If anyone ever stole a package from your porch or broke into your car while it was in your driveway, the perpetrator likely disappeared long before you even knew you were a victim. You also likely never found out who committed the deed. If this sounds familiar, you should consider investing in an outdoor security camera.
These rugged smart home devices, which can withstand rain, snow, and extreme temperatures, typically connect to your home Wi-Fi network and allow you to view live video footage of activities occurring outside your home. They can also send an alert to your phone when someone or something is out there, record video of the event, and, depending on features, let you speak with whoever is on your property, all without requiring you to open your door (or even be inside your house).
Read on to find out what features to look for in an outdoor security camera, and check out our top picks. Note that several of the cameras on this list are suitable for use both indoors and outdoors. If you want a model specifically for keeping tabs on what goes on inside your home, head over to our list of the best indoor home security cameras.
The Best Outdoor Home Security Camera Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera
Best Overall
Why We Picked It
Sharp 2K video, wireless installation, and a generous feature set make the battery-powered Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight one of our top picks. In addition to working with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, the camera can interact with lots of third-party devices via IFTTT. In testing, it delivered sharp, colorful video during both day and night, as well as provided accurate motion alerts.
Who It’s For
This is a smart choice for anyone who wants a wire-free outdoor camera that does it all. It is very easy to install, works with lots of other smart devices, and has a built-in spotlight and siren that help keep unwanted visitors at bay. You also get some neat features such as motion tracking, auto-zoom, and intelligent alerts.
PROS
- Completely wireless and easy to install
- 2K HDR video
- Color night vision
- Works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit, and IFTTT
- Lots of third-party integrations
- Built-in siren
- No hub required
CONS
- Some features require Arlo Smart subscription
Wyze Cam Pan v3
Best for Pan and Tilt Controls
Why We Picked It
Most outdoor cameras offer a limited view of your yard and/or driveway, but the Wyze Cam Pan v3’s pan and tilt controls mean you can see your entire property. It captures vibrant 1080p video, responds reliably to remote camera adjustments, and detects both motion and sound. Support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT rounds out the package.
Who It’s For
If you need an outdoor security camera that lets you monitor your whole yard, this Wyze model is worth your attention. It offers versatile storage options, a handy Privacy mode (in which the camera points straight down and turns off), and an IP65 weatherproof rating, all at an affordable price.
PROS
- Sharp video
- Intelligent alerts
- Mechanical pan and tilt controls
- Local and cloud storage options
- Color night vision
- Lots of third-party integrations
- Weatherproof design
- Affordable
CONS
- Some features require a subscription
- Lacks HomeKit support
Wyze Cam V3 Pro
Most Affordable
Why We Picked It
For under $50, the Wyze Cam V3 Pro comes with several features typically only available on more expensive cameras including 2K video capture, color night vision, voice control, sound and motion detection, and motion tagging. It can also intelligently distinguish between people, pets, vehicles, and package deliveries. The camera delivered crisp 2K video in testing, while motion detection alerts were timely.
Who It’s For
Budget-conscious buyers should appreciate this camera’s affordable price, easy installation, and impressive feature set. You can use the camera indoors or outside, and if you supply a microSD card you can store video locally. It has a built-in spotlight that can illuminate your driveway or backyard when it detects motion, as well as an 89dB siren that can scare off intruders. You have to pay extra to access intelligent alert features, but the fee is nominal and gets you additional cloud storage.
PROS
- Affordable
- Local and cloud storage options
- Sharp 2K video
- Built-in spotlight and siren
- Intelligent alerts
- Motion tracking
- Supports lots of third-party devices
CONS
- Doesn’t work with HomeKit
- Some features require a subscription
Arlo Go 2 LTE/Wi-Fi Security Camera
Best for Cellular Connectivity
Why We Picked It
Although it isn’t cheap, the Arlo Go 2 earns our Editors’ Choice award for its easy wire-free installation, excellent 1080p video quality, and ability to connect from just about anywhere using either a cellular or Wi-Fi radio. A premium price means premium features including support for voice commands, lots of third-party integrations, intelligent alerts, a built-in spotlight, and color night vision.
Who It’s For
If you need to monitor a cabin, a boat, or a worksite where there is no electricity or Wi-Fi, this is the camera for you. It installs in minutes and uses a cellular radio to connect to your phone, thus allowing you to view live and recorded video or dial 911 if necessary. It can also use a Wi-Fi connection when one is available, provides long battery life with an option for charging via a solar panel, and can store recordings locally or in the cloud.
PROS
- Completely wire-free
- Easy installation
- Sharp 1080p video with color night vision
- Local and cloud storage options with intelligent alerts
- Uses both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity
- Works with Alexa, Google, and IFTTT
CONS
- Some features require a subscription
- Doesn’t support Apple HomeKit
Lorex 4K Spotlight Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi 6 Security Camera
Best 4K Camera
Why We Picked It
The Lorex 4K Spotlight Camera is fairly expensive, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. It uses an 8MP sensor to deliver high-resolution 4K video and offers intelligent motion and sound detection alerts. It also comes with a 32GB microSD card for storing event-triggered video locally, which means you don’t need to pay for cloud storage. Color night vision capabilities, built-in warning lights, and a fairly loud siren round out the package.
Who It’s For
If you require an ultra-high-resolution camera to monitor your property, this one is a solid bet. It’s easy to install, connects to your network via dual-band Wi-Fi, and can even stream video to Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest displays using Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. However, it doesn’t offer many third-party integrations. If you need a high-res camera that works with more smart devices, the Arlo Spotlight Pro 4 is likely the better choice.
PROS
- Sharp 4K video
- Color night vision
- Uses local storage
- Offers voice control
- Intelligent motion alerts
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6
CONS
- Doesn’t support HomeKit or IFTTT
Read Our Lorex 4K Spotlight Indoor/Outdoor Wi-Fi 6 Security Camera Review
Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
Easiest to Install
Why We Picked It
The Ring Stick Up Cam Battery is a battery-powered indoor and outdoor security camera that is easy to install and works with lots of third-party smart devices as well as other Ring products. We like its sharp 1080p video quality, accurate motion detection alerts, and long battery life, but would love for Ring to add a local storage option.
Who It’s For
A painless installation process makes this camera a solid choice if you don’t want to deal with wires or drilling. Simply charge it, pair it with the app, and place it anywhere you want, inside or outside. An optional solar panel extends the battery life indefinitely. You have to subscribe to a Ring Protect plan to access video recordings, but the $40-per-year fee is fairly reasonable considering you get 180 days of video history, person alerts, and rich notifications.
PROS
- Completely wire-free.
- Sharp 1080p video.
- Works with Alexa voice commands and IFTTT.
- Motion detection.
- No hub required.
- Built-in siren.
- Easy to install.
CONS
- Expensive.
- Recorded video requires cloud subscription.
Wyze Cam Floodlight
Best Affordable Floodlight Camera
Why We Picked It
As is the case with nearly all Wyze products, the Wyze Cam Floodlight is affordable. It pairs the Wyze Cam V3 with a floodlight fixture that shines bright and can support a second V3 camera for wider coverage. The fixture uses two LED bulbs to deliver 2,600 lumens (more than enough to illuminate most driveways and backyards) and has a loud 105dB siren to ward off unwanted visitors.
Who It’s For
If you want an affordable smart floodlight that can light up your property and record video when it detects motion, this is your best bet. Granted, you have to deal with electrical wiring to install it, but it’s an easy job and the mobile app walks you through the entire process. It’s an excellent, cost-effective addition to any home that already uses other Wyze devices.
PROS
- Affordable
- Detects motion and sound
- Bright LEDs
- Works with other Wyze devices
- Easy to install
CONS
- Doesn’t work with HomeKit
- No voice control
Wyze Cam Outdoor V2
Best for Remote Locations
Why We Picked It
For just under $75, the Wyze Cam Outdoor V2 offers an incredible feature set including color night vision, voice control, lots of third-party integrations, and local video storage. It delivered sharp 1080p video and accurate motion alerts in our testing and responded to Alexa voice commands without issue.
Who It’s For
Ideal for locations where electricity isn’t an option, this battery-powered camera is easy to install. It comes with a hub that connects it to your home network and uses an internal rechargeable battery that should last up to six months between charges. Or, you can hook it up to a solar panel and let the sun do its thing. Moreover, a Travel Mode lets you capture motion events without an internet connection, making this camera a good choice for monitoring vacation cabins, boats, and other remote areas.
