Best Outdoor Security Cameras
Outdoor security cameras are a great first line of defense and a way to ensure your delivered packages are safe and secure. Check out our list of the top outdoor security cameras below.
The Best Outdoor Security Cameras
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There are a wide variety of outdoor security cameras on the market. Features on outdoor security cameras range from infrared night vision to motion alerts. Some home surveillance cameras even allow you to send images of the burglar or thief to your local law enforcement. Here is a look at the best outdoor security cameras available right now.
Lorex - Best Equipment
Lorex cameras range from the indoor 1080p HD camera ($39.99) to the impressive outdoor PTZ camera ($199) with 360-degree pan-and-tilt technology and 25x optical zoom. And there are plenty of outdoor camera options in-between.
The 3 MP Camera by Lorex is a great mid-range surveillance camera. It features a motorized varifocal lens, night vision and an adjustable field of view. Also look out for 4K, 8-channel NVR camera systems with floodlights, spotlights, bullet- and dome-shaped cameras, you name it. Lorex seems to have it all.
Pros:
- HD Video Quality (4K in Some Models)
- Long-Range Color Night Vision
- Lots of Equipment and Bundling Options
- Smooth App Experience
- No Contracts or Monthly Fees
- Long History in the Home Security Industry
Cons:
- Lorex Website Is Hard to Navigate
- Occasional False Notifications
- No Professional Monitoring Options
- Limited Customer Service Hours
If you are looking for more advanced security features like vandal-built construction, 2k resolution, and optical zoom, then you should take a look at Lorex outdoor security cameras. They also operate in very extreme weather, which makes them excellent for anyone who lives in a more extreme area weather-wise. However, it is important to note that Lorex cameras do not have features like remote access, Alexa voice control, or two-way talk. Lorex outdoor cameras are also not compatible with smart home devices.
Ring - Best Outdoor Cameras for Alexa
The Ring Camera is an excellent outdoor home security camera built to link easily with an existing Ring Video Doorbell or work as a stand-alone system. Ring is designed well to handle the elements and can provide an easy-to-use and install design that many property owners can appreciate.
Pros:
- Easy DIY Installation
- No Wires (for battery model)
- 1080p HD Video
- Designed for Indoors or Outdoors
- Highly Customizable Settings
- User-Friendly Mobile App
- Live Video Streaming
- Two-Way Talk
- Motion-Activated Notifications
- Infrared Night Vision
- Works Best With Alexa
Cons:
- Occasional Missed Motion
- No Advanced Video Resolutions (2K or 4K)
- Equipment Costs Can Add Up
- Professional Monitoring Only Available in U.S. and Canada
- History of Privacy Issues/Hacking
The Ring Camera is a superior outdoor home security camera for numerous reasons. Ring, which has worked hard to become a well-known player in this industry, is recognized for its Ring Video Doorbell. The Ring Camera links to the doorbell if you have both, creating a simple way to monitoring the various areas around your home you need to, from garage doors to the backyard. This is a feature-filled camera, but it is also one of the more affordable outdoor security cameras, as well.
Easy to mount and connect (with wireless options available), this system is simple to get in place right away. Once there, you can begin taking advantage of the various features. That includes the HD video quality, including the night vision. There’s a good level of zoom provided with the camera as well, which means that even in the dark, you can get a clear idea of who is present. The motion-activated notifications are also very responsible, but you can turn them on or off as you need to. Other features include the two-way talk feature, which includes noise cancellation, and the siren – which is sure to deter anyone from coming any closer to your home.
It’s simple to link your outdoor Ring Camera to home automation, including the Amazon Alexa platform. The app is also very easy to use and lets you turn on or off your system anywhere, receive notifications, and get a live view at any time.
When it comes to costs, the Stick Up Camera, which is available as wireless, plug-in, or solar, is the lowest-costing option. The Stick Up Camera operating on batteries is $99.99 regularly. The Spotlight Cam, also available as battery or solar power, is priced at $229 to $249 depending on your power options. There’s also a potential $3 or $10 subscription fee for recording the video. Still, this is a very low cost for a comprehensive home security solution that works for most homes.
