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Security Camera Too Far To Work? You Might Need a Long Range Security Camera

Best Long Range Security Cameras

  • Best long range security camera wireless – Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight
  • Best solar powered long range wireless security camera – Eufycam 3
  • Best long range night vision security camera wired – Lorex 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Camera with Smart Motion Detection Plus
  • Best long range wifi security camera – Reolink RLC-511WA
  • Best battery powered long range wireless security camera with motion detection – usogood Trail Camera WiFi 24MP 1296P

Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight

Best long range security camera wireless

Available from Arlo and BestBuy. From $249.99.

Arlo Pro 5S 2K Spotlight

Pros

  • Up to 12x digital zoom.
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi helps alleviate signal issues
  • Super crisp 2K video

Cons

  • Expensive

Dual band Wi-Fi is included, which can greatly improve signal range by automatically connecting to the strongest network.

Key Specifications

  • 2K HDR
  • 160 degree field of view
  • Dual Band Wi-Fi 
  • Two way audio
  • Spotlight
  • Color night vision
  • Built in siren

Eufycam 3

Best solar powered long range wireless security camera

Available on eufy, BestBuy, and Amazon. RRP $549.99.

Eufycam 3

Pros

  • Crystal clear 4K with 8x digital zoom
  • Super long signal range (upwards of 300 feet or more)
  • AI learns and recognizes faces

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Solar panel sold separately
  • Hub must be connected via Ethernet cable

Key Specifications

  • 4K video
  • 135 degree field of view
  • 6 month battery life
  • Two way audio
  • Spotlight
  • Color night vision
  • Alexa and Google Voice Assistant
  • Built in siren
  • IP65 weatherproof

Lorex 4K Ultra HD Camera

Best long range night vision security camera wired

Available on Lorex. From $97.49.

Lorex 4K Ultra HD Smart Deterrence IP Camera

Pros

  • 4K image resolution
  • Up to 150 feet night vision range
  • Intelligent AI-based features

Cons

  • Narrow field of view
  • PoE/NVR only

Key Specifications

  • 4K HD
  • 105 degree field of view
  • Two way audio
  • Spotlight
  • Color night vision
  • Built in siren
  • IP67 weatherproof

What others are saying…

‘The system installs simply. The picture quality appears clearly. Requires some reading and fine tuning if you want very specific features. The phone app works very well . Saving video and pictures to disk is a bit complicated and updates are not automatic. You do need some technical expertise to work at all levels.’  – Gregory K. on Lorex.

AlfredCam Plus

Best long range wifi security camera

Available on Amazon and AlfredCamera. From $39.99.

AlfredCam Plus waterproof.

Pros

  • Solid wireless connection indoors and out
  • 4x digital zoom (Premium only)
  • 64 GB microSD card included for continuous recording

Cons

  • Plug in power

AlfredCam Plus makes advanced security affordable. Take 2K QHD video, excellent infrared night vision, and advanced motion detection indoors or outdoors as needed. Because AlfredCam Plus’ live feed maintains a consistent connection, it excels as a long range wifi security camera.

Premium users can take advantage of the sharp, 130 degree field of view with 4x digital Zoom.

Key Specifications

  • 2K QHD video
  • 130 degree field of view
  • Two way audio
  • 64 GB microSD card included
  • Infrared night vision
  • Built-in siren
  • IP65 weatherproof
  • Unlimited devices per account

usogood Trail Camera WiFi 24MP 1296P

Best battery powered long range wireless security camera with motion detection

Available on Amazon. From $89.99.

usogood Trail Camera WiFi 24MP 1296P

Pros 

  • 65 foot detection range
  • Wi-Fi-enabled, with a corresponding app
  • Battery powered (8 x AA)

Cons

  • Wi-Fi setup can be awkward.
  • IR lights shine downward, limiting the effective range of night vision

The wild card choice: a trail camera. Because they are purpose-built for monitoring animals in the great outdoors, they moonlight as excellent long range outdoor cameras. 

Key Specifications

  • 24MP camera
  • 120 degree field of view
  • 65 foot motion detection range
  • Battery powered
  • Infrared night vision
  • IP66 weatherproof

Do I Need Long Range Cameras?

Most people do not need long range cameras for home security. But there are certain scenarios where a security camera with a long range zoom or long range wireless connection is necessary.

Discover the most common reasons people need long range cameras below.

Construction sites

Large yard

If your front or back yard is especially large, a long range zoom is super beneficial for honing in on detail, like a mailbox or parked vehicle. While a long range connection allows you to put the camera far from the house, ensuring it has a strong vantage point is more important.

Hence, security camera users often prefer to have the camera at the window and use zooming instead.

High-rise living

Monitoring vehicles parked below is a pain when living several stories high. But it’s illegal to place surveillance in a shared parking area to monitor the vehicle.

If the window provides a decent view of the parking area, a camera with a superior optical zoom works wonders in observing what’s below.

Poor internet connection

In such instances, Wi-Fi extenders may be necessary to increase range. Connecting the camera to an ethernet port also improves internet connection.

Tips for Enhancing the Range of Outdoor Security Cameras

Wi-Fi extenders

A cheap and effective way of relaying and expanding the wireless signal, plug in a Wi-Fi extender near the location where the signal is temperamental.

Hardwiring/Ethernet cable

If Wi-Fi extenders fail to improve the signal sufficiently, connecting an ethernet cable to the device allows for much more reliable data transfer.

Varifocal lens

If the device can’t be moved far from the wireless router, don’t move it! Instead, consider purchasing a device with a varifocal lens, which allows for altering field of view. If DIY is your thing, be aware that replacing a lens will void the product warranty.

What’s the Difference Between Optical Zoom vs Digital Zoom?

Optical zoom is ‘true’ zooming, where the lens moves to make the image appear closer. 

Digital zoom mimics this by cropping part of a captured image and enlarging it to the number of megapixels the camera has.

That’s why optical zooming doesn’t decrease the quality of the image, whereas digital zooming does. Digital zoom is therefore much more useful on devices that have a high image resolution.

AlfredCam and AlfredCam Plus side by side on a white table.
AlfredCam (left) and AlfredCam Plus (right).

FAQ

What is the longest distance for a security camera?

Some security cameras may be capable of up to 500 feet or more, but it’s highly unusual for a security camera’s range to go beyond 150 feet.

What is the range of an outdoor security camera?

The range of an outdoor security camera is typically no more than 150 feet.

How far can a security camera be from WIFI?

How far a security camera can be from a Wi-Fi router depends on the model, and whether it connects to 2.4 or 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Some Wi-Fi security cameras need pairing to a hub, which is then connected to the router, This helps increase the achievable distance. Eufycam 3, for example, can be placed upwards of 300 feet from its hub.

Is it better to have wired or wireless security cameras?
Are there security cameras that don’t need to be plugged in?

Conclusion

A strong ‘range’ in a security camera is a combination of strong optics and a strong internet connection. 

Camera lenses, optical and digital zoom, dual band Wi-Fi, and whether the camera connects directly to the router or to a hub all contribute to the effective ‘range’ of the camera.