The 7 Best Cameras for Outdoor Security

The outlines of a sneaky intruder can be seen but no clear identification is possible because a security camera lacks night vision. Elsewhere, someone’s shoulder is seen passing a secured back door, but their face is out of frame because the camera lens has a limited field of view. Sorry to open with the bad news, but that’s what happens when security-conscious property owners don’t install the best camera for outdoor security needs.

Opting for a more proactive approach, top outdoor cameras feature enhanced night vision and wide area coverage, lenses that eliminate boundary blind spots. They’re also fitted with high resolution sensors, so there’s no chance of a blurry, blob-like intruder being recorded. Let’s be clear, though, these are just the immediate features buyers look for—and we’ll be testing them, don’t worry about that—but there’s more to a best-in-class outdoor security system than these three factors, important as they clearly are.

What about two-way audio? You know, for interrogating the suspicious visitor who later turns out to be a pizza delivery guy. What about AI controlled motion detection and smart home integration? And what about the oft-overlooked but essential properties of a weatherproofed camera housing? Advanced and packed with all the latest bells and whistles, even the best camera will go on the fritz if it’s not waterproof.

Walking you through these features today, let our surveillance pros guide you. We’ll be running an elite group of outdoor security cameras through Mission Impossible style training—even Tom Cruise would have trouble fooling these cameras—and we’ll conclude with the best options. Let’s get rolling.

Security Camera Jargon to Keep Night Stalkers at Bay

If your home is your castle, then your security cameras are the always-alert sentinels who guard the home ramparts. Learn what it takes to walk-the-talk (spot and identify intruders) by knowing the basics of security camera jargon.

Starting with the simplest but sometimes ignored, don’t start thinking about 4K detail and infrared night vision before you’ve considered weatherproofing. The Ingress Protection standard is popular when installing devices that are meant to operate outside. Check out this link on IPXX weatherproofing for more details. Basically, a higher number, all the way up to 8, assures dust and moisture protection. IP65 would essentially provide a dust and waterproof housing.

On the technology side of things, a 4K sensor is best, and don’t accept anything less than 1080p, which is HD (High-Definition). Ultra HD, aka 4K, will capture facial details and clothing; a police investigation, if started, will need this information, not a blurry recording. Likewise, in the dark of night, security lights may not always be available, so IR sensors (Infra Red) should be a core feature on your outdoor security camera.

Technologies worth adding to this basic list include wireless connectivity, smart home integration, and battery or solar backup power. Inbuilt motion detection is also important on the camera, activating a cloud-based recording as soon as an intruder makes his move. Some degree of smart control—now AI based—is also desirable; we don’t won’t to be panicking every time a squirrel or butterfly passes the front door.

Now that you’re up-to-date on some of the latest specs and jargon you’ll need to run through when picking out your very own best camera for outdoor security, we’ll take over, rejecting those devices that don’t meet the high bar we’ve set, highlighting those that make the grade so that you and yours can stay safe and sound behind its sharp electronic eye.

Camera Recommendations for Outdoor Security

Eufy SoloCam S340

The dual-lens form factor shaping our first review device, the Eufy SoloCam S340 security camera, isn’t exactly subtle, but we found the presence of the squared-off solar panel comforting. If intruders really are Mission Impossible trained, able to ‘cut the power,’ the Eufy camera keeps right on tracking intruders, its high-clarity 3K sensor capturing 360° footage. That means no blind spots and no blackouts.

Volunteers for installing all of the cameras on this list were soon collected, with a little extra wage bonus greasing the wheels. This camera installed above a dimly illuminated porch, its solar panel given clear access to the sky. The 8x zoom on one lens allowed us to get in close on a visitor’s face, while the second lens kept the full-frame shot in focus. And equipped with a low-light f/1.6 aperture, shadows and twilight lighting couldn’t obscure details.

Pro surveillance insights – With onboard 8GB local storage and pan and tilt freedom, to follow on-the-move trespassers, the Eufy SoloCam S340 outdoor security camera has our review off to a strong start. Reviewers found the app easy to configure, and there was the option to pair additional cameras, adding them to the optional HomeBase S380 hub. Motion detection sensitivity was excellent.

