The 7 Worst Places to Install a Security Camera (And Why You’ll Regret It)

You’ve invested in a high-tech security camera system with 4K resolution and facial recognition, but here’s the brutal truth: none of that matters if you install it in the wrong spot. It’s like buying a Ferrari and driving it through a swamp—you’re just wasting potential and money.

Before you start drilling holes into your siding and hoping for the best, let’s talk about the absolute worst locations for your security cameras. These aren’t just bad choices—they’re disasters waiting to happen that could leave your home vulnerable when you need protection most.

1. Places with the “Expectation of Privacy”

This isn’t just bad advice—it’s illegal. Don’t risk breaking the law (and inviting lawsuits) by placing a camera where people have what the law calls a reasonable expectation of privacy.

In practice, never place a security camera in a bathroom, bedroom, or similar area where there’s a strong expectation of privacy. If you absolutely must monitor these spaces (like in a multi-tenant situation), make sure the camera is visible and everyone knows about it.

Outside cameras are generally fine for public spaces like sidewalks or streets since there’s minimal privacy expectation there. But remember: your camera should protect, not invade.

2. Looking Directly at a Neighbor’s Property

This is how you lose friends and potentially get sued. In addition to protecting private places on your property, be careful about positioning security cams so their view captures a neighbor’s windows or backyard.

Legally, your neighbors have privacy rights too, and lawsuits have resulted from much less. Even if it’s technically legal, avoid the appearance of cameras pointing toward a neighbor’s lawn or peeking into their windows.

Many modern security cams come with “privacy zones” that block certain areas in the camera’s view. If a neighbor complains, you can show them your privacy zones to prove you’re not recording their home.

3. Difficult-to-See Locations

Here’s a security myth that needs to die: You might think hidden spots around your home are perfect for cameras because burglars might lurk there. Wrong.

Burglars typically enter through obvious paths. According to ADT data, 34% enter through the front door and 22% use a first-floor window. The clearest access points are the most common routes for break-ins.

Pointing a camera at a side alley or the back of your home might seem clever, but it’s more likely to miss the action. If you really need to watch hidden spots, invest in multiple cameras like this pack of Arlo Pro 4 spotlight cameras with built-in motion sensor lights to deter intruders.

4. Behind Obstructions

This should be obvious, but it’s not always. Outdoors, this means allowing space for tree branches to swing in the wind. Be careful of quick-growing plants that will require you to move your camera every year or two.

Consider your camera’s view inside too. Will it see everything you want when interior doors are opened and closed? Avoid spots where a pet might interact with it—will your cat knock it off a shelf? Will an energetic dog send it tumbling?

Find a spot with good views of the space you want to watch and is unlikely to be bumped by you, a guest, or your four-legged friend.

5. Through a Window

This is the “hack” that isn’t a hack. We know it’s tempting to save money by using an indoor camera by a window to see outside, but there are two big problems.

First, windows have a glare problem. Even when the camera is pressed close against the glass, the view often doesn’t work when the sun is at a certain angle or when it’s dark outside. Dust on the window causes similar issues.

Second, the angles and areas you can view through home windows are very limited. Cameras are unlikely to get a good view of key access points or a broad view of a yard or driveway.

6. Facing the Sky

We don’t mean intentionally angling a cam up to capture only the sky—we’re talking about cams with wide fields of view that include a significant portion of the sky. This creates problems when the sun passes overhead and blinds the cam with glare or blocks out details with brightness.

Also, frequent, direct sunlight increases the risk of UV damage and wear over time. To prevent these problems, angle your camera away from the sky and focus on views below the roof/tree/hill line. Try to place cameras in an area where they’re at least partially protected by shade.

7. Near Vents or Heaters

We’ve tested this so you don’t have to—don’t do it. Don’t put a camera near or above any kind of exhaust vent or heat source. That includes space heaters, fireplaces, fire pits, exhaust vents from gas heating, and dryer exhaust vents.

Vents and open heat sources make the camera and its lens dirtier, while the higher temperatures are bad for the battery on wireless models. The result is worse performance and a shorter lifespan for your cam. If you’re using adhesive connections, a nearby heat source can ruin the adhesive and lead to a fallen and damaged camera.

Bonus Tip: How High to Place Your Camera

Most security cameras have no right or wrong height, although many recommendations exist online and from manufacturers. A higher vantage point will give a better view of a driveway or large yard, but we find that a larger field of view (greater than 130 degrees at least) works just as well, if not better.

A rechargeable cam should usually be placed in a spot that’s easy to reach when the battery needs attention, although we also recommend using a solar-powered home security camera if you can. Video doorbells are typically installed about 4 feet from the bottom of the doorframe. And wired cameras will always need to be installed either into a junction box or (if they have a plug) into an outdoor-rated outlet.

FAQs

How do I avoid legal issues when installing a security camera?

When you install a security camera, you need to respect the “expectation of privacy.” That means you can’t film places where people have a reasonable expectation that their actions will remain fully private.

In your own property, this includes rooms like the bathroom and the bedroom—although you can still install a camera if you don’t hide it and make it readily apparent that there’s security equipment installed. Outside of the house, it would be best if you were careful about installing cameras that point into strangers’ properties, and especially their backyards.

What are the biggest obstructions to a security camera?

If you want to make sure your security camera is able to get an unobstructed view, make sure to avoid installing it near tree branches. You’re also going to want to avoid facing the camera toward the sun or through a window, as both of these locations are going to cause a lot of glare and interfere with what you’re able to see.

Why should I keep my camera away from vents or other heat sources?

A vent, space heater, fireplace, or other heat source may not block your security camera’s field of view the same way that a tree or window would, but they’ll make your lens dirty very quickly, meaning you’ll have to clean it very often for a clear feed. Additionally, heat sources can damage your camera’s battery, significantly shortening the device’s projected lifespan.

What states have two-party consent laws for audio recordings?

If your camera has the ability to record audio, keep in mind that some states require two-party or all-party consent to record audio and use it for any legal reason. In other words, both sides of the conversation need to indicate that they’re aware it’s being recorded. That includes California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington, and under certain circumstances, Oregon and Connecticut. Check your individual state laws if this is a concern.

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