The light bulb camera is a brilliant idea. A camera built in to a working light bulb! Wow! This makes these clever cameras very discreet for monitoring activity in your home. The problem is that many of the light bulb security cameras you will come across online are poorly designed and unreliable. With today’s technology, the list of features available with these camera light bulbs can be impressive and alluring. Of course, the idea of simply screwing a light bulb into a socket and have a covert hidden camera to monitor your home sounds so easy, and it is. But while the idea is great, the execution of these cameras falls way short. With such a great idea, I wonder why we haven’t seen more better quality entries into this security camera niche.
The idea is that a light bulb camera not only provides discreet monitoring, but also flexibility. Wherever you can screw in a light bulb, you could also potentially have a covert camera. That could be in the living room or the porch. Because no mounting is required, it makes for really easy installation. It doesn’t get any simpler! These devices communicate over the WiFi and so are easy to install wherever there is a light and adequate WiFi signal from your network. For the business owner they could also make for a great covert camera to monitor sensitive areas or suspicious activities. They could also be used for more than security- as an alternative to a baby cam perhaps.
Just like any great invention, the number of those manufacturing and marketing these devices has grown enormously in recent years. The problem I see is that those manufacturing these cameras have done a poor job. The design elements are great. And innovative ideas are cool too. But the build and performance are typically lacking. However, there are a couple light bulb security cameras that are a cu above the rest. So what is the best light bulb security camera? Is there such a thing as the best light bulb camera? This article scours the available light bulb cameras on the market and examines if they are worth it, and which might be best by comparing various categories.
- Image Quality
- Field of view
- Video Storage Options
- Night Vision
- Two-way audio
- Mobile Apps
- Communication
- Warranty
- Cost-Effectiveness
Image Quality
Image resolution (or quality) is a vital consideration when investing in security cameras. Why? Imagine someone arriving at your front. If you can see them through your camera but can’t make out who they are and see their features clear enough, then really your camera isn’t helpful. If that person turns out to be an unwanted guest, then how can the poor footage you’ve captured help the authorities identify the individual? That’s why camera image quality, also known as resolution should be a major consideration.
That is why it’s important to invest in a high-definition security camera, typically one with 1080 p resolution and the very least 960p. Only those with at least this have been included below. A 1080p camera will deliver clear video with good definition.
Frame Rate
Another very important consideration is the frame rate of the camera. The higher the number of images that a camera strings together in a second (the frames per second), the better the video will appear. The human eye cannot really notice the difference between 20fps and above. The standard video these days will have 30 fps, and that is what I would recommend for all security cameras these days. The technology is everywhere and the costs of high quality video cameras has come way down, so cost is not an issue for higher fps cameras.
Video Storage Options
Another important consideration is video storage. It’s all well and good watching your cameras, but you want to have your cameras record events that you can search later on. And, in the case of a security incident, provide that footage to the police. So, storage is important. Most light bulb cameras will record to a removable SD card. These SD cards will typically have to be purchased separately. You should look for cameras that support can support cards up to 128GB. The larger the capacity of the SD card, the more high definition video footage you will be able to store. The exact amount of footage will depend on the camera, but 128GB is plenty of space. Once full, most cameras will begin to cycle back and write over older footage.
Another option is to store your video recording in the cloud. Some of the cameras listed below provide this option. This will mean that the video is transmitted across your network on internet, where it is stored on remote servers. The camera manufacturer’s app will then allow you to access and search recorded videos. Some companies charge extra for cloud storage though a subscription.
Field of View
The field of view describes the width of what the camera will display. A wider field of view means that the camera will capture a wider angle. For a light bulb camera that is usually hung in a ceiling fixture, a 360-degree view can provide coverage all the way round. This is kind of like a panoramic view (sometimes referred to as 360-degree fisheye lens), and is the most common field of view found in light bulb cameras. That means an entire room like a living room or office can be viewable all at once. Some cameras can be angled to point in certain directions. Some even have pan and tilt options where you can control the angle the camera points using the camera’s smartphone app.
Night Vision
In my opinion night vision should be a requirement in any security camera these days. It gives you way more possible applications. If your camera is outside and you don’t want to leave lights on, the camera will still pick up movement, and can show surprising details depending on the IR (Infrared light) emitted.
The motion sensor feature on the Senglen is a great example.What good is that feature if you don’t get any light at night? If you want to get the best outdoor coverage, make sure your camera can capture clear images at night.
The same applies indoors too. While your home may well be have better illumination inside, it’s unlikely that you’ll have lights on constantly in all areas. And, if using a light bulb camera in a baby’s room as a baby cam, you’ll not want to leave glaring lights on to distract your precious little one’s sleep!
Two-way Audio
Maany DIY security cameras these days will feature audio where you can listen to the activity where the camera is located. But increasingly, two-audio has become a feature. This is where you can communicate across the camera. The person viewing can activate a microphone and speak to the person on the camera. This has some great uses. For example, when you’re not able to get to the front door, and you need to speak to someone dropping a package. Or, perahps, you see someone doing something nefarious and need to scare them off. Or, maybe, you’re in bed and hear your baby crying. Hop on your mobile device and send some comforting words to your baby without having to get out of bed!
