Will a security camera system charge you every month? With Lorex wired systems and many Lorex Wi-Fi cameras, the answer is no: video records locally, and no subscription is needed to record. This guide explains how that works, what you pay for up front and what is optional.
The short answer
Wired systems record to the hard drive in the recorder. Wi-Fi cameras record to a microSD card, which some models include and others need you to add. No subscription is needed to record. Cloud storage is a separate, optional Lorex subscription on some cameras.
How local recording works
Wired systems. Cameras connect to a network video recorder (NVR) or digital video recorder (DVR), and footage is saved on the hard drive inside it. Because the recorder does the recording, there is no cloud account or subscription involved in saving video. You watch live and recorded video in the Lorex app, and you need internet access to do that remotely. See our NVR vs DVR guide for how the two recorder types differ.
Wi-Fi cameras. Many Lorex Wi-Fi cameras are stand-alone and need no recorder. They save video to a microSD card in the camera. Some listings include the card (for example the 4K Dual Lens Wi-Fi camera and the 2K Wi-Fi doorbell both come with a pre-installed 32GB card), while others, such as the Connect 2K battery camera and the Connect 2K indoor camera, need a card that is sold separately.
What you pay for and what you do not
| Wired system | Wi-Fi camera | |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | No subscription needed | No subscription needed with a microSD card |
| Where video is stored | Hard drive in the recorder | microSD card in the camera |
| Remote viewing | Lorex app, with internet access | Lorex app, with internet access |
| Cloud storage | Not needed to record | Optional Lorex subscription on some models. Check each product page |
| Up-front items to plan for | Recorder and hard drive (often included in a system), cables | The camera, plus a microSD card if one is not included |
What to budget for up front
- Storage. Many camera systems include a recorder with a hard drive. For Wi-Fi cameras that do not include a card, add a surveillance-grade microSD card.
- Cables. Wired cameras need network cable. Several of our listings have a Cables option so you can choose whether cables are included. See Lorex cables.
- Warranty. Lorex products carry a one-year limited warranty, and extended warranty options (up to three years in total) are offered on cameras and recorders.
- Optional cloud storage. If you want cloud video on a camera that supports it, that is the only recurring cost, and it is your choice.
If you are sizing a recorder, our guide to how much storage security cameras need shows how to estimate it.
Lorex options with no subscription to record
Wired recorders and systems
Includes 1TB of storage and 8 built-in PoE ports, with expandable local storage up to 10TB. Lorex lists it with no monthly fees.
View product ➜
A 4TB 16-channel recorder with Nocturnal 3 Smart IP bullet cameras (choose 12 or 16 cameras). The recorder supports up to 16 cameras, so you can add more later.
View product ➜Wi-Fi cameras and doorbells
Comes with a pre-installed 32GB microSD card that is upgradable to 256GB, and needs no recorder. No subscription is required.
View product ➜
Records to a pre-installed 32GB microSD card, so no subscription is needed to record.
View product ➜
Add a microSD card (not included) for local recording with no recurring fees. Lorex also lists optional cloud storage.
View product ➜Frequently asked questions
Do I need a subscription to use a Lorex camera?
Not to record. On the listings above, footage saves locally to the recorder or to a microSD card, and no subscription is needed for that. Some cameras offer optional cloud storage through a Lorex subscription.
Can I watch my cameras without paying anything extra?
Yes. Live and recorded video is available in the Lorex app. You need an internet connection to watch away from home.
What happens if my internet goes down?
A wired system keeps recording to its own hard drive. You cannot view it remotely until the internet is back.
Which cameras need a microSD card?
It depends on the model. The listing states whether a card is included, so check the What’s Included section of each product.
Find a system with no monthly fees
Browse complete systems, recorders and Wi-Fi cameras.
Complete systems ➜Recorders ➜Outdoor Wi-Fi cameras ➜Storage ➜Keep reading
- How Much Storage Do Security Cameras Need? A Simple Way to Estimate
- Wired vs Wi-Fi Security Cameras: Which Is Right for Your Home?
- NVR vs DVR: What Is the Difference and Which Do You Need?
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