Buying Battery Operated Security Cameras with Memory Card? Get Started Here

Want a complete wire free security camera that can record to the internal memory? The battery operated security cameras with memory card would serve you best for places without main power or Internet connection.

But when it comes to buying a CCTV camera with memory card and battery, there are a few things to consider, such as price, battery life and warranties, to name a few.

If you need some suggestions, we've put together a list of the best outdoor battery operated security cameras with memory card to buy today.

#1. Why to Choose Battery Operated Security Cameras with Memory Card

These are the obvious advantages of battery operated CCTV cameras with SD card that set them apart from other security cameras:

1. Truly Wire-Free & Affordable

The battery operated CCTV security cameras with autonomous memory card are 100% wire-free, meaning you can basically place them anywhere you wish without worrying that they should break the aesthetics of your home decorations.

You can also move the battery powered local storage security cameras to low-profile places when you have visitors coming by, so that they won’t feel uncomfortable about the cameras.

Plus, the battery operated CCTV cameras with SD card can work as a standalone security system, eliminating the monthly subscription fees of cloud storage and the extra expense to buy base station for video storage.

2. Secure & Reliable

Since the CCTV cameras with memory card and battery can save recorded videos locally, the footage is kept away from possible snooping on the Internet and your personal privacy can be better secured.

Even if the battery operated wireless security cameras with SD card suffer from intermittent network bandwidth or network failure, they can still continue to store surveillance videos onto the onboard SD card.

3. Ideal for Critical Places & No-Internet Areas

Though the battery operated security cameras with memory card don’t apply for 24/7 recording, they are the ideal options for you to record motion events in critical places, such as the storefront, front door, back door, garage, backyard, etc.

The battery operated CCTV cameras with SD card can also record locally without Internet. Once any motion event is detected, the battery control CCTV cameras with memory card (slot) will start recording onboard.

Yet, be aware that you cannot remotely access your battery powered security camera with SD card or receive real-time alerts in no-network areas. (Check the functions of security cameras with/without Internet.)

Alternative: If you want a CCTV camera with memory card and battery power that can allow you to view live feed without WiFi network, go for the cellular battery powered camera with SD card (slot).

#2. How to Access SD Card Footage of Battery Operated Outdoor Security Cameras with Memory Card

Generally speaking, you have two available ways to access the SD card footage of battery operated CCTV security cameras with memory card recording.

Method 1: Downloaded the app of your CCTV camera with memory card and battery (recommend free and customized ones, like Reolink App ), and then you can log in to play back the saved videos on your smartphones.

This is certainly the easiest way for you to view the onsite footage of battery operated CCTV cameras with SD card. But the Internet connection is required if you want to remotely access the motion activated recording stored in the memory card.

Below is a video captured by the battery powered security camera with SD card Reolink Argus® 2.

Method 2: Take out the memory card of battery powered outdoor security cameras with SD card and directly insert it into the integrated card reader of your laptops (a card adapter is needed when your SD cards are not standard ones).

In case your laptops don’t have an internal card reader, a USB card reader is also a convenient alternative.

#3. Best Battery Operated Security Cameras with Memory Card (Slot) in 2020

Whether you are searching for battery operated security cameras with memory card for recording motion events or for places without Internet, these motion activated battery powered security cameras with SD card (slot) are the best picks you shouldn’t miss.

1. Reolink Argus® 2 — Best Battery Operated CCTV Camera with SD Card Storage

As a rechargeable battery powered security camera with SD card recording, Reolink Argus® 2 possesses rich features that you cannot find among other models at the same price, which also explains why it becomes the star product this year.

Easy remote viewing: When human movement is detected by its smart PIR motion sensor, you can receive instant alerts and watch live viewing on your smart phone to check out what is happening out there.

Play back history events: This wireless indoor & outdoor battery operated security camera with memory card slot allows you to play back the history videos on your phone from anywhere, so you won’t miss any important events.

