Swann Security Camera Cost and Pricing

Swann Camera Equipment Options

2 Swann Cameras on the NVR

Every security company has its own intricacies and quirks, but we’ve noticed that in larger brands, prices are generally all over the map. Swann is one of the biggest examples of this, with hundreds of cameras to choose from, most starting at $59.99 for an individual indoor camera and going all the way up to $2,900 for a 16-camera NVR system (very popular with businesses!).

In all this variety, though, we do want to mention that when we tested Swann cameras, we couldn’t help but notice that they “felt” inexpensive. Their build quality, we found, lacked the ruggedness of some of their competitors, namely Lorex. That said, many Lorex cameras are priced higher than Swann, which is a reminder that you get what you pay for in security cameras. Lorex cameras aren’t too shabby, though; take a look at my complete Lorex camera pricing and package guide for lots more.

Swann Camera Installed

Does this mean Swann cameras don’t last as long or hold up as well as other cameras? Not at all. In our always-unpredictable weather out here in Central Ohio, we put those Swann outdoor cams through the ringer with a nasty windstorm that lasted for hours. And through it all, the cameras weren’t damaged in any way. But you can read more about that — along with our full experience living with Swann — in our hands-on review of Swann cameras. We tested their 2-camera/4-channel NVR system, called the Smart Wi-Fi Series.

Swann Packaging

This brings us to a minor gripe we have with Swann: It’s not easy to get a full handle on the scope of the brand when some products are sold directly from Swann, others are not, and still others are only available in certain countries. It’s enough to make your head spin, if we’re being honest. But… thankfully Swann sells its cameras pretty much everywhere – all the big-box retailers, brick-and-mortar stores, and online. With that kind of ubiquity, we’re glad to see that most of Swann’s cameras are quite affordable.

Swann Tracker camera and Pan & Tilt camera

Also keep in mind that many of the cameras packaged in Swann’s multi-camera systems, like the Smart Wi-Fi series, are still available for purchase individually. And, true to the ever-evolving nature of the security industry, Swann is always releasing new cameras, including a dimmable floodlight camera that looks like a bona fide steal for a mere $180. For comparison’s sake, the Ring floodlight camera I reviewed costs almost twice as much and is not dimmable. Just something to keep in mind.

Swann Camera Packages and Pricing

As we mentioned earlier, Swann is big on multi-camera packages. Most of those, we learned, contain either a DVR or NVR as the system’s hub, allowing us to cast the cameras to our TV and see it all on a big screen, like we did in our review.

Swann Cameras on our TV

Looking further into Swann’s packages, we got the impression that Swann is really embracing the advent of 4K in security cameras, especially outdoor models. Just like the latest smart TVs hitting the market,2 we’re starting to see many brands add more 4K cameras to their product lines. This is meant to supercharge the clarity of your videos, so you can see your property more clearly than ever.

But here, we have another word of warning: 4K doesn’t usually work well in Wi-Fi security cameras, simply because they rely on a very stable internet connection. Cameras with 4K video produce file sizes that can be too big for the average Wi-Fi network to handle. For that reason, we don’t recommend buying 4K cameras unless you happen to have an extremely fast Wi-Fi network, or you’re using a souped-up power and data transmission source, like Ethernet.

Instead, we would suggest looking into 1080p cameras (Swann has tons!) with an accompanying NVR. Not only will you get good-quality video 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you’ll also avoid those frustrating moments when your cameras are crashing your network and causing your home network to glitch or fail altogether.

To help you get a clearer view of Swann’s options, we picked some of the brand’s more popular devices and packages and broke them down into a handy-dandy chart.

Swann Camera Pricing

Video Storage Options for Swann

In many of Swann’s cameras, you’ll find several options to easily record, download, share, and store videos. Since so many Swann camera bundles include some type of hub to process data from multiple cameras, we’re especially glad to see just how much storage these systems give us. The 2-camera system we reviewed, at a cost of $269, included an NVR (network video recorder) with a 1 TB3 hard drive.

Swann NVR

With that setup, you might find you don’t need to spring for any extra monthly cloud storage,4 as one whole terabyte of space is pretty massive. But that setup isn’t the only way to use Swann; you can also buy cameras individually and store all of your videos in the cloud via Swann’s Secure+ plan (formerly known as Swann ExtraSafe), for a pretty low monthly fee.

However you choose to store your videos, we love having so much flexibility here, and we think you will, too.

Swann Video Storage Breakdown

A Quick Look at Swann’s Features

After spending several days getting to know Swann cameras in our home, we realized that breaking out each camera and describing each of their features and tech would end up overwhelming folks. So here, we focused just on the high-level features and tech you should know before buying. Have a look at our roundup of Swann’s features below.