Google Nest - Best Google Outdoor Cameras
Nest makes two outdoor security cameras — the new Nest Cam Outdoor IQ and the Nest Cam Outdoor. Both allow you to easily monitor your outdoor space rain or shine. They are waterproof and durable. Nest Outdoor Cams plug into A/C power, so you don’t have to worry about dead batteries.
Nest Outdoor Cam IQ uses artificial intelligence to distinguish a person from an animal or car. You can get instant alerts on your phone or smart device when the surveillance camera detects motion or a loud sound. Activity zones allow you to get alerts for specific areas, like your front porch or driveway. Both cameras feature a built-in speaker and microphone. So, you can provide instructions for the delivery person or inform a burglar that you are calling the police.
Don’t worry if you miss alerts. With the Nest app, you can watch the past three hours of footage. Thumbnail images provide crucial snapshots of important events. So, you don’t have to watch an entire three hours of footage to see if anything important has happened. If you subscribe to the Nest Aware service, you can create and share video clips with neighbors, the police or anyone else. You can also create and share time-lapse videos.
Pros:
- Solid, Weatherproof Build
- 1080p HD resolution with HDR
- Built-in Google Assistant
- Person Alerts
- Facial Recognition
- Simple DIY Installation
- Two-Way Talk
- Intelligent Audio Alerts
Cons:
- Relatively Expensive
- Wired Cameras; No Battery Option
- Some Video Recording and Processing Delays
The Nest family of outdoor cameras are a good choice if you already use the Nest family of products as they are compatible with other Nest smart home products. A Nest Outdoor Cam is also a good choice if you want to add more products later on — like the Nest Learning Thermostat.
The Nest Outdoor Cam is a good solid surveillance camera for both outdoor home security and monitoring. It offers quite a few useful features like night vision, instant alerts, and a wide-angle view. The main disadvantage is that you’ll need to purchase the Nest Aware subscription to get things like cloud storage, time-lapses, and intelligent alerts.
Arlo - Best Wireless Outdoor Camera System
Arlo Outdoor Home Security Cameras are a great option for anyone who wants wireless outdoor cameras. These surveillance cameras can be placed just about anywhere making them good for home security but also for monitoring wildlife and other purposes. One of the things to keep in mind is that you will need a mobile data plan for the Arlo Go.
The Arlo Pro 2 is the newest outdoor security camera in the lineup. This camera features flexible power options. So, you can use it with the battery or plug it into a power outlet if you’d rather not worry about recharging it. This camera works with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Stringify.
Pros:
- Well-Built Equipment
- Super HD 2K Video
- Color Night Vision
- No Contracts Required
- DIY Installation (100 percent Wireless)
- 160-degree Field of Vision
- Noise Cancellation
- Third-Party Integration
Cons:
- Recording Delay Issues
- Limited Home Automation
- Lacking Advanced Security Features
- Considerable Up-front Cost
- Occasionally Buggy
- SmartHub Requires Ethernet Connection
The Arlo security camera lineup is vast and impressive. The Arlo Pro camera is IP65 certified weather-resistant. It is also completely wire-free so you can place it anywhere outdoors. There are no cords nor wires to worry about. The video is HD-quality and integrated night vision automatically switches on at night. So, you’ll always get the best picture possible. Two-way audio lets you listen-in and talk back to people.
The Arlo Pro 2 is the newest outdoor security camera in the lineup. This camera features flexible power options. So, you can use it with the battery or plug it into a power outlet if you’d rather not worry about recharging it. This camera works with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Stringify.
For a completely mobile outdoor security camera that you can place anywhere, consider the Arlo Go. This camera can be placed absolutely anywhere. It is completely wire-free and weatherproof. It features long-lasting rechargeable batteries. To use the Arlo Go, you need to have an LTE mobile plan.
With all of Arlo’s outdoor security cameras, you get 7 days worth of video recording for free for up to five cameras. You can also connect a USB drive to the base station for local storage. One of the unique features of Arlo’s outdoor cameras is the 100db siren. This loud siren can help scare away criminals before a crime even happens.
Arlo’s outdoor security cameras feature intelligent artificial intelligence-based smart detection. So, the cameras can distinguish between a person, car or another object.
