The best outdoor security camera can help monitor your property during the day and night, providing all the features required to safeguard your surroundings. Most of these cameras pair with other smart home devices, unlocking functions like voice control, continuous live video viewing, and more. You can achieve this through virtual assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or any compatible smart home protocol.
Best of all, virtually all outdoor security cameras on the market have easy-to-use apps that allow you to see what is happening, even when you are away. Here are the best options right now.
Top outdoor security cameras
TP-Link Tapo C500
Sees from all angles
TP-Link’s Tapo C500 has virtually all the desired features in an outdoor camera. It delivers quality footage in 1080p, has an unmatched viewing angle of 360 degrees, is IP65-rated, provides two-way talk, and uses AI for precise motion detection and tracking.
- Supports voice control
- 24/7 recording
- Weatherproof
- The app could be better
Very few outdoor cameras come close to the Tapo C500’s 360-degree viewing angle, making it ideal for those looking to view multiple areas with a single camera. It has two-way talk, allowing for communication with those at your door using Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Plus, it utilizes AI for accurate motion detection, so you’ll only receive alerts when necessary.
Another standout feature is the camera’s ability to store footage in the cloud or locally on microSD cards with a maximum storage space of 512GB. Also, it features a built-in alarm that you can customize according to your preference. Since it is wired, the Tapo C500 can record 24/7 footage and will keep you updated with smart notifications.
Night vision is decent, offering a view of objects and people not more than 98 feet away. With an IP65 rating, this outdoor camera can withstand just about anything that the weather may throw at it. If you are on a budget but still want quality, you can’t go wrong with the Tapo C500.
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera
Full feature set and great video quality
Consider the Arlo Pro 4 if you’re looking for pristine video quality but don’t want to shell out several hundred dollars for a complex system with a wireless base station. Its high resolution and HDR capabilities make the recordings easy to see in any lighting conditions, and it takes just minutes to set up and program.
- Compact design
- Conveniently battery powered
- Distinguishes between humans, animals, and vehicles well
- Not quite as premium as the newer 5S
- Requires a subscription to access all features
The Arlo Pro 4 fits the bill of a high-end security camera well. Its 12X digital zoom and 160-degree field of view are among the best on the market, and it’s one of the rare options with dual-band Wi-Fi support. Also, the built-in spotlight is an effective deterrent for would-be bad actors, and it’s relatively easy to set detection zones and sensitivity.
Just be aware of the Arlo subscription model. While you technically don’t need a subscription to use the camera’s basic features, the more advanced functions are locked behind the paywall. Luckily, though, it only costs about $3 per month. The other thing to keep in mind is that Arlo currently doesn’t offer the Pro 4 as a single camera, but rather in packages. And, for what it’s worth, the Pro 4 has been superseded by the Arlo Pro 5S, but the upgrades aren’t quite enough to justify the significant price increase.
Kasa KC420WS
A value that’s hard to beat
Kasa is known for a wide-ranging selection of easy-to-use smart devices, and the KC420WS is no exception. Its 2K resolution, two-way audio, and optional cloud and SD card storage make it one of the most versatile options available. To top it off, it’s not even very expensive.
- Above-average resolution
- Impressive night vision
- User-friendly design
- No battery-powered version
Like Kasa’s popular smart plugs, the KC420WS makes effective smart home technology available at a surprisingly low cost. It boasts nearly every feature you could need from a capable smart security camera, including dependable motion detection, consistent notifications, and two-way audio with a built-in siren. The company’s advanced Starlight sensor provides some of the best night vision on the market, thanks in part to two dual integrated spotlights that help colors pop even when it’s dark out.
You’re also afforded the choice of reasonably priced cloud storage or local microSD card recording, which isn’t the case with many competitors. The only nitpicks are its lack of a floodlight and wired power requirement. Otherwise, it’s hard to top this one as the best for most people.
Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera
Complete illumination
The Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is a slight upgrade from the 3rd Gen model but is still reasonably priced. It has a wide 143-degree field of view, streams videos in 1080p like its predecessor, offers up to two years of battery life, supports two-way audio, and more.
- Long battery life
- Sends alert notifications
- Easy set up
- Person detection requires a paid subscription
Effectively monitor your property regardless of how dark it is with the Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera — a battery-powered smart home camera with 1080p resolution, two-way talk, night vision, and other great features that will help you upgrade your security system. This outdoor camera is Alexa-compatible and works with all the latest versions of the Echo Dot, allowing for voice control. You can also pair it with Echo Show displays.
It has a relatively wide 143-degree field of view and provides a clear look at all things within the coverage area. Additionally, it has bright LED lights (700 lumens) with built-in motion sensors. As such, the floodlight will only turn on when needed, preserving battery life. Speaking of the battery, the Blink Outdoor 4 is energy efficient and offers up to two years of battery life.
The Blink Outdoor 4 Camera can also store footage locally and in the cloud, allowing you to choose the most convenient option. In addition, it has person detection and will send alerts to your phone when it detects motion. However, like most home security cameras, all the best features are hidden behind a paywall.
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro
High-end image quality and convenience
Straightforward setup and operation are calling cards of Ring’s video doorbell and smart camera offerings. The Spotlight Cam Pro, in particular, sports some premium features that others don’t, including comprehensive and easily managed cloud storage. The only drawback is that it’s so costly.
- Dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity
- High-contrast HDR video
- Advanced motion detection
- Limited Google smart home functionality
- Not cheap by any means
Those with an Alexa-based smart home can’t do much better than the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro. One of its big selling points is how easy it is to integrate with existing Ring setups, particularly the Ring Video Doorbell, which is among the best.
The app interface and powerful cloud storage utility make it easy to manage and customize. However, we don’t like that it lacks onboard local storage. The other big thing to remember is that it doesn’t support Google smart homes outside very basic functionality.
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On the bright side, it’s dual-band enabled, records crisp 1080p footage, and features bright LED lamps that will light up the target area for better coverage at night. It also has color night vision, making it even more convenient.
Google Nest Cam (Battery, 2nd Generation)
A premium price and a refined experience
Google’s smart home devices are known for being straightforward to use while offering a good amount of useful features. If you’re mainly using the Google Assistant ecosystem, the battery-powered, outdoor-safe Google Nest Cam is a no-brainer in terms of streamlined setup and use. That is, if you can afford the upfront cost and subscription.
- Easy to install
- A streamlined Google interface
- Excellent microphone configuration
- Doesn’t work great without a subscription
- Poor human/animal detection range
- Proprietary charging cable
The 2nd-gen Nest Cam Outdoor looks every bit the part of a Google device, with a compact build and clean lines that won’t stand out under your home’s eaves. It’s also equipped with the easy user experience we’ve come to expect from the Big G.
It’s easy to combine with multiple cameras over various interfaces, and it picks up audio significantly better than most of the competition. Take note, though, that you need a Nest Aware subscription to get anywhere near the most out of this cam. But if you love Google smart home devices (and many people do), it’s a solid choice.
Arlo Ultra 2
One of the best and most expensive
The Arlo Ultra 2 kit delivers top-of-the-line performance thanks, in part, to its standalone base station that provides robust wireless connectivity. That same base also makes it perfect for expansion with additional Arlo cameras. It’s far from cheap, but it’s great if you can afford the investment.
- The clearest image available
- Long-range wireless capability
- Base station offers onboard recording
- No free cloud storage
- Overkill for many users
If you demand the best, look no further than the Arlo Ultra 2. Its 4K resolution beats the rest of the pack, along with 12X digital zoom that ensures you won’t miss the details of anything that’s happening. Its use of a base station makes the cameras respond almost instantly, without the lag that some standalone cameras introduce.
You can also use the base to record directly to a microSD card if you want to avoid subscribing to online storage. Of course, the elephant in the room is that the Ultra 2 setup costs an arm and a leg. But, as with most things, you usually have to pay the price to get the absolute winner in performance and clarity.
Ring Stick Up Cam
They don’t get much easier to use than this
Fans of the Ring ecosystem will have a hard time overlooking this ultra-simple security solution. It works perfectly in tandem with the rest of the Ring lineup, and it’s as easy to install as they get. Its battery lasts reasonably long, it’s easy to recharge and replace, and there’s also a wired version available.
- Long-lasting battery
- 130-degree field of view
- Unflinching Alexa support
- Lacking some Google Assistant compatibility
- High battery drain with color night vision
Suppose you’re already the proud owner of any Ring cameras or video doorbells. In that case, the Stick Up Cam is a worthwhile choice, whether you want a removable, rechargeable battery or are OK with wired power.
Granted, you’ll want to get the subscription to unlock the most useful features, but that’s why this is such a great choice for existing Ring users. Those useful features include 180 days of retrievable video history, plus active capture and sharing of pictures and videos.
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Person detection is beneficial and reliable, and the “persistent visitors” feature draws extra attention to anyone lingering near your camera. We, however, noticed during testing that the color night mode drains the battery rather fast compared to daytime usage. All factors considered, this is a good outdoor security camera for those willing to pay for Ring’s Protect subscription plan.
Most effective smart home security cameras
When buying an outdoor security camera or any other home surveillance equipment, always remember there are things you can and cannot overlook. Data security tops the list of considerations for most users due to unexpected privacy breaches and encryption glitches. These problems affect even big brands like Wyze, which recently had an incident that made it possible for customers to view videos and thumbnail images of other Wyze users. For this reason and the lack of proper handling of previous security breaches, we won’t be recommending Wyze cameras until the company addresses these issues.
Luckily, there are plenty of more secure options out there. Finding the best outdoor security camera for your home can be challenging due to the range of available options. Factors like video quality, smart home compatibility, weather resistance, and available features should be considered. Whether on a budget or looking to go premium, you can find an ideal outdoor security camera in this guide.
The TP-Link Tapo C500 sits at the top because it is versatile, delivers quality 1080p footage, and boasts an impressively wide 360-degree angle of view. It also has advanced AI functions, making it one of the best outdoor security cameras you can add to your home.
The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera is a good premium option, offering 2K footage with HDR and other cool features you won’t find on low-budget cameras. It doesn’t require a hub and works with most smart home assistants. Those looking to pay less and still get value for their money will appreciate what the Kasa KC420WS offers. Like the Arlo, it captures crisp videos in 2K and is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
TP-Link Tapo C500
Sees from all angles
TP-Link’s Tapo C500 has virtually all the features you may look for in an outdoor camera. It delivers quality footage in 1080p, has an unmatched viewing angle of 360 degrees, is IP65 rated, provides two-way talk, and uses AI for precise motion detection and tracking.
