Best Security Systems for Outdoor Security in 2024

1. ADT - Best in Professional Monitoring

SecurityScore:

9.8 /10

855-908-4461

View Packages Links to ADT

How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Packages starting at $349
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starting at $30 per month
Contract Lengths	Month-to-month 36 months and up
Installation Options	Professional and DIY
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

855-908-4461

View Packages Links to ADT

ADT has appeared on many of our recent home security lists. It topped our roundup of professionally installed security systems and made our list of affordable security systems. It’s also currently our highest-rated option (9.8/10), so it’s no surprise that it’s on this list too. ADT’s biggest advantage is that it’s a great all-around system. It doesn’t excel in just one area, but consistently performs well in terms of equipment, monitoring, and features. It’s one of the best choices both for indoor and outdoor security.

That is, if ADT’s pricing is within your budget. The truth is that ADT charges more for equipment than most security companies. Take the $309.99 price tag of the ADT outdoor camera and the $229 video doorbell, for example. A typical outdoor camera costs $200 while good video doorbells cost somewhere between $80 and $120.

On the bright side, you might be able to offset the cost with deals. ADT offers them from time to time. You might even be able to get a free outdoor camera or doorbell camera if you’re lucky. Plus, if spending hundreds of dollars upfront isn’t ideal and practical, you can always finance your ADT equipment. They let you finance your equipment for up to five years.

>> How to Save: ADT’s Deals and Special Offers

ADT Outdoor Security

Our outdoor security from ADT revolved around two pieces of equipment: the Nest Cam (indoor/outdoor, battery) and the Google Nest Doorbell (battery). You read that right: Some of ADT’s equipment is built by Google Nest. We did separate reviews for both cameras. Here’s our Nest Cam (battery) review and our Nest Doorbell (battery) review. You’ll see how they work as stand-alone devices. They are impressive.

Disappointingly, pairing the cameras with ADT unlocked only one additional feature, which was video verification. We’ll talk more about that later, but the Nest cameras don’t need much improvement in the first place. They already have reliable surveillance features; they can detect movement; they can distinguish among people, pets, and vehicles; and they have facial recognition. Pairing them with ADT simply meant we could access those features from ADT’s app rather than Nest’s app.

ADT and Nest offer one other outdoor camera, called the Nest Cam With Floodlight. We didn’t test that one, but it offers features similar to the Nest Cam (battery). Its special distinction is that it has built-in smart floodlights, which can illuminate your home’s exterior and shine the spotlight on intruders.

>> Related: How Do Smart Lights Work?

Professional Monitoring

ADT required us to sign up for professional monitoring, which started at $34.99 with the security cameras we already had. That’s not that inexpensive, but it unlocked video verification. An Urban Institute study estimates that 90 to 99 percent of alarm calls to the police are false alarms.1 Alarm companies like ADT try to help by verifying alarms before dispatching the police. They do that by temporarily accessing footage from security cameras. Video verification is for your benefit, too, since verified alarms are often prioritized by police.

We liked ADT’s monitoring service overall. We didn’t mind paying the $34.99 monthly fee, because we felt confident in how fast ADT responds. In our simulated break-ins, ADT always contacted us within 30 seconds of the alarm sounding. We also commend ADT for investing in its monitoring centers. It has nine — the most of any system we tested — and each facility has backup generators and servers so they can run nonstop.

>> More Information: ADT Frequently Asked Questions

Equipment

Our ADT system cost well over $1,000. It’s tough to swallow, but we opted to pay it over 36 months. On top of the $35 monitoring fee, we’re paying $30 per month for equipment. Is it worth it? In a word, yes.

We got a comprehensive indoor security system with security sensors, a couple of smoke alarms, and an indoor camera, plus we know we’re covered outdoors with our Nest Doorbell and Nest Cam (battery). The equipment is high quality. It’s not made of cheap plastic, unlike equipment from budget-friendly ADT alternatives such as Cove. With ADT’s professional installation, you can be almost certain everything will work as intended. If not, ADT will fix it for free or refund your money with a six-month money-back guarantee.

We recommend getting at least one smart display. ADT offers the Nest Hub ($139) and Nest Hub Max ($269). You can use the smart displays to view live footage from your outdoor cameras, because sadly you can’t do that with the ADT touch-screen control panel. We were a bit disappointed by that. We didn’t order a smart display from ADT, but we still have the one from our Nest Hub Max review.

2. SimpliSafe - Best DIY Security System

SecurityScore:

9.2 /10

800-544-5942

View Packages Links to SimpliSafe

How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Packages starting at $249.96
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starts at $21.99 per month
Contract Lengths	Month-to-month
Installation Options	DIY or professional
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

800-544-5942

View Packages Links to SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe is another one of our go-to security systems. It’s not quite on the same level as ADT yet — it’s a young company with a limited selection of equipment — but we appreciate its flexibility and versatility. It’s one of the best DIY systems, so it’s also a renter-friendly security system. Except for the outdoor camera’s wall mount and the video doorbell’s backplate, we didn’t have to drill anything to install SimpliSafe equipment.

We would have liked to see better features from SimpliSafe though. The 1080p HD resolution from the outdoor and doorbell cameras was fine, but not always crystal clear. The audio was laggy about half the time, and there’s no free video storage. SimpliSafe is a budget brand though. SimpliSafe equipment costs only about half what ADT equipment costs, so the company fits the bill if you’re looking for a more affordable option.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Security

Much like ADT, our SimpliSafe outdoor security hinged on the outdoor and doorbell cameras. We’d like to highlight the doorbell camera in particular. Even though it’s a hardwired doorbell, we managed to set it up in less than 30 minutes. (See our detailed installation experience in our SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro review.) All in all, we spent just short of an hour setting up all our SimpliSafe equipment.

We liked the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro too — so much so that we rated it 8.2 out of 10 in our SimpliSafe outdoor camera review. It has a battery, so you can place it pretty much anywhere. We put ours in our backyard garden to monitor wildlife stealing our cherry tomatoes at night. We found out that it was a raccoon, and, thankfully, the SimpliSafe outdoor camera has built-in motion-activated lights that scared our masked tomato thief away. We imagine it could do the same to actual thieves.

Monitoring

Our SimpliSafe system came with functions you would expect from a system you can either self-monitor or sign up for professional monitoring. The base station, which is an indoor device that acts as the brain of the system, had a loud 95 dB siren. We could hear it clearly from our garden. We also got a 105 dB auxiliary siren that we placed on our porch, so it would get our neighbors’ attention if we’re not home when a break-in occurs.

We strongly recommend getting professional monitoring though. SimpliSafe is a great self-monitored system, but nothing beats the assurance of having a team of professionals watching your home. Our subscription (the Fast Protect plan, for $29.99 per month) even included video verification just like ADT. All SimpliSafe plans are contract-free, so we didn’t have to lock ourselves into a monitoring agreement like we did with ADT and Vivint.

Equipment

We loved our SimpliSafe equipment; we just wish it offered more. SimpliSafe designs its own equipment, and most of it is good quality. Frankly, though, it has been slow to roll out new products. It took the company a couple of years to release an outdoor camera, and then another year to launch a video doorbell.

There are still some pieces of equipment lacking from SimpliSafe. It doesn’t, for example, offer any smart-home products besides a very simplistic smart lock. You won’t be able to find smart lights or smart thermostats either. We loved the battery-powered outdoor camera, but we wish there was a wired option for areas that need more constant monitoring. The same goes for the hardwired video doorbell. We wish there was a battery-powered option for easier installation.

SimpliSafe’s equipment can protect small and midsize homes just fine. It even works for apartments. If you need a more comprehensive system, however, it may not be the best fit.

>> Read More: The Top Apartment Security Systems

3. Vivint - Best Outdoor Cameras

SecurityScore:

9.4 /10

844-922-0575

View Packages Links to Vivint

How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment costs	Starting at $449
Monitoring options	Professional
Monthly monitoring costs	Starting from $30 per month
Contract lengths	Starting at 42 months
Installation options	Professional
Smart platform integration	Alexa and Google Home

844-922-0575

View Packages Links to Vivint

We like Vivint because it’s smart. It offers well-thought-out features that most security systems we’ve tested don’t, especially when it comes to home automation and security cameras. That’s why Vivint is easily one of the best security systems for smart homes.

In our testing, we were able to set our outdoor camera and video doorbell to start recording as soon as our indoor sensors detect any movement. That way, we could see a full picture of the incident if someone broke in. You’d think that would be a common feature, but Vivint is one of the few systems to offer it.

Our Vivint system worked great, but fair warning: It wasn’t cheap. We could have spent over $2,000 if we weren’t careful adding equipment. The outdoor camera alone costs $400 — we almost bought two — and the video doorbell costs $250. We blame Vivint’s lack of transparency. If Vivint’s prices were displayed online like SimpliSafe’s, we would have been able to plan our budget better.

