Choose the right power solution for your security camera installation. Compare PoE, Solar, Mains, and Battery options.
The power source you choose for your CCTV cameras depends on your installation location, budget, and technical requirements. Each option has distinct advantages and trade-offs. Understanding these will help you make the best decision for your security needs.
Choosing where to store your CCTV footage is just as important as choosing your power source. Each storage method has different cost implications, retention periods, and accessibility features.
Store footage on physical hard drives in your Network Video Recorder or Digital Video Recorder.
£200-£800 (one-time)
Upload all footage 24/7 to cloud providers like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
£50-£500/month per camera
Automatically backup footage to AWS-style cloud storage with 7-day rotation. Old files auto-delete to avoid ongoing costs.
£5-£20/month (fixed)
System automatically uploads footage to cloud storage overnight or during off-peak hours
Keep the most recent 7 days of footage available for review and incident investigation
Files older than 7 days are automatically deleted to keep storage costs fixed and predictable
Flag incidents to permanently save critical footage before it's rotated out of the system
Pro Tip: Most security incidents are discovered within 48-72 hours. A 7-day backup window provides plenty of time to review and preserve important footage while keeping costs minimal.
PoE cameras range from budget-friendly options under £150 to professional-grade systems over £1,000. Here are our top picks across all price ranges.
Professional-grade cameras for commercial installations requiring the highest quality and reliability.
£1,200+
Best for: Government buildings, large enterprises, high-security facilities
Commercial-grade cameras offering excellent features and reliability at mid-range prices.
DS-2CD2347G2-LU (4MP)
£350-£430
Best for: Retail, offices, professional installations requiring excellent night vision
4MP Eyeball Camera
£140-£170
Best for: Small businesses, installers seeking cost savings without compromising quality
Model 191BV (4K/8MP)
£189
Best for: 4K quality at mid-range pricing, professional installers
Affordable options for home security, DIY installs, and smaller projects.
Dual-lens 4K with tracking
~£150
Best for: Home security, DIY enthusiasts, those wanting features without high cost
2K 4MP PoE Camera
£135
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, starter systems, residential use
For internal runs, easy to hide
£0.50-£1.00/metre
UV-resistant, weatherproof
£1.00-£1.50/metre
Direct burial, rodent protection
£2.05+/metre
Hikvision and Dahua are currently on the US FCC's "Covered List" and are non-NDAA compliant. This is important if you're a government contractor or working on federally-funded projects in the US. For UK/EU installations, these brands remain popular and widely used. Always check your local compliance requirements before purchasing.
| Feature | PoE | Solar | Mains | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation Ease | Moderate | Easy | Moderate-Hard | Very Easy |
| Reliability | Excellent | Weather Dependent | Excellent | Good |
| Upfront Cost | £££ | ££££ | ££ | £££ |
| Running Costs | Low (electricity) | None | Low (electricity) | Medium (batteries) |
| Maintenance | Very Low | Medium | Very Low | High (recharging) |
| 24/7 Recording | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cable Hiding | Excellent (flat cables) | None needed | Moderate | None needed |
| Range/Flexibility | 100m from switch | Unlimited (wireless) | Near power outlet | Unlimited (wireless) |