Article updated on March 26, 2024 at 3:00 AM PDT
Add an extra layer of protection to your home with an outdoor home security camera. Our top picks come equipped with night vision, excellent battery life and much more. commercial wireless solar security camera
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Do you need a wireless, battery model to position an outdoor camera where you want it? Will the cam be in a position to get cable power through a junction box or similar approach?
Does the outdoor cam have an IP rating designed for all kinds of weather? Do you need extra resistance to temps below zero in your climate?
How do you want to story security videos? Do you prefer local or cloud storage? Are you willing to pay a subscription fee? What about a microSD card for local storage? Are you worried about home videos being leaked online via the cloud?
Does the camera have at least an HD resolution? If it's looking over a broad area, would you pay extra for a 2K or 4K camera? Is the field of view wide enough to capture the angle that you have in mind?
Does the camera's motion detection come with object recognition to identify people vs. animals vs. vehicles and so on? If it's a camera looking at the front door, does it have package recognition?
Features like two-way audio, night vision, sirens and customized alerts can be very important additions to these kinds of home security cameras.
Installing an outdoor-ready security camera is a good way to bring you and your family some peace of mind. An outdoor security camera allows you to quickly and easily check on your property, whether inside your home or traveling across the country. If you’re looking for a camera that has it all, we've never seen so many features packed into one camera like the Arlo Pro 5S 2K . It's a wireless, DIY-friendly camera that can fit nearly anywhere. In our more than five years of testing security cameras from brands like Ring, Blink and TP-Link, it stands out as an answer for any security issue. The combination of two-way audio, motion detection, a spotlight and voice assistant compatibility is rarely done so well.
The Arlo Pro 5S 2K is also an expensive camera, even more so when adding in an Arlo hub to help store video or a subscription to do the same in the cloud. If you're looking to spend a little less on an excellent home security camera with fewer bells and whistles, we also have other picks to explore. We've chosen a top floodlight cam for extra lumens, some great local storage camera picks and a high-grade video security option from Lorex, among others.
Take a look at our full list of best outdoor security cams below along with what you should know about home security cameras before you buy. For more options (and ways to learn more about how home security tech works), you may also want to stop by our roundup of the best home security cameras and our list of the best wireless cameras for your home.
This Arlo Pro cam is useful outdoors or inside.
If cost is no problem and you’re looking for the latest security camera features, the Arlo Pro 5S 2K is a top-line DIY model with a solid set of features. The 2K video resolution yields extra detail (although a subscription is required for maximum resolution), a 160-degree field of view is great on a cam this size and color night vision works very well to enhance images in dark conditions. It’s wireless for flexible installation options, and the battery is better than ever (rated up to eight months) with new low-power modes to help decrease those tiresome recharging sessions.
The camera also has particularly useful extras for an all-purpose outdoor security camera. The integrated spotlight turns on in low-light conditions (although you can control this via the app) while auto-tracking and the 12x zoom function help focus coverage on the most important details. The two-way audio is also a nice touch if you prefer to have cam-based conversations or call out strangers. With UV resistance, weather resistance and an operating temperature range down to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s ready for homes in nearly any climate.
While the camera gets added benefits like optimized battery life from being connected to an Arlo Security System or base station, it’s still easy to use it solo. The Arlo Secure subscription not only unlocks 2K resolution streaming but also enables cloud recording for saving clips, so we highly recommend budgeting for a subscription if you pick this camera. If you prefer local storage, you’ll have to add an Arlo SmartHub or Base Station, which can run well over $100.
Read our review of a previous Arlo Pro cam model.
This Arlo Pro cam is useful outdoors or inside.
Thieves checking for unlocked car doors can be as much of an outdoor home security concern as porch pirates stealing packages off your doorstep. A good video doorbell can deter a porch pirate, but keeping opportunists off your driveway and out of your cars can present a different challenge.
A camera equipped with an automatic siren and spotlight, like the TP-Link Tapo C310 outdoor camera, can be one of your most effective tools for keeping trespassers at bay. You can position the camera to watch specific zones, like a driveway, at scheduled times and blare its siren and spotlight when anyone crosses the detection line.
The outdoor camera also features 2K resolution, night vision up to 98 feet away, Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, and local storage via a microSD card slot (card not included). If you want cloud storage, Tapo Care plans start around $.50 per month per camera and include 30 days of event recording.
The only significant drawback to the camera I see is that it uses a wired power source, so you'll have to run a cord to plug it in. If you have an accessible power outlet (perhaps in your garage or an inconspicuous location on your home's exterior), the TP-Link Tapo C310 is worth checking out. It may help automatically drive away any unwanted guests.