Vivint Outdoor Security

We talked about Vivint’s unique ability to detect trespassers in our Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro review. It detects lurkers and prowlers even if they don’t actually approach your house. It uses artificial intelligence to distinguish human movement, and then applies the rules you set to know when to sound the Deter alarm. The Deter alarm, by the way, includes flashing red lights around the camera’s lens and a customizable alert tone. Our rule for our Outdoor Camera Pro looked something like this: If someone steps into our detection zone and stays for more than 10 seconds, set off the Deter alarm and play a whistle tone.

We made our Vivint camera even better with the Spotlight Pro attachment, which we bought for another $250. It essentially turned our Outdoor Camera Pro into a spotlight camera, but it also used the camera’s AI to focus its light on potential trespassers. We tried walking around our front yard with the spotlight on, and it followed us around as though we were actors in a play. We wouldn’t say it’s perfect — it lagged behind when we paced a little faster — but it was pretty good.

>> Learn About: Can Security Cameras Deter Burglars?

Monitoring

Cameras aren’t included in Vivint’s professional monitoring, so the Deter alarm is all you’ll get if there’s ever a trespasser. Everything else was monitored by Vivint’s two U.S.-based monitoring centers. It doesn’t have as many monitoring facilities as ADT, but two is still better than one — or none.

In our experience, Vivint’s monitoring provides exactly what’s needed for indoor and outdoor security. The few times we simulated break-ins with Vivint, we were on the line with an agent in about 30 seconds. What’s more, we didn’t need to use our phones. We talked to them via the control panel itself, another rarely seen feature in home security. We remember having access to the same functionality in our Alder review.

Vivint didn’t have the best monitoring features — that goes to ADT — but it was a close second. For the $49 per month we paid for the service, we think we got our money’s worth.

Equipment

Unlike its monitoring service, Vivint’s equipment is really solid. The build quality is great and the features are cutting edge. Unlike with our ADT system, we didn’t need to use a separate smart display because the control panel itself was able to show us live and recorded videos. Not to mention, we enjoyed continuous protection even through power and internet outages, thanks to the panel’s battery backup and cellular connectivity.

If we were to nitpick, the area that needs improvement is the design. Vivint’s sensors aren’t ugly, but they are bulkier and boxier than we prefer, especially from a smart security system like Vivint. In hindsight, we should have gotten the slightly pricier recessed door sensor. That would have been easier to hide than the plain white Vivint door sensor that’s currently on our brown, wooden front door. It just stands out too much.

4. Frontpoint - Best Outdoor Cameras With 24/7 Recording

SecurityScore:

8.9 /10

844-933-2405

View Packages Links to Frontpoint

How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Starting at $386.93
Monitoring Options	Professional only
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starting at $49.99
Contract Lengths	1-36 months
Installation Options	DIY
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

844-933-2405

View Packages Links to Frontpoint

Frontpoint is a good Vivint alternative if you’re looking for affordable, high-quality equipment with strong automation capabilities. Frontpoint’s outdoor camera even has a feature similar to Vivint’s Smart Deterrence.

Stepping out of Vivint’s shadow, though, Frontpoint offers flexibility as a DIY system. It was super easy to install too. We set up all the indoor equipment in less than 30 minutes, and the outdoor components in another half-hour. We bought two outdoor cameras and one of Frontpoint’s battery-powered doorbells from Alarm.com. Even though it’s a DIY system, we got a lot of help from Frontpoint’s FAQ section and knowledge base, as well as its friendly phone support.

Frontpoint Outdoor Security

We were impressed by the Frontpoint outdoor camera. It costs about half what the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro costs, but it offers AI-powered video analytics to enable Smart Deterrence–like functionalities. Its built-in lights activate and it rings a loud alarm when a person or animal enters your set perimeter.

We also liked that the Frontpoint outdoor camera can store 24/7 rolling videos — a.k.a. continuous recording. All the other cameras on this list record only motion events, so Frontpoint is unique. We usually see continuous recording only in cameras with DVR, like the Lorex camera system we reviewed. Those cameras require a more tedious installation, because they have to be connected to a computer box (DVR). No such setup was required with Frontpoint. The outdoor camera stored videos on a microSD card. We simply plugged in the card after mounting the camera, and it started rolling.

Monitoring

Frontpoint, like ADT and Vivint, requires professional monitoring, and we have mixed opinions on it. For starters, Frontpoint offers only one option, and it costs $49.99 per month. You’ll pay the same price even if you have a basic security system with just sensors and no cameras. Monitoring for a system like that costs $24.99 with ADT and $29.99 with Vivint.

