Generally speaking, the home security market has blown up a decent amount in recent years, given how advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming — paving the way for hugely impressive security cameras with facial detection software.

Aside from being packed with highly useful features and video quality, outdoor security cameras, in particular, are generally a must-have in this field — which is why we’ve seen such a popularity boom in brands such as Ring Cameras.

Ultimately, with some kind of Wi-Fi camera installed, you’ve got an extra layer of reassurance and control that you wouldn’t have otherwise.

So, throughout this article, we’re going to be breaking down all you need to know about outdoor security cameras, covering things like their functionality and what sets a good brand apart from another — providing our top six choices you can install outside your home with ease.

Table of Contents:

• What Are Outdoor Security Cameras
• How Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work
• Pros and Cons of Outdoor Cameras for Your Home
• Reviews
• 1. Wyze Cam v3 Pro
• 2. Nest Cam
• 3. Ring Spotlight Cam Pro
• 4. Deep Sentinel
• 5. EufyCam 3
• 6. Blink Outdoor 4
• Final Thoughts
• FAQs

What Are Outdoor Security Cameras? 🎥️

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Although it might seem fairly self explanatory, it’s worth breaking down what these devices actually are and how they work before we get into the review section of the article.

Generally speaking, security cameras can come in a bunch of different forms, but if we’re looking at outdoor security cameras in particular, these work basically just like your average camera except they come with a few more specialised features — ultimately, the main idea here is to both monitor and record any kind of activities happening in the vicinity of your home so that you’ll be the first person to know if anyone’s trying to break in.

You’ll typically find that these cameras can be a bit more expensive than their indoor counterparts since these cameras, in particular, are built so that they’re able to withstand a range of different weather conditions so that they can continue performing all year round — whether that’s Baltic temperatures or stormy weather.

How Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work?

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In essence, the main purpose of security cameras — whether they’re inside or outside your house — is to capture high-quality video footage, which they’re able to do by using a range of advanced optics and sensors.

These cameras record clear and detailed images during both day and night, which is obviously an essential feature when it comes to identifying individuals or activities happening around your property, contributing significantly to the overall effectiveness of your security system.

Night Vision Capability

What’s more, you’ll often find that the majority of these cameras come with some kind of infrared technology that allows your device to capture footage in low-light conditions or even complete darkness. 

This means your home security system sees more than the naked eye and around the clock, too — keeping your home protected at all hours.

Pros and Cons of Outdoor Cameras for Your Home

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Generally speaking, there are probably a lot more reasons as to why you should invest in one of these cameras than there are reasons as to why you shouldn’t — the only real reason why they’re less popular is (understandably) down to the price.

Still, so that we’re able to stay impartial, we’ll be breaking down a few of the pros and cons in this next section before getting into the reviews:

Pros ✅️

Let’s start positively by focusing on the pros:

Deterrence: Visible outdoor security cameras can act as a deterrent, discouraging potential intruders or criminals from targeting your property.

Evidence Collection: Outdoor cameras can capture valuable evidence in case of theft, vandalism, or other criminal activities, aiding law enforcement in investigations.

Remote Monitoring: Many outdoor security cameras allow remote monitoring via smartphones or computers, providing homeowners with real-time access to their property’s surveillance footage.

Increased Safety: Outdoor cameras can enhance overall safety by monitoring entry points, pathways, and other outdoor areas, helping to prevent accidents or unauthorised access.

Insurance Benefits: Installing outdoor security cameras may lead to lower insurance premiums for homeowners as it reduces the risk of theft and property damage.

Cons ❌️

Next, let’s focus on the not so desirable aspects of outdoor security cameras:

Privacy Concerns: Outdoor cameras may raise privacy concerns, especially if they capture footage beyond the property boundaries or into neighbouring spaces.

Installation Costs: Quality outdoor security cameras and their installation can be expensive, depending on the features and capabilities required.

Maintenance: Outdoor cameras may require periodic maintenance, including cleaning, adjustments, or firmware updates to ensure optimal performance.

False Alarms: Factors like wind-blown debris, animals, or changes in lighting conditions can trigger false alarms, leading to unnecessary notifications.

Limited Field of View: The field of view of outdoor cameras may be limited, 

Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras — Reviews ➡️

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Now that you’ve got a baseline understanding of what outdoor home security cameras actually are and the kind of role they can play in your overall security system, it’s time to explore our top six picks that you can get your hands on now.

Briefly, it’s worth mentioning that we’ll be covering a fairly diverse list of options here in terms of their affordability and range of features, so the “best” choice is ultimately one that you’ll need to make down to your personal preference.

Fortunately, there’s an option in this list for every demographic, so you should be able to find something you’re looking for regardless:

1. Wyze Cam v3 Pro — Most Cost-Effective Yet Feature-Rich Option

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In comparison to the Wyze Cam v3, you’ll be gaining an additional 70-lumen LED, and although this isn’t the brightest light out of the later options we’ll be discussing, it should be more than enough if you only need to illuminate a relatively small space.

Besides, it’s the recording quality of the Wyze Cam v3 Pro that’s the main selling point for this camera since it’s able to record in 2K resolution — meaning you’ll have no problems identifying people or animals at any time of the day.

Still, the Wyze Cam v3 Pro can get a little intensive on your energy bill at times since you need to keep the camera plugged in to work, so keep this in mind if you’re already paying a decent amount in bills.

Aside from this, you’re going to need to fork out even more for a subscription if you want to access your camera feed from the Wyze app, and the only other alternative is accessing the local storage after it’s stopped recording.

2. Nest Cam — Most Well-Rounded Option

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As with a few of the other options on this list the Nest Cam records in 1080p, and you can store up to three hours of video without any extra charge — you can upgrade subscriptions for $12 per month for further storage, as well as additional features like familiar face detection.

Still, keep in mind there aren’t any additional accessories to improve the Nest Cam — whether it’s a solar panel or removable battery — as there are with other options we’ll be covering, so it’s not the most versatile option.

3. Ring Spotlight Cam Pro — Most Discrete and Compact Option Available

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Despite being a fairly light and compact model, you’ll be getting a camera that, comparatively to the Wyze Cam v3 Pro’s 70 lumens, can go all the way up to 750 lumens — a major deterrent for anyone even thinking about breaking into your house.

The video quality doesn’t go all the way up to 2k resolution like the Wyze Cam v3 Pro — at a decent, but not spectacular 1080p — but there are a range of different models here you can choose from if you want to tailor any specific configurations so it fits you best.

There’s actually a model that’s solar powered, so this can obviously save you from having to charge the camera’s batteries to anywhere that needs the same extent as the other plug-in and battery powered models.

Still, as you’ll find with any camera from Ring, there’s a $8 per month fee if you want to use a range of additional features — like saving videos — so keep this in mind when trying to budget.

4. Deep Sentinel — Most Advanced and Professional Option Available

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If this kind of third-party monitoring service sounds expensive, it’s because it is — costing a further $100 every month aside from the original setback of approximately $1000 on all three of the cameras. Still, it’s a unique service that requires better quality features than some of the cheaper outdoor security cameras available, so the pricing is relatively justified.

Having said that, unlike the other options we’ve already covered, the video resolution is certainly not a priority with this option, given that the quality is capped at around 480p — this is just so it’s able to run more smoothly, though.

Ultimately, you don’t need to invest this much money if you’re looking for a quality home security system, but many of them are going to be lacking in the depth that Deep Sentinel covers. So, if you’ve got the money, this is definitely one on the higher end of the price spectrum that’s worth considering.

5. EufyCam 3 — Most Eco-Friendly Option

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Aside from this, the EufyCam 3 actually has the higher video recording quality — both during the night and day — out of all the options, topping at a hugely impressive 4K resolution.

Similar to some of the other security cameras, there are built-in solar panels with this model, giving you lasting battery life for months on end.

In terms of features in particular, there are exceptional AI based features that are built into the EufyCam 3 that are able to recognise any familiar faces, ensuring the camera doesn’t make any accidental false alerts.

It’s undoubtedly an expensive option that will price a lot of people out, but at the end of the day, you’re getting a wireless security camera that records in 4k resolution — all without needing a monthly subscription or constant charging.

6. Blink Outdoor 4 — Most Affordable Option

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Aside from this, it records in 1080p and lets you save any of your videos onto a local USB drive; just keep in mind that there isn’t any cloud storage available unless you pay a fee of up to $60 a year.

Final Thoughts 💡️

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Ultimately, while it’s definitely important to install security cameras on the outside of your house, they shouldn’t be the only component of your home security system. From cameras and motion sensors to other kinds of video recording devices, home security is generally a pretty broad field, so you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re covered in other areas in order to get the most out of the tools you’ve already invested in.

Still, with how much different technology (despite being largely impressive) available when it comes to home security, it can be pretty easy to go overboard on the kinds of services you’re investing in — making your property feel more like a maximum security military outpost that scares your neighbours rather than a peaceful home.

So, try to only invest in the devices that you actually need based on whatever your particular safety concerns are. For instance, if you’re living in a dangerous neighbourhood and feel like a few outdoor security cameras are needed so you can deter anyone thinking of robbing you, go all out and invest in the best outdoor cameras we’ve covered throughout this article.

On the other hand, if you’re living in a relatively quiet area and just want something to give yourself a little bit extra peace of mind, you might want to choose one of the more conservative options instead — it’s all down to how much you’re willing to spend because it’s not a cheap market.   

FAQs 🔎️

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Will My Home Security Camera Be Compatible With My Wi-Fi Network?

Generally speaking, you’ll find that pretty much all modern outdoor security cameras are designed to work with any kind of Wi-Fi network, but it’s probably still worth checking whether or not the camera you’ve chosen is actually compatible with whatever your particular Wi-Fi specifications are — including things like frequency bands. It can always help to keep your Wi-Fi connection fairly stable, too, so the camera can perform as intended.

Can an Outdoor Camera Be Installed Without Professional Assistance?

Depending on the type of camera you’ve opted for, you don’t really need to hire a professional in order to install it, especially with how easy wire-free security cameras are to set up yourself, thanks to the lack of complicated wiring. Aside from this, your camera provider should provide you with plenty of resources — like guides or apps — to give you a hand with the configuration settings and save you from hiring a professional.

How Secure Is the Cloud Storage Option for a Smart Security Camera?

The majority of camera manufacturers use pretty advanced encryption protocols in order to keep your video data completely safe, so security is never really a concern with these kinds of cameras. Furthermore, since cloud storage means you can access it remotely, this lets you view your recorded footage from literally anywhere that has an internet connection — all while being safeguarded from any authorised access.

Can Outdoor Security Cameras Be Used In Conjunction With Existing Surveillance Systems?

Pretty much every kind of security camera comes with some kind of integratable features if you already have some surveillance camera setup. Ultimately, whether you have a broader security system or even just a few individual cameras, outdoor security cameras can definitely complement your overall surveillance capabilities — giving you a more well rounded solution for whatever home security needs you might have.

Are Outdoor Security Cameras Susceptible to Hacking?

Naturally, security is the name of the game when it comes to home security cameras, so it’s a given that all of the leading brands are also doing all they can in order to keep any unauthorised access out — whether that’s with the encryption protocols they employ or how they regularly keep the firmware updated to protect against potential hacking. 

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