If you need a camera to keep watch over a place where Wi-Fi doesn't reach, such as construction sites, adjacent workshops or camping trips), you may want to shop for a smart security camera that connects over cellular data. Your top two options are the Arlo Go 2 and the Eufy 4G Starlight Cam, each of which includes a SIM card slot for cellular connectivity along with similar features, including night vision and customizable motion alerts. They each cost about $250 too, although the Eufy 4G Starlight Cam is the slightly less expensive of the two.
Both performed well when we tested them out, and there are good reasons to go with either, but of the two models we lean toward the Go 2. For one, the Arlo Go 2 includes a microSD card slot for local storage whereas the Eufy camera doesn't and is instead equipped with a limiting 8GB of built-in storage. Also, the Arlo Go 2 can connect over both LTE and Wi-Fi while the Eufy 4G Starlight Cam doesn't support Wi-Fi. That makes the Go 2 the more flexible of the two cameras and can leverage your home's Wi-Fi signal to reduce LTE data usage.
Keep in mind that you'll need an Arlo Secure plan starting at $8 per month to enable interactive notifications, the highest video resolution and cloud recordings. A microSD card slot is available for local storage (and to help keep from running into data caps or similar issues), but you'll be giving up those additional features.
A dedicated spotlight cam focuses a beam of light in a specific direction, helping you light up dark porches, walkways, patios and corners of your yard where visibility is lacking. Spotlights also greatly improve nighttime visibility, and when motion-activated like the 1080p Ring Spotlight Can Plus, they can theoretically scare away intruders.
The design and additional features put the Ring Spotlight Cam Plus over the top for us. Few spotlight cams have such a compact design with durable LED bars that make it easy to position and angle the camera (140-degree field of view) in many directions. When power is low, the pop-out battery is easy to recharge without messing with your perfect angle.
The 1080p cam comes with color night vision, two-way audio and a siren you can sound when necessary. There are also privacy zones and motion zones you can tweak to control where the motion detection focuses. It can also handle temperatures down to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s no slouch during winter.
Ring’s security camera is designed to work with a Ring Protect plan, which starts at $4 per month, and we consider it more or less mandatory for this cam. It enables valuable features, including the ability to record footage to the cloud, recognize people (and ignore other movement), switch to an away mode and more. There is a wired version of the camera, but we’re picking the battery option for its versatility.
Note that Ring recently updated its policy on providing footage to police without user consent. While law enforcement can still request footage in case of an emergency or warrant, Ring is no longer providing a form for more casual police requests, an upgrade in privacy for users.
Wireless security cams offer a lot to like for the modern homeowner. You can install them at nearly any awkward angle to cover blind spots or find the perfect vantage point, and there’s never any need to call an electrician. In return, you have to manage battery power, and that can be a tough sell when the best spot for a security camera is a hard-to-reach area. Blink’s fourth-generation outdoor cam addresses the issue head-on with a powerful battery rated for up to two years of use before you have to worry about recharging.
Battery isn’t the only thing the Outdoor 4 brings to the table. It offers a 1080p resolution, infrared night vision, two-way audio and dual-zone motion detection. Amazon’s security platform has full Alexa compatibility too, so you can look at a live view from an Echo Show, among other tricks.
Note that the Blink Outdoor 4 comes with a Sync Module 2 for local storage so you don’t have to worry about buying a hub, but you will need a USB drive to connect to it. A Blink subscription, which starts at $3 per month, adds cloud storage and person detection.
Floodlight cameras use large lights to illuminate a broad space, like an entire driveway or dark backyard. They’re usually larger than other security cameras, but the best option to keep a watch over large areas, especially if you’re concerned about nighttime dangers. This Lorex cam is our top pick for this kind of floodlight solution, a package of features that complement each other ways we really like.
For example, the 2K resolution is excellent for a floodlight cam, which tends to overlook a large space and benefits from as many pixels as possible. It pairs well with Lorex’s person-oriented motion detection, and the compatibility with Alexa and Google Home means you can use voice commands and smart displays for lots of added functionality. If the cam is close enough you can activate two-way audio, and the adjustable floodlights include not only four different light scheduling options but the ability to set brightness and color temperate, something traditional floodlights just can’t do.
Lorex avoids subscription fees, instead offering a pre-installed 32GB microSD chip, which cuts costs and helps secure privacy, but you may need to get the ladder out when that card fills up. Speaking of cam positioning, this is a wired camera, so you will need to do some wiring or possibly hire an electrician -- an existing junction box will make installation much, much easier. We’re choosing a wired version for a floodlight cam because those bright LEDs, while efficient, can still sap a lot of battery power, and the wired version will save you a lot of charging trips.
