Part of being a responsible homeowner is making sure that the property and everyone inside is safe from harm. One way to do this would be to install a home security system.
There are wired and wire-free options available; each of them have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Read further if you want to gain some insight that can help you determine which is a better fit for your needs.
Wired vs Wireless vs Wire-Free
First, let’s define the difference between wired vs wireless vs wire-free in the simplest terms.
Wired – Requires cables for connection for power and internet connection.
This can be 2 cables – one between the camera and recorder, and one between the recorder and router. Or a single cable can provide both functions.
This is the traditional type of security camera. Notice the wire from the camera into the house in the above picture.
Wireless – You will often see the term wireless and wire-free camera used interchangeably. Technically a wireless camera refers to the lack of a wire from the camera to the router, but can still require a wired power source.
Wire-Free – Battery operated. No wires or cables to a power source is needed.
For this post, we will use the term wireless and wire-free interchangeably to represent security cameras that are not hard wired.
Installation
As far as installation goes, a wire-free system is certainly the best way to go if you want to avoid a lengthy, complicated process that can involve plenty of time and tools.
In some cases, hard wired systems are so difficult to install that you need to hire someone to handle it on your behalf, which means an added expense.
If you are trying to save time and money while avoiding a tricky installation, then a wireless system would be your best bet.
Signal Strength
This is something you must never forget.In order to successfully run your wire-free camera, you will need to have a good signal.
Remember the commercial where the man is trying to find a signal and uses the phrase “Can you hear me now“?
As most people know, wireless signals are not always reliable, which means there will be times when the signal is up and down.
During the low times, things may not work as they should. Since a wired system does not have to rely on Wi-Fi service in order to work, you can buy one of these without worrying about having a bad connection.
On the other hand, if you have frequent power outages, a wired solution is not optimal.
Size Constraints
Depending on the size of your property, you may not be able to install a wireless system. Many wireless systems are limited to only four cameras and that will not be enough coverage if your property is rather large.
On the other hand, if your property is large, you may not be able to run wires to all parts of the property.
Interference From Nearby Devices
One that you would have to be concerned about when purchasing a security camera is WiFi interference from nearby devices. You do not want there to be any time gaps when your property is not being monitored since this will leave your home susceptible to threats.
This is not something that you would have to worry about if you opt for a wired system. Since everything is directly connected, there will be nothing interfering and preventing you from being as secure as possible.
Moving Locations
Sometimes we decide that we want to move from our current location and set down roots elsewhere.
Can you imagine having to go through the entire process of having to uninstall a wired system, move it to another location and go through all of this again? As you already know, this can be a real pain.
Of course, this is not an issue if you are living in what you believe is your forever home, but if your living situation is semi-permanent or temporary, you might want to opt for a wireless system since it is easier to transport.
Summary
As you can tell, there are pros and cons associated with each security camera type. You should take the time to weigh all this information and decide which is the best option for your needs.
For more information, read our review – Best Wire Free Security Camera?
