‘Continuous recording’ is a security camera’s ability to record footage nonstop. While some security cameras do allow footage to be saved continuously to local storage, it’s a feature that’s missing from most security camera apps.
That’s not the case with AlfredCamera, which can turn old cell phones into security cameras with continuous recording that maintains recordings even where there’s no internet.
Read on to learn more about what continuous recording is and whether it’s a feature you need, and find out which cameras support it.
Table of Contents
What Are Continuous Recording Security Cameras?
Continuous recording is a security camera’s ability to record 24/7. This usually means saving footage locally. Many IP security cameras, including popular options like Wyze’s outdoor cam and most of the eufyCam line, don’t support continuous recording.
Maintaining a stable internet connection can, in reality, be tricky, especially when multiple people are using the same router at the same time. IP cameras with continuous recording like AlfredCam ensure that, even if the internet drops out, there is a means of storing footage.
How Long Do Home Security Cameras Record?
The amount of time that security cameras record for continuously depends on the model. Many don’t offer this feature and only record in small ‘events’ (usually 30 seconds) triggered by motion detection.
Most brands do offer premium subscriptions that increase storage space on the cloud. Check out the most popular ones below.
| Brand | Maximum Length of Continuous Recording (local) | Maximum Length of Continuous Recording (cloud-based) | Maximum Length of Continuous Recording(subscription) |
AlfredCamera App | 8 hour loop (240p for free users) | No continuous recording | 8 hour loop (720p for Premium users, local storage) |
| AlfredCam | Unlimited (microSD) | No continuous recording | Unlimited playback of locally stored footage for Premium users via the app |
Google Nest | No continuous recording. Up to 30 seconds per clip. 8 minutes of local storage. | No continuous recording | Unlimited footage when 24/7 Video History is enabled (Nest Aware Plus) |
Wyze | 2-8 days depending on quality and storage size (microSD card) | No continuous recording | Unlimited footage for up to 14 days (Cam Plus) |
Reolink | Unlimited (NVR or PC)2-8 days depending on quality (microSD card) | No continuous recording | 7 days and 1GB storage (Basic)30 days and 30GB storage (Standard)30 days and 80GB storage (Premier) |
Ring | No continuous recording | No continuous recording | No continuous recording. Up to 120 seconds, 180 day storage (Basic and Plus) |
Blink | No continuous recording | No continuous recording | No continuous recording |
Read our hands-on reviews on AlfredCam, one of the best budget security cameras on the market that incorporates both event-based and continuous recording.
Top 5 Continuous Recording Security Cameras
AlfredCam
Available from within the AlfredCamera app. From $34.99.
Pros
- 8 hours free continuous recording even when internet cuts out
- Footage wipes itself once CR limit exceeded
- Super affordable
Cons
- Quality depends on the chosen camera device
- Low light filter isn’t as robust as true night vision
With up to 8 hours of free continuous recordings even without an internet connection, AlfredCamera offers users significant flexibility not found in other security camera apps, let alone most hardware cameras available.
Aside from that, enjoy two-way audio, low-light filters, and push notifications. Add an AlfredCam hardware camera to the mix for indoor monitoring with excellent night vision.
What others are saying…
‘My internet isn’t the best, and when multiple people in the house are using it, it can get really sluggish. You can record continuously with AlfredCamera so that even if the internet drops out, it keeps recording, and saves it to the phone.’ – AlfredCamera user.
Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24
Available from eufy, Amazon, and Walmart. From $42.99.
Pros
- Super sharp 2K resolution
- Affordable
- 24/7 recording to microSD
Cons
- Cloud storage struggles to support 2K recordings
- Data usage is high if not recording to microSD
Who said buying on a budget means giving up super high quality? The Solo IndoorCam C24 is well regarded for its impressive 2K resolution, which produces crystal clear footage, in spite of its low price tag.
Eufy’s cameras are also among the few that support true continuous recording. Users simply need to insert a microSD and have the device save footage to it. It can then be used to record 24/7 until memory is maxed out. There’s also great AI-based person/pet detection, two-way talk, and decent night vision.
What others are saying…
‘The Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 is an affordable home security camera that offers lots of features for the price including sharp 2K video, voice control, and intelligent motion alerts.’ – John R. Delaney for PC Mag.
Arlo Ultra 2
Available from Best Buy, Arlo, Lenovo. From $289.99 without a hub (required).
