The Best No Wi-Fi Security Cameras for Keeping an Eye on Your RV or Vacation Home
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Pretty much any modern security camera you buy is going to have some kind of web connectivity. This is especially convenient when it comes to adding automation to your smart home and keeping an eye on things while you’re away, but in the event that your camera can’t connect to Wi-Fi, certain features, such as the ability to access cloud-based recordings, are not going to be available. That’s why there’s also a market for no Wi-Fi security cameras, with many of them offering local storage and no subscriptions.
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These are cameras designed to keep you in the know about your home or property without traditional internet as an A-to-B means of communication. Just imagine if you have a vacation home, or you live in an RV and travel frequently — in both situations, internet access isn’t guaranteed, but you would still want to keep an eye on your home. There are, however, security cameras specifically designed to work without Wi-Fi.
BEST OVERALL
Wyze Cam Outdoor
Buy Now On Amazon
$70 at best buy
Best For: Great for the home, on vacation, and even a trail camera.
Why We Chose It: Travel Mode lets you continuously record video locally to a microSD card, without the need for Wi-Fi or internet connectivity.
Key Specs:
Works independently without the need for Wi-Fi
Stores video to microSD
1080p video recording with color night vision
IP65 water-resistant construction
Read More: The Best Home Security Cameras of 2023
Whether you need coverage indoors or out, the Wyze Cam Outdoor has you covered with its utility. This compact-sized security camera features water-resistant construction and local storage, courtesy of its microSD card slot. These two features are exactly what we look for in any no-Wi-Fi security camera.
While it operates normally as your standard security camera, we also love that there’s a travel mode you can turn on when there’s no Wi-Fi. In this setting, you can set it to continuously record footage or whenever motion is detected. There’s even the option to capture time-lapse video as well in this offline mode.
Pros
Compact size
Continuous recording with microSD card
Travel mode perfect for vacations
Cons
Speaker is weak
RUNNER-UP
Google Nest Cam (Battery)
Buy Now On Amazon
$140 at target
Best For: Emergency situations when there are power and internet outages.
Why We Chose It: We love how it can intelligently identify subjects, including animals and vehicles. Plus, it comes with up to three hours of video event history.
Key Specs:
Up to 3 hours of free video event history
1080p video recording with HDR
Records up to 1 hour, during a Wi-Fi or power outage
Review: Google Nest Cam Is Our Pick for the #1 Security Camera of 2023
Most of today’s security cameras require internet connectivity and power to properly function. But what happens when the lights and internet go out?
With the Google Nest Cam Battery, there are no worries whatsoever because it’ll continue to reliably watch out for threats and record video. Even when internet outages take down your home’s Wi-Fi network, the Google Nest Cam Battery leverages its on-board machine learning to continue offering peace of mind security. We were impressed ourselves when we cut our home Wi-Fi router and found the Nest Cam Battery still working properly.
“Few security cameras can match the versatility and performance that the Google Nest Cam (Battery) provides,” explained John Velasco, SPY’s Tech Editor who reviewed the camera.
Pros
Advanced detection
Works through power and internet outages
Intuitive user interface
Cons
Feels really dense
MOST UTILITY
Arlo Go 2
$250 at verizon
$250 at t-mobile
Best For: Vacationers that need a camera for security and to watch over their possessions.
Why We Chose It: It makes for a great at-home security camera because it works on Wi-Fi, but can connect to cellular when Wi-Fi goes down. You can also make it a Wi-Fi-only security camera, so you’re not paying for cellular data.
Key Specs:
Connects via Wi-Fi or cellular
1080p video recording
Local Recording via microSD card slot
Review: Arlo Go 2 Works at Home, On Vacation and Anywhere You Need Security
We love cameras that offer a ton of utility. The Arlo Go 2 proved to us that it has plenty of it, offering users the option of using it indoors or out — as well as the ability to connect via Wi-Fi or cellular. When you’re at home, it’ll connect to your Wi-Fi network to provide the same level of intelligent detection that Arlo’s security cameras are known for.
If that’s not enough, you can pack it up and take it on the go for vacations, weekend getaways, or just about any occasion you’re going to be away from home. That’s because you can pop in a SIM card and rely on cellular data coverage to keep it working. And yes, we loved that we were able to continuously save video clips to a microSD card.
Pros
Ability to choose LTE or Wi-Fi
Swappable battery
Local storage option with microSD card
Cons
Pricey cost
BEST NIGHT VISION
eufy Starlight 4G
Buy Now On Amazon
$170 at Eufy
Best For: Places where you’re not close to any kind of Wi-Fi network. Vacation homes or remote places where regular, Wi-Fi internet isn’t easily accessible.
Why We Chose It: With its crisp 2K video recording and superb night vision performance, the eufy Starlight 4G is accessible anytime, thanks to its 4G LTE connection.
Key Specs:
4G LTE connection with up to 3 months of battery
2K video recording with starlight night vision
IP67 weatherproof rating
Read More: The Best Home Security Cameras with Color Night Vision
The eufy Starlight 4G security camera works anywhere you have 4G LTE connection, offering constant access to the device no matter what. We love that it stores all events internally, with up to three months of battery life.
