Article updated on May 18, 2024 at 6:00 AM PDT
Keep an eye on your driveway, backyard, front porch and other key access points with these excellent (and durable) outdoor cams. Network Zoom Camera Module
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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.
There are a lot of good reasons to get an outdoor home camera. Largely, it increases your home security by keeping any mal-intended individuals away from the home, but the right camera can also shine lights when they detect motion, alert you when you get a package and just generally keep you in the know on what's happening around your property. We tested cameras for more than 200 hours and have given the best outdoor camera title to the Arlo Pro 5S 2K . It has many advanced features a a high resolution.
With more than five years of putting cameras from Ring, Blink, Eufy and TP-Link through their paces, we're also going to recommend several other models. Whether you're looking for a broad floodlight or would prefer to save a lot of money on a budget cam compared with our undeniably expensive top pick, check out the alternatives below. You'll also find tips on what makes an outdoor cam worthwhile, how we test and how to place them around your home (or where not to put security cams).
For more options -- and ways to learn how home security tech works -- you should also 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 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 outdoor camera also has particularly useful extras for an all-purpose 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 outdoor 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 these outdoor cameras I see is that they use a wired power source, so you'll have to run a cord to plug them 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 only has 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, suitable for close to home or watching far-away properties.
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 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.
Blink's Outdoor 4 cam is easy to mount and reliable for watching an outdoor space.
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 an outdoor camera is a hard-to-reach area. Blink’s fourth-generation outdoor cam addresses the issue head-on with powered AA lithium batteries rated for up to two years of use before you have to worry about replacing them.
Battery life 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.
Blink's Outdoor 4 cam is easy to mount and reliable for watching an outdoor space.
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 (you'll need to download within this timeframe) 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 outdoor 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.
These outdoor cameras alone offer 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.
Intelligent Ptz Camera You do miss out on some smart features like two-way audio and person recognition: This outdoor 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.