DIY home security worth buying in Australia in 2026
Quick answer: Start with a camera that records without a subscription, such as the Tapo C660 KIT ($229 at Bunnings, also on Amazon) or the Reolink Argus 4 Pro. Add a video doorbell that records locally, such as the Tapo D210 ($127). Leave the smart lock until last, and measure your door before you buy one; a security screen door needs a lock made for it.
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Our picks at a glance
| Product | Reolink Best cameraArgus 4 Pro with 6W solar panel$314.99 Bunnings | Tapo Best value cameraC660 KIT solar pan/tilt camera$229 Bunnings | Tapo Best doorbellD210 2K battery video doorbell$127 Bunnings | Aqara Best smart lockSmart Lock U100$279 Bunnings | Yale Best screen door lockUnity Security Screen Door Lock$149 JB Hi-Fi | Tapo Best for no Wi-FiC615G KIT 4G solar pan/tilt camera$189 Bunnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Why it's here | 4K across 180°, solar, records to a memory card with no fee. $314.99 with panel at Bunnings; on Amazon Australia, check the current price there. | 4K pan/tilt with solar panel and free AI detection for $229 at Bunnings. | 2K, chime included, free person detection and local recording, $127 at Bunnings. | Fingerprint, keypad, Apple Home Key and a key backup for 60 or 70 mm backsets, $279 at Bunnings. | Made for 18 to 25 mm Australian security screen doors, meets AS 4145.2. | 4G with your own SIM and solar charging, $189 at Bunnings. |
| Watch out for | microSD card not mentioned as included on the pages we read; budget for one | Needs a microSD card for local recording | You add the microSD card | Remote access needs an Aqara hub; JB Hi-Fi sells a U100 and hub kit for $299 | Keypad, bridge and 3-point kit all cost extra | SIM card and data plan cost extra |
| Buy | Check Amazon$314.99 at Bunnings | Check Amazon$229 at Bunnings | Check Amazon$127 at Bunnings$149 at The Good Guys | Check Amazon$279 at Bunnings$299 at JB Hi-Fi | Check AmazonCheck Amazon$149 at JB Hi-Fi$316 at Bunnings | Check Amazon$189 at Bunnings$249 at The Good Guys |
4K across 180°, solar, records to a memory card with no fee. $314.99 with panel at Bunnings; on Amazon Australia, check the current price there.
$314.99 at Bunnings · checked 18 Oct 2026
4K pan/tilt with solar panel and free AI detection for $229 at Bunnings.
$229 at Bunnings · checked 18 Oct 2026
2K, chime included, free person detection and local recording, $127 at Bunnings.
$127 at Bunnings · checked 18 Oct 2026
Fingerprint, keypad, Apple Home Key and a key backup for 60 or 70 mm backsets, $279 at Bunnings.
$279 at Bunnings · checked 18 Oct 2026
Made for 18 to 25 mm Australian security screen doors, meets AS 4145.2.
$149 at JB Hi-Fi · checked 18 Oct 2026
4G with your own SIM and solar charging, $189 at Bunnings.
$189 at Bunnings · checked 18 Oct 2026
How we picked: We compared these 6 picks on and price, using maker specs, Australian retailer prices and owner reports. We haven't tested them hands-on yet, and maker claims are labelled as theirs. Commission never changes the order. Full method.
Every guide on this site is written for Australian homes and Australian shops. Prices are what we found at Bunnings, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Officeworks and the makers’ own stores on the date above, in Australian dollars; for products also on Amazon Australia, check the current price on Amazon. We compare maker specifications, retailer listings and subscription terms; we have not installed this gear on our own house.
How to choose
Decide what you need to see, hear or control, then match the product to it.
- The yard, driveway and side passage. A wireless camera. The question that matters most is where it keeps video: the main camera guide ranks eight, and the no-subscription guide compares what each brand charges.
- A spot with no power point, or no Wi-Fi at all. A solar camera, or a 4G solar camera for a shed, farm or holiday house. See the solar and 4G guide.
- Who is at the front door. A video doorbell that rings your phone. See the video doorbell guide.
- Letting people in without keys. A smart lock, after measuring the door. See the smart lock guide, and the screen door lock guide if there is a security screen in front.
