Are you surfing around for the best outdoor security camera systems that will suit your needs and fit into your budget? This article is for you, regardless of what you have at your disposal financially. Have you noticed how many choices there are out there?
<====== If you’ve felt like that guy
when trying to figure out
which product is best for you,
we’re here to make all of that a bit easier.
(But I do like his hair, just saying)
The reason that the following are the best outdoor security camera systems for everyone is because there is a wide range of pricing, abilities, and features in the products that are on the list- 15 in all. The list will start from the most expensive systems and work its way to the cheapest unit available.
So, here’s the question…..
“What’s right for you,” is something that has been repeated several times through this site as it relates to home security. The best way to deal with figuring out which system will serve you better is first to determine what you need and what you don’t need.
If there’s a fancy camera that catches your eye that has a ton of features that you may never need, are the extra features something that you’d be willing to pay more for? Or, would a cheaper unit with fewer features that you’d actually use, be better for your situation? Only you can answer that, and this list will help you to see what’s out there.
16 Best Outdoor Security Camera Systems
The largest thing that these cameras have in common is that they’re all outdoor cameras. Everything else is all over the map. Some are battery-operated, others wired- all kinds of different shapes and sizes.
All of the selected security cameras in this article are weather-resistant at worst, or weatherproof at best. To check out our reviews on other security equipment, check out these articles What Is The Best Indoor Security Camera for DIY? and What’s the Best Doorbell Camera? – 3 Top Contenders
Swann Floodlight Indoor & Outdoor Security Camera
Price: $499.00 US
- This is a Three Camera Set
- 2 Floodlights for Each Camera
- Two-way Audio- Through your app, you can listen to what’s going on and talk to anyone who has tripped the sensors. (Or you can scare the delivery guy; why not have fun?)
- A Siren can be Turned On or Off via Phone App
- Heat and Movement Sensors- When sensors trip when detecting heat or movement, notifications come to your device through your app.
- Video Streaming- Stream from your camera using the Google Assistant & Chromecast, Google Home Hub, or Alexa devices.
- 1080p HD Video Recording- Faces, license plates, and car types all come into view clearly, making it easy to identify intruders.
- Clips are saved for seven days locally, and secure cloud for free for up to 2 days. Thirty days is available through subscription.
- Hardwired
Google Nest Cam IQ – Outdoor
Price: $399.00 US
- 1080p HD Recording
- Person Alerts- The Nest Cam IQ is capable of distinguishing between people, pets, and other objects that cross into the field of view.
- 12x Digital Zoom and Enhance
- Integrated Intercom- A Speaker Microphone combo that allows you to interact with intruders, visitors, or even call the kids back into the house for dinner.
- Close-Ups with Automatic Tracking- If someone walks into the camera’s field of view, it will zoom in on the face and track them as they move through the scene. Using footage for evidence is easier when the culprit is more easily identified, and that is the point of this feature.
- Tamperproof Exterior
- Night Vision- Infra-red LEDs assist in illuminating the night vision.
- Hardwired
- With the IQ, a snapshot of the situation accompanies the notification sent to your mobile device.
Arlo HD Camera
Price: $278.00 US
- 100% Wireless Operation
- 720p HD Video Recording
- Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- The camera can be placed up to 300 feet from the unit’s base station.
- Night Vision- Arlo claims that the night vision can see up to 25 feet away in the dark.
Eufy Indoor/Outdoor Wire-Free Security Camera Package (If the link doesn’t go directly to the product, just type it in the search at the top)
Price: $269.88 US
- Powered via Rechargeable Batteries- Comes with a micro USB charging cable. They boast a 365-day battery life under normal conditions.
- 1920 Horizontal And 1080p Vertical HD
- Night Vision
- Onboard 16GB Micro SD Card for Storage
- Works with Alexa
- Anti-Theft Alarm- Deters people from trying to take out your camera without your knowing about it.
- They are equipped with technology that can tell the difference between a person or an object. This helps to prevent false alarms.
- Automatically records and sends instant notifications when sensors are tripped.
- Switches the picture to black and white when the lighting goes dim.
- Face Recognition Alerts
- Live Streaming
- 2 Way Audio- Each camera is equipped with a microphone and speaker.
- 2 Day Backup Power Supply
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
Price: $249.00 US
- 100% Wireless Operation
- Floodlights can illuminate up to 3000 lumens of light.
