Best Wired Security Cameras Buying Guide

Wired security cameras are modern guardians of safety. They use cables to connect and watch over homes, businesses, and public spaces. Today we’ll explore the full aspects of wired cameras, including why choose them for your house, how to install in outdoors and what to look for in the best wired home security cameras.

Why Choose a Wired Security Camera for Your Home

Wired IP cameras offer several key advantages that make them a preferred choice for certain situations. Firstly, if your router deals with heavy traffic and you require high-quality video streaming, wired cameras ensure a stable and reliable connection. The wired setup minimizes the risk of signal disruptions or quality degradation, providing clear footage for effective surveillance.

Additionally, wired models are ideal when you aim to reduce interference from other wireless devices in your surroundings. With wireless networks becoming more prevalent, the airwaves are crowded, potentially leading to signal conflicts. Opting for a hardwired solution eliminates these concerns, offering a secure and interference-free surveillance system.

Moreover, if your objective is to monitor expansive areas of your home, outdoor cameras with wired connections are better equipped for the task. Their robust connectivity and power supply through cables enable them to cover larger spaces effectively, ensuring comprehensive surveillance without compromising on video quality or reliability.

Wired Home Security Cameras: Types & How They Work

Now let’s explore deeper and learn about their types and how they work.

How they work?

The hardwired security cameras have evolved a long way and what are available today differ much from the earlier versions.

For the traditional Analog, HD-SDI and HD-CVI cameras for home, they transmit videos over the coax or the UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cablings. Meanwhile, you also need a set of power cables to power the indoor or outdoor cameras.

In some cases, the Siamese cable, which provides coaxial cables with power wires attached to its side, is utilized to simplify the installation of cable by requiring only one run.

With the advent of power over Ethernet technology, the PoE wired IP cameras can get electric power and transmit video signals over the same CAT5 or CAT6 cable. This way, it can greatly reduce the time and expense to install wired surveillance cameras for your home.

Types

Depending on the location of the camera installation, camera can be categorized as outdoor and indoor camera.

Wired indoor security cameras are made for keeping an eye on the inside of buildings like homes, offices, or stores. They usually record video and sometimes audio indoors. These cameras are small and can be placed in different spots to watch different areas.

Wired outdoor security cameras work well in outdoor settings. They can handle various weather conditions such as rain, snow, dust, and extreme temperatures. Many outdoor cameras, like those with an IP rating of 66 or higher, provide strong resistance to tough outdoor conditions. A higher IP rating means they can withstand harsh weather better.

Based on the shape of these indoor & outdoor cameras, they can be then classified into the following types:

• Bullet wired CCTV security cameras – easy to install, more visible.
• Dome wired outdoor security cameras – unobtrusive, vandal-proof.
• Turret hardwired security cameras – easy angle adjustment, less intrusive.

Main Features of Hardwired Security Camera

Actually, there is no one-size-fits-all security camera to meet everyone’s needs. Based on your diverse requirements, here is the mian features what you should look for in the best hardwired security cameras.

• Good image quality: Good image quality is a key feature of a reliable wired camera. It means that the pictures or videos captured are clear, detailed, and easy to see. This is important for accurately identifying people, objects, or events in the footage.

• Remote viewing and motion alerts: This feature let you see live footage remotely on your phone or computer. They also send alerts when they detect motion, helping you stay informed about any unusual activity around your home.

• Steady network connection: This ensures a reliable and uninterrupted flow of data, supporting functions like remote viewing and motion alerts. A stable network connection is essential for the camera to transmit live footage and maintain effective surveillance.

• Two-way audio: Two-way audio allows you both listen and speak through the camera. This means you can hear what's happening around the camera and communicate through it. It's useful for monitoring and interacting with people or pets near the camera.

• Affordable price: Some top security camera brands, like Reolink, offer good and cheap PoE cameras, some priced below $60. Contrary to the belief that lower prices mean bad service, Reolink provides a 2-year warranty for reliable wired cameras bought from their official website.

Top Picks for Best Wired Security Cameras

In this part, we will recommend seveal best options for you.

16MP Dual-lens PoE security camera - Reolink Duo 3 PoE

Reolink Duo 3 PoE is a 16MP high resolution dual-lens security camera. 16MP resolution ensures detailed surveillance with the ability to zoom in for precise identification. This camera introduces Motion Track technology, streamlining surveillance by overlaying a person's movement path into a single image, reducing the need for lengthy motion videos.