What each one costs
| Product | Price range we found | The ongoing cost | Our pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless or solar camera | $89 (Tapo C400 KIT, Bunnings) to $329 (eufy S340, Bunnings) | None on no-fee brands; Ring Solo A$4.95 a month; Google Home Premium A$15 a month | Reolink Argus 4 Pro, $314.99 (Bunnings), also on Amazon |
| 4G solar camera | $149.99 (Reolink Go PT S Lite, JB Hi-Fi) to $598 (eufy S330, Bunnings) | A mobile data plan | Tapo C615G KIT, $189 (Bunnings), also on Amazon |
| Video doorbell | $88.95 (Arlo, Bunnings) to $347 (eufy E340, Bunnings) | None on Tapo, eufy, Reolink and Aqara; a plan on Ring, Nest and Arlo | Tapo D210, $127 (Bunnings), also on Amazon |
| Smart lock | $248 (eufy C210, Bunnings) to $399 (Lockly Secure Pro, Bunnings) | Batteries; a hub for some models | Aqara U100, $279 (Bunnings), also on Amazon |
| Screen door smart lock | $149 (Yale Unity silver, JB Hi-Fi clearance) to $632.26 (with keypad, Bunnings) | Batteries; a Yale hub for remote access | Yale Unity Security Screen Door Lock |
Buy in this order
A camera first. It covers the most ground. Pick one that records to a card or built-in storage so it keeps working without a plan. The Tapo C660 KIT is $229 at Bunnings with its solar panel, and the Reolink Argus 4 Pro covers 180° in 4K for $314.99.
Then the doorbell. It doubles as the front door camera and answers callers when you are out. The Tapo D210 records locally and includes a chime for $127.
The lock last. A smart lock saves you carrying keys and lets you give out codes, but it is the item most likely not to fit. Measure the backset, the door thickness and the existing lock before you buy, and check what happens when the batteries go flat.
Electricians and privacy
Battery, solar and 4G gear needs no electrician. Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office says appliances that need to be hard-wired must be connected by a licensed electrician, and the NSW Government says any electrical wiring work must be done by one, so a wired doorbell that needs a new transformer, or a camera on a new power point, is a job for a licensed electrician.
On privacy, the OAIC says the Privacy Act does not cover a security camera operated by an individual in a private capacity, but state or territory laws may apply, some councils require planning permission, and strata by-laws can cover cameras. Point cameras at your own property and use privacy zones over a neighbour’s windows.
The one trap
Paying for the cheapest camera and then paying every month to see its footage. A Ring camera at $99 plus Ring Solo at A$49.95 a year passes the price of a no-fee $229 camera inside three years. Check where the video is stored before you check the resolution.
The picks in detail
Reolink Argus 4 Pro with 6W solar panel
$314.99 at bunnings.com.au · checked 18 Oct 2026
4K across 180°, solar, records to a memory card with no fee. $314.99 with panel at Bunnings; on Amazon Australia, check the current price there.
- Resolution: 4K (8MP), two lenses stitched into a 180° view
- Power: Battery, 6W solar panel included in the bundle
- Storage: microSD up to 512GB, or a Reolink Home Hub
- Subscription: Not needed for recording or person/vehicle/animal alerts
- Connection: Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 and 5 GHz)
- Detection: Person, vehicle and animal, plus a 180° PIR sensor
- Night vision: ColorX colour night vision (f/1.0 lens)
- Works with: Google Assistant
- Weather rating: IP66
Pros
- One 180° camera can cover a whole backyard or driveway that would otherwise need two
- Records to a memory card with no monthly fee
- Colour night vision without a spotlight
- Bunnings sells the camera-and-panel bundle; Reolink's own store sells it on Amazon Australia
Cons
- microSD card not mentioned as included on the pages we read; budget for one
- No Apple Home or Alexa listed on Reolink's page
- A wide 180° picture shows less detail at distance than a narrow 4K lens
Paid links: we may earn a commission. Price checked 18 Oct 2026.
Tapo C660 KIT solar pan/tilt camera
$229 at bunnings.com.au · checked 18 Oct 2026
4K pan/tilt with solar panel and free AI detection for $229 at Bunnings.
- Resolution: 4K (8MP), 18x digital zoom
- Power: Battery with solar panel included
- Storage: microSD up to 512GB (card not included)
- Subscription: Not needed for local recording or person, pet and vehicle detection; Tapo Care cloud optional
- Connection: Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz)
- Detection: Person, pet and vehicle, with 360° AI tracking
- Night vision: Starlight colour night vision with spotlights
- Works with: Tapo app
Pros
- 4K with 360° pan and tilt for $229, panel included
- AI detection and tracking with no subscription
- Bunnings and Amazon Australia (sold by Amazon) both stock it
- Can join 5 GHz Wi-Fi, which many battery cameras cannot
Cons
- Needs a microSD card for local recording
- Pan/tilt dome is bulkier than a bullet camera
- Tapo publishes Tapo Care prices only inside its app and web portal
Paid links: we may earn a commission. Price checked 18 Oct 2026.
Tapo D210 2K battery video doorbell
$127 at bunnings.com.au · checked 18 Oct 2026
2K, chime included, free person detection and local recording, $127 at Bunnings.
