Business cameras work harder and withstand more than the average home security cam. They also often need to see farther, track motion better and cover a larger area of space, which means not every cam can do it. After over 200 hours of testing the top security cameras, our experts have some specific recommendations for a great security cam for businesses, starting with the Lorex 4K Dual-Lens Wi-Fi Security Camera. It’s a versatile dual-lens, 4K camera that is suitable for all kinds of commercial locations and skips subscription fees in favor of local video storage -- plus, it’s on the affordable side for heavy-duty cams like these.
Our Picks
Lorex has packed this business-friendly cam with nearly everything a commercial-oriented camera needs, starting with a dual-lens 4K design that can capture and stitch a 180-degree view. Two different spotlights provide extra illumination if the color night vision isn’t enough, and the IP66 weather resistance lets the cam be at home outdoors, too. With the wired design you’ll have to arrange for a cable connection, but there’s no need to worry about batteries, either.
Pros
- Dual-lens 180-degree view,
- 4K resolution,
- Onboard storage,
- Free object detection,
- Dual spotlights,
- Two-way audio
Cons
- No optical zoom option
Arlo has some excellent cameras, but the Ultra 2 is available in a three-cam kit that’s especially well-suited for keeping multiple eyes on different areas of the business. With integrated spotlights, 4K video and easy mounting, it’s a great DIY option for a busy owner who wants a security setup fast. The wireless cams can go anywhere but will need occasional recharging, and an Arlo subscription is highly advised to get extras like object recognition.
Pros
- 4K resolution,
- Easy wireless setup,
- Arlo
- SmartHub included,
- Integrated spotlight,
- Great voice assistant support
Cons
- Arlo Secure subscription locks some important features away
An LTE camera like this can tap into a cellular signal if there’s no Wi-Fi around (although Arlo’s cam supports Wi-Fi too when available), which makes it a great pick for a variety of work sites. The compact design can fit anywhere, but unlike many Arlo cams, this one has a built-in slot for a microSD card, so you can use local storage to hold video instead of relying on a cloud subscription. Note that the battery is rated for up to 8 months, an improvement on past cams.
Pros
- LTE connectivity,
- Compact design,
- Onboard video storage,
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- 1080p resolution is a bit lower than our other picks
Many indoor security cameras will work well to monitor important commercial spaces, but our favorite model is this very affordable Lorex pan/tilt cam. The 360-degree design is complemented by the ability to mount the cam to a wall or set it on a shelf as needed, while the 2K resolution captures plenty of detail. Other important Lorex features like person detection and free local video storage are included here as well.
Pros
- Pan/tilt mount design,
- 2K resolution,
- Free person detection,
- Free video storage,
- Two-way audio
Cons
- No object tracking
Eufy’s excellent 4K camera brings a series of features that makes it a great fit for outdoor spaces, especially remote spaces where other cams won’t work well, including warehouses, power stations and lumber yards. It’s compatible with both Wi-Fi and LTE/4G and comes with a solar panel that can help keep the battery charged when placed in a sunny spot. The camera itself is no slouch either, with both 360-degree pan/tilt action and AI tracking when it recognizes a person. While Eufy has a subscription, this cam includes onboard storage at no additional cost.
Pros
- Excellent off-grid design,
- LTE compatibility,
- Included solar panel,
- 4K resolution,
- Pan/tilt with AI tracking,
- MicroSD battery storage included
Cons
- Eufy's app is kind of clunky
For extra-large spaces that need an eye on them, especially at night, this Lorex cam is particularly well-suited with its 330-foot color night vision that specializes in seeing in low-light conditions. The dome cam is a Power over Ethernet model, which means it is connected to power and the internet via the same cable connection for a simplified setup and guaranteed connection. It supports NTSC and PAL video formats for connection to a local NVR setup (also available via Lorex) that’s ideal for security guards but also has app controls for flexible management.
Pros
- Enormous night vision support,
- PoE design,
- Pan/tilt/zoom functions,
- Can set panning pathways
Cons
- Video storage only available through NVR
Reolink has some impressive outdoor cams, but we especially like how much you can save with this camera available for around $100 while including a 4K resolution, optical zoom, human and vehicle detection, color night vision plus spotlights and two-way audio. That’s a complete package for an excellent price, made all the better with support for either a microSD card for video storage or a Reolink NVR setup. It’s also a PoE camera, so once set up you don’t have to worry much about power or internet connectivity.
Pros
- Affordable,
- 4K resolution,
- Night vision and spotlight combo,
- Two-way audio,
- Free human, car and pet detection,
- PoE design
Cons
- Small field of view
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Our list also dives deeper into what business owners should think about when buying a camera and recommendations for specific spots like construction sites, parking lots and management offices. Take a look and find the right security answer for your company.
Best security cams for business
Pros
- Dual-lens 180-degree view,
- 4K resolution,
- Onboard storage,
- Free object detection,
- Dual spotlights,
- Two-way audio
Cons
- No optical zoom option
Lorex has packed this business-friendly cam with nearly everything a commercial-oriented camera needs, starting with a dual-lens 4K design that can capture and stitch a 180-degree view. Two different spotlights provide extra illumination if the color night vision isn’t enough, and the IP66 weather resistance lets the cam be at home outdoors, too. With the wired design you’ll have to arrange for a cable connection, but there’s no need to worry about batteries, either.
