Security Camera Electricity Usage: How Much Power and What It Costs

One security camera drawing a few watts is unlikely to make much difference to your electricity bill. A larger setup is different: several cameras, an NVR, a hard drive and PoE equipment may all run around the clock, so the total matters more than any single device.

Security camera electricity usage is easy to estimate once you know the approximate wattage and your electricity unit rate. This guide explains the typical range, shows how different camera types use power, works through current UK running costs and helps you decide where energy-saving changes are actually worth making.

How Much Electricity Do Security Cameras Use?

Most home security cameras use relatively little electricity. As a rough guide, around 2–15W per camera is a useful starting range for many home setups, with simpler cameras towards the lower end and models with motors, stronger night lighting or other active hardware potentially using more.

To put that into real terms, take a camera that averages 5W and stays powered 24 hours a day:

• Daily electricity use: 0.12kWh
• Annual electricity use: 43.8kWh
• Annual cost: about £11.44

That cost uses Ofgem’s current average electricity rate of 26.11p/kWh for Direct Debit customers on standard variable tariffs in England, Scotland and Wales from 1 July to 30 September 2026. Your own tariff may be different.

Key Electrical Terms Explained

You only need three terms to make sense of camera running costs:

• Watt (W): how much power the camera or video recorder is drawing at a particular moment.
• Kilowatt-hour (kWh): the amount of energy used over time. A 5W camera running for 24 hours uses 0.12kWh.
• Unit rate: what your electricity supplier charges for each kWh you use.

For 1 July to 30 September 2026, Ofgem lists an average electricity unit rate of 26.11p/kWh for a standard variable tariff paid by Direct Debit across England, Scotland and Wales. Your own rate may differ by region, tariff and payment method, so use the unit rate on your bill when you want the most accurate result.

Average Power Consumption by Camera Type

When you ask, how much power does a security camera use, the answer varies quite a bit by camera type. A basic plug-in camera may only add a few watts to your home’s electricity use, while cameras with motors, floodlights or a full PoE recording system can consume more.

Plug-in Wi-Fi Cameras

Plug-in Wi-Fi cameras usually draw around 2–10W. Most fixed indoor security cameras sit towards the lower end of the power range, while models with higher-resolution imaging or stronger night vision may require slightly more power.

Because they remain connected to mains electricity while operating, they create a small but continuous load. However, even when running 24/7, a single indoor Wi-Fi camera typically has only a minor impact on your electricity bill.

Motorised and Floodlight Cameras

Cameras with moving parts or built-in lighting generally use more electricity because they are powering additional hardware.

A PTZ camera needs energy for pan, tilt and zoom motors, while floodlight cameras add powerful visible lighting on top of normal camera operation. These extra features can make a noticeable difference compared with a simple fixed camera.

For example, the eufy Floodlight Camera E340 is a hardwired model rated at about 33W. It combines dual cameras with pan-and-tilt movement and two adjustable floodlights producing up to 2,000 lumens.

However, the rated power does not always represent everyday usage. A floodlight camera may use more electricity when lights, tracking or other active features are running, and less when those features are idle.

PoE Cameras and NVR Systems

PoE systems need a different way of thinking because the recorder, cameras and network hardware all contribute to electricity use.

A typical PoE camera may use around 5–15W, but the total system cost depends on:

• how many cameras are connected;
• whether cameras use IR, spotlights or other active features;
• the NVR and hard drive;
• any PoE switch or additional networking equipment.

The eufy NVR Security System S4 Max, for example, includes one NVR S4, a pre-installed 2TB HDD and four PoE cameras. Its power supply can provide up to 120W of total output capacity, giving the system enough power for the recorder and connected cameras when required.

Battery and Solar Cameras

Battery and solar cameras use little to no household mains electricity during normal operation, so they are usually the least important category if you are mainly concerned about your electricity bill.

The camera runs from its rechargeable battery, while a solar panel replenishes some or all of the energy used between recording events. You may still need occasional mains charging during long periods of poor sunlight or unusually heavy activity, but there is no continuous wall-socket load in normal solar-supported use.

What Factors Affect Security Camera Power Consumption?

The biggest changes on how much power security cameras use usually come from extra hardware being active and from how the system is powered. These are the factors worth paying attention to.

Night Vision and Security Lighting

Infrared LEDs, visible spotlights, and floodlights all require extra power when they are active. A camera covering a dark garden may therefore draw more at night than during the day, while a floodlight camera can add a much larger temporary lighting load.

