Best Outdoor Security Cameras of 2021 (Pricing & Features)
As readers can see, these outdoor security camera reviews show how similar or different all the products are. Below, those interested can find a table with all the things to consider when buying one.
| Provider | Total Score | Price | BBB Rating | DIY instal | Trial Period | Warranty | Field of View | Resolution | Night Vision | Type of sensor | Monitors | Type of Battery | Compatible with Alexa | 2-way Audio | Access to the Cloud | Weather Resistant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ADT Outdoor Camera | 9.1/10 | $160 | A+ | Yes | Yes | 1 year | 95° angle | 720 HD | Yes | Motion | No | Wired | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2. Nest Hello | 9.0/10 | $225 | A | Yes | Yes | 1 year | 160° diagonal | 720 HD | Yes | Infrared | No | Not included | No | No | No | Yes |
| 3. Lorex Camera | 8.9/10 | $118 | A- | Yes | Yes | 2 years | 60° horizontal | 1080 HD | Yes | Infrared | DVR | AA | No | No | No | Yes |
| 4. Blink XT2 | 8.9/10 | $99 | A | Yes | Yes | 1 year | 110° diagonal | 1080 HD | Yes | Infrared | No | Durable (2 years) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Ring Spotlight | 8.8/10 | $199 | A | Yes | Yes | 1 year | 140° horizontal | 1080 HD | No | Infrared | Yes | Rechargeable | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| 6. Reolink Argus 2 | 8.8/10 | $94.99 | A+ | Yes | Yes | 1 year | 130° angle | 1080 HD | Yes | PIR and Thermal | No | Solar | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 7. Arlo Pro 2 | 8.7/10 | $149 | B | Yes | Yes | 1 year | 130° angle | 1080 HD | Yes | Infrared | No | Rechargeable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 8. TP-Link Kasa Cam | 8.6/10 | $84 | B+ | Yes | No | 2 years | 130° | 1080 HD | Yes | PIR | No | Lithium | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 9. Logitech Circle 2 | 8.6/10 | $151.88 | B- | Yes | Yes | 2 years | 180° angle | 1080 HD | Yes | Infrared | No | Rechargeable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 10. Zmodo | 8.6/10 | $179 | B | Yes | Yes | 1 year | 180° | 1080 HD | Yes | PIR | No | Rechargeable | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Top Security Camera Features to Consider Before Buying
Most outdoor security cameras have more or less the same perks. But some others are different or unique. For example, these might have night vision, high-quality battery, and more. Let’s review them below.
1. Do They Have a Night Vision Perk?
Infrared LED vision is the latest tech a cam should include to function at night. This way, the video is clear. The image will look as if it was taken during the day. There is even some equipment that records in colors, so the images are flawless.
2. How Do They Detect Motion?
If the client desires to protect a home or park, then motion detection is a must. A camera without this feature is of no use to detect the presence of strangers. True, an outdoor security camera might throw a false positive. But the owner can adjust the perk as they see fit.
3. Does it Include a Sound Feature?
Two way sound is useful when it comes to monitoring babies or pets. It’s easy to hear the children and know if they are crying or if they need anything. It also comes in handy if the owner needs to talk to another member of the family who is in a faraway place.
4. Is Video Streamed Live?
The best outdoor home security camera is able to stream live. If not, the owner will not know if there is something going on in the moment it happens. Instead, the cam records either in an SC card or stores it online. This means that the images are available later.
5. Are They Protected Against the Weather?
The best outdoor security cameras have a waterproof feature. But they are also protected against dirt, dust, and even wind. If the device is not resistant enough, then it can only be used indoors. Read with care before acquiring such equipment.
6. Does it Have an App?
Mobile phones are all over people’s lives today. It is only natural that the apps become a part of one’s security, then. Buyers have to read with care to know if the product is compatible with one’s phone. It’s not the same to have IOs than to have Android, for instance.
7. Angle, Range, and Resolution
The angle allows the image to be recorded or not. The range, instead, means that the lenses will be able to see what is going on. For example, if the range is 30 feet, and someone appears at 75 feet, then the device will not be able to see it.
8. Live Streaming of SD Card?
These cameras have different options when it comes to storing the recordings. One of them is live streaming by using WiFi. The other one is keeping the images for a longer time using an SD card. One negative point is that this footage is not live.
