Q-See vs Swann (What You Need To Know – 2022)

How we reviewed: hands-on tests, hours studying Q-See and Swann’s sites, and reading 100+ customer reviews.

Runner Up – Q-See

qsee logo
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Our Rating

  • 4K HD Resolutions
  • Robust Multi-Axis Mount
  • Compatible with 4K TV

Compare top features

Winner – Swann

swann logo
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Our Rating

  • 4K Ultra HD Resolutions
  • Face Recognition
  • Voice Commands

Compare top features

Last update on 2022-11-10 / Affiliate links / Ratings / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Written By: John Fox | Security expert / Locksmith 30 Years Experience

11.01.2022

Q-See and Swann are two of the larger brands in security cameras. With 15 years in the industry, we know a few things about security cameras and their features. We have compared the features of both of these great brands and their cameras face-to-face and then discussed their standalone features.

From our in-depth comparison, you can decide which camera appears to meet your requirements the best, in terms of performance, specifications, size, design, and budget. Ultimately, it boils down to what you expect from your ideal security system, as the preferences of each user can be different. 

Q-See vs Swann: Quick Summary 

When we compare Q-See vs Swann, Swann is our absolute winner. Though both these brands have similar camera systems, Swann home systems are more reliable and affordable. Swann is the ultimate winner, for the following reasons:   

  • Easy installation anywhere in the house, be it indoors or outdoors 
  • The camera is equipped with all modern features 
  • Easy operation, with no hassle of complicated setup
  • Great resolution 

Swann camera solutions have good video resolution and they are simple to set up. They have several modern functions, and smart features, and are accessible at a reasonable cost. 

qsee products

Q-See

Almost all of the Q-See camera systems feature simple installation and have a weatherproof coating.

The Q-See cameras have only a one-year warranty, you can enjoy the lifetime technical support offered by them. Q-See has good enough camera systems.

a hand holding a phone with swann app installed

Swann

Swann is the best for everything as it has CCTV cameras in multiple models, which are suitable for home and office use.

Swann has easy to set up and features simple installation. All in all, they are accessible at a reasonable price. Swann is a decent choice with all camera solutions.

Q-See vs Swann: Pros and cons

Q-See

  • Pros
  • Many of them are easy to install 
  • Several waterproof camera systems with good enough night vision 
  • Offers free lifetime technical support with a one-year product warranty 
  • Numerous camera systems come with a minimum of 60 ft of cable 
  • Cons
  • Several DVRs or NVRs are of poor quality
  • The price is expensive compared to the quality they provide

Swann

  • Pros
  • Security systems are straightforward to use and install 
  • Several models can be utilized as Plug and Play devices, making them relatively easy to set up 
  • Camera solutions are equipped with modern and new technologies
  • Various CCTV camera models for office and home use 
  • Cons
  • The coloring on the camera systems will start to fade after a year, more or less 

Compare Q-See vs. Swann Features

Brand

Q-See

Swann

Usage

Indoor / Outdoor

Indoor / Outdoor

Video Resolution

4K HD

4K Ultra HD

Night Vision

98 feet

115 feet

Storage

  • Yes
  • Yes

Easy to Install

  • Yes
  • Yes

Amazon.com price as of 10/08/2021 at 3:14 p.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer. Offers and availability subject to change.


Q-See vs Swann: Face-to-Face Features

In this section, we have compared Q-see and Swann in terms of common features. 

Night-Vision

Both Q-See and Swann security cameras come with night vision technology. While Q-see has a viewing range of 98 feet, Swann comes with a viewing range of 115 feet. 

In terms of range, Swann is the clear winner, but it also has another benefit over the Q-See camera. Swann’s camera is equipped with motion sensor lights that turn on when it senses movement. This key difference has us inclined towards Swann, but that’s not to say that the Q-See security camera is not great at night. 

Winner: Swann 

Outdoor and Indoor

Q-See and Swann security cameras are both ideals for outdoor and indoor installation and viewing. However, Q-See cameras are more resistant to weather elements due to their robust construction and housing, which is why we prefer them over Swann. In terms of indoor viewing though, both the cameras are on par. So, with Q-See having an upper hand over its rival in terms of outdoor durability, it gets our winning vote. (1)

Winner: Q-See

Resolution 

The cameras are equipped with 4K resolution. This allows the user to identify faces and figures on the screen with sheer crispness and brightness. Thanks to the night-vision technology, even at dark the resolution thrives and gives you clear output. 

But while Q-See features 4K HD resolution, the Swann sports a brilliant quality of 4K ultra HD, which gives the latter an edge over the former when it comes to finer details. So, if you’re a quality freak, Swann is the camera for you. 

Winner: Swann 

Weight and Design

Q-See cameras weigh 19 pounds, while Swann cameras weigh 14 pounds. The lightweight can make installation and maintenance fairly simple, so if you don’t want to bother yourself with handling bulky cameras, then Swann is a clear choice for you. 

The Swann camera’s design is also more modern-looking than its rival. Swann cameras come with dimensions of 17.1 x 11.8 x 7.7 inches, while Q-See’s dimensions are 15 x 12.99 x 12.01 inches, the latter is more compact. 

Winner: Swann


Q-See vs Swann: Standout Features

In this section, we discuss some excellent stand-out features of each brand.