Mobile Apps
One of the best aspects about these cameras is their ease of use.You just need to download the compatible app on your smartphone, tablet or computer. This acts like a remote control. It allows you to remotely view your home, and you can control it from anywhere using your iOS or android devices.
The features of the mobile apps will vary by camera. Most will have the basic features but some will have more advanced additional features such as turning the ligh bulb on or off, activating video recording directly, taking still pictures, enabling two-way audio or even adjusting the sensitivity of the motion detection feature. And of course, the app will allow live streaming so you can see what’s going on in real-time (often with a slight time delay of a few seconds).
When motion has been detected by your camera, the app will notify you on your device. And since you can configure the app to record video when motion is detected you can hop on and immediately review what the event is, and respond if necessary.
I think it is worth mentioning that, just because you buy a security camera that has a mobile app, that doesn’t mean the mobile app is secure. Mobile apps can be used for nefarious acts such as monitoring your activity and placing annoying ads, etc. And that can apply to security-based apps too (and perhaps even more so). Please only install mobile apps from trusted third parties. Do your own research on those manufacturing these light bulb cameras.
Communication
Light bulb cameras will communicate with you and your device via WiFi. In the majority of cases, they will communicate using the 2.4GHz channel. It also then means that in order for you to receive notifications or connect to your camera, the internet must be on. 5Ghz is a lot faster channel for WiFi communication, but most light bulb cameras use the 2,4GHz channel because it is better at passing through obstructions, like walls. And of course, this is important with a device that could be installed indoors, outdoors, on a driveway, or have to send signal through concrete walls. However, this can be a real source of confusion for shoppers when they cannot connect their 2.4GHz camera to their 5GHz router, so please be cautious and know what you are purchasing and what your WiFi supports.
Support & Warranty
In most of the models you will come across, build quality and reliability can be a real issue. Most are manufactured in China. The level of support can be very limited and many of the instructions are not well written or have poor English. Of course, as you’ll see, the price on most of the light bulb cameras you’ll find will give you a clue as to the quality and level of support offered.
These products have a variety of warranty information. Some products don’t offer any warranty information at all. Some cameras, such as the HeyLR Light Bulb Camera, have a lifetime warranty. It’s important to understand what is covered and what is not. A warranty is useless if you are unable to get in touch.These products usually offer a contact method to the manufacturer, often via email. There are many technical issues that could go wrong with products such as these. Sometimes it is not about the product breaking or malfunctioning, but rather a problem with the WiFi router or other technical glitches. These cameras may include customer support for these problems.
Cost-Effectiveness
OK, so as you research these devices, you’ll see the prices can be very affordable. One thing I have come to realise in the world of security- you often get what you pay for. Now, while these devices can be cheap, and if you have lower expectations because of that, you may actually end up being pleasantly surprised at what you get for the money. But please be prepared to possibly encounter build quality, performance and connectivity issues on the lower end offerings.
Ratings Process
The short list of cameras below have been filtered down from a large number of available light bulb cameras. The categories above were used to determine the best cameras by examining the manufacturer’s sites, user reviews, and instructional videos. The features compared include the image quality and resolution, the frame rate (frames per second), the field of view with preference for the wider angles, storage capacity and audio options.
Recommended Light Bulb Security Camera
Sengled Floodlight Camera
This camera is the most expensive out of those reviewed. In fact, while many options out there range between $25-$50, the Sengled Light Bulb Camera is $149. But again, you usually get what you pay for. Sengled is a bulb manufacturer specialising in smart light bulb technology and automation. And they have used their expertise to good effect in this device, and that differentiates it’s performance and quality from the others that follow. This light bulb camera doesn’t look like a traditional light bulb and is a PAR38 type base, with powerful LED floodlight and since it is IP65 rated it makes it the best outdoor light bulb camera too. Here are some of the standout features:
- Waterproof
- 1080p HD resolution.
- 140 degree field of view
- Motion-activated alerts
- Mfotion activated and dimmable floodlights
- Infrared color night vision
- Floodlight day-night mode (off when daylight)
- Two-way audio
- Alexa compatible
- Optional subscription for:
- 24-hour cloud storage
- person detection
- motion zones
- 30 days storage
Affordable Light Bulb Cameras
The following items are are on the better end of the more affordable light bulb cameras out there. I personally would instead pay the extra and go for a more conventional security camera with a more established reputation- you can find some good options that for the price perform surprisingly well. But, some customers have had great experiences with the devices listed below. One of the keys is to appreciate their limitations. Understand for example that if a light bulb camera is not rated for outdoor use, then there is no guarantee that it will last if it is exposed to moisture. Mounting under a porch roof will provide some protection of course, but not completely.
