Why I use wireless security cameras at home versus a wired system - after years of testing

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• The best security camera isn't the one with the highest resolution or longest feature list. 
• Placement, storage, and ease of use are far more important.
• If you're shopping for a security camera, here's what you should know first.

Security cameras have come a long way, from walled-garden overpriced systems to inexpensive DIY solutions. For years, wired security cameras were considered the norm, while battery-powered wireless cameras were deemed an inconsistent alternative. 

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Today, however, a good wireless camera can handle most homeowners' needs and, in many cases, be the only option. As a smart home reviewer, I have a full surveillance system in my home with 10 security cameras, yet only two are wired. For most purposes, wireless cameras are my first choice, and I'll walk you through the checklist to help you determine when wired or wireless is best for your home.

What you should know before buying a security camera

While resolution and AI-powered notifications are flashy features, there are more important questions you should ask yourself before shopping for a camera. 

Where will the security camera be located?

Before you worry about resolution or night vision, you should really think about where you want a security camera and why. I'll get into the why in point two, but the where will start eliminating many of the cameras in your search results. 

Also: 7 rules to follow when setting up a home security camera - and where you should never install one

Battery-powered cameras offer more flexibility in placement. As someone who prefers wireless security cameras, I do use strategic placement. For example, my south-facing outdoor cameras all have a solar panel, either built-in or mounted next to them. I ensure the panels face the sun year-round, and I only have to charge one or two cameras once a year, if any. 

My favorite solar-powered cameras:

• Eufy Security EufyCam S4 for $350
• Eufy Security SoloCam E30 for $100 (limited-time deal)
• Reolink First for $135
• Aosu T2 Pro for $160 (limited-time deal)

I also prefer battery video doorbells and have a couple of wireless cameras at each door to complement the doorbell.

Battery-powered cameras without solar panels are perfect for shady areas or parts of your home that don't get direct sunlight. Because wireless cameras don't require wiring or running a cable from your house to the camera, you're not limited by how far the cable can run. You could place a wireless camera at the edge of your property to monitor the area, such as on a fence or a tree, to watch wildlife.

My favorite wireless cameras without solar panels:

• Blink Outdoor 4 for $130 (2-Pack)
• Tapo C400 for $45 (limited-time deal)
• Ring Outdoor Cam for $80

What problem will the security camera solve?

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

When shopping for a security camera, the first question you should ask yourself is, "What problem am I trying to solve with this camera?" Your answer will determine the type of camera you buy. For example, the same camera won't work for checking on your pets and deterring package theft. 

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Narrow down your priority list to answer this question. You may want to deter porch pirates, watch over a driveway, record evidence after an incident, monitor a garage, find out when someone's at your door, or watch over your pets. Each of these instances will require a different type of camera:

If you want to:

• Deter package theft: Choose a video doorbell camera with package surveillance (not just detection) -- like the Eufy E340 -- that can alert you when your package is picked up and sound an alarm when someone approaches it.
• Watch a driveway: If you have an existing floodlight overlooking the driveway, you can replace it with a wired floodlight camera, such as a Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus or an Eufy E340 Floodlight.
  
• Record potential evidence: Find a camera with reliable storage and quick access to your files, so you can share them as needed. Some cloud storage services charge extra to share files, and cameras with built-in or added storage, like an on-camera microSD card, can be tampered with. The best option for an outdoor camera to capture evidence is to use a storage hub inside your home, such as ones offered by Eufy, Reolink, Tapo, and Swann.
• Monitor your garage: A wireless camera inside your garage is fine, but don't rely on an attached solar panel to power it. Indoor cameras don't get direct, unfiltered sunlight to stay powered, especially in a dark garage. Since power outlets are common in most US garages, I'd recommend a plug-in camera you can rely on. I use a PTZ camera in my garage to see when the door is left open, if anyone approaches, and even if any critters get inside.
  
• Watch your pets: As long as you're OK with recharging your wireless camera every now and then, there's no reason not to use a battery-powered camera. Pet cameras, however, are most often pan/tilt cameras that can follow your pet's movement, which can drain the battery more quickly. If you're using a pan/tilt camera to watch your pet, I'd recommend a wired option, like the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt, or Tapo C250.
• Know when someone's at your door: You don't need a video doorbell to know when someone's at your door, as most security cameras have specific person detection software and alerts. However, a video doorbell is optimized to monitor your front door, with head-to-toe views and package detection alerts. 

How does the security camera capture footage?

Maria Diaz / ZDNET

How and where your security camera stores captured footage can make a huge difference in your purchase decision. Unfortunately, some cameras are inexpensive up-front but push monthly cloud subscriptions to access any stored video. Many of them have different-priced tiers with locked features behind paywalls and per-camera fees. 

Other cameras offer local storage via on-camera microSD cards, through NAS support, in-home hubs with SSD, and no mandatory subscription. 

Also: Looking for a no-sub security camera? Here's one I recommend

That said, storage and cloud subscription costs are a good fit for many consumers; you just have to determine whether they're right for you. Consider what features disappear without a subscription that may be important to you, and how many hours or days of footage are included with each subscription tier.

My favorite subscription-free security system is Eufy Security, since it offers a mix of inexpensive and high-end, wired and battery-powered, and solar-powered options, and compatibility with the HomeBase for local storage.

Wireless or wired security cameras?

Both wired and wireless security cameras have their advantages. When you've chosen your placement, resolution, features, and storage and still have to decide whether to choose a wired or a wireless camera, here are some things to consider:

• Wired cameras are better suited for 24/7 continuous recording, extra-fast motion capture, long-term evidence retention, no battery recharging (ever), maximum reliability, and PoE cameras.
• Wireless cameras are better suited for rentals, apartments, tricky placements, easier expansion of a security system, easier installations, and homes without existing wiring.

And, yes, what is the resolution and clarity like?

Resolution is important for any camera, but it is often overrated for security cameras. A well-positioned 1080p security camera can be more effective than a poorly placed 4K camera. Instead of worrying about 1080p, 2K, or 4K, consider the sensor quality and dynamic range, as well as the amount of lighting the camera needs to deliver a clear image.

Also: Forget Ring: I switched to this Eufy security camera, and can't go back to grainy night vision

You need a camera that, with proper placement, will offer clear detail during the day and night. Cameras do this not only with resolution, but also with good HDR performance and reliable motion recording. Just don't forget that placement is as important as resolution. A camera that is too high may offer you a great view of hats, but not of faces or license plate details. 

To learn how these features perform on whichever camera you're looking to buy, read through the reviews from people who've used them in light and dark scenarios.