Do Home Security Cameras Record All the Time? Let’s Clear It Up

Wondering, “Do home security cameras record all the time?” The quick answer is not usually. While older CCTV systems ran 24/7, today’s cameras are smarter. Most switch on only when they sense motion, though continuous recording is still an option. This article walks through the different recording modes of home security cameras and help you decide which setup makes the most sense for your home.

Do Home Security Cameras Record All the Time?

If you’re new to security cameras, it’s easy to assume they all record nonstop. In reality, most consumer models save footage only when there’s motion or another trigger. That said, some systems do support full 24/7 continuous recording if you set them up for it.

Here’s a breakdown of the available recording modes:

1. Continuous (24/7) Recording

Home security cameras that record 24/7 are designed to never stop. They write video every second of the day, whether something is happening or not. The payoff is a complete, gap-free timeline. The trade-off is that you need steady power, plenty of storage, and reliable network capacity to keep it going.

Several wired camera setups offer this continuous video recording (CVR) mode:

Analog CCTV

Traditionally, 24/7 recording was the territory of analog CCTV systems. Multiple cameras sent video over coaxial cables to a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), which wrote continuously to large hard drives.

PoE NVR setup

The modern version is PoE (Power over Ethernet) IP cameras. These use a single Ethernet cable for both power and data, sending digital video to an NVR (Network Video Recorder) that can store weeks or months of footage. Because the cameras don’t rely on batteries, they can run around the clock without interruption.

Plug-in Wi-Fi cameras

There are also plug-in Wi-Fi cameras, especially common indoors, that draw power from a wall outlet. Many of these offer continuous video recording as an option, but you usually need either a large local card/drive or a cloud plan that supports nonstop capture.

Floodlight cameras

Outdoors, floodlight cameras work in a similar way. They’re hardwired into your home’s power where your existing floodlight used to be, then stream video over Wi-Fi. Some of these can also support 24/7 recording.

• Pros:Complete timeline; no gaps between events; easier to reconstruct long incidents.
• Cons:Higher storage and bandwidth needs; requires wired power, not practical for battery cameras; overkill for quiet areas.

2. Motion-Activated Recording

Motion-activated recording is the most common setup for home users and battery-powered outdoor security cameras. Instead of running all the time, the camera waits until it senses activity, then starts saving video.

“Motion” can mean several things:

• Pixel change (video motion detection):The software looks for changes between frames in defined areas.
• PIR sensors (heat-based):A passive infrared sensor looks for human or animal heat movement.
• Smart analytics (AI object detection):Modern models now use AI to identify people, vehicles, packages, or pets.

Home security cameras that record on demand only save clips when triggered by these “motions.” You can fine-tune how this works by setting activity zones (e.g., watch the porch but ignore the street), adjusting sensitivity, or filtering only for people.

• Pros:Saves storage and battery; faster to review because you see only the “interesting” moments.
• Cons:May miss footage or context if motion fails, starts late, or is very brief; needs careful tuning to avoid false alerts.

3. Buffered “Pre-Roll” + Event Recording

This is a variation of motion-based recording designed to give you a little more context. Cameras keep a small rolling buffer, often three to five seconds, in memory. When motion is detected, the saved clip pulls in those earlier seconds too.

That way, you don’t just see the person halfway through walking across the frame; you also see them approaching.

• Pros:More useful than plain motion clips because you catch the lead-up to events without running a camera 24/7.
• Cons:Buffers are short, so you still don’t get the full story. If continuous history matters, this isn’t a replacement for CVR.

4. Scheduled Recording (Time-Based)

Scheduled recording lets you pick certain times of day or days of the week when recording happens automatically. You can set it up easily through the camera app’s settings or the web interface.

You might set cameras to record continuously overnight, then switch to motion-only during the day, or run them only during work hours when no one’s home.

• Pros:Flexible and efficient. Helps balance storage use and ensures coverage when you need it most.
• Cons:If something unexpected happens outside the schedule, it may not be captured unless motion triggers are also active.

What Affects Whether a Camera Records All the Time?

As you can see, whether a home security camera records continuously comes down to a few basics:

• Power source:Battery-powered cameras almost always rely on motion events to save power, while wired or plug-in models can handle 24/7 recording.
• Storage capacity:Continuous video creates huge files. Systems with DVRs, NVRs, or large local drives are built for it. Smaller cloud plans or SD cards may not be.
• Network strength:Uploading nonstop footage takes steady, high-bandwidth internet. Weak or capped connections can limit continuous recording.
• Settings and subscriptions:Many cameras default to motion-based clips, but you can enable 24/7 recording if the hardware supports it and your cloud plan allows.

