How much bandwidth does a Simplisafe camera use?

Answered by Phillip Nicastro

The bandwidth usage of a SimpliSafe camera depends on the video resolution being streamed. For 1080p resolution, it is recommended to have a minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps per camera. This means that the camera requires at least 2 Mbps of bandwidth to effectively stream high-quality video.

If you opt for a lower resolution, such as 720p, the recommended upload speed drops to 1.5 Mbps per camera. This lower resolution still provides decent video quality while requiring slightly less bandwidth.

For even lower resolutions, like 480p, the recommended upload speed decreases further to 0.75 Mbps per camera. This resolution may be suitable if you have limited bandwidth or if you don’t require high-definition video.

It’s important to note that these are the recommended upload speeds for each camera. If you have multiple cameras in your SimpliSafe system, you should consider the cumulative bandwidth usage. For example, if you have two 1080p cameras, you would ideally need a minimum upload speed of 4 Mbps (2 Mbps per camera x 2 cameras).

To ensure smooth streaming and avoid buffering or lag, it’s advisable to have a slightly higher upload speed than the minimum recommended. This allows for any fluctuations or other internet activities that may be occurring simultaneously.

In my personal experience, I have used SimpliSafe cameras with a 1080p resolution and found that a stable upload speed of 3-4 Mbps per camera provided excellent video quality without any noticeable issues. However, your specific experience may vary depending on your internet connection and any other devices or activities utilizing the bandwidth.

The bandwidth requirements for SimpliSafe cameras can vary depending on the video resolution. It is recommended to have a minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps per camera for 1080p resolution, 1.5 Mbps for 720p, and 0.75 Mbps for 480p. It’s important to consider the cumulative bandwidth usage if you have multiple cameras, and having a slightly higher upload speed than the minimum recommended can help ensure smooth streaming.