Nowadays we can keep the entrances of our house, apartment, garage or office under close surveillance using wireless video surveillance systems, capable of sending images via Wi-Fi connection or data network to a server central or an online service, so as to make access to the electronic eye available wherever we are in the world (in addition to using the H24 recording of the footage). In this guide we will show you how to install wireless video surveillance cameras, showing you the parameters to consider when purchasing a wireless outdoor camera and the best products that you can buy online, so as to get a nice saving (compared to the products sold in the shops or specialized centers).
READ ALSO: Video surveillance with WebCam and IP cameras: best programs
Features wireless cameras
Before purchasing any type of camera, be sure to check that the following requirements are present, so as to avoid poor or poor quality cameras:- Image quality : to generate good quality shots, we recommend that you focus only on models that have HD resolution (1280 × 720 pixels), excellent in all light conditions and easily accessible from the outside even with an Internet connection that is not very fast (at least 2 Megabits per second in upload). If we have an even slower connection, we can orient ourselves on an SD resolution (640 × 480 pixels), while if we have a 10 Mega or more upload connection, we can also focus on the more expensive cameras with Full HD resolution (1920x1080 pixels) .
- Sensors : the presence of additional sensors will allow you to start recording automatically when someone or something passes in front of the camera (motion detection); in addition, the cameras equipped with a PIR sensor (passive infrared) will allow you to immediately see the intrusions even at night.
- Shot : choosing a camera based on the shot is important, since it will change the positioning of the camera. There are fixed cameras on the market (they always frame the same area), motorized cameras (which we can turn on the axes remotely, so as to change the frame) and finally PTZ cameras (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) offer small horizontal movements and vertically together with the ability to zoom in on the frame. The most effective models to control large rooms or spacious entrances are certainly the Fisheye cameras (fish eye) that offer a 360 ° shot of the framed area.
- Audio sector : in order to also capture the sounds of the framed area and communicate through it, we choose a camera with two-way audio, so that we can listen to what happens in the frame and make our voices heard through the computer or smartphone.
- Waterproofing : if we have to focus on an outdoor camera, make sure it is certified for waterproofing even in heavy rain (IP67 certification or higher).
- Connection : the camera must be equipped with a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi module, so that it can connect to the Internet via our modem. This connection is essential in order to connect to the server, to the control website or to the network NAS .
- Internal memory : if not connected to the Internet, modern wireless cameras can have an SD or microSD slot on which to carry out continuous recordings "offline", until the connection to the network returns.
- Power supply : the most effective cameras are those that need to be connected to the traditional electrical network, also by simply connecting the electrical wires (there are usually no sockets as on household appliances). The most adaptable models include a battery (fixed or removable) so that we can shoot the scene even when there is no power cable nearby (however, we will have to recharge the battery periodically if we want to continue shooting). The more expensive cameras can have PoE (Power Over Ethernet), that is, they can receive power from an Ethernet cable prepared for functionality.
- Camera management : all cameras offer a remote control system accessible via a smartphone app or via a website (after registering for a free account). The more advanced services also allow you to record online continuously (so as to have the footage saved in a secure online account) and to support the most modern DVRs.
Best wireless cameras to buy
After seeing together the features that modern wireless cameras must have, in this part of the guide we will show you the models that we can buy online. For convenience, we have divided the models according to specific framing needs and the type of power supply we intend to use.Fixed indoor cameras
The simplest fixed wireless cameras are intended for internal use and are also known as IP cameras (since they can be reached by knowing the local IP address or by forwarding the port via the public IP address). The models we recommend you to buy are:
- Internal WiFi camera, Victure Baby Monitor (24 €)
- Apeman 1080P internal wi-fi camera (26 €)
- Victure FHD 1080P WiFi Surveillance Camera (29 €)
- Sricam Latest Version SP017 Indoor WiFi Camera (39 €)
- Mini Micro Cameras Spy AOBO 1080P HD Hidden Button (45 €)
Fixed outdoor cameras
If, on the other hand, we want to monitor an external point of the house, office or shop, with a fixed frame we will have to install waterproof fixed cameras, such as those viewable below:
- SV3C 720P Outdoor WIFI Surveillance Cameras (30 €)
- Outdoor Wifi Camera, Wansview 1080P (39 €)
- ieGeek Upgrade Outdoor Surveillance Camera 1080P (42 €)
- Netvue 1080P Wireless Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera (49 €)
- Victure FHD 1080P External IP camera (49 €)
Motorized cameras
Motorized cameras allow you to move the shot using the app or the control website, so you can immediately frame the area to be checked; on the more advanced models we can also record an automatic movement, so that the camera "moves" and controls a larger area.
