Is There a Security Camera That Works Without Wi-Fi? | Security.org

We found that Lorex and Arlo Go are the best options if your home doesn’t have Wi-Fi.

Editor’s Note: Not all security systems need Wi-Fi. If you’ve got an unreliable network, we recommend getting a wired security system that comes with all the essentials to keep your home safe.

Although Wi-Fi has become the standard way that home security cameras communicate, there are options out there that don’t require an active Wi-Fi network. Whether you’re securing a remote cabin, watching over your RV, or dealing with dead zones in your Wi-Fi network, we’ve found a few cameras that should be able to suit your needs.

Both the Arlo Go and Reolink Go use cellular signals to stream live video and store it in the cloud. If you prefer local storage, Lorex offers cameras that connect to a digital video recorder. Let’s go through these options so you can set up video surveillance without a Wi-Fi network.

Pro Tip: No Wi-Fi? No problem. Lorex security cameras can record every second of every day, online and offline. Read our Lorex review to see how you can turn your Wi-Fi-free space into a secure fortress.

Yes, the following recommended cameras can provide essential security camera functions. However, there are some factors and potential costs to consider. If your property needs live surveillance and you want to get real-time alerts, you'll need a camera that connects to cellular networks, which requires signing up for a data plan. If you're not worried about live surveillance but want to record video, you'll need cameras that have local storage capabilities. This requires the use of a storage medium, such as a microSD card or DVR. If these considerations seem doable, here are some security cameras to consider.

In the same way your phone operates normally whether it’s on Wi-Fi or a cellular network, cellular-capable security cameras have all the functionality of Wi-Fi cameras, from livestreaming or providing push alerts.

But as with your phone, you have to pay a subscription fee to connect these cameras to a 4G/LTE or 5G network. This can make the cost of a cellular system prohibitive, especially because cellular-capable cameras aren’t cheap. The Arlo Go and Reolink Go cameras we tested cost more than $200, which is above the average security camera cost. When you add in a data plan, it takes these devices out of the running for our best affordable cameras list.

Still, let’s take a closer look at Arlo Go and Reolink Go.

As we touched on earlier, there are ongoing usage costs to contend with. For our Arlo Go 2, we paid T-Mobile $2 per month for a 1GB data plan. We had the option to pay $7.99 per month for cloud storage, but we chose to use MicroSD for storage, which we bought off Amazon. It was better than paying $10 extra in total per month for one security camera.

If you have multiple Arlo security cameras, there is another cloud subscription option. Arlo has a plan that’s $17.99 per month, and it covers all your Arlo cameras. You get 60 days of video history, people, package, and animal detection, and theft replacement. However, you’ll still have to pay for the data plan for each camera.

Another thing to consider is the data usage limit. Carriers that offer data plans for the Arlo Go 2 typically provide 1 GB of data per month. The camera records and streams in 1080p. With a 1 GB data plan, you’ll be able to stream for only about two hours straight. Not to mention, if you buy a cloud subscription, the same data plan will be used to send recordings to the cloud.

You can buy additional data to ensure all recordings will be uploaded, but that further increases your usage cost. If you value video recording but want a more practical option, the second type of Wi-Fi-less cameras might be more suited for you.

Limited data options means you might have to make some sacrifices if you don’t want to upgrade your usage plan. We made a few adjustments with Arlo Go 2 and Relink Go by adjusting our detection sensitivity settings to reduce false alarms. Plus, we used a microSD card to eliminate data usage for cloud recordings.

Note: Both the Arlo Go and the Reolink Go require cellular data plans for remote control, remote viewing, and notifications.

As we touched on earlier, the costs start to add up when you factor in equipment, data plans, and cloud storage. Another alternative is getting security cameras that store videos locally. One of the benefits is it means you can record footage 24/7. This might suit businesses that need round-the-clock surveillance or homeowners concerned about activities in their neighborhood. But there are some drawbacks to consider.

The only issue we have with these cameras is they operate on a closed network. So, while you’re out gallivanting with friends and family, you can’t receive push notifications or stream live footage like you can with a cellular security system. In our opinion, these types of security setups are better for businesses with employees who can monitor the footage on-site and around the clock.

