The 10 Best Outdoor Security Cameras of 2018

Outdoor security cameras are an important part of any home security system. To make our list, cameras needed to be able to stand up to weather and have good night vision. We also liked cameras that use a wireless connection, are motion-activated, and offer some smart home compatibility.

Ring’s Spotlight Cam tops this year’s list because it does double-duty as a smart security camera and a motion-activated light. Security camera systems like Arlo Pro, Blink, and EZVIZ also impressed with integrated security that could cover the front yard, backyard, and any other outside areas all at once. Find out more about our top ten outdoor security cameras in the reviews and comparison table below.

The SafeWise Approach

To find the best outdoor security cameras, we looked for the features that matter most to consumers, including cost, reliability, ease of use, smart home capabilities, weatherproofing, and night vision. Our team tested multiple cameras in-house and at our homes. Plus, we looked at more than twenty expert reviews and thousands of customer reviews.

• 16 hours researched
• 32 products considered
• 1,200+ customer reviews
• 13 coffees consumed

Top 10 Outdoor Security Cameras

Compare the Best Outdoor Security Cameras

Best Outdoor Security Camera Reviews

Ring Spotlight Cam

Ring is known for its doorbell cameras, and Ring puts the same smart technology and sleek design into this compact home security camera. It lets you see, hear, and speak to people on your property from anywhere; and you can access it on any mobile device or PC. Although it comes with a higher price point ($199 for one camera), we think its perks and reputation are worth it.

As soon as the Ring Spotlight Cam detects motion, video starts recording and the light comes on—that’s two burglar deterrents in one. You can even set custom motion zones to make sure the areas you want to monitor are always protected. And because it can be powered by battery, solar panel, or hardwiring, you can buy the Ring Spotlight Cam that works for where you want to install it. Plus, the addition of a built-in siren that you can sound from your phone makes this camera a mini all-in-one security system.

Nest Cam Outdoor

Smart gadget pioneer Nest doesn’t disappoint with the Nest Cam Outdoor. This camera offers a bevy of features including motion and activity alerts, two-way talk, and smart home integration.

Advanced features, like person alerts (that let you know it’s a person and not a stray dog on your lawn) and continuous video recording, are only available if you add a Nest Aware subscription. Fees range from $5 to $30 per month, with a break if you pay for a whole year upfront. Because some of the best components of the Nest Cam Outdoor require you to shell out extra cash, we had to place this high-tech security camera at the number two spot on our list.

Arlo Pro

Netgear’s Arlo Pro security cameras get the job done without requiring a lot of tech knowledge or DIY household know-how. Setup is super easy, and you have the option to permanently mount the cameras outside or set them on a ledge or other vantage point. One of the things we appreciate about the Arlo Pro is that it works just as well indoors as out.

When you add multiple cameras to your Arlo Pro system, you have an interactive security camera setup that can keep an eye on every access point to your property. We recommend the three camera kit, which includes the Arlo base station and built-in sirens. We like the rolling seven days of free cloud recording, but we wish there was a way to reduce the frequency of alerts.

ZOSI CCTV Home Surveillance Camera

This camera doesn’t dazzle with loads of extra features, but when cost is a deciding factor, the ZOSI CCTV Home Surveillance Camera is right on the money. And speaking of money, you can put the ZOSI to work for less than $30 per camera. That makes it easy to add multiple security cameras to different locations on your property.

You won’t get all the bells and whistles that come with a smart security camera, but the ZOSI delivers where it matters. We were impressed by powerful night vision that can capture activity up to 120 feet away. It also has one of the highest weatherproof ratings of all the cameras on our list. And ZOSI leaves nothing to chance—this camera has specially designed housing that makes it nearly impossible for a vandal to disable or snatch the camera.

Zmodo Wireless Security Camera

The Zmodo Wireless Security Camera delivers all the frills you expect from a smart camera without the exorbitant price tag. This camera delivers smart home integration and voice control through Amazon Alexa—all for right around $50 for a two-pack.

We also like that Zmodo stands behind their product with warranties that easily outstrip the competition. You get an industry-leading three-year warranty, and you have sixty days to see how you like this wireless camera. Even though Zmodo gives you a lot of high-tech features for the price, the included free cloud storage only lets you access footage for thirty-six hours. If you want more, you’ll have to sign up for a paid cloud recording plan. Plans start at $4.99 per month for seven days of recording and go up to $9.99 per month if you want to access and review footage for thirty days.

Amcrest ProHD Wireless Outdoor Security Camera

It’s design isn’t as sexy as some of the other cameras on this list, but if you need to make out a face or other image for identification purposes, this camera delivers footage that can help you catch a criminal. A 3-megapixel image sensor helps this security camera capture still and streaming images in ultra-high definition.

Another perk the Amcrest ProHD offers that other cameras don’t? Multiple ways to store and review footage. You can use a MicroSD card or the Amcrest Cloud, or you can record to an Amcrest network video recorder (sold separately). You can also store video right on your computer’s hard drive. With a scant four hours of cloud storage included, these other options make it easy (and affordable) to store, review, and share video footage.

Foscam Outdoor Security Bullet Camera

The Foscam Outdoor Security Bullet Camera features sophisticated motion detection that lets you tailor motion alerts as needed. That means you won’t be bothered by a passing bird or a branch swaying in the wind—you’ll only get the alerts that matter. It also uses sound detection as an extra way to identify potential trespassers.

The Foscam app lets you keep an eye on things when you’re on the go, but the Android version is missing some features. And if you want more than live streaming, you’ll have to sign up for a cloud subscription, but that’s not the only recording option available. This security camera also works with virtual server and local hard drive recording.

Blink XT Home Security Camera System

Blink is small, smart, and discreet, which are all characteristics we like to see in a home security camera. But our favorite thing about the Blink XT Home Security Camera System is that it comes with batteries that you won’t have to change or recharge for two years. That lets you set up your cameras and relax—your Blink system will be on the job 24/7 without draining the batteries.

Blink also comes with free cloud storage. There are no monthly subscription fees, but storage is limited. Blink’s server lets you store up to 1,440 five-second clips (that’s about two hours). Once you’ve reached your max, the server drops the oldest alerts to make room for new ones. And you can’t record clips longer than sixty seconds. For the price (about $100/camera), we’d like to see increased cloud storage and recording duration.

Wansview Outdoor Security Camera

The Wansview Outdoor Security Camera offers easy setup, rust-resistant construction, and it works seamlessly with third-party security software like Blue Iris. This makes it easy to add Wansview cameras to an existing DIY home security system.

None of us want to go through the hassle of returning an item, but at least Wansview makes it as painless as possible. If you do run into trouble with your Wansview Outdoor Security Camera, the company offers free returns and exchanges within the first sixty days after purchase. But if you’re on the West Coast, make sure you contact the company in the morning—customer service shuts down at 3:00 p.m. (PST).

EZVIZ HD Outdoor Surveillance System

If you want to keep an eye on multiple access points but don’t want to break the bank, the EZVIZ Surveillance System is worth a look. You can get four outdoor surveillance cameras and a four-channel DVR for under $200. That’s one of the best deals we’ve seen. And these cameras are packed with high-tech features like customizable motion detection zones and IFTTT integration, so you’re getting a lot for the price.

But there are a couple of things to consider before hitting the “buy” button: you need to purchase a monitor for the DVR separately, and there is no cloud storage option. The company also has some issues with consistency. Some users have received one or more faulty cameras, and the user manual isn’t always included.

Things to Consider Before You Buy

How many cameras do I need?

The number of outdoor security cameras you need depends on a few things, including how much area you want to cover and the field of view provided by the camera. If you have multiple access points you want to keep an eye on, like the front porch, the garage, and the backyard, you’ll probably need a camera for each of those locations. And, depending on both the size of your yard and the wide-angle view of the camera, you could need multiple cameras to cover the whole area.

How do I know if a camera is weatherproof?

An outdoor security camera needs to be able to take a beating, and 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 things like dust and water to enter the camera enclosure. The second number shows how tamper-proof the enclosure is. An IP65 rating means the camera enclosure is protected from dust as well as low-pressure water spray, which means the camera should stand up to rain and snow. A rating of IP67 means total dust protection and the ability to withstand full immersion in water up to about three feet.

Do I need to worry about lighting?

If you only want to capture video footage during the daytime, then lighting probably won’t be a concern. But most of us want a security camera to be an extra set of eyes when ours aren’t available—like when we’re sleeping. To capture clear images after the sun sets, you want a camera with night vision. Night vision capabilities vary, but the most important things to look for are the range for which night vision works and the image resolution.

For those who want to do more than catch culprits in the act, a security camera equipped with a spotlight or floodlight is a good option. These cameras use motion sensors to activate both video recording and the lights. But lights can interfere with night vision capabilities, so keep that in mind. If video footage is more important to you than scaring off hoodlums, then you might want to skip the lights.

What are the pros and cons of battery-operated outdoor cameras?

The benefit of a battery-operated camera is the ability to place the unit 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 really comes down to what matters more—placement flexibility or an uninterrupted power supply.

SafeWise Also Recommends

These outdoor Wi-Fi cameras break the mold of traditional surveillance cameras. While they didn’t quite fit in our top ten, we think they’re worth recommending for their versatility and function.

More Security Camera Resources

• The 5 Best Places to Put a Security Camera
• Best Solar-Powered Security Lights and Cameras
• What Types of Security Cameras Are Available and What Are the Differences Between Them?
• Best Nanny Cams
• 14 Best Home Security Cameras of 2018