additional intelligent features. One of them is an abandoned/missing object detection algorithm called Lorex Safeguard. The other feature is called Active View™, where the cameras can zoom in (digitally) on a person or vehicle and track it throughout the frame.

Montavue’s 4K 8-channel system comes with an MNR12082-8 recorder and four MTT8108-AISMD turret cameras.

AI processing and IVS functions are carried out in the 8-channel NVR. The intelligent object detection algorithms include person and vehicle detection. Therefore, you can set up the system to notify you whenever a person or vehicle is in the frame. During detection, the timecode is tagged so you can review them conveniently at a later date.

The NVR also includes a couple of other IVS perimeter functions. These include intrusion and tripwire detection. You can set up customized tripwires and intrusion zones so that the system will notify you (or activate other security measures) when these are triggered. Montavue supports motion-activated recording for these functions with a feature that adds in 5-seconds of pre-triggered footage.

Lastly, the system includes customizable motion zones with four tiers of motion sensitivity. You can customize these settings and enable/disable notifications for each tier.

Next up, we have the Amcrest NV4216E-AI, a 16-channel 4K resolution NVR. This system only includes the NVR; hence, you have to purchase the security cameras separately.

The system includes face detection and recognition. However, the NVR can detect twelve faces simultaneously or recognize ten friendly faces. All of this on a maximum of two channels.

Apart from that, the NVR includes human and vehicle detection along with tripwire and intrusion detection features. These features can be carried out on four channels, each having ten different IVS rules (On each channel).

Also, there is the option to set up motion-activated recording based on these IVS events where the NVR records 30-second clips at a maximum rate of 10 clips per hour.

Night Owl’s 4K resolution 8-channel 4-camera security system is another viable solution for human and vehicle detection. The Night Owl DVR can store 4K footage of all eight channels. It includes eight BNC connectors (analog CCTV cables) with room for four Wi-Fi security cameras.

Also, it supports smart integration with Chromecast and Google Assistant, and it can interface with the Night Owl Protect mobile app via Bluetooth. (Without the need for a monitor to view and control the DVR.)

The intelligent features include human, vehicle, and face detection. The DVR picks up whenever there is a human or vehicle in the frame and sends you a notification with a face capture image.

On top of that, you can automate individual cameras to sound the integrated siren or play a pre-recorded message whenever it triggers these detection events.

Swann’s SWNVK-889804 system includes four NHD-900BE bullet-type security cameras with the NVR-8580 device.

SWNHD-900BE bullet-type cameras perform the bulk of the intelligent motion detection algorithms. These include face, human, and vehicle detection.

Also, the camera includes a heat mapping function that processes the scene to find specific regions where most activity takes place. It helps users identify where there is a lot of movement.

The other unique feature is Swann True Detect. This feature improves the accuracy of human and vehicle detection by utilizing an additional heat sensor to get a second opinion. Compared to most other detection algorithms (that only rely on optical footage) this is more reliable.

Our final wired system is the Smart 8-channel security camera system offered by Hikvsion. This system comprises an 8-channel 4K resolution NVR (DS-7608NI-K2/8P) with four DS-2CD2143G0-I(S) dome-type security cameras.

Most of the smart features are carried out in the camera system, and this includes face detection. There is no mention of person and vehicle detection. Instead, it emphasizes line crossing and intrusion detection.

Also, the cameras include other intelligent security measures such as storage anomaly, IP address conflict, video tampering detection, etc. Therefore, you will only be missing out on vehicle detection and customizable motion zones if you happen to side with this camera system.

Wi-Fi AI Smart Security Camera Systems

We’ve covered several wired security systems, and now it’s time to turn our attention to the wireless systems.

The benefits of a wireless system are that they are easier to install since you don’t have to drag PoE cables to and fro. They consume less power, and some may even include additional hardware such as batteries and microSD card slots, allowing them to be more independent from the electrical grid and NVR storage.

However, you need to maintain a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection and make sure that the cameras around your home have Wi-Fi coverage. Also, if you are using a cloud storage feature, the cameras can use up a lot of bandwidth (and internet data) trying to upload footage to the cloud. Finally you may need to pay monthly subscription fees which is a pain!

Our top pick for the best wireless smart security camera system is Arlo’s video doorbell + 4K camera bundle. This kit includes an Arlo Essential Wireless Video Doorbell, two Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Cameras, and an Arlo SmartHub.

The Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight security cameras are very versatile devices. In terms of smart integration, these devices are one of the few compatible with multiple platforms such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung Smarthings, and IFTTT.

Their intelligent motion detection features include person, vehicle, and everyday object detection (packages, bags, etc.) Along with those, the camera incorporates other low-level functions such as customizable motion zones for intrusion detection.

Also, these cameras have two-way audio functionality with a built-in siren that can be automated whenever it detects objects or motion.

The runner-up is Ring’s 4-pack spotlight bundle. As the name suggests, this bundle includes four Ring spotlight cameras.

The devices need AC power (via a wall outlet) but utilize 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for data transfer. But unfortunately, the cameras do not include continuous recording. (Mainly due to the lack of local storage options.)