Work without Internet: Even if you cannot receive instant alerts or watch live feed without network, Reolink Argus® 2 can record important motion detection footage onboard, and you are free to review the videos anytime you want.

Why It Is Unique: With a built-in rechargeable battery and the optional Reolink solar panel (sold separately), this battery operated security camera with memory card slot can get non-stop juice to work day and night.

Its starlight image sensor also enables you to see clearer images and videos with more visible details, like the human face features, license plate numbers, etc.

Watch the video below shared by a user of Reolink Argus® 2.

Can’t Miss: Reolink recently added a new solar security camera to the Argus family – Reolink Argus® Pro, which shares almost all the highlights of Reolink Argus® 2 except the starlight night vision and magnetic base mounting, and at a much more affordable price ( below $100 ). So if you need a cost-effective security solution that gets the job done, Reolink Argus® Pro could also be one of your top choices.

Video sample of Reolink Argus Pro:

Christmas Deals: Both Reolink Argus® 2 and Reolink Argus® Pro are on big sale for the Christmas holiday promotion (ends on Dec.25 PST). And you can get a 20% discount for these battery wireless outdoor security cameras.

2. Reolink Go — 4G/3G Battery Powered Security Camera with SD Card Storage

The cellular battery powered security camera with SD card recording Reolink Go, is designed to work in places without WiFi connection and power source, such as your barns, farms, ranches, construction sites, remote sheds, cabins, campsites, vacation homes, hotels, rental properties, etc.

As with Reolink Argus™ 2, Reolink Go 4G/3G mobile battery operated CCTV camera with SD card slot also features flexible powering options (rechargeable battery powered & solar powered), 1080p Full HD, starlight night vision, smart PIR motion sensor, two-way audio, IP65 weatherproof, etc.

You can even record your own alert message to get notified with it when motion is detected. And you can also watch the live viewing or play back the videos anytime & anywhere via your smartphone to keep informed of what’s happening out there.

Below is a high quality video shared by a user of Reolink Go.

#4. Common Questions You May Ask About Battery Powered Outdoor Security Cameras with SD Card

To make you gain a clearer idea of indoor & outdoor CCTV cameras with memory card and battery, let’s take a look at the common questions you may have.

How to Protect Battery Operated Security Cameras with Memory Card from Thefts

Actually, the visible presence of your battery operated outdoor security cameras with memory card would be the most powerful deterrent. Smart thieves usually would think twice before taking the risk of being caught to steal your cameras.

Placing battery operated CCTV cameras with SD card in appropriate height and unnoticeable locations is also a practical tip to protect your camera from thefts and vandalism. (Learn how to hide your security cameras.)

Besides, you can add protective skins for your your motion activated outdoor battery powered security cameras with SD card, so that the camera can blend into the environment and won't be easily noticed.

If you don’t want to lose the videos housed in the battery operated wireless outdoor security cameras with memory card in case the camera is stolen, back up the footage regularly to your computer or on the cloud storage.

What If the SD Card of Outdoor Battery Powered Security Cameras with SD Card Got Full

When the SD card of battery operated security cameras with memory card storage is full, you can leave the battery control CCTV cameras continuing to record and the older footage will be automatically overwritten by newer ones.

Besides, you can also manage the footage of CCTV cameras with memory card and battery manually.

Get yourself in the habit of transferring and saving important videos stored in the SD card to your computers at regular intervals. Then you can delete the unuseful videos from the SD card via the computer or just format the SD card.

How Long Can Battery Powered Outdoor Security Cameras with 32GB/64GB SD Card Record

Indeed, there is no exact answer about how long the battery powered CCTV security cameras with 32GB/64GB SD card can record.

It depends on the bitrate, FPS (frames per second), resolution you record at and the number of motion events in places where you install the CCTV camera with memory card and battery.

To allow for a longer record time, the bitrate can be adjusted lower (sacrificing the image and video quality) and you can place the battery powered outdoor security cameras with SD card away from the crowded entrances.

