Best Outdoor Security Cameras of 2024
SimpliSafe’s innovative Active Guard Outdoor Protection with live video monitoring makes its outdoor camera stand out from the rest.
&
Last Updated on Sep 27, 2024
- Battery-powered setup allows the camera to go wherever you needs it to be
- Backed by the SimpliSafe security system for full indoor and outdoor coverage
- Optional Active Guard Outdoor Protection with live video monitoring
- Available wire-free cameras make outdoor installation simple and easy
- Wide selection of outdoor cameras to suit any need
- Two-way audio lets you communicate with people outside your home
- Use Google Home to view outdoor camera footage from the comfort of your home
- With continuous recording options, never miss a minute of what happens outside your home
- Available floodlight models let you startle would-be intruders
Editor’s Note: Our recommendation is to opt for an outdoor security system for maximum coverage of your home. You can control devices from your living room and speak to visitors via two-way communication before you open the door.
Outdoor cameras deter crime better than their indoor counterparts because the mere sight of them can send burglars packing. That’s why almost every home needs outdoor cameras, including yours. So, what are the best outdoor cameras you can buy right now?
Well, after testing several options, we concluded that SimpliSafe currently offers the best outdoor camera for crime prevention. Not only does it record, stream, and detect activity, you can also link it to SimpliSafe’s monitoring center for active monitoring. That means as a would-be burglar approaches your house, SimpliSafe’s monitoring agents would be able to stop them. But if that kind of feature is not your cup of tea, we also give you six more options from Lorex’s 4K cameras to Blink’s affordable lineup.
Lorex 4k Dual Lens vs. Nest Cam (battery)
What are Outdoor Security Cameras? Outdoor cameras are security cameras that are rugged and waterproof, and they typically come in different power options like solar, battery, and PoE. Otherwise, they aren’t much different from your regular security cameras. They can stream and record videos, detect motion, and offer two-way talk. However, some outdoor cameras offer more advanced features like motion-activated lighting, person detection, zone detection, etc.
>> Read More: Best PoE Security Cameras
A Quick Overview of Outdoor Cameras:
- Outdoor cameras are built with weatherproof housing to protect them from the elements.
- Video quality, night vision, and smart motion detection are the most important features in outdoor cameras.
- Lorex sells the widest selection of outdoor cameras; we found them surprisingly smart and high-tech in our Lorex review. See for yourself.
The Role Outdoor Cameras Play in Home Security
Although outdoor cameras offer largely the same set of features as indoor cameras, they play a much broader function in home security. They are the first line of defense when it comes to detecting intrusion, as they are the ones responsible for perimeter security.
We’ve been testing security cameras for over a decade now, and we’ve learned that the most essential features of outdoor cameras include:
- High-quality video resolution: Since they need to monitor wider areas, they need to be able to capture clear footage in any lighting condition.
- Clear night vision: Nighttime videos tend to become grainier compared to daytime videos, so outdoor cameras need clear night vision during one of the most critical times of the day – at night.
- Video recording: There’s so much going on outdoors, from vehicles passing by to small animals and critters running around the lawn. A good outdoor camera can recognize important events through motion detection and artificial intelligence and record them for future playback.
- Two-way audio: The mere sight of a security camera can send intruders packing, but in case it doesn’t, two-way audio can help you protect your home even when you’re not there.
By looking at those features, comparing security cameras that offer them, and testing those cameras ourselves, we were able to round up the best outdoor security cameras available. So without further ado, here are the best security cameras to use outdoors – from the most rugged to the smartest.
Pro Tip: Never miss a beat with the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro paired with a SimpliSafe security system. Learn more in our SimpliSafe review (you’ll love the Video Verification feature).
