Best Outdoor Security Cameras for Home 2024 – Newest Buying Guide

Your neighbors like to "visit" your property and you want to have that hard evidence. In this case, an outdoor security camera will help. Outdoor security cameras can be divided into different types, such as wireless outdoor camera, outdoor security camera system, outdoor WiFi camera. This post will guide you how to pick the top rated outdoor security cameras for home and recommend you some best security cameras for outdoor use.

What is an Outdoor Security Camera?

An outdoor security camera is designed for use in outdoor environments. It is specifically built to withstand various weather conditions and environmental factors while capturing and recording video footage. Outdoor security cameras are commonly used to monitor and protect the exterior of buildings, homes, or outdoor spaces.

How to Choose Security Camera for Outdoor Use

When selecting an outdoor security camera, it's essential to consider important factors, including the following.

1. Waterproof or Weatherproof IP Rating

An outdoor home security camera with waterproof or weatherproof rating is the first thing you need to consider when choosing one for the exterior of the house.

But waterproof and weatherproof are not the same thing.

For security cameras, the term “waterproof” indicates that the camera has the standard that provides complete protection to the dust and powerful water jets. So it can stand the heavy rain, wind, sun, heat or chill outdoors.

Weatherproof, on the other hand, means a lower rating of waterproof, but it still protects against the general water jets, and guarantees that the camera can be used outdoors.

Normally, when you see an outdoor home video surveillance camera is described as "weatherproof", it's IP65 rating. A best outside home CCTV security camera should be at least IP65.

2. Wireless vs. Wired

Not all wireless outdoor security camera systems for home are definitely no-wires. The term "wireless", technically, means the data transmission is via WiFi.

So you see some outdoor WiFi home security cameras still need to run power wires.

And what about a totally wireless outdoor home security camera that has no cables ?

That wire-free outdoor home camera is a battery-powered security camera. This kind of battery outdoor home camera comes with a rechargeable battery, which can last for 4-6 months per charge. You can also use a solar panel along with these cameras, then you don’t have to think about the charging or the battery replacement.

3. Resolution

It's always the best to choose a high-resolution outdoor surveillance video camera system for your home. The weather, the lighting, and many other factors may affect the clarity of the videos captured by an outdoor camera. But always remember, the higher resolution, the clearer video!

And 1080p (1920*1080), also known as Full HD, is the bottom line. Other choices are 4MP (4-megapixel), 5MP (5-megapixel), and even 4K.

4. Night Vision

Outdoor home security camera with night vision is a must-choice when selecting one for your home. Many cameras have night vision, of course. The thing is, the night vision should be high-quality, which can identify car and people even in 30 or 100 feet when it's pitch black outside.

You can choose between color night vision and black-and-white night vision. Remember, factors that affect night vision quality include resolution, IR range, 3D DNR, wide dynamic range, IR cut filter, filed of view, etc.

5. Audio

Outdoor video cameras with audio are quite necessary, especially when you're not home. These outdoor cameras not only record what happens with video and audio but also allow you to talk to the person at the end of the camera. For example, you can answer the door when you're not home and warn the uninvited to leave your property immediately.

You can look for outdoor home video cameras featuring 2-way audio, which allows you to listen in and talk back, while others have only one-way audio, that is, they can only record the voice.

6. Network Connection

If you haven't thought about network connection when selecting an outdoor IP surveillance cameras for home, please put it in the top list after this guide.

I've seen many home owners have WiFi connection issues when placing security cameras outdoors. The main reason is, the outdoor surveillance video camera gets a WiFi connection bug, or the places where you want to install the outdoor home cameras have bad WiFi reach.

The former is complicated but can be solved easily – just reset the cam and you get all back (make sure you've bought a reliable wireless outdoor home camera).

The latter may need you to give up the WiFi connection and look for a 4G mobile outdoor home camera or a PoE outdoor security camera.