- 2k HRD- Allows for clearer details and more defined colors.
- Built-In Smart Siren- You can set how and when you want it to go off through your app, and you can also set it off manually if you wish.
- Auto Track and 12x Zoom- It will automatically get a clear profile of an intruder’s face and track them along the field of view.
- Night Vision- Color night vision is available as well as standard infra-red night vision illuminated by two powerful infrared LEDs.
- Microphone with echo and noise cancellation and also a full-duplex 2-way audio system.
- 1080p HD Video
- Floodlights have two modes- pulsing and constant.
- Activity Zones- You can create activity zones for the sensors to concentrate on, to avoid activity such as traffic or wind-blown branches from sending false alarms.
Ring Floodlight Cam
Price: $249.00 US
- Equipped with Two Floodlights- Combined, the two LED floodlights put out 1,800 lumens.
- 1080p HD
- Night Vision and Live View
- Advanced Motion Detection- The advanced motion detection will activate lights, recording, or alarm (or all of the above) when a person trips the sensor. Detection discriminates between people and objects. This is a help, so you don’t get a notification every time your dog crosses the path of the camera.
- Remote Activated Alarm- This unit is equipped with a 110-decibel siren.
- Two-Way Audio- You can either listen in on what’s going on or communicate with someone that is within the field of view of the camera.
- Motion Zones- You can set motion zones to remove the potential of false alarms caused by innocent passerby’s, pet zones, or other traffic areas.
- Compatible with Alexa
Ring Spotlight Cam Wired
Price: $199.00 US
- Hardwired- Plug into the wall wherever it’s convenient (through a window, or a pre-drilled hole through the wall to the closest outlet).
- Two Way Audio Featuring Noise Reduction/Cancellation
- Infra-Red Night Vision- Infra-red LEDs bolster the reach of the night vision.
- Motion Sensored Detection
- 110 Decibel Siren Alarm
- 1080p Full-HD Video Recording
- LED Spotlights- Lights come on to illuminate the scene when the sensors are tripped. However, the camera can be switched over to infrared manually in order to utilize that feature if you desire.
- Advanced Motion Detection
- Customizable Motion Detection- Customize where you want to be detected by creating monitored zones that cancel out the possibilities of redundant or false alarms.
- Compatible with Alexa and can be combined with other types of smart products.
- Instant Motion-Activated Alerts
Ring Spotlight Cam Wireless/Battery
Price: $199.00 US
Because this is a battery-powered version of the unit above, the features are the same. However, the freedom of installing this camera anywhere you want within the Wi-Fi range can be viewed as a feature all of its own.
For the DIY type of person, this feature may win you over compared to the wired version, despite having to keep tabs on making sure the batteries are charged. For difficult to wire exteriors, it can be a reasonable trade-off.
Google Nest Cam Outdoor Surveillance Camera
Price $199.00 US
- 1080p HD Video at 30 FPS
- A snapshot is provided with the instant trigger notification. Notifications are sent to a mobile app or sent to a predesignated email.
- Integrated Intercom- A Speaker Microphone combo that allows you to interact with intruders, visitors, or even yell at the neighborhood kids for playing around with your lawn ornaments.
- Sensors- Not only will the sensors let you know if there is an intruder who approaches, but it will also detect and report suspicious noises.
- Note: A monthly subscription will grant many of the features found in the Nest Cam IQ if, at some point, you wished to do so to expand the camera’s capabilities.
- This camera is compatible with various third-party services.
Logitech Circle 2 Wireless Security Camera
Price: $159.99 US
- Completely Wireless with Rechargeable Batteries
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- 1080p HD Video
- Night Vision- The night vision feature is good for up to 14 feet. This might not sound like much, but when you consider a porch or entrance way into the home, it’s a good deal of coverage.
- Free 24hr Secure Cloud Storage
- Customizable Alerts
- Customizable Motion Zones- Helps to eliminate false alarm notifications.
- Smart Location- Smart Location automatically detects when you’ve arrived at your home, and disables the security features so you can get past the sensors without issue. It pauses alerts when you arrive, and activates them when you leave.
- Two-Way Audio- You can listen to what’s going on or communicate with someone who triggered an alert.
