Home Security Cameras UK Complete Buying Guide 2026

A security camera does two things: it deters intruders before an incident occurs, and it provides evidence if one does. Visible cameras reduce the likelihood of a break-in — most opportunistic burglars will move on when they spot one — and footage can be critical for insurance claims and police investigations when the worst happens.

Modern security cameras have also become significantly easier to set up. Where CCTV once required professional installation and dedicated recording hardware, today's WiFi cameras can be up and running in under an hour, monitored from your smartphone, and — with solar-powered models — placed virtually anywhere without wiring. This guide covers every type available, so you can find the right fit for your home or business.

Indoor cameras are designed to monitor interior spaces — living rooms, hallways, front doors, or anywhere you want to keep an eye on while away from home. They're typically compact and discreet, with features like two-way audio (so you can speak through the camera via your phone), night vision for low-light monitoring, and motion detection alerts sent straight to your smartphone.

A pan and tilt camera gives wider coverage of a room from a single mounting point — useful in open-plan spaces where a fixed camera would only see part of the area.

• Swann Evo 2K Indoor WiFi Camera — £29.99. A compact, easy-to-setup indoor camera with 2K resolution, night vision, two-way audio, and motion alerts. A straightforward choice for monitoring a single room.
• Swann Evo 2K Pan & Tilt WiFi Camera — £39.99. Adds motorised pan and tilt to the Evo 2K, letting you remotely adjust the view via the Swann app — useful for larger rooms or open-plan spaces.

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Outdoor cameras need to be weatherproof — look for an IP65 or IP66 rating, which means the camera is fully dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets. WiFi outdoor cameras connect wirelessly to your home router, making installation flexible: no cables to run, and placement is limited only by WiFi signal strength.

Key features to consider for outdoor use:

• Resolution — 2K captures clear number plate detail at close range; 4K gives you clarity at greater distances
• Colour night vision — standard infrared night vision shows footage in black and white; colour night vision uses a spotlight to illuminate the scene in full colour
• AI detection — distinguishes people, vehicles, and animals, reducing false alerts from pets or passing cars
• Auto-tracking (PTZ) — pan, tilt, and zoom cameras that follow moving subjects automatically, so you don't miss what happens after someone leaves the frame

• Reolink E Series 2K+ PTZ Auto Track WiFi Camera — £89.99. Auto-tracking PTZ camera with 2K+ resolution, AI person and vehicle detection, two-way audio, and a 64GB microSD card included. An excellent value all-rounder for driveways and gardens.
• Reolink Trackmix Series 4K Dual-Lens PTZ Camera — £169.99. Simultaneous wide-angle and telephoto views — you see the full scene and the detail at the same time. Ideal for large properties where you can't afford to miss either.
• Swann Xtreem4K Wireless Security Camera — £169.99. 4K resolution with Swann's True Detect heat and motion sensing, colour night vision, built-in siren, and two-way audio. Connects to Swann's NVR systems or operates standalone.
• Swann MaxRanger4K Mini Long-Range Wireless System — from £299.99 (2-camera kit). Uses Wi-Fi HaLow™ technology for up to 600m range — far beyond standard WiFi — making it suitable for large gardens, farms, and outbuildings.

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Solar cameras are battery-powered and trickle-charged by a small solar panel, meaning they need no mains wiring and no manual recharging. They're the ideal solution for outbuildings, gates, remote locations, or anywhere that running a cable would be impractical.

Most solar cameras connect via WiFi, but 4G LTE models (such as the Reolink Go series) use a mobile data SIM instead — making them truly infrastructure-free, ideal for rural properties, allotments, or construction sites where WiFi doesn't reach.

• Reolink Argus Series 2K WiFi Solar Camera — £79.99. Entry-level solar camera with 2K resolution, colour night vision, AI detection, and a 64GB microSD card included. A great starting point if you're new to solar cameras.
• Swann EVO Wireless 2K Solar Camera — £79.99. Solar-powered with True Detect heat sensing, colour night vision, two-way audio, and integration with the Swann Security app.
• Reolink Argus Series 4K Solar Camera — £109.99. Steps up to 4K resolution for sharper detail — particularly useful for capturing vehicle number plates at a distance.
• Reolink B440 4K PTZ Solar Camera — £139.99. 4K resolution combined with 360° pan and tilt, auto-tracking, and a built-in siren. The most feature-complete solar camera in the range.
• Reolink Go Series 2K 4G LTE Solar Camera — £159.99. No WiFi required — connects via 4G mobile data. Ideal for remote locations, outbuildings, or any site without broadband coverage.
• Swann MaxRanger4K Solar Long-Range System — from £399.99 (2-camera kit). Solar-powered with Wi-Fi HaLow™ long-range connectivity, IP66 weatherproofing, and local storage via a 64GB MicroSD card. Built for properties where coverage distance is the priority.