Outdoor Security Cameras Overview
| System |
SimpliSafe
|
Lorex
|
Nest
|
Arlo
|
Ring
|
Wyze Cam Outdoor v2
|
Blink Outdoor
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th |
| Ratings | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Price | $199.99 | $99.99+ | $179.99+ | $179.99+ | $99.99+ | $73.99+ | $99.99+ |
| Resolution | 1080p HD | Up to 2160p | Up to 1080p | Up to 2160p | Up to 1080p | Up to 1080p | Up to 1080p |
| Field of View | 140° | Max of 160° | Max of 130° | Max of 180° | Max of 140° | Max of 130° | Max of 110° |
| Monthly Plan | $4.99+ | N/A | $6.00+ | $2.99+ | $3.00+ | $1.67+ | $4.99+ |
| Read Review | SimpliSafe Review | Lorex Review | Nest Review | Arlo Review | Ring Review | Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 Review | Blink Outdoor Review |
The Best Outdoor Cameras of 2024
- SimpliSafe - Best for Crime Prevention
- Lorex - Best Hardware and Technology
- Nest - Best DIY Outdoor Cam
- Arlo - Best Wireless Outdoor Security Cameras
- Ring - Best Outdoor Security Cameras for Alexa
- Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 - Best Outdoor Security Camera with Local Video Storage
- Blink Outdoor - Most Affordable Outdoor Cameras
A Closer Look at our Top Picks
-
1. SimpliSafe
Product Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $280 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs $19.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home SimpliSafe is one of the top home security systems, and what it does best is prevent or stop burglars. That’s why even though it offers only one outdoor camera, we strongly believe it’s the best option right now.
Let’s start with the camera itself. The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro is a compact, battery-powered camera with an IP 65 rating. When we reviewed the SimpliSafe outdoor camera, our unit lived for about 4 months before running out of charge. It also has a built-in spotlight, a standard 1080p HD resolution, HDR for improved video clarity, and a decent 140-degree viewing angle. There’s nothing so special about the hardware. We saw similar features from other brands like Ring and Nest. But it’s the fact that it comes from SimpliSafe that makes the Outdoor Camera Pro special. You’ll see why in a second.
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro installed along our property’s fence. Active Guard Outdoor Protection
One of the downsides of the Outdoor Camera Pro is that it requires you to have a SimpliSafe security system. You can’t use the camera otherwise. But once you pair it with SimpliSafe, you get access to advanced security features. One of those features is Active Guard Outdoor Protection.
We talk more about this in our SimpliSafe pricing guide, but basically, starting at $49.99 per month, SimpliSafe will monitor your security system 24/7 and your outdoor cameras overnight. By that, we mean 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in your local time. With this feature, a SimpliSafe agent will be notified if someone approaches your home, and then they’d be able to see the camera feed and talk through the speakers. That would allow them to actively deter criminals.
FYI: You can also upgrade to 24/7 Active Guard Outdoor Protection by going with the SimpliSafe Pro monitoring plan. It costs $79.99 per month.
All-Around Protection
The Outdoor Camera Pro is just one of the four available SimpliSafe cameras. If you also want front door protection, we’ve reviewed the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro and it was pretty good. It’s hardwired, but it didn’t take us long to set it up.
There’s also an indoor camera model called Smart Alarm that offers a feature similar to Active Guard. Better still, if you’re on that $49.99 or $79.99 Plus or Pro plan, monitoring for the indoor camera is also included. The Outdoor Camera Pro does a wonderful job turning away criminals, but if they’re persistent, you can count on the other SimpliSafe products (and monitoring) to secure your house.
-
2. Lorex - Best Overall Outdoor Cam
Product Specs
Resolution Up to 4K HD Field of View Up to 180° Power Wired, battery, PoE Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet Video Storage Cloud, Local Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home What jumps out immediately about Lorex is that it offers more than just a handful of outdoor camera options, unlike our top-pick, SimpliSafe. Lorex offers dozens of packages that include different types of outdoor cameras, like bullet cameras such as the ones we see in malls and dome-type cameras typically installed under an eave. They are some of the sturdiest cameras, too. Some of them can withstand external forces up to 22 lbs in addition to being waterproof and dust-tight.
Now, if you’re picturing a boxy brick of a device, that’s not how most Lorex cameras look. Some are bulkier than the competition, but most now have modern designs. More importantly, they have modern features too, like 4K image processing and person and facial detection. The biggest standout is the dual-lens camera, which combines two lenses in one device to provide the widest possible viewing angle.
>> More info: Best 4K Security Cameras
Mounted Lorex Camera Scalability of Lorex Security Camera Systems
Lorex is also surprisingly affordable. Our Lorex system with four outdoor cameras and a DVR cost us only less than $600 – that’s a little more than $100 per piece, not counting the DVR. At that price, you can have enough cameras to cover every corner of your property, whether you have a small yard or a yard the size of a football stadium.