Lorex’s model is subscription-free, using a microSD card slot for video storage instead. A 32-GB card is included, but you can upgrade if you feel that’s insufficient. Person, vehicle, pet and package detection algorithms live onboard the camera to make alerts more useful, too. If you’re looking for a single camera that can keep an eye on a large space, this is the place to start.
Pros
- 4K resolution,
- Easy wireless setup,
- Arlo
- SmartHub included,
- Integrated spotlight,
- Great voice assistant support
Cons
- Arlo Secure subscription locks some important features away
Arlo has some excellent cameras, but the Ultra 2 is available in a three-cam kit that’s especially well-suited for keeping multiple eyes on different areas of the business. With integrated spotlights, 4K video and easy mounting, it’s a great DIY option for a busy owner who wants a security setup fast. The wireless cams can go anywhere but will need occasional recharging, and an Arlo subscription is highly advised to get extras like object recognition.
Pros
- LTE connectivity,
- Compact design,
- Onboard video storage,
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- 1080p resolution is a bit lower than our other picks
An LTE camera like this can tap into a cellular signal if there’s no Wi-Fi around (although Arlo’s cam supports Wi-Fi too when available), which makes it a great pick for a variety of work sites. The compact design can fit anywhere, but unlike many Arlo cams, this one has a built-in slot for a microSD card, so you can use local storage to hold video instead of relying on a cloud subscription. Note that the battery is rated for up to 8 months, an improvement on past cams.
Pros
- Pan/tilt mount design,
- 2K resolution,
- Free person detection,
- Free video storage,
- Two-way audio
Cons
- No object tracking
Many indoor security cameras will work well to monitor important commercial spaces, but our favorite model is this very affordable Lorex pan/tilt cam. The 360-degree design is complemented by the ability to mount the cam to a wall or set it on a shelf as needed, while the 2K resolution captures plenty of detail. Other important Lorex features like person detection and free local video storage are included here as well.
Pros
- Excellent off-grid design,
- LTE compatibility,
- Included solar panel,
- 4K resolution,
- Pan/tilt with AI tracking,
- MicroSD battery storage included
Cons
- Eufy's app is kind of clunky
Eufy’s excellent 4K camera brings a series of features that makes it a great fit for outdoor spaces, especially remote spaces where other cams won’t work well, including warehouses, power stations and lumber yards. It’s compatible with both Wi-Fi and LTE/4G and comes with a solar panel that can help keep the battery charged when placed in a sunny spot. The camera itself is no slouch either, with both 360-degree pan/tilt action and AI tracking when it recognizes a person. While Eufy has a subscription, this cam includes onboard storage at no additional cost.
Pros
- Enormous night vision support,
- PoE design,
- Pan/tilt/zoom functions,
- Can set panning pathways
Cons
- Video storage only available through NVR
For extra-large spaces that need an eye on them, especially at night, this Lorex cam is particularly well-suited with its 330-foot color night vision that specializes in seeing in low-light conditions. The dome cam is a Power over Ethernet model, which means it is connected to power and the internet via the same cable connection for a simplified setup and guaranteed connection. It supports NTSC and PAL video formats for connection to a local NVR setup (also available via Lorex) that’s ideal for security guards but also has app controls for flexible management.
Pros
- Affordable,
- 4K resolution,
- Night vision and spotlight combo,
- Two-way audio,
- Free human, car and pet detection,
- PoE design
Cons
- Small field of view
Reolink has some impressive outdoor cams, but we especially like how much you can save with this camera available for around $100 while including a 4K resolution, optical zoom, human and vehicle detection, color night vision plus spotlights and two-way audio. That’s a complete package for an excellent price, made all the better with support for either a microSD card for video storage or a Reolink NVR setup. It’s also a PoE camera, so once set up you don’t have to worry much about power or internet connectivity.
Best security cams for businesses compared
| Best security cameras for business | Lorex 4K Dual-Lens Wi-Fi Security Camera | Arlo Ultra 2 (3-Pack) | Arlo Go 2 | Lorex 2K Pan-Tilt Indoor Wi-Fi Security Camera | Eufy 4G LTE Cam | Lorex Outdoor PTZ Network Dome Camera | Reolink 4K Smart PoE Camera |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 | $900 | $200 | $70 | $250 | $500 | $110 |
| Resolution | 4K | 4K with HDR | 1080p/HD | 2K | 4K | 4MP (2592 x 1520) | 4K |
| Light | Dual lights | Spotlights | Spotlight | N/A | Spotlight | N/A | Spotlight |
| Field of view | 180-degree dual lens | 130-degree | 130-degree | 360-degree pan/tilt | 360-degree pan/tilt with tracking | 360-degree pan/tilt/zoom | 123-degree |
| Power source | Wired | Wireless with rechargeable batteries | Wireless with rechargeable battery | Wired | Wireless with battery and solar panel | Wired | Wired |
| Motion detection | Person, vehicle, pet and package | Person, package, vehicle, animal with Arlo subscription | Person, package, vehicle, animal with Arlo subscription | Person | Person, vehicle | Person | Person, vehicle |
| Night vision | Color night vision | Color night vision | 25-foot color night vision | 32-foot night vision | 26-foot color night vision | 330-foot night vision | Color night vision |
| Video storage | Onboard with microSD card (included) | Cloud storage with subscription or local storage with hub | Cloud storage with subscription | Onboard with microSD card (included) | Onboard with microSD card (included) or cloud storage with subscription | NVR compatibility | Onboard with microSD card (not included) |
| Audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio | N/A | Two-way Audio |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, 4G LTE | PoE | PoE |
| Review score | N/A | N/A | N/A | 8.6/10 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Other cameras we tested
Blink's Mini 2 cam stays small but adds outdoor compatibility and more.