PROS
- Reasonable price
- Sharp 1080p video
- Color night vision
- Local and cloud storage options
- Travel Mode adds versatility
- Lots of integrations
- Supports voice controls
CONS
- Requires a hub (included)
- Doesn’t support HomeKit
- Some features require a subscription
D-Link Outdoor Spotlight Camera (DCS-8630LH)
Best Storage Options
Why We Picked It
The D-Link DCS-8630LH is a moderately priced outdoor camera that packs lots of features to help you monitor your property. It provides crisp 1080p video and uses a bright spotlight and a loud warning siren to scare off unwanted visitors. You get local and cloud video storage, with one day of cloud-based video history for free, as well as intelligent sound and motion alerts and color night vision.
Who It’s For
This camera’s broad support for third-party integrations makes it a good choice for people with a large number of other smart home devices, including locks, lights, and thermostats. It has a built-in Zigbee radio that lets it work with other D-Link products, and it supports Alexa and Google voice commands. It’s easy to install, but not quite as simple to set up as the pricier, battery-powered Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight.
PROS
- Supports voice controls
- Color night vision
- Local and cloud video storage options
- Intelligent alerts
- Spotlight and siren
- Broad support for third-party platforms
CONS
- Doesn’t work with HomeKit
Read Our D-Link Outdoor Spotlight Camera (DCS-8630LH) Review
Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery)
Best Intelligent Alerts
Why We Picked It
A rugged indoor and outdoor camera, the Google Nest Cam packs a useful selection of smart features to help you keep tabs on your home. In addition to sharp 1080p HDR video, it offers face recognition, dual-band Wi-Fi, and intelligent alerts that know the difference between people, animals, and vehicles. It also sends alerts when it hears the sound of a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, or breaking glass.
Who It’s For
The battery-powered Google Nest Cam is a good fit for people who want a wire-free outdoor camera that installs quickly. It doesn’t work with many third-party devices, but it integrates seamlessly with other Google and Nest devices, responds to Google Assistant voice commands, and can stream video to a Google Nest display.
PROS
- Easy to install (no wires)
- Weatherproof
- Intelligent alerts
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Works with Google Assistant
- Face recognition
CONS
- Expensive
- Doesn’t support Alexa, HomeKit, or IFTTT
- Some features require a subscription
Read Our Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery) Review
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro
Best Ring Camera With a Floodlight
Why We Picked It
We’re happy that Ring beefed up its latest Floodlight Cam with lots of innovative features. New to this model are color night vision, 3D motion detection, dual-band Wi-Fi, and HDR video. Also new is a Birds Eye View feature that gives you an aerial view of where visitors have traveled on your property. In testing, the floodlight did a great job of illuminating our backyard and delivered sharp 1080p video.
Who It’s For
If you already own other Ring products, this camera should fit seamlessly into your smart home. In addition to support for many third-party devices, it offers intelligent alerts that tell you what triggered a motion event and lets you create custom motion zones with distance thresholds. Moreover, the 2,000-lumen LEDs and a loud 110dB siren should scare off unwanted guests and critters.
PROS
- Sharp HDR video
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- 3D motion detection and subject-tracking features
- Intelligent alerts
- Color night vision
- Works with Alexa voice commands and IFTTT
CONS
- Expensive
- Requires subscription to access video recordings
- Lacks HomeKit and Google Assistant support
Buying Guide: The Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras for 2023
How Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work?
Most smart outdoor security cameras use a Wi-Fi radio to connect to your home network, enabling you to access them from anywhere via a mobile app. Some models use Ethernet, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or a proprietary wireless technology to connect to a mobile app or a dedicated hub.
Wi-Fi cameras are simpler to install than their wired counterparts because you don’t have to place them near an Ethernet port or run any wiring. Battery-powered Wi-Fi cameras are the easiest to install because you can put them just about anywhere (as long as they can connect to your network) without having to snake a power cable around your home to plug into an outlet. These types of cameras typically use batteries that you can easily pop out and recharge with a USB cable, but they tend to drain quickly in colder weather. Bluetooth cameras are also simple to install, but you have to stay within 30 feet or so to connect to them via your phone.
Look for an outdoor Wi-Fi camera that can connect to either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio band to alleviate network congestion. If you have trouble getting a good signal outside, try boosting it with a wireless range extender.
Google Nest Cam (Outdoor or Indoor, Battery)
(Credit: Google)
What Type of Weather Can Outdoor Security Cameras Handle?
Any outdoor camera worth its salt must be able to withstand exposure to the elements and should carry an Ingress Protection (IP) rating. IP ratings contain two digits that tell you just how well the camera holds up under most weather conditions. The first digit following the IP prefix tells you how resistant the camera is to the ingress of solid objects such as wind-blown dust and ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (total protection against dust and dirt). The second describes how resistant the camera is to moisture and ranges from 0 (no protection) to 9 (protected against close-range, high-pressure sprays from all angles).