The smart detection features include person detection along with customizable motion zones. There is no support for vehicle and face detection and no mention of customizable motion zone sensitivity.

As is the case with many Ring products, real-time notifications and object detection (and even basic storage) are locked behind the Ring “protect plan,” and you need to pay a monthly subscription to enable these features.

Our final item on this list is the eufyCam 2C Pro (4-Cam Kit). This includes four eufyCam 2C Pro-add-on cameras with an NVR (hub device).

This wire-free security system (all cameras are wire-free except for the NVR) can seamlessly integrate with smart assistants/services such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. However, you need to power up the main hub and ensure a stable 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection.

The cameras do not include vehicle and everyday object detection. Instead, it focuses its efforts on detecting humans using a combination of person and face detection for better accuracy. Along with that, the cameras have customizable motion zones for better intrusion detection.

Decision Factors when Choosing an AI Smart Security Camera System

Supported Object Detection Algorithms

Usually, most consumer-grade security cameras include person and vehicle detection. More advanced systems may offer face detection/recognition along with everyday object detection (boxes, packages, etc.) and animal detection. So despite having a plethora of supported algorithms, you might only be able to enable a couple of them for individual cameras in the entire system, so make sure you consider the limitations of your desired system before purchasing. (Some cameras won’t be able to perform all three human, vehicle and face detection at once.) 

Supported Perimeter Protection Algorithms

Although perimeter protection algorithms such as line crossing and intrusion detection are not as accurate as human or face detection, they are significant because of their general-use applications. These features are easier to implement; hence, they can be found in many smart security cameras. Nonetheless, these customizable motion zones and motion sensitivity features are a sizable factor in determining the capabilities of a smart security camera system. 

Compatible Smart Integration Platforms

Support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and even IFTTT can be another deciding factor that would help you size up the camera’s smart functions. More advanced systems will support more platforms and include more automation features, allowing you to view multiple cameras, sound the alarms, etc. So make sure you consider these smart assistants and home kits as well.

Audio-Based Features

The purpose of having smart security systems is to improve security. Therefore, having two-way communication facilities or integrated sirens that can automate themselves (whenever the motion detection algorithms confirm an event) can be a valuable asset to deter intruders and help things run more smoothly.

Mobile App

Mobile applications may not have the full functionality offered by desktop clients and browser apps, but they do a great job of instantly notifying you whenever you are away from the computer. Therefore, make sure to consider the mobile app functionality of your desired security system as well since cloud storage, motion detection, and automated functions are made all the more accessible when you have a responsive and feature-packed mobile app.

Common Questions related to AI Smart Security Camera Systems

What is an AI Smart Security Camera System?

An AI smart security camera system, apart from recording and storing footage, carries out several intelligent features that help to improve the overall security and accuracy of the camera system.

These intelligent features include object detection and other event triggers, with the most widely-implemented functions of these being human and vehicle detection.

For security camera systems, object detection is the most widely-recognized intelligent feature. Mainly because they help the security cameras understand the footage more intuitively.

A couple of practical examples include: minimizing false alarms caused by motion sensors and alerting the user when an object goes missing from the scene.

Do AI security cameras need access to the internet?

That depends on the hardware capabilities of the camera. Most wireless consumer-grade cameras (such as Ring spotlight cameras) need to stream footage to the cloud before they can access the intelligent systems. Meanwhile, other cameras have high-end hardware or interfaces either on-device or built into the NVR to process the footage so they don’t need internet access.

However if you want motion detection alerts to your smart phone, they camera system will need internet access.

Do AI security cameras use motion sensors?

For intelligent object and motion detection, the camera system does not need to depend on motion sensors, and object detection is carried out by analyzing the camera footage. Motion sensors are primarily used for motion-activated recording.

However, some brands use PIR motion sensors or heat sensors (such as Swann’s True Detect feature) to get a second opinion and improve the accuracy of their object detection algorithms. (Most often, it’s the other way around, with AI being used to reduce false alarms caused by motion sensors.)

Can AI security cameras detect objects at night?

Yes. As long as the footage is clear enough to identify different objects, such as humans and vehicles, the AI features will work without an issue. However, advanced features such as face recognition will not be as reliable, especially when it’s infrared footage.

Can AI improve the quality of footage?

When considering conventional security camera systems, AI is not used to improve the clarity and readability of the camera’s footage. Currently, the technology is too demanding to carry out in real-time; hence, we will have to resort to conventional post-processing algorithms such as True WDR, 3D DNR, White balance control, etc.

Conclusion

So there you have it, our top ten AI Smart security camera systems. We’ve gone through both wired and wireless options and talked about the intelligent features that each brand supports and how they respond to these events.

Nowadays, it is quite common to find intelligent object and motion detection features implemented in security cameras and NVRs. They have become invaluable technologies that improve security and help keep track of important information around your perimeter. (faces, number plates, etc.)

So, do you agree with our top wired and wireless AI security camera systems? Let us know in the comments.