Of course, you’d want to maximize your cameras, so choose your camera placement wisely. We’d also recommend buying a smaller bundle. It’s better to buy more cameras a la carte style than waste money on one too many cameras.
Not all Lorex cameras are affordable. Lorex’s prices are a spectrum. On one end are simple plug-in outdoor cameras selling for less than $100. On the other end are high-end and high-tech options like the 4K Dual Lens retailing for around $250. In most cases, you can integrate both affordable and pricier Lorex cameras into one system.
Setting up our Lorex 4k Dual-Lens Camera Continuous Local Recording
One of the major features we love seeing in outdoor cameras is continuous recording. There’s always a lot going on outdoors, and if your camera relies only on its motion sensors to detect important events, you might miss a lot. Not so with Lorex. With a DVR or NVR plugged in indoors, the cameras can continuously record for days on end.
Our 1 TB DVR can store about a month’s worth of video from one Lorex camera. But we have four cameras, so each of them can store only about a week’s worth of footage. That’s not so bad, but it also means we have to check our recordings at least every week to make sure we’re not missing anything. Fortunately, Lorex offers an optional cloud plan starting from $9.99, which backs up motion-triggered videos in the cloud for up to 30 days. Again, it’s completely optional.
-
3. Nest - Best DIY Outdoor Cam
Product Specs
Resolution Up to 1080p with HDR Field of View Up to 130° Power Wired, battery Connectivity Wi-Fi Video Storage Cloud Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home Nest is a Google-owned brand and is one of the leading makers of smart home security tech. We’ve tested their smart doorbells, smart speakers, and smart displays, but their flagship home product is the Google Nest Cam.
The Nest Cam comes in three different versions, two of which work outdoors. But the better and more versatile of the two is the Nest Cam (battery), photographed below before we tested it. Doesn’t it just look neat?
Nest Camera and box As you can probably tell from its name, the Nest Cam (battery) is a battery-powered camera. That makes installation a breeze, especially compared to Lorex’s mostly-wired cameras. You don’t need to plug in the Nest Cam (battery) to an outlet or a recorder. All you need is a strong Wi-Fi signal that can reach outdoors. It can even work with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi frequencies.
Its battery-powered, wire-free setup is also the reason that we picked it over the other outdoor-capable Nest Cam, the Nest Cam with Floodlight. That one requires hardwiring and is relatively large because it has two floodlights. Plus, not every placement spot for outdoor cameras needs a floodlight. But if you also want outdoor lighting, the Nest Cam with Floodlight is a good choice. It offers most of the same features as the Nest Cam (battery).
About CVR, Do-It-Yourself Monitoring, & Pro Monitoring
Unlike Lorex, Nest requires a monthly fee. There’s no free or local storage included in any of the Nest Cams. The good news is it’s affordable, at only $8 per month or $80 per year for unlimited cameras. There’s also an upgraded subscription for those who want continuous video recording (CVR) for $15 per month or $150 per year.
Nest Aware Nest Aware Plus $8/month or $80/year $15/month or $150/year 30 days of event history clips 60 days of event history clips No CVR 10-day CVR Familiar Face alerts Familiar Face alerts Access to e911 Access to e911 There are a couple of caveats to Nest’s CVR, though. First, because it uses cloud storage, it’s going to be bandwidth-heavy. It’s fine to have one or two cameras uploading clips to the cloud constantly, but more than that is too much for an average home Wi-Fi.
The other caveat is that the Nest Cam (battery) must have a continuous power source when enrolled in CVR. Again, this is because CVR requires continuous use of Wi-Fi to stream data to the cloud, which isn’t battery-friendly. In short, you’re going to need a weatherproof power cable and adapter to use Nest Cam (battery) with CVR.
The upside, compared to Lorex’s DVR continuous recording, is you get that 10-day history in full. That’s longer than the seven-day history of our four-camera Lorex system. You also don’t risk losing your recordings to incidents such as fire and crash-and-smash burglars who try to hide their crime by destroying security equipment like DVRs and security system panels. Nest keeps your videos safely stored in the cloud.
FYI: Well, maybe not so safe. Security systems and cameras can be hacked, especially if they’re connected to the internet 24/7. So when using a cloud-recording security camera, make sure your network is secure.
Four samples of Nest Cam video quality Compatibilities
Nest security cameras had best-in-industry compatibility with Google Assistant. By incorporating a Google Home speaker, we controlled our security cameras and video with phrases like “Hey Google, show the garage camera.” We live-streamed, saved video to our tablet, used Chromecast TV, and more.
We also used voice to control other equipment monitored by the Nest hub. For example, we got a child’s room ready for bed by saying, “Okay, Google. Dim the lights in the baby’s room.”
Overall, Nest was the best option for DIY security cameras with continuous recording. They even offered professional installation for $79. Nest Aware pricing is competitive, too, at $6 per month.
-
4. Arlo - Best Wireless Outdoor Security Cameras
Product Specs
Resolution Up to 4K HD Field of View Up to 180° Power Wired, battery, solar, PoE Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet Video Storage Cloud Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home For people seeking totally DIY home security, Arlo offered the best selection of outdoor wireless security cameras for $189 and up. Color night vision, floodlights, and facial recognition were among their special features. We chose from three lines of cameras that worked indoors or out. The main difference among these was the resolution: 1080p for the Essential line, 2K for the Pro line, and 4K for the Ultra.
Arlo Pro 5S 2k mounted outside We liked the Pro line in particular because it offered a good balance of price and features. The Arlo Pro 4, which costs $199, offers a 2K HD resolution with HDR, person detection, a built-in smart spotlight, up to 12 times digital zoom, and a six-month battery life.
If you want a longer battery life, go with the newer Arlo Pro 5S (pictured above). It costs $249, but it has a battery-saving mode that can extend the battery life by up to 30-percent, according to Arlo. It also offers upgraded connectivity features including dual-band Wi-Fi and SecureLink – a cellular-connectivity feature that enables the camera to work during power and Wi-Fi outages if you have the Arlo Security System in place.
The Arlo brand was also a great option for indoor video security. The Essentials Indoor, which is a plug-in indoor camera, is particularly popular because of its affordable price (around $60), clear video quality (1080p HD), and affordable cloud storage. And since Arlo’s app can stream from all Arlo-branded security cameras, you can build an entire security camera system combining Arlo’s impressive outdoor camera features with its affordable indoor cameras.
>> Related: Defender Security Camera Review
Monitoring Arlo Cameras
The Arlo app made monitoring Arlo cameras a breeze. All the cameras we added to our account appeared on the app, and from there, we were able to check on them, use features like two-way talk, activate their built-in smart lights and sirens, and review recordings.
Camera view and events on the Arlo Secure app Speaking of recordings, Arlo cameras need a cloud subscription, and it’s more expensive than that of Nest. 30-day event recording starts at $7.99 per camera or $12.99 for unlimited cameras. It costs almost $5 more than Nest Aware. But when you think about it, it’s not that bad. Arlo offers 4K cameras that require more storage space than Nest Cam’s 1080p cameras. So if you want to take full advantage of the pricier cloud subscription, consider adding 2K and 4K Arlo cameras to your setup.
Features
Some special features of Arlo Pro outdoor security cams include:
- Wire-free installation
- Color night vision
- Motion-activated spotlights
- Facial recognition
- White, black, and camouflage print
- Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra support Apple HomeKit.
Arlo’s main products were indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, and security floodlights. All in all, Arlo has the best deals on high-end home security cameras that we monitored ourselves. Their three weatherproof options covered the spectrum from 1080p to 4K, with infrared or color night vision. Discounts were given on two or more, and Arlo cloud storage for continuous video recordings was low-priced.
-
5. Ring - Best Outdoor Security Cameras for Alexa
Product Specs
Resolution Up to 1080p Field of View Up to 155° Power Wired, battery, PoE, solar Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet Video Storage Cloud Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home Ring first made it big with rather small cameras: doorbell video cameras about 2.5 inches wide and five inches tall. At the time of our review, Ring provided video security for entire properties, from the foot of our driveway to inside our home. As camera owners, we handled video security 100 percent independently instead of paying Ring for professional backup.
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro with its light on Great Selection of Outdoor Cams
The outdoor security camera selection from Ring was impressive. While other companies had just one or two models, Ring had multiple options. For power, we were offered our choice of batteries, solar energy, or plug-in equipment. The cameras were priced fairly and had the best outdoor security features overall. Before discounts, Ring outdoor cameras started at $99 and up. Examples of special features on Ring’s weatherproof cameras included sirens, two-way talk, LED floodlights, and infrared night vision. The 100-decibel sirens on Ring’s outdoor cameras were activated via the motion of a trespasser or when we pressed a button in our Ring mobile app.
