Best Outdoor Security Cameras

With the best outdoor security camera, you can keep an eye on your property from your smartphone, from anywhere.

Looking for the best outdoor security cameras for your home or business? This guide will take you through the best systems and discuss the different features, so you can decide on the best outdoor security system for your budget and buy it at the best price.

Since the Internet provided a direct link to your pocket, and artificial intelligence has even made it possible to distinguish package delivery from intruders, installing smart cameras can go a long way. You can check that you closed the garage door from an app, tell the kids to come over for dinner through a built-in speaker, and of course, get alerts if something happens that shouldn’t.

Important brands in the security camera market

The market has seen a lot of innovation from the big players, as Google and Amazon have acquired and developed the Nest, Ring and Blink brands. Inevitably, there is integration with their respective smart home brands (Google Assistant and Alexa), while these companies, and some very interesting competitors, are also well acquainted with Apple’s HomeKit.

Most of the brands here also offer cameras designed for living indoors; Instead of missing out on good options, we’ve created a separate list for indoor security cameras, but don’t forget that you can often mix and match to create your own complete system.

At a Glance

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The difference between outdoor security cameras

A significant difference between the cameras is the way they transmit images; some do it over wi-fi to your router, and others only when they detect some kind of movement (an ‘event’). To record a feed like this, you’ll usually need a subscription (and there’s no limit on your monthly bandwidth). Others work through a base station which may allow some local control.

In terms of on-camera tech, watch out for night vision (either infrared, illuminated invisibly, or via a reflector of some kind), one-way or two-way speakers (which allow you to talk remotely from the camera) and the field -of view.

You’ll need to decide how you want to position your camera, which will depend on your DIY skills, the safety of the location, and access to power. Continuous power means hardwired, but may also offer the option of continuous recording, while battery-powered devices will require regular visits to charge or replace batteries and will likely only offer clips. We also suggest that you check your local rules on the need to display CCTV warning signs.

Our Recommendation For Best Outdoor Security Cameras

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Best Outdoor Security Cameras in 2023

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1. Google Nest Cam Battery

Best security camera kit

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SPECS

• Resolution: 1080p HDR
• Field of View: 130˚
• Night Vision: Yes, 6.1m (20ft)
• Smart Home Integration: Yes; via Google Home
• Cloud storage: Yes, up to 60 days (3 hours free)
• Monthly fee: $5 or £5 (30 day events) or $10 / £10 (60 day events + 10 day video 24/7)
• Audio: yes, two-way
• Local storage: yes, 1 hour (some days events)
• Motion detection: yes
• Person detection: optional
• Activity zone: yes
• Power supply: USB plug-in
• Size: 83 x 83 x 83 mmWeight: 398g

Best wired outdoor security camera for software
In terms of simplicity, the “Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery)” – yes, that’s its full name – is fantastic. Once charged, it can be magnetically mounted in your home and sends a live view to the Google Home app ( not Nest).

Google’s new app allows you to monitor multiple cameras live, among other features. Smart functions such as recognition of people, animals, packages or vehicles are carried out on board the device, so you can choose what you are notified about and you do not have to pay a subscription for this. It also speeds things up compared to services that rely on sending and processing images on cloud servers.

Why is the video ‘only’ 1080P? Because a good 1080P HDR can be more useful than a bad 4K (and uses a lot less battery to send over wi-fi); this is excellent quality within the limits of 1080P.

There are a few design quirks like only being IP54 weatherproof (keep it under the fins), and the weird way the power cord looks plugged in. That said, the system seems designed to be used in battery mode.

There’s built-in storage to deal with internet interruptions, while features like two-way voice (typical of app-controlled cameras) are there.

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2. Arlo Ultra 2

Best Affordable Indoor/Outdoor Camera

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SPECS

• Resolution: 4K
• Field of View: 180˚
• Night Vision: Yes
• Smart Home Integration: Yes; Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings Cloud
• Storage: Yes, up to 30 days
• Monthly Fee: $5 or £5 (30 day events) or $10 / £10 (60 day events + 10 video 24/7 days
• Audio: yes, two-way
• Local storage: No
• Motion detection: yes
• Person detection: optional
• Activity zone: yes
• Power supply: USB plug-in
• Size: 76 x 46 x 46 mm
• Weight: 213g
• Colors: black or white

The best 4K outdoor security camera system
Netgear’s Arlo system stands out among security cameras thanks to the system’s dedication to supporting all major innovative home systems, including Apple HomeKit.

It works through a hub, so it’s best to buy it in a bundle, and while 4K is nice to have, there are lower resolution options at a lower cost. Arlo’s AI detects the difference between a delivery person, person, pet or vehicle, making phone alerts less likely to cry.

Dispute the need to connect a hub to your router, installation is a breeze thanks to magnetic mounts (position them out of reach, though). The camera works well near the front door thanks to dual noise-cancelling microphones that reduce street or weather noise for a two-way chat.

There is also a siren and a bright LED. Apple enthusiasts won’t just appreciate HomeKit support; the charging cables are magnetic (although it has to be said that the promised battery life of 6 months seems optimistic); you can simply lower the camera or reach out and connect the cable on the spot.

