How does a USB security camera work?

You either need to buy a camera that uses 120V AC and has an integral junction box for hard wiring .... those exist, I've seen them on poles outside prisons and such. But probably not what you want. Or ... you need to provide a socket for your camera's power supply, in a tamper-proof installation. If your camera uses an external PSU, you cannot bypass it, or its plug. Certainly not in a rental where you ought to be quite strict about following rules.

To construct a tamper proof outlet for your camera's PSU, all you need is to put an outlet where your tenants cannot get to it. For example, you could mount the camera on the soffit (if your house has one), run its low voltage DC cable through the soffit into the attic, and install an outlet there. Or you could run the low voltage cable through a conduit into a locked kitchen or bedroom closet, where you place an outlet. Or you buy an outdoor outlet enclosure with facility for a padlock and again, use conduit to get the low voltage cable to the camera. Or you use a battery operated camera and have the cleaning service charge it or swap it for a charged one when they turn the house over.

Note: If you want a USB security camera to backup videos to a USB drive, you are not locked in choices of security cameras with USB, actually. All IP cameras can do that via certain software. Reolink cameras, for example, support security camera USB storage via FREE Reolink software in simple steps .

Click the right section above to get your best night vision USB security camera, wireless one with 1080p (and higher) resolution, or whatever model you may want, with the least effort and cost!

Compared with IP USB security cameras, the webcams need to be connected with your computer directly via the USB port to start monitoring, video recording and data transmission. So everything will be controlled on your PC via certain USB security camera software.

This type of USB security camera is fully functional day and night IP cameras, using USB cable instead of network or power cable for power supply, and usually comes with free USB security camera software on your phone, PC, and laptop for remote viewing, recording and motion alerts anywhere.

Searching for a USB security camera that is flexible, portable, easy to set up, and money saving? Attention, there are some that use USB cable for power and some can’t live alone without PC. And this divides USB security cameras roughly into two categories:

#1. USB Powered Security Cameras

Many indoor and battery powered cameras are designed into highly portable USB security cameras, so that you can just grab them inside and charge them via the power outlet, USB charger, mobile power pack or whatever device containing a USB port, just as convenient as charging your phone.

And some high quality outdoor USB security cameras also support USB charging without actually moving the camera or battery pack indoors, by connecting them to a solar panel, like the Reolink Argus® 2.

USB Powered Security Cameras: 2 Things to Consider

For further insights about USB security cameras, check the following facts you should know before buying a security camera with USB:

#1. Most USB security camera charging cables are not waterproof (except for the solar panel cables). And therefore, if you want to get your outdoor USB powered security camera plugged in all the time for non-stop power, remember to pull out the USB cable during rainy days.

#2. Mind that the cable of USB security cameras should be specially designed for your USB camera model if you want to buy extensional cables. That’s to say, your mobile phone USB cable won’t work with the USB security cameras.

Note: It’s always wise to purchase directly from the manufacturer to avoid such issues. Generally, you can easily find the accessories on their product pages.

Best USB Security Cameras (Black Friday Deals Inside)

So what’s the best USB powered security cameras in both quality and budget?

Here we listed top 2 choices for indoors and outdoors, all with excellent night vision, wireless connection, free and easy navigate software, and 1080p even 1440p super HD images. Free to combine them into a USB security camera system if you want.

Outdoor & Indoor USB Wireless Security Camera: Reolink Argus® 2

Reolink Argus 2

100% Wire-Free Starlight Camera

Rechargeable Battery & Solar Powered; Outdoor/Indoor Protection; 1080 Full HD; Starlight Night Vision; 2-Way Audio; Live View Anytime Anywhere.

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This battery powered motion activated USB security camera is fully portable with NO wires at all. With waterproof USB interface for solar panel, you can plug the cable into the port and leave it outdoors forever, like the front door, garage or backyard, without worrying about when the battery will be dead.

Or you can simply remove its batteries from the back to get it charged indoors quickly in about 4 hours.