Reolink Argus PT Ultra: We like the Argus line from Reolink a lot, and this model is a potential replacement for a strong all-rounder business cam that can do well in many locations. However, it’s wireless and we preferred the wired Lorex model in the end, since many business owners don’t want the hassle of charging batteries on an out-of-reach camera.
Eufy SoloCam S340: This Eufy solar-powered camera is a good model, but we ultimately chose the LTE Eufy camera over this one, as it’s an excellent pick for more remote viewing. The S349 is still a contender for businesses interested in solar power.
Blink Mini 2: This compact cam is a great all-purpose model that doesn’t get in the way but is fully capable of watching smaller spaces like backrooms, important offices, security doors and so on. It can be mounted or placed on a shelf and with the right cable can even be positioned outside. It’s also extremely affordable, although somewhat outclassed by the durability and powerful lenses of our final picks.
EufyCam S330 4-Pack: We ultimately chose Arlo’s camera pack over this Eufy kit, but if you don’t like subscription fees and don’t mind paying $1,000 for a full camera set, this EufyCam selection is still an easy recommendation.
Factors to consider when buying a security camera for business
Today's latest security devices have many advantages that old systems can't provide.
Resolution
A higher resolution makes it easy to see important details like what people are carrying or their faces, which is usually a priority for businesses. Our cam picks are generally in the 2K to 4K range, the highest available for the most detail.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi is cheap, but what if there’s no router nearby for a signal? What if the Wi-Fi unexpectedly shuts down or doesn’t work overnight because of how the building is set up? We made sure to offer PoE and cellular options too, so you can guarantee connectivity if you need to.
Zooming
When commercial cams watch over big areas, both optical and digital zooming can be very valuable. Most of our picks include it, and it’s a good idea to give it some priority when choosing a camera.
Video storage
Live video isn’t much use in a business camera unless it’s constantly monitored by a guard or owner. Automatic video storage is much more convenient, but you often have to pay for cloud storage. Local storage with a card or hub is more affordable and allows for greater direct control.
Wireless vs. wired
If there’s no easy way to connect a cable or install a junction box where you need a camera, it’s probably best to go wireless. Additions like solar panels can help keep batteries charged if you’re worried about maintenance.
Sets vs. a solo cam
Do you need one camera in a central location to monitor a larger space or a single room? Or does your property have multiple access points and key areas that need to be watched? If you need multiple cameras, it’s better to buy a kit or a camera that you can easily expand with a hub.
AI detection and object recognition
AI detection saves a lot of hassle by only sending alerts if a person is recognized. They can also organize alerts based on objects like vehicles or packages, depending on the system you get. It’s a valuable part of any modern security system.
Audio
Do you want two-way audio or at least the ability to listen through a camera? Most of our picks have this feature. However, be warned that outdoor cams in high-up places may make audio difficult to hear.
FAQs
Can you write off a business security camera as a deduction?
Yes. For almost any security technology, including cameras, sensors and hubs, you can write off the expensive as a business deduction to save money on taxes when you file. This does not eliminate the total cost of the purchase, but it does represent a significant discount. If you have a home office, the deduction only applies to cameras used for the home office itself.
Can I control a business security camera with my phone?
Yes. Most modern security cameras have app-based controls. However, there are still many models that support DVR or NVR setups.
Is it legal to record employees at work?
Employers can usually record video of employees at work in common areas where they don’t have much expectation of privacy, like an open office, factory floor or shipment receiving room. However, state laws can vary a little (some states protect lunch rooms for monitoring, for example) and some employees may push back against the idea of workplace monitoring. It’s a good idea to avoid hidden cameras and make sure employees know about the surveillance.
Do business security cameras require security guards?
It’s not necessary if someone else like the owner is willing to handle security alerts and maintenance, which is why cameras like these can be a great pick for smaller businesses. However, if your company or location does have security guards, you may want to talk to them about your security cameras and if they need access or want to integrate them with other monitoring systems.
How long can I store video footage from a business security camera?
If you’re using local storage, you’re in charge of the footage and can keep it for as long as you want. Cloud storage rules can vary: You usually have a few days to a few months to view cloud footage and decide if you want to download or share it before it’s automatically erased.