Google Nest's small, bobbly wireless cam has secrets: It’s surprisingly powerful, offers infrared LEDs for night vision and comes with IP54 weather resistance for outside use. While it doesn’t perform its best when temperatures drop below freezing, if you live in a mild or warm climate it can be an excellent, versatile outdoor cam. The 1080p model has a 130-degree field of view, and you can quickly adjust its focus thanks to the 6x digital zoom and easy-to-install base. Motion detection, two-way audio and compatibility with both Google Assistant and Alexa round this cam off nicely.
One of the things we most appreciate about Nest camera products is Google’s excellent free offerings. Without a subscription, you still get three free hours of cloud storage and customized alerts for spotting people, animals, and vehicles. Nest Aware plans add more features, but that’s a more-than-competitive deal if you want to avoid subscription fees. Plus, you can easily move it inside or outside depending on where you think you need security the most. Just be careful of temperatures that fall below freezing, as this cam isn't rated for especially cold conditions. In our experience, you'll at least get some warnings and reduced battery life, but other problems could occur if the weather gets especially chilly.
If the term “spare no expense” comes to mind when you think of home security, the Lorex Fusion 2K steps up to deliver. This powerful 2K camera can handle the most demanding security and surveillance, making it ideal for homeowners who want to keep the best eye possible on their property and belongings or for someone who runs a business (such as a daycare) out of their home. And with PoE (power over ethernet), you won’t have to worry about dropped Wi-Fi connections, no matter where you put it.
The camera alone offers pan, tilt and zoom capabilities, a 12x optical zoom and 16x digital zoom to capture any detail and infrared night vision up to a very impressive 330 feet. With an IP66 resistance rating, you won’t have to worry. Smart extras are also available; notably, the ability to create "PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) tours" or programmed paths for the cam to cycle through to cover multiple directions.
You do miss out on some smart features like two-way audio and person recognition: This camera is purely dedicated to top-notch video footage. The catch -- in addition to the high price -- is that you’ll need a compatible Lorex recorder to pair with the cam. Fortunately, no subscriptions are required.
Solar cameras offer an alternative to the traditional home security teach: A cam that you can theoretically keep charged with a few hours of well-positioned sunlight every day. The problem is that juggling a separate camera and solar panel installation is tricky, especially if you’re short on room. Eufy’s 2K-resolution cam uses an integrated solar panel instead so you can find a spot where the top of the camera gets enough sunlight to keep it powered, keeping manual battery recharging minimal or unnecessary.
The SoloCam S320, which offers a 130-degree field of view, also has a 600-lumen spotlight, color night vision and motion detection with person recognition. Without sunlight, the battery lasts up to four months. You can control it with both Alexa and Google Assistant. The cam is also designed to work without any subscriptions or add-ons, but that also means it’s limited to (AES128-encrypted) 8GB of onboard storage. Eufy says that’s enough for about two months of footage, but in our experience that can fill up quickly if your cam is recording multiple detections a day.
Outdoor cameras need reliable power. Some users have no problems recharging a battery every several months. Others may want to place cameras in positions where regular recharging is difficult. Wired versions of cameras skip this step but often require existing wiring or electrical work. Then there’s PoE or Power over Ethernet, which supplies both an internet connection and power at the same time but requires a dedicated Ethernet line. These days, we're also seeing a growing number of solar outdoor cameras that offer a charging alternative.
All those choices come down to ease of use: We’re looking for cams with reliable power options, excellent battery life, usable solar panels and other home-friendly aspects. The higher the camera is placed and the more power it uses, the more a wired solution becomes important.
Outdoor cams must be weather-resistant, and high-quality versions should be able to handle low temperatures as well.
What do outdoor cameras do with the video they capture? The two primary choices are cloud storage through an internet connection and local storage through a hub or microSD card. Cloud storage is easy to capture and share but usually needs a subscription and raises privacy concerns when police can request video footage directly from companies. Local storage is more private but much harder to manage when storage starts getting full and needs to be culled. Our list includes options for both, plus choices like the Nest Cam which offers cloud storage for free.
Video encryption is also important to help secure video transfer and access. At this point, we would bring up the latest protocols like Matter and Thread, designed to make smart devices safer and more compatible with different platforms. While this compatibility can help many smart devices, Matter doesn’t support video quite yet, so it won’t apply to most of your data management here.
A security cam needs high-quality video and imaging to do its job well. The minimum these days is 1080p, and we’re seeing a growing number of 2K and even 4K home security cameras available for greater detail. Don’t go below HD-level if possible. Field of view, while less important, also helps a camera capture as large of an area as possible, which can be helpful when watching the entire front of a home or a whole backyard. About the best we’ve seen here is 160 degrees, but a 130-degree cam can still do well, especially if it’s easy to angle.
