Wireless Security Cameras vs Wired Security Cameras, Which One Is The Better?

We are living in a technological world. The 21st century is undergoing a massive technological revolution. It affects us in all sectors. Sometimes they do us good and sometimes bad. We use technological equipment to complete almost all our daily tasks. We wake up using alarm technology.

Then we do shopping, pay bills, explore the internet, and work in the office using technology. We mean to say that, from waking up to going to bed, we cannot think of a day without using technology. So, let’s get to know about Wireless Security Cameras vs Wired Security Cameras.

Here we will talk about such a technological device that keeps us safe. That broadens the security of our lives, families, and properties. Yes, it is security cameras. It is a remarkable invention of science. It keeps out the rogues, street thugs, and robbers out of your territory.

Now, we feel safer than ever as this device always monitors threats around us. Security cameras are part and parcel of the security of our homes. We all know about two famous types. These are Wireless Home Security Camera and Wired Home Security Camera.

Do you want to buy one? Wonder which might be the best choice for you? You will find the answers here. Here we will discuss Wireless and Wired home security cameras. Their advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, we will try to figure out which one might be the best choice for you. So, sit tight and scroll down with eyes wide open.

What Is A Wireless Security Camera?

A wireless security camera is a kind of camera that transmits footage over a Wi-Fi connection. This camera uses an AC outlet for the power supply. You must have to plug it into an outlet using a cable. The reason behind calling it wireless is not for its wire-freeness, rather its wireless internet (Wi-Fi). There is another wireless camera powered by a battery. We call it a wire-free camera. You don’t need an electric outlet to power this camera.

How It Works

A wireless camera usually captures footage and transmits it through a Wi-Fi connection. This camera captures footage when it detects motion or sound. Some cameras can capture 24/7 if they are plugged into power. It can capture and transmit footage to cloud storage.

Some cameras also store their footage on local media, for example, micro-SD cards in the camera. As it stores data on cloud storage, we can watch footage from any end of the world. Wireless cameras are very popular for their easy installation process. Smartphones, as well as computers, are used to watch this footage.

Advantages of Wireless Security Cameras

Here we will point out some advantages of Wireless Security Cameras. This will help you to choose and determine which type of camera is better for you.

• Wireless cameras are very much easy to install. You have to place it on a wall using a drill. Otherwise, the minimal installation is to plug it in and then connect it to the Wi-Fi connection using the camera’s smartphone app. No requirement for professionals to install your cameras. It is as simple as you like.
• The second advantage is its simple using-process. You can watch the live footage by using the smartphone app that your wireless camera is capturing. You can control the wireless cameras using your smartphone. Some wireless cameras capture footage only when they detect sound or motion. That means these cameras capture event by event. Using your smartphone, you can easily select any event from a timeline of events and watch it.
• The most outstanding feature of a wireless security camera is that it can store footage to cloud storage. For this reason, you can watch this footage from anywhere around the world. It allows you to check on your territory even if you are away.
• We already know that some wireless cameras can function using battery power. They also can use micro-SD storage to store their footage. Now, the advantage of them is that if the Wi-Fi connection is disconnected, they can still record the footage to the micro-SD storage. So, you are never going to miss capturing a second.
• Flexibility is another advantage of wireless security cameras. It is very easy to get them going or get them off. It allows you to reposition the cameras according to your necessity. This flexibility also helps camera rental services. You can rent a wireless security camera and install it easily. Then when your work is done, uninstall it easily.
• Some wireless security cameras are equipped with machine learning and innovative features. They can learn and detect if the same person is moving back and forth. They can also detect if the thing on the focus is a person or an animal.

Disadvantages of Wireless Security Cameras

Don’t be too happy yet. There are some shortcomings too for this one. Let’s take a quick look before we discuss wired security cameras.

• We know that wireless security cameras can transmit data to cloud storage. It is necessary to purchase subscriptions to the cloud storage monthly. It costs you a lot of money.
• The wireless feature of a wireless security camera is a disadvantage. A huge portion of its capabilities depends on the Wi-Fi connection. If your cameras are placed too far from your router, they may not get sufficient signal. So, the cameras become unable to transmit live footage. Moreover, a Wi-Fi signal cannot provide constant bandwidth. So, it affects the video quality of your footage.
• Some wireless cameras get power from batteries. So, they need to charge up. It is a disadvantage to charge them again and again. Moreover, if you pull out batteries for charging, it means your camera is off for the time being.
• The last disadvantage of this type is a terrifying one. As these cameras send footage online on cloud storage, hackers can do some damage. It causes a serious privacy concern. Though it is not that easy to do.

Now we know the advantages and disadvantages of wireless security cameras. Confused? Let’s check out Wired Security Cameras below to take aside your confusion.

Privacy Concern Of Wireless Security System

First off, wireless networks operate on radio waves, just like wireless security cameras.  So if you can hack into the wireless network that the wireless camera is using, it becomes possible to see all the video clips being sent by wireless security cameras connected to that wireless network. The wireless standard used by wireless cameras, called 802.11 wireless protocol, uses weak encryption to connect to the wireless network. 

It has been shown possible for hackers to take control of wireless networks via this wireless camera vulnerability – or even use wireless security cameras as a back-door into other parts of wireless network. An additional wireless security camera vulnerability occurs when wireless cameras use the wireless network’s administrator password to connect, which many people don’t change from the default.   This makes it easy for hackers to gain access to wireless networks and wireless security cameras via their passwords. How wireless camera privacy concerns are addressed

How to Fix Privacy Concerns

Luckily, there’s an easy wireless camera privacy concern fix.  The wireless standard used by wireless security cameras, called 802.11 wireless protocol, allows for user-set passwords instead of using the default wireless network password. So all wireless security cameras have the same wireless camera privacy concerns?

