Even top-of-the-line home security cameras have always made me nervous. But I draw the line at being able to monitor me in full HD.

Who needed indoor security cameras anyway for the past 18 months? Many of us stay indoors and no longer need to spy on our pets or be alerted to activity happening around our homes.

However, with most quarantines and travel restrictions lifted, we found ourselves spending more time out and about. In fact, I've been spending most weekends away from my apartment, working on a smart home DIY renovation project at my parents' house. I probably shouldn't share this information online, but here's why I'm not too worried. I finally bought an indoor security camera. The $70 GE Cync Indoor Smart Camera, which joined the list of essential smart home devices for the apartment I set up when I first moved in, is a newly released gadget with night vision, two-way audio, and more. Formerly called "C by GE," it was sent to me by the company to test along with a rebranded platform and redesigned app.

While I usually pass on indoor security cameras to my less creepy colleagues, I decided to reconsider, given my familiarity with GE's other smart home products and my craving for peace of mind while away on the weekends. So I decided to set up an indoor camera with the preview version of the upgraded Cync app.

Unlike other indoor-only cameras, the Cync Indoor Smart Camera has a physical camera shutter that slides up to cover the lens. When the shutter is locked in place, it also cuts off the microphone transmission. This device works similarly to a smart display of some sort. In fact, the addition of a physical shutter is the reason I choose the Amazon Echo Show over the Google Nest Hub.

The camera also has a micro SD slot so recordings can be stored locally. However, instead of purchasing an SD card, I am putting my money into the company's cloud storage option, which costs $3 per month or $30 per year per camera. The subscription offers two weeks of unlimited cloud storage, filtered footage, and the option to export footage to your phone's camera roll.

With cloud storage, I can replay my camera activity whether I'm at my parents' house with the smart switch installed or away on a real vacation. Preferably with a pina colada in hand. Of course, I set up my own credentials for my Cync account (see How to Create a Strong Password). For added peace of mind, I also need two-factor authentication. And additional users can only see my device if they send an email to my profile creating a guest account. Because of this construction, I am not so worried about having cameras in my house.

It helps that the camera I have now has solid image quality for a $70 camera. With a resolution of 1080p, it's not as crisp as the 4K-capable Arlo Ultra 2, but this camera costs $299. We're not suggesting you be stingy with your home security, but if you're looking to DIY your smart home and save thousands of dollars, there are lower-priced cameras that will do the job well enough, unless you're trying to make movies. For example, the popular $25 Wyze Cam v3.

According to Safewise, burglaries in New York City increased 42% from 2019 to 2020. While some of the reported incidents occurred in private residences as well as stores and other businesses, this statistic concerned me. Also, according to Alarms.org, homes without security devices are 300% more likely to be burglarized, which changed my mind about the need for indoor surveillance.

Since most pandemic restrictions were lifted earlier this year, data has not yet been collected on how or if home invasions and thefts have increased as bad actors take advantage of other people being out more. However, it would not be surprising if such changes in behavior resulted in an increase (or recurrence) compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Of course, there are non-criminal benefits to installing security cameras. For example, the management of an apartment building may have permission to enter, or they may not want to keep an eye on their pets while they are locked up. Also, if you hire a dog walker, you can use a security camera with an intercom function to tell them where to hide treats and where to put leashes.

I'm not saying you need an indoor security camera, but if you can get over that weird feeling that something is watching you, you might. Especially if you're spending less time at home.

For more gadget recommendations, be sure to check out our guide to the best smart home devices (and the best inexpensive smart home devices). We'll be back next week with more DIY smart homes. And if there's anything you'd like to see covered in Connected Spaces, please email us at [email protected] or leave a comment below.