Pros
- Crisp 4K footage looks fantastic
- Built-in spotlight is useful for monitoring outside the home in detail
- Continuous recording is well-designed and intuitive
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Continuous recording requires a very expensive subscription
- Requires a Smart Hub
Many Arlo cameras are compatible with continuous recording. Of all of them, the Ultra 2 is a real juggernaut of a device, supporting 4K resolution, 180-degree field of view, and featuring a built-in spotlight and siren.
To record continuously, users must purchase a ‘CVR Subscription’ from Arlo. This gives users access to either 14 or 30 days of continuous recording, which can be scrubbed through easily. It works a charm, but there’s no denying that $19.99 for 30 days of CVR is a painfully tall order for a device that already costs so much.
What others are saying…
‘There isn’t a more fully-featured battery-powered security camera out there today than the Arlo Ultra 2. With crisp, 4K footage and total flexibility of placement thanks to an entirely wire-free design and easy to use mounts, Arlo’s Ultra 2 is the ultimate smart security camera.’ – Jennifer Pattison Tuohy for The Ambient.
Reolink E1 Pro
Available on Amazon. From $54.99.
Pros
- Fantastic 2K image quality
- MicroSD support for continuous recording
- Affordable for 2K
Cons
- Reolink NVR sold separately
- 2K footage will max out SD quickly
- Motorized panning is somewhat wasted since it can’t track movement
Reolink’s cameras provide the option for a more old-school approach to saving and viewing footage using their NVR or PC. Of course, the E1 Pro supports microSD saving, so users can also use this.
The E1 Pro’s fabulously high image quality is likely to max out a microSD card in less than a week, so it’s worth investing in Reolink’s NVR if 24/7 recording is preferred. Check out what we had to say about the E1 Pro in our full hands-on review.
What others are saying…
‘Reolink’s E1 Pro is a great indoor camera marred ever so slightly by the wasted potential of its panning ability. The camera’s best features all point to it being mounted in a long-term static position. It’s in this way that it really shines, which leaves the panning to seem slightly gimmicky without motion tracking.’ – Liam McRedmond for AlfredCamera.
TP-Link Kasa Spot Pan Tilt
Available on Amazon. From $29.99.
Pros
- Motorized 360 panning with AI-based tracking
- Continuous recording up to 128 GB via microSD
- Super affordable
Cons
- MicroSD card not included
- Works best when mounted on a ceiling
Similar to Reolink’s E1 Pro, the Kasa Spot Pan Tilt is a motorized panning camera that supports continuous recording. This is done by inserting a microSD, which, thankfully, can be as large as 128 GB.
Though the image quality may pale slightly in comparison to the E1 Pro, Kasa Spot Pan Tilt makes much better use of its panning feature, with intelligent person tracking and a plethora of great automation features in the app, which we named one of our favorite security apps.
What others are saying…
‘TP-Link’s Kasa Spot Pan Tilt is a polished budget security camera designed for long-term indoor use alongside other smart devices. It isn’t mobile, but instead works best installed at a distance from its subjects to monitor larger spaces (i.e. from the ceiling).’ – Liam McRedmond for AlfredCamera.
How to Get Security Cameras Record All the Time?
If a camera model doesn’t support continuous recording, there is unfortunately no means of having it record 24/7.
It might be possible to achieve de facto ‘continuous’ recording using motion detection if the camera doesn’t have a cool-down period between triggers. AlfredCamera, for example, doesn’t have a cool-down period between 30 second recordings, so it will keep recording as long as there is sufficient motion.
Other models, like the entirety of the Wyze line, have default cool down periods (for free tier users) after motion detection is triggered.
If continuous recording is important to the user, it should be factored into the decision making process when buying a security camera. As a rule of thumb, devices that support microSD, DVR, or NVR storage will allow footage to be recorded continuously.
This will be either until the device’s memory is full (after which the device may begin to wipe itself or require the user to manually delete footage) or once the length of the recording has reached a set threshold.
Continuous Recording vs. Motion Detection
Many IP cameras incorporate some form of motion detection technology, usually instead of continuous recording. It’s useful in avoiding large files, but it can be risky if the camera’s motion detection is hit-or-miss or overly sensitive.
Likewise, if the motion detection doesn’t incorporate other features, like facial recognition or animal detection, the camera could easily begin filming unnecessary movement.
