Best Buy Surveillance Cameras Outdoor

While outdoor security cameras are most valuable when you're away and overnight, they are useful any time, as you can tap into an app for a live view whenever there's a trigger or you want to check on things.

The best outdoor security cameras include a high-resolution camera (at least 1,080p) and colour night vision to see clearly in the dark to make out not only figures but also faces. A wide field-of-view lets you capture more on the periphery, but a camera that captures down below as well is handy to see things like small animals or a package at the door.

Wired outdoor security cameras require installation, but many nowadays are wire-free, operating on rechargeable batteries. Some are even solar powered. Most important, the camera should be weather-resistant, able to withstand rain, snow, and harsh temperatures.

Note how and where footage is recorded: some outdoor security cameras require a subscription to a cloud service to watch footage from previous days, hours, or even minutes, allowing for 24/7 recording. Others record to a hard drive and/or an included (or optional) SD memory card with limited capacity and storage. Many subscription-based cameras come with a trial period.

Some outdoor security cameras have floodlight or spotlight options to shine a light on a specific area, like the car in the driveway or the walkway up to the porch. In some cases, you might find a video doorbell is the perfect option, not only providing 24/7 live view (and possibly recordings) but also alerting you when someone rings the bell.

The best outdoor security cameras are the first line of defense when guarding your home and property against intruders. These cameras can not only alert you to people and animals approaching your home, but can also let you take proactive measures, such as sounding an alarm.

We've divided this guide into two sections: Outdoor cameras without built-in lights, and outdoor cameras with floodlights or spotlights. (If you're looking for indoor cameras, check out our best home security cameras page.) The former tend to be more compact, while the latter are ideal if you want to replace an existing floodlight or spotlight. All have been tested in real-world conditions to see how they stand up to the elements, how well they illuminate in the dark, and how well they capture people, animals, and more.

The Blink Outdoor is the best outdoor security camera for those who want a truly wireless option for less than $100. The camera runs off two AA batteries (which should last up to two years), and communicates wirelessly with a small base station that's connected to your Wi-Fi network. Unlike Arlo's cameras, though, there's no solar panel option for keeping the Blink's batteries topped off. (Although This solar panel accessory is a game changer for security cameras like the Blink Outdoor camera).

While not the best outdoor camera overall, the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery is the best option for those invested in Ring's ecosystem. It's easy to install, has good battery life, and can be connected to a solar panel so you don't have to recharge its battery manually as often.

The Arlo Ultra is the best outdoor security camera if price is no object. Not only does it deliver the best video quality, but it also uses that extra resolution to enable digital track and zoom, which makes it easier to follow and ID a person as they move across the frame. A built-in spotlight also enables color recording at night, and it has dual microphones for better audio.

Despite its low price, we were generally pleased with the quality of video, though the floodlights tended to wash out people's faces if they got too close. If you have a second Wyze Cam, you can also connect it to the floodlight to increase your surveillance coverage. The cameras also have local storage, handy if your internet goes down. Like most other security cameras, you'll need to pay for Wyze Cam Plus if you want person and package detection, but at $1.99/month, it's far cheaper than others.

For those who don't have an outdoor light fixture, the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera is the best option for adding an outdoor security camera with a floodlight. This battery-powered camera is simple to install, has a bright 2000-lumen light, and has a 2K camera that can digitally pan and zoom, so you can get a better look at who's outside.

Like Ring's other security cameras, we really liked the 1080p video from the Spotlight Cam Pro's camera, which was sharp and clear both day and night. We also like that Ring offers this camera in several configurations to best suit your needs: the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Battery ($229), the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Plug-in ($229), the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Solar ($249), and the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Wired ($249).

You could spend a similar amount for the best home security system, but they don't monitor your cameras as proactively as Deep Sentinel. But, they're the best home security cameras if you're looking for active monitoring.

Battery powered: Many outdoor security cameras, such as the Arlo and Blink cameras, can run off battery power alone. That makes them easier to install, as you don't have to worry about running a power cord to the camera. However, this also means you'll have to either recharge or replace the batteries on a regular basis. Increasingly, companies are offering solar panels as optional accessories so you don't have to recharge the batteries as often.

Night vision: Almost all outdoor security cameras record good video during the daytime; it's nighttime video that really separates the haves from the have-nots. Most cameras use infrared lights to illuminate their subjects; better cameras will light the scene without blowing out the subject, so you'll be able to see details more clearly.

Extra lighting: Some outdoor security cameras, such as those from Ring and Arlo, have LED lights built in, so that at night time, you'll not only be able to see subjects more clearly, but you'll also be able to see better yourself if you're outside. Some have spotlights, which are good for a small area, while others have floodlights, which helps illuminate a yard.

Storage and storage fees: Most security cameras now require a subscription to either use all their features or to store video in the cloud. You'll want to refer to our best security camera storage plans for more detail, but before choosing a security camera, think about how many other cameras (including the best video doorbells) you're planning to install. The company that offers the best value depends upon how many cameras you want to use on your property.

As with the best home security cameras, we test outdoor security cameras outside our homes. We see how well they record video during daylight hours and at nighttime, and look at the detail of the recorded video, as well as the accompanying audio.

Outdoor security cameras can be used for all sorts of purposes, and your particular needs will determine which one is best. If you're looking for minimal upkeep, a camera with a power cord might be the best bet, whereas monitoring spaces far from a power outlet could make a battery-powered device a better option. In general, cameras with at least 1080p resolution, a wide field of view, night vision and deterrence features like a spotlight or alarm will serve you well. 781b155fdc