If you want a USB wireless security camera for serious home security, like catching the thieves and burglars, this well-rounded small security camera with USB would be best, with a most competitive price, NO subscriptions and NO extra fees.

Night vision Starlight night vision USB security camera Wireless connection 100% wire-free, no cable needed USB powered Weatherproof USB quick charging Software Free software on your smartphone HD definition 1080p USB security camera Storage Local storage via SD card Outdoor use IP65 weatherproof rating

Also check the 1080p video sample in the USB security camera review from Reolink users.

* Holiday Sales: Good news is that this USB security camera Reolink Argus 2 is on sale with 15% OFF (valid until Nov 27, PST).

Good news is that this USB security camera Reolink Argus 2 is on sale with 15% OFF (valid until Nov 27, PST). Shop now to save big!

What if there is no WiFi in your monitoring area? Then the outdoor USB security camera Reolink Go is a better choice, which has pretty much the same features as Reolink Argus 2 but needs NO WiFi to work.

USB Security Camera for Home Indoors: Reolink E1 Pro

Reolink E1 Pro

Wireless Pan-Tilt Smart Home Camera

Smart, Powerful and Affordable All-Round Home Protection. 355° Pan and 50° Tilt; 4MP Super HD, Two-Way Audio, 2.4/5 GHz WiFi, with Google Assistant Integration.

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Unlike the battery powered outdoor and indoor USB security cameras, gaining 1080p resolution at most, this indoor home WiFi security camera with USB port is designed with even higher 1440p resolution.

Night vision Up to 40ft IR night vision Wireless connection Dual-band WiFi signal Software Free software on your smartphone HD definition 1440p HD USB security camera

So you can freely place and remove it anywhere indoors to watch your pets, baby or babysitter as long as there is a power source nearby.

#2. Webcam USB Cameras

Most webcams are designed with a USB port to work for PC connection only, making them USB security cameras in all rounds like remote viewing, data transmission and video storage.

Webcam USB Security Cameras: Pros & Cons

As we all know, webcam USB security cameras are very much cheaper than the IP USB security cameras, even the best budget picks above couldn’t compare.

Yet, you have to bear with the following not-so-pleasant things. Check it out before you setting up the webcam USB security camera:

• You have to run your PC all the time for USB security cameras to work continuously.
• Webcam USB security cameras may only offer limited features since they are not designed for home security. For example, lower resolution, fuzzy night vision (most are without IR night vision), not weatherproof, and more complex USB security camera software settings, etc.
• With your USB security cameras recording directly to your computer hard drive, chances are that the video files will eat up your PC storage space very quickly and other problems may come along. So it is advised to schedule your security camera with USB to upload to online FTP server if possible.

Best Webcam USB Cameras

Unlike the IP USB security cameras with so many options out there, both good and bad, the webcams are relatively easy to choose with basically the same functions and price tags.

Actually, the webcam USB security camera software is more important, considering it will decide what you can actually do with your camera. For example, the iSpy provides you premium remote viewing, the Yawcam offers better motion detection and FTP upload, and the SecuritySpy supports monitoring on Mac.
Click here to learn the most widely-used free USB security camera software and set up your best webcam USB cameras.

Of course, if you want to save troubles of setting up the third party software, or want more flexible and higher level of security with remote viewing anywhere, push alerts on your phone and higher resolution, the above mentioned IP cameras will serve you better.

How to Use USB Camera as Security IP Camera

Ready to DIY a USB security camera now? Here is a step-by-step guide for you to connect your security camera to USB:

Step 1: Put your USB security camera in a place where needs video surveillance.

Step 2: Prepare a USB cable long enough and connect your USB security camera to your computer.

Step 3: Install video surveillance software for USB security cameras, such as iSpy, Yawcam and Security Spy.

Step 4: Configure the camera software and set up USB security camera motion detection, alerts, recording, PTZ, save frames/FTP, YouTube, and other scheduling.

Click here to see more detailed USB dome security camera setup procedures with screenshots and full explanation to each step.