Lorex Security Camera Cost and Pricing

If you’re looking for security camera options, Lorex offers more than a few. There are wired cameras, wireless cameras, and even cameras that are completely wire-free. Plus, there are lots of options that store recordings in DVRs or NVRs that don’t require a monthly fee.

Its large product catalog is one of Lorex’s biggest competitive advantages over other brands, but it can also be its undoing. Because there are literally hundreds — if not thousands — of options, it can be difficult to nail down Lorex’s pricing and find the right security camera for you and your budget.

That’s why we’re here! We’re going to help by breaking down Lorex’s pricing, camera selections, and other cost-related information about the brand to make your search a whole lot easier. So let’s jump right in.

Package pricing

Equipment Options: Cost, Features & Installation

Fair warning: Brew a cup of coffee before checking out Lorex’s website. You’ll need to stay alert and awake as the product selection can be quite overwhelming. That’s because Lorex sells hundreds of different camera models, not to mention bundles, DVRs, NVRs, and accessories.

To make the selection process easier, though, you can categorize Lorex’s cameras into four groups. Doing that narrows down your options significantly so you can focus more on the features and specs. The four categories of Lorex cameras are analog, digital, Wi-Fi, and wire-free. And here’s a breakdown of their most common features.

*Some features, like remote live streaming and push notifications, require an internet connection.
**Not all models support these features. Check the specific camera models before making any purchase.

Analog Cameras

Analog cameras are about as old-school as Walkman and Betamax, but that doesn’t mean they’re no longer relevant. Analog cameras from Lorex record analog videos and transfer them to a recorder via coaxial cables. The recorder is a DVR, and here’s the modern twist: The DVR processes the analog videos to make them digital and readable using modern computers. If there’s footage you want to keep, you can transfer it to your computer or even upload it to your personal cloud storage.

On top of that, thanks to Lorex’s powerful DVRs, you can control analog cameras using your smartphone, use features like smart motion detection, or even pair up your security camera system with Alexa or Google Assistant. So yes, analog cameras are old-school, but Lorex managed to keep them useful.

In total, Lorex offers over 50 analog camera systems. You read that right, 50! Their components vary, from 1080p to 4K, fixed to pan-and-tilt, and indoor to outdoor camera models. We selected the most popular systems for this chart.

Digital IP Cameras

Digital IP cameras from Lorex are not only more scalable than their analog counterparts, but also more modern. They’re more scalable because instead of coaxial cables, digital IP camera systems use either Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi. You can easily have up to 16 cameras in one system, whereas with analog, eight is usually the limit.

On top of that, digital IP cameras tend to be easier to install, especially if they are Wi-Fi capable. You don’t need to snake wires through your ceiling to connect them to your DVR. In some cases, IP cameras use Power over Ethernet, and while this setup requires a bit of cable work, the Ethernet cable that provides connectivity also provides power to the cameras, so there’s significantly less wiring required.

Digital IP cameras also tend to have more advanced features. Since they connect to the internet through Wi-Fi or Ethernet, they are able to use cloud processing to eliminate false alarms. They can use features like person detection and package detection.

Generally, though, digital IP cameras cost more than analog camera systems, but you’ll enjoy greater flexibility with IP cameras.

Wire-free Cameras

Wire-free cameras are digital IP cameras with NVRs, but as the name suggests, there are no wires involved. That means they transmit videos to the NVR wirelessly and draw power from their batteries; no outlets needed! If you’re like us who’d rather not deal with wires, Lorex’s wire-free cameras are an option.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that wire-free cameras need battery changes every so often, although some can be recharged. Either way, you’ll need to set aside time to make sure each camera has enough battery power. Usually, wire-free Lorex cameras can run for about six months on a full battery.

Wi-Fi Cameras

When compared to the other camera types offered by Lorex, Wi-Fi cameras are the odd ones out. They don’t work with NVRs and DVRs; instead, they send recordings directly to the user’s smartphone via the Lorex app and store videos locally to a micro-SD card. They connect through Wi-Fi, thus they are wireless, but they still need to be plugged into a wall outlet.

This type of security camera is much more similar to the ones we see from brands like Nest Cam and Ring. You can read our Ring camera review for an overview. Wi-Fi cameras are flexible since you can manage each camera independently rather than as part of a camera system. That being said, we don’t recommend Wi-Fi cameras if you’re looking to buy a bunch. Each camera will need to connect to your Wi-Fi router, and having six or more of these Wi-Fi cameras can crowd your network and cause it to slow down.

Installation Cost

Most security camera brands these days don’t require professional installation, and the same is true with Lorex. Lorex will ship your new cameras to you, and then you’ll install them yourself. 