3. Eufy eufyCam 2 Pro

Best for Real-Time Professional Monitoring

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SPECS

• Resolution: 2K
• Night Vision: Yes, Color
• Smart Home Integration: Yes, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (Apple HomeKit coming soon)
• Cloud Storage: No
• Monthly Fee: -Audio: Yes, two-way
• Local Storage: Yes, 16 GB in the base, up to 128 GB MicroSD
• Motion detection: yes
• Person detection: yes
• Activity zone: yes
• Power source: battery
• Size: 107 x 57 x 57 mm
• Weight: 989g

Best base station security camera system for flexibility
The eufyCam 2 Pro, the latest addition to the Eufy system, drew many virtual heads at CES 2021. The new outdoor camera is not only weather-ready, with IP67 protection, but easy installation, and capable of running entirely on battery for a whole year.

That long life is due in part to the Sony sensor providing good quality low-light images without the need for a white light, which will mean taking the stairs to charge the camera(s) less often.

Instead of a potentially expensive subscription, Eufy’s system uses a base station, HomeBase, so it’s sensible to buy multi-camera kits from the start.

The built-in 16GB of HomeBase can be extended via USB, and the video stored on it is encrypted but can be easily accessed through the app. Eufy also has a great app with good options, a thumbnail alerts option, and great alternative cameras and ringers if you’re looking for, say, spotlights.

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4. Wyze Cam v3

Best Portable Camera

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SPECS

• Resolution: 1080p
• Field of View: 130˚
• Night Vision: Yes
• Smart Home Integration: Yes, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT
• Cloud Storage: Yes
• Monthly Fee: $1.99
• Audio: Yes, two-way
• Local Storage: Yes, microSD card
• Motion Detection: yes
• Person detection: optional
• Activity zone: No
• Power supply: USB pluggable
• Size: 52 x 51 x 59 mm
• Weight: 98g
• Colours: white

The best low-cost security camera for indoor and outdoor use
If you want a compact indoor camera that occasionally needs to be placed outside (or under a leaky roof), look no further than the updated Wyze Cam v3.

This is a compact 1080P cube camera that’s IP65-rated for waterproofing and capable of capturing colour even in the dark thanks to what Wyze calls a Starlight CMOS sensor and its f/1.6 maximum aperture.

There are two switchable infrared wavelengths built-in, for near and far illumination, so repositioning the camera inside and outside poses no risk.

The “near” makes things hard to see, so it may be better for monitoring the baby. Assembly is also easy; there is a magnetic mount or a screw mount. The two-way talk system uses a simultaneous speaker/microphone system instead of push-to-talk. These are all excellent features, well done, but the option to insert a microSD card or the use the subscription service is greatly appreciated.

In most respects, it also beats the fairly recent Wyze Cam Outdoor, unless you need a battery-powered system.

5. Outdoor PT WiFi IP Security Camera

Best Battery Life

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SPECS

• Resolution: 1080p
• Field of View: 320˚ pan / 70˚ cam
• Night Vision: Yes, Dual
• Smart Home Integration: No
• Cloud Storage: No
• Monthly Fee: -Audio: Yes, two-way
• Local Storage: Yes, up to 128GB MicroSD
• Motion Detection: Yes
• Person Detection: No
• Activity Zone: No
• Power Source: 110-240V Plug Adapter (Included)
• Size: 160 x 110 x 96mm
• Weight: 839g
• Colours: White

The most affordable pan-tilt camera with local recording and app support
The Alptop camera may look distinctly spidery, but that handful of “eyes” serve to provide illumination for both infrared night vision and visible light.

This camera is also not priced at a point where excessive investment in industrial design is expected; instead, this is a great way to get 1080P HD images from locations important to you or your business.

The lens itself has a fairly narrow 70˚ field of view, but this extends to 320˚ horizontally and 90˚ vertically with pan and tilt.

The app, camHI, could certainly be styled better, but it also allows pan, tilt and zoom, and provides motion alerts. The camera records to a built-in MicroSD card if desired.

One thing it can’t do, despite suggesting it could, is connect to a web browser; it looks like you need the now-retired flash player. There is still software for Windows, and an RJ45 connector; a nice extra option.

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6. Arlo Essential Wire-Free Doorbell

Best Affordable Alternative to Wyze

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SPECS

• Resolution: 1536 x 1536
• Field of View: 180˚
• Night Vision: Yes
• Smart Home Integration: Yes, Amazon Alexa, SmartThings and Google Assistant
• Cloud Storage: Optional
• Monthly Fee: $2.99 ​​/ £2.79
• Audio: Yes, two-way
• Motion detection: yes
• Person detection: yes
• Activity zone: No
• Power source: battery or traditional wiring
• Size: 143 x 47 x 37 mm

The best battery powered video doorbell
We have a separate guide to the best doorbell cameras, but it crosses over with this one for a couple of reasons. Many of the manufacturers are the same and use the same apps, technology, and subscriptions so you can keep things neater and cheaper with brand loyalty.