Fixed vs motorised cameras

A fixed camera normally has fewer moving parts drawing power. Pan-and-tilt cameras add motors, and larger outdoor models may also include fans, heaters or wipers.

That does not mean PTZ is inefficient by definition: if one movable camera genuinely covers an area that would otherwise need several fixed views, the total system can still make sense.

Continuous vs Event Recording

Recording mode can have a noticeable impact.

A battery camera using event-based recording can stay in a lower-power state between activity, while continuous recording keeps the camera active for longer periods and usually requires a constant power source. This is why 24/7 recording is more commonly found on plug-in, wired or PoE systems.

For example, the eufyCam S4 supports both approaches: normal battery and solar-supported use is designed around event recording, while 24/7 continuous recording requires direct power.

Resolution, Frame Rate and Processing

Higher resolution and frame rate can increase processing, encoding and network workload, but do not assume a 4K camera automatically uses twice the electricity of a 1080p model. Hardware design, illumination, wireless radios and mechanical features can have just as much influence.

The Rest of the System

For several wired cameras, supporting hardware can become a meaningful part of the total. Include the NVR or DVR, hard drive, PoE switch and any networking equipment that is dedicated to the security system. This is why measuring a complete wired setup at the wall often gives a more useful answer than adding camera specifications one by one.

How to Calculate Your Security Camera System’s Electricity Usage

The maths is simple once you have a realistic wattage figure:

• Daily energy (kWh) = watts × hours used ÷ 1,000
• Running cost = kWh × your electricity unit rate

For example, if a camera averages 5W and runs 24 hours a day:

1. 5W × 24 hours = 120Wh per day
2. 120Wh ÷ 1,000 = 0.12kWh per day
3. At 26.11p/kWh, that is about 3.1p per day, £0.95 per month or £11.44 per year.

The important part is choosing the right wattage. A 5V/2A or 5V/3A adapter rating is not the same as constant consumption; it tells you how much power the supply can provide.

Use a published typical-consumption figure where available, or measure the device at the wall for a more accurate real-world estimate.

How Much Does It Cost to Run Security Cameras in the UK?

So, do security cameras use a lot of electricity? For most homes, the electricity cost of security cameras is relatively small, but the total rises with the size and type of the system.

Using 26.11p/kWh as the current illustrative Great Britain price-cap rate and assuming a load runs continuously (24/7), the following examples show the scale:

These are illustrative running costs based on continuous operation. Actual costs will vary depending on the camera model, recording settings, lighting usage, number of connected devices and your electricity tariff.

Recommended eufy Security Cameras for Flexible Power and Recording

If electricity use is part of your buying decision, start with the power setup rather than chasing the lowest possible wattage.

Solar makes sense when you want flexible outdoor placement, direct power is better for 24/7 recording, and a plug-in indoor camera can still be inexpensive to run while giving you continuous availability.

These three eufy options cover those different needs.

eufyCam S4 - Flexible Solar or Direct-Power Outdoor Monitoring

For a driveway, front garden or entrance where you want flexible installation now but may want continuous recording later, the eufyCam S4 gives you both options.

Its rechargeable 10,000mAh battery is supported by a detachable 5.5W SolarPlus 2.0 panel, so normal event-based monitoring can run without frequent charging when the panel receives enough sunlight. If 24/7 recording becomes more important, Wired Mode uses a 5V/3A supply instead.

The camera also combines a 4K fixed overview with dual 2K PTZ lenses, so one outdoor position can keep the wider area visible while following movement more closely.

Best for: Homeowners who want wide outdoor coverage with solar-supported daily use and the option of direct power for 24/7 recording.

Key features:

• Flexible power: The detachable 5.5W solar panel supports battery operation, while Wired Mode provides a direct-power route for continuous recording.
• Triple-lens coverage: A 4K fixed view works with dual 2K PTZ lenses to cover a wider scene and closer tracked details from up to 50 metres away.
• Tracking and detection: Bullet-to-PTZ Tracking follows detected movement, supported by radar and PIR sensing.
• Local storage: 32GB built-in eMMC can be expanded with a microSD card up to 256GB for standalone recording.
• Outdoor-ready design: IP65 weather resistance suits exposed driveways, gardens and entrances.

SoloCam S340 - Solar-First Monitoring Without a Mains Cable

If your priority is to avoid running a power cable to a gate, garage wall or side passage, the SoloCam S340 is the simpler solar-first option.

