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The Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras for 2022

Continue your dwelling house and property rubber past installing a connected camera. These smart outdoor security devices can withstand the elements and tape at any time of day or night

Updated February 16, 2022

Our Experts Have Tested 37 Products in the Home Security Cameras Category in the By Yr

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If anyone ever stole a package from your porch or bankrupt into your car while it was in your driveway, the perpetrator likely disappeared long gone before you fifty-fifty knew you were a victim. You also likely never fifty-fifty plant out who committed the human activity. If this sounds familiar, you should consider investing in an outdoor security photographic camera.

These rugged smart home devices, designed to withstand rain, snow, and extreme temperatures, typically connect to your home Wi-Fi network and allow you to view live video footage of activities occurring outside of your house. They also transport an alert to your phone when someone or something is out there, record video of the event, and depending on features, let you talk to whoever is on your holding, all without requiring you lot to open up your door (or even exist inside your house).

Read on to find out what features to consider when choosing an outdoor security camera and to check out our top picks. Note that several of the cameras on this list are suitable for use both indoors and out. If you want a model specifically for keeping tabs on what goes on inside your home, head over to our list of the all-time indoor home security cameras.

How Practise Outdoor Security Cameras Work?

Most smart outdoor security cameras use a Wi-Fi radio to connect to your home network, enabling you to access them from anywhere via a mobile app. Some models even utilize Ethernet, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or a proprietary wireless technology to connect to a mobile app or a dedicated hub.

Wi-Fi cameras are easier to install than their wired counterparts because you don't have to place them near an Ethernet port or set any wiring. Battery-powered Wi-Fi cameras are the easiest to install because y'all can put them just about anywhere (as long as they tin connect to your router) without having to serpent a power cable into your abode to plug into an outlet. These types of cameras typically use batteries that you tin can easily pop out and recharge with a USB cablevision, but they tend to drain quickly in colder atmospheric condition. Bluetooth cameras are also simple to install, only you lot have to stay within 40 feet or and then to connect to them with your phone.

Look for an outdoor Wi-Fi photographic camera that can connect to either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio ring to alleviate network congestion. If you lot have trouble getting a good signal outside, effort pumping information technology up with a wireless range extender.

Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery)

What Blazon of Weather Can Outdoor Security Cameras Handle?

Any outdoor photographic camera worth its table salt must exist able to withstand exposure to the elements and should behave an Ingress Protection (IP) rating. IP ratings contain two digits that tell y'all simply how well the camera holds up under most atmospheric condition weather. The first digit post-obit the IP prefix tells you how resistant the camera is to the ingress of solid objects such every bit wind-blown grit and ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (total protection against grit and dirt). The 2nd describes how resistant the camera is to wet and ranges from 0 (no protection) to ix (protected confronting shut range, loftier pressure sprays from all angles).

Nearly outdoor security cameras have an IP66 rating, which ways they offer complete protection from dust ingress and can handle water jets from any direction. Although you shouldn't submerge them in water, they are typically safe from rain, snowfall, heat, and common cold.

What Resolution Exercise You Want?

An outdoor security photographic camera isn't very useful if you tin't recognize who or what the camera captures. A 720p camera typically offers a fairly sharp picture, but 1080p video offers more item and is the nigh popular resolution for these devices; 1080p recordings don't crave a lot of storage and are viewable on almost every phone, tablet, and PC.

Cameras that capture 4K (Ultra HD) video are also available, simply you need a very strong network connection to stream it without choppiness or lag, plus lots of room to store recordings; that last requirement may event in expensive cloud storage fees.

No matter the resolution, attempt to choose a camera with a relatively wide field of view and make sure it can capture clear night-vision video. Most cameras use IR (infrared) LEDs to deliver black-and-white night video, just a few apply white light to evangelize full-colour night video. Look for a camera with a night vision range of at least 30 anxiety.

Do You Need Move and Sound Detection?

Nearly all outdoor security cameras feature a sensor that triggers the photographic camera to record video when it detects motion. Most sensors can also transport a push alert to your phone (or an email) when the action occurs. For an actress layer of security, look for a photographic camera that tin observe audio; those cameras tin can warning yous if somebody is out at that place even if they're out of range of the camera lens and the motion sensor. Fair alarm: You probably have to tweak the sound sensitivity settings to avert alerts from barking dogs, loud cars, and other random noises.

Some security cameras include a floodlight, automatically lighting upward driveways, pools, and other parts of your belongings when they notice movement. Some floodlight models are included in this roundup, but cheque out our story on the best floodlight cameras for a wider option.

If the camera has a microphone for sound detection, it likely has a speaker with ii-way audio capabilities that lets you speak with (and listen to) whoever is outside. This is useful for dealing with abrasive solicitors besides equally scaring off porch pirates and other unwanted visitors. For more means to see and communicate directly with whoever is at your door, check out our listing of the best video doorbells.

Band Floodlight Cam Wired Pro

How Practise Security Cameras Store Video?

These cameras shop video recordings in several means. Many cameras offering free cloud storage for a limited number of days (typically seven) before it is overwritten or deleted, while others are strictly subscription-based. If you lot require more than a week's worth of video storage, yous can subscribe to a 30-24-hour interval plan and avoid worrying well-nigh losing of import footage before you get to review and download it.

If you're concerned about privacy and would rather not store your video in the cloud, await for a photographic camera that offers a local storage option via a microSD card slot. A few cameras even permit y'all salvage video to a portable USB or NAS drive, simply these devices are rare.

And if y'all desire the ability to go back and see everything, look for a photographic camera that offers a CVR (Continuous Video Recording) programme. With this choice, the camera records continuously and stores up to thirty days of 24/seven video in the deject.

What Else Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work With?

Many outdoor cameras practice more than but record video and send alerts; they also integrate with other smart devices. Many contempo outdoor Wi-Fi cameras support IFTTT, an internet service that lets you create applets that link the camera with other IFTTT-enabled devices. For example, you tin can configure a smart plug to turn on a lamp indoors or activate an external siren when the photographic camera detects motion.

Support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands is also increasingly common. These integrations allow yous to, for instance, display video from the camera on a compatible smart display. If yous have a habitation automation hub, look for a camera that works with your existing setup. That way you tin can integrate your security photographic camera with even more than smart devices like door locks.

How Much Should You Spend on an Outdoor Security Camera?

Outdoor security cameras are more often than not more expensive than their indoor counterparts. They can range in price from around $50 up to a few hundred dollars or more depending on features. Plenty of affordable cameras offer good video performance, but, as with only near whatsoever smart device, y'all typically pay more for features such as motion-tracking, facial recognition, cellular connectivity, time-lapse recording, additional storage options, and rechargeable bombardment ability.

Check out our Readers' Selection Awards to see which security cameras and brands other PCMag readers trust most. One time you find the camera for your home, check out our tips for setting it upwardly. And for an even more advanced mode to keep a set of eyes on your home, both indoors and out, explore our picks for the best smart home security systems.

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