- Resolution: 2K (3MP), 160° head-to-toe view
- Power: Battery, up to 6 months (Bunnings) to 180 days (Amazon)
- Storage: microSD up to 512GB, or Tapo Care cloud
- Subscription: Not needed for people detection or local recording
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi, no hub needed
- Chime: Chime included
- Works with: Tapo app; phone-call style alerts
Pros
- $127 with a chime in the box
- Person detection and local recording without a plan
- Colour night vision with a spotlight
Cons
- You add the microSD card
- Battery-only: no wired option listed on the pages we read
- Tapo Care prices only in the app
Paid links: we may earn a commission. Price checked 18 Oct 2026.
Aqara Smart Lock U100
$279 at bunnings.com.au · checked 18 Oct 2026
Fingerprint, keypad, Apple Home Key and a key backup for 60 or 70 mm backsets, $279 at Bunnings.
- Fits: Bored deadbolt: 60 or 70 mm backset, 35 to 55 mm timber door, 54 mm hole
- Unlock: Fingerprint (50), keypad, Apple Home Key, app, NFC card (sold separately)
- Power: Batteries, with USB-C emergency port
- Key backup: Mechanical key
- Remote access: Bluetooth nearby; Aqara Zigbee hub for remote and third-party control
- Works with: Apple Home and Home Key; Matter, Google, Alexa via Aqara hub
- Weather rating: IP65
Pros
- Tap an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, even when the phone's battery is flat
- Both a key and a USB-C port for emergencies
- Sold by Aqara's own store on Amazon Australia as well as at Bunnings
Cons
- Remote access needs an Aqara hub; JB Hi-Fi sells a U100 and hub kit for $299
- Needs a 54 mm bored hole, which many Australian entrance sets do not have
- Timber doors only per the listing
Paid links: we may earn a commission. Price checked 18 Oct 2026.
Yale Unity Security Screen Door Lock
$149 at jbhifi.com.au · checked 18 Oct 2026
Made for 18 to 25 mm Australian security screen doors, meets AS 4145.2.
- Fits: Hinged security screen doors 18 to 25 mm thick; retrofits Lockwood 8654, Whitco Tasman Mk2 and Mk3, Yale Quattro cut-outs
- Unlock: Yale Home app, auto-unlock, 2 contactless key cards, Yale Smart Keypad (sold separately)
- Power: 4 AA batteries, about 12 months
- Key backup: Not listed in Yale's specifications or flyer; ask before buying
- Remote access: Yale Connect bridge or Connect Plus Hub 2 (sold separately)
- Standard: AS 4145.2:2008, SL6 security, D7 durability; IP55
Pros
- Built for Australian security screen doors and the common lock cut-outs
- Optional 3-point lock kit
- Door sensor tells you if the screen door is shut
Cons
- Keypad, bridge and 3-point kit all cost extra
- Not for gates where the inside handle is exposed to weather
- At JB Hi-Fi matt black was $528 against $149 for silver clearance stock
Paid links: we may earn a commission. Price checked 18 Oct 2026.
Tapo C615G KIT 4G solar pan/tilt camera
$189 at bunnings.com.au · checked 18 Oct 2026
4G with your own SIM and solar charging, $189 at Bunnings.
- Resolution: 2K (3MP)
- Power: Battery with solar panel (mounts on the camera or on a 4 m cable)
- Storage: microSD up to 512GB
- Subscription: Not needed for detection or local recording; Tapo Care cloud after a 30-day trial. Your own SIM and data plan needed
- Connection: 4G LTE, nano SIM not included
- Detection: Person, pet and vehicle, 360° AI tracking
- Night vision: Colour, built-in spotlights
- Works with: Tapo app
Pros
- Bring any SIM, so you choose the network and data plan
- AI tracking and detection with no Tapo subscription
- Panel can sit up to 4 m away to catch the sun
Cons
- SIM card and data plan cost extra
- 2K rather than 4K
- Special order at Bunnings on 18 Oct
Paid links: we may earn a commission. Price checked 18 Oct 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What home security gear should I buy first?
A camera covering the most likely way in, then a video doorbell for the front door. A smart lock adds convenience more than protection, so it comes last, and only after you have measured the door.
Do I need a subscription for home security cameras?
No. Reolink, Tapo, eufy and Swann cameras record to a memory card or built-in storage for free. Ring needs a plan to keep recordings, from A$4.95 a month, and Google Nest keeps 3 hours free.
Can I install home security cameras myself in Australia?
Battery, solar and 4G cameras and battery doorbells, yes. Anything connected to mains wiring, including a new doorbell transformer, must be connected by a licensed electrician, according to Queensland's Electrical Safety Office and the NSW Government.
Where can I buy home security cameras and smart locks in Australia?
Bunnings stocks the widest range we found of Tapo, eufy, Reolink, Swann, Ring, Arlo, Aqara, Yale, Lockwood and Lockly. JB Hi-Fi carries eufy, Google Nest, Swann and Yale, and Amazon Australia lists most camera brands and several locks.