7. Vandal-Proof

If you live in a bad neighborhood, chances are that your outdoor property, include the outdoor home security camera, maybe tampered with or stolen or vandalized.

Therefore, a vandal-proof outdoor security camera for your home is a good option. Some outdoor surveillance camera come with a low-profile dome design so it is less noticeable to vandals.

8. Storage

A best outdoor security camera for home should have the options to record and store video footage, say, save the video footage on to an onboard SD card, to an NVR or DVR, to a computer, or to cloud. So that you get that evidence and can play back to see what happened in details.

Therefore, make sure the best outdoor security camera systems for home you select have at least one storage option.

Best Wireless Security Camera for Outdoor

Suppose you just need one wireless video camera for outdoor surveillance. In that case, you can use the new Reolink Argus 4 Pro. This battery-powered security camera boosts 4K 8MP resolution and ColorX night vision modes. It boasts full color night vision footage at night without relying on spotlights. You can watch real-time recordings with vivid colors to monitor your outdoor spaces. The IP66 rating ensures the camera withstands outdoor dust, heavy rain, wind, and snow.

For buyers that require full-color night vision without noticeable lighting, the Reolink Argus 4 Pro is an ideal option. Alternatively, customers looking for a low-cost, high-performance option may choose to explore the regular Argus 4 version.

Note: Argus 4 Pro vs. Argus 4：Which One You Need to Buy?

Best Outdoor Security Camera Recommendation

Dual-lens security cameras offer a wider field of view in outdoor surveillance. The brand-new Reolink Duo 3 PoE can be a perfect choice for outdoor use. This dual-lens outdoor security camera boosts 16MP UHD resolution and can capture every important detail in an outdoor environment. The solid housing and IP67 rating prevent this outdoor camera from being damaged by water, dust, or other external components.

Best Outdoor Security Camera System

Sometimes, more than a single outdoor camera is needed for outdoor use. In this case, you can purchase an outdoor camera system for comprehensive surveillance, for example, the Reolink RLK12-800WB4. This wireless system has four WiFi 6 security cameras with an IP67 rating. You can install this system outside your house, store, or office for comprehensive outdoor surveillance.

Where to Place Outdoor Camera

Placements for an outdoor wireless home security camera or your outdoor camera system are crucial, because that determines if all the events are captured. You can choose to place them in places where home burglaries are most likely to happen.

And the ideal installation placements are as follow:

• The front door (34% of burglaries happen)
• First-floor window (23% of burglaries happen)
• The back door (22% of burglaries happen)
• The garage (9% of burglaries happen)
• The unlock entrance (4% of burglaries happen)
• The second floor (2% of burglaries happen)

Note: Home crime statistics related to outdoor home security cameras from UK, US, Canada, Australia, India, South Africa, etc.

FAQs

Do any outdoor security cameras work without WiFi?

Yes, some outdoor security cameras can work without WiFi and they use other methods to connect to Internet. For exmaple, PoE outdoor cameras use physical Ethernet cable for Internet connection and 3G/4G cellular cameras use mobile networks to transmit data and do not rely on WiFi.

What is the best security cameras for outside?

The best security camera for the outside should have an IP rating of IP65 or higher. A higher rating can protect cameras from outdoor water and dust more effectively. For example, the Reolink Duo 3 PoE has an IP67 rating, perfect for outdoor use.

Are outdoor cameras worth it?

The answer is yes. They can enhance home security by acting as a deterrent to potential intruders and provide surveillance. They offer remote monitoring capabilities and allow homeowners to keep an eye on their property from anywhere. The peace of mind, evidence in case of incidents, and potential property value enhancement further contribute to their overall value.

Conclusion

Selecting the best outdoor security camera involves considering factors such as IP rating, resolution, field of view, and night vision. The top choices combine advanced technology, durability, and user-friendly interfaces. Do you have an outdoor security camera at home? Share your experiences with us in the comment section below! Let's discuss together!