The best outdoor security camera is a crucial investment for home security and safeguarding your property. Therefore, we’ve searched high and low for the best outdoor security cameras on the market and compiled a list of our top picks after thoroughly testing them in real home environments. Also, there are a few important aspects you’ll want to consider before making your buying decision. We’ll also discuss those important aspects in the end to help you choose the right model for your home and property.
Outdoor security cameras offer high-quality video, withstand harsh weather, provide motion detection, and night vision, and allow remote access via mobile apps. These cameras cater to diverse needs with various price ranges, ensuring a balance between cost and desired features. They ensure peace of mind by making it easy to monitor deliveries, deter trespassers, and keep a vigilant eye on your surroundings.
Top 5 Best Outdoor Security Cameras In 2024
| 1 | Blink Outdoor Security Camera – The Best Overall |
| 2 | Wyze Cam Floodlight – The Best Budget Option |
| 3 | Ring Stick Up Cam Battery – Best for both indoor and outdoor |
| 4 | Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera – Best for Zooming |
| 5 | Google Nest Cam – Best for Smart Features |
Best Outdoor Security Camera – Reviews
1. Blink Outdoor Security Camera
In September 2020, Blink developed the best outdoor security camera, and it’s been flying off the shelves ever since. When you buy it, you get two AA lithium batteries that will last you two years without requiring any replacement. At a reasonable price, you get a 30-frames-per-second 1080p video, a black-and-white night vision that works up to 10 feet in distance, and fast and precise motion-triggered warnings when someone enters your property. You can use the camera’s 1080p resolution to view a live stream and converse with visitors, thanks to its high-quality two-way audio function. With its Alexa feature, it allows you to make quick voice commands or integrate them with your smart home devices using voice input through IFTTT.
2. Wyze Cam Floodlight
Wyze took its excellent Wyze Cam v3 and improved it with a couple of LEDs, calling it the Wyze Cam Floodlight. And just like the Wyze Cam, the Wyze Cam Floodlight is surprisingly inexpensive, costing less than $100, which is a steal compared to other floodlight security cameras. That is why it is the best budget outdoor security camera you can find on the market right now.
The camera’s video quality is great at 1080p Full HD. Initially, if people came too close to the floods, their faces would wash out since they are bright at 2600 lumens; however, what we liked about them is that they offer a handy dimming option, and their intensity is quite adjustable. You may also connect a second Wyze Cam to the floodlight to expand your monitoring coverage if you have one. In addition to that, this best outdoor security camera has three individually controlled PIR sensors to see in the dark up to 30 feet, whose range and sensitivity can also be adjusted. It provides colored night vision. Furthermore, it features sound and motion detection, two-way audio, and a 105dB Siren to deter unwelcome subjects. The camera also includes local storage, which is great if the internet connection goes down. Wyze Cam Plus, like other home security cameras, requires payment for the person and package detection but costs only $1.99 per month.
Additionally, because it has a Hub, you can save the video to your computer locally using a USB flash drive, so just get a USB and don’t worry about monthly cloud payments if you are on a budget. The Cloud, on the other hand, allows you to store rolling videos for up to 60 days for an unlimited number of cameras if you can afford it. Plus, you get access to Blink’s photo capture, which takes a photograph every hour and combines them into a short video so you know what caused the motion-triggered occurrence.
3. Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
It’s a charming 2.3 inches wide and a 4.9 inches tall black and white security camera. We also discovered it to be one of the most user-friendly for indoor and outdoor surveillance, simply placing it on a flat surface inside a room or attaching it to the outside wall to keep an eye on your garden. It’s the best indoor/outdoor security camera that we’ve tested so far.
Depending on how often you use it, the battery can last anywhere from 6 to 12 months. You’ll get fast and accurate motion-triggered notifications when someone enters its field of view after downloading its app. Furthermore, if you want more specific and timely alerts, you may also establish motion zones. This is a significant upgrade from the previous version of 2016, which offered 720p at an 80-degree field of view. The current model has 1080p and 115 degrees field of view, which is a considerable boost. You can spot a visitor by its live view and chat with them using their two-way communication from your phone or tablet without getting out of bed. Alternatively, you may operate it hands-free via Alexa voice commands. It may make smart use of Echo devices through IFTTT applets, too.
However, if you want to save live streams and motion-triggered videos for up to 60 days so that you can go back and see what you missed, you’ll have to subscribe to Ring’s membership plans. This way, you may document neighborhood happenings and assist police in detecting burglary attempts, theft, and vandalism.
4. Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera
The latest Arlo Pro 4 is similar to the previous Arlo Pro 3 in terms of design and size. The only distinction between them is that it’s cheaper and includes built-in WiFi, so you don’t need a hub. You may now use the Arlo App on your phone to manage any number of cameras wirelessly. Furthermore, the Arlo Pro 4 may be controlled with Google, Alexa, and Siri for voice commands, and it can connect to third-party smart gadgets using IFTTT to control smart bulbs, door locks, and lights.
Are you searching for the best outdoor security camera with Zoom? This low-cost outdoor security camera has a 12x auto Zoom and a 130-degree motion detection radius, ensuring that you don’t miss anything important and that any detail in its wide 160-degree field of view is captured. Beyond that, its 4 MP sensor and HDR technology produce 2K undistorted footage and bright colorful night vision. You won’t miss anything when you get the notifications since there’s a spotlight behind the night vision. For motion detection on your phone, you get basic alerts for free. If you want smart alerts, however, you’ll have to sign up for a subscription. You’ll get additional features like cloud storage, cloud-based activity zones, face recognition, and smart alerts for individuals as well as animals with these paid packages, and you can obtain life-saving capabilities such as sounding a siren or calling a friend.
5. Google Nest Cam
The Google Nest Cam is the best outdoor security camera because it offers 1080p HDR video, night vision, and 3 hours of free history for event videos. It also can store up to an hour of footage in the event of a power outage or Wi-Fi disruption. Furthermore, it has built-in intelligence to differentiate between people, animals, and vehicles and send alerts directly to your phone. It is also compatible with smart displays and tablets with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for hands-free streaming of your live video feed. One downside is that it requires a subscription to Nest Aware to get the most out of it, but otherwise, it’s the best outdoor security camera with smart features for keeping an eye on your home.
The camera is battery-powered and can be easily mounted anywhere with the magnetic mount. You can add an indoor stand or a weatherproof power cable (both available separately) for continuous power and 24/7 video recording with Nest Aware Plus. However, the Nest Cam requires a free Google Account and a Google Home app; it isn’t compatible with the Nest site or app.
Other Notable Mentions
Cooau Outdoor Security Camera – Best Battery Life
Do you want a camera that you don’t have to think about after it’s installed? This is the best outdoor security camera with a long battery life. The 4 MP camera features a 15000mAh battery powered by a high-efficiency solar panel, which ensures hassle-free 365-day protection throughout the year. The camera and solar panel are waterproof, so it won’t stop, no matter whether it’s raining or snowing. Furthermore, its mechanical rotation of 355 degrees horizontally and 120 degrees vertically enhances its 130 degrees wide angle, resulting in 360-degree surveillance of your entire property.
At the same time, with its 4X digital zoom, monitoring improves dramatically. Furthermore, because infrared-colored night vision sees objects up to 65 feet away, you’ll never miss anything in the dark again. The camera employs artificial intelligence (AI) human detection as well as thermal detection to provide real-time accurate notifications when it detects movement. You can use your phone to communicate with the visitor in real-time through the App. The app also allows you and four additional people to utilize the camera on their phones by downloading it.
The camera can support up to 128 GB of SD card, which you’ll have to purchase separately. The system will encrypt the videos on the card, and only your app can play them, which protects your videos from being misused when the card or camera is stolen.
You get 7 days of free cloud storage when you purchase the camera. However, to take advantage of this online storage facility, you’ll need to sign up for COOAU’s monthly or yearly cloud packages.
Blurams Security Camera Outdoor Pro – The Best Affordable Option
If you’re searching for an inexpensive yet high-end home security camera, Blurams Outdoor Security Camera Pro is one of the best outdoor security cameras to consider. The lovely white pill-shaped covering that comes with the 2.2 by 3.6 by 3.8 inches glossy black camera is IP65 weather resistant and looks great on your wall. The camera’s 129-degree field of view and 4x digital zoom provide wide views of your garden. It adjusts automatically to low light situations and can see up to 22 feet in the dark, allowing you to adjust its tilt and swivel direction as well manually. However, to install it, you’ll need a 10-foot-long USB power cable to run across your home and charge it using a USB power adapter.
The 1080p camera can detect motion and sound and operates in black and white with night vision. It will generate push notifications when it detects movement or noise, on which you may save the video to the local 128 GB microSD card. However, you’ll have to purchase the card separately. Furthermore, because of its 3D noise reduction feature, you may enjoy noiseless two-way communication with the guests. It also has a siren that can be useful in warning away unwelcome visitors.
This best outdoor security camera is also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for automated voice control. You can also integrate it with other smart devices, such as smart doorbells, smart locks, smart bulbs, and smart refrigerators.
In the cloud, it will keep 12 seconds of videos for 24 hours. To store complete videos in the cloud, however, you must subscribe to Bluram’s cloud storage plan. You’ll be able to use days of video history, hours-long clips, nonstop recording, and sharing features, as well as a face recognition feature if you subscribe.
Buyers Guide: Things to consider before buying the best outdoor security camera
Now that we have looked at the best outdoor security cameras, it’s time to take a look at what features you should be looking for when purchasing one.
Here are the most important factors to keep in mind.
Size and Design
Best outdoor security cameras are available in different sizes and shapes. And size and shape have a great impact on the usability of the security camera. Small and discreet security cameras are better at operating in disguise and can reveal the intentions of the visitors to keep you alert in the future. Whereas large and bulkier security cameras are better at deterring crimes by staying visible and alerting criminals. Furthermore, size and design determine how easily the camera can be fixed at desired spots and installed.
Weatherproofing
Weatherproofing is what sets outdoor security cameras apart from their indoor counterparts. IP66 is standard for a good outdoor security camera. The first digit (0-6), after the prefix IP, means resistance against dust and dirt, whereas the second digit (0-9) means how resistant it is against moisture and water spray. However, this doesn’t mean you can submerge your camera in water.
Field of View
The field of view is another important aspect of an outdoor security camera that sets it apart from an indoor security camera. It determines how much area the camera can cover. A wider field of view means that the camera can cover more area, while a narrower field of view means that it can only cover a small area. For the best outdoor security cameras, we recommend nothing less than 110 degrees FOV. Some outdoor cameras with PTZ (Pan, tilt, and zoom) are better for covering larger areas and tracking the subjects. For better and wider coverage, some PTZ cameras also offer pan and tilt features, which can also come in handy if your area is wider.
Resolution
The resolution of an outdoor security camera is also important. A higher resolution means that the camera can capture more detail, while a lower resolution means that it can only capture a small amount of detail. For the best outdoor security cameras, we recommend 1080p and better. However, it is also important to note here that the quality of the footage also depends on how good your internet connection is. If the internet speed is good, outdoor security cameras with 720p resolution can yield good results, whereas, with bad internet, even security cameras with 4k resolution may result in grainy and useless footage.
Night Vision
Outdoor security cameras with night vision allow them to continue recording even when it’s dark outside. For night vision, we recommend outdoor security cameras with infrared (IR) LEDs that can see up to 30 feet in the dark. Some outdoor security cameras with spotlights are also a good alternative, especially for porches. They are also good at alerting visitors that they are being watched over. However, in larger backyards, outdoor security cameras with floodlights are recommended as they can lighten up large areas.
Connectivity
Both wired and wireless cameras have their advantages and disadvantages. We recommend wireless cameras for their easy installation. However, it is important to make sure your Wi-Fi connection is within the reach of your outdoor security camera(s). If you are more concerned about better video quality and uninterrupted transmission, then wired outdoor security cameras are a better alternative.
Local and Cloud Storage
Many outdoor security cameras come with local and cloud storage, which allows you to store your footage locally on a microSD card or in the cloud. Both local and cloud storage have their advantages and disadvantages. We recommend local storage for better privacy since your footage stays within the vicinity of your home. However, cloud storage is great if you want to be able to access your footage from anywhere in the world. The best outdoor security cameras that offer both are ideal.
Motion Detection
Many outdoor security cameras come with motion detection, which allows them only to record when there is movement in their field of view. Motion detection is usually achieved with a PIR sensor, which is sensitive to heat. We highly recommend this feature for the best outdoor security camera because it saves you from recording nonstop and saves your battery and storage space.
Two-Way Audio
Some outdoor security cameras come with two-way audio, which allows you to talk to and listen to people who are in the camera’s field of view. We recommend the best outdoor security with a two-way audio feature because they allow you to communicate with visitors in real time. They also come in handy in directing and establishing communication with your children and pets playing outside.
Price
Of course, price is also an important factor to consider when purchasing the best outdoor security camera. Outdoor security cameras can range in price from around $100 to over $1000, so it’s important to find one that fits your budget. For home security, we recommend outdoor security cameras under 500 $. You can also go for professional-grade models. However, they are usually meant for highly sensitive setups.
Power supply
The power source is an important factor to consider when purchasing the best outdoor security camera. If you have a reliable power supply, we recommend getting a wired outdoor security camera. However, if you live in an area where the power goes out often, then we recommend getting a battery-powered outdoor security camera. Security cameras with solar panels are also a great option to look at if your region gets good sunlight.
Installation
Installing an outdoor security camera can be tricky, especially if you don’t have any experience with it. You can easily install a wireless outdoor security camera even if you have very little know-how of modern technology. However, we recommend hiring a professional to install your wired outdoor security camera for you. This will ensure that the camera is installed correctly and that you won’t have any issues with it in the future.
People Also Ask
Do I need an outdoor security camera?
In today’s society, it is more important than ever to feel safe and secure in your own home. An outdoor security camera comes in handy when you want to keep a watch over your children playing outside or want to monitor your front and backyard for visitors and intruders. It’s very important for the peace of mind you get when your property is safe and secure.
What are the different types of outdoor security cameras?
The most common types of outdoor security cameras are wired and wireless. Wired outdoor security cameras are hardwired into your home’s electrical system, while wireless outdoor security cameras run on batteries or solar power.
What are the benefits of an outdoor security camera?
An outdoor security camera has many benefits. The most important benefit is that it helps you keep an eye on your property for safety purposes. Additionally, an outdoor security camera can also help deter criminals from breaking into your home as well as provide you with footage of any crimes that occur.
Are outdoor security cameras weatherproof?
Most outdoor security cameras are weatherproof, but we recommend checking the specifications of the camera before purchasing to be sure.
Can I view my outdoor security camera footage on my phone?
Yes, most outdoor security cameras come with an app that you can use to view your footage. However, we recommend checking the specifications of the camera before purchasing to be sure.
How much does an outdoor security camera cost?
Outdoor security cameras can range in price from around $100 to over $1000, so it’s important to find one that fits your budget. For home security, we recommend consumer-grade security cameras under 500 $. You can also go for professional-grade models; however, they are usually meant for highly sensitive setups.
Can I install an outdoor security camera myself?
Yes, you can easily install a wireless outdoor security camera by following the instructions in the manual. However, installing a wired outdoor security camera can be tricky, especially if you don’t have any experience with it. We recommend hiring a professional to install your wired outdoor security camera for you. This will ensure that the camera is installed correctly and that you won’t have any issues with it in the future.
How do I power my outdoor security camera?
Most outdoor security cameras now come with rechargeable batteries. However, some models require you to connect them to a power source, such as a power outlet. Some hybrid models use both batteries and direct current, while there are models that use solar panels to power up.
How often do I need to replace my outdoor security camera batteries?
The frequency with which you need to replace your outdoor security camera batteries depends on the type of battery it uses and how often you use it. We recommend checking the specifications of the camera before purchasing it to see how often the batteries need to be replaced.
What are some of the best brands for outdoor security cameras?
Some of the best brands for outdoor security cameras are Ring, Blink, Arlo, Wyze, and Nest. These brands offer great quality outdoor security cameras at reasonable prices.
Do outdoor security cameras need WiFi?
Yes, most outdoor security cameras need WiFi to connect to your home network and stream footage. However, some outdoor security cameras don’t require WiFi and require an internet connection through an ethernet wire.
What is the best resolution for an outdoor security camera?
The best resolution for an outdoor security camera is 1080p. This resolution provides you with clear and crisp footage that you can use to identify criminals or intruders.
What is the best placement for an outdoor security camera?
The best placement for an outdoor security camera is usually in a corner of your property where you can get a good view of the area. We recommend placing the camera high up so it can’t be tampered with easily.
Do outdoor security cameras work at night?
Yes, most outdoor security cameras come with night vision capabilities. This allows you to see footage even in low-light or no-light conditions.
What is the storage capacity of an outdoor security camera?
The storage capacity of an outdoor security camera depends on the type of camera you have. Some cameras come with internal storage, usually an SD card, while others require an external source, such as cloud storage. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. We recommend checking the specifications of the camera before purchasing it to see what type of storage it requires.
Can I access my outdoor security camera footage from anywhere?
Yes, most outdoor security cameras come with cloud storage capabilities. This allows you to view your footage from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.
Do I need a subscription for my outdoor security camera?
Most outdoor security cameras come with onboard storage, and some even offer free cloud storage, so you won’t need a subscription to view your footage. However, some cameras require a subscription for certain features, such as full-length video recording, smart alerts, and other handy AI features like face recognition. It is recommended to check the specifications of the model before you buy it.
Review Methodology: How we select and test the best outdoor security cameras
Our approach to reviewing and testing the finest outdoor security cameras involves a comprehensive and rigorous process, ensuring the utmost integrity and authenticity of our findings. To find the best outdoor security camera, first and foremost, we conducted extensive research to identify a diverse range of top-rated models available in the market. We carefully analyzed their specifications, features, and customer reviews to narrow our selection. Next, we procured the selected cameras and subjected them to a series of rigorous tests in various outdoor scenarios. These tests included assessing image quality, night vision capabilities, motion detection accuracy, weather resistance, and ease of installation and use. To ensure objectivity, our team of experienced reviewers followed a standardized evaluation methodology and independently rated each camera based on predetermined criteria. We also took into account factors such as pricing, customer support, and brand reputation. Finally, we compiled our findings into a comprehensive and informative review that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each best outdoor security camera, assisting readers in making an informed purchasing decision.
Final Verdict: Which best outdoor security camera should I buy?
Blink outdoor (3rd Gen) security camera is the best outdoor security camera we recommend for its excellent features and reasonable price tag. The camera offers everything you need from an outdoor security camera, and the customer reviews speak for it.
Wyze Cam Floodlight is the best budget outdoor security camera you can consider if you want great value for a low price. The camera has all the essential features you need in an outdoor security camera and still costs less than $ 100.