During our testing, we were actually most impressed by its video quality performance, especially the starlight night vision footage it captured. You’ll also be astounded by the clarity, even when there’s minimal ambient light around. So yeah, this security camera technically doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi to transmit video.
Pros
Impressive night vision performance
Crisp video quality
Cons
Requires LTE connection to work
BEST FOR SETTING AND FORGETTING
Reolink 4G LTE Security Camera
Buy Now On Amazon
$180 at walmart
Best For: Backyards, parking areas, and garages, where the Wi-Fi connection is weak around the home.
Why We Chose It: Not only does it work with cellular connectivity, but it includes with a solar panel to supply it with all the power it needs.
Key Specs:
Offers Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connectivity
2K video recording
Up to 6 months of battery life, charges with the solar panel
Read More: The Best Wi-Fi Extenders
If you only visit a location once per year, you don’t want to make trips just to swap out or charge a battery. The Reolink 4G LTE’s included solar panel means you can set up the camera and forget about it. It also has 2K resolution and up to 33 feet of night vision.
You can record videos to a microSD card (up to 128 GB) and upload it to the Reolink Cloud if you have an internet connection. Two-way talk, smart detection, and 16x digital zoom are other features that help keep your home safe from anywhere.
Pros
Comes with solar panel with continued power
Long range night vision
LTE connection for instant access
Cons
Lackluster speaker
BEST FOR CARS
Ring Car Cam
Buy Now On Amazon
$250 at best buy
Best For: Keeping tabs on other drivers and the interior of your own vehicle.
Why We Chose This: The Ring Car Cam is a great alternative to a traditional dash cam that uses both Wi-Fi and LTE to record and store footage.
Key Specs:
1.6 x 8.4 x 1.6 inches
Dual HD cameras with night vision
Stores video using LTE with a Ring Protect Go plan
Connects to OBD-II port for power
Read More: Ring’s New Car Cam Has a Screen-Less Design And LTE Connectivity
We love the Ring Car Cam for many reasons, but perhaps the device’s greatest feature is its LTE compatibility, which allows you to access recordings and live feeds while you’re on the road or you’re away from your vehicle. Like all Ring products though, it’s going to require a subscription, and it’s called Ring Protect Go.
SPY’s Tech Editor, John Velasco, was happy to report that it wasn’t too cumbersome to do the self-installation, which in total took about 20 minutes from start to finish. He even praised it for the sleek design combined with its crisp video performance.
When traveling, we like the fact that the Ring Car Cam uses two HD cameras; one aimed toward the road, and the other pointed into your car’s interior. Both cameras are also equipped with night vision, so whether it’s broad daylight or twilight in the middle of nowhere, you’ll be able to see your surroundings. Even though it’s technically powered by your car battery, it operates in “Low Power” mode at all times, ensuring there won’t be any drain on your vehicle and that the camera will always be ready to capture a motion-triggered event.
Pros
Two HD cameras with night vision
Doesn’t require professional install
2GB of LTE data per month with Ring Protect Go
Two-way chat and Rich notifications
Cons
Expensive
Requires a Ring Protect Go plan to use
BEST VALUE
JouSecu Wireless Security Camera System
Buy Now On Amazon
Best For: Homeowners looking to cover all corners of their home with a camera. Budget shoppers that don’t want to spend a whole lot on an NVR system.
Why We Chose It: You’re getting incredible value because this NVR security camera system comes with four cameras that record at 1080p resolution.
Key Specs:
Cameras communicate and store clips on NVR router
1080p video recording
4-piece NVR security camera system
Read More: The Best Security Cameras with Privacy Shutters for Smarter Home Security
The standout feature of the JouSecu Wireless Security Camera System is its price. For just $180, you get four cameras and a DVR recording system. This is ideal for vacation homes where you want to keep an eye on both the front and back doors. Each camera features up to 65 feet of night vision and is IP66 rated.
The system can distinguish between people and vehicles, and you can watch it remotely without an internet connection. The downside is that these cameras require a constant power source to maintain continuous recording.
Pros
Simultaneous recording
Easy to set up
Up to 300-feet range
Cons
Menu system is a bit confusing
CONTENDER
Defender PhoenixM2 Security Camera
Buy Now On Amazon
$190 at Lowes
Best For: RVs, trailers, and other large towing units that you need to keep an eye on. It’s a portable security system that can travel wherever you go.
Why We Chose It: You’ll get a live feed from the cameras through the included 7-inch monitor, which uses its own proprietary wireless connection.
Key Specs:
No monthly fees since clips can be saved to a microSD card
VGA (640 x 480) video recording
450-feet range between cameras and LCD display
Read More: The Best Motion Detectors
The Defender PhoenixM2 system includes two security cameras and a seven-inch LCD monitor. We can’t emphasize just how ideal this is for RVs, as you can hook one camera up to watch your door and another to watch the opposite side of the vehicle. It’s designed to be plug-and-play; all you have to do is hook it up.
