Disclosure: FMB Home Picks is committed to delivering independent advice and reviews on home products and services. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Learn moreContact us.
Are Swann home security systems any good? Our home tech experts delve into the costs, equipment and pros and cons of the brand.
Swann provides some of the best home security systems to homes worldwide as well as large retail businesses such as BestBuy, Currys PC World, Screwfix, Costco and more.
The company is the self-proclaimed leader in self-monitoring home security; none of its systems require taking out a subscription to be able to monitor your devices from anywhere, which is a huge bonus. Swann cameras are high quality and high-spec, but navigating the brand’s different packages can be a little tricky.
In this review, we break down Swann home security systems, how they work, how much they cost, and how they compare to competitors. Read on to find out if the provider is right for you.
Rating: ★★★★
Swann is an established name in the home security market, which is trusted by many large retailers as well as households. Its packages work very differently to other brands, in that you have to choose between a DVR and an NVR system (basically, whether the video signal is processed locally or on the cloud). All of its systems are entirely self-monitored through the Swann Security App, where you can watch live or recorded footage from your devices.
The brand’s cameras provide HD quality footage and pack in plenty of features, from 2-way talk to thermal and motion sensing. Some are solar panel-powered, others have a wider tilt and pan, and others still come with deterrent lighting and floodlights. The brand also offers video doorbells.
We’d recommend Swann for those who want to protect a home with several entry points, and those who prefer to self-monitor without having to take out a subscription. The brand’s packages are quite pricey, however, so those on a budget may want to look elsewhere.
When it comes to Swann home security systems, you’ll have to choose between DVR and NVR, which stand for digital video recorder and network video recorder respectively.
Basically, you’ll need to choose between a system with analog cameras where the video signals are transmitted to your recorder via coaxial cables and processed and stored there, or an NVR, which uses Internet Protocol (IP) cameras to encode and process videos from your camera directly and wirelessly. NVR systems are newer, deliver higher video quality and tend to include 2-way audio in their cameras, but they’re also a lot more expensive.
Swann offers 15 ready-made NVR and DVR packages, ranging from 4 to 8 cameras and a recorder. Prices vary widely depending on the cameras you choose. You also have the option to build your own package by adding cameras and doorbells to an existing package.
All Swann security packages, whether wired or wireless, are designed to be easy to install yourself. All you’ll have to do is plus your DVR recorder into the mains power, connect your cameras to your Wi-Fi if they are wireless, place them near your entry point or outdoors, and you’ll be ready to go.
As Swann does not offer professional monitoring, you’ll have to download the Swann Security App onto your phone so you can watch live or recorded footage from your cameras, from anywhere in the world.
If you are going to opt for a Swann home security package, we’d recommend going for a DVR system. We think the Home 4-Camera 8 Channel 2K DVR system hits the sweet spot between comprehensiveness and price: it comes with 4 2K cameras equipped with deterrent flashing lights and mics for audio recording, and a DVR recorder with a 256GB MicroSD card.
Swann is known for its range of high-spec, high-quality security cameras. Every one comes with HD quality, starting with the basic Swann EVO 2K Indoor Wi-Fi camera, a wired camera that comes with motion sensor, 2-way audio and recording capabilities.
You can upgrade to the EVO Pan & Tilt indoor Camera which gives you a 355-degree horizontal pan and a 65-degree vertical tilt as well as the option to activate a siren via your Swann Security App.
The brand’s outdoor cameras are all weatherproof so they can withstand adverse conditions, come with night vision and display footage in 4K (Ultra HD). Some Swann outdoor cameras are solar-powered, and others come with floodlights, sirens, and motion detection sensors for added security.
While Swann doesn’t provide stand-alone sensors, it does offer 4K Ultra HD Thermal Sensing Security Cameras, which identifies sources of heat to send more accurate notifications in case of a breach, and Outdoor Motion Sensor Cameras with Night Vision. We love that the brand has combined these two devices into one, doing away with the need for extra hardware. Their price is cheaper than buying a separate camera and sensor from most other brands.