No, not really.  IP security camera systems are very different from wireless security cameras.  IP security camera systems use wireless network technology to transmit video clips between wireless IP cameras and a wireless router or wireless access point, but they don’t rely on the wireless signals themselves for power like wireless cameras do.

This means that wireless IP camera privacy concerns are entirely different from wireless security camera privacy concerns – and likely an entirely different wireless vulnerability. So wireless security camera companies have the wireless home security market covered, but wireless IP camera systems are their own wireless product.

What Is A Wired Security Camera?

Wired home security cameras are those cameras that are connected to the power source and the internet connection by a cable. This camera is well-known as a DVR. It refers to Digital Video Recording. It is a recording device associated with cameras. They are classified into traditional DVR and NVR. The latter refers to Networked Video Recorder. The DVR uses a cable to transmit data. This same cable powers the camera itself. On the other hand, the NVR system uses ethernet to power and capture footage. NVRs are more developed and powerful than DVRs.

How It Works

A Wired Security Camera captures footage and transmits it through a cable to the DVR system. You can watch the live feed through your monitor by connecting it with the DVR system. You can also watch the footage from your smartphone using their app. As for the power supply, a wired security camera draws its power from an AC outlet. It can also draw power through its cable from the DVR system. In this case, you do not need an extra AC output around your wired security camera.

Advantages of Wired Security Camera

Now we will discuss the advantages of Wired Security Camera so that you can differentiate between the two types.

• This type is very much reliable. Its transmission capabilities and video quality do not depend on a Wi-Fi connection. So, with this type, you can get constant live footage with the good video quality.
• Experts say that a wired security camera is very much secured. It is much more difficult to hack.
• A wired security camera system allows you to install more cameras with the system at a minimal cost.
• As a wired security camera does not store data to cloud storage, you don’t need to buy monthly subscriptions.
• These types are much less expensive than the wireless types.

Disadvantages of Wired Security Cameras

Consider some disadvantages of wired security cameras before you make up your mind.

• Wired security cameras are difficult to install. You may have to call the professionals to work with the sensitive and complex cables. Moreover, the installation fees are costly.
• Wired Security Cameras are not very flexible. It is a difficult task to reposition your cameras if you need to.
• The apps of wired security cameras are not so advanced. They are not user-friendly.
• These types of cameras do not work with virtual assistant services like Google Voice Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
• The video recording device of wired security cameras only provides 7 to 14 days of footage recording.

Wireless Security Camera vs Wired Security Camera

Here comes the decisive moment. This section will determine which camera has the upper hand. As things stand, it is very difficult to choose between the two. Both of them have some shortcomings. So, you have to buy the one that suits your purposes best. Let’s try to get this straight below.

• A wireless security camera copes better with modern-day technologies. It can work with virtual assistants. Moreover, it can store footage on a cloud server. That allows you to watch the footage from anywhere in the world. These are absent in a wired security camera. So, if you are fond of modern-day technology, you may want to go for wireless security cameras.
• Wired ones are much more secure than wireless ones. The Wireless version sends the data to a cloud server. That is prone to hacking. It is more difficult to hack wired systems. This is maybe the reason why some people choose the wired version.
• Wireless ones are easy to install and operate. On the contrary, the other ones are a bit complex. Professional services may be required to do the wire-work. Moreover, wireless ones are much more flexible to use. Please note that a strong Wi-Fi connection is required to make a good result out of your Wireless Security Cameras.

Now coming back to the all-important question, are wireless security cameras better than wired ones? As all things appear, yes, wireless ones are better than wired ones. It is modern-day technology. It is easy to install and use. It provides cloud storage facilities. And finally, it is not a walk in the park to hack into. Wireless Security Camera manufacturers provide strong security measures. Your security concern might not be a big deal.

The Bottom Lines

Both wireless and wired security cameras do an excellent job. They have some amazing features as well as some shortcomings. After evaluating the facts, it appears that modern-day wireless cameras have a slight advantage. If the wireless security cameras suit your purposes best, we recommend you to go for the wireless one. I hope now you know about Wireless Security Cameras vs Wired Security Cameras.

Frequently Asked Question:

1.Can Wired Security Cameras Be Hacked?

Ans: When wired security cameras are hacked, it often requires the intruder to physically enter the area where the wired camera surveillance is taking place. This makes wired security cameras harder to hack than internet-based systems.

2.Do Wireless Security Cameras Need A Power Source?

Ans: It usually depends on the camera, though battery-operated wireless security cameras are becoming much more common. They do not need to be plugged into a power source or even directly connected to your television or monitor.

3.Can You Disable a Security Camera With A Laser Pointer?

Ans: You can point a laser at a security camera, but it is unlikely to have an effect. Cameras are not light sensitive so do not depend on any change or effect to alter their function.

4.Can I Wire A Wireless Camera?

Ans: Yes, wire a wireless camera! There are three common wire setups:1) wire to an outlet or wire directly into the wall, 2) wire to a battery pack, or 3) wire to an adaptor.  Check your camera’s user manual to figure out what kind of wire is needed (some wire setups may be very different), and where the wire should go into the camera. 

5.Do You Need Internet  For  Wired  Security  Cameras?

Ans: With wired camera systems, the internet is not required. They can operate independently from your network and without any access to the outside world, which is great if you want your camera system to be as unhackable as possible.