We weighed up some of the major differences between motion detection-based surveillance and continuous recording below.
| Motion Detection (MD) | Continuous Recording (CR) |
| Instant Notifications Get notified only when movement is detected. | High Traffic Visibility MD is useless in places where there is constant movement. There’s no point being notified every few minutes as someone passes by. CR avoids this nuisance. |
| Capture What Matters Sifting through hours of footage can be mind-numbing. With MD, cameras can be assigned to record only when something appears. | See Everything Avoid signal drop out by simply capturing everything, at all times. |
| Cloud Storage Less footage means less demand on broadband, meaning cloud storage can be used easily from anywhere in the world. | Local Storage Local storage (SD cards) allows users to save potentially huge files with no fuss, freeing up bandwidth. |
For more on motion detection, including our picks for favorite motion detecting cameras, check out our crash course on motion sensor cameras.
When Do I Need 24/7 Continuous Recording?
1. Storefront
Stores require continuous recording when they are open and closed. Traffic will be high at some points during the day, meaning motion detection, which tends to limit the length of clips to a default setting and is subject to a ‘cool down’ period once triggered, won’t provide useful or reliable surveillance.
2. Offices
Much like a store, an office is likely to have significant movement all day, making motion detection pointless. Continuous recording is reliable.
3. Warehouse
Warehouses are subject to much stricter health and safety regulations than other workplaces, and since they can be dangerous, surveillance needs to be 24/7 to be reliable.
4. Locations Prone to Signal Dropout
For houses, farms, and construction sites with occasionally poor Wi-Fi, continuous recording can be a good way to ride out signal dropouts without losing any footage. AlfredCamera’s continuous recording feature can still record even when the internet connection drops out.
How to Turn an Old Cell Phone into a Security Camera with Continuous Recording
With over 70 million downloads, AlfredCamera has proved itself as the most versatile and trusted security app available for smart devices. By turning your old phone into a feature-rich video monitor, you effectively have a free security camera in your pocket.
‘We noticed that some users shared concerns about signal dropouts,’ says the product team. ‘Rather than ignoring the problem, we got to work combating it. AlfredCamera continuous recording solves the issue.’
Unlike most apps and IP security cameras, AlfredCamera continuous recording captures and stores footage even in the event of a signal dropout, whether that’s simply the cause of bad wi-fi or due to a momentary power outage.
‘AlfredCamera cloud storage allows free users to store clips for up to 7 via the internet, while a Premium subscription provides 14 days. Continuous recording records for 8 hours and loops back on itself, deleting the oldest footage first.’
For more on AlfredCamera recording, check out our dedicated guide and FAQ. Find out how to enable continuous recording and check recorded clips in the app below.
In the camera’s settings, scroll down and turn on ‘Continuous Recording’.
To view footage, tap the ‘Playback’ icon in the bottom left corner on the camera menu.
From here, users can tap and drag a timeline to view footage recorded at a specific time (the red bars indicate when motion was captured, making finding relevant footage much easier).
AlfredCamera is available to download for Android and iOS devices.
FAQ
Do security cameras record all the time?
Most modern security cameras do not record all the time. Using motion detection is a more efficient way to avoid large file sizes and only record relevant footage.
Do I need a camera that records all the time?
Whether or not you need a camera that records constantly is best determined on a case-by-case basis; a storefront would need continuous recording, for instance, whereas a view of the door can be safely surveyed through motion detection to avoid unnecessary footage capture.
How to turn an old cell phone into a security camera with continuous recording?
AlfredCamera has officially rolled out Continuous Recording for all users in May, 2022. This will enable you to turn an old device into a fully functional security camera without the chance of losing footage.
Can wireless cameras record continuously?
Yes, some wireless cameras can record continuously, but most will require being plugged in to maintain charge. Even if they aren’t, it’s a good idea to do this since the battery will drain significantly faster than when using motion detection alone.
Which camera has unlimited recording?
Reolink’s E1 Pro can be connected to a branded NVR or a PC for a more conventional way of recording and viewing footage, while Eufy’s IndoorCam is a great option for those wanting to record to microSD. Ultimately, neither promises ‘unlimited recording’; eventually, footage will need to be deleted to free up space.
Conclusion
Continuous recording is an important feature to look out for when investing in your security. While it’s not going to be necessary for every situation, it’s essential that your device is able to continue to observe spaces if being used for home or office security even if it loses connection to the internet.
Recommended reading:
Types of Security Cameras: The Essential Guide