The best motorized cameras that we can view are:
- Motorized HD 720P WIRELESS IR LED IP CAMERA (20 €)
- All Shop - Wireless MINI Smart Camera IP Camera, Motorized Security Camera (24 €)
- D-Link DCS-5000L Surveillance Camera (53 €)
- Motorized outdoor IP camera Wi-Fi 1080P FULL HD (51 €)
- Tenvis T3862D Outdoor Wi-Fi IP Camera, Full HD 1080p (129 €)
PTZ cameras
Among the best cameras that we can install inside or outside are the PTZ cameras, which offer full control of the frame (without changing the position of the camera itself) and allow you to apply a good level of zoom. The best PTZ cameras are:
- SV3C Outdoor Wi-Fi Wireless 1080P PTZ IP Camera (98 €)
- FLOUREON WiFi PTZ IP Camera Surveillance Camera (109 €)
- SV3C PTZ IP Camera ONVIF Waterproof Surveillance Camera (129 €)
- Ctronics PTZ IP Surveillance Camera WiFi Camera (139 €)
- High speed PoE PTZ IP camera (€ 299)
Fisheye cameras
To frame a large area with a single camera we will have to focus on Fisheye cameras, which offer a large viewing angle and dedicated motorization (for zooming or for moving the internal lens). The best Fisheye cameras that we can buy are:
- WiFi IP Security Camera Autbye Fisheye Bulb (29 €)
- Q-camera 1080P Security Camera (33 €)
- Tenvis T5842F - 360 ° fisheye camera, Wi-Fi, Full HD (49 €)
- Revotech - POE 1080P Panoramic Fisheye 1.44mm Indoor Audio Lens (56 €)
- EZVIZ Mini Pano Surveillance Camera, WiFi Video Camera (97 €)
Battery operated outdoor cameras
In the last chapter of the guide we want to show you the best battery-powered wireless cameras, therefore operating without the need to carry an electric wire or take advantage of the expensive PoE solutions. The models we recommend you to view are:
- Lemnoi Video Surveillance Camera Battery Wifi Wireless (59 €)
- SANNCE 720P HD IP Rechargeable Wireless Camera with Integrated Battery (59 €)
- Battery Rechargeable Security Camera with solar panel (69 €)
- Reolink Argus Eco 1080p HD External Battery Wi-Fi Wireless Camera (85 €)
- Video Surveillance Camera Rechargeable Battery (89 €)
Conclusions
Choosing the camera or cameras suitable for our purposes, we can install them in the corner of the wall, behind a gutter or in a high and inaccessible point in a few minutes using a screwdriver, a drill and some tools to cut and adjust the wires. If we are prevented with this type of operation, we can always focus on battery-powered cameras and fix them to the wall with a very strong double-sided tape .Once the camera is placed we will have to configure it (via app or Web service) to connect to the reference Wi-Fi network, so as to transmit images via the Web or record what happens in the frame.
In another article, the best wireless IP cameras for continuous video surveillance
If the wireless connection is not enough to cover the area where the wireless camera is present, we recommend you read our two guides on How the wifi repeater or "Range Extender" works and which one to buy and how to Amplify the Wi-Fi at home and extend wireless reception, so that we can extend the signal of our network and also cover the room or area without coverage.
If, on the other hand, we have an old Android phone and we want to convert it back to a wireless security camera, just follow the tips proposed in the article on the different ways to use the old Android phone .