Standout Features of Q-See

  • Robust Multi-Axis Mount: Protects the unit from the elements and vandalism. The unique construction and housing of the camera, with the unit being rated to  IP67 standards, protect it from weather and tampering.
  • Compatible with 4K TV: With 4K picture resolution, the footage can be viewed on a 4K TV for an enhanced viewing experience, leaving no little detail to the imagination. Nothing would escape your eyes under the surveillance of such a powerful camera. 
  • Phone Connectivity: The Q-See cameras can be linked with smartphones for seamless viewing of videos that your unit records. The Q-See Plus app is even compatible with iPhones and can create automatic backups to the cloud, so you won’t lose even a second of what the camera records once it starts rolling. (2)

Standout Features of Swann 

  • Face Recognition: Swann cameras can recognize faces, and match with the names that you enter in the database. Any unknown appearances would alert you as soon as the camera detects them. You can save the faces and names of known people and set alerts for them if need be.
  • Spotlight Camera: The color night vision prompts the spotlight to turn on when it detects movement, making the camera’s detection prowess even stronger. Even in complete darkness, the camera would be able to detect who has rung your doorbell. With the two-way talk feature, you would be able to speak to whoever is at the door without having to open it, complementing the spotlight feature perfectly to keep intruders at bay.
  • Voice Commands: You can command the functions of the camera using your voice, via Google Assistance, Alexa devices, as well as Google Home hub.


Q-See vs Swann: Most Popular Products

Q See Surveillance System QC968 6DX 2

Q-See Surveillance System QC968-6DX-2

Specifications:

  • Memory storage of 2000 GB
  • Hard Disk size of 2 TB
  • 8 Channels 
  • Night vision with viewing up to 98 feet 
  • Comes with an excellent resolution of 4K
  • Dimensions with 38.1 x 33.02 x 30.48 cm

Q-See Surveillance System QC968-6DX-2 is a comprehensive system with 6 camera units working in tandem to put eyes throughout your home, both inside and outside. The units come with an excellent resolution of 4K, that can record HD videos, with sharp features. The videos are compatible with a 4K TV, so you can view crisp images and footage without having to compromise the picture quality.

Even the videos recorded at night are crisp, thanks to the 98 feet viewing of the Q-See camera. With its tamper and weather-resistant properties, you can install the cameras outside, and not worry about intruders messing with the units, or rain, snow, and other weather elements damaging the exterior or the interior of the cameras. 

The installation is pretty seamless as well. You get all the components you need to set up and operate the Q-See security camera inside the package. The easy-to-read manual would give you step-by-step instructions on how to get it running, so you won’t need to hire a professional. The 2000 memory storage capacity enables the storage of a host of videos without the risk of them being overwritten. 

PROS

  • Easy installation 
  • Easy operation 
  • Durable 
  • Decent night vision 

CONS

  • A bit pricey

Swann Home Security Camera System SWNVK 886804FB

Swann Home Security Camera System SWNVK-886804FB

Specifications:

  • Wired connectivity 
  • Bullet camera type 
  • 4 cameras in the system 
  • Comes with a 4K image resolution 
  • Weighs 14 pounds
  • Color video up to 115 feet

The SWNVK-886804FB is equipped with a host of high-tech features that makes it easy for the system to protect your house from invaders. The one feature that we liked the most in this unit is its facial recognition technology. The feature alerts you of the person that stands near the lens, with their name and face.

Anytime a person rings your doorbell, you’d be alerted of who stands at your door, so you can be on your guard if it’s a stranger. The 2-way audio complements the face recognition feature, as it allows you to speak to the person on the other side of the door without having to open it.

Another feature that we found interesting in the Swann security camera was the spotlight color night vision. When there’s warm activity around the camera, the spotlight on it would light up to capture the events occurring before the lens. People, animals, or vehicles could trigger the lights, so if there are any movements in front of your house at night, you’d be alerted. You can capture color videos up to 115 feet with the Swann security camera. The 4K ultra HD resolution would guarantee excellent video quality, so you won’t have trouble with grainy photos and videos. 

PROS

  • Facial recognition 
  • Two-way audio 
  • Motion sensor lights (sensitive to moving objects such as humans, animals, and vehicles)
  • Free recording 

CONS

  • The app can be tricky to use 

Wrapping Up

We have underlined all the key specifications, differences, similarities, and unique facets of both Swann and Q-See cameras. Both are excellent brands in their own right, with each offering its own pros and cons. It’s for you to choose which one meets your needs the best. While both the cameras provide excellent resolutions, Swann has more to offer when it comes to modern features, such as spotlight motion detection, and voice commands.

Though, in terms of durability, Q-See is a better option. If you’re looking to install security cameras outside exclusively, you might be better off with a Q-See model. But with both meeting the basic things you expect from an ideal security system, you can choose the model that meets your home or office needs the best, or for whichever other reason you are buying the security camera for. 

Choose Q-See if:

  • You are fine with basic features under the belt
  • You prioritize durability and resistance against weather conditions over everything else 
  • You want something that can be easily installed, and used 

Choose Swann if:

  • You want a camera with advanced features 
  • You want one that provides tab bit higher resolution than its rivals
  • You want it to have several connectivity options 

In the end, it’s your expectations from the security system that will make the choice for you.

Take a look at some of our related articles below.



References
(1) weather elements – https://www.slideshare.net/leahburbos/weather-44120088
(2) automatic backups – https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatabackup/tip/
3-ways-automated-backup-can-aid-your-data-protection


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Written by

John Fox

Senior Writer & Director

John Fox has been working as a security consultant for over 20 years. During his time in the industry, he’s learned about what it takes to ensure your home and family are always safe. With Safe Now, he’s tried to take those two decades of experience and share it with others. His goal now is to help others figure out how to make the right choices for their businesses and families.