We looked at over 100 security cameras from brands like Arlo, Eufy, Lorex, Nest*, Reolink, Ring, Swann, Wyze, and many more to see how their costs compare.
Security Camera Cost & Installation Fees
2 min readWhy you can trust SafeWise
products considered
250+
research hours in 25+ in-home tests
10k+
years of combined experience
176+
homes and people protected
10M+
For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to create unbiased, human reviews. Learn how we test and review.
How much do security cameras cost?
Our research of many security camera brands and models shows that the average price depends on the type of camera. Here's a rundown based on the cameras we've reviewed here at SafeWise:
Security camera costs by type
Info current as of 08/27/2021. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Although this information represents over 100 security camera models across dozens of brands, it's not comprehensive and is only for comparison purposes.
*These systems include 2–4 cameras.
Here are some takeaways:
- Pan-tilt cameras (Wyze Cam Pan, Reolink E1 Zoom) and indoor cameras (Wyze Cam v3, Blink Mini) cost the least.
- You can find various reliable outdoor camera and video doorbell options for a lower price than the average indoor camera.
- Battery-powered wireless cameras cost significantly more than wired models like pan-tilt and indoor cameras.
- Multi-camera systems (Arlo Ultra 2, Lorex Home Center) and cellular security cameras (Reolink Go, Arlo Go) cost the most.
Solar security cameras
Most solar security cameras cost $25 to $60 more than typical battery-powered cameras due to the additional solar panel charger you need.
Video: How Do Wireless Security Cameras Work?
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos like this one! Learn how to protect your home, your loved ones, yourself, and your belongings.
How much does security camera video storage cost?
Simply buying a home security camera doesn't mean you can record and save video surveillance footage right away. Most models use local storage, cloud storage, or a combination of the two.
Local storage
Depending on the brand, you can insert a microSD card into your IP camera to store video. While some cameras (Wyze, YI) don't support large storage capacities over 32 GB, this is plenty of space to keep weeks of short video clips. Expect to pay a one-time cost of $10 and $50, depending on the size of the card.
Multi-camera systems usually include a DVR (or NVR) capable of storing an average of 1 TB of video. This type of camera surveillance system is one of the more expensive options, but there aren't any additional storage costs.
Base stations
You'll also see one-time prices on systems with base stations like Arlo Ultra 2. A single base station provides local storage and internet connectivity for multiple cameras, but it adds a chunk of change to the base price.
Cloud storage
Cloud video storage keeps your clips on a secure server and generally requires a monthly fee to use. Expect to pay between $2 and $15 a month for storage on most brands, though you may need additional plans or an upgrade if you want to save video from multiple cameras. We don't recommend paying more than $15 a month for cloud storage unless you're getting extra benefits like emergency services and alarm monitoring.
How much does security camera installation cost?
Most modern home security cameras are plug-and-play so you can install them yourself with minimal effort. If you choose to hire someone to install a wired CCTV system, expect to pay based on the number of cameras you need: at least $50–$100 per CCTV camera.
You can also get surveillance camera installation with a home security system, which costs around $100–$200 for the whole install. (It's cheaper because you're also paying monthly monitoring fees.)
Hire a licensed professional in your area
Angie's, HomeAdvisor, and TaskRabbit can hook you up with pros to install the camera system so you don't have to.
Related articles on SafeWise
Disclaimers
*Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
Recent Articles
Best Apartment Security Systems of 2024
In 2024, we tested the best apartment security systems and cameras. They offer security solutions...
The Best Home Security Systems and Alarm Companies of 2024
After thousands of hours of tests and research, we picked Vivint and SimpliSafe as the...
Abode vs Ring: Which security system is better?
Abode reigns over Ring in this DIY system face-off, but it’s not a clean sweep....
The Best Smart Home Security Systems
We’ve tested and researched smart home security systems to help you find the right DIY...