Of course, there are systems from Lorex that are a bit harder to set up, such as analog cameras that require quite a lot of cable management. If you choose to hire professionals to do the job, the cost will depend on how big your system is. Lorex doesn’t offer installation services itself, but it’s partners with InstallerNet, which has a nationwide network of technicians qualified and trained to install Lorex equipment. 

Monthly Fees and Monitoring Costs

One of the great things about Lorex is that there are no mandatory monthly fees. Since most of Lorex’s cameras record to a DVR or NVR locally, you don’t need a cloud subscription, which is what most camera brands charge for monthly.
That said, some cameras, especially Wi-Fi cameras, have the option to backup footage in the cloud for a fee. The fee depends on the exact camera model, but it’s usually less than $10 per month for 30 days of cloud storage for several cameras. It’s not as inexpensive as Ring’s $10 per month 60-day storage for unlimited cameras, but it’s also not bad.

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Other Integrations

Whenever we review a security system, we always stack its value not only based on its built-in features but also based on how well it works with the smart home products in our lives. Although the specific system we ordered didn’t have any smart home integrations, we’ve found that some newer DVR/NVR and camera models work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple TVs, and Google Chromecasts.1

The Alexa and Google Assistant integrations make it possible to control Lorex using your voice. You could ask Alexa or Google Assistant to show you live feed from cameras on a smart speaker with a screen, like the Amazon Echo Show for Alexa or Google Nest Hub for Google Assistant. On the other hand, the Apple TV and Chromecast integrations provide a way to check real-time feeds on a bigger screen. If you own any of these smart home products, aim for Lorex systems that advertise smart home voice control and smart TV integrations.

Is Lorex Better Than Its Competitors?

We also want to show how Lorex compares to other brands and to industry standards. By doing so, we aim to help you see its real value to your home security.

What stood out the most for us about Lorex was the number of options it offered. Some security camera companies like Canary and Ring only offer a handful of equipment selections, but Lorex provided us multitudes of choices. We admit that choosing was intimidating at first, but once we figured out what we wanted and needed, we were able to narrow down our options.

When it came to features, it was clear that Lorex isn’t your run-of-the-mill security camera brand. It offered features we don’t commonly see such as 4K video quality, smart motion detection a.k.a. person detection, and continuous recording. Most brands that offer such features (Arlo, for example) charge a monthly fee.

Of course, we also experienced setbacks like with wire management and limited app features. Those weren’t deal-breakers for us, but we thought you should know before spending hundreds of dollars on a security camera system.

Summary: What We Liked Most About Lorex

To sum things up, we think it’s only right to tell you what we felt were Lorex’s strongest points. If these are what you’re looking for in a security camera system, then Lorex might be the right one for you.

Professional-grade equipment

In our hands, Lorex cameras didn’t feel cheap. The cameras were made of metal instead of cheap plastic that we commonly see in security cameras today. Most of the outdoor models were also rated at least IP66 (safe from dust and water jets) and IK10 (vandal-proof).

No monthly fees

No matter how many Lorex cameras we used, we weren’t asked to pay a monthly fee. This is especially beneficial if you have a large property as other camera brands charge a higher monthly fee as you expand your system.

24/7 continuous recording

Except when we told it to stop, Lorex recorded 24/7. It captured every moment, so we rested easy knowing that we’ll have hard evidence in case of a break-in. We know that recordings are crucial in helping law enforcement solve crimes!

Crisp and clear videos

The video quality is always important to us, so we were glad to see Lorex deliver high-quality images all the time. Our system consisted of 1080p cameras or higher that captured and streamed crisp and clear videos with infrared and color night vision.

Advanced, High-Tech Features

Although Lorex still sells analog security cameras, which are quite outdated now, it manages to keep its cameras relevant by adding modern, high-tech features that rival that of newer brands. Our Lorex system offered smart detection and remote app viewing, while more advanced models even have voice assistant and smart TV integrations.

Our Final Thoughts

When we reviewed Lorex, it showed us how professional-grade, high-end surveillance systems fit in a residential setting. We felt protected and secured, and not only because we had eyes watching our home 24/7, but because Lorex is a trustworthy brand.

That said, Lorex isn’t for everybody. Since the brand is camera-centric, it’s not the best choice if you’re looking for a whole-home security system with sensors and automation features. With Lorex, you’ll have to self-monitor as well.

If you’re after a more traditional home security approach with professional monitoring, check out our list of the best home security systems. However, if you’re looking for a security camera — or rather, a camera system — to supplement your existing home security, Lorex is definitely worth considering.