Editorial Policy
Effective date: 2025-10-04
Our Purpose
Security Camera Ratings exists to deliver evidence‑first evaluations that help you choose cameras that catch what matters, reduce false alarms, and protect privacy and budget.
Independence and Integrity
- We do not sell favorable coverage or accept payment to change scores or conclusions.
- Manufacturers may provide review units, but they have no approval rights over our content.
- If we use affiliate links, they do not influence our ratings or recommendations.
Product Selection
We focus on models that are widely available and relevant to real‑world scenarios—apartments, porches with glare, backyards at distance, and small shops. We consider ecosystem support (HomeKit, Google/Alexa, Home Assistant, RTSP/ONVIF), power options (PoE, wired, battery/solar), storage modes (local/NVR/cloud), and privacy features.
Hands‑On Testing and Scoring
Every recommended product is tested against our standardized methodology, including alert precision, notification latency, low‑light identification, reliability, and total cost of ownership. We document firmware versions, app versions, and test conditions. Scores are peer‑reviewed before publication.
Updates and Retests
Firmware changes can materially affect performance. We monitor release notes and reader reports, and we retest when changes could impact accuracy, latency, reliability, or privacy. We version our reviews and note what changed.
Corrections and Clarifications
If we make a mistake, we correct it promptly and add an editor’s note describing what was fixed and when. Send correction requests to [email protected] with a link and supporting details.
Sourcing and Evidence
We rely on first‑party testing, manufacturer documentation (treated as claims, not facts), standards bodies, and expert interviews where relevant. We publish representative clips, images, and test notes so readers can evaluate our conclusions.
Monetization and Affiliate Disclosure
We may earn commissions from purchases made through outbound links. This does not affect your price or our editorial evaluations. We do not run paid placements or accept compensation for inclusion. See our Privacy Policy for details on cookies and tracking.
Conflicts of Interest
Contributors must disclose any prior employment, consulting, or financial relationships with manufacturers or retailers relevant to their coverage. Where conflicts exist, those contributors are recused from related assignments.
Diversity of Use Cases
We test across varied environments and constraints—renters vs. owners, low‑light alleys vs. bright porches, limited Wi‑Fi vs. PoE—so our recommendations reflect real‑world needs and budgets.
Reader Feedback
We welcome data, clips, and results from readers. When feasible, we use reader evidence to validate or challenge our findings and may publish follow‑ups.
AI and Automation
We may use tooling to assist with organization, proofreading, or data checks. All recommendations, scores, and conclusions are made by human editors and must align with our methodology.
Contact
Questions about this policy: [email protected]