Wire-Free Outdoor Security Cameras: Top 4 Things to Know Before Purchasing

For places without power sources or network, wire-free outdoor security cameras can be your best surveillance options.

So what are the benefits for you to install wire-free security cameras outdoors? And how to make the best of them?

You may find all the answers here to buy and run wire-free home outdoor security cameras in a smart way.

Top 4 Benefits of Wire-Free Outdoor Security Cameras

Wire-free outdoor security cameras, compared to traditional security cameras, come with some distinct advantages and here are some of the examples.

Benefit 1. Outdoor Wire-Free Security Cameras Come with No Wiring Hassles

Complete wireless battery-powered outdoor CCTV cameras are standalone security cameras, which are powered by rechargeable batteries or solar panels and require no cables to receive power and transmit data.

Put it in other words, outdoor wire-free security cameras are ideal surveillance options at places where you may find it hard to route the cables or arrange network connection.

By using this type of surveillance cameras, you don’t have to worry that someone breaks in and cuts the electricity wires of your wire-free outdoor home security cameras.

Benefit 2. Wire-Free WiFi Outdoor Security Cameras Offer Flexible Powering Options

Generally speaking, wire-free outdoor security cameras are powered by batteries.

Besides, some high-end wire-free outdoor security cameras can get non-stop power with solar panels. Solar-powered security cameras are not only environmental-friendly surveillance options but also help you avoid frequent battery replacement.

Benefit 3. Wire-Free Outdoor HD Security Cameras Are Truly Portable

With the complete wireless feature, small size and light weight, wire-free outdoor battery-powered security cameras are ideal security options for renting rooms and construction sites.

As the construction is finished or the renting period is terminated, you may take and reposition the wire-free outdoor CCTV cameras with you effortlessly.

Benefit 4. 100% Wire-Free Outdoor Security Cameras Work Off the Grid

Under power outages, other wired IP cameras may have compromised and stopped working. But for wire-free outdoor security cameras, they are still able to work and keep track of suspect activities.

Don’t Miss: Some of you may feel confused by wire-free outdoor security cameras and wireless outdoor security cameras. They are not the same types of security cameras and here are their distinctions:

Traditional wireless security cameras transmit data to your routers through WiFi signal but they rely on electrical wires to receive power, which indicates that this type of security cameras is not totally wire-free.

However, wire-free outdoor security cameras are capable to work with no electrical cords, which are complete wireless security options.

Do Wire-Free Outdoor Security Cameras Need WiFi

This is one of the most frequently asked questions on wire-free outdoor security cameras ever.

But there is no a quick answer...

Since it depends on which type of cameras you will use.

Yes, Wire Free Wireless Outdoor Security Cameras Need WiFi to Stream Live View

Generally speaking, most wireless wire-free outdoor CCTV cameras require WiFi or mobile hotspot, which is another form of WiFi, to transmit data.

To ensure stable data transmission, you need to ensure that your wire-free WiFi outdoor security cameras are within the good WiFi signal coverage.

And that is also why we do not suggest you use the mobile hotspot to operate your wire-free outdoor security systems. It is hard for your mobile phones to offer stable hotspot signal to the cameras, let alone the much data consumption.

Also mind that complete wireless outdoor cameras will continue to record locally to SD cards if there is no network connection. However, you won’t be able to either watch live view or receive instant notifications without Internet.

No, 4G Wire-Free Outdoor Security Cameras Can Work Without WiFi

Outdoor 4G wire-free security cameras operate on 4G LTE network and they are able to stream live view and send you instant alerts even without WiFi or Internet.

You can monitor effortlessly the off-the-grid places, such as your barns, camping sites and sailboats, by using this type of wire-free outdoor security camera systems.

Note that if you prefer 4G wire-free outdoor mobile security cameras, you need to prepare a data plan (a sim card) to make the camera work (read this post to learn more about sim card security cameras).

To maximize the data usage of your 4G outdoor wire-free security cameras, you may configure the cameras to reduce false alarms, lower their resolutions and frames per second (FPS) and also place the 4G cameras in good cellular signal areas.

Top Picks of Wire-Free Outdoor Security Cameras with Reviews

Feel lost in the oceans of the wire-free outdoor security camera options?

To help you find the best one that fits your needs, we have selected two of the most reputable wire-free outdoor security cameras as below.

Versatile Wire-Free WiFi Outdoor Security Camera: Reolink Argus® 2

Featuring 1080p clear images, starlight night vision and IP65 rating, Reolink Argus® 2 is an ideal surveillance option to monitor outdoor areas.

Here is more Tech Spec for your information:

How do the other professionals view on this 1080p wire-free outdoor security camera?

You may find the answer from the reviews of PCMag:

“Easy installation, sharp day and night video quality, and local recording make the Reolink Argus 2 a solid choice for a wireless indoor/outdoor home surveillance camera.”

Here is a video sample showing the impressive starlight night vision of Argus 2.

4G LTE Complete Wire-Free Outdoor Security Camera: Reolink Go

If you are looking for surveillance options in camping or hunting sites without WiFi, then you may consider Reolink Go, a 4G LTE wire-free outdoor security camera.

Here are some specifications for your reference:

You may also have a look at the reviews on Reolink Go from NerdTechy:

“But for mobile video monitoring where Wi-Fi connections or power outlets aren’t available, ordinary security cameras aren’t going to work. The Reolink Go is an excellent choice for anyone who finds themselves on those circumstances.”

Here is a video of a vulture in the snow captured by Reolink Go.

Pro Tips to Operate & Maintain Wire-Free Outdoor Cameras

How to make the best of the wire-free outdoor security cameras?
Below are some of the essential tips for you to operate and maintain complete wireless outdoor CCTV cameras like a pro.

#1. Insider’s Tips to Extend Battery Life of Wire-Free Outdoor Security Cameras

“How can I record longer with my wire-free battery-powered outdoor security cameras after charging?”

This is an issue concerned by many and you may follow the tips below to extend battery life:

• Power wire-free outdoor security cameras with solar panels.

• Schedule motion detection time.

• Use the cameras within the given humidity and temperature range.

• Update the firmware of the wire-free outdoor security systems to the latest version.

• Disable the PIR sensors when you find it unnecessary, like, when you are at home.

Note: Also check here to learn more about to wire-free security camera battery life & types.

#2. Shortcuts to Help the Cameras Withstand Harsh Weather

The best wire-free outdoor security cameras commonly come with IP65 or higher rating to ensure good performance in the outdoor environment. This is an important feature that you need to look for during selection.

Moreover, you may add an external skin to the outdoor security cameras or place them under sheltered places so as to make them survive in heavy rain or snow.

#3. Editor’s Tips to Secure Your CCTV Footage of Wire-Free HD Outdoor Security Cameras

Backing up data is a good habit to raise when you are running wire-free security cameras outdoors. With backups, you are able to recover important CCTV footage if you have deleted or lost data due to mistakes, hackings or break-ins (hopefully this will never happen).

An ideal way is to secure your footage to Cloud. With Cloud service, wire-free outdoor security cameras like Reolink Go and Argus 2 enable you to protect your data offsite and also access your footage from mobile devices at anytime, anywhere.

Need a helping hand? Just leave your questions in the comment below, we are happy to help.