As mentioned above, even the SD card storage space is full, your battery operated security cameras with memory card can continue recording onsite and the old files will be automatically overwritten.

Pro Tip: Learn how to calculate the storage space of your battery operated CCTV camera with SD card recording.

How to Choose an SD Card for the Battery Operated Security Cameras with Memory Card Slot

For battery operated security cameras with memory card slot, you may need to purchase an SD card for onboard storage.

The selection of an SD card can be tricky due to the various speed ratings, sizes and capacities.

To ensure you get the right one, it is best for you to consult the providers of battery powered SD card security cameras. Some battery powered wireless outdoor security cameras with SD card recording may have specific requirement, say, some only support up to 64GB SD cards.

You should also note that the reading and writing speed of an SD card doesn’t have much impact on the camera recording, yet it is important when you access the video footage via your computer.

Normally the battery powered CCTV security cameras with 16GB SD cards, 4 class rating is enough to serve your purpose.

How to Format the SD Card of Battery Operated Security Cameras with Memory Card

The easiest way to format your SD card of CCTV Cameras with SD Card and battery is to use the camera seller’s App.

For example, if you need to format Reolink Argus® 2 SD Card, you simply need to launch the Reolink App on your smart phone and find “SD Card” button under “Device Settings”. After you enter the menu page, click the “Initialize” button and all is done.

Another alternative is to retrieve the micro SD card off the wireless battery powered SD card security cameras and use your computer to format it (learn the specific steps ).

What to Do If CCTV Cameras with Memory Card and Battery Fail to Record Onboard

Follow the troubleshooting tips below if your battery powered security cameras with self storage fail to record to the SD card:

• Confirm the micro SD card has been recognized by the battery powered SD card security cameras. You can log into the camera App and go to the “Device Settings” to check if the micro SD card and its left space appear.
• Make sure you have enabled the PIR motion sensor and the record option of your battery operated CCTV camera with SD card.
• Enter the monitoring zone of your battery operated security cameras with memory card to test if the camera can be triggered by motion movement.
• Format the micro SD card of your CCTV camera with memory card and battery to retry.
• If the methods above don’t work for you, you may contact the support team of the camera seller for expert advice. Reolink, for example, offers 1-to-1 technical support whenever you meet any problems.

#5. Knowledge Base of Battery Powered Security Cameras with SD Card

Below are some important concepts about battery operated CCTV security cameras with built-in memory card for your information.

SD Card vs Cloud Storage vs Base Station

SD Card: The advantages of onboard micro SD card storage have been clarified in the first part above. Simply put, it is inexpensive, secure and reliable.

Cloud Storage: The recorded videos can be kept safe, away from any thefts or man-made damages. It is also easy and convenient to save the footage into the cloud storage. If you have the budget to pay the monthly subscription fees, it can be a good backup plan in case of an emergency.

Base Station: Some security providers have released an independent WiFi-based storage station as an alternative of the above storage manners. Though it comes as a good local storage back-up, you will need to shell out extra money for it.

Pro Tip: Read this post to learn more about the security camera footage storage.

What Is the Difference Between SD & SDHC & SDXC?

SD Card stands for Secure Digital Card, whose capacities range from 128MB to 2GB. SD cards will work in all host devices that support SD, SDHC, or SDXC.

SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) cards can store between 4GB and 32GB, but can only be used in devices compatible with the SDHC format.

SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity) cards are the latest SD cards available and their storage sizes range between 64GB and 2TB.

What Is the Class Rating of an SD Card?

The class rating is the minimum write speed of an SD card and there are four different speed classes—10, 6, 4, and 2. Class 10 is the fastest while class 2 is the slowest. Eg: class2 refers to a guaranteed minimum write speed of 2MB/s or higher.

For the wireless battery operated security cameras with memory card slot Reolink Argus® 2 and Reolink Go, it is recommended to choose a micro SD card of Class 4 or higher level.

Got any questions about outdoor/indoor battery powered security cameras with SD card? Please feel free to leave your comment below and we’ll reply to you soon.