Abode April 02, 2026 A $300 camera pointed at a fence does less than a $35 camera covering your front door. Research from the University of North Carolina found that 34% of burglars enter through the front door and another 23% through first-floor windows. Yet most homeowners mount their first camera wherever the power outlet is — not where break-ins actually happen.
This guide covers where to place cameras for maximum coverage, common mistakes that create blind spots, and how many cameras you actually need based on your home size.
| # | Location | Why It Matters | Camera Type | Indoor/Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Front door | 34% of break-ins use the front door | Doorbell camera or mounted cam | Outdoor |
| 2 | Back door / sliding glass | 22% of entries through rear | Outdoor camera, wide angle | Outdoor |
| 3 | Side gate / side yard | Common access path, often unwatched | Outdoor camera with night vision | Outdoor |
| 4 | Garage (interior or exterior) | 9% of entries through garage | Indoor or outdoor depending on setup | Either |
| 5 | Driveway | Vehicle detection, arrival alerts | Outdoor with vehicle detection | Outdoor |
| 6 | Main hallway / staircase | Captures movement between rooms | Indoor camera | Indoor |
| 7 | Living room (high-value area) | Electronics, valuables visible | Indoor camera | Indoor |
The most common blind spot. Burglars use side yards to reach back windows and doors without being seen from the street. A camera mounted at 8-9 feet on the side of your house, angled down the fence line, covers this gap.
Garage doors are the largest opening in most homes. A camera above the garage captures both vehicle activity and anyone approaching from the driveway. If your garage connects to the house, this is a high-priority spot.
Most back door cameras point at the patio — but burglars hop the fence 15-20 feet away. Position a camera to cover the full fence line, not just the door. Wide-angle cameras (130°+) work best here.
Less common but not rare: burglars use flat garage roofs, adjacent trees, or balcony railings to reach second-floor windows. If any upper window is accessible from a climbable surface, add a camera or sensor.
Side entries through mudrooms are often left unlocked. An indoor camera or door sensor on this entry point catches what front-door cameras miss.
| Home Size | Entry Points (Typical) | Recommended Cameras | Estimated Cost (Abode Cam 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment / condo | 1-2 doors | 1-2 | $35-70 |
| Small house (under 1,500 sq ft) | 2-3 doors, 4-6 windows | 2-3 | $70-105 |
| Medium house (1,500-2,500 sq ft) | 3-4 doors, 8-12 windows | 3-5 | $105-175 |
| Large house (2,500+ sq ft) | 4-6 doors, 12+ windows | 5-8 | $175-280 |
The Abode Cam 2 at $35 per camera is one of the most cost-effective options. For a 3-camera outdoor setup, you are spending $105 total — less than a single Ring Floodlight Cam ($200).
| Setting | Recommended Height | Angle | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front door (doorbell) | 48 inches (4 ft) | Straight ahead | Face-level for identification |
| Exterior mounted | 8-10 feet | 15-30° downward | Hard to tamper, covers wide area |
| Indoor hallway | 7-8 feet (ceiling/shelf) | Slight downward | Covers full hallway length |
| Garage interior | 8-9 feet | Toward entry door | Catches anyone entering from garage |
Mount outdoor cameras under eaves when possible — it protects the lens from rain and direct sun glare. Cameras facing east or west get washed out during sunrise/sunset; north-facing cameras have the most consistent image quality.
Cameras are not the only option. For windows and interior doors, sensors are cheaper, more reliable, and do not raise privacy concerns.
| Coverage Need | Best Solution | Cost (Abode) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front door | Camera + door sensor | $35 + $15 | Camera for ID, sensor for instant alert |
| Windows | Door/window sensor | $15 each | Cheaper and more reliable than pointing cameras at every window |
| Back door | Camera + door sensor | $35 + $15 | Same as front door logic |
| Hallway | Motion sensor | $30 | Cheaper than indoor camera, catches all movement |
| Side yard | Camera | $35 | No door/window to put a sensor on |
A complete setup combines 3-4 cameras for outdoor coverage with 6-10 mini sensors on every door and window. Total cost with Abode Smart Security Kit: around $300-450 for a medium home.
Unlike standalone cameras (Ring, Wyze, Arlo), the Abode Cam 2 connects directly to the Abode hub. This means:
This integration is why a $35 Abode camera paired with the alarm system outperforms a $200 standalone camera that has no connection to your door sensors or motion detectors.
Sensors tell you a door opened. Cameras tell you who opened it. For the front door and back door, having both gives you the complete picture — instant sensor alerts plus video evidence. For interior rooms and windows, sensors alone are usually enough.
For most homeowners, wireless (WiFi) cameras like the Abode Cam 2 are the right choice. They are easier to install, do not require running ethernet, and work anywhere with WiFi signal. Wired cameras (PoE) are better for large properties with 8+ cameras where WiFi reliability becomes an issue.
Mount at 8-10 feet (out of arm’s reach), use cameras with tamper alerts, and pair with motion sensors as a backup. If someone covers or knocks down a camera, the sensors still trigger the alarm. That is why cameras plus an alarm system beats cameras alone.
Yes — the UNC study found that 60% of convicted burglars said visible cameras would cause them to choose a different target. But cameras deter more effectively when combined with visible alarm signage and actual sensors. A camera alone records the crime; a camera plus an alarm system prevents it.
Three Abode Cam 2 cameras ($105 total): one at front door, one at back door, one covering the side yard. Add 6 mini sensors ($90) on ground-floor windows and doors. Total: $195 in hardware. With Connect plan ($6/month) for cloud clips, your first year cost is $267 — less than a single Arlo Pro 5 camera.