As it’s wireless, expect the camera to install easily. It operates on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, so routers shouldn’t be an issue. Color night vision kept images sharp at up to a distance of 26 feet at night, which should be enough to put an alarmed resident on full alert. No one wants a siren or security light going off if the intruder is practically inside, after all. Smart AI was also a deal clincher for us, identifying faces and vehicles, and reducing false alerts.

Weatherproof, built to operate in extreme conditions, the camera sends out push alerts and records video when motion is detected. It also features two-way audio and voice assistant control, a feature Alexa owners will find convenient. Includes built-in spotlight deterrence.

Google Nest Cam

With IP54 protection, the Google Nest Cam is at home outside, shrugging of the effects of dirt and splashes with equal ease. The wireless device operates on Wi-Fi, then there’s also Bluetooth connectivity built-in, which isn’t common on outdoor security cameras. There’s also a ton of technological smarts residing deep inside the camera, adding such features as facial recognition and Google Assistant compatibility.

We wondered about battery life upon installing the camera above a large yard-facing bay window. It’s a 6Ah lithium-ion battery, so it should last a long time, but if motion triggering events are common, we’d suggest adding a long weatherproof cable. This cable is available from Google, but it’s sold separately. Although fairly expensive for a 1080p security camera, its six powerful 850nm infrared LEDs deliver 20ft of night-illuminated surveillance.

Pro surveillance insights – The bright night vision and 6x zoom are impressive, but there’s no mechanical panning, so expect to rely on the 130° field of coverage. We did, however, like how the magnetic base allowed for immediate changes in camera orientation, no extra tools or hardware needed. Video footage was also crisp, the motion detection sensor responsive, and the 24/7 live view quite effective when recognizing friendly faces.

It’s a highly rated smart wireless camera, one that’ll work indoors or outdoors, a device that requires a subscription service to get the best out of it. However, there’s no spotlight or siren, and no secondary lens for picture-in-picture. What the Google Nest Cam does have going for it is Nest Hub control and Google Home App support. This means access to smart home devices, including a floodlight system that’s built to work with Google Nest Cams.

Two-way communications are another mature technology incorporated in the design. Scold a misbehaving pup in the back yard while at work, or scare off pesky solicitors with a remote warning. Easily add second or third cams, tailoring notifications with intuitive control. Don’t forget, a monthly subscription is required to access Nest Aware, which is where emergency dispatch services and detailed camera histories reside.

Arlo Pro 5S

If home security shoppers want the best camera for outdoor security, a premium device that leads the rest, then the Arlo Pro 5S security camera could just be the answer to their prayers, or at least a really good deterrent against porch intruders. It’s a wireless 2K video recording device that chases away perimeter blind spots by using an advanced lens with a 160° field of coverage. A 12x zoom completes an impressive opening salvo of security-oriented features.

Color night vision was hyper-detailed, likely due to the combined presence of camera HDR (High Dynamic Range) and twin 850nm IR sensors. On research, we found that the higher tonal range brought out details from shadows and sunlit scenes, too, giving complicated camera exposures a more balanced, less washed out appearance. Basically, night or day, it makes no difference, Arlo wireless security cameras are visually equipped to perform.

Pro surveillance insights – Motion activation took advantage of the balanced visuals, sending push notifications to the smartphone app. It’s called Arlo Secure App and is intuitive enough to use, equipped with 24/7 live view and remote spotlight and siren access, but an Arlo Secure Plan is required to make use of premium remote home surveillance app tools, such as 30-day video history and offsite monitoring by dedicated security professionals.

Even without an Arlo Plan and other plug-and-play system components, an Arlo Security system wirelessly connects via two-band Wi-Fi, using one or more Arlo Pro 5S outdoor security camera as the hub’s surveillance monitors. The cameras also connect to smart home devices and assistants, provide two-way voice functionality, and are powered by long lasting batteries, plus they’re built to keep right on protecting your property, no matter the weather.

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro

From the popular door cam company who automated visitor security, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro is an elevated surveillance solution for those who demand full property safety. Granted, the 140° lens coverage is HD, not 4K, but HDR detail enhancing made up for any resolution shortfalls during tests. In fact, tonal range augmentation was so good when using color night vision that night captured footage seemed like it had been recorded during the day.

Dazzling daylight exposures were similarly balanced during one particularly tough noonday test. Concluding this section of our intruder detection trials, we moved on to the 3D motion detection and Birds Eye View. Simply put, the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro uses ground-scanning radar to continuously map out user-determined property zones. It’s an outstanding feature, one that can track intruder trajectories as they sneak on to a property.

Pro surveillance insights – Actions carried out after an alert has been recorded can vary. Subscription plans are one possibility, letting the authorities or a remote monitoring service know in real-time that someone who doesn’t belong has potentially begun a home invasion. Ring does have a subscription plan service, but it also has a more immediate solution in the form of two powerful LED spotlights and a loud siren built right into the device.

The subscription plan is called Professional Protection, but even without paid access to emergency services, there’s enough features packed into the camera to create a powerful surveillance system. The Standard subscription keeps up to 180 days of camera history available in the Ring App, then there’s daily event summaries and multi-cam live views. By the way, dual-band Wi-Fi permits networking with a vast range of Ring accessories.

Lorex P10 PTZ Series

Let’s say, just for a moment, price is no object. A large boundary made of high metal fencing is tightly installed around a big house. Life has been good, the occupants have money. They want to protect their hard-earned belongings, and themselves. The Lorex P10 PTZ outdoor camera is the answer to this upscale dilemma. Equipped with an IP66 weatherproof aluminum housing and mechanical panning and tilting in that down-ward facing dome, it gifts defended homes with 360° video coverage, complete with 12x zoom and 2K resolution.

Does the camera have electronic smarts to match its optical talents? The camera is fitted with an enhanced 4MP image sensor and long-reaching IR night vision, which extends coverage in absolute darkness to 330ft, so we can safely assume that it’s technologically advanced. Lights can be added to the system to further augment night vision, activating what’s called CNV (Color Night Vision) mode.

Pro surveillance insights – A compatible NVR (Network Video Recorder) can be purchased from Lorex to bolster performance, but we felt that this part of the test entered expert territory. A professional installer might therefore be needed to get the best out of the system. That’s not to say ease-of-use isn’t in the mix; an NVR App can be downloaded to get your live view coverage rolling. Opting instead for automation, ‘PTZ Tours’ provide device-created pan and tilt patterns.

Back with the camera lens and sensor, the built-in HDR mode brought out washed out highlights during daylight hour motion detection alerts and shadows from late evening alerts. The dynamic range enhancements worked in concert with the 2K sensor to really grab details. A click over to Lorex Home revealed compatible smart networking devices. Arguably, though, other cameras on this list offered more when it came to intelligent security features.

TP-Link Tapo MagCam

Reviewers were quick to point out the minimalist aesthetics sported by the TP-Link Tapo MagCam outdoor security camera. It has an insect-like lens panel, which plays host to a lens with a 150° FOV (Field Of View), as delivered to a 2K camera sensor. The incorporation of above HD visuals is always a positive when observing suspicious vehicles or persons that linger on the edges of a property boundary. A face or car registration plate can be captured with more detail using this resolution.

The installation of the IP66 weatherproof housing was a breeze. The magnetic base snapped immediately to the camera, and Wi-Fi networking maintained the wires-free appeal of the device, as did a battery life that, thanks to a massive 10000mAh capacity, lasted for 300 days of uninterrupted property surveillance. And, should that not be enough, the optional A200 solar panel was available to extend its crime busting capabilities.

Pro surveillance insights – Built in spotlights and an integrated Starlight sensor keep the dark illuminated, with full color night vision spotting any night intruders on the prowl. An effort has also been made to keep everything local, so expect to find a siren backing up the dual spotlights. Local storage is also available, with a 512GB microSD slot providing the memory muscle.

As for its smart credentials, AI pet, person, and vehicle recognition algorithms work, for free this time, putting bounding boxes around known items and objects, thereby eliminating false positives and unnecessary push alerts. Also for those who receive Amazon Prime packages while stuck at work, the Tapo App communicates with an inbuilt camera speaker/microphone, letting you communicate your delivery requirements so that packages don’t disappear.

For a reasonable price, the TP-Link Tap MagCam really does offer up a feature-rich package. Cloud storage is also available, but you’ll need a Tapo Care subscription if you want to take this route.

Eve Outdoor Security Cam

Packed with the kind of well-implemented features Apple enthusiasts have come to expect out of their devices, the Eve Outdoor Security Cam is considered a smart home accessory. It’s actually a HomeKit compatible piece of kit, one that watches over homes in its skinny metal enclosure. That tiny casing folds in a floodlight and a lens with a wide157° field of coverage. Do keep in mind, though, this is HomeKit compatible only, meaning users need to be invested in Apple gear.

Happy enough to reside within Apple’s walled-in framework,—half of our team are fanboys—the cyclopean Apple HomeKit compatible gear worked very well with an iCloud account, recording footage of suspicious events in vibrant HD. A baked in motion detector and end-to-end feed encryption bolstered its position on our list, but let’s face it, Apple certified devices just work, and that’s why this premium piece of kit earned its way into our list.

Pro Surveillance Insights – Some of the devices we’ve reviewed here are made of premium engineering plastics. The weatherproof enclosure hosting the lens and electronics of this camera opts instead for a rugged, high quality metal. As for performance, push alerts were sent to our editor’s iPhone every time we tried to sneak past the camera and leave early, and two-way communications were used to scold our non-sneaky tester every time he was caught.

The only downsides we could find in this Apple flavored security cam were the black and white night vision and a few installation issues. Although wireless, the Eve cam does need a hardwired power source. It’s therefore not one-hundred percent plug and play, but the ability to locally communicate, without iCloud dependency, is a nice bonus feature. Other cameras in this review have chosen a similar design, reducing the need for expensive hubs or NVRs.

Future-Proofing Your Outdoor Camera System

• The best surveillance cameras for outdoor spaces, as proven by our exhaustive security trials, were the ones that packed video and smart capabilities into one easy to install wireless form factor. Long battery life was essential, but then so was the option to hook up a weatherproof power cable. We were also impressed by devices that gave their batteries a little help, adding solar power to their all-weather camera housing’s.
• Another talent, one that can end up having a positive impact on a household security budget, is mechanical panning and tilting. Paired with a wide lens FOV, blind spots are a non-issue when the camera can follow a security threat. The Lorex P10 has this ability, then there’s the Eufy, yet again, delivering on panning power. Without that roving function, buyers are left to buy camera kits, perhaps buying as many as four, plus a hub, to cover every potential point of access on a property.
• Living in the age of the smart home, compatibility with OK Google or Amazon Alexa is now something buyers actively look for when researching their outdoor surveillance devices. Path lighting goes on when a push alert is sent to someone while they’re out of town and worried about their home. Integration with an Apple HomeKit applet or Samsung Smart Things IFTTT (If That Then This) smart home automation routine allows devices to talk to each other so that a series of actions can be triggered as the alert goes out.
• Other than that, the presence of responsive motion detection and color night vision, plus at least 1080p recording, are all crucial. And HDR mode is helpful as well, lifting details from blown out highlights and those shadows that could conceal a thief. Also, look for newer AI powered functions, including facial and vehicle recognition. Be aware, however, some of the more advanced features do sometimes require a monthly subscription. Hidden costs like these are worth considering, as they can become expensive over time.

For those who are interested in workhorse functionality, going beyond security, two-way comms and live view features are built into most of these devices, so chats with a lonely pup or a not so lonely Amazon Prime delivery guy can be made from most of the gear on this best camera for outdoor security needs review.