"Wireless" sounds like the obvious winner — no cables, no mess. But the word hides a catch, and the right choice depends on what you're protecting and how much you want to think about it after we leave. Here's the honest breakdown.
First, clear up the "wireless" myth
Most "wireless" cameras are only wireless for data — they still need power. So unless it's a battery model, there's a cable running to an outlet somewhere. Battery cameras cut that cord too, but then you're recharging or swapping batteries every few weeks to months. Worth knowing before you picture a truly cable-free house.
Wired cameras: the rock-solid option
A wired (usually PoE — Power over Ethernet) camera runs a single cable that carries both power and video. Once it's in, it's in: no batteries, no Wi-Fi drops, no recharging. The footage is consistent, the connection is stable, and it records continuously to a local recorder you own. For anything you genuinely rely on — a business, a main entry, a long-term install — wired is what we recommend. The trade-off is the install: cables need to be run cleanly, which is exactly the part you want done by someone who does it for a living.
Wireless cameras: fast and flexible
Wireless shines when running a cable is hard or you need flexibility — a rental, a spot far from the panel, a temporary setup, or filling a gap quickly. Setup is fast and you can reposition easily. The trade-offs: they lean on your Wi-Fi (which can drop), battery models need maintenance, and heavy walls or distance can weaken the signal.
So which should you choose?
A simple rule of thumb: wire the cameras you can't afford to have fail — entries, business-critical views, anything permanent. Use wireless to fill the awkward gaps. Plenty of our installs are a mix: a solid wired backbone with a wireless camera or two where it makes sense. You don't have to pick a side.
Not sure which way to lean for your property? That's what the free walk-through is for — we'll tell you straight, based on your layout and your internet, not on what's easiest to sell.