Most outdoor security cameras have at least an IP66 rating, which means they offer complete protection from dust ingress and can handle water jets from any direction. Although you shouldn’t submerge them in water, they are typically safe from blowing rain, snow, and sleet.
The best home security cameras for 2019 — Clarification Please
What Resolution Do You Need?
An outdoor security camera isn’t very useful if you can’t recognize who or what the camera captures. A 720p camera typically offers a fairly sharp picture, but 1080p video offers more detail and is the most popular resolution for these devices; 1080p recordings don’t require a lot of storage and are viewable on nearly every phone, tablet, and PC.
Cameras that capture 4K (Ultra HD) or 2K video are also available, but you need a strong network connection to stream such high-res video without choppiness or lag, plus lots of room to store recordings; that last requirement may result in expensive cloud storage fees.
No matter the resolution, try to choose a camera with a relatively wide field of view and make sure it can capture clear night-vision video. Most cameras use IR (infrared) LEDs to deliver black-and-white night video, but a few use white light to deliver full-color night video. Look for a camera with a night vision range of at least 30 feet.
Do You Need Motion and Sound Detection?
Nearly all outdoor security cameras feature a sensor that triggers the camera to record video when it detects motion. Most can also send a push alert to your phone (or an email) when the activity occurs. For an extra layer of security, look for a camera that can detect sound; these cameras can alert you if somebody is out there even if they’re out of range of the camera lens and the motion sensor. Fair warning: You probably have to tweak the sound sensitivity settings to avoid alerts from barking dogs, loud cars, and other random noises.
Some security cameras include a floodlight that can automatically light up driveways, pools, and other parts of your property when they detect motion. We include some floodlight models in this roundup, but check out our story on the best floodlight cameras for a wider selection.
If the camera has a microphone for sound detection, it likely has a two-way audio system that lets you speak with (and listen to) whoever is outside. This is useful for dealing with annoying solicitors as well as scaring off porch pirates and other unwanted visitors. For more ways to see and communicate directly with the person at your door, check out our list of the best video doorbells.
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro
(Credit: Ring)
How Do Security Cameras Store Video?
Cameras store video recordings in several ways. Many offer free cloud storage for a limited number of days (typically seven) before it is overwritten or deleted, while others are strictly subscription-based. If you require more than a week’s worth of video storage, you can subscribe to a 30-day plan to avoid worrying about losing important footage before you get to review and download it.
If you’re concerned about privacy and would rather not store your video in the cloud, look for a camera that offers a local storage option via a microSD card slot. A few cameras let you save video recordings to a portable USB or NAS drive, but these devices are rare.
And if you want the ability to go back and see everything, look for a camera that offers a CVR (Continuous Video Recording) plan. With this option, the camera records continuously and stores up to 30 days of 24/7 video in the cloud.
Recommended by Our Editors
What Else Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work With?
Many outdoor cameras do more than just record video and send alerts; they also integrate with other smart devices. Many recent outdoor Wi-Fi cameras support IFTTT, an internet service that lets you create applets that link the camera with other IFTTT-enabled devices. For example, you can configure a smart plug to turn on a lamp indoors or activate an external siren when the camera detects motion.
Support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands is also increasingly common. These integrations allow you to, for example, display video from the camera on a compatible smart display. If you have a home automation hub, look for a camera that works with your existing setup. That way you can integrate your security camera with even more smart devices like door locks.
We haven’t seen any that run on the Matter platform yet, but that’s surely going to happen at some point.
How Much Should You Spend on an Outdoor Security Camera?
Outdoor security cameras are generally more expensive than their indoor counterparts. They can range in price from around $50 up to a few hundred dollars or more depending on features. Plenty of affordable cameras offer good video performance, but, as with just about any smart device, you typically pay more for features such as motion-tracking, facial recognition, cellular connectivity, time-lapse recording, pan and tilt controls, additional storage options, and rechargeable battery power.
Check out our Readers’ Choice Awards to see which security cameras and brands other PCMag readers trust most. Once you find the camera for your home, check out our tips for setting it up.
For an even more advanced way to keep a set of eyes on your home, both indoors and out, explore our picks for the best smart home security systems. And if you prefer to go the DIY route, check out our tips for building your own home security system.
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