Top 5 reasons you should never buy/use battery powered wireless camera

Shopping season is approaching, many people are considering to add the security cameras to their shopping lists. By offering a complete wireless solution without trenching, battery powered wireless cameras seem have many advantages over traditional security cameras. However, here we compile a list including the top 5 reasons why battery powered wireless cameras are not as good as you may expect. Comparing with conventional security cameras, some battery powered cameras even expose a few severer inferiors.

How battery powered security camera works? 

Just like your smartphone, a battery powered security camera has built-in a high-capacity rechargeable Li-ion polymer battery pack or a couple of 18650 batteries. The camera relies on its internal battery to work; based on manufacturer’s data, the battery may last several months to a year. Users can know the status of battery, once it has been drained out, users can plug the camera to the recharger. Battery powered + Wi-Fi wireless connection, installation and operation of the camera can totally eliminate the wires and greatly simplify the installation.

#1 Battery can’t last for several weeks

Undeniably, this is the most criticized disadvantage for almost all battery powered security cameras. It’s the most common problem happens on among security cameras from famous brand to no-brand. For example, Hikvision’s EZVIZ battery powered security camera should last for 3 months according to the specification provided from the manufacturer. There are many users who bought the camera and claimed the camera actually only lasted for only two weeks. There are too many triggering is the culprit why camera’s battery can’t last for designated months, it’s the explanation given by manufacturer. Fortunately the battery can be recharged, as most cameras are installed on high height wall etc places where can’t be easily accessed, it’s very inconvenient to take it off from the place to get it recharged. If you’re forced to do this monthly, it is not acceptable at all. After all the price of product is much higher than conventional wireless camera, and it should operate normally.

#2 24 hours video surveillance is not possible

Yes, due to the limitation of the power supply, most battery powered security camera can’t support continuous video recording. The camera adopts a wake-up algorithm to prevent it from consuming power. They typically support motion detection; it records video clips and sends push notification alerts to users when motion detection happens. Motion detection is achieved by either video analysis or the built-in PIR motion sensor. If the camera relies on video motion detection, it’s prone to generate plenty of false alarms. Though PIR motion sensor can provide more accurate result, however it’s still vulnerable to false alarm caused by birds, spiders and pets. The false detection happens on all kinds of security camera. However, it becomes worse to battery powered security camera because this will drain battery fast. "A security camera can't support 24 hours video surveillance and recording, it is useless." said by users.

3# Lacking essential video integration

There is no way to make your battery powered camera to connect with your newly established or existing IP video surveillance system. The camera works standalone, since it can’t support 24 hours video streaming, it also doesn’t comply the universal ONVIF specification. Traditional wireless cameras like Yoosee cameras are compliant with ONVIF specification and built-in RTSP protocol, they’re able to work with a wide range of different system including NAS, NVR, VMS. You’re able to store the video to the HDDs of your computers, you’re able to access live video stream locally and remotely.

4# Camera can’t record without Internet

For those battery powered cameras only support cloud storage, the camera can’t work without Internet. The camera relies on Internet to transmit video footage to remote servers. Cloud storage makes video data more secure comparing with local video recording when encountering extreme condition such as the camera is stolen by intruders. However, users have to subscribe this service and pay the recurring fee, this greatly increases the financial burden to some users. Additionally, there are some limitations on cloud storage plan including the maximum storage size, number of days for storage. Basically the cloud storage provides 7 days or 30 days video clips.

5# Poor night vision performance

Intending to reduce the power consumption, the camera doesn’t include Infrared illuminator to support night vision, the camera’s night vision capability is mainly determined by the performance of camera’s image sensor. Without the artificial lighting, under completely no light environment, the night vision performance of battery powered camera is poorer than conventional security cameras.

Conclusion

Unlike your smartphone, you need to carry it wherever you go. The portable feature of security camera isn’t so important, because security cameras are typically placed a fixed location, it is seldom relocated. Though it gives you the flexibility to install it, and installation is simpler than conventional cameras, the battery problem makes camera become unstable and unreliable. As the security cameras, stability and reliability are highly critical to them. Furthermore, conventional cameras can support microSD card offering maximum 128GB or even 256GB storage capacity, users are able to record 24 hours video up to several months, it’s just one time fee. Comparing with 7 days or 30 days cloud storage and paying fee monthly or annually, local storage is more appealing. Therefore we don't recommend users to buy either battery powered security cameras or battery powered smart doorbell.