Also realise that some features that are promoted might not work as well as you expect. For example, night vision quality may be limited compared to other conventional branded security cameras and cloud storage options and features will probably not compare to those offered by Arlo or SimpliSafe for example. Features such as Auto-tracking are unreliable at these price points too. But, my good friend swears by his $25 doorbell camera, and I have to admit, for what he uses it for, it’s been a decent bang for the buck. So, you can sometimes find great deals for some useful tech that meets your needs and satisfies your budget!
Basic Light Bulb Option: Taber Wireless Light Bulb Camera
This is a really affordable light bulb camera that looks like a regular light bulb, albeit a bit larger, and so blends in. It’s amazing to think what’s packed into these devices for this kind of price. The images come in at 1080p HD (or 960p or 720p if you want to save storage space), and it includes two-way audio. It’s basic and the price reflects some of the drawbacks in performance and setup issues. But at this kind of price, I’m sure some will forgive any shortcomings.
Pros
- It’s very affordable
- 360-degree viewing
- 1080p HD resolution
Cons
- Very poor manual / instructions
- No manual way to turn light on/off in app
- App has some bugs
- Setup not straightforward
Pan Tilt Option: Eversecu 2K 3.0MP Wireless PTZ Security Camera
OK, so this model is a departure from what a light bulb looks like but screws in with the convenience of a light bulb. The difference with this model is it’s pan tilt zoom feature (PTZ). It offers 355˚ pan, 110˚ tilt, and 4x digital zoom. It’s designed for indoors, but many customers have had success using it outdoors when covered.
Pros
- PTZ is an interesting feature
- Infrared night vision is good
- Decent video quality
- Can connect to E26 or E27 light sockets
- Local SD card OR paid cloud storage available
Cons
- The zoom doesn’t provide great details
- Tracking and audio alarm not reliable
- Extra delay in live stream when recording
- The light cannot be manually turned on/off from the app, only automated based on movement
- Light itself isn’t as bright as it could be
Smart Features Option: Amaryllo Zeus
This camera does not look like a light bulb although it screws in like one. It comes with some more innovative smart features that some people might like to test out. These include people, vehicle and pet detection. It even claims it can detect fire based on images, although I suspect it would eb too late by the time the camera is able to compute a fire of the required magnitude! Amaryllo offers other camera models too, but this is the only one that plugs into a light fixture. The general consensus is that it is OK. It offers 360 viewing, auto-tracking, but over time these aren’t always reliable.
Pros
- Some innovative smart technology to detect people, pets, vehicles
- 360 viewing
- 1080p HD resolution
- Two-way audio
Cons
- Not for outdoor use
- App is a bit buggy
- Auto-tracking not consistent
- Difficult to set up
Interesting Ambient Option: Zmodo Torch
Compared to some of the other models listed here, this model is produced by a company that also offers a whole suite of other cameras. Zmodo has been around for a number of years now catering to the more affordable end of the market. However, they have claimed a sizable fan-base and their cameras are decent. This camera has some mixed reviews, but overall provides an interesting mix of features including pan feature, some good optics and interesting mood lighting options to add some different colour to your home or outdoor environment. Zmodo promote this as an outdoor camera, but only if covered and it appears it has not weatherproof rating.
Pros
- Interesting lighting options
- Could be used outdoors if covered
- Pan options for tracking
- 360 angles
- Zmodo is established affordable security camera manufacturer
Cons
- Night vision is poor
- Build quality is lacking
- Not truly weatherproof
- Only 720p resolution
- 25 fps
Simple & Popular Option: BESDERSEC 360-degree Panoramic Light Bulb Camera
This hidden outdoor and indoor light bulb camera is affordable and offers a 360-degree coverage that leaves no blind spots. The design makes it discreet. When triggered, a motion sensor begins recording and notifications are sent to your smartphone to let you view the footage immediately. The app is not bad- use it to turn off the light and activate the two-way communication. This camera can be used to cycle record using a micro SD card. You can also use the card up to 128GB for saving your videos. Pretty decent images images are captured by the 1080p HD camera during daylight hours. Night vision is available, but not great.
Pros
- For the money, it’s a fairly decent rated camera
- 360 degree viewing
- 1080p resolution
- Pretty discreet as a bulb
Cons
- Limited audio quality
- Poor night vision
- Poorly written instructions
- Some difficulties connecting to WiFi
The Final Score
Light bulb security cameras are a great idea. They can be a very discreet way to monitor activity around your home. However, no manufacturer has really executed well on this idea yet, even though the technology exists. Maybe these are still more of a fad item at the moment and that’s why most that you’ll come across are cheaply produced imports. So, are current light bulb security cameras worth it? The Sengled Par38 floodlight camera stands out amongst the crowd. Others are lacking in several areas, especially build quality and reliability, but still could be a suitable buy because of the price point. Just make sure your expectations are adjusted accordingly.
I personally would opt for a more reliable, conventional wireless security camera. There are many solid ones out there that are good value and which can be creatively disguised, yet provide excellent quality in both performance and build. My suggestion is to take a look at those instead. But if you want to give light bulb cameras a go, then take a look at the ones listed above. Although the light bulb cameras lack in many areas, generally they do provide a relatively decent, clear picture quality.