The 8 Best Business / Commercial Grade Security Camera Systems (2023)

A commercial-grade video surveillance system can prevent crime. Additionally, it can ensure the health and safety of employees.

Typically, these systems come with a video recorder and several cameras. They include mobile and desktop applications. On top of that, they have intelligent motion detection and multiple storage and interoperability features.

My top pick as the best commercial-grade security camera system is Lorex 4K 8-Camera / 16-Channel Security Camera System. It includes 4K resolution cameras, and the NVR comes with 4TB of hard disk space right out of the box.

My second pick is the Montavue 4K 8-Camera / 16-Channel Security Camera System. This kit includes IP67-rated turret cameras and 3TB of onboard NVR storage.  

Please note I’ve focused on bundles/kits that provide more than 8 cameras. Also, the NVR/DVR here supports at least 16 channels.

The 8 Best Business / Commercial Grade Security Camera Systems (2023)

The Lorex Fusion 8-camera kit is my main recommendation. It’s reasonably priced and comes with everything you need to get started. This includes 4K-ready bullet-style IP cameras and a 4TB NVR.

Also, you get a 2K resolution wired video doorbell and a sensor kit as a bonus add-on.

The bullet cameras are IP67-rated and come with color night vision. You can install them outdoors without any worries about weatherproofing and low-light conditions.

You can control the cameras and view footage via the Lorex app. This is compatible with both mobile devices and computers. Also, with Lorex fusion technology, you can add extra Wired/Wi-Fi cameras.

Our runner-up is the Montavue 4K 8-Camera 16-Channe system. This is a slightly more affordable setup with a 16-channel NVR that includes PoE support as well. Unfortunately, the NVR does not contain an alarm interface. (Nor do the cameras.) Two-way communication is possible, but external hardware is required.

The NVR is shipped with 3TB onboard storage with the option of two drive bays, summing up the total supported capacity to 20TB.

The security cameras that come with this bundle are PoE turret-style cameras. These devices include an 8MP camera which can record footage at 4K resolution. (3840x2160) All cameras have an IP67 rating and cover 105° horizontal and 56° vertical FOV.

Reolink offers a budget-friendly system ideal for small businesses that hope to expand. The bundle comes with 8 turret-style cameras and an NVR that supports 16 channels.

The cameras record at 4K resolution and support a 100ft maximum IR night vision range. You also get person and vehicle detection without the need for a subscription.

The NVR has a 4TB Seagate hard drive pre-installed. Also, you can install additional hard drives for a maximum storage space of 12TB.

Reolink has a mobile app and web browser client. These offer live streaming and customizing camera settings from any smart device.

The Swann 8-Camera 16-Channel 4K Ultra HD Pro Enforcer™ NVR Security System is another viable high-end system. The included NVR (Swann NVR-8980) is a quite decent device that includes PoE support for 16 channels along with audio input and output RCA interfaces.

The NVR comes with a 2TB hard drive right out of the box with the option to supplement this with another 4TB hard drive. (Totalling the maximum capacity to 6TB.)

The eight cameras that come with the package (The Swann NHD-900BE 4K IP Enforcer™) use 8MP cameras that record in Ultra HD 4K resolution. These devices support spotlight-based full-color night vision, two-way communication, integrated sirens, and a weather-proof IP66 rating.

Night Owl’s 10-camera, 16-channel system is another strong contender. Their devices are NDAA-compliant and place a heavy emphasis on active deterrence.

For instance, all ten bullet cameras come with built-in spotlights. They’re also equipped with sirens and the option to put out voice presets in case of an intrusion.

The DVR supports human detection and can detect faces. It will record these moments and send an alert instantly via the Night Owl mobile app. Also, you don’t need a subscription to access these features.

This system is analog-based. Therefore, you have a DVR and analog security cameras. However, you can add four Night Owl Wi-Fi cameras to the same DVR.

The Annke H800 - 4K 16 Channel 8 Camera PoE Security System is a moderately-priced IP camera system with eight cameras and a 16-channel DVR. The recorder can support a maximum storage capacity of 12TB, and there’s the option to pick the amount of storage before purchase.

The DVR can support Synology and Blue Iris software and is compatible with ONVIF and RTSP protocols. With the help of this DVR, the cameras can be controlled via the ANNKE Vision app, which is available for Android and iOS.

The cameras included in this setup can record 4K footage at 3840x2160 using 8MP sensors. Unfortunately, these analog-based devices cannot carry out full-color night vision, only infrared. (2 IR LEDs with a maximum distance of 100ft.)

The housing of the cameras has an IP67 rating and supports a temperature range of -22F to 140F.

GW Security’s 16-channel NVR system is a more high-end option. The kit includes 12 8MP security cameras, each with 4x optical zoom.

The NVR includes 4TB with the option to expand up to 20 TB. It can manage 16 4K-resolution security cameras. Also, it's powerful enough to support human and vehicle detection.

The security cameras can record audio and have a maximum IR range of 98ft. They don’t have an official IP rating. Therefore, you must be careful when setting them up outdoors. I recommend setting up awnings or shade structures to shield them from the elements.

Defender provides a fully-featured 16-channel DVR complete with 16 cameras to occupy it. These cameras are analog-based; however, they record at 4K resolution. Also, the cameras have human and vehicle detection and color night vision.

The cameras are IP66-rated for weather resistance. They also come with built-in spotlights for active deterrence. Despite being analog devices, these are pretty impressive specs.

Also, Defender has a solid mobile app. It sends instant alerts for object and motion detection. Also, it helps manage the camera system from any smart device.

Decision Factors when Choosing a Business / Commercial-Grade Security Camera System

Channels

The number of channels indicated in the NVR/DVR shows the number of cameras/streams that the system can manage. Depending on the scale of your establishment, you might need room for future expansions; hence, we recommend going for a minimum of 8 channels. Also, when purchasing an IP-based NVR, take note of the number of PoE-supported ports. (Most low-mid range NVRs might need separate PoE switches.)

Camera Resolution

Alongside the number of channels, the second most advertised spec is the camera resolution. For the commercial sector, Ultra HD 4K security cameras are always recommended. The footage from these high-res cameras will always have better details. Also, for the same reasons, we recommend sticking with digital IP-based cameras. (Despite their premium pricing.) 

Storage

Most recorders (applies to both NVRs and DVRs) are shipped out with at least 2TB of storage. (Pre Installed hard drive.) The amount of hours of footage you can keep on 1TB varies on the codec and video format. However, on average, you will need 6TB to store a weeks’ worth of continuous footage from 8 cameras recording 4K (3840×2160) footage. So make sure you size up the hard drives appropriately without overshooting the NVRs supported maximum capacity. (Usually, this is 20TB, but low-end recorders tend to have lower capacities, such as 6TB.)

For more information on security camera storage, check out our dedicated guide.

Night Vision

For most cameras on this list, full-color night vision is readily supported. On top of that, they also include spotlights and high-range infrared night vision. Regardless of where you will install these cameras (indoors or outdoors,) night vision is always an essential feature. Therefore, make sure to pick a system with cameras that include decent full-color night vision. (If you have a lower budget, you will have to settle for infrared night vision.)

Conclusion

A 16-channel security system is a good investment for stores and small businesses. They are relatively inexpensive and include smart features to improve security and convenience.

My main recommendation for a commercial-grade security camera system is the Lorex 4K 8-Camera / 16-Channel Security Camera System. It’s IP-based and includes 4K security cameras with IP67-rated watertight enclosures. 

My runner-up is the Montavue 4K 8-Camera / 16-Channel Security Camera System. It’s a budget-friendly option with 8 4K-resolution cameras and 3TB of onboard storage.