Local hub: Manufacturers like Eufy and TP-Link offer smart hubs that connect wirelessly to their security cameras and offer expandable storage. Sometimes these spatial hubs allow for more localized AI processing (Eufy’s hub enables facial recognition). They can also sometimes increase wireless signal and stability for cameras. These hubs often need to be plugged directly into your router via an Ethernet cable.

MicroSD card: Plugging a microSD card into the camera is a quick and easy way to record locally, but if an intruder steals the camera, your footage goes with them. Occasionally, camera manufacturers offer indoor hubs that are expandable via microSD card.

Network Attached Storage (NAS): If you have a NAS server, you can probably set it up to store your security camera video. These devices contain hard drives and are expandable, potentially offering much more storage.

The best USB flash drives and external hard drives can be used to enhance or offload some of the above footage.

Cloud vs. Local

I have a guide on cloud vs. on-premises security camera footage that covers the basic pros and cons in more depth, but in a nutshell:

Cloud storage means your video is backed up online, so no intruder can access it, it’s usually faster to access or stream when you’re away from home, and it doesn’t require any additional storage hardware. On the downside, you pay a monthly fee, the video doesn’t upload if your Wi-Fi fails or you get scrambled, and you’re relying on a service provider, who may share it or use it in ways you don’t like (data breaches are also common).

Local storage is a one-time cost, doesn’t depend on Wi-Fi, and it’s very difficult for anyone but you to access the footage. But, there’s a risk that someone might steal the physical hardware storing your footage, or the hardware might fail, and accessing and streaming video when you’re away from home can be slow.

For maximum security, even with a local system, you may want to consider cloud backup. You can reduce the risk of your footage being exposed by choosing a cloud service that is end-to-end encrypted, such as Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video.

Protecting your privacy

Access to your security camera feeds and recorded videos must be end-to-end encrypted, and you must always use two-factor authentication to protect account access. With end-to-end encryption, only your authorized devices can decrypt your videos. With 2FA, a trusted number, email, or passcode will be sent to you when you try to log in on a new device, so your login and password aren’t enough to gain access. Sadly, these features aren’t always turned on by default.

• Eufy cameras offer end-to-end encryption, but you must opt-in by tapping and selecting the menu at the top left in the app. Settings, Security, Video encryption, Advanced encryption. You can make sure 2FA is toggled by tapping your name and at the top of the menu Two-factor authentication.
• TP-Link Tapo cameras lack end-to-end encryption, but you can. Set up 2FA. for your account by tapping on me tab, View account, Login Security. To Encrypt footage on microSD cards.Go to your device settings and select Storage and recording, Local storageand tap . SD card encryption.
• Aqara offers end-to-end encryption by default on your locally stored video. For 2FA, tap . Profile bottom right, Settings, Accounts and Securityand make sure Two-factor authentication is toggled on.