Its rechargeable battery is paired with an adjustable, removable 2.2W solar panel, so the camera can operate wire-free when the location gets sufficient light. Dual 3K and 2K cameras, 355° horizontal pan and 70° tilt give you flexible coverage from one mounting point, while 8GB of built-in eMMC keeps event footage local.

Best for: Homeowners who want cable-free outdoor security cameras and minimal dependence on household mains power around gardens, gates or side paths.

Key features:

• Solar-supported battery: The 2.2W removable panel reduces the need for routine mains charging when sunlight is sufficient.
• Dual-camera detail: 3K and 2K lenses with 8× hybrid zoom give you an overview and a closer look from one unit.
• Flexible coverage: 355° pan and 70° tilt help cover approaches that would be awkward for a fixed camera.
• Local event storage: 8GB built-in eMMC stores recordings without requiring a monthly storage plan for basic use.
• Smart detection: On-device human and vehicle detection helps focus alerts on more relevant outdoor activity.

Indoor Cam S350 - Plug-in Monitoring with Flexible Recording

For indoor monitoring, continuous mains power is usually more practical. The Indoor Cam S350 stays connected to a 5V/2A power supply while operating, so it is always available for live viewing, tracking and local recording.

Its dual 4K and 2K cameras provide an 8× hybrid zoom, while 360° horizontal and 75° vertical movement help cover a larger room from one position. Privacy Mode also gives you a clear way to stop monitoring when you do not want the camera active.

Best for: Indoor users who want always-available plug-in monitoring with local recording, pan-and-tilt coverage and a clear privacy-off option.

Key features:

• Dual-camera view: 4K and 2K lenses with 8× hybrid zoom provide room context and closer detail.
• Room-wide movement: 360° horizontal and 75° vertical coverage help one camera monitor a larger indoor area.
• Privacy Mode: The camera can turn away and stop recording when monitoring is not wanted.
• Local storage: microSD support up to 128GB provides a straightforward local recording option.

Tips to Reduce Security Camera Electricity Usage

The best savings come from matching the power setup to the way you actually monitor your home, not from turning off useful security features for the sake of a few pennies.

• Measure before changing settings. If running cost really matters, a suitable plug-in energy monitor can show what a mains-powered camera or complete system actually draws.
• Use solar where the location suits it. A battery camera with adequate sunlight can avoid continuous mains use, but shaded or very busy positions may still need occasional charging.
• Use event recording where it fits the security need. This can make a difference to electricity usage as well as save storage space.
• Use schedules or privacy modes when monitoring is genuinely unnecessary. Indoor spaces often have obvious periods when recording can be stopped without weakening security.
• Do not sacrifice useful coverage just to minimise watts. If night vision, lighting, higher detail or 24/7 recording solves a real security problem, the extra electricity may be worth it.

For a large PoE installation, right-sizing the number of cameras and keeping only genuinely useful channels active can also prevent unnecessary always-on hardware.

Conclusion

Security camera electricity usage is usually modest for one home camera, but larger systems should be calculated as a whole. A rough 2–15W range is useful for many individual cameras, while lighting, motors, 24/7 recording and NVR hardware can raise the total.

Check a device’s real or typical power draw where possible, then multiply its kWh use by your own tariff. Solar can reduce mains dependence, while direct power remains the better choice when continuous recording matters.

FAQs

Do security cameras record when power is out?

It depends on the power source. A mains-powered Wi-Fi camera or PoE system normally stops if its power supply fails unless the camera, network and recorder are backed by a UPS. Battery and solar cameras can continue operating from their own battery, although remote viewing or alerts may still be affected if your router loses power.

How much power do 4 CCTV cameras use?

Roughly 20 to 50 watts in total, depending on the type. Four 5-watt Wi-Fi cameras use about 20 watts, while a four-camera PoE system with a recorder often uses 45 to 70 watts once you include the network gear. At the current UK rate of 26.11p per kWh, that works out at about £46 to £160 a year. Night vision, 4K and PTZ features push the figure higher.

How can I reduce CCTV power consumption?

Switch to motion-activated recording, lower the resolution or frame rate where full detail is not needed, and use schedules or privacy mode so cameras rest. Choosing solar or battery cameras cuts mains use to almost nothing, and turning off infrared when there is enough light helps too. If you run a recorder, only enable the channels you actually use. Small tweaks like these add up over a year.