Why go no-drill?
Drilling into a wall isn't just a hassle — for many people it's not an option at all. Renters can't drill into the landlord's brickwork (or don't want to lose a deposit filling holes). Listed buildings and period homes have rules about drilling. And plenty of people just don't want holes in a brand-new wall or a rental property.
The good news: you can secure a home or a vehicle without a single screw. Here are the mounting options that work.
1. Magnetic mounts — the fastest no-drill option
A magnetic mount is exactly what it sounds like: a strong magnet on the camera base that clicks onto any steel surface. For vehicles — vans, cars, trailers, caravans, tractors — this is the obvious choice: the camera attaches in seconds, holds firm while moving, and removes just as easily when you need it elsewhere.
Our Solar Assist Magnetic camera uses a magnetic mount and works on any steel vehicle surface. It's solar powered, so there's no cable and no charging routine — click it on the back of the van and it's done.
Magnetic mounts only grip steel. For aluminium, fibreglass, or plastic (caravan bodies, some vans, horseboxes), you need a small steel plate to give the magnet something to hold — see option 4.
2. Adhesive and tape mounts — no holes, no damage
Strong outdoor double-sided tape and adhesive pads hold surprisingly well on smooth surfaces like brick, render, UPVC, and glass. Clean the surface, stick the pad, mount the camera. They're perfect for lightweight cameras and for renters who need a clean removal later.
Adhesive mounts work best in sheltered spots — tape doesn't love being soaked in driving rain. Pair an adhesive mount with a camera that's weatherproof and you're fine for most UK conditions.
3. Clamp and bracket mounts — grip without screws
For gutters, fences, and railings, a clamp-style bracket grips without drilling. These are great for temporary setups — a camera for a few weeks on a building site, a market stall, or a holiday let — because they install and remove in minutes with no trace.
4. Fixing plates and baseplates — magnetic on non-metal surfaces
If you want a magnetic camera on a non-steel surface, a fixing plate solves it. The plate sticks or straps to the surface, and the magnet clicks onto the plate. We sell a metal fixing plate for aluminium, caravans, and plastic vehicle bodies, plus a full caravan baseplate kit.
This is the no-drill answer for the tricky cases — you get the easy magnetic mount plus a firm grip on surfaces that aren't magnetic.
5. Weighted or freestanding bases — no fixing at all
For flat surfaces — a table, a shelf, a yard wall — a weighted base or freestanding stand holds a camera with zero fixing. It won't survive someone knocking it over, but for temporary or semi-permanent coverage it's the simplest option there is.
When do you still need to drill?
Honestly? For a permanently mounted home security camera, drilled screws are still the most vandal-proof option — a thief can't just pull a taped camera off the wall. But for renters, for vehicles, and for anyone who wants coverage without damage, the no-drill options above are genuinely good, and they let you take the camera with you when you move.
If you want no-drill at home, look for magnetic or adhesive-ready cameras. The Vision 1 Home Solar 360 is solar powered and easy to mount, and our Dual Lens home camera and Triple Lens camera both mount without heavy installation. For the drive and the van, the magnetic solar camera is the no-drill answer — magnetic, solar, and gone in seconds when you need it elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mount a security camera without drilling?
Yes. Magnetic mounts, strong adhesive pads, clamp brackets, and weighted bases all work without a single screw. Magnetic is best for vehicles and steel surfaces; adhesive is best for smooth walls and renters.
Do magnetic cameras fall off?
No — the magnet is strong and designed for vehicles that move. On non-steel surfaces, use a fixing plate or baseplate so the magnet has a steel surface to grip.
Will tape hold an outdoor camera?
Good outdoor adhesive pads hold on smooth, clean surfaces like brick, render, and UPVC. For wet or exposed spots, a magnetic mount or clamp is more secure.
Are no-drill cameras easy to move?
That's the point — a magnetic camera moves between vehicles or spots in under a minute, and adhesive/tape mounts remove cleanly when you move house.
Is a drilled camera more secure?
For permanent home installation, screws are still the most tamper-proof option. No-drill is the right choice when you can't drill, don't want holes, or need the camera portable.