>> Learn More: Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras
Now, if you want security sensors in addition to security cameras, you could integrate a Ring Alarm security system. It’s a simple DIY solution with wireless sensors for security and home safety. The Ring Alarm is great for indoor monitoring, and with Ring’s outdoor cameras keeping watch of the perimeter, you’ll have a ring of security around your home.
Ring Alarm Equipment with Alexa We also liked that Ring integrates well with Alexa, the Amazon-made voice assistant. In particular, we enjoyed using Ring cameras with Alexa smart displays like the Echo Show 8 we reviewed. We could say commands like, “Alexa, show me my front lawn,” and the Ring cameras would start streaming live footage.
Ring works with Google smart displays too, like the Google Nest Hub we reviewed, but since Ring is owned by Amazon, we much preferred using Alexa.
These features were included with some or all weatherproof Ring camera models:
- 1080p resolution
- Custom motion zones
- Infrared night vision
- Two-way talk
- Spotlight
- Siren
Typical setup time took five to 20 minutes per security camera, depending on its design, and no hardwiring was required.
Affordable DIY and Pro Monitoring
DIY monitoring of Ring cameras with cloud video storage started at $3.99 per month, which was a best-in-industry deal. Ring securely stored all motion-triggered clips for our review, and we could keep the clips for up to 60 days each. For comparison, the cheapest Nest camera plan was $6 per month and included only 30 days of storage. Unfortunately, Ring did not let us record continuously, so only motion-triggered clips were saved, but for those with multiple cameras, a $10 per month plan exists that can store videos from any number of cameras installed in one location.
-
6. Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 - Best with Local Video Storage
Product Specs
Resolution Up to 2K HD Field of View Up to 130° Power Wired, battery, solar Connectivity Wi-Fi Video Storage Cloud, local Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home Wyze is best known for its value cameras, and the Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 is one of the latest additions from the brand. At $73.99 for a starter kit, it’s definitely a good purchase. It has a slew of value-adding features, like its six-month battery life, its use of PIR motion detection, and its ability to listen for smoke and CO alarms.
Our favorite feature has to be its support for local storage. Like most cameras from Wyze, the Wyze Cam Outdoor has an expandable local storage via a microSD card. It supports microSD cards up to 32 GB, and simply plugging one into the camera activates continuous recording. Even though the camera is small, it’s quite capable of protecting homes because of that.
Wyze Cam OG and Wyze Cam OG Telephoto The Wyze Family
The Wyze Cam v2 is just a part of the larger Wyze family of security cameras. And technically, almost every Wyze camera model can work as an outdoor camera. The base model, the Wyze Cam v3, is IP65 weatherproof. Just give it an outdoor-ready power cord and it’ll work outdoors.
The same is true for the more AI-heavy Wyze Cam v3 Pro, which has the same body as the Wyze Cam v3 but an upgraded 2K image resolution and faster AI detection.
Together, these other Wyze cameras can help the battery-powered Wyze Cam Outdoor make your home more secure.
Affordable Cloud Storage and Monitoring
Another thing that sets Wyze apart from the competition is that it can be monitored professionally, just like a home security system.
Here’s how it works:
When the monitored camera is triggered, its AI will kick in to determine if a person triggered the motion sensor or something else. If it’s not a person, it will only notify you. If it’s a person, the camera will send footage to the monitoring center. There, an agent will verify the alarm. If it’s a real alarm, they’ll try to get in touch with you and at the same time call the police if necessary.
Professional monitoring is available through the Wyze Cam Protect plan, which costs $3.99 per month per camera.
-
7. Blink Outdoor - Most Affordable Outdoor Cameras
Product Specs
Resolution Up to 1080p Field of View Up to 143° Power Battery, wired, solar Connectivity Wi-Fi Video Storage Cloud, local Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa Blink sells dependable security cameras for as low as $34.99 and up and outdoor cameras (named Blink Outdoor) for as low as $99.99. Its cameras include mobile alerts and a bit of local storage via the Sync Module 2 without monthly fees, helping the brand and the Blink Outdoor take credit for being the most affordable outdoor camera option.
Blink Outdoor 4 Camera Cameras by Blink weren’t feature-rich but were good value for DIY video security. They were easy to install, had motion detection with customizable zones, and recorded with infrared vision at night.
