A home is a haven, and you want to keep yours as secure as possible. An outdoor security camera can help bring some added peace of mind, allowing you to keep an eye on things whether you’re at home or away.
Check out our roundup of the best outdoor security cameras for some ideas on how to best keep your property secure around the clock.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Google Nest Cam Indoor & Outdoor Battery
Runner-Up:
Ring Spotlight Cam Plus
Best Budget:
Wyze Cam V3
Best Overall
Google Nest Cam Indoor & Outdoor Battery
Though there are many personal and specific elements that can come into play when choosing the best outdoor security camera, there are a few standard features you will most likely need. Good visual range, a long battery life, and the ability to sync seamlessly with apps and functions are just a few of the top needs users worldwide have ranked high in their search for the best outdoor security camera.
For checking all of these necessary boxes and so many more, we recommend the Google Nest Cam Indoor & Outdoor Battery as the best outdoor security camera overall. This performs well under a variety of elements and pairs perfectly with your Google Home app.
This camera can also detect the differences between people, animals, and vehicles, which helps cut down on unnecessary alerts. You can interface easily with this camera whether you set it up outdoors or indoors, and it keeps a continuous feed so you can always be sure your home is secure and under the best home surveillance possible.
Pros:
- Has a variety of different buying options, including various bundles and packs, so you can find the perfect setup to suit your individual needs
- Will store up to an hour of recorded footage if there is a power outage
- Can be voice-controlled with your Alexa app
- Distinguishes between people, animals, and vehicles, so you can know what is an important alert and what isn’t
Cons:
- Users have reported issues with lag and motion detection from time to time
- Enabling the full setup for the Google Nest Cam may become a higher cost over time
Runner-Up
Ring Spotlight Cam Plus
With more and more outdoor security cameras landing on the market all the time, things can begin to feel a bit oversaturated. No one wants to invest in a cheap, unreliable product, particularly when the safety and security of their home is on the line!
For our runner-up for best outdoor security camera, we’ve selected an outdoor security camera with all the bells and whistles, and with the added bonus of coming from a well-known, easily recognized, and quality brand. We recommend the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus.
True to the reputation of the Ring brand name, this is a sturdy, quality outdoor security camera with some truly fantastic colored night vision and quality audio as well. You can use it to see, hear, and speak to (and with!) anyone in the camera’s versatile range. You can also control it with voice commands via Alexa and set motion zones for particularly focused audio and visual range.
Pros:
- Has the option of battery-powered or plug-in powered, depending on your particular setup and needs
- Offers colored night vision for optimal surveillance of your property
- Relatively easy installation
- Allows two-way talk, so you can speak to people on camera, and they can speak to you
- Features LED spotlights for optimal night vision
Cons:
- Some users have reported issues with blurry visuals and short battery life. However, none of the reported issues have appeared consistent enough to be a basic flaw within the design of the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus.
Best Budget
Wyze Cam V3
Protecting and securing your property it an important part of home stewardship and home ownership…but it can get expensive over time! Especially when so many of the best outdoor security cameras come with hidden costs and necessary additional hardware, these things can really add up over time.
For folks who are looking to keep their homestead secure without breaking the bank, we recommend the Wyze Cam V3 as the best outdoor security camera on a budget. This is a sturdy camera for both indoors and outdoors that offers many of the same bells and whistles as its high-cost competitors but at a fraction of the price.
Features like two-way talk, colored night vision, and more are all part of the Wyze Cam V3 package, and at the same time, it boasts a cost of under $50. This up-and-coming camera is truly the best outdoor security camera you can find to fit into your budget!
Pros:
- Incredibly affordable, particularly when compared to some of its contemporaries
- Boasts many of the same features as other higher-cost security cameras, while still keeping the price low
Cons:
- Some customers report various issues with the app and cloud storage
- Among a number of consumers, the overall experience with customer support at Wyze has not been the best
Blink Wireless Outdoor Security Camera
Finding the best outdoor security camera can be a high priority for people of all different skills, ages, and technological comfort levels. But narrowing down the list to an outdoor security camera that doesn’t require a ton of setup or tech-savvy can be a struggle at times.
When it comes to choosing the best outdoor security camera that is easy to set up and straightforward to use, we recommend the Blink Wireless Outdoor Security Camera. With this simple camera, you will have a functioning outdoor security camera in minutes, with little to no hassle.
The Blink Wireless camera works seamlessly with your Alexa device for voice prompts, has a battery life of up to two years, and installs wherever you need it with a simple mount. No hardwiring, running lines or professional installation is required.
With this easy-to-set-up and easy-to-use outdoor security camera, you can have the confidence you need to monitor your property without the headache of a tricky installation process.
Pros:
- Installs easily within minutes
- Has a wide range of view for optimal property monitoring
- Offers 2-way talk so you can communicate with anyone in the camera view
- Has a 2-year battery life on 2 included lithium AA batteries—no extra purchase or fancy batteries required
Cons:
- If system is set up outside of the recommended range and scheduling parameters, battery life will be significantly reduced
Arlo Essential Wired Doorbell Security Camera
In some cases, you may not be looking for a fancy, high-mounted outdoor security camera. Sometimes a small, discreet doorbell camera will suffice, allowing you to monitor who comes to your door for security and peace of mind.
In these cases, we recommend the Arlo Essential Wired Doorbell Security Camera as the best doorbell outdoor security camera. This camera is easy to install for yourself, offers a full scope of visual range, and offers quick alerts and responses. You also have the option to speak with visitors through the security camera or record messages to greet anyone who comes to your door.
And, as an added bonus for your safety, the Arlo Essential Wired Doorbell also has a built-in alarm that can be triggered to deter unwanted visitors to your front door.
Pros:
- Offers high video quality and full visual range to give you the best scope of your porch and property
- Features an alarm that can be triggered to frighten off unwelcomed visitors at your door
- Easy to install and operates seamlessly with your smartphone
- Offers both 2-way audio and the opportunity to set up prerecorded messages
Cons:
- Does require some hands-on installation
Eufy Security Camera
It can be hit or miss these days to find an outdoor security camera that does not require a subscription of some sort. These subscriptions to cloud storage databases allow you to store plenty of video footage, but the cost can add up quickly. This can be especially bothersome if you are paying for far more cloud capacity than you are needing to use!
If you are intent on using an outdoor security camera that features local video storage only, we recommend the Eufy Security Camera for the best outdoor security camera without a subscription. This is a fantastic 2-camera kit that comes with its own local hub for storing all your video recording needs.
These smart cameras will detect the difference between a person and an animal and will spare you from alerts or recordings of passing critters. They are also weatherproof, offer over 100 days of battery life per camera, and boast sharp visual quality that makes them truly worth the cost.
Pros:
- No monthly storage subscription fees—everything is stored in the camera kit’s local hub
- High visual quality, smart detection, and colored night lighting features are all included
- Comes with two cameras, affording extra visual security without any additional costs
Cons:
- The hub for storage is sizeable and will take up some space
Defender PhoenixM2
Let’s be honest…many of us are looking for a break from the constant inundation of WiFi. It can also be helpful to have outdoor security cameras that don’t rely on WiFi in case of severe power outages, internet interruptions, or if the worst should happen.
Living a lower WiFi and lower EMF exposure lifestyle can be a bit tricky when you also want to run outdoor security cameras. But you don’t have to rely on WiFi or an app to have a high-quality outdoor security system. We recommend the Defender PhoenixM2 as the best outdoor security camera with no WiFi.
This camera kit comes with its own monitor and 2 high-quality cameras that feature many of the same bells and whistles as their contemporaries. Things like 2-way talk, night vision, motion detection, and more are all features with the Defender PhoenixM2, but without the necessity to be connected to WiFi at all times.
Pros:
- Fully functional without the need for WiFi or Internet connectivity.
- Boasts infrared night vision, motion detection, and weather resistance
- Stores video recordings to a local SD card
- Can be purchased in kits with up to four cameras to cover all necessary areas of your property
Cons:
- Cannot be monitored or activated via a phone app. Cameras can only be viewed via the included monitor screen
Best Outdoor Security Camera Buyer’s Guide
How Wide a Range You Need to Cover
While most outdoor security cameras boast a fairly wide range these days, there tends to be at least some difference in scope from camera to camera. This can be especially true when considering cameras that are larger and more visible to the naked eye, versus ones that are more discreet.
When choosing the best outdoor security camera for your property, you should take into account how wide a range you need to cover. Then, check the specifications on your preferred camera to see how much of this area it can cover.
Luckily, even if a single camera won’t cover all the necessary range, there are several options that come in bundle packs. This will allow you to stick to a single camera brand that you like, usually at a discounted price when buying in a bundle, while filling in the gaps in your property’s visibility.