Blink - Easiest Set-Up
The Blink camera system is small but mighty. The Blink Indoor, Blink Outdoor, and Blink Mini cameras are the latest wireless home security camera from this Amazon-owned company. Blink offers a great deal of versatility. You design an outdoor home security camera system that works for your needs. Blink offers a one, two, three and five camera system.
These cameras feature HD video so you can get a great view of your outdoor space with minimal distortion. The home surveillance camera is motion-activated. When armed, it will send alerts to your phone whenever the sensor is triggered. Instant alerts are sent right to your phone and they include a photo so you know how to respond. You can also see and hear what is happening at your home thanks to the built-in microphone. Finally, there is a built-in LED illuminator for low-light situations.
Pros:
- Fully Wireless Cameras
- Easy DIY Installation
- Lightweight, Minimalist Design
- 1080p HD Video Resolution
- Two-Way Talk
- Infrared Night Vision
- Low-Cost Cloud Storage
- Local Video Storage
- Smart Home Integration
Cons:
- Lacks Advanced Motion Features
- App Setup Can Be Glitchy
- Relies on Wi-Fi Connection
- No Continuous Recording
- Requires Separate Hub to Connect
The Blink XT camera is a great option if you are looking for a versatile outdoor home security camera. Because it can be used both indoors or outdoors, you have more flexibility. Although Blink does not currently offer smart home integration with other devices, they have recently added Amazon Alexa support so a greater degree of integration may be on the horizon.
Zmodo - Cheapest Outdoor Cameras
Zmodo offers a variety of outdoor security cameras. There is the 1080p Outdoor
Wi-Fi Camera. This is one of the newer offerings in Zmodo’s lineup of outdoor cameras. It offers sharp 1080p HD video, night vision, motion detection, and remote viewing. There is also a 720p version of this camera. These home surveillance cameras connect to Wi-Fi. With Zmodo, you get 36 hours of free cloud storage. Zmodo allows you to set pre-determined viewing areas, which helps to cut down on false alarms.
Another offering is the Zmodo Sight 180 Outdoor video doorbell. It also features night vision, 1080 HD video, motion alerts and has a wide 180-degree lens. Zmodo also just introduced the Snap Pro, which is a wire-free 1080p camera. It features electromagnetic mount and is weatherproof, which means that you can place it anywhere outdoors.
Pros:
- Low-Cost Cameras
- Simple, Discreet Design
- No Paid Subscription Required
- Clear 1080p Video Quality
- Numerous Indoor Camera Options
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- 30-day Money-Back Guarantee
- 1-year Warranty
Cons:
- Limited Features
- Only 1 Outdoor Camera Available
- Some Delay on Wake Time in App
- No Built-In Siren or Two-Way Talk with Outdoor Cam
Zmodo offers several outdoor security cameras — all very affordable compared to similar outdoor cameras. You get 12 hours of free cloud storage. There are no fees or hidden charges. The picture quality is pretty great on the cameras. The software supports multiple cameras. Therefore, consider Zmodo if you want an affordable outdoor surveillance camera. You can customize your outdoor security camera setup to best suit your needs. There are also several cloud storage plans to choose from and start at just $4.99 a month. We recently tested Zmodo cameras in our home. You’ll be surprised by what we found.
FAQs About Outdoor Security Cameras
Yes, some of the best outdoor cameras will capture sound. Not all systems will automatically pick up on audio, though. This depends on the settings you select and the system itself.
Yes, many outdoor cameras will provide two-way audio for you. This means you can talk back-and-forth with a person outside. This is ideal if you need to ask someone to leave or you do not feel comfortable opening the door.
Yes, you can control outdoor cameras using a home security system. Most outdoor cameras integrate with a complete home security offering in some capacity.
Yes, most outdoor cameras have night vision. Look for cameras that include infrared LED night vision for the best possible results. Some companies go further and offer color night vision. This provides a higher level of clarity but isn’t necessary for all people
Yes, some outdoor cameras are designed to be waterproof. However, most other cameras are designed to be weatherproof or water-resistant. Be sure to check the specific terminology before buying.
No, not all outdoor cameras require professional installation. Installation requirements depend on the type of home security cameras or system you purchase.
Yes, some outdoor cameras work with Alexa as well as other smart home assistants.
Yes, some outdoor camera systems will offer long-term storage either in the cloud or in a local hard drive.