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Floodlight cameras combine a motion-activated security light with a built-in camera. When triggered, they flood the area with bright white light — illuminating the scene, startling an intruder, and capturing full-colour footage simultaneously. They're particularly effective at entrances, driveways, and side passages where both visibility and deterrence matter.

• Swann 4K Floodlight Security Camera — £179.99. 4K wired floodlight camera with colour night vision, two-way audio, heat and motion detection, and built-in siren. Hardwired for continuous power.
• Reolink Floodlight Series 4K 180° Battery WiFi Camera — £199.99. A wire-free 4K floodlight camera with a 180° panoramic view, solar/battery power, and colour night vision — no mains wiring required.

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Wired camera systems offer the most reliable, continuous recording available — no WiFi dropouts, no battery concerns, no gaps in footage. They're the right choice for businesses, larger properties, or anyone who wants permanent, always-on surveillance with local storage.

There are two types of wired system:

• DVR (Digital Video Recorder) — uses traditional coaxial cable and analogue cameras. Established technology, straightforward installation, and typically more affordable per channel.
• NVR (Network Video Recorder) — uses PoE (Power over Ethernet) network cable, which carries both power and data in a single cable. Supports higher resolutions (4K and above) and more advanced camera features.

• Swann 1080p 4-Channel DVR Kit with 2 Bullet Cameras — £179.99. A practical starter system: 4-channel recorder (expandable to 4 cameras), 64GB storage, Full HD 1080p, and remote viewing via the SwannView app.
• Swann 2K 8-Channel DVR Kit with 4 Bullet Cameras — £249.00. Steps up to 2K resolution across 8 channels with 256GB storage — a solid mid-range system for homes or small businesses needing broader coverage.

• Reolink 4K+ 12MP 8-Channel PoE NVR with 2TB HDD — £219.99. An 8-channel PoE NVR with 2TB onboard storage and support for up to 12MP cameras. A flexible foundation for building a custom 4K camera system.
• Swann AdvancedX 4K 8-Channel NVR with 4 Dome Cameras — £399.99. A complete 4K PoE system including recorder, 1TB HDD, and 4 dome cameras — ready to install out of the box.
• Swann AdvancedX 4K 8-Channel NVR with 4 Bullet Cameras — £499.99. The same system with bullet cameras, which offer a longer focused field of view — ideal for monitoring driveways and long perimeters.

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A video doorbell lets you see, hear, and speak to whoever is at your door — from anywhere. Whether you're upstairs, at work, or on holiday, you'll get an instant alert when someone rings or triggers the motion zone, with live video on your smartphone.

• Swann Evo Smart Wireless Video Doorbell — £69.99. Wireless and battery-powered with HD video, two-way audio, and motion detection.
• Reolink 2K+ 5MP PoE Video Doorbell & Chime — £89.99. Wired PoE doorbell with 2K+ resolution and a physical chime unit included.
• Swann 4K Smart Wireless Video Doorbell & Chime — £169.99. 4K resolution with colour night vision and a wired chime — the clearest doorbell footage in the range.

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If budget is tight or you want to extend the visible coverage of a real system, dummy cameras can deter opportunistic intruders without the cost of a working camera. They're most effective when used alongside real cameras rather than as a sole measure — a determined intruder may test whether a camera is real before acting.

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Indoor cameras don't need weatherproofing or the same level of night vision as outdoor models. For outdoors, check the IP rating (IP65 minimum for UK weather) and ensure the camera has colour or infrared night vision for after-dark coverage.

Mains-wired cameras are the most reliable but require installation near a power source. Solar cameras go anywhere but depend on sunlight — in the UK, south-facing placement is recommended. Battery-only cameras are flexible but require periodic recharging.

Most WiFi cameras store footage on a local microSD card or a cloud subscription. NVR and DVR systems record to an onboard HDD, offering weeks or months of continuous footage without ongoing costs. If you want to avoid monthly fees, look for cameras with local storage options — Reolink and Swann both prioritise subscription-free storage.

A single camera suits a specific concern — a front door, a back gate. If you want whole-property coverage, a multi-camera NVR or DVR system is more cost-effective and provides centralised management and recording.

Whether you're looking for a single indoor camera or a complete wired system for a larger property, Maplin stocks cameras from Reolink and Swann across every category — with no-subscription local storage as standard.

Browse the full security camera range at Maplin →