Motion detection both saves on video recordings and helps control adjacent features like spotlights and the important mobile alerts you can get on your phone. It’s typically an automatic feature but made immensely better when a camera has AI recognition capabilities (preferably for free). These help the camera ignore cars, leaves and possibly even animals in favor of humans, or let you choose alerts based on the subject matter. Together, the two features are a powerful mix.
Two-way audio can prove helpful if it’s high-quality and the camera is close enough to people to be intelligible. Lighting is a very useful feature on any outdoor camera, which is why around half our list includes lighting of some kind (and all have night vision).
We've tested dozens of the most popular cameras from the biggest brands, including Google Nest , Amazon Blink, Amazon Ring, Wyze, Arlo , Eufy, Canary and more. If you're wondering why some cams made it on our current list and others didn't, it's important to note we're always watching the latest updates on features, subscriptions, privacy and new models to keep our picks current. Outdoor cams we tested that didn't quite make the list this time include:
Arlo Pro 4 : We found a lot to like about the Arlo Pro 4, and it once topped our list. The Arlo Pro 5S is simply a better version, including a better battery and fuller feature set.
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight : If you’re looking for a floodlight cam, this is a strong option. We found the adjustable LED panels on the Lorex model more useful, and as we noted, a wired version is often better when it comes to power-hungry floodlights.
Wyze Outdoor Cam v2: Wyze remains a strong choice for budget security cameras, but Wyze continues to run into security and privacy concerns, from continued data breaches in recent years to video caching issues that let strangers see through each other’s Wyze cams in 2023. We aren’t going to recommend this cam until we’re sure all security issues have been cleared up.
Nest Cam with Floodlight : The Nest Cam does have a version with floodlights, but at $280 it’s expensive for what you get. We preferred other floodlight options, although the Nest version could be an alternative if you really want free cloud storage.
Ring Stick Up Cam : While weather-resistant, we found the Ring Rick Up Cam a little too fragile for long-term outdoor work.
Eufy EufyCam S221 : The S221 is a high-quality camera model with some potential for outside use, but we disliked how a separate HomeBase 2 was absolutely required to use it, liking the versatility that Eufy’s solar cam provided instead.
Hands-on testing is vital to our assessments and recommendations for home security cameras. We start by identifying and acquiring new or popular products from trusted brands that readers like yourself are likely to come across when shopping online or at your local big box store.
We then set the camera up according to the instructions included in the manual or via an app and test it out over a week. During testing, we pay special attention to resolution, night vision and latency, extra features and general performance to ensure it matches the camera's advertised features.
Testing takes place in a real home environment, so we're getting firsthand experience as to how effectively the camera responds to motion and sends push notifications. On occasion, we may even stage a porch pirate or trespasser situation to gauge how well the camera performs.
If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security cameras and video doorbells.
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about outdoor home security cameras. If you have any others, feel free to reach out on Twitter.
Outdoor security cameras can be used for all sorts of purposes, and your particular needs will determine which one is best. If you're looking for minimal upkeep, a camera with a power cord might be the best bet, whereas monitoring spaces far from a power outlet could make a battery-powered device a better option. In general, cameras with at least 1080p resolution, a wide field of view, night vision and deterrence features like a spotlight or alarm will serve you well.
If you're privacy conscious, then your best bet is to shop for security cameras that let you store the footage locally, usually on a microSD card or some other means of storage on the device itself. Once you start uploading your video for storage on a company's servers, then that footage is subject to whatever that company's policies are regarding storing and sharing it.
On the security front, the best way to keep your footage safe from unauthorized access or hacks is to make sure that you're using two-factor authentication, which greatly reduces the odds that anyone will be able to access your account without your knowledge. If you're uploading footage to a company's servers, you'll want to make sure that the footage is encrypted along the way.
The most secure approach is end-to-end encryption, or E2EE, which means that nobody can access your footage without a unique decryption key associated with your device. With E2EE, even the company you're storing the footage with shouldn't be able to access your clips. "Encryption in transit" and "encryption at rest" are good standards as well, but they wouldn't necessarily prevent the company you're storing footage with from being able to access your clips.
One more thing: It should go without saying, but these cameras are meant to keep an eye on your own home and property. Set one up someplace where you don't have permission or where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and you could run afoul of the law.
Whether you're worried about extreme cold, rain or any other inclement weather, you'll want to be sure to check your camera's IP rating and lowest operating temperature. IP ratings of 65 or 66 are solid -- that means you won't get dust into the camera or water unless it's submerged.
solar lights motion sensor camera Generally, you'll also want to compare your regional winter temperatures to your camera's lowest operating temperature. Battery-operated cameras usually need warmer temperatures. The Google Nest Cam may start running into trouble as temperatures go below 32 degrees Fahrenheit regularly, while our top Arlo pick can work at minus 20 degrees below zero.