Blink XT2 Outdoor/Indoor Security Camera
Price: $105.00 US
- Wireless- This camera runs off of two AA lithium batteries. Blink claims that these batteries have a two-year life.
- 2-Way Audio – Talk to visitors or intruders through the Blink app on your mobile device.
- Customizable Motion Detection- You can set up more accurate activity zones that will eliminate false alarms and provide more quality alerts.
- Free Cloud Storage- No monthly fees or additional costs required.
- 1080p HD Video Recording at 30 Frames Per Second
- Night Vision- The night vision is illuminated with infra-red LEDs.
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa
- Temperature Monitoring
iSmartgate IP Outdoor Camera
Price: $99.00 US
- 720p HD Video Recording
- Far-Reaching Motion Sensor- The motion sensor can detect movement that reaches beyond the camera’s view. When active, it will send an alert when triggered.
- Night Vision- The manufacturer claims that this camera can detect movement up to 30m away with the night vision.
- Two-Way Communication- Threaten trespassers with police, or say hi to friends at the door.
- Hardwired Operation- This unit needs to be plugged into an outlet.
- This camera is compatible with all other iSmartgate smart home products.
SimCam Alloy 1S AI Outdoor Security Camera
Price: $99.00 US
- Smart Detection- This device can distinguish between a person, pet, or automobile. It will only alert you to what you select to see.
- Long Range Sensor- A person can be detected to up to 60 feet away. As soon as a person is detected, an alert is immediately sent to your mobile device via an app.
- 100 Decibel Siren
- Two-Way Audio- This feature is equipped with noise-canceling, to eliminate static or white noise when in operation.
- 1080p HD Video Recording
- Suspicious Car Alerts- If a suspicious or unrecognized vehicle is within the sensor’s area, an alert will be triggered.
- Local Storage
Swann Thermal Sensor Outdoor Security Camera (If the link doesn’t go directly to the product, just type it in the search at the top)
Price: $74.88 US
- 1080p HD Video Recording
- Night Vision- This unit is equipped with infra-red night vision. Color video can also be achieved at night, using its light up to 32 feet.
- Bright Sensor Warning Lights
- Siren Alarm- Alarm sounds once sensors have been tripped.
- PIR Thermal/Motion Sensor
- True Detect™ PIR Thermal/Motion Sensor
- Hardwired
Zmodo Outdoor Wireless Security Camera
Price: $39.99 US
- 1080p HD Video Recording
- Works with Google Assistant
- Night Vision- Two infra-red LEDs help to give a more crisp night vision image. The manufacturer claims you can see up to 65 feet in the dark.
- Smart Notifications- Y0u can adjust when and why you receive alerts. This is handy to prevent getting alerts when daily expected interruptions might occur. Kids coming home from school is one example- any daily routine can be worked out, so you aren’t getting notifications of little value.
Bakeey IR LED Flashing Fake Outdoor Camera
Price: $8.99 US
- Battery Powered
- Has a flashing light denoting that the camera is recording to anyone who has taken notice of it.
- Complete Appearance of a Real Security Camera
If you don’t have the money, or if you don’t feel the desire to spend money on the real thing, these fake cameras are available. If you can’t get a good security camera to protect your home, why not give a good poker face to your house when any undesirables might come your way?
These can certainly cause someone to stop in their tracks when noticed, so make sure to place them where they can be seen. Unlike the real cameras, these are useless when placed in tricky spots.
Conclusion
There we have it! Sixteen different security cameras that all range in price and abilities. This page gave extremely brief descriptions of the capabilities for most of these cameras. The idea is to provide you a direction to go with, narrowing down between your price range and feature interests, rather than an exhaustive list of everything these cameras can do.
From here, if you found one or two that you’d like to learn more about, click the links provided to head to a page with more information.
Also, while digging deeper into one that caught your eye, be sure to have a look at reviews given by customers of each product. Doing this can steer you in the right direction- whether it would be a good idea to purchase, or to check out a different option.
You are welcome to leave a message below with any questions or comments you may have. And we invite you to return and give us feedback on whichever outdoor security cameras or any home security equipment you may purchase. Thanks for dropping by today!! 🙂
LOL! I had to laugh when I got to the end of the list and found a fake camera! HAHA! But what a great idea. I am limited on budget, and can probably afford one of the middle-of-the-road cameras for outside and the video doorbell (I also commented on the Doorbell Camera post of yours from recently. Great info!), and this decoy type of camera may just round out my system for a while until I can afford to add to it.
