Should you buy a cheap security camera? I tested 6 budget friendly wired cameras.

Should you buy a cheap security camera? I tested 6 budget friendly wired cameras.

I bought and tested Amazon’s top 6 inexpensive security cameras under $50 to figure out which one of them is the best. Some of these cheap security cameras were MUCH better than others.

Top Picks:
Reolink RLC-510A: https://amzn.to/3qdBy0s
Amcrest 5MP-T1179EW: https://amzn.to/3KGRfHc
VEEZOOM N151BS: https://amzn.to/3KLAU3K

Other cameras tested:
Annke C500: https://amzn.to/3RurAUR
ANPVIZ IPC-D350W-S: https://amzn.to/3RurAUR
SV3C 2MP: https://amzn.to/3qbf3JP

**As an Amazon Affiliate I earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you**

Visit my website: https://www.TheSmartHomeHookUp.com
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehookup1
Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/473812443269387

Support my channel directly:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thehookup

Music by www.BenSound.com
Support my channel:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thehookup

Music by www.BenSound.com

50 Comments

  1. @AnitaRedmond-op8ws August 27, 2025 at 8:49 pm

    do any of these cameras record audio

  2. Best ones the annke

  3. Could you please do the opposite type of cameras? I understand the whole pushing affiliate products within reach of everyone, but I’m sure there are many of us who want high-end professional grade cameras to be showcased as well. Cameras that perform well beyond 25 feet and can be reliable for true surveillance of higher value properties/areas. Building years of tension looking for the best camera just to see a 1000 dollar camera be out performed by a 110 dollar camera is a bit annoying. Please review some cameras that can read the text perfectly out by the end of your driveway at night or something at least capable of reading a license plate or letters on a passing vehicle at 50 feet. Please, please and thank you.

  4. Your link for the ANNKE goes to the Anpviz. It happens.😊
    Excellent review.

  5. @DigitalCircus777 August 27, 2025 at 8:54 pm

    Another great video and exactly what many of us need for our home security requirements. Thanks and keep up the great work! πŸ˜€

  6. @bechirbejaoui3687 August 27, 2025 at 8:54 pm

    Great Work Mate, very useful information, many thanks

  7. Great job! Thanks for your time and expertise! 😊 God bless

  8. Thank you!

  9. Can I link these to an Aqara or Yolink hub, and have them trigger sirens?

  10. Audio, Image, Synology support are very important to me

  11. Im cheap im going with an affordable price

  12. HI!! any recomendation for a POE interior camera? Worried about the design to not affect the interior design. Using Frigate + Home assistant.:D

  13. Thanks, I’m an Arlo user and want to upgrade. I think I’m going for your budget solution and will use them in parallel. I’m on the free Arlo subscription from day one, and just want a little bit better protection. Thank you very much!!

  14. I want a camera for outside my motorhome it has to be of course weatherproof and I want on my phone and PC no subscription wifi only

  15. Do u want to sell any camera s

  16. @SnakeAndTurtleQigong August 27, 2025 at 9:11 pm

    Thanks so much

  17. @antoniodasilva1230 August 27, 2025 at 9:12 pm

    My chacon cameras blow all of these away

  18. Been a lot of thefts at my house lately, would prefer the least complicated to use. I would like one with decent night visions and over all quality. But would also like one that’s easy to use as I’m not very tech savvy.. any input? Would I need one of the recording boxes? How much storage can there be??

  19. @danielslocum7316 August 27, 2025 at 9:15 pm

    Installed it myself without any issues. The wifi signal is great even https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxE_D_sddGAdiVUKp7PkkmyxO7bRtgqmk5 when the router is located far away. I really enjoy the night vision feature that allows me to see clearly any activity near our house (mostly cars and wild animals). The motion detection is helpful to me as well to monitor what happens on our front.

  20. You want to tell me, that cameras that don’t even advertise their sensor size(which are most likely 1/3, or 1/2.7), are better, that a 1/1.8 Dahua camera? How did you setup their settings? Did you left it at default settings?

  21. I wonder what his neighbours are thinking when they seem him running up and down the street at night holding a sign lmao!