Swann offers two video doorbells, starting with the classic EVO Wireless Video Doorbell, which has a built-in SwannShield AI Voice Assistant which can answer the doorbell for you when you’re away. You can upgrade to the SwannBuddy4K Video Doorbell which is wire-free, and comes with night vision.
The Swann Security App is sleek and easy to use. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play, connect your Wi-Fi security cameras up and watch live and recorded footage from your home security devices from anywhere in the world. You’ll also receive notifications when the motion sensors detect activity.
Compared to our top home security provider, SimpliSafe, Swann’s home security packages are a lot less comprehensive but also harder to understand. A SimpliSafe package usually contains cameras, sensors and a doorbell or alarm, while Swann’s tend to include cameras (which, to be fair, also have motion sensing capabilities) and a recorder – but it’s tough to tell the difference between the packages.
For those who want a bespoke and professionally-monitored home security system, Swann definitely won’t fit the bill – Verisure, however, is known for its packages tailored to your home, and its quality professional monitoring.
Swann home security packages are on the more expensive side starting at £279.99 for just 2 cameras and a DVR recorder, and going all the way to £1,199.99 for 6 cameras and an 8-channel 12 MP NVR recorder.
Individual cameras cost between £59.99 for a 1080p camera to £99.99 for a 4K dome camera. As each package comes with only one type of camera, if you want a system for both indoor and outdoor surveillance, you’ll have to add on at least a camera to your package, which will considerably drive the price up.
| Home security provider | Cheapest package cost (excluding installation and subscription costs) |
|---|---|
| Swann | £279.99 |
| SimpliSafe | £284.96 |
| Ring | £219.99 |
| Blink | £94.98 |
As of July 2025, Swann is rated 3.9 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, with 55 per cent of 5-star reviews.
Positive reviews praise the easy installation and use of Swann systems. Customers with complaints highlight issues with their products not shipping or being cancelled with no explanation, and some express dissatisfaction with technical support.
Happy Customer. Quality, dependable product. Fast delivery. This my second system. Very satisfied with both purchases.”
“Ordered DVR system, paid for it. Many days later they canceled my order with no reason given. A good ran business will at least give you a reason why they canceled the order. A good business would also offer you a replacement system at or above the price I paid. Not these guys. It also took a number of days to refund my money back from the canceled order.”
“The product was easy to install and set up, and works very well. You do have to ensure it is placed so the sun can charge the camera, and if you do it works fine. Otherwise you will need to take it down and charge it up every 3 months or so”
Swann home security systems are great for home owners or renters who want a self-monitored system with at least 4 cameras. It’s also worth noting you’ll need a significant budget if you want to invest, as the systems themselves are quite pricey, and you’ll need to add on extras if you want a video doorbell or extra cameras. That said, the lack of subscription costs make Swann systems cheaper over time.
★★★★
Swann home security systems are easy to maintain. If you opt for wired cameras, you won’t have to worry about changing or recharging batteries. If you have a wireless system, you’ll have to check the battery levels on your devices to make sure the battery doesn’t run out. Batteries should last between 6 months and a year before you have to replace them.
The difference between NVR and DVR systems is basically the type of recorder you opt for (Network or Digital). DVR systems are traditional security systems that use analog cameras and use cables to transmit video signals to your recorder so they can be processed locally. NVR systems are newer and more expensive; they use Internet Protocol (IP) cameras which process video signals themselves before sending them wirelessly to the recorder for storage and viewing.
The cheapest Swann home security system is the Home 2 Camera 4-Channel 1080p Full HD DVR Security System, which costs £279.99 for the two cameras and DVR recorder.
Our experts have conducted hours of research to compile a list of the best security systems. Whether you are looking for a security system on a budget, easy installation, or a customisable package, we’ve got a recommendation for you.
In each review, we consider the following factors:
For more information, read our article on how we review home security systems.
