CCTV for homes: how many cameras you need and where to put them
A typical home needs about 4 CCTV cameras — 2 to cover the essentials (main gate, front door), up to 6 for complete coverage. Below is a placement map, the right camera type for each spot, a 4-channel recorder with 2 TB of storage and a complete kit with prices in Kenya.
Where to place CCTV cameras in a home
Recommended plan for a medium-sized home — 4 cameras. Numbers match the table below.
| # | Area | Camera | Qty | Why it goes here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main gateEssential | Zoom bullet | 1 | Records every person and vehicle at the gate. Zoomed in, it captures faces and number plates as they stop. Mount it on the house or a pole facing the gate, 2.5–3 m high. |
| 2 | Front doorEssential | Eyeball | 1 | The camera that matters most at home: a clear face shot of anyone at your door. Place it beside or above the door at head-height + 1 m, facing visitors. |
| 3 | Parking / driveway | Dual-light | 1 | Full-colour video of your cars at night, with a light and siren that scare off intruders. |
| 4 | Backyard / kitchen door | Bullet | 1 | Back doors and yards are a common way in — and are often unlit. |
Which cameras to use
Varifocal (zoom) bullet camera
Outdoor camera with an adjustable zoom lens, so it can be set to see far or wide after installation.
Best for: Gates, long driveways, forecourts and reading number plates.
Eyeball (turret) camera
Compact 4MP camera with a wide 2.8 mm lens and infrared night vision. Easy to aim, no glare from the dome cover.
Best for: Entrances, receptions and doors — anywhere you need clear faces.
Smart dual-light camera
Switches to full-colour video at night with a warm light, and can flash and sound an alarm when it detects a person or vehicle (active deterrence).
Best for: Parking, compounds and perimeters where you want to scare intruders off, not just record them.
Bullet camera
Weatherproof outdoor camera. Its visible shape is a deterrent on its own.
Best for: Outside walls, yards, perimeters and loading areas.
Recorder, storage and cabling
For 4 cameras use a 4-channel PoE NVR (it powers the cameras through the network cable) with a 2 TB surveillance hard drive — about 14 days of continuous 4MP recording. Allow roughly 154 m of Cat6 cable, and a UPS so the system keeps recording during power cuts.
Complete kit & prices
- Dahua IPC-HFW5442E-ZE 4MP IR Vari-focal Bullet Network Camera × 2 KSh 32,000
- Dahua IPC-HDW5442TM-ASE 4MP WizMind IR Eyeball Network Camera × 1 KSh 12,000
- Dahua IPC-HFW3449T1-AS-PV 4MP Smart Dual Light Bullet WizSense Camera × 1 KSh 18,000
- 4-channel PoE network video recorder (NVR) (quoted) × 1 —
- 2 TB surveillance hard drive (quoted) × 1 —
- Cat6 Outdoor Ethernet Cable × 1 KSh 10,000
- UPS backup power (1 kVA) (quoted) × 1 —
In-stock equipment: KSh 72,000+ 4-channel PoE network video recorder (NVR), 2 TB surveillance hard drive, UPS backup power (1 kVA) (quoted)
Adjust to your home & add to cartFrequently asked questions
How many CCTV cameras does a house in Kenya need?
Most homes need 4 to 6 cameras: one on the gate, one on the front door, one on the parking area, one at the back, and one or two on side passages. Larger compounds add cameras along the perimeter wall.
Should I choose Wi-Fi or wired cameras for my home?
Wired (PoE) cameras with a recorder are more reliable and keep recording if the internet goes down — best for standalone houses. Wi-Fi cameras are quicker to install and suit apartments and small homes.
What recorder and storage does a home CCTV system need?
For about 4 cameras, a 4-channel PoE network video recorder (NVR) with a 2 TB surveillance hard drive keeps roughly 14 days of continuous 4MP footage.
Can Kefa Solutions install CCTV for my home?
Yes. Kefa Solutions technicians survey the site, recommend camera positions, install and configure the system, and set up viewing on your phone. Use the CCTV planner to send your plan and request a call back.