When deciding to improve your home security, you may consider investing in a bluetooth security camera. Bluetooth cameras are usually compatible with most smartphones and devices, and can be useful for monitoring your home; however, they come with a few disadvantages that you should be aware of before making a purchase.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about bluetooth security cameras: whether they’re right for you, and how to use them.
Table of Contents
Is There Such a Thing as a Bluetooth Security Camera?
Bluetooth security cameras do indeed exist, and can provide a reasonably good set-up for monitoring your home using your smartphone provided that you are not too far a distance from the camera.
They have some drawbacks when compared to cameras that operate using Wi-Fi, but the majority of Wi-Fi cameras feature bluetooth connectivity anyway. If you are looking into using a bluetooth camera for home security, you should consider one that is capable of other forms of connectivity as well.
How Do Bluetooth Security Cameras Work?
Bluetooth devices work by using a radio wavelength to connect to each other. For this reason, the closer together your devices are, the more strong their connection will be. This means that when you are away from your home, you will be unable to monitor it using a bluetooth camera unless it also has Wi-Fi connectivity.
Bluetooth connections are also not as secure as other forms of wireless connection, and bluetooth cameras can sometimes be tampered with by anyone who has a compatible device within range.
5 Best Bluetooth Security Cameras of 2022
To help you in your search for a home security camera, we’ve listed some of the most versatile and affordable options on the market.
We’ve included indoor and outdoor options with both bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, so you’re guaranteed to find something that is perfect for your needs, be that monitoring your home for security reasons, or more casual surveillance, like using your camera as a baby monitor. We’ve also included cameras at a range of price points so that you can find the best possible option within your budget.
Reolink Argus 3
Available from Amazon. From $114.99.
In addition to providing both bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, Reolink also offers solar power panels for their outdoor cameras for a totally wireless experience.
| Pros | Solar powered, both Wi-Fi and bluetooth enabled. |
| Cons | Requires an SD card to record footage, does not come with screws for installation. |
| Customer thoughts? | ‘The camera is good quality with a decent app that walks you through the install. I doubt very many, regardless of tech ability, will have any issues setting up the camera. The screws are utter garbage … stop by your local big box home improvement store and grab some smaller wood screws.’ – Mike P. Amazon review, June 15, 2021. |
Blurams Indoor Security Camera
Available from Amazon. From $49.99.
This is an ideal choice for indoor monitoring, complete with motion detection and night-vision. It’s excellent value for money.
| Pros | Great value, very easy to set up, ability to talk through the camera and toggle notifications for motion and sound detection. |
| Cons | Only suitable for indoor use. |
| Customer thoughts? | ‘Fairly easy to set up. Good quality picture and sound. However, to continually view on tablet or PC, you have to click every 15 minutes or so to keep it going. Apparently you have to subscribe to their cloud service.’ – BJ Warner Amazon review, August 8, 2020. |
Eufy Indoor Camera
Available from Amazon. From $42.99.
This camera boasts two-way audio, meaning you can communicate through it if monitoring pets. It is also compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
| Pros | Two-way audio, compatible with Google and Apple products. |
| Cons | Requires internet connection for continuous recording. |
| Customer thoughts? | ‘Decent, but has some software bugs. Good quality camera that when paired against my Nest cam has demonstrated superior human alerts which was my main concern. I currently have it pointed looking out a window and the performance has been pretty good for the price.’ – Rodger Amazon review, June 29, 2020. |
Google Nest Cam
Available from Google Store. From $179.99.
The Google Nest Cam is an excellent high-end option for home security. While it is expensive, it is very versatile and records in excellent quality.
| Pros | Excellent quality, easy installation – perhaps the best available camera on the market. |
| Cons | Very expensive. |
| Customer thoughts? | ‘We already had Google products so these cameras were easy to set up. They are easy to install. The pictures are great quality. We are very pleased with them.’ – RJames S Peart Amazon review, April 19, 2022. |
KAMI Security Camera
Available from Amazon. From $114.99. (for a pack of four cameras)
The KAMI security camera is an excellent option for home surveillance if you are on a budget.
| Pros | Very low price, good customer service, night vision, very quick set-up and connection. |
| Cons | Compatibility issues with certain SD cards, and difficulties with cloud storage. |
| Customer thoughts? | ‘I got this for an office camera since I have a lot of traffic in and out of my office. It’s perfect for what I need. I love the motion and face detection, the audio and intercom option to hear and talk back. It’s well worth the money for what I need.’ – Anthony Amazon review, March 3, 2022. |
Alternatives to Bluetooth Cameras
Due to their distance requirements, bluetooth cameras are not ideal for monitoring your home while you are away. However, there are uses beyond home security, such as bird-watching and baby monitoring, for which a bluetooth camera may be suitable. While they are appropriate for these uses, cameras that have the ability to connect via Wi-Fi are much more versatile, secure, and rarely more expensive.
They allow you to monitor your home from your iphone or mobile, so long as you have internet connection. If bluetooth is an absolute requirement for you, it is fairly easy to find Wi-Fi cameras that can also use bluetooth connectivity at little extra cost, but there is little benefit to buying a camera that is bluetooth only.
To help you explore your options, we’ve put together a guide on all types of security cameras that you should know.
FAQ
What is bluetooth surveillance?
Bluetooth surveillance is the use of bluetooth connectivity to monitor a home security camera with a smart device – for example, an iPhone – at close range. Due to more advanced forms of connectivity providing longer range, bluetooth is not often used for home security. It does however have its uses for more casual surveillance, such as birdwatching or baby monitoring, and can operate without Wi-Fi.
What is the range of a bluetooth camera?
Bluetooth connections typically get weaker the further away you are from the enabled device, meaning that you will notice a drop in the strength of your connection about five meters away. A connection will drop completely at about ten meters. For this reason, they are well-suited to use within the home, but aren’t particularly useful for home surveillance from another physical location.
Can you connect a bluetooth camera to your phone?
Bluetooth cameras will connect to any bluetooth device, and that includes mobile phones. They usually require access to a compatible app, so a smartphone such as an iPhone or Android device will most likely be required.
How can I tell if my Bluetooth spy camera is on?
Begin by testing the camera at close range. If you are failing to receive a video feed, it could be due to being too far away from the camera rather than the camera not being turned on. Some cameras will have an indicator light to let you know if they are activated or not. If you are certain the device is turned on and you are failing to receive any video footage, you should consult the manufacturer’s manual for guidance.
Can you run security cameras without the internet?
While most home security cameras require a Wi-Fi connection to be monitored at long range, bluetooth cameras allow live surveillance within short distances using a bluetooth connection only. If you want to monitor your home security in real time when away from your home though, you will need an internet connection. If you’re only using a security camera to record footage and don’t need to monitor the feed live, you won’t need an internet connection, but you will require significant computer storage to save all of your recordings.
Conclusion
Having the option to connect your security camera via bluetooth has its benefits when it comes to surveillance within the home; for those without a reliable internet connection, bluetooth connectivity can be an absolute lifesaver.
However, as home security cameras are increasingly coming enabled with both bluetooth and Wi-Fi/data connectivity, there are plenty of versatile options out there that will meet your needs and also offer alternative connectivity options should you wish to use them.
Recommended reading: A Crash Course in Motion Sensor Cameras