How much storage did Blink provide for free? Each Sync Module 2 can connect with up to 10 Blink cameras, and while it doesn’t have any sort of built-in video storage, you can plug in a USB flash drive up to 256 GB to use as storage. Given the Blink cameras’ video resolution, 256GB should be enough to store months of motion and sound event videos.
If you wish to have cloud backup, though, Blink’s cloud plans are affordable, too. They start at $3 per month for 60 days of cloud storage for one camera, and go as high as $10 per month for 60 days of cloud storage for unlimited cameras.
Features to Look For
As you compare outdoor security cameras, keep these important factors in mind:
- Power Source: Outdoor security cameras varied in terms of power sources. The main choices were plug-in power, battery power, and solar power. Each of our top choice brands had models we could set up wire-free. Cordless outdoor cameras were generally powered by long-lasting rechargeable batteries. One company we mentioned, Arlo, offered solar-powered cameras. If a camera used mains power, it also likely had a cord. The best outdoor cams with cords had protected cords to help defeat vandals plus they had battery backup.
- Continuous Video Recording: Some outdoor security cameras only recorded audio and video when triggered by trespassers. Others could record continuously. Continuous video recording was sometimes advertised as CVR.
- Resolution: Resolution on leading cameras ranged from 720p to 4K. The most common was 1080p, which meant video that was 1080 pixels tall and 1920 pixels wide.
- Recording Cost: Each brand below had smartphone or desktop apps. Apps let us view live camera footage for free. However, generally, a paid plan was needed in order to save video clips or record continuously. One exception was Blink XT, a budget security camera brand. Blink gave us very minimal cloud storage for free. Many paid plans for home security combined video storage with professional monitoring of our system. Professional monitoring alerted emergency dispatchers of potential trouble. This way, they could send the police even when we couldn’t call 911. Most alarm monitoring companies could also dispatch firefighters and paramedics.
- Two-Way Voice: Our selections for best outdoor security cameras captured exceptionally clear audio. Ideally, they’d have all had echo cancellation and other advanced audio features. Some also had two-way voice, which let us holler at potential criminals or stay in touch with family members around our property.
- Doorbell Video Camera: A wide-angle doorbell camera guarded our doorstep and provided us with a long-range view. A smart-motion detector ignored running squirrels and swaying trees and alerted us of a person’s presence, even if they didn’t ring the bell. A smartphone app let us use two-way talk and gave the impression that we were at home, no matter where we were. Additionally, some doorbell security cameras, such as the Nest video doorbell, recognized familiar faces and played pre-recorded messages for expected visitors.
There were always many factors to consider when choosing any type of security camera, but with outdoor security cameras, the factors only increased. To create our Best Outdoor Camera list for 2024, we started with our necessary features test. All of these cameras were weather-resistant and worked throughout the seasons for a variety of climates. Whether we were looking for wired or wireless, we were sure we didn’t want a camera that would hurt our wallets too much. Read on to learn more about our selections for 2024’s Best Outdoor Camera list, their costs, why we chose them, and more.
Pricing Rundown
| Outdoor Camera | Price |
|---|---|
| Nest Cam with Floodlight | $279.99 |
| eufyCam E | $229.99 |
| Arlo Pro 3 | $199.99 |
| Nest Cam Battery | $179.99 |
| Ring Spotlight Cam Battery | $199 |
| Canary Flex | $169 |
| Blink Outdoor | $99.99 |
Clearly, there was a huge variation when it came to the pricing of outdoor security cameras, with the most expensive device listed at well over $200 and the most affordable coming in at just under $50. Of course, generally speaking, we got what we paid for, so we recommended buying a higher quality camera for a bit more money rather than a cheaper camera that had fewer necessary features. Regardless, we knew to be prepared to spend roughly $200 purchasing an outdoor security camera and additional funds on monthly or yearly storage plans.
Outdoor Security Camera Methodology
So just how did we pick out the outdoor security cameras on our list? In this section, we discuss the methodology that led to our selections in detail.
Design
Aside from simple aesthetics, we considered whether we wanted our camera to be wired or wireless. While having a camera wired to our home definitely made installation harder, we liked the idea that we wouldn’t have to worry about changing a battery. However, we also wondered how far many of the outdoor cameras would reach from outdoor outlets. Additionally, some cameras required hubs, bridges, or DVRs, so we also took those costs into account before we made our purchases.