Mobile Alerts	Every Swann camera has a mobile app that lets you monitor your cameras from anywhere. You’ll also receive motion-triggered mobile alerts sent to your smartphone. While this is standard nowadays, it’s important to note that not all Swann cameras correspond to the same app, which can be confusing. Check the box before downloading, and you should be fine.
Wireless DIY Equipment	Wireless cameras eliminate the need for complicated hardwiring and installation, and Swann makes numerous wireless models. This gives you lots of flexibility in positioning and power, and you can even use it with a solar charging panel to avoid having to change out or recharge batteries.
Smart Home Options	Swann systems are able to partner with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow for hands-free voice control. Depending on the equipment you have, you can even pull up your video on a smart display.
Two-Way Talk	Many Swann models are equipped with Two-Way Talk, allowing you to communicate with people remotely from your smartphone using the Swann app. For us, it allowed for some casual conversation with family members. But in other cases, it might come in handy for scaring off potential intruders.
Night Vision	Without a separate light source, it can be very difficult to see anything in your security cameras in the dark. Swann’s night vision illuminates your field of view so the cameras don’t miss important activity.
True Detect Heat Sensing Technology	Swann’s True Detect motion sensing technology allows the cameras to sense heat from both people and vehicles to trigger alerts and push notifications. This way, we had great insight into the activity the cameras were picking up, and what it meant.
Cloud Storage	Swann offers a $4.99 monthly cloud storage subscription, but many models also include SD card inputs so you can store videos locally for free. We like the flexibility of video storage that Swann offers.
12-Month Warranty	Every Swann camera comes with a 12-month warranty. Note that a 12-month warranty is fairly standard in the industry, and we wouldn’t consider purchasing a home security camera without some type of warranty protection.

Swann Deals and Discounts

We came across several discounts and special offers on Swann cameras. Here are some of our favorites:

• Swann 4 Camera 4 Channel 4K Ultra HD DVR Security System, originally $399, now available for $329.
• Save $50 when you spend $250 on Swann products through the company website using the code JUNE50.
• Swann’s refurbished Enforcer 4K Ultra HD Add-On Security Camera is listed at $42 off the MSRP.
• 10 percent off on any Swann product for first-time buyers.
• A 100-day free trial of Swann Secure+ Storage plan with coupon code 100REASONS.

Swann’s Enforcer series is one to watch, especially because it’s so customizable. The camera has an advanced lighting system that includes controllable red-and- blue flashing lights and spotlights, and it’s available as a system with a 1 TB hard drive. This way, you can start with just a couple of cameras or go all in on a whole-home kit with up to 16 cameras. You can do this with the Enforcer series and choose the highest video quality possible (4K), for a truly show-stopping picture.

Keep an eye out for these and other special promotions on Swann cameras, especially around the holidays (think Black Friday and Cyber Monday), as well as Amazon Prime Day, which happens this year on June 21-22.

But again, even if you can’t find a deal, Swann cameras are priced low enough that you shouldn’t have a problem affording one.

Swann Cameras

Final Thoughts on Swann Cameras

We have consistently recommended Swann as an effective, affordable home security option for almost everyone.

We do want to point out, though, that the majority of Swann cameras are pretty basic feature-wise; with a few exceptions, you’re not going to find cameras packed with advanced artificial intelligence features like those you’d find in Google’s stellar Nest Cams, some of which can only be accessed through Nest’s cloud subscription. (Learn more about those cameras in my full Nest Cam review here.)

But as technology evolves, Swann is slowly adding more high-tech features5 to their cameras, offering even greater selection and quality equipment that rivals Arlo’s wire-free camera systems. Of course, with all those extra bells and whistles, you’ll probably pay a little more per camera.

Swann Mouse, Camera, and NVR

That said, Swann’s focus on security camera packages and bundles can really work in your favor, too. That way, you can pay one price for everything you need to install, set up, and use Swann cameras in your home. And with an option for local storage via a micro SD card available in most models, you really only have to pay for the equipment, and that’s it.

So while we’re perfectly comfortable calling Swann cameras “affordable,” we do encourage you to choose carefully, as buying individual cameras for an entire home can add up pretty quickly. While it might take some time to narrow down your choices, we consider this more of an advantage than a hindrance. Why? Because with all that selection, you’re almost guaranteed to find something you like.

All told, for people who would rather not mess with hardwired, professionally installed systems and monthly contracts, we found Swann to be a highly effective, low-cost alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions