Optics Mag is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Read more.
How Much Are Security Cameras to Buy and Install (2024 Update)
Last Updated on
Your family’s safety and security are some of your top priorities. That’s why it’s essential for you to invest in reliable security cameras and have them installed to secure the perimeter of your house.
However, the question under discussion is how much the upfront and installation costs of the security cameras are. This article answers your question in detail, taking factors such as your security requirements, size of the home, monitoring, and wired or wireless technologies into consideration.
In addition to your safety and peace of mind, installing a security camera also minimizes burglary chances by 300%.
The Importance of Security Cameras
Unfortunately, crime and theft are on the rise these days. For instance, around 36% of Americans have reported stolen delivery packages at a minimum of one time—the percentage increases to 44% when considering people whose package has been stolen twice.
A security camera offers live or recorded video feed as evidence to report such crimes.
Many offices install security cameras to enhance workplace safety, resolve internal disputes, and protect critical files and reports.
Another significant reason behind installing security cameras is technological evolution. People not only install security cameras outside but inside the house to keep an eye on the kids, babysitters, and elderly parents. Hence why you can find security cameras in all shapes and sizes, wired and wireless forms, and with live or recorded footage.
Many advanced security cameras come with motion sensors to detect the movement, trigger the alarms, or initial the live video recording. On the other hand, many compact digital cameras offer the capability to record videos and photos and save them for an extended period.
Image By: Piqsels
How Much Do Security Cameras Cost?
On average, it costs $125–$450 to install a single security camera. Furthermore, this cost includes both the one-time cost of the camera as well as the installation fee. It means you need to spend around $600–$1,600 to install a closed-circuit television (CCTV) security system consisting of at least four cameras, while the two-camera CCTV security system costs from $300–$900.
It’s essential to understand that the price depends on several factors, such as the security camera type, coverage, integrated technology, and features.
The cost of the security camera starts from $50 and goes up to $250, depending on the built-in features. Similarly, the installation cost varies from $100–$200 for each camera. For instance, some wireless cameras only cost around $100, while a wired camera has a higher installation cost varying between $150 to $200.
You can find a variety of security cameras in the market. For instance, the regular wireless cameras come at an affordable price, while the high-resolution cameras with 4K video quality will undoubtedly cost you more.
You can find the following main security types:
Bullet:
$50–$250
Dome:
$80–$350
Doorbell:
$80–$350
Box:
$100–$500
PTZ:
$100–$300
Furthermore, you can buy a low-resolution camera for anywhere from $45–$250. However, a high-resolution camera costs around $60–$350, offering 1080P resolution or above.
A high-resolution camera offers clear videos with in-depth image details when you zoom in. Moreover, you can enhance the bandwidth and storage space to enable facial recognition.
Lastly, the smart cameras compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit cost around $30–$400.
Image Credit: Piqsels
Additional Costs to Anticipate
In addition to the upfront and installation costs, you must also consider the equipment cost. For instance, CCTV cameras require a network video recorder (NVR), PC, or network-attached storage (NAS) to store the video feed.
A NAS to store multimedia files costs you a minimum of $500 without the hard drives. Moreover, based on the total storage of the hard drives, the cost varies from $50–$200.
You also require a CCTV license for each of the cameras, which costs from $30–$60. Don’t worry—you only need to pay a one-time cost to buy these licenses.
On the other hand, you must invest in a digital video recorder (DVR) to store the video from an IP security camera. The cost of the standard DVR ranges from $100–$1,000, with an average monthly subscription of $13.
Furthermore, you should know that outdoor cameras cost more than indoor cameras. For example, if an outdoor camera with better resolution costs an average of $100, the cost of the indoor camera begins at $60.
The difference in the cost of indoor versus outdoor cameras is that the external cameras should be weatherproof. Moreover, the outdoor cameras offer additional features, such as night vision, zoom, alarm, and lights, while the indoor cameras are compact and easy to relocate and install.
As the name suggests, wireless cameras require a Wi-Fi connection to transmit the video recording. However, these are indeed more flexible and easy-to-install cameras offering advanced features, such as Cloud storage. As a result, you can access your home’s wireless security system from the office.
However, wireless cameras depend on the Wi-Fi connection for their seamless operations. Furthermore, hackers and cybercriminals can gain unauthorized access to your wireless security cameras and hack the system before a theft attempt.
On the contrary, wired security cameras are undoubtedly more secure and reliable than wireless ones as they are less susceptible to cyber-attacks. These cameras use cables and wires to transmit the video feed to a DVR or hard drive. Lastly, the wired connection offers dedicated bandwidth supporting better video quality.
On the downside, the wired security cameras don’t offer high-tech support features, including app connectivity and a user-friendly software interface. They also require installation from a professional as the setup involves the integration of cables and storage devices.
Image Credit: Zapp2Photo, Shutterstock
Security Cameras Setup and Installation Guidelines
It’s crucial to ensure the following steps while agreeing on the installation cost with the contractor:
The location of the camera plays a significant role in the security system. The cameras should be present in a visible location to discourage the burglar; however, they should be out of reach and not point towards any lights.
The cables for the wired cameras should run through the walls.
It’s essential to prevent signal interference while connecting the wireless camera to the internet to guarantee consistent video quality.
The contractor must configure the motion sensor, privacy zones, motion notification, and video quality if you have selected smart cameras.
Conclusion
The first task is to evaluate your security requirements. All you need to do is decide the total number of security cameras to buy based on your home’s size and location.
Next, you can consider the different types of security cameras available and compare the prices and features.
The key takeaway of the above guide is to present an in-depth cost analysis of the security cameras and the corresponding installation costs. Therefore, this article should help you create a budget and better understand what to look for in security cameras for your home.
Jeff is a tech professional by day, writer, and amateur photographer by night. He's had the privilege of leading software teams for startups to the Fortune 100 over the past two decades. He currently works in the data privacy space.
Jeff's amateur photography interests started in 2008 when he got his first DSLR camera, the Canon Rebel. Since then, he's taken tens of thousands of photos. His favorite handheld camera these days is his Google Pixel 6 XL. He loves taking photos of nature and his kids. In 2016, he bought his first drone, the Mavic Pro. Taking photos from the air is an amazing perspective, and he loves to take his drone while traveling.
