Outdoor Security Camera Systems: Top 2 Picks in 2025 with Videos & Reviews

Looking for an outdoor security camera system, and get lost in the thousands of systems and hundreds of different brands out there? 4-8 HD cameras, best quality images, notifications to phone, visible during night, accessible from mobile device, easy installation, weatherproof… You want them all, but is there any outdoor security system qualified?

And you definitely don’t want to break your bank for this system. No worries. That’s exactly what I’m going to cover in this post: How to choose the best (yet affordable) outdoor CCTV camera system among the thousand options out there quickly and easily.

Top 2 Best Outdoor Security Camera System

So what’s the best outdoor security camera system? That's exactly depends on your needs. And here are two of the best-selling outdoor CCTV camera systems by far, based on real user experience with the most useful and demanding features for outdoor CCTV systems.

1. Best wired outdoor security camera system – RLK8-410B4

If you prefer a wired outdoor security camera system for home, and don’t want to have many cables running through the house, then this single cable indoor and outdoor CCTV system is right for you.

Outdoor PoE (Power over Ethernet) Security Camera System RLK8-410B4 Key Features

• 4MP/5MP class-leading resolution sees the human face and plate number clearly in distance.
• IP66 waterproof housing protects it from rainstorms, snowstorms, heat, and cold.
• PoE technology enables a single cable for both power and data. Easy to use & install.
• Email & push notifications to your phone so you will not miss anything.
• 100ft IR night vision, so you can see details clearly even when human eyes can’t tell.
• Remote accessible via free software on the mobile phone, PC, laptop and web browser.
• Upgradable. This 4 camera outdoor security system can have 8 cameras at most.

Featured in top-tier media, this 8 camera PoE security camera is recommended as “a surprisingly good CCTV kit for the money”, “an affordable & comprehensive security solution to save headache on installation”.

Here are some real comments from users:

RLK8-410B4 Video Footage from Real User:

2. Best outdoor wireless security camera system – Reolink Home Hub with Argus 4 Pro

Have you ever thought of a wireless outdoor security camera system solar powered?

Actually this outdoor wireless security camera system has been gaining a lot of attention recently, due to its no-brainer setup (in minutes literally) and the highly portable feature.

Operating on batteries or solar power, the wire-free system will only record when there are movements around so it only records the thing that matters, and in that way, the battery could last longer and the SD card could save more days of recordings.

And this type of outdoor wireless security camera system usually has mini stylish look, so you can place it anywhere without taking up much space.

Best outdoor wireless security camera system with NVR - RLK12-800WB4

The RLK12-800WB4 combines several WiFi plug-in cameras and a WiFi NVR. The cameras boasts 4K 8MP resolution and excellent night vision quality. The NVR is expandable up to 12 Reolink cameras.

You can easily set up this system with Reolink NVR and additional WiFi security cameras, offering you a flexible DIY solution to  match your various security needs with the right type of WiFi security cameras, like the bullet cameras, dome cameras, and the PTZ ones.

RLK12-800WB4 Highlights

• 4K 8MP cameras at your choice, bandwidth friendly.
• Mix and match dome, bullet and PTZ cameras to suit your different monitoring needs.
• Plug and play installation, anyone can install the whole outdoor WiFi security camera system easily.
• Real time motion alerts with picture or video directed to your phone.
• Remote viewing enabled, so you can access it directly from mobile devices.

Top 8 Essentials to Consider for the Best Outdoor Use Security Camera System

So how to pick out a quality security camera system for outdoor use? Basically, 8 things. Note the below checklist to get the best outdoor security camera system.

1. 1080p HD (Is It Enough?)

“I want an outdoor security camera system that lets me see who’s at the door, driveway, etc.”

Generally, if you want your exterior security camera system to recognize faces and plate number, the 1080p resolution could well handle that in about 40 feet range. And that’s what most wire-free systems offer these days.

However, if the monitoring area is beyond that range or you just want a clearer view with more details like the objects across the street, the 5MP or 4K outdoor security cameras will do a better job.

And if you want to go to extremes on details, choose the outdoor CCTV system with optical zoom. In that way, you can zoom in to see all details captured without losing the image quality.

2. Push Notifications

“I’m preferably searching for a wireless camera system that directs notifications on my mobile.”

In that case, go for an outdoor IP security camera system with push notifications. By this I mean, whenever the camera captures motion events like the strangers sneaking around your home, you will receive a push notification immediately on your phone, so you’ll not miss anything.

Some quality outdoor security systems from top security camera brands feature other rich alerts additionally, including the email alerts which contain photos and 30-second video clips inside.

3. Phone Access

“I’d want something where my wife & I can view the cameras remotely from our phones.”

Of course, that could be easily realized by most outdoor security camera system nowadays.

But be sure to get the one with manufacturer customized app, like Reolink app, to save your trouble in installation and configuration for remote viewing.

Those systems with default apps usually don’t require the IP address, port number to finish the complex port forwarding for remote access. Simply enter the UID and password, the P2P technology can get you to the camera live view easily and safely.

4. Wireless: Easy to Set up

If you are planning on a do-it-yourself project, the best choice is absolutely the truly battery-powered security camera system. Anyone can finish the whole setup without having to pay the expensive installation fee additionally and spend hours installing the system in the hot weather.

Another good choice is the wireless or PoE outdoor security camera system, a flexible single cable system that records to the NVR (network video recorder) locally. Usually the NVR security system has at least 1TB storage for long term recording, which is the biggest benefit of it.

5. Weatherproof

“The system would be mounted outside, so it must be able to handle a variety of weather. Any recommendations?”

Having weather outside? No worries.

Any IP66 rated devices can easily deal with that. Simply put, IP66 means waterproof, and no natural elements can get into the enclosure as long as you don’t put it under water.

6. Affordable Price

Actually, the outdoor security camera systems are quite affordable these days, and even the quality ones could cost you under $500 (for like 4 high definition cameras and a 2TB NVR) if you choose the right brand.

And there are many choices that don’t force you to the monthly fees of cloud storage or third-party monitoring. If you are one of those who prefers the one-time cost, you may take a look at Reolink cameras.

7. Viewing Angle

“I have a small home so wide angle cameras are more beneficial. Ideally, 7 or 8 cameras would provide excellent, complete coverage but 6 would suffice with wide angle cameras, especially considering cost.”

Brilliant idea! Wide angle camera is a great way to save your budget for outdoor systems. For example, a wide angle 4 camera system could cover more areas than many higher priced 6 camera security camera systems.

If you want more, like the panoramic view, then add a PTZ security camera to your NVR system, so you can control the camera to pan and tilt to any angle you want.

8. Night Vision

“I’m looking for a security system that will be very visible during night time as I want to keep an eye on my new office nearby my home.”

Night vision is a great feature for not only office monitoring but also home surveillance. And IR night vision is the most common and reliable way to go for most outdoor CCTV camera system in the market.

You will never know what is going on outside your house and what you are gonna lose tomorrow unless you have the wireless outdoor security camera system with night vision in place to keep an eye for you.

Check out the attempted car break-in captured by Reolink cameras:

Want color night vision instead of black and white? The battery-powered camera like Reolink Argus 3 Pro could get you there. But that’s not necessarily always a better option, you know, all cameras will automatically turn to black and white night vision for the best clarity in very poor light conditions.

How to Install Outdoor Security Camera Systems?

It’s a BIG BIG headache to install the security camera system.

But you can take it easy if your security camera system is PoE enabled or wireless, or better still, wire-free, like the three outdoor CCTV systems mentioned above.

Simply follow the steps in the video to set up your outdoor security camera easily and quickly. And here is a outdoor PoE security camera system setup diagram for your reference:

FAQs

What kind of outdoor security camera is best?

The best kind of outdoor security camera depends on your specific needs, but generally, a good outdoor security camera should offer a balance of durability, high video quality, smart features, and ease of installation. Consider brands like Reolink.

Do all outdoor security cameras require a subscription?

Not all models require a subscription. Some cameras use MicroSD card or NVR for local storage and offer free advanced features like smart detection, real-time alerts, and more.

Conclusion

Outdoor CCTV camera systems can offer more comprehensive coverage compared to standalone models. So if you want higher resolution and plan to expand the project to more cameras, a wireless or wired outdoor security camera system with NVR (instead of DVR) might suit you better. What's your opinion on outdoor camera system? Share your ideas in the comment section below!