Best Outdoor PoE Cameras & Systems: Top 3 Picks & Step-by-Step Installation Guide

If you want the easiest wired security type for outdoor use, or your house has been fitted with Ethernet cables, then outdoor PoE security cameras would be undoubtedly the best choice.

In this newest guide, you can check different types of outdoor PoE cameras, what features you should look into, and step-by-step guide to install your outdoor PoE surveillance cameras & systems.

1. Different Types of Outdoor PoE IP Cameras

PoE stands for Powered over Ethernet. PoE security cameras are powered by single Ethernet cable (Cat 5 or 6 cable) for data transmission and power supply.

You can check more details in Ethernet security camera complete guide here>>

In terms of shapes, there are 3 main types of outdoor PoE cameras and systems available for your choice: bullet, dome & PTZ CCTV surveillance cameras.

You can take a look at the below chart to get the overall impression on outdoor IP PoE security camera types.

To make things easier, there are nice features worth looking into when choosing outdoor PoE cameras & systems.

2. PoE Outdoor Security Cameras & Systems: Top 8 Features to Look For

When you are searching for the best outdoor PoE IP cameras and systems, it’s important to consider some of the nice features, like high definition, night vision, audio input etc.

You can check the important features below in outdoor PoE surveillance cameras, which will benefit you in the long run.

• High Definition
• Wide Viewing Angle
• Working Temperature
• Night Vision
• Remote Access
• Motion Alerts
• Waterproof
• Audio Recording

1. Pick Outdoor PoE HD IP Cameras: 4MP, 5MP or Even 4K High Definition

PoE outdoor cameras and systems should be able to capture clear images (with at least 1440p Super HD).

1920p and 1440p HD exterior PoE security cameras not only present clear details such as the appearance of a stranger, license plate numbers but also provide a true sense of security and peace of mind.

Now some reputable security camera brands go one step further and have released 4K ultra HD PoE security cameras like the Reolink 4K camera RLC-810A to deliver the highest level of image quality.

2. Wide Viewing Angle Outdoor PoE Cameras

An outdoor PoE IP camera with a wide field of view (FOV) (over 80 degrees) helps cover large areas and reduces blind spots, especially the PTZ camera type.

You can take a look at RLC-823A PTZ PoE outdoor home security camera. This camera can rotate 360°, so you can pan or tilt the camera to check any areas you want.

For a large property, like your pool area, you can monitor such a wide-range area with just a single PTZ PoE security camera without spending money on multiple fixed cameras.

A customer shared a video captured by Reolink RLC-823A, you can see the auto-tracking scene of suspicious person checking the car below.

Editor’s Note: In terms of wide-angle security camera, you should be cautious when choosing panoramic fisheye security cameras because fisheye security cameras could result in dramatic image distortion.

3. Working Temperature of Outdoor PoE IP Cameras

If you live in areas where summer could go extremely hot with average temperature exceeding over 90°F, like Arizona, Nevada;

Or

You are in places with freezing cold winters with Fahrenheit temperature descending into 17 degrees below zero, like Fairbanks, Alaska;

It’s important to check outdoor PoE security cameras’ working temperature before your purchase.

For example, Reolink RLC-510A outdoor PoE camera is designed to work in temperature between -10 °C and +55 °C (14 °F to 131 °F) with humidity ranging from 10% to 90%.

Meanwhile, additional outdoor PoE security camera housing or enclosures could be helpful in such a circumstance.

You can check more details in cold weather security cameras buying guide here. See how you can kill the extreme weather with your outdoor PoE IP cameras.

4. Outdoor PoE IP Security Cameras with Night Vision

A decent night vision PoE security camera (at least 30 feet) is normally packed with quality infrared sensors to detect ambient light, multiple IR LEDs to provide sufficient illumination even without additional light or street lamp, an IR cut filter to capture clear images and videos day or night.

For example, Reolink RLC-823A PoE outdoor camera, packed with 6 infrared LEDs and IR cut filter, supports up to 190 feet night vision range.

You can watch the below night vision video captured by this outdoor PoE IP camera with night vision to get more details.

5. Smartphone & Web Apps for Remote Viewing & Access

Outdoor PoE security cameras with remote access enable you to check what’s happening to your home when you are in the office or travelling.

For example, you can confirm that your package has been delivered to your home by take a look at your phone or computer.

When someone knocks on your door, you can check who it is by a tap on your mobile phones without getting up from your sofa.

6. Outdoor PoE Cameras with Motion Sensing & Alerts

With motion detection and alert functions, you don’t need to keep staring at the screen or access the outdoor PoE cameras 24/7.

You can only check your camera when your outdoor PoE security cameras sense motion and send you alerts.

If any uninvited people approaches your home, you can get instant alerts before they break into your house. Then you can call the police for help before they enter your property. And the video footage recorded by the PoE security cameras can serve as important evidence to identify the criminals.

7. Water-Proof & Vandal-Proof Outdoor PoE Cameras

If you are planning to have PoE security camera systems installed outside like front door, back door, garage door, or out in the open exposed to the sun or rain, it’s inevitable to expose your PoE security cameras to the elements.

An outdoor PoE camera with IP rating 66 is qualified for outdoor use and can withstand the impacts from solid matters like dust and liquids like rainwater.

Meanwhile, outdoor PoE cameras, especially dome outdoor PoE security cameras are more vulnerable to smashing, damage or unexpected vandalism.

You can choose a vandal-proof outdoor PoE IP camera with IK10 vandal proof so that your camera can stand firmly under the external mechanical impact.

You can also install your outdoor PoE cameras out of the reach or disguise them out of sight.

8. PoE Outdoor Cameras with Built-in Mic & Audio Recording

If you want to listen to what’s going on and identify voices of people coming and going on premise, outdoor PoE security cameras with audio and video come in handy.

Please note that laws have strict legislation on audio recording. Laws require that people cannot gather audio from:

• Eavesdropping
• Remote recording
• Other illegal audio recording methods

So it’s essential to know all the rules and regulations on security cameras with audio recording so that you won’t land yourself a load of troubles.

3. PoE Outdoor Security Cameras & Systems Reviews & Recommendations

There are tons of choices when you buy outdoor PoE IP cameras, including expensive or cheap ones, visible or unnoticeable types, etc.

To help you choose outdoor PoE security cameras easier, we share some of the popular and best outdoor PoE cameras and systems.

1. Best HD Outdoor PoE IP Camera — RLC-510A

If you want an affordable outdoor PoE security camera with high quality, pick this one. This camera can produce legible images, like the facial features of someone walking by at night.

You can mount this outdoor PoE camera on the brick wall to monitor comings and goings.

Key Features

• 5MP Super HD
• Up to 100ft night vision
• Remote access
• Audio recording
• IP66 waterproof design
• 80° viewing angle

Here is a horse exercise captured by this outdoor PoE security camera.

2. Best Outdoor Low-Profile PoE Security Camera — RLC-822A

If you are looking for an outdoor PoE security camera that can hide from plain sight and wanna install it on your front door or back patio, this one is the best bet.

With IP66 waterproof, this camera can brave the elements and work perfectly indoors and outdoors.

You could also connect this PoE security camera to the Reolink PoE NVR for 24/7 monitoring and recording.

Key Features

• 8MP Super HD
• Up to 100ft night vision
• Remote access
• IP66 waterproof
• 3x optical zoom
• 48° - 94° wide viewing angle

3. Best 16MP Dual-lens PoE Security Camera - Reolink Duo 3 PoE

Duo 3 PoE is a security powerhouse with a 16MP resolution for clear and detailed footage. The Motion Track feature overlays a person's movement path into a single image, streamlining surveillance. Its image stitching technology seamlessly merges footage from dual lenses for a smooth 180-degree viewing experience.

Note: Reolink Duo 3 PoE will be shown at 2024 Reolink CES. If you want to see Reolink's new cameras for 2024, come join us at CES 2024!

4. Best PoE Outdoor Security Camera System — Reolink RLK8-410B4

Reolink RLK8-410B4 — one of the best outdoor PoE security camera systems, comes with four 4MP or 5MP PoE IP cameras RLC-410 and an 8-channel NVR with built-in 2TB HDD for 24/7 recording.

You can install this Reolink RLK8-410B4 PoE home security system to cover the front door, backyard, side doors, driveway, or garage, etc. to get all-around security. If you want to know if it is truly a best-bet, refer to the user reviews of this PoE security system both on the Reolink website and Amazon.

Key Features

• 4MP or 5MP Super HD
• 24/7 video recording
• Remote access
• IP66 waterproof
• Audio recording
• 80° viewing angle

Pro Tip: If you are looking for a PoE camera system with more than 4 cameras, RLK16-410B8 is one of the highly-rated PoE security systems available on the market.

And besides PoE security cameras, you can also add Reolink wireless security cameras to the PoE outdoor security camera systems RLK8-410B4 and RLK16-410B8 (follow the instructions here).

4. Where to Place Outdoor PoE Security Cameras & Systems

Past experience has told us it’s better to place your outdoor PoE IP security cameras (bullet or dome) on soffit, walls, the overhang of the roof, or under the eave.

In doing so, it helps get the cameras out of the reach of passers-by or strangers.

Meanwhile, it’s common to put the PoE NVR into a locker or server cabinet to avoid damage or theft.

In deciding ideal placement location for PoE security cameras, you could draw up your house’s layout and learn the field of view (FOV) of PoE security cameras.

5. How to Run Cables to Outdoor PoE Cameras & Systems: Step-by-Step Guide

When placing PoE outdoor cameras on the soffit, you could run your Ethernet cables through the attic to avoid messy wiring or having your cable accessible or vulnerable to damage.

You can check the below step-by-step guide to install your outdoor PoE security camera systems.

Main Items You’ll Need to Install Outdoor PoE Security Camera Systems

• Several outdoor PoE cameras and an NVR (for video storage)
• Ethernet cables
• Router
• Ethernet extension cables
• A driller
• A junction box

Note : Other detailed components haven’t been listed here.

Here we’ll take RLK8-410B4 outdoor PoE security camera system to show you the detailed cabling and installation steps.

RLK8-410B4 PoE Security Camera System Connection Diagram

Step 1. Drill several suitable holes with the mounting template that comes with the security camera system package.

Step 2. Mount the outdoor PoE cameras to the wall or brick.

Step 3. Connect the camera to the NVR with the Ethernet cables.

You can use the Ethernet extension cables to boost the connection distance between the cameras and NVR.

Step 4. Run the Ethernet cables smartly. You can just drill a hole to run the Ethernet cables from the cameras to the NVR.

You can put the wires into the junction box to avoid dangling wires.

If you need to install the PoE IP cameras out in the open areas like a pole, deck, pier, or other outdoor locations, make sure the cable connector is waterproof by using cable connector waterproof lip or using plastic conduit.

You can also read this step-by-step guide on how to run security camera wires for more details.

Step 5. Connect your NVR to your router.

Step 6.  Install and launch Reolink Client and App on your computer and iPhone or Android smartphones.

The system will be automatically added to your device as long as your device and the system are connected to the same router.

A customer shared his detailed steps on installing this outdoor PoE security camera system. You can watch the video below.

If you have any questions about outdoor PoE security cameras, please leave them in the comment below.