The main thing we looked for design-wise was durability. That came in the form of a temperature range and an IP rating, which measured how susceptible an object was to both solids and liquids.
| IP Ratings | Solids | Liquids |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not Protected | None |
| 1 | A large body surface like the back of a hand, but no intentional contact with a body part | Dripping water falling vertically |
| 2 | Fingers of similar objects | Dripping water falling from 15-degree tilt |
| 3 | Tools, thick wires, etc. | Spraying water |
| 4 | Most wires, screws, etc | Splashing water |
| 5 | Dust protected | Water jets 6.3mm and below |
| 6 | Dust tight | Powerful water jets 12.5mm and below |
| 7 | N/A | Immersion up to 1m |
| 8 | N/A | Immersion over 1m |
Make sure wherever you live and its weather conditions are compatible with your outdoor security camera before purchasing— you’ll thank me later.
Features
Of course, like with any security camera, we applied our necessary features test to all of our outdoor cameras. Dive in with us as we review our thought process behind each type of feature we sought during the selection of 2024’s best outdoor security cameras.
Video
Display-wise, we looked for a camera that had at least 1080p HD video display, the current industry standard. We also preferred cameras that zoomed-in optically and that had fields of view that were 120 degrees or greater. That gave us the widest, clearest, and most detailed view possible.
Audio
We looked for cameras that had both speakers and microphones built-in, as that enabled two-way audio and let us speak to whoever the camera was focused on. This proved quite useful not only for telling our kids to come in for dinner but also for scaring away luckers or potential intruders remotely. This was a security camera, after all!
Night Vision
We specifically selected cameras that included infrared night vision rather than color night vision via a bright white light. Infrared was much more inconspicuous, which was definitely a quality we looked for in a smart security camera. Additionally, we always tested out the camera’s night vision before making a purchase.
Storage
We were also big on ensuring that our cameras came with enough storage to make owning an outdoor security camera worthwhile. We preferred cameras that offered both cloud and local storage, whether that was through a Dropbox, micro-SD card, hard drive, or what have you.
Smart Platform Integrations
Since smart security was pretty much the standard, we searched for cameras that fit perfectly into our smart home, whether it was through Amazon, Google, or Apple.
Artificial Intelligence
Another thing we preferred in outdoor security cameras was person detection, which helped us differentiate between people and other moving objects like animals, cars, etc. A. It made our notifications smarter and more specific, so it was easier to monitor our home with minimal effort.
We considered it extra points if the camera had facial recognition, which, after a period of time, learned specific familiar faces and identified unfamiliar ones.
Convenience
The convenience of easy installation was a big deal for us, as most of the cameras we selected were DIY. While we knew we could always hire a professional if we weren’t confident, the majority of these cameras were designed to be installed by non-professionals in less than 20 minutes.
Value
As we witnessed in the pricing rundown, the tags on these cameras varied. Nevertheless, when we decided to buy something, we always double-checked to ensure the price coordinates logically matched with the number of necessary features met.
Mobile Application
Apps were our mobile command center for our outdoor security cameras. With each camera’s respective app, we live-streamed footage, viewed storage, received notifications, had conversations with visitors via two-way audio, and more. One mobile app element we searched for was a good rating on either the Apple or Google Play store, depending on the type of mobile device we owned. To meet our app standards, apps needed ratings of at least three-stars or higher. Of course, a lack of high ratings did not necessarily mean a deal-breaker since apps could always be updated.
How To Power Outdoor Security Cameras
Outdoor security cameras are typically wireless, powered by either batteries or solar panels. However, there are plug-in outdoor cameras available to those with nearby outdoor outlets. To power outdoor security cameras, either recharge your camera in the home, replace the batteries, plug it into an outlet or attach a solar panel.
Outdoor Security Camera FAQs
-
What are the best outdoor security cameras?
The best outdoor security cameras are from the brands SimpliSafe, Lorex, Google Nest, Ring, Arlo, and Blink.
-
What is the best wireless outdoor security camera?
The best wireless outdoor security camera is the Arlo Pro 3.
-
How much is an outdoor security camera?
Outdoor security cameras can range anywhere from $50 all the way up to $400, with the majority falling around $150 to $250.