As with your other articles, thanks so much for the information. That’s quite a list of cameras you gave and it will simplify my search.
Awesome! No one would know what is a real camera and what is a fake one. Intruders aren’t willing to take the chance. They just go to the home without any cameras, and with no lights on outside, and with no dog, and with no thorny bushes by the windows. LOL Do you kind of get the drift here? We can take extra measures to make our homes less and less of a target for the idiots wanting to take our families’ stuff.
Thanks so much for your comments! 🙂
Darrin
Wow, that first one, the Swann Floodlight Indoor & Outdoor Security Camera, sounds like a winner. And for all you get, not that expensive. In today’s world, we forgot to INVEST! Pay more than we had originally planned for things that last long; so the average cost per day or month is low. And from what I read from you article, these expensive ones are worth every penny. Good idea you started off with those.
Yes! It’s definitely worth it to get a good camera. Of course, depending on a person’s budget, it’s completely understandable and a great move forward to purchase any camera that one can afford. The Swann system is top-notch and will fill the need for most people.
Thanks for your comments!
Darrin
Security is a basic necessity at home. It is essential that you feel secure with your family in your home. These cameras are good security systems. I like the Arlo Pro 3 with floodflights. Its mid range but has a lot of features. Night vision and you can link it to your phone to see the recordings. This is really good.Thanks for this review. I am going to purchase the Arlo.
Thanks for your comments! I’d love to get your feedback on here once you’ve tried the Arlo Pro 3 camera. I’m sure you’ll love it. But any reviews are helpful, god or bad.
Thanks again for stopping by. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing all this information. Being able to gather information on different products is something that will help me very much in making my decisions. I’m sure it will help others too! Getting a camera system that can help in ensuring and keeping the security is a must, and capturing everything on a recorder is nice. At least, it can help keep a lot of things at bay. Thanks for sharing this info!
No problem, Nath! I’m glad you benefited from this article. Stop by anytime and check out our other reviews.
Thanks for dropping in. 🙂
Darrin
I never thought there were so many different cameras available. My favorite was the Bakeey Fake camera for $8.99. I was not expecting to even see that on this list. After reading about all the previous cameras, that one actually gave me a chuckle to see a fake one on the list. You make a good point… even a fake one could deter an intruder if they aren’t expecting to see a camera.
I actually have been playing with the idea of getting a camera for my home. I don’t have any security system at the moment and am in the process of researching now. I know how important it is to protect loved ones and valuables in the home. So, I am looking for one that is compatible with Alexa as I do have the Alexa Spot in my dining room and it just so happens to be the first room at the front of my house. And I noticed many of the choices are compatible with Alexa.
I am definitely going to bookmark your site for future reference to check out the details of each one of these. I will probably have to stay away from the first one on your list as it is a little outside my price range. I appreciate the time it took for you to research the features of each of these.
Hi Bob! Thanks so much for your comments. Feel free to check out any of our other related posts as well as you search out the best cameras for your home. And you can ask questions or make other comments on here as well.
Thanks again! 🙂
It’s important to have a dependable and trustworthy efficient security system guarding your home so that you can feel safe in it and I think these outdoor camera security systems that you have recommended are exactly what fall under the above criteria. They seem like really affordable security systems and I’m really glad that I came across this article.
It’s great to hear from you and I’m fulfilled that people are being helped by the information we research and provide.
Thanks for your input!
Darrin
Security cameras in a home at this time has become as important as having water in the home because of the kind of security and assurance they give homeowners as we protect those we love. We got ours installed early last year in a very desperate decision because of rocketing cases of crime around here. Frankly, when perpetrators see a camera in your home, it seems to ward them off, and now I can see some of the very best home security cameras on the market to buy from thanks to your articles. And you’ll have to forgive me, I just noticed that after reading several of your reviews, I’m reso\pomding about the indoor cameras on the post regarding outdoor cameras. Oh well they are all important. I’ll definitely be buying some of each, outdoor and indoor.
Thanks for this article!
It’s all goo Suz! 🙂 Thanks for your comments and input. Please come back and give us a personal review of the cameras you choose. We’d love your input!
Darrin