When most people think of security cameras, one thing comes into mind---wires. But thanks to improving technology, there is an exciting class of security cameras that completely ditch those cumbersome wires.
These totally wireless options take power from batteries and give smart home fans many more options on where to place their cameras.
Here are some of the best wireless security cameras on the market.
You won't have to worry about low-resolution video with the Arlo Ultra 4K. It can record up to 4K video with HDR technology for a clear view that can easily be zoomed in to see finer details. The camera is weatherproof and can withstand harsh outdoor conditions.
A built-in spotlight can be customized to automatically turn on when motion is detected, adding another security layer. That spotlight also helps the camera record video at night in color to provide more detail than the usual black-and-white infrared recordings. A 180-degree field-of-view allows you to see more of what's happening. And an auto-image correction reduces the usual fish-eye effect.
Noise-canceling technology allows you to hear better what's happening around the camera and for others to listen to you with two-way audio. Arlo provides a one-year subscription to the Smart Premier service that features AI to determine whether the motion is an animal, vehicle, or person. Subscribers also receive other features, including 30-days of storage for recordings.
- View and record video in 4K resolution and HDR
- Noise-cancelation technology
- 180-degree field of view
- Brand: Arlo
- Resolution: 3840x2160
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- App Compatibility: Yes
- Night Vision: Yes
- Integrated motion-detecting spotlight
- Enhanced night vision allows video in color
- Integration with other Arlo products
- Requires a bridge to be installed to your Wi-Fi router
- 4K video recording and cloud storage requires a subscription
If you don't want to deal with recharging a wireless camera's battery frequently, take a look at the eufyCam 2. The battery in each camera can go for up to a year of regular use before recharging. As a big plus compared to other systems, all features---including cloud storage---are available without any subscription.
To better customize what motion alerts you receive on the companion smartphone app, you can customize detection zones. And the system uses AI to help determine whether a moving object is a human or something else. Two-way audio also allows you to speak anyone in range of the camera. The system is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant.
- Camera battery life of up to 1 year with normal use
- AI can reduce false alerts by differentiating a human from other moving objects
- No subscription needed to use all of the system's features
- Brand: eufy
- Resolution: 1920x1080
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- App Compatibility: Yes
- Night Vision: Yes
- Can customize activity zones to see alerts that you want
- Bridge acts as a Wi-Fi repeater to boost wireless signal to outdoor cameras
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant
- Requires a bridge to be installed to your Wi-Fi router
- No built-in spotlight
As a great way to start with truly wireless home security, each Blink Indoor is powered by two AA lithium batteries that can last for up to two years with normal usage. Once you install the Wi-Fi bridge somewhere in your home, the camera can go anywhere within the wireless range.
Any time the camera senses motion, you'll receive a notification on your smartphone. To better manage notifications, you can customize motion and privacy zones in the camera's range. While you can see a live feed for no charge with a companion smartphone app, you'll need to subscribe to record, view, and share video in the cloud. But you can store and share videos locally for free. You'll just need to provide a USB flash drive that interacts with the bridge.
You can easily purchase additional cameras later to expand the system. If you're looking for exterior home surveillance, the line also includes a weatherproof model.
- Two AA batteries can provide up to two years of use
- Monitors the temperature of your home
- Two-way audio
- Brand: Blink
- Resolution: 1920x1080
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- App Compatibility: Yes
- Night Vision: Yes
- Can locally save or back up video clips with a USB flash drive
- Custom motion and privacy zones
- Subscription required for cloud video clip storage and sharing
- Not compatible with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant
There's no need to ever worry about charging the Reolink Argus Pro when using it for outdoor surveillance. Along with a 1080p camera, Reolink includes a solar panel to keep the battery juiced up continuously.
The weatherproof camera is made to be used in harsh conditions, including rain and colder temperatures. Instead of being designed for full-time surveillance, a smart motion sensor can detect events and provide an alert on your smartphone.
As another nice touch, there's no need to pay for cloud storage as you can use a microSD card to store recordings. You can also drop in to view a live feed from the camera's 130-degree field of view. The camera even comes with a night vision feature that can see up to 33 feet away.
- Included solar panel can provide full-time power to the camera
- Built-in microphone allows communication via the smartphone app
- Can activate a loud siren using the smartphone app
- Brand: Reolink
- Resolution: 1920x1080
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- App Compatibility: Yes
- Night Vision: Yes
- Can record locally on an optional microSD card
- A security mount is provided to reduce the chance of the camera being stolen
- Not compatible with Apple HomeKit
- Solar panel requires placement at a location with consistent sunlight
This great option, made for use outdoors, offers more than just a wireless security camera. The Ring Spotlight Camera Battery's built-in spotlight can shine a light on what's happening during a motion event by taking power from a removable and rechargeable battery.