Wired vs. Battery Powered
Though wireless, battery-operated outdoor security cameras continue to grow in popularity every year, there are still options for both wireless and wired security cameras all across the market. This is a key component to consider when choosing the best outdoor security camera for your needs.
Because every home is different, you will need to make a choice between a wired or a battery-powered security camera specific to your functions. Check out the access to wired power sources from where you want to mount your security camera before you make your decision.
In addition, consider the pros and cons of each type of camera. Wireless security cameras can often be less hassle, drain less power, and are easier to install just about anywhere. However, you may find your cost in batteries becomes rather significant, especially if you run your camera constantly or if you are running multiple cameras at once.
A wired security camera, on the other hand, may have more limitations to where it can be installed relative to a power source, and your setup may take more time. However, powering it is generally a one-and-done deal, with no need for recurrent powering costs.
The Lighting of Your Exterior
Various outdoor security cameras offer different features to augment their overall effectiveness. One of these features is the inclusion of a spotlight, often built into or off of the outdoor camera. This helps enhance night vision and allows the camera to record at all hours of the day.
However, folks who keep a well-lit exterior already will likely not need to invest the extra money that may be part and parcel when purchasing the best outdoor security camera that has spotlights built in.
When choosing your outdoor security camera, be sure to take into account how much exterior lighting is already available, especially in the locations where your camera or cameras will be mounted. With that in mind, you can determine if the added feature of a spotlight is necessary for you.
Your WiFi Capability
These days, just about every outdoor security camera system runs on WiFi. Systems that are hard-lined to a recording box are incredibly few and far between. Bearing that in mind, you should assess your WiFi setup before you purchase your outdoor security camera.
All different types of WiFi routers have various strengths in range. Along the same line, different outdoor security cameras may require different bandwidths to do their monitoring and recording. The compatibility between WiFi and cameras can also be affected by how many cameras you need to run simultaneously, etc.
Be sure to compare the specs of what your router can handle with what your outdoor security camera of choice demands—and if need be, consider upgrading or augmenting your WiFi router before you purchase your security camera.
Your Location
The area where you live can also have a high impact on which outdoor security camera truly suits your needs best. Living in an area with high light saturation or light pollution is a lot different from living out in a rural spot that is primarily darker.
Be sure to take into account the kind of surroundings you will be monitoring, and the amount of exposure in it, when choosing your outdoor security camera. This will help ensure your camera is the best fit for your location as well as for your monitoring needs.
You should also consider the sort of weather your location receives when choosing the best outdoor security camera for you. While just about every outdoor security camera boasts being weatherproof to some degree, those degrees can vary.
If you tend to live in a location that receives a lot of particularly cold, wet, or windy weather, it is important to check the weatherproof capabilities of your outdoor security camera of choice. Make sure it is weatherproof and capable up to the standard of your area so that your outdoor security camera is not damaged and rendered inoperative.
Cloud Storage Needs
Many of the modern outdoor security cameras on the market these days require cloud storage for the video they record. While some may allow you to sync with a standing account, such as with your Google Cloud or OneDrive, others require a specific subscription to their own cloud service.
This is an important matter to factor into the overall budgeting costs of your outdoor security camera system. It will often be an ongoing, repeat cost of $25 a month or more.
Outdoor Security Camera FAQ
Will my outdoor security camera record at all times?
As a standard rule, no; an outdoor security camera will not record at all times. This is actually a good thing, as it will save you on cloud storage space.
Instead, many motion-sensitive security cameras have a feature that triggers them to begin recording if motion is detected. In other cases, an outdoor security camera has a feature in its app that allows you to begin recording with a push of a button.
How many outdoor security cameras do I need?
This is entirely dependent on the individual’s needs. For some, a simple doorbell camera or a single camera mounted with access to a certain span of the property is enough. However, if you are interested in covering your entire property, it is likely you will need multiple cameras.
The exact number of cameras you need will be affected, not only by the size and shape of your property, but also by the camera’s visual range and its ability to pan over the landscape. So it’s important to know the dimensions of your property and take that into account to determine how many security cameras you will need to purchase.
Wrapping up the Best Outdoor Security Camera for 2023
Feeling confident to choose the best outdoor security camera to help keep your property secure? There’s lots more to learn about safety, at home, and in the wild! Check out our Safety page for more insight and information to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe.