Security Cameras Price Comparison
Compare 1,301 security cameras from Axis, Arlo, TP-Link and more. Find the best price across top UK retailers — from budget Wi-Fi cams to pro PoE systems.
Security Cameras price comparison UK
The security camera market has never been more polarised. At one end, TP-Link's Tapo range has made decent Wi-Fi surveillance genuinely accessible — starting from as little as 20 £ for a basic indoor model. At the other, professional-grade Axis cameras dominate the upper tier, with an average price north of £2,500 and a catalogue of 276 products aimed squarely at commercial installers. Between those two extremes, there's a sprawling middle ground where most buyers will find what they actually need.
Our analysis of 1,301 products reveals a market with a striking spread: the median price sits at 60 £, yet the average is pulled sharply upward to 94 £ by the weight of enterprise-grade hardware. That gap matters. It means the majority of home and small-business buyers are well served below the median — and that paying more doesn't automatically mean getting a better camera for your front door.
For home use, the competition is fierce between Arlo, Ring, EZVIZ, and TP-Link. Ring's ecosystem integrates neatly with Amazon Alexa and remains a favourite on Currys and Amazon.co.uk, while Arlo's wire-free cameras appeal to those who want flexibility without drilling. EZVIZ and Imou offer some of the sharpest value at the budget end — Imou's average price of around 38 £ makes it worth a serious look if you're equipping multiple rooms. For outdoor installations, IP65 weatherproofing is the baseline you should insist on; anything less is a gamble against the British weather.
The professional segment is a different world. Hanwha and Ubiquiti sit comfortably in the mid-to-upper tier, offering ONVIF-compliant cameras with PoE connectivity, H.265 compression, and the kind of motion vector analysis that eliminates false alerts. If you're managing a multi-camera setup with an NVR, these brands are worth the premium. For simpler setups, pairing a couple of TP-Link Tapo cameras with a video surveillance kit is often the most cost-effective route.
One thing worth flagging: the top of the range here reaches 338 £, which reflects full commercial PTZ systems rather than anything a household would consider. Don't let that skew your expectations. For most buyers, the sweet spot sits firmly between 38 £ and 60 £, where you'll find 2K or 4K resolution, colour night vision, two-way audio, and reliable app integration — without paying for features you'll never use. Compare offers across retailers before committing; prices on identical models can vary significantly between John Lewis, Argos, and specialist AV suppliers.
How to Choose the Right Security Camera
With 1,301 models on the market ranging from a few pounds to tens of thousands, the hardest part isn't finding a security camera — it's avoiding the wrong one. The questions that actually matter are where it's going, how it connects, and what happens to the footage. Get those three right and the rest follows.
Indoor vs. outdoor suitability and IP rating
This is the first filter, and it's non-negotiable. Outdoor cameras must carry at least an IP65 rating — that means fully dust-tight and protected against water jets. IP66 or IP67 is better still for exposed locations. Indoor cameras are typically unrated or IP20, which is fine for a hallway but will fail within months if mounted under an eave. Don't assume a camera labelled "weatherproof" meets IP65 unless the spec sheet confirms it. Vandal-resistant housings (IK10-rated) are worth considering for ground-floor or car park installations where tampering is a realistic risk.
Resolution: what you actually need to identify someone
1080p (2MP) is the minimum for useful footage — it's adequate for general monitoring but will struggle to capture a readable number plate or a clear face at distance. 2K (4MP) is the sweet spot for most home and small-business use: noticeably sharper, manageable file sizes, and now available at very reasonable prices. 4K (8MP) makes sense for wide driveways, car parks, or any scene where you need to crop and zoom in post-recording. Bear in mind that higher resolution demands more storage and bandwidth — a 4K camera running 24/7 will fill a microSD card or NVR drive considerably faster than a 1080p equivalent.
Night vision: IR LEDs vs. colour night vision
Most cameras in the 20 £–38 £ range rely on infrared LEDs, which produce monochrome footage in the dark. That's perfectly usable for detecting movement and identifying shapes, but colour detail — clothing, vehicle colour — is lost. Colour night vision cameras use larger sensors and wider apertures to capture colour in low light without a visible flash. Starlight-rated sensors (found on better Hanwha and Axis models) perform exceptionally in near-darkness. If your camera covers a well-lit street or a floodlit driveway, standard IR is fine. For genuinely dark areas, invest in colour night vision or pair the camera with a dedicated IR illuminator.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi convenience vs. PoE reliability
Wi-Fi cameras (2.4GHz or 5GHz) are easy to install and ideal for renters or anyone who can't run cables. The trade-off is reliability: Wi-Fi signals drop, routers reboot, and a camera that goes offline at 2am is no use to anyone. PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras receive both power and data through a single Cat5e/Cat6 cable — no separate power supply, no wireless interference, and a connection that simply doesn't drop. For permanent outdoor installations or any multi-camera setup feeding into an NVR, PoE is the professional standard for good reason. 4G/LTE cameras (like the Reolink Go series) fill a genuine niche for locations without mains power or broadband — outbuildings, allotments, remote gates.
Storage: local, cloud, or hybrid
This is where ongoing costs hide. Many cameras — particularly Ring and Arlo — offer free basic storage but charge a monthly subscription for extended recording history or advanced features. Before buying, check what you actually get for free: some offer only live view, others give 24 hours of clips. MicroSD card storage is free after the initial purchase but vulnerable to theft (the camera and its evidence go together). NVR-based storage is the most robust option for multi-camera setups — footage stays on a separate device even if a camera is stolen. A hybrid approach (local microSD plus selective cloud backup for triggered events) offers a sensible balance for most households.
Smart detection: separating genuine alerts from noise
Basic motion detection triggers on anything that moves — a passing car, a blowing tree, a cat. On a busy street, that means dozens of useless notifications a day. Human detection (person/silhouette recognition) dramatically reduces false alerts and is now standard on mid-range cameras from TP-Link Tapo, EZVIZ, and Arlo. Vehicle detection is useful for driveways. AI-powered zone detection — where you draw a virtual boundary and only trigger alerts when a person crosses it — is the gold standard. If you're buying a camera for a front garden that faces a public pavement, smart detection isn't a luxury; it's essential for keeping the system usable.
- Budget picks (From 20 £ to 38 £) : TP-Link Tapo, EZVIZ, Imou, and Ring's entry-level models dominate this bracket. You'll find 1080p Wi-Fi cameras with basic motion detection and app control. Perfectly adequate for a single indoor room or a sheltered porch. Don't expect colour night vision, smart detection, or local storage beyond a microSD slot. Good for renters or first-time buyers testing the waters.
- The sweet spot (From 38 £ to 60 £) : This is where value peaks. Arlo, Swann, Ring's Pro range, and TP-Link's higher Tapo models sit here — offering 2K resolution, colour night vision, two-way audio, and human/vehicle detection. Most outdoor cameras in this range carry IP65 or better. Suitable for the majority of home security needs, including front doors, driveways, and gardens.
- For the serious installer (From 60 £ to 109 £) : Hanwha, Ubiquiti, and LevelOne feature prominently. Expect PoE connectivity, ONVIF compliance, H.265 encoding, and 4K or 5MP resolution. These cameras are built for multi-camera NVR setups and commercial-grade reliability. Overkill for a single home camera, but excellent value when you're equipping an entire property or small business.
- Professional and enterprise grade (Over 109 £) : Axis dominates this tier with its extensive professional range — PTZ cameras, multi-sensor panoramic units, and ruggedised models for demanding environments. Hanwha's enterprise line also features here. These are products for system integrators, large commercial sites, and public-space surveillance. Not relevant for home use, but genuinely best-in-class for what they do.
Top products
- TP-Link Tapo Home Security Wi-Fi Camera (TP-Link) : The most widely available budget indoor camera on the market — genuinely good value for a single room, but don't expect smart detection or colour night vision at this price.
- TP-Link Tapo Outdoor Pan/Tilt Security WiFi Camera (TP-Link) : Pan/tilt outdoor coverage at a price that undercuts most rivals — a strong choice for a single outdoor zone, though Wi-Fi reliability in larger gardens can be hit and miss.
- TP-Link Tapo C425 Bullet IP security camera Outdoor 2560 x 1440 pixels Ceiling/wall (TP-Link) : The standout in the Tapo outdoor range — 2K resolution and a proper bullet form factor make this the one to buy if you're serious about driveway or garden coverage without breaking the budget.
- Ring SLC Pro, Plug-In, White (Ring) : Ring's ecosystem integration with Alexa is seamless, and the plug-in design removes battery anxiety — but the subscription requirement for recorded history is a real ongoing cost to factor in.