If necessary, you can even turn on a 110-decibel siren alarm during an emergency. Two-way audio allows users to hear and speak to anyone within view of the camera. With the companion smartphone app, you can do this from anywhere in the world.
Built-in night vision lets you know what's happening around the camera's 140-degree field of view. Along with being able to adjust the motion sensitivity, you can customize specific schedules for motion detection.
An optional Protect Basic plan is also available. Subscribers can save all videos for up to 60 days and share them with others.
- Two-way communication
- Activate a siren and spotlight via the smartphone app
- Compatible with the optional Ring solar panel to provide full-time power
- Brand: Ring
- Resolution: 1920x1080
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- App Compatibility: Yes
- Night Vision: Yes
- The battery pack is removable and rechargeable
- Ring will replace the camera for free if it's ever stolen
- No compatibility with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant
- Best features require a subscription
Using a direct Wi-Fi connection, the Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera doesn’t require you to install a hub between the camera and your router. The weatherproof 1080p camera also boasts a built-in spotlight that can automatically turn on when motion is detected or enabled manually via the Arlo smartphone app. The light also helps the camera record color video at night.
Each camera’s battery can go for up to six months of regular use before needing to be recharged. The system also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. A free, three-month subscription is provided to Arlo Smart, which includes cloud recording.
- Direct Wi-Fi connection doesn’t require a hub
- Automatic siren can be activated manually via the smartphone app
- Two-way audio allows you to hear and talk to visitors
- Brand: Arlo
- Resolution: 1920x1080
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- App Compatibility: Yes
- Night Vision: Yes
- Built-in spotlight can shine a light for an added layer of security
- Camera battery life of up to six months before needing to be recharged
- Subscription needed to unlock more advanced features
- No Apple HomeKit support
The Canary Flex is an excellent solution for indoor and outdoor situations. The camera can operate wirelessly or in a wired mode. It records motion-based events and uses AI to determine whether a person or something else caused the event. That should help cut down on false alarms caused by animals or other factors.
The camera comes with basic cloud storage, but an optional membership provides a 30-day video history and two-way communication from a smartphone app. It's also compatible with the Amazon Echo Show.
You can select from a black or white version of the camera. Canary includes a 360-degree magnetic swivel base to help find the viewing angle. There are also several different optional mounts available.
- Optional subscription unlocks 30-day cloud storage and two-way audio
- Included 360-degree mount can help you find the perfect viewing angle
- Available in two different color options
- Brand: Canary
- Resolution: 1920x1080
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- App Compatibility: Yes
- Night Vision: Yes
- Can also work plugged in
- Optional mounts help bring even more flexibility
- Limited cloud storage
- Not compatible with Apple HomeKit
FAQ
Q: Are Wire-free Security Cameras Right for Me?
The biggest advantage of a wire-free security camera is an easy installation and the ability to place the device anywhere in the range of a wireless signal. If you rent a home or live in an apartment, cutting through walls and stringing power cables for cameras isn't exactly an option.
Some homeowners also may not have the DIY skills to get power to where they might want it. But with a wireless option, after some quick installation, your camera can be placed almost anywhere. This flexibility can be invaluable in some scenarios.
Another plus with completely wireless cameras is that recorded video is usually stored in the cloud. So while having no wires might make the cameras easier to steal, any evidence will be safe and sound.
Q: What Are the Disadvantages of a Wire-free Security Camera Compared to Wired Versions?
On the downside, the biggest issue with wire-free cameras is the power source. Usually, the camera is powered by a rechargeable or replaceable battery. Because of that, to help preserve battery power for as long as possible, there are some important compromises.
Usually, a completely wireless camera isn't continually recording video. It will only begin when the camera senses motion and record for a short amount of time. That can sometimes cause the camera to miss a complete event.
All wire-free options do allow some sort of live look on the camera even without any motion. But doing that can quickly drain the camera's batteries. So don't expect to view the camera's feed live 24/7.
Q: Do Wireless Cameras Need Wi-Fi?
Because they are completely wireless, the cameras need a Wi-Fi signal to send video to the cloud for you to view.
There are a few specialty wireless cameras that use cellular connectivity. But those are much more expensive and harder to find compared to Wi-Fi versions.