The Arlo Essential Wire-Free model is our choice because it has a square HD camera, which offers a much more streamlined field of view for something next to a door, and because it includes packet detection so it can alert you the next time the agent of delivery go away. something expensive in view of passers-by and leaves.

In terms of installation, it can be connected to a traditional doorbell and wired, or recharged from time to time and connected via wi-fi.

That “every once in a while” seems to be every couple of weeks in a busy place, which might persuade you to do the wiring or reach into your pocket for a spare battery; charging will put it out of action for about four hours. Despite not being an Amazon company, you can also use an Alexa Echo as a doorbell if you want to.

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7. Nooie Outdoor Camera

Best Outdoor Camera for Budget

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SPECS

• Resolution: 1080p
• Field of View: 107˚
• Night Vision: Yes
• Smart Home Integration: Yes, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
• Cloud Storage: Yes
• Monthly Fee: Starting at $3
• Audio: Yes, two-way
• Local Storage: Yes, microSD card up to 128 GB
• Motion detection: yes
• Person detection: no
• Activity zone: yes
• Power supply: Plug-in 5V (USB)
• Size: 128 x 69 x 69 mm Weight: 295g
• Colours: white

Stylish design in an affordable security camera system
With a low asking price and nothing to worry about when it comes to looks, you’d expect Nooie to be looking to get their money back with an outrageous subscription scheme, but really this camera offers the option.

There’s cloud storage, recorded via the app, and the opportunity to record locally. Sometimes getting a cheap product means sacrificing the opportunity to be part of a helpful ecosystem, but Nooie also offers baby doorbells and monitors.

Outdoor installation involves the use of a power cable (a battery option would be nice), but given the price of entry, it’s hard to complain.

Admittedly, 1080P isn’t the highest resolution out there, but it’s worth remembering that it’s good enough for Google’s Nest, too; where things fall a bit is the frame rate, which is only 15fps, enough to see what’s going on, but not like on TV.

8. Ezviz C3X Dark Fighter

Best Ezviz Outdoor Camera

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SPECS

• Resolution: 1080p
• Field of View: 106˚
• Night Vision: Yes
• Smart Home Integration: Yes, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
• Cloud Storage: Yes
• Monthly Fee: From $5.99 / £2.99 Audio: Yes, two-way
• Local Storage: Yes , microSD card up to 256 GB
• Motion detection: yes Person
• detection: yes
• activity zone: yes
• Power supply: 12 V DC plug-in (adapter included)
• Size: 72 x 72 x 150 mm Weight: 425 g / 0.94 pounds
• Colours: white

Dual-lens security camera that can see color in the dark without white light
The C3X uses a dual-lens configuration to deliver color video at night even without additional lights. Furthermore, integrating artificial intelligence into the system means that the camera can detect human and vehicle forms even in difficult lighting conditions.

The system works by combining data from the infrared camera (illuminated with two lights invisible to human eyes) with ambient brightness using a proprietary algorithm. The resulting H.265 video is sent over wi-fi, ethernet, or recorded locally.

The system still has a bright strobe light (and siren) that you can use to deter intruders; people, vehicles or both, and in which region is up to you. The MicroSD and the reset button are hidden under a screw-sealed plate, which should make interference difficult and earn the IP67 rating.

It is helpful that a cable waterproofing clip is also included. The design is also friendly for those installing far from wi-fi bases; double antennas are effective. Advertisement.

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What to look for in an outdoor security camera?

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Top tips for choosing the best outdoor security camera system:

• Ecosystem Does the camera use wi-fi or its own base station, and if it’s the latter, do you have to pay more for the base station? You are willing to? Is the ecosystem broad enough for all your needs? Smart doorbells, for example, have a big crossover with outdoor cameras.
• Subscription Is there a subscription (or multiple subscription options) and do they charge per camera or per household? Are you willing to pay?
• Local recording? Is there an option to record locally and is it on the camera or on a base station? If you are recording on the camera, can you be sure that the recording is safe?
• Lighting with reflectors or more subtle options like the bright LEDs on Google Nest IQ or Ring Spotlight Cam can offer color when you see in the dark and surprise intruders.
• Sirens can deter those you don’t want on your property. High decibel counts may be more effective, but may be more than your neighbors need!
• Two-way talk It can let you talk to the children in the garden or talk to an intruder.
• Camera quality Resolution is important, but it’s certainly not the only factor; Outdoor cameras are often used primarily at night, so low-light images are important and that depends on both the infrared illumination and the number of pixels. In fact, you may end up needing to lower the resolution of the image instead of mastering internet bandwidth!
• Live view refers to the live video you can see from your app’s camera. Latency is also worth looking into: the delay between real life and what you see on your phone.
• Event Cameras have sensors of one kind or another to detect humans, animals or vehicles before triggering the camera, alert, lights or siren, and each occasion is called an ‘event’ in the jargon. Some cameras or subscriptions only record video clips after an event, while others offer 24/7 options.
• Loss of connection The answer here is usually reasonably straightforward in terms of power depending on the presence of a battery, but what about the footage? How dependent is the device on an Internet connection?