With 40 feet of night vision and 8 GB of local storage (and the option to expand up to 128 GB), the Defender PhoenixM2 is a great choice for people on the road. The only downside is that it doesn’t have any remote viewing and requires a constant power supply.
Pros
Convenient screen for instant access to cameras
Clips saved directly to microSD card on screen
Decent night vision range
Cons
Video resolution is below average
BEST FOR TIGHT SPACES
Muayb Mini Camera
Buy Now On Amazon
Best For: Tight spaces that don’t have a lot of room. Perfect for keeping a watch on your valuables stored in a safe or drawer.
Why We Chose It: The diminutive size of this camera lets you store it in places other cameras couldn’t fit. Plus, it can be set to record whenever motion is detected.
Key Specs:
Motion detection activated
1080p video recording
60 to 90 minutes of battery life
Read More: The Best Smart Locks
There are times when you need to hide a security camera, for example, if you suspect an employee might be stealing. The Muayb Mini wireless security camera is often under $25, but can record up to 21 hours of footage with a 128GB SD card. The battery life is limited — only 90 minutes at most — due to its small size, but we like that it can be set up to only record when it detects motion.
If the memory card fills while recording, the camera will delete the oldest footage first to ensure you don’t miss a second.
Pros
Ridiculously small size
Loop recording to a microSD card
Decent motion detection
Cons
Very narrow field of view
BEST INDOOR/OUTDOOR
Amcrest 5MP POE Camera
Buy Now On Amazon
$58 at newegg
Best For: Covering large areas, places that don’t have an existing Wi-Fi network for connectivity, and commercial buildings.
Why We Chose It: There’s no worry about poor Wi-Fi coverage because this camera is a power-over-ethernet device. You simply connect it to an ethernet port, which is how it’s powered and transmits video.
Key Specs:
Locally record video to a microSD card
UltraHD (2,592 x 1,944) video recording
IP67 weatherproof rating
We think the Amcrest Surveillance Camera is an impressive piece of technology. It’s a power-over-ethernet device, which means you don’t need to run a power cable to it, only an ethernet cord. It has a 103-degree viewing angle and a high resolution for clear recordings. It can also record audio, but doesn’t support two-way talk.
It features a lot of different recording options, from up to 256 GB of local storage all the way to NVRs, Blue Iris and more. The IP67 shell means it can be placed indoors or out. Perhaps the most impressive part though is the lifetime support Amcrest promises to every customer.
Pros
Weather resistant design
Extra long-range night vision performance
Wide viewing angle
Cons
Bulky size
BEST FOR WILDLIFE
Vikeri Trail Camera
Buy Now On Amazon
Best for: Hunters, campers, and cross-country adventure. Pretty much any place spent in the great outdoors.
Why We Chose It: If you’ve ever wanted to capture wild animals in the great outdoors, this inconspicuous trail camera is perfect at that.
Key Specs:
Clips are stored to a microSD card
1520p video recording
IP66 weatherproof rating
Most of the time, we think of security cameras as a way to guard against humans — but maybe you just want to catch the pesky raccoons terrorizing your trash cans. The Vikeri Trail Camera is a great option for that. It’s camouflaged and blends in with the brush, but delivers high-resolution images.
It’s IP66 rated to withstand whatever nature throws at it, and the 120-degree field of view means you’ll catch any motion. The camera can take both video and photos, and lasts for 180 days on a single charge. Talk about longevity! It’s exactly what you want in a no Wi-Fi security camera.
Pros
4K video recording
Rugged design
Superb quality in daylight
Cons
Detection is a little too sensitive
SPY No Wi-Fi Security Cameras Reviews: About Our Testing Process
We test a lot of home security cameras. In fact, we’ve spent countless days and months testing out over 20+ home security cameras in the last year. With so much time getting acquainted with them, we can instantly tell you all the features they have to offer when it comes to providing peace of mind and security.
Obviously, we love to share our subjective experiences using them in an everyday setting at home, but for this particular roundup, we also assessed each camera according to the following criteria:
Local storage: The best no Wi-Fi security cameras need to store footage locally somehow.
Field of view: The maximum coverage area that the camera can see. Wider is better.
Video quality: How well does the footage look when previewed?
Offline mode: Can they continue operating if there’s no Wi-Fi?
Cellular connectivity: Local storage is great, but having cellular connectivity is even better.
Privacy: Are there any features that specifically relate to privacy in the home?
Setup/Installation: You shouldn’t need to be a rocket scientist to set them up.
Intelligent detection: Can it detect movement based on people, animals, or vehicles?
After rating more than 20 home security cameras according to the above criteria, we compared the results and selected only the ten best models for this review. You’ll be surprised that there are fewer options around. That’s because most of today’s home security cameras work with Wi-Fi connectivity. This exclusive list has options that allow them to work without Wi-Fi, such as those that save clips internally or to a microSD card, and those with a cellular connection.
As new security cameras are released, we’ll regularly update this article to ensure it’s always up to date.
Keep scrolling to see some photos taken during our testing process.
Click here to read more about how we test and review products.
Editor’s Note: Patrick Hearn also contributed to this article.
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