A light bulb camera screws into an ordinary socket, gets power from it and streams over Wi-Fi. It is a quick way to add a camera where you already have a light.
Before you buy or install
- Fitting: confirm the base type (E26, E27, B22) matches your fixture, and that the fixture is not enclosed or too small.
- Wi-Fi: the camera needs a decent 2.4 GHz signal. Test the signal at the socket with your phone first.
- Position: choose a socket that covers the area you want. Fixed positions limit angle.
- Power: the wall switch has to stay on. Use a switch guard or tape it up so nobody turns the camera off by accident.
Setup in four steps
- Install the bulb and switch the power on.
- Open the camera’s app and follow the pairing steps for your phone and home Wi-Fi.
- Set a strong account password and enable two-factor authentication if offered.
- Test motion alerts, then adjust sensitivity to avoid constant notifications.
Limits to know
- Heat inside enclosed fittings can shorten life.
- A bulb is easier to unscrew than a wall-mounted camera, so it suits indoor or covered spots better than exposed ones.
- If your Wi-Fi drops, so does the camera.
Read the camera placement and privacy guide before you point any camera at a shared or public space.