Does a home security camera need to be plugged-in?

Going back 10 years – the majority of security cameras were tethered to their surrounding with cables. Usually, you’d have one to power the device and another to provide an internet connection

Thankfully, home security devices have come a long way. Indoor security cameras and outdoor security cameras can now operate over WiFi – One cable down.  Many devices are now also battery-powered – two cables down and wire-free home security is born.

Why are wire-free security cameras such a big deal, and what can they do for your home?

How impressed you’ll be with a wire-free security camera probably depends on your situation. If you’re a homeowner with the freedom to drill holes without prejudice then a wired security device is unlikely to be a problem for you.

However, if you’re renting a property or you live in a flat you might not have the luxury of feeding power cables through the property. This is where a battery-powered indoor security camera with WiFi or an outdoor security camera with WiFi steps in.

The freedom to place the camera exactly where it needs to be without the restrictions of power means that, whatever your situation, you can stay protected.

What’s more, a cableless security camera allows you to monitor areas its wired counterpart couldn’t. So, whether you’re a homeowner or renting, living in a flat or house, you can cover all angles leaving you with no blind spots.

How do battery-operated security cameras work?

Apart from the obvious and major being factor of power supply, battery-powered security cameras function the same as mains-powered ones. Most are capable of recording and storing footage on local storage such as an SD card or through cloud storage.

They are capable of being controlled from either their own associated app or with an Amazon Alexa and Google Home. The Clan at Home. which all time2 smart security products utilise allows you to create a fully connected home security network.

What features do battery-powered security cameras have?

You don’t have to worry about sacrificing features if you’re looking to buy a battery-operated camera. Technology has come a long way in recent years which sees more and more hi-tech functionality within a small device.

Some of the features you can expect to see in wire-free security cameras are:

• HD Footage
• Two-way talk
• Audio and motion detection
• Human detection
• Night vision
• Weatherproof (A Good idea if you’re looking for wireless security cameras in the UK with the unpredictable weather)

The features you can get vary with the different brands. If you’re using a monitoring camera for security purposes, the features listed above are all great for the job.

How long do battery-powered security cameras last?

Obviously, this depends on the brand but for the most part, they can last months without having to be charged.

To give an example: the time2 Ava battery-powered security camera has a working time of up to 4 months. This means that you won’t have to worry about unexpectedly being unprotected.

Another battery-powered device the Bella video doorbell has a working time of up to 3 months.

What makes these cameras great is that you can set the Clan at Home app to notify you when the camera’s batteries reach a certain percentage. This negates the need to manually check how much battery life your device has left.

How do the cameras connect to the internet without wires?

When we say wireless security cameras,  we mean wireless security cameras. We have WiFi to thank for making untidy-looking wires obsolete. With the majority of smart home security cameras now operating on WiFi, you’ll find you’re completely unrestricted by cables when setting up your camera.

With that said, it should be noted that the device will need a relatively strong internet connection to function at its best. Most households have quite powerful WiFi routers, capable of committing signals throughout your home so most times it won’t be an issue. If you do run into problems with signal strength, investing in a WiFi booster for your home can solve all of your internet-related stresses at home.

Another important note; a lot of security cameras run on a 2.4GHz WiFi signal and not 5GHz. Some routers will have dual-band capabilities meaning they offer both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies. If you’re not sure exactly what you have, it’s worth speaking to your internet service provider before you make a purchase.

The big question: which is better wired or wireless CCTV?

It’s a big question in the world of security monitoring devices but the truth is both wired and wireless options have their merits. For the most part, the best security camera is decided by you.

Depending on your situation a wireless security camera may be best. Easy to install and mountable almost anywhere you’ll have complete freedom with where you position the device.

On the other hand, a wired security camera is a great option if installation isn’t a concern. You can be sure you’ll have 24/7 coverage without ever needing to touch the camera.

But, to answer the question we started with; no, your home security does not need to be plugged in.

Posted on 16th Dec 2022 by Anesh Pillai