Is A Wireless Security Camera Worth the Cost?

If you are considering installing a home security system that includes security cameras, you might have noticed that the options are vast. There are wired cameras, wireless cameras, indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, doorbell cameras, cameras that come as part of a package, DIY cameras, and the list goes on.

In this article, we look specifically at wireless security cameras and explore how much a wireless security camera costs and examine the benefits. We will also consider installation and look at the cost to install wireless security cameras.

Why Wireless Cameras Instead of Wired?

Home security cameras actually fall into three categories: wired, wireless, and wire-free. The basic difference is how they connect to your home's internet and how they connect to power.

Wired Security Cameras

Wired cameras must be connected via wire to both the power supply and your home internet. This often means running cables through your walls or attic to get a line from the camera to your router. They must also be connected to a power supply, which means they need to be near an outlet or hardwired into the electrical system in your house by a certified electrician.

Wherever a wired camera is placed, a cord must run from the camera's location to the internet connection. If you have several cameras in widely separated locations, this can be a lot of wire running.

Wireless Security Cameras

Both wireless and wire-free cameras connect to your home's internet wirelessly, so you don't need to worry about running a cable for the connection. The only difference between wireless and wire-free is the power connection. A camera labeled as wireless generally has to be plugged into an outlet, while a wire-free camera operates off batteries.

Some cameras have the option of running off batteries or being plugged in, and others have battery backups even though they are generally connected to your house's power supply. The same versatility also appears in the way some cameras connect to the internet. Many wireless cameras have the option of connecting via an Ethernet cable, giving you the ability to choose or change the connection.

Wireless cameras just need to connect wirelessly. Sometimes, this means adding an extender to make the connection stronger for cameras placed far from the internet source. Although they still need to connect to a power source, this often does not mean running cables all over the place, as you likely have power outlets all over your house already.

The Convenience of Going Wireless

There are many benefits to choosing wireless cameras over wired cameras for your home security needs. For one thing, wired cameras are traditionally intended for larger properties, whereas wireless cameras are becoming more standard for basic home security.

Additional benefits we’ll explore further include:

• Easy installation

• Rechargeable batteries 

• Flexibility to change camera locations

• Integration with other smart home devices 

• Encryption to prevent hacking

   

Simple Installation

Installing wireless cameras is significantly more straightforward than installing wired cameras. For wireless indoor cameras, you are simply plugging the camera into a wall outlet and putting it in place. The time and effort are significantly reduced. While wireless outdoor cameras may still require a small hole drill to feed a power cable through, they still don't require nearly the effort of connecting a wired camera.

Rechargeable Batteries

Certain camera systems, such as Blue by ADT, have rechargeable battery packs in the outdoor cameras to make it, so you never have to drill any holes at all. This can be great, especially if you’re a renter. 

Flexibility After Installation

Because wireless cameras are easier to install, they are also easier to uninstall or to move to a different location. While modern wired and wireless cameras are comparable in price, the flexibility and convenience associated with a wireless security camera system almost always make them the better choice for homeowners.

Smart Home Integration and Encryption

ADT wireless cameras use Z-Wave technology to connect to your smart hub, allowing you to control them with the ADT mobile app from virtually anywhere. Because Z-Wave connects all of your smart devices to an integrated wireless network, there’s no complicated programming or new cables to run. 

Z-Wave rarely experiences interference or signal loss issues. In fact, as you add more Z-Wave devices, your network is amplified. If you need additional amplification, adding an extender to your system can help bridge any gaps.

Not only that, but the Z-Wave technology used by ADT wireless cameras employs banking-quality encryption, so there’s no need to worry about anyone hacking your network.

Average Cost of Smart Home Security Package With Wireless Security Cameras

If you've decided to go wireless with your camera system, you can most assuredly assume you have made the right choice. The safety and convenience provided will be well worth it. Now, it comes down to cost. 

Wireless security cameras and associated products can be purchased from ADT as part of a smart home and video Video & Smart Home Package. This package includes many integrated home security products that all work together, along with your cameras, to protect and monitor your home.

A basic nine-piece Video & Smart Home Package comes with all of the following:

• A security panel with touchscreen

• Three door/window sensors

• A motion detector

• A smart door lock

• A smart plug

• An HD indoor camera

• An HD video doorbell camera

• Access to live video streams from anywhere

• Customizable alerts

• 24/7 monitoring

• Professional installation

The installation fee associated with this package is around $149, so the total for equipment and installation starts at around $1,049. This total can be financed, however, and paid in 60 monthly installments of $17.48 at 0% interest. 

In addition to the equipment and installation, this package also requires a subscription to monthly monitoring starting at $57.99 per month. With monitoring comes around-the-clock service by ADT professionals who will receive and respond to any alerts indicating home intrusion, environmental hazards, and more.

Customization Options

The Video & Smart Home Package can be upgraded and customized in two ways. It is available as the nine-piece package described above or as an 11- or 15-piece package. You can also add individual items, such as additional sensors, smoke alarms, and so on, to the package to make it work best for you.

Customization options include adding the following camera types at the following prices:

• HD indoor camera for $130 or $2.17/month for 60 months

• HD outdoor camera for $270 or $4.50/month for 60 months

• HD video doorbell camera for $200 or $3.33/month for 60 months

ADT cameras feature advanced technology and many convenient features, such as clear, crisp images, the ability to operate in dark and low-light environments, motion detection, and the ability to watch live streams and view recordings.

Cost to Install DIY Wireless Security Cameras

Another route you can go is a DIY system, such as Blue by ADT. This is a system you install yourself with the option of self-monitoring after installation, or you can sign up for professional monitoring, starting at $19.99 per month.

Blue by ADT includes our most advanced security camera technology. The Blue cameras are enabled with two-way communication capabilities, night vision, facial recognition, and cloud storage. Blue allows you to design and build your own system, which can be tailored to your current lifestyle and grow, move, and adapt to your evolving needs. 

Camera options in the Blue by ADT system include the following:

• Blue outdoor camera, starting at $199.99, featuring a rechargeable battery pack, making it completely wire-free.

• Blue indoor camera, starting at $199.99, which is plugged into a power outlet.

• Blue doorbell camera, starting at $199.99, which connects to your doorbell’s electrical wiring.

• Indoor smart camera starting at $59.99.

• Outdoor camera starting at $149.99.

With Blue by ADT, you can set up your entire system the way you want it. Indoor and outdoor camera setups are easy and can be done in less than an hour. No holes need to be drilled, which makes this system renter-friendly as well as easily modifiable and portable in the event of a move.

Get Started Today

If you are ready to explore smart home security solutions that fit your life, check out all that ADT has to offer. Video & Smart Home Packages that include wireless security cameras, professional installation, and monthly monitoring start at as little as $75.47 per month with equipment financing.

Our team at ADT represents the industry's largest sales, installation, and service field force. We help save lives for a living. That is who we are, and our people are passionate about what they do.

All packages come with a free six-month warranty after the installation as well as a theft protection guarantee: If a burglary occurs while your ADT security system is armed, weʼll pay up to $500 of your insurance deductible.

Same-day or next-day service is available, and calls are always answered within a few rings by the most experienced operators in the industry. Our relentlessly tested products can always be relied on to do their job when it counts.

Visit ADT.com or call (833)238-6383 to speak to an ADT Solutions Advisor and get a free, no-obligation quote.