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

• Wi-Fi plays a big role in video monitoring, but there are security cameras that don’t need Wi-Fi.
• Local storage is the key; store videos into a microSD card or local recorder and play them back on your computer.
• Want live video streaming without Wi-Fi? Arlo Go is the solution. Read our Arlo review for more.

Some of the best security cameras use Wi-Fi to stream or record video, but not all of them rely on a steady internet connection to keep your property safe. We’ve tested several cellular-enabled options that, in some cases, are even more dependable than their Wi-Fi counterparts. Plus, modern security cameras that record locally have gotten smarter with many offering hybrid features that give you the best of both worlds.

That answers the question of whether there are security cameras that work without Wi-Fi, but how do you know which one to choose? Our team spent hundreds of hours testing cameras specifically for folks without reliable internet connections. We’ll show you exactly what works, what doesn’t, and how to pick the right solution for your specific situation. Let’s dive in.

Cellular Signal-Ready Security Cameras

Think of cellular cameras like giving your security system its own phone plan. In our testing, we found they deliver virtually identical functionality to Wi-Fi cameras — live streaming, instant push notifications, and cloud storage — just over a different network.

Just like your phone bill, you’ll need to budget for monthly cellular service. Plans typically range from $10 to $30 per camera, depending on your data needs and carrier. You’ll also pay a premium for cellular-capable cameras. When we tested the latest Arlo Go 2 and Reolink Go Plus, both cost us around $200. That’s on the high end of security camera prices. Needless to say, these devices are far from the best affordable cameras.

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

• Arlo Go 2: Most of the Arlo home security cameras we test connect to Wi-Fi, but the Arlo Go lineup is fully-cellular. This camera offers carrier flexibility, supporting Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Telguard, US Cellular, and Arlo Mobile’s 4G LTE network. They can also record to the cloud, send notifications, livestream videos, and connect to the Arlo app for monitoring.
• Reolink Go: We’ve reviewed several Wi-Fi cameras from Reolink, but we wanted to try one of the newer versions of the Reolink Go, which uses a 4G LTE connection. However, it does need a Nano SIM card and cellular data plan to get it working. While that adds costs, the Reolink Go has a few budget-friendly features like a solar panel accessory for non-stop power supply and a MicroSD card slot so you don’t need to pay a monthly subscription for cloud storage.

As we touched on earlier, there are ongoing usage costs to contend with. For our Arlo Go 2, we pay $10 per month for a 30GB 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 saved us about $96 annually compared to a cloud storage plan.

Speaking of data plans, we don’t recommend streaming for long periods over a cellular network. During our testing, we burned through 1GB of data for every two hours of continuous HD streaming. We also recommend tweaking your motion detection zones and sensitivity settings because cloud recording also uses data. The adjustments we made cut false alarms by up to 70 percent. We also scheduled our cameras to record only during specific hours when we’re typically away, further stretching our data allowance.

Security Cameras With Local Video Storage

If monthly data fees make you cringe, cameras with local storage offer a compelling alternative. We’ve found this approach particularly effective for businesses needing round-the-clock surveillance. It gives you continuous recording without impacting your network bandwidth or racking up data charges. It’s not a perfect solution, though.

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. That said, the latest models from brands like Lorex and Swann now offer hybrid functionality. They record locally 24/7 but can still connect to your network when available to send smart alerts and enable remote viewing.

Unlike cloud storage, you can’t access the videos from anywhere. You also run the risk of corrupted files or someone stealing the camera or DVR. We’ve learned to mitigate these risks by keeping our DVR in a locked, ventilated cabinet. We also back up critical footage to an external drive weekly.

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

• CCTV: CCTV cameras, or closed-circuit television cameras, are used by businesses and police for surveillance; they’re not usually used for home security purposes. Instead of watching the footage on an app, guards watch CCTV footage on several monitors, and storage is on either a DVR or an NVR, a network video recorder for digital systems. CCTV cameras include analog and IP cameras, along with HD-over-coax.2
• Analog: Analog cameras transmit video from the camera to a DVR, often via coaxial cable. While it’s older technology, analog systems remain popular for their reliability and lower cost. Basic four-camera analog systems with 1080p resolution start at around $400.
• HD-over-coax: In HD-over-coax cameras, uncompressed video travels from cameras to recorders via coaxial cable. These systems support up to 4K resolution while using existing coaxial wiring, making them good for upgrading older analog systems.
• IP: An IP camera is usually synonymous with a surveillance camera, as it’s a lot more expensive than regular home security cameras.3 However, some IP cameras offer more advanced features like facial recognition and license plate reading.

Lorex has one of the largest lineups of security camera systems with local storage. Most systems offer 1TB of storage. Their systems start at 1TB standard, but their latest models offer up to 8TB out of the box. In our experience, 2TB holds roughly 40 days of continuous 1080p footage from a single camera, or about 10 days with four cameras running.

Another feature we liked when reviewing Lorex is its expandable storage options. Current Lorex NVRs offer expandable storage up to a maximum of 32TB with up to four hard drives. That’s enough for months of footage from multiple cameras.

One of the downsides is the upfront cost. MicroSD cards are a more budget-friendly option, but they’re also easy to steal. DVRs and NVRs are easier to conceal and store more footage. However, they cost more with entry-level NVRs starting around $400, while basic DVRs can be found for about $300.

Are Security Cameras Without Wi-Fi Harder To Install?

The short answer is no. There are wireless cameras that don’t need internet access since they rely on cellular networks. Two of our favorites are the Reolink Go and Arlo Go. Installing these is as simple as mounting them and popping in a SIM card. We had our Arlo Go 2 up and running in under 10 minutes.

We found installing cameras that record to DVRs trickier. These devices connect via Ethernet or coaxial cables. If you want to hide them, you’ll need to run them through walls or floors. Our recent eight-camera Lorex installation took about six hours total. We think it’s best to split these installations across two days to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Wi-Fi vs. No-Wi-Fi Cameras

Let’s break down the real-world differences between Wi-Fi and no-Wi-Fi cameras, based on our extensive testing of both types.

Wi-Fi Cameras Pros and Cons

No-Wi-Fi Cameras Pros and Cons

Recap

After testing dozens of cameras both with and without Wi-Fi, we find that non-Wi-Fi cameras are only ideal for specific situations. 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. Their systems offer rock-solid reliability and professional-grade features that genuinely deter crime. And if that doesn’t work, at least you’ll have recordings of any incident thanks to its 24/7 recording.