Best Outdoor Security Cameras of 2025

• Usage: Outdoor, indoor

• Compatible devices: Alexa, Google Assistant

• Power source: Solar powered, battery powered

• Connectivity protocol: Wi-Fi

• Video capture resolution: 8MP

• Viewing angle: 180°

• Night vision range: 100 meters

• Frame rate: 15 frames per second

• Video encoding: H.264, H.265

• Video capture format: MP4

• Photo sensor technology: CMOS

• Zoom type: Digital zoom

• Zoom ratio: 10x

• Focus type: Fixed focus

• Low-light technology: Night color

• Light source type: LED

• Alert type: Motion only

• Voltage: 3.6 volts

• Wattage: 16.2 watt-hours

• Number of channels: 4

• Color: Black, white

• Included components:

  • 1x Reolink Argus 4 Pro

  • 1x Security bracket

  • 1x Strap

  • 1x Quick start guide

  • 1x Mounting plate

  • 1x USB-C cable

  • 1x Mounting hole template

  • 1x Surveillance sticker

  • 1x Pack of screws

  • 1x 6W solar panel

• Product dimensions: 5.03 x 3.43 x 3.2 inches

• Item weight: 3.69 pounds

• International protection rating: IP66 (weather resistant)

• Usage: Outdoor

• Power source: Battery powered

• Video capture resolution: 2K

• Color: White

• Included components:

  • (1) Arlo Pro 5 camera

  • (1) Rechargeable battery

  • (1) Magnetic charging cable

  • (1) Wall mount and screw kit

  • (1) Quick start guide

  • (1) Video monitoring decal

• Number of channels: 2

• Wireless communication technology: Wi-Fi

• Viewing angle: 160°

• Wattage: 5 watts

• Dimensions: 3.5 x 2 x 3 inches

• Item weight: 11.04 ounces

• Focus type: Automatically

• Field of view: 160°

• Low-light technology: Night color

• Zoom type: Digital zoom

• Alert type: Audio and motion

• Video capture format: MPEG-4

• International protection rating: IP65 (weather resistant)

• Usage: Outdoor, indoor

• Compatible devices: Google Assistant

• Power source: Battery powered

• Video capture resolution: 1080p

• Color: White

• Included components:

  • Power adapter

  • Nest Cam camera

  • Charge cable

  • Wall anchors and screws

  • Magnetic and wall plate

• Number of channels: 1

• Wireless communication technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

• Viewing angle: 130°

• Night vision range: 20 feet

• Frame rate: 30 fps

• Wattage: 24 watts

• Water resistance level: Waterproof IP54

• Item weight: 14.04 ounces

• Optical zoom: 6x

• Zoom type: Optical zoom, digital zoom

• Zoom ratio: 0.1278

• Low light technology: Night color

• Alert type: Motion only

• Light source type: Infrared

• Video capture format: H.264

• Cable length: 10 feet

• Usage: Indoor and outdoor

• Power source: Corded electric

• Compatibility: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa

• Video resolution: 1080p HD (effective resolution)

• Viewing angle: 120°

• Wireless communication technology: Wi-Fi

• Frame rate: 15–20 frames per second

• Color: White

• Voltage: 5 volts

• Wattage: 6 watts

• Dimensions: 2.09 x 2.36 x 4.88 inches

• Weight: 11.36 ounces

• Zoom type: Digital zoom

• Low light technology: Color night vision (Night Color)

• Alert types: Audio and motion

• Video format: MPEG-4

• Number of channels: 2

• Included components:

  • Wyze Cam Pan v3

  • Mounting kit

  • Power adapter

  • USB cable

  • Quick start guide

• International protection rating: IP65 (weather-resistant)

• Usage: Outdoor

• Dimensions: 3.0 in x 3.2 in x 5.0 in (76.40mm x 80.50mm x 126.25mm)

• Color options: Black, White

• Video features:

  • 1080p HD video

  • Live view

  • Color night vision

• Motion detection:

  • Advanced motion detection

  • Customizable motion zones

• Field of view: 140° horizontal

• Siren: Remote-activated security siren

• Audio: Two-way audio with noise cancellation

• Smart assistant compatibility:

  • Works with Alexa

• Power options:

  • Rechargeable battery pack (1 included, supports up to 2)

  • Optional solar panel

  • Dual power mode: Switches between plug-in and battery (plug-in adapter sold separately)

• Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz

• Internet Requirement: Minimum 2 Mbps upload speed

• Operating Conditions: Weather resistant; -5°F to 120°F (-20°C to 48°C)

We generally recommend wireless security cameras for their ease of installation. While many a model doubles as a solar-powered camera to increase the time between charges, this usually requires buying a separate solar panel. Otherwise, you must regularly recharge the batteries to keep the outdoor cam running.

On the flip side, wired cameras aren't always inferior. If you don't want to deal with batteries, choose a wired camera that plugs into an outlet or hardwires into an electrical circuit. The installation may involve extra drilling to run power cables but limits your placement options. Most wireless cameras also support wired power cables.

The benefit of a wireless security camera is the ability to place it anywhere on your property. Hardwired cameras have more placement restrictions (and trickier installation) because you have to connect them to a power source.

But cameras that rely on batteries are at higher risk of leaving you unprotected if the batteries run out and you don't notice. It comes down to what matters more—placement flexibility or an uninterrupted power supply.

We don't recommend using an indoor camera or nanny cam outside because it lacks weatherproofing and is more susceptible to temperature changes. While indoor cameras are generally more affordable than their outdoor counterparts, getting a camera that can handle the weather is worth the extra cost.

Although popular brands like Arlo, Ring, and Blink sell outdoor cameras starting at around $100, you can find cheap outdoor security cameras from brands like Reolink, Wyze, and ZOSI for $50 or less.

All outdoor cameras allow you to view live video and receive some notifications without a subscription, but it's more complicated when you want to record video:

• Reolink, Wyze, YI, and ZOSI all have local video storage via a microSD card you buy separately.
• While some Eufy cameras use a microSD card, most of its outdoor models have built-in storage. You can only add more storage by buying a base station like the Eufy HomeBase 3.
• Arlo cameras require a compatible base station to save video without a subscription.
• Google Nest, Reolink, Wyze, and YI are great options for a small amount of free cloud storage.

Beyond the free storage options, you can expect most outdoor camera manufacturers to offer paid cloud storage subscriptions.

The number of outdoor cameras you need depends on a few things, including the area you want to cover and the camera's field of view. A good baseline is a camera for each access point, like the front yard, the garage, and the backyard. (For the front porch, consider getting a video doorbell instead.) From there, you can add more cameras until you reach the level of coverage you want.

The best way to tell if your camera can withstand the whims of Mother Nature is to check out the IP (Ingress Protection) rating. The first number in an IP rating shows how difficult it is for dust to enter the camera enclosure. The second number indicates how water-resistant the enclosure is.

A camera enclosure with an IP65 rating can protect against dust and low-pressure water spray, basically rain and snow. A rating of IP67 means total dust protection and complete protection against three feet of water.

In addition to the IP rating, you can look at the temperature ratings in the camera specs. We dig into this more in our review of the best weatherproof security cameras.

Lighting won't be a concern if you only want to capture video footage during the daytime. Plus, all modern security cameras come with infrared night vision. You can expect good image quality within 10 to 15 feet of most cameras, with more powerful cameras doubling this range.

Aside from catching culprits in the act, a spotlight security camera or a floodlight camera is a good option for color night vision and lights to help you find your way at night. Keep in mind that other light sources can interfere with night vision capabilities, especially if your neighbor uses a super bright solar security light, by creating glare or washing out details.

Yes, your camera can work without Wi-Fi. Some cameras, like Reolink, include local storage that saves your video to a memory card or hub instead of sending it to cloud storage with Wi-Fi.

Not all security cameras need cloud storage. Cameras with local storage (like Reolink cameras) will store footage on a memory card or in a hub.