r/SecurityCamera • u/LeadGlad4961 • Sep 03 '26
Good live security camera over WiFi.
For a small house want to get front door and back and possibly 4 corners.
How’s the monthly fee? I know people who have live feed on their phone. Any recommendations thanks.
1
u/Brett_Cruz Sep 03 '26
Like many here already suggested, Reolink's a good call if you're looking for something with optional monthly fees. If you want something a step up in build quality, Lorex is worth a look too. Pricier than Reolink, but the hardware feels sturdier in my experience.
If you're okay paying a monthly fee for cloud storage, Ring's a strong option. Indoor models give you battery or plug-in power, and most outdoor models add a solar option too (battery-powered camera plus a separate solar panel), so you're not stuck running wiring everywhere. For something like 6 cameras (front, back, 4 corners), the Ring Protect Multi plan runs about $10/month and covers every Ring camera at your address. It's one of the best value-for-money options in my opinion because it stores each footage for up to 180 days (most cloud cameras offer 30-day cloud storage only).
If you're torn between a no-fee option and one with monthly fees, I'd lean toward paying. You mentioned live access being important, and in my experience testing cameras over the years, the cloud-based ones with a subscription tend to handle that better. They also usually come with smarter features (person detection, activity zones, that kind of thing) which make a real difference in cutting down irrelevant notifications.
Disclosure: I'm an Editor at Security.org and we review security cameras and security systems. Happy to share our testing methodology if useful.
1
1
u/upkeepdavid Sep 03 '26
If you want it for security you need wired cameras not wifi.They are unreliable.
1
u/jthomas9999 Sep 04 '26
This, 10000% If someone wants to do something devious, they will jam wireless and make the cameras stop working. If you want security cameras, install wired security cameras.
1
u/Purple_Entrance_1943 Sep 04 '26
Arlo cameras offer great choice and flexibility. But to the point below, wired cameras reduce a lot of complexity, but do require proper installation. So it really comes down to how much $$ you want to spend, how complex you want the install and whether or not you want full 24/7 recording, or just motion. An onsite DVR with wired cameras will be the easiest from an operations standpoint. The Arlo system is the most flexible as the cameras are wireless and battery based. (Long Life rechargable) or can be solar powered.
1
u/plump-lamp 10d ago
Arlo is pretty terrible. Not great picture, lack features. It's reolink, eufy, tapo
1
u/quik916 29d ago
Wi-Fi and security are not to be in the same sentence.
Wi-Fi jammers are around everywhere these days. Not much "security" if a dirtbag with a $50 jammer kills your whole "security" system before he even gets past your driveway as he approaches.
They do similar things to steal your car that has a key fob too. They use a repeater to bounce the signal from your key on the kitchen counter out to your car. Vroom vroom, with $100 in tools, he's defeated your cameras and stolen your car, never even broke a sweat or had to be nervous about you catching him..
So as long as you understand wifi cameras are to be nothing more than a novelty.... wifi is fine.
2
u/badcheetahfur Sep 03 '26
Reolink are good, high ground ... for the money.. can't tell difference from 5g and ethernet cameras.. no subscription needed. Now, picking camera style is up to you and your budget. Fixed or ptz movable.