How to Decide Which Recording Mode Is Right for You

Now that you understand the different modes, the next question is: do you actually need home security cameras with continuous recording? The answer depends on your needs, lifestyle, and comfort level with storage and costs.

Match to Everyday Activity

• Front porch or driveway:These spots see frequent comings and goings: deliveries, visitors, neighbors walking by. Continuous recording gives you the full picture, but motion-based clips usually capture what matters while saving you hours of review.
• Back yard, side gate, or garage:These areas tend to be quieter. Motion-activated recording is usually enough, and it won’t fill your storage with long stretches of nothing.
• Inside the home:Plug-in indoor cameras can run 24/7, but most people prefer motion-based clips for privacy and convenience. Scheduled recording can also be handy: continuous overnight while you sleep, then motion-only during the day.

Consider Storage and Bandwidth

Even if your camera can record nonstop, the extra data has to live somewhere. Continuous video fills hard drives quickly and uses far more internet bandwidth if you’re uploading to the cloud.

For most homes, that means higher costs or shorter retention periods. Motion-based or scheduled recording is lighter and easier to manage, making it the practical choice for most homeowners.

Many homeowners end up using a mix: continuous in the busiest, most vulnerable spots, motion-based in quieter or more private areas.

Do eufy Cameras Record All the Time?

Not all of them. Most of eufy’s wire-free outdoor models are designed to save power, so they record only when motion or another trigger is detected.

A good example is the eufy SoloCam S340, a solar + battery-powered PTZ outdoor camera designed for wide coverage and crisp detail. It pairs a 3K wide-angle lens with a 2K telephoto, letting you see the big picture and zoom in without losing clarity.

With 360° pan and 70° tilt, it can follow action across your yard while built-in AI filters out routine motion. Thanks to its solar panel and weatherproofing, it runs reliably on motion-based recording without the hassle of wiring.

For homeowners who do want continuous video when needed, eufy also offers reliable cameras and systems that can record around the clock, as well as on schedule. Here are three strong picks that give you the choice to go beyond motion-only.

Best Flexible Outdoor Cam: eufyCam S4

The eufyCam S4 takes a hybrid approach. It’s a triple-lens outdoor camera that blends a wide, 4K bullet view with two 2K lenses in the lower PTZ tracking unit. This means it can both keep the context and automatically follow and lock onto motion as activity moves across your yard.

Running on battery with a large solar panel, it works like most modern home cameras, efficient, motion-based, and easy to review. But once you wire it into power with the adapter, it unlocks continuous 24/7 recording, giving you the option of a full timeline.

Expandable local storage is supported through microSD or the HomeBase S380, so you’re not tied to monthly fees. This flexibility makes it easy to adapt the camera to your security needs.

Best for: Homeowners who want the freedom to switch between motion-based and full-time recording, depending on the situation.

What’s good:

• Hybrid triple-lens design with 4K detail and 360° motion tracking
• Motion or 24/7 continuous recording, depending on power setup
• Expandable local storage options via microSD or HomeBase S380

Best PoE NVR Setup: eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max

For full-time coverage without compromise, the eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max is the way to go. Each camera connects with a single Ethernet cable that delivers both power and data, sending video to the included NVR. A 2TB hard drive comes pre-installed, and you can expand up to 16TB for long-term retention.

The kit’s triple-lens 16 MP Bullet-PTZ camera S4 offers 360° rotation, 8× hybrid zoom, and AI-powered recognition of people, vehicles, and pets. Because everything is wired, you get steady power, stable video, and true continuous 24/7 recording.

Best for: Families who want whole-property coverage with continuous video and reliable long-term storage.

What’s good:

• PoE setup with 24/7 recording and expandable storage (2TB included, up to 16TB)
• Triple-lens Bullet-PTZ PoE camera with 360° view and 8× hybrid zoom
• AI tracking and smart footage search tools for people, vehicles, and pets

Best Floodlight: eufy Floodlight Camera E340

The eufy Floodlight Camera E340 combines security lighting with continuous recording. Its dual cameras (3K and 2K) cover 360°, and built-in AI helps track a person as they move across your yard.

Because it’s hardwired, you can record nonstop by adding a microSD card (up to 128GB) or linking it to HomeBase S380 for larger local storage. The twin light panels can shine up to 2,000 lumens, bright enough to deter visitors and capture full-color video at night.

With Wi-Fi 6 support, streaming is smooth even when the network is busy. For many homeowners, it’s the simplest way to get “always-on” video with the bonus of powerful floodlights.

Best for: Driveways, patios, or backyards where you want both lighting and full-time video in one device.

What’s good:

• Continuous recording with local storage or HomeBase S380
• Dual-cam design with 360° coverage and AI tracking
• Bright floodlights (up to 2,000 lumens) with Wi-Fi 6 support