Best Wireless CCTV Systems

Technology can be found almost everywhere nowadays – there are few devices and appliances that you can get that don’t feature some sort of technology within them. Smart fridges, kettles, and toasters, to name a few, are among the group of appliances that worked just fine without technology, however, now possess it.

Having said that, with all this technology around us, we often forget to use technology to protect our most important and valuable possession – our houses.

Wireless CCTV systems can be used inside and outside the house to deter burglars, and the footage gets stored either within the device or to the cloud as long as it is connected to the internet. You can even view the footage on your smartphone so that you can monitor your house while you’re on holiday or away from the area.

Bear in mind that wireless CCTV systems often require wires for power, however, some can rely on batteries and therefore be completely wireless.

There’s no denying that wireless CCTV systems are excellent pieces of equipment to give you peace of mind that all of your valuables are protected from thieves, and thanks to the wide availability, they aren’t too expensive either.

Below we’ll be looking at the five best models that you can get on the market to ensure you’re getting the best quality possible.

We know you’re itching to choose your new wireless CCTV system, so we won’t hold you up any longer. The best option we found available on the market is the Arlo HD Smart Home Security CCTV Camera System, because it is truly wireless and the cameras run off battery power alone.

Moreover, it saves your footage to the cloud, freeing you of the responsibility of having to keep changing and wiping SD cards every day.

Finally, the included mounts are magnetic which makes adjusting the camera angles a breeze. Check it out for yourself below.

Before you choose and purchase your new wireless CCTV system, there are a few factors to take into account before committing to one system. These factors will ensure you choose the right system for your individual needs and prevent you from being disappointed with your system. Below we’ll cover all of these factors to give you a better idea of the main features that you’re looking for in your new system.

Number of Cameras

A wireless CCTV system needs to include at least one camera and a receiver which the camera can transmit the information to, so that you can view the footage on your smartphone or tablet. Some systems come with only one camera, however, it is common to see systems with more than two included.

You’ll have to ask yourself how many cameras you’re going to need, which will depend on how much space you’re going to be monitoring. If you only want to use your wireless CCTV system to deter criminals from your front and back doorways, then two cameras should suit you just fine.

However, if you want a camera in each room then you will need to look for systems that include more cameras. It is also worth checking whether cameras can be added to the system to expand it, as you may find that in the future you want to increase the security level of your property.

Video Quality

The quality of the footage your cameras record will determine whether you can clearly make out the potential intruders face or whether you can simply see that they were … probably … wearing jeans. The resolution plays a big role in the video quality and if you want a crisper image you should look for the highest resolution you can find. Bear in mind that this will raise the price by quite a bit, especially if your system has more than one camera.

Also, consider whether you want to go for colour or black and white images. The former is best for using inside your home, while black and white is best for outside as the images will be clearer when taken in low light conditions. As intruders tend to make their move while it’s dark out, this could be a very handy feature.

Connectivity

Wireless CCTV systems will often be able to connect to your smartphone or tablet so that you can watch the footage right away, whenever you want to view it. However, some require you to download the data onto a USB flash drive or a disk to view it, which can take more time and be less convenient for the owner. You also may not have a USB drive or blank disc to spare, so make sure you check this beforehand.

Having said that, if your system does require WiFi to be able to work, you’re going to need to make sure there is enough service where you want to place your cameras. There is no use in a system that doesn’t work due to the router being placed too far away. Moreover, check how reliable the system’s connectivity is to ensure that it’s not going to falter when you need it most. To do this, check the customer reviews and see if anyone’s had problems concerning the connectivity.

Versatility

As we’ve mentioned earlier, wireless CCTV systems can either come with cameras designed to work inside or outside the house. Indoor cameras are often reasonably easy to install within your home and can be placed almost anywhere. However, this type of camera is typically not the most durable and therefore can break reasonably easily if they were to fall due to poor installation.

On the other hand, outdoor cameras are more durable as they have to be built to withstand all sorts of weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and frost. They come with hardware for you to mount them outside, however, they are typically much harder to install than indoor cameras. You may even need to get a professional in to do so.

Some cameras can be used indoors and outdoors, which are easy enough to install on your own and durable enough to withstand life outside. These are the most versatile options as you can switch up the positioning of them easily without having to repurchase other cameras. Decide where you’re going to put your cameras and choose a model that accommodates this.

Price

The price of your wireless CCTV system will depend on how large you need it to be. You can get a decently sized system for around £200-250, however, if you need to expand your system to be able to have one camera in every room, you may find that the price quickly adds up and becomes much more expensive.

Depending on whether your cameras will be placed indoors or outdoors will affect the price as outdoor cameras are typically more expensive than indoor alternatives. Make sure you check all the details and confirm that your system is worth the price you’re paying before you commit to the purchase.

Power Source

Wireless systems are typically not completely wireless as they need a constant power source such as a wall plug. However, you can get alternatives that run on batteries, however, these need to be monitored regularly to ensure they don’t run out of power and you miss some vital footage. The main advantage of battery-operated systems is that you can install them anywhere you want, as opposed to corded models that need to be within reach of a wall plug or extension cord.

Storage

Many systems now allow you to save the footage online, which is much easier and simpler than SD cards. However, this sometimes requires you to sign up to a subscription in which you pay a monthly fee, so you may prefer to stick to the SD cards.

Bear in mind, though, that SD cards can get filled up quickly so you’ll have to monitor them regularly to ensure there is still space for all the footage. Once it’s full, you’ll have to wipe the SD card before putting it back in. This can be a long process, so it’s really down to whether you prefer free storage or simpler storage.

Ease of Installation

Unless you thrive under difficult situations, you may want to make sure that the installation process is relatively easy and won’t leave you rocking back and forth in a corner somewhere. Check the mounts that come with the cameras to ensure that they fit wherever you’re wanting to install the cameras, and make sure that it seems like an achievable task for you.

Additional Features

There are a number of additional features that can come with wireless CCTV systems, including facial recognition, sirens, and voice commands. These are all useful in their own right to either help you catch burglars or deter intruders, however, you may find some more useful than others. These additional features will increase the price, so we’d advise you only choose a few features rather than trying to find a model with all of them.

You’ll also be able to find security systems that can be connected to other cameras from different brands, which is a very beneficial feature if you think you may want to expand your system in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is CCTV bad quality?

This depends on the individual system, however, it can often be put down to storage space. CCTV systems are constantly recording footage, so they want to compress the data as much as possible to prevent running out of storage. This can often reduce the resolution which makes the image of a worse quality.

Having said that, there are many CCTV systems that work around this issue and record footage at a much better quality than they would’ve done a few years ago.

Can I mix and match security cameras?

As long as the CCTV system is compatible with different brands of cameras, then there should be no reason as to why you cannot mix and match different security cameras. Just make sure you connect them properly and test them before installing them, as you don’t want to find that different cameras haven’t been working properly since you connected them.