Lorex Security Camera Cost and Pricing

So you’re here to learn about Lorex’s pricing. Awesome! We tested some of Lorex’s best-selling cameras ourselves. We know that they are some of the best security cameras around. We also know that Lorex isn’t the easiest to shop for. It has hundreds of options, from business-grade security cameras to security camera systems that include up to a whopping 32 cameras.

Lucky for you, Lorex is no stranger to us. We have tested at least eight Lorex cameras over the past five years and every single time, we went through the tedious process of deciding which camera to buy. So here, we’ll give you a little overview of Lorex’s pricing for different types of cameras. We can’t promise to cover everything – Lorex has hundreds of cameras in its catalog – but we’ll at least help you figure out where Lorex stands in terms of pricing and cost.

Package pricing

Equipment Options: Cost, Features & Installation

In our experience, deciding where to start is the toughest part of unweaving the Lorex web. Lorex has a wide selection of different security cameras, DVRs, NVRs and accessories.

The trick is to start by deciding on a camera type. Lorex offers analog cameras, digital IP cameras, Wi-Fi cameras, and wire-free cameras. You’ll also find hybrid cameras that fit into two or more of those categories. Those are all security cameras, but each type offers distinct features and functions, so be sure to pick the right one for your needs. Here’s a quick summary of how they all compare.

*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.

As for hybrid systems, the price can range from a few hundred dollars to over $2,000. It all depends on how many cameras are included in the system and what types of cameras they are. Our advice if you’re leaning towards a hybrid system is to start slow. Maybe go with a smaller system with only four to six cameras, and then slowly build that system by buying add-on cameras. That way, you get exactly what you need – nothing more, nothing less.

On that note, keep in mind that not all Lorex cameras work with each other. Take note of your NVR’s model number, and when buying add-on cameras, make sure it works for that specific NVR model.

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.

Additionally, Lorex DVRs are equipped to bridge the technological gap between analog cameras and modern smart home systems. For example, some DVRs will let you sync up your cameras with Alexa or Google Assistant and subsequently view live or recorded footage on a smart display (like the Echo Show 8 we reviewed).

In total, Lorex offers a whopping selection of over 50 analog camera systems. These systems include a wide range of components with varying resolutions from 1080p HD to 4K, different camera types like pan-and-tilt and fixed-angle, and models suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Here are some examples:

Digital IP Cameras

Digital IP cameras are more modern than analog cameras. They use either Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi to transmit audio and video, and because of that, digital IP camera systems are more scalable. You can easily find digital IP systems that can support up to 16 cameras with just one DVR, whereas with analog systems, the limit is often eight cameras.

On top of that, digital IP cameras are easier to set up, especially the ones that support Wi-Fi or Power over Ethernet (PoE) connections. Both types of IP cameras require only one cable. For Wi-Fi cameras, only a power cable is needed since it connects wirelessly to the DVR. For PoE cameras, a single ethernet cable both supplies power to the camera and paves the way for video transmission.

One downside of digital cameras is they are prone to hacking. The same can be said about any camera that connects to the internet, but IP cameras are particularly susceptible because they stream data via the Internet Protocol (IP) that doesn’t provide much security beyond password protection for your account. That’s why we recommend changing your camera’s default password, and use a strong one!

Another downside of IP cameras? The cost. Digital IP cameras are typically pricier than analog ones. So even though digital IP cameras support larger ecosystems, we suggest keeping the system small to save money.

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.

Of course, wire-free cameras come with their own inconveniences. While you won’t need to run a wire to them at set-up, you’ll need to charge or replace their batteries often – sometimes as often as every three months, depending on use. Most wire-free Lorex cameras have a rated six-month battery life, but that’s on normal usage. If you put one in a high-traffic area with lots of movement, for example, you might see that battery percentage drop quicker.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Lorex’s wire-free cameras are a little different from the wire-free cameras we see from brands like Arlo. The Arlo wire-free cameras we tested connected to Wi-Fi directly and used cloud storage for video recording. As such, we had to pay a minimal subscription fee to activate our Arlo cloud. With Lorex, the wire-free cameras stream to a DVR for local storage, which means we didn’t need a cloud subscription (although that was an available option as well).

Wi-Fi Cameras

Wi-Fi cameras, as the name suggests, connect to Wi-Fi. They don’t need a separate recorder either. Most of them have on-board storage, usually a microSD card. Because these cameras connect to Wi-Fi directly, they’re much easier to set up than other types of Lorex cameras. Just install an app, scan a QR code, and wait for the camera to sync. You can also place them anywhere within your Wi-Fi’s range because they are wireless.

Wi-Fi cameras from Lorex are closely similar to the cameras we see from brands like Ring, Nest Cam, and Arlo. You can read our Ring camera review for an overview. Wi-Fi cameras are more flexible because you can manage them individually, unlike DVR- or NVR-connected cameras that are managed as a group. We think it’s best for homes that need less than five cameras, though. Wi-Fi cameras connect to your router individually, so having more than five might overcrowd your network.

Fusion Collection

As briefly mentioned earlier, Fusion bundles support both wired digital IP cameras and Wi-Fi cameras in one security camera system. As the Wi-Fi cameras offer the most advanced features, they take Lorex’s IP camera systems to the next level when used with Fusion bundles. Here are a few examples to choose from.

Fusion bundles are the most flexible, and since they use both digital IP cameras and Wi-Fi cameras, you can easily build a system to cover your entire property. For instance, you might find it easier to install Wi-Fi cameras outdoors and wired IP cameras indoors. With Fusion bundles, you can do just that.

Keep in mind, though, that compatibility will be a strong factor here. Not all Wi-Fi cameras are compatible with DVRs and vice versa. Once again, it’s best to start with a simple system, and if you feel that you need more coverage down the line, add security cameras as you see fit. You’ll be able to filter which cameras work with your DVR once you have the DVR’s model number.

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’s the question of whether you can install the system yourself or not. Even we experienced hiccups while installing Lorex, and we have decades of experience with security cameras.

If you’re more comfortable having trained technicians do the job, Lorex partnered with InstallerNet, a third-party home installation service. InstallerNet has a nationwide network of technicians qualified and trained to install Lorex systems. And while Lorex doesn’t provide pricing, we find that the average installation service costs about $100.

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. Lorex hardware may be good, but it has yet to launch a piece of software good enough to complement its cameras. For starters, we would have liked to see a single app manage all Lorex cameras. As it stands, there are three different apps for different camera and DVR models, making setup and use a little bit more intimidating.

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.