If you’re looking to add outdoor security — which means outdoor cameras and a video doorbell — Frontpoint’s pricing is competitive. It’s still a bit more expensive than ADT (which charges $34.99), but it’s on par with Vivint’s highest tier of service.

Frontpoint’s quality of service, however, excelled. Response times were quick — around 45 seconds — and we got a 30-day video history from our indoor and outdoor cameras. The event history was stored in the cloud to supplement the continuous recording feature.

Equipment

We have mixed feelings about Frontpoint’s equipment too. On one hand, it feels sturdy and well built. We accidentally dropped the keypad while installing it, and it barely had any scratches and still worked perfectly. The outdoor cameras have a good heft to them. They have an IP66 rating, so we didn’t worry about keeping them outside while it rained. Our one gripe is their limited viewing angle (117 degrees). One wasn’t enough to watch our entire front yard, so we bought two. Overall, though, we loved the quality.

On the other hand, Frontpoint’s equipment is a little on the expensive side compared to other DIY systems like SimpliSafe. SimpliSafe’s motion sensor costs $35, but the same sensor costs $70 with Frontpoint. Fortunately, you can take advantage of Frontpoint’s deals to offset the equipment cost. There was a 50 percent off deal at the time we purchased our system, so we essentially got the Frontpoint motion sensor for the same price as SimpliSafe’s.

5. Ring Alarm - Best Video Doorbells and Lighting-Equipped Cameras

SecurityScore:

7.7 /10

View on Amazon Links to Ring Alarm

How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Starting at $179
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starting at $4.99
Contract Lengths	1-12 months
Installation Options	DIY or professional
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

View on Amazon Links to Ring Alarm

We’ve said from the start that outdoor cameras and video doorbells are the key to outdoor home security, and Ring has about the biggest selection for both. It offers four types of outdoor cameras, and each comes in a plug-in, wired, solar-powered, or battery-powered version. Two models — the Ring Floodlight Cam and the Ring Spotlight Cam we reviewed — offer built-in security lighting.

Outdoor cameras aside, Ring’s video doorbell lineup consists of battery-powered and hardwired options. We’ve reviewed the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, one of Ring’s more expensive doorbells. We’ve also tested the Ring Video Doorbell 3, one of the cheaper ones in the lineup. No matter the price point, Ring’s doorbells provide good outdoor security.

Ring Outdoor Security

With an outdoor camera lineup as huge as Ring’s, we had no problem finding a camera for our front yard and backyard. The Spotlight Cam Battery is just the right fit for us, because it’s battery-powered; it has a bright, motion-activated spotlight (solved our raccoon problem like the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro); and it offers motion and privacy zones, which means we can zone in its motion sensors to avoid false alarms. With our battery-powered Ring Video Doorbell Pro, we surrounded our home with cameras for full outdoor security.

We also noticed that Ring has an outdoor contact sensor — the only system we tested with such a device. The outdoor contact sensor is basically a door sensor rated for outdoor use. We didn’t get one, but we imagine it would be useful for homes with an outdoor shed or any other outbuildings, as well as gated homes. To use it, though, you’d need to buy a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro, Ring’s indoor security systems.

Monitoring

Ring offers professional monitoring for $20 per month or $200 per year, and we love that it includes cloud storage for any number of Ring cameras. Recordings will stay in the cloud for up to 180 days. It’s the most inexpensive monitoring plan with cloud storage. For comparison, SimpliSafe’s Fast Protect plan ($29.99 per month) covers storage for only up to 10 cameras.

On the downside, we didn’t love Ring’s lack of video verification. That seems like a missed opportunity, considering Ring offers a wide selection of cameras. They’d certainly be handy in verifying alarms. We hope Ring adds that feature soon.

>> Compare: Ring Alarm vs. SimpliSafe

Equipment

We recommend starting with Ring’s outdoor security cameras. We bought two Spotlight Cam Batteries and a Ring Video Doorbell Pro, but you can mix and match any available camera from Ring. They all work together via Ring’s smartphone app, where we watched live videos and played back recorded clips.

We also recommend pairing Ring’s indoor and outdoor cameras with a security system. The ideal choice is the Ring Alarm, which can consist of entry sensors, motion sensors, a hub, and a keypad. You can also get smoke alarms that work with the system from First Alert.

Is the Ring Alarm the perfect choice for security? We’re not sure. It’s a bare-bones security system. We liked it as a partner for Ring cameras because it works with the same app, but you can use a different indoor security system if you like. The Ring cameras can work on their own, with or without a Ring alarm.

>> More Options: The Best Security Systems With An App