  22. @leonardlunsford8924 August 27, 2025 at 9:18 pm

    I used a car dashcam with a phone charger and 30$ for it

  23. I love how intimidating your camera test rigs look. Imagine a burglar checking out the place and seeing this on the house 0:39

  24. Well you can buy a nice 2k 360 degree cam but really we want a 12k camera and no 12mp (mega pixel) = 4k camera
    Perhaps an 8k camera is ok to recognise faces and number plates

    So only 8k and 12k and up are the best

    12k is way to go
    It has 80 megapixels

    But you need your fps (frames per second) also
    And that should be like 200fps or perhaps even 1000 fps or so no 5fps or 15fps or even 30fps that is complete crap right there

  25. Love the work you do with security and safety thank you for this

  26. Great video. I’m looking for a second camera. I just purchased a Wyze V3 today online from Home Depot for $35. Found it at Slick Deals. Will probably choose the Reolink.

  27. @sistercreaturapernicious7731 August 27, 2025 at 9:23 pm

    πŸ’―πŸ’―πŸ’―πŸ‘

  28. Thank you those tests were really helpful!

  29. @igoragostinho5802 August 27, 2025 at 9:25 pm

    Hi, I especially like the aesthetics of these 2 cameras: Reolink RLC-843A ACZ800 ANNKE …but there are no videos about them that help me understand if they are really worth the investment. I’m undecided on the choice to make to put it in my home. Do you think you can help me understand this?

  30. Am gonna buy through your links. I got this real valuable information for free, its the least i can do.

  31. Have you done completely wireless camera’s? Aka Wi-Fi and solar/battery

  32. Why do domestic xamera optics fail to deliver commercial quality zoom and capture when technology, manufacturing cost and other factors provide for it? – why are we getting limited products? Or products with limited ability.

  33. What is the best DISCRETE security camera for apartment entrances ? that records the footage when the motion sensors triggers recoding.

  34. @socaloutdoors7355 August 27, 2025 at 9:29 pm

    Great vid

  35. The Annke really should have been tested in night color mode where it might even best all these other cameras (even in IR mode).

  36. @kimberlybynoe3490 August 27, 2025 at 9:32 pm

    I can’t see which camera he is referring to

  37. @IndigoDragonProsperity August 27, 2025 at 9:33 pm

    I am new to the research to get an in home sec cam. Do these need a sd card or subscription? I want to be able to save any footage if needed. Do these need you to download an app? Can these be used ondoors?

  38. @MeredithAdams-n6o August 27, 2025 at 9:36 pm

    Are you able to give Frigate a try? I’m extremely interested in it due to the AI options and it appears to be much leaner than BlueIris

  39. Eufy is from "Anker" china, the ccp will directly have access to your home systems and passwords. Be wise!

  40. Is reolink free no subscription

  41. Thanks!

  42. I have 3 Tapo 325wb’s wifi camera’s running on blue iris,they will blow away all of those you have here !

  43. Is your large font similar in size to license plate numbers?

  44. Excellent review. Do any of these brands offer fall detection camera or a LiDAR sensor for indoor use in private areas like bathrooms? Or an add-on to Blue Iris for cameras and support for Hikvison DS-TDSB00-EKT Fall Detection Radar?

  45. @kristariebel4737 August 27, 2025 at 9:43 pm

    I wouldn’t trust any thing from Amazon its linked heavily to china

  46. @astronautclub9261 August 27, 2025 at 9:45 pm

    Great video on these low budget cameras….

  47. Hi Rob, I currently have a Wyze cam v2 at my front door so I can view visitors and package deliveries. It’s really an indoor camera but I bought a case and just mounted it outside maybe 3 years ago. It’s really served it’s purpose well and hasn’t really given me any issues. Still, I was considering getting a Eufy C24 to replace it as I don’t really like that I only get 12 seconds of recording with the Wyze. I know most of your reviews are of higher quality outdoor cams but is there something you recommend over the Eufy C24 in the up to $100 price range? TIA

  48. Wait so no WiFi???

  49. Hai, how about CCTV Tapo C310? Had u review it?

  50. I just need a budget cam dont need some fancy shit. someone keeps going into my yard

Leave a Reply to @socaloutdoors7355 Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.


*