SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera Review

We tested the SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera and loved its reliability, perfect audio, and crisp images.
Best for outdoor use
Simplisafe Wireless
SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75
  • pro
    Color night vision
  • pro
    80 dB Siren
  • pro
    Active Guard monitoring*
Plan
Price
Live feed
Video recording
Professional monitoring
Unmonitored
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon No  LightNo
Icon No  LightNo
Self-monitoring w/camera recordings
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  Light30 days for up to 10 cameras
Icon No  LightNo
Standard monitoring
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  LightYes
Icon Yes  Light24/7 Emergency dispatch

*With a professional monitoring plan.
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. 

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Alina Bradford
Apr 03, 2025
Icon Time To Read4 min read

With 20+ years in tech journalism, Alina blends safety expertise with her passion for simplifying technology. Alina has tested hundreds of safety and security devices, is trained as a first responder, and has worked as a volunteer firefighter.

We tested SimpliSafe's Outdoor Security Camera in a real back and front yard at two different homes, and we're happy to report that it passed muster. The SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera has clear video and great sound. To top things off, it also comes with a siren, zoom, and a motion-activated spotlight. 

Honestly, I'm relieved that this camera works so well. Since SimpliSafe can't be used with third-party camera brands, the only way to get professional video alarm verification is to use SimpliSafe's cameras. This one does the trick, but I do wish it had more than one privacy zone.  

pro
Pros
pro Active Guard monitoring
pro Clear video
pro Outstanding sound
pro Easy installation
con
Cons
con Can't be used with Active Guard Outdoor Protection
con No motion sensitivity settings
con Just one privacy zone
con Overactive sensitivity

What's in the box

SimpliSafe Outdoor camera with charging cable, mounting screws, and battery
  • SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera
  • Charging cable
  • Battery
  • Mounting bracket and screws

Image: SafeWise

Cost adds up with accessories

The camera itself sells for nearly $200, but you might spend close to $100 extra just to get the power supply and mounting hardware you need.

There are three ways to power the SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Camera: removable battery pack, 25-foot power cord (about $30), or solar panel (about $80). This camera automatically comes with one rechargeable battery pack, but you can buy an extra for around $30 so the camera isn't offline during charging.

Finally, SimpliSafe also sells a permanent camera mount for about $10. Without it, the Outdoor Camera relies on a magnet to stay in place. 

Quick installation

To install this grapefruit-sized camera with your SimpliSafe home security system, all you need to do is tap on Add New Camera the SimpliSafe app, and it will guide you through the rest. It took about 10 minutes for us to install it from start to finish.

We used the magnetic mount to just stick it to a metal post. If you need to mount it with screws, it will take a little longer.

Hands down, this is one of the easiest cameras we’ve ever set up. (And we’ve set up a lot of cameras.)

Bell
Camera not connecting? Update the firmware

If your camera isn’t connecting to your system during installation, make sure the SimpliSafe base station is updated with the latest firmware. Once the updates are downloaded, the SimpliSafe camera should connect with no problems.

Check out more SimpliSafe troubleshooting tips or learn how to contact SimpliSafe customer service.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera vs. other SimpliSafe cameras

SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera is a little less expensive than its competitors, but it doesn’t offer smart home integration like Ring, Arlo, or Google Nest cameras. It also doesn’t offer simple features like privacy zones that prevent the wireless security camera from recording in certain areas (like over your neighbor’s fence). It needs motion sensitivity controls too.

However, with a pro monitoring plan, the new Outdoor Camera enables Active Guard protection, which means a security agent can monitor your home through your camera, like a personal security guard. Plus this camera fits the bill of what SimpliSafe offers: simple equipment that's a breeze to set up and use. With fewer settings to configure, it takes not time at all to get the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera up and running. Plus,

Video: How to Get the Most Out of SimpliSafe Home Security

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Clear video and audio

Footage from the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera is clear and vivid during the day.

Screenshots: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera has clear black and white footage during the night.

The quality of both the audio and the camera leave very little to complain about. The camera’s 1080p HD resolution is clear with vivid colors. With the help of the camera’s light, the color night footage is clear too. We had no trouble identifying faces.

The SimpliSafe camera has 8x digital zoom, but we didn’t feel like that helped much when identifying objects that were further away. The image got fuzzier when we zoomed in. That’s common for security cameras, though.

The audio was impressive. It was understandable without much noise. The siren is plenty loud enough to scare off intruders at 80 dB. It’s probably not loud enough to wake you unless it’s near your bedroom window. It’s only about as loud as a vacuum cleaner.

Overly sensitive motion sensor

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Image: SafeWise

We’ll be frank; the motion detection on this security camera system is annoying. We were getting notifications every few seconds. It picked up leaves, bugs, and other random things. Ironically, it missed some humans. We wanted to turn down the sensitivity, but this SimpliSafe video camera doesn’t offer that option.

You can set up activity zones so the camera doesn’t sense activity from busy areas like sidewalks or roads. The problem is that it only lets you select one area to ignore. If your camera is pointed at several busy areas, you have to pick which one to ignore. Huge bummer. Other cameras, like the Arlo Pro 4, let you create multiple activity zones.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera FAQ

The range of the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera depends on the features you're using:

  • Motion detection range: 30 feet
  • Infrared night vision range: 30 feet
  • Color night vision range: 10 feet

No, the SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Security Camera records only when it detects motion—even when using the optional power cable accessory. You must pay for a service plan to record videos and save them to cloud storage.

The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera comes with a USB charging cable. It can take up to five hours to charge all the way. You can also purchase a solar accessory that keeps the camera charged so you don’t need to mess with it.

The SimpliSafe keypad and the camera pages and timeline on the app will all show alerts so you’re sure not to miss it. If your push notifications are on, you’ll get a message sent to you too.

Expect a battery life of about 3 to 6 months. It'll last longer if you don't check the live feed very often and if there aren't many events to record and send to cloud storage. 

No, it only works if you connect it to a SimpliSafe base station and keypad.

Technically, yes. It won’t record footage, but you can see live footage using the app.

To learn about more things you can do with the app, take a look at our SimpliSafe app guide.

No. Although SimpliSafe pairs with Amazon Alexa, there's no Echo Show video compatibility. 

Read answers to more SimpliSafe FAQs.

How we reviewed the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera

A user holding a SimpliSafe outdoor security camera while testing its features in a home setting.

Image: SafeWise. 

For our SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera review, we tested the camera with our SimpliSafe security system in two different homes. We used it in real homes to see just how well it works in real life. We also scoured reviews from other users to see if our findings matched up.

Who are we? Our staff here at SafeWise has almost 100 years of combined experience in safety and security. You can trust our reviews and recommendations.

You can learn more about how we review products and services on our methodology page.

Final word

If you’re looking to expand a SimpliSafe system into your yard or driveway, the SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera will give you a clear view, day or night. And, with pro monitoring, you can get extra protection with the new Active Guard feature.

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Disclaimer

*Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Google, Google Nest Secure, [any other related Google Products] and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina is a safety and security expert with over 25 years of experience. She has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. After testing thousands of devices, apps, services, and more, her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Plus, she has tested hundreds of pieces of security and safety equipment over the years. Places published: CBS, MTV, CVS, Rachael Ray, eBay, Reader’s Digest, ConsumerAffairs, and more. Certifications: Fire Service Training, Oklahoma State University. Awards: Received the Experience Leader certificate from Authority, putting her “in the top 25% among the thousands of professional content creators analyzed by Authory for the Fall 2023 audit.” You can view more of Alina's work at alinabradford.com.

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