Wireless and battery cameras

Wireless and battery-powered security cameras are for anyone who wants to watch a home, garden or small shop without running cables. Our range has over 450 models: indoor and outdoor, Wi-Fi and battery cameras, in bullet, dome and spherical designs. Brands include IMOU, TP-Link, Reolink, Dahua and Anker.

How to choose a wireless or battery camera

Power. A battery camera can be mounted almost anywhere, but the battery needs recharging from time to time, and frequent motion alerts and live streaming drain it faster. Some manufacturers offer an optional solar panel. Our range includes wireless, wired and mixed (wired and wireless) models, so the choice often comes down to whether there is a socket nearby.

Location and temperature. An outdoor camera needs water and dust protection (an IP rating) and a suitable operating temperature. Our range includes models rated from -30 to 60 °C, while some work only from 0 to 40 °C. In a cold winter a wider range is worth choosing, since batteries also lose capacity in the cold.

Resolution. The most common are 3 MP (2304 x 1296) and 5 MP (2880 x 1620) cameras, with 2 MP (1920 x 1080) and 8 MP (3840 x 2160) models also available. For a yard or front door, 3 MP is usually enough. Choose 4K if you plan to zoom in on small details such as a number plate.

Shape and mounting. Bullet cameras are often fixed to an outdoor wall, dome and turret models go on a ceiling or wall, and cube and spherical cameras usually sit on a desk or shelf. Our range covers all of these, as well as bulb-style cameras.

Recording storage. Many cameras record to a microSD card, while others offer cloud storage, which is sometimes a paid service. Before buying, check which card sizes the camera supports and whether you can review recordings without a subscription.

Brands in our range

• IMOU and Dahua: IMOU is the consumer line of Dahua, one of the world's largest makers of video surveillance equipment.
• TP-Link: known for networking equipment, and its Tapo cameras connect easily to a home Wi-Fi network.
• Reolink: makes both battery and wired cameras, and some models can be powered by a solar panel.
• Anker: known for chargers and power banks, so energy efficiency is a core skill for the brand.
• EZVIZ and Hikvision: EZVIZ is the home-camera brand of Hikvision, a major maker of professional surveillance equipment.
• Arlo: one of the first makers of wire-free battery camera systems.
• Foscam: long established for home IP cameras.
• INSTAR: a German manufacturer of IP cameras.

Also in our range: Arenti, Sygonix.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a battery camera and a wireless camera?

A wireless camera connects to the network over Wi-Fi but may still use a power cable. A battery camera runs from its own rechargeable battery, so it needs neither a network cable nor a power lead. Some models combine both options.

Does a wireless camera need internet access?

Remote viewing on your phone needs an internet connection. Many cameras also record to a microSD card, so recording continues without internet, but you will not receive alerts on your phone in that case.

How long does a battery camera last on one charge?

It depends on the model, the number of motion events, live streaming and the outside temperature. The manufacturer's stated figure usually assumes limited activity, so in a busy spot you will need to recharge more often.

What resolution should I choose for a security camera?

For a home yard or front door, 3 MP or 5 MP is usually enough. A 4K (8 MP) camera helps when you want to zoom in on fine detail, but its recordings are larger and need more storage space.