If you're setting up or upgrading a CCTV system in Dubai this year, you've probably run into the same question every facility manager and villa owner asks: Hikvision or UNV? Both brands are SIRA-approved, both are widely stocked by UAE suppliers, and both show up constantly in tenders and quotations across Dubai and the wider UAE. But they aren't interchangeable, and picking the wrong one can mean overpaying for features you don't need, or under-speccing a system that later fails a SIRA inspection.

This guide breaks down how Hikvision and UNV actually compare on resolution, pricing and best-fit use cases, using real 2026 pricing for SIRA-certified cameras supplied by Merac Dubai.

Hikvision: The Full-Range Option

Hikvision is the brand most Dubai security consultants default to, mainly because it covers every resolution tier and camera format under one SIRA-certified line. Merac Dubai currently stocks:

• 2MP SIRA-certified dome and bullet cameras — from AED 188–199
• 4MP dome and bullet cameras — from AED 339, with verifocal (adjustable zoom lens) versions from AED 360
• 6MP dome and bullet cameras — from AED 370–379, verifocal from AED 739–749
• 8MP (4K) dome and bullet cameras — from AED 499, verifocal from AED 849
• 16-channel SIRA-certified NVR — from AED 1,300; 32-channel — from AED 1,600

The advantage of Hikvision is depth of range: whether a client needs a basic 2MP camera for a stairwell or an 8MP unit for a mall entrance, there's a SIRA-certified Hikvision model that fits without switching suppliers or NVR ecosystems.

UNV: The ColorHunter Alternative

UNV (Uniview) has built a strong reputation in the UAE for its ColorHunter series, which keeps footage in full colour even in low light — useful for parking areas, villa perimeters and loading bays where night-time identification matters. Merac Dubai's SIRA-certified UNV lineup includes:

• 4MP HD IP fixed bullet camera with ColorHunter low-light sensor — AED 650
• 22-inch Full HD monitor for live monitoring stations — AED 650

UNV cameras tend to sit at a mid-to-premium price point compared with Hikvision's equivalent resolution tier, but the trade-off is stronger colour retention after dark, which some villa and warehouse clients specifically request.

Which Brand Should You Choose?

In practice, the decision usually comes down to the site, not brand loyalty:

• Offices, retail units and stairwells: Hikvision 2MP–4MP covers standard SIRA requirements at the lowest cost per camera.
• Villa gates, parking areas and dimly lit perimeters: UNV's ColorHunter sensor gives clearer night footage for identifying faces or plates.
• Malls, warehouses and high-security zones: Hikvision 6MP–8MP with verifocal lenses gives the flexibility to zoom in on entrances without repositioning the camera.
• Mixed installations: Many Dubai properties run Hikvision across general areas and UNV at 2–3 high-risk, low-light points — both integrate onto the same NVR without issue.

SIRA Compliance in 2026

Whichever brand you choose, make sure the camera model itself carries current SIRA certification — not just the vendor. Dubai's security authority has been steadily pushing minimum resolution expectations higher, with 4MP now treated as the practical baseline for general surveillance areas and 8MP recommended for entrances, cash points and high-security zones. All the Hikvision and UNV models Merac Dubai supplies are SIRA-certified at the point of sale, and our team can confirm the exact certification reference for your specific property type before you commit to a quantity.

Buying Checklist

• Confirm the required resolution tier for your property type with SIRA or your facility consultant
• Match camera count and NVR channel capacity — don't undersize the NVR to save on day-one cost
• Check low-light performance if the site has parking areas, gates or unlit corridors
• Budget for cabling, power (PoE), and a WD Purple surveillance-rated hard drive sized for your retention period
• Pair the installation with an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) so lenses, firmware and storage are checked on a schedule, not only when something fails

Both Hikvision and UNV are solid, SIRA-approved choices for Dubai and the wider UAE — the right one depends on where the camera sits, not which brand is more popular. Merac Dubai supplies, installs and maintains both lines, alongside our door, gate barrier and access control systems, so your entire security setup can run through a single AMC.

📞 Call or WhatsApp us to get a site-specific CCTV quotation, confirm SIRA resolution requirements for your property, or add camera maintenance to an existing AMC with Merac Dubai.