9. Access to the Cloud
Some outdoor security cameras give users two options. The first one is to access the Cloud and store the recordings there for free. The other one is the premium choice. Then, clients would have to pay a monthly fee to be able to use the Internet in this way.
10. Consider the Set-up Process
The most expensive equipment is at points hard to set up. That is why buyers may need help from a pro in the field. If not, the process will be very difficult. Or, even worse, the device might not work well. So, safety is an issue.
How to Buy an Outdoor Security Camera
There are many things to consider when making a wise purchase. Buying a quality product does not mean acquiring the most expensive one. Below, readers can find the specs to look for in cameras in 2021.
1. Consider All Your Needs
Nobody knows what a person needs rather than oneself. For example, what is the budget? Does it need to have a night vision or a big range? What about the field of view? Or the number of devices included? All those questions have a concrete answer, and only the buyer knows them.
2. Choose a Well-Known Brand
Brands are famous for a reason. True, there are some which are more pricey than others. And at some points, clients do not want to spend that much on a product that is not truly crucial for their lives. But it is nice to note that well-known brands in Amazon, for example, offer durable outdoor devices with great materials that last for years to come.
3. Specs Included
Not all devices have the same things, and this is only natural. Yet, it is important to read the descriptions with care to see if the specs really suit what the person is looking for. For instance, if a client wants to supervise his or her home when it’s dark, the outdoor security camera needs a good night vision. If not, it won’t record a thing.
4. Beware of Hidden Costs
Be careful with those that have hidden costs, meaning owners have to spend more money than it seems. For instance, many devices have a monthly price that clients are not aware of when they buy the equipment. At times, this fee is even greater than the cost of the device. So, it’s crucial to be aware of this beforehand.
5. Read What Others Say
Today, it is more important than ever to read people’s reviews. Amazon, for example, has a section dedicated to comments. There, other clients leave their thoughts about how the product is working (or not). This is very useful to see if the outdoor security camera, for example, will be a good fit for the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is the Best Security Camera for Outside?
There is no definite answer to this question. What matters here is the features that each outdoor security camera includes. For example, they should have protection against the weather. If not, just some wind or snow would break them down. Another crucial perk is night vision and filters for sunlight.
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Is There a Security Camera that Works Without WiFi?
Yes, like in the old times. Today, WiFi is taken for granted, but in the past, most security products worked without it. And NVR systems still function today. The only thing the owner has to do is to connect the device to an NVR monitor. This product will connect all the other devices in the house, if any. Another method is to just wire each smart cam to the other.
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Are Wired or Wireless Security Cameras Better?
It depends on one’s likes and needs. Still, wireless cameras today are much more efficient. First, because they are easier to install. Second, because wires can be inconvenient, and people can trip over them. Third, because wireless devices use WiFi to function.
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What Type of Weather Can These Cameras Handle?
The best outdoor security camera is waterproof. This means that they can handle not only water but other elements. These include snow and strong winds, for example. Some other elements these devices protect from dust and dirt. Without this protection, they would break down in just days being outside. So, those looking for a product to monitor the outside should make sure they include these perks. If not, they run the risk of low durability.
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Which Resolution to Choose?
Of course, the best resolution possible is a good choice. Today there are certain cams that can record up to 4k. But these are not many. Most of the products only use 1080 HD. But that’s a great quality for videos. The image will be very clear, even from afar. But consider that the files will be heavy and they will need a good SD card.
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Does One Need Motion and Sound Detection?
Not really. It all comes down to the monitoring the client wants to do. For example, if they would like to keep an eye on a baby or child, sound detection would come in handy. This way, the adult would know if the children are crying or asking for help. Instead, if they are looking to keep an eye on the driveway, the motion sensor is essential. With that, it’s possible to know if a car, person, or animal comes near one’s property.
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How Do Security Cameras Store Video?
There are two ways to do this. The first one involves the Cloud. How does this work? In fact, it is very simple. The device can connect to the Internet, and then it sends to a folder every image and video it records. If these are too many, then the user will have to delete them to make space for more. Other devices, instead, have an SD card. So, they simply put all the data they gather.
Protect Your Home Today
All the outdoor security cameras above have their own perks. While some of them have great fields of view or range, others can give better performance. There are many with high-quality or 1080 HD. The most important thing is for users to consider each perk with care. So, they will acquire the best product to protect their homes and families in 2021.