- Reolink Go Series G450 with Solar Panel 2 - 4K 4G LTE PT Wildlife Cam, Animal Detection & Recognition, 360° View, 32GB microSD card (Reolink) : The most versatile camera in the top 15 — 4K, 4G LTE, solar-powered, and pan/tilt in one package. Ideal for remote locations with no mains or broadband, though the 4G running costs add up over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What resolution do I need to capture a number plate on my driveway?
You need at least 2K (4MP) resolution, ideally with a narrow field of view (50–70°) pointed directly at the entry point. At 1080p, number plates are often readable in good light but become blurry at distance or in low light. A 4K camera with optical zoom gives you the best chance of capturing a clear plate at night. Position matters as much as resolution — a 4K camera mounted too high or at a wide angle will still produce unusable footage.
Is a Wi-Fi security camera reliable enough for permanent outdoor use?
Wi-Fi cameras are convenient but not as reliable as PoE for permanent installations. Signal strength degrades through walls and at distance, and any router reboot or broadband outage takes the camera offline. For a front door or porch close to your router, a 5GHz Wi-Fi camera is generally fine. For a garage, outbuilding, or far corner of a garden, a PoE camera on a Cat6 cable will give you far fewer headaches. If running cable isn't an option, a 4G/LTE camera is a better fallback than stretching a weak Wi-Fi signal.
Do I need to pay a monthly subscription for cloud storage?
Not necessarily — several cameras offer free local storage via microSD card with no ongoing fees. TP-Link Tapo, EZVIZ, and Reolink all support microSD recording without a subscription. Ring and Arlo, by contrast, limit free users to live view only, with recorded history locked behind a paid plan. Before buying, check the free tier carefully: some brands offer 24 hours of event clips for free, others offer nothing. If you want to avoid subscriptions entirely, pair a PoE camera with a local NVR — it's a higher upfront cost but zero ongoing fees.
What does IP65 actually mean, and is it enough for a UK outdoor camera?
IP65 means the camera is fully dust-tight and protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction — more than sufficient for rain, even in a British winter. The first digit (6) covers dust ingress; the second (5) covers water. IP66 adds protection against powerful water jets, and IP67 means it can be submerged briefly. For a standard outdoor wall mount under an eave, IP65 is adequate. For a fully exposed location or near a hosepipe, IP66 is worth seeking out. Avoid any outdoor camera that doesn't state its IP rating explicitly.
Can I use cameras from different brands together on one system?
Yes, if the cameras support the ONVIF standard — most professional and prosumer cameras do. ONVIF compliance means a Hanwha camera can feed into a Hikvision NVR, or a LevelOne camera can be managed alongside Axis hardware. Consumer brands like Ring, Arlo, and TP-Link Tapo use proprietary ecosystems and generally don't support ONVIF, so mixing brands within those ecosystems isn't possible. If you're building a mixed system, check for ONVIF Profile S or Profile T support, and also look for RTSP stream support, which allows integration with third-party software like Blue Iris or Home Assistant.
Are cheap security cameras worth buying, or are they a false economy?
Budget cameras under 38 £ are worth buying for low-stakes indoor monitoring, but they're a false economy for serious outdoor security. The main compromises at the very low end are poor night vision, unreliable motion detection that generates constant false alerts, weak app support, and — critically — questionable data security. Some ultra-cheap cameras have been found to transmit footage to overseas servers with minimal encryption. Stick to known brands even at the budget end: TP-Link Tapo and EZVIZ offer genuinely good value without those risks. For outdoor use, spending a little more to reach the 38 £–60 £ bracket makes a meaningful difference in reliability and image quality.
What's the difference between a bullet camera and a dome camera?
Bullet cameras are cylindrical and directional; dome cameras are hemispherical and more discreet. Bullets are easier to aim and typically have longer IR range, making them well-suited to driveways and long corridors. Domes are harder to tamper with (the lens direction isn't obvious), blend into ceilings more naturally, and are often vandal-resistant. Turret cameras are a hybrid — dome-shaped housing but with a ball-and-socket mount that makes repositioning easy. For most home outdoor use, a bullet or turret camera is the practical choice; domes are more common in retail and commercial settings where aesthetics and tamper-resistance matter.