Another concern is that all video footage is stored in the camera or on a DVR. So you can’t access the videos from anywhere like you can with cloud storage. There’s also a risk that the storage function might corrupt or the files will be stolen. Some maintenance and protective measures may be required to avoid these problems from occurring.

If you can live with those drawbacks, these are the different types of cameras with local video storage.

Lorex has one of the largest lineups of security camera systems with local storage. Its DVR systems typically offer 1 TB of storage space, shared among up to 16 security cameras. In our experience, that much space is enough for 20 days of 1080p videos from one camera. If you have two cameras, each will have about 10 days; if you have four, about five days.

What we like about Lorex – which we also mentioned in our Lorex review – is that you can typically expand the storage space. Our Lorex DVR had three expansion slots for hard disk drives, each able to accommodate a hard drive up to 1 TB. That’s 4 TB total, which can store a month of videos from a couple of cameras.

There’s another downside though, which is the cost. Besides the cost of cameras, you’ll need to buy the storage device as well. MicroSD cards are the cheapest, but they are also the most susceptible to tampering and getting corrupted. Plus since they go in your cameras, they are prone to theft. We recommend a DVR or NVR, but such a device with 1 TB of space costs at least $100. Each 1 TB expansion drive ranges from $50 to $100 too.

Although many home security companies might have you thinking otherwise, security cameras that don’t require internet through Wi-Fi aren’t necessarily harder to install than Wi-Fi cameras. As some cameras that don’t need internet are wireless, like the Reolink Go and the Arlo Go, installation can be quite easy. It’s an added bonus that they’re battery-powered, so you can place them literally anywhere, whether there’s a power outlet nearby or not.

You may need to do some wiring for cameras that record to DVRs. Many require an ethernet or coaxial cable to transfer the videos to the DVR. It can make the installation more complex, particularly if you want to try to hide the wires in the walls or along baseboards. We found a way to make it work. It took us about half a day to install six Lorex cameras and set up the DVR.

On that note, look for PoE (Power-over-Ethernet) cameras if you want to minimize the amount of wires running around your house. PoE cameras use the same Ethernet wire for power and to transmit video and audio to a DVR. That’s one less wire for you to take care of.

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using cameras that do and don’t work with Wi-Fi? We’ve broken it down below.

While some cameras that don’t require Wi-Fi have these features, again, they’ll require data plans for a price.

Tip: To improve your Wi-Fi connection throughout your home, use a mesh network with multiple access points. One example is the Nest Wi-Fi, which we think is one of the best smart home devices around.

While some cameras that don’t require Wi-Fi have these features, again, they’ll require data plans for a price.

As you’ve seen, running security cameras without Wi-Fi is doable. It might not always be feasible though. The cost of setting up and maintaining cellular-ready security cameras might be too high for some. The lack of alerting and streaming features of security cameras with local storage might be a deal-breaker for others. That’s why if possible, we recommend using internet-connected security cameras.

If you absolutely need video surveillance for a property without Wi-Fi, though, we recommend Lorex and its cameras that can record locally. It offers highly visible and durable cameras. Sometimes, that’s all you need to deter criminals. And if that doesn’t work, at least you’ll have recordings of any incident thanks to its 24/7 recording.

The idea of using smart home security cameras without Wi-Fi isn’t that common, so people have a ton of questions about it. We’re here with answers!

There are wireless cameras that can work without Wi-Fi. The Arlo Go and the Reolink Go, for example, are both wireless cameras that use cellular data plans instead of Wi-Fi.

Not all home security cameras require Wi-Fi. Some cameras, like the Arlo Go and the Reolink Go, can use LTE plans instead of Wi-Fi. Other home security cameras aren’t connected to the internet at all but rather record onto local storage like hard drives.

It depends on what you’re looking for. Wire-free security cameras are easier to install than wired cameras, especially outside. However, with wireless cameras, you have to worry about batteries running out, while wired cameras are hardwired or plugged into a home’s electrical system. However, wired cameras’ disadvantage is that they’re dependent on a home’s power. A wireless camera works perfectly even during a power outage, although its internet connection may be affected if it’s connected to Wi-Fi, so you may not be able to access the camera remotely.

Yes, you can set up cameras without the internet. Many cameras are local only, recording onto local storage like a micro-SD card or hard drive.

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