And the camera's AI-based smart motion detection accurately classifies objects and offers various alert modes. With a dual-image stitching algorithm, it seamlessly merges wide-angle footage, providing reliable and efficient surveillance.

Reolink Duo 3 PoE

Groundbreaking 16MP Dual-Lens PoE Camera

16MP UHD, Dual-Lens, Motion Track, 180° Wide Viewing Angle, Power over Ethernet, Color Night Vision.

Learn More about Reolink Duo 3 PoE

ColorX 4MP security camera - Reolink CX410

RCX410 is al ColorX 2K 4MP PoE IP Camera, renowned for its True Full-Color Night Vision capability in low light conditions. With a powerful F1.0 Super Aperture and an adjustable 3000K Warm Light, this camera guarantees true color visibility even in the darkest settings.

Boasting advanced detection features, this camera accurately identifies persons, vehicles, and pets.

Reolink CX410

2K PoE ColorX Night Vision Camera

2K 4MP; F1.0 Super Aperture; ColorX True Full Color Night Vision; 3000K Adjustable Warm Light; Advanced 1/1.8'' Sensor; 2-Way Audio.

Learn More Reolink CX410 Product Page

Smart 8MP PTZ PoE camera - Reolink RLC-823A

RLC-823A is a smart 8MP PTZ PoE Camera with Spotlights, offering advanced features for comprehensive surveillance. This camera excels in person and vehicle detection, ensuring accurate alerts. With its pan, tilt, and 5X zoom capabilities, RLC-823A provides versatile coverage for effective monitoring.

Reolink RLC-823A

Smart PTZ PoE Camera with Spotlights

4K 8MP Ultra HD, Person/Vehicle Detection, 5X Optical Zoom, Auto Tracking, Manual Pan & Tilt, Two-Way Audio, 190ft Night Vision, Live View.

Learn More about Reolink RLC-823A

Installation Tips for Wired Cameras Indoors & Outdoors

If you purchase a wired security camera system for your home, the cost to install this system can be reduced to almost ZERO, as you can do the installation within minutes even you are a tech outsider.

Before we tap on the step-by-step procedures about how to install these cameras outdoors and indoors, another equally important issue, is to know where to place cameras so as to get the most of them.

According to the home burglary statistics, the most common entries for burglars are:

• Front doors (34%)
• First-floor windows (23%)
• Back doors (22%)
• Garage (9%)
• Unlocked entrance (4%)
• Second floor (2%)

With these bearing in mind, you can now be off to install the wired system for your home by following the steps below:

1. Decide on where to place wired home security systems (indoors or outdoors) and prepare the essential installation tools, like screws, Ethernet cables, a power adapter, mounting hole template, etc.

2. Drill holes through walls or ceilings and run cables to the location of your Cat 5 cameras. Hide all the ends of the camera cables on the holes to prevent them from wearing out or being damaged.

3. Start installing your wired outdoor home security camera by connecting the cable coming out from the hole to the camera itself. Use your power drill to mount the camera to your house and make adjustments of the camera angle.

4. For the wired devices with DVR/NVR, you simply need to connect each camera cable to its own port, and then connect the monitor to the DVR/NVR over HDMI cables.

5. After finishing the installation, now you can set up your hardwired CCTV cameras by downloading the latest software and navigating through the settings to customize some recommended features, like a scheduled recording.

Money-Saving Tip: If you choose indoor and outdoor wired PoE security cameras from reliable and reputable brands like Reolink, such essential security camera accessories will be provided free of charge. So the cost can be greatly reduced.

FAQs

Are wired security cameras better?

Wired IP cameras are generally better for stable connections and higher video quality, but they require more complex installation and offer less flexibility compared to wireless options.

Who has the best wired security cameras?

There are many brands offering wired models and devices, and Reolink is one of them. Reolink provides high-resolution wired options, including models like the RLC-810A and the CX810.

Do hardwired cameras need WiFi?

No, hardwired cameras do not need WiFi as they are connected through cables and rely on a direct connection for data transmission.

Conclusion

A wired cameras provides reliable surveillance for your home or business. With features like steady network connections, high resolutions, and advanced technologies, these cameras offer peace of mind. Whether you choose an indoor or outdoor camera, they play a crucial role in keeping your property secure.

If you still have any questions about this article, please let me know down in the comments and I’ll get back to you soon.