With the increased hustle and bustle of cities, especially in the metropolitan areas, daily life has gotten very fast. Instead of self-owned properties, more and more people are living on rent. Especially when fresh graduates move out of their houses, the idea is to go for an affordable spot around the city. And many a time, that affordable spot is an apartment/room in a larger residential building. On top of it, these plans could be followed by situations like not having a safe parking spot. And we realize how something like this can take a complete toll on someone’s mental health – you could end up worrying about your car/bike all the time. So, in order to protect your vehicles and keep them safe from damage and theft – the best possible solution is to install a motion sensor/sound sensor security camera. While it’s not possible to be on guard at all times, the outdoor camera (the crime repeller) does the job. While this practice is evident and inarguably fruitful for businesses, hospitals, hotels, etc., even homeowners now happen to be very inclined to the idea, let alone people living in apartments/portions. Therefore, given the sharp utility of security cameras, our team members have put together a list of the top outdoor security cameras in 2023.
We’ll also help you get familiar with all the information you need before going about your purchase. So, without any further ado, let’s begin!
People who are living in suburbs, more often than not, can get away with not installing any tough security systems. However, as more people move towards big cities and live in apartments, there becomes a dire need to put security cameras to use. Especially for the folks who are living in buildings with no dedicated parking spots, an outdoor security camera works like a wonder! And not just that, security cameras work like a dream for commercial purposes, theft prevention, crime prevention, and more! However, shopping for a security camera isn’t like buying a chair. You need to know what you’re looking for; how will you make the security system work, and how can you get the most out of your camera. But don’t worry, this buying guide covers it all! Everything you need to know before purchasing an outdoor security camera, it’s all here. So, without any further ado, let’s begin.
There are a couple of reasons why you may need a security camera. For instance, if you own a store, there’s an obvious need for you to have a security camera; not only for the security of your store but also for your customers. Places like banks, hospitals, grocery stores, malls, and more all need a number of security cameras to safely accommodate and secure all ends from a safety point of view.
If you’ve ever had your car stolen or somebody broke into your house and they got out before you had a chance to see them, you probably already realize the importance of a security camera.
A decade ago, home security cameras weren’t very advanced (there was no such thing as free cloud storage) and it was one hell of a task to put together a single cam let alone a whole system. Correctly drilling the holes in your walls, maneuvering the cords through the right spots, and finding an ideal location for your camera was quite a hassle. Fast forward to 2023, you can set up a security camera before somebody even finishes saying the word ‘surveillance.’
The point here is not to exaggerate but to throw the importance and perks of an outdoor security camera out there. You can now get your hands on a wireless security camera that features high video quality, night vision, weatherproofing, motion sensors, smart audio sensors, and can easily be set up within minutes!
Most cameras use Wi-Fi to connect to your home network and store video on free cloud storage. You can then use your mobile application or desktop application to access the surveillance footage. There are also some models that let you connect the camera through an ethernet cable, Bluetooth, and any other wireless technology for that matter.
Generally, wireless outdoor security cameras are better and should be prioritized over their corded counterparts. A wireless outdoor security camera is often battery-powered and the batteries can easily be popped out for charging. However, this is not the most useful approach since you have to place your cameras somewhere in reach. Plus, the batteries tend to drain very quickly in cold weather, meaning there is poor battery life. Apart from this, there are Bluetooth security cameras as well but they must be placed in a specific range for you to have access to their surveillance.
Ideally, a camera with Wi-Fi connectivity that can be connected to either 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio band should be preferred since it packs the least number of limitations and offers maximum benefits.
Most wireless security cameras are equipped with motion sensors – as soon as there’s a motion, the camera triggers and starts recording. This is ideal in terms of utilizing the storage space. Some companies add an extra layer of security by introducing sound sensors as well, ensuring that the camera will start recording even if the object is not in the range of motion sensors. For sound sensors, the sound sensitivity of a camera can be tweaked so it wouldn’t take the barking dogs or other natural sounds into consideration.
Lastly, if your outdoor security camera has sound sensors, it probably has a microphone as well and it may or may not allow two-way communication. That’s pretty much the gist of what you should know about the working of security cameras!
Before you go out hunting for a new outdoor security cam, let’s help you touch base with a few important factors to aid you in your purchase:
Security cameras come with all sorts of connectivity types – wired, ethernet, Bluetooth, USB, battery-powered, and Wi-Fi. We personally prefer Wi-Fi connectivity since it is the most flexible option.
If you want to go one step higher in your pursuit of securing your premises, go for an outdoor security camera with a motion sensor. A security camera with motion sensors triggers recording as soon as there’s a movement in crosshairs, which eventually helps with efficient storage.
The sound sensor layering over the motion sensor ensures that even if an object manages to escape from the eye of the camera, the camera still triggers the recording.
Resolution refers to how many million pixels can a camera record in a single frame. The higher the resolution is, the greater the quality you’ll have!
It’s the weatherproofing feature that makes a successful home security camera. A camera that can’t withstand rain, fog, and harsh weather conditions won’t be of much use to you in long term.
Depending upon the features, home security cameras range anywhere between $100 – $400. They’re usually more expensive than indoor security cameras for obvious reasons.
While an amount up to $400 is a general figure, you may find outdoor security cameras that are even over $400. The idea here is to not consider the price as a driving factor behind your purchase. Instead, see if the gadget you are going for delivers value and improves your lifestyle. If it does and you can afford it, then go for the purchase by all means!
If you want a quick demonstration on how to properly install an outdoor security camera, check out this video by Vivint.
Long-lasting and reliable operation becomes a breeze with this solar-powered security camera. It is perfect for outdoor surveillance for your home or business! We love that this outdoor security camera provides an impressive 320° horizontal and 90° vertical pan/tilt view, with 3X digital zoom and two-way audio, which offers a much broader and more flexible field of view than other cameras. It is small, compact, and easy to set up discreetly in most areas for secure recording.
The SOLIOM Wireless Security Camera delivers on its promise to provide a secure and comprehensive home security system. The high-quality 1080P HD resolution ensures the sharpest images, day or night. The four pieces of white LEDs making up the night vision ensure clear and colorful videos, even in very low light conditions. Installation couldn’t be easier, as the camera is 100% wireless and has a solar panel for recharging the battery. The highly sensitive PIR motion sensor provides accurate pixel analysis to reduce false alarms, while recording all human movements steadily.
The Wuuk Outdoor Security Camera Kit includes two wireless cameras and a base station. This system supports up to eight wireless surveillance cameras. This system can support up to eight additional wireless security cameras. The built-in rechargeable 9600mAh battery transforms the camera into a real wireless Wi-Fi option, ready to go in minutes. The smart camera is IP67 certified to withstand rain, snow, and even submersion in water. Every movement is captured on video, and the camera analyses whether or not a human is there based on the data it receives from its built-in motion sensor.
This is a waterproof, smart motion detect and alert, night vision, and multi-connectivity outdoor security camera by NETVUE and we’ve fallen head over heels for it. The best part? It comes with a two-way audio feature and lets you communicate with your visitors seamlessly!
This security camera has it all – Wi-Fi connectivity, cloud storage, motion detection recording, night vision, and most importantly the image quality is FHD! It comes with a cloud storage and privacy protection feature, allowing you to store your surveillance footage under encrypted algorithms (256-bit encryption/TLS encryption protocol). Plus, not only is this outdoor security camera compatible with your Wi-Fi but it also comes with seamless connectivity to Ethernet and Alexa; becoming the go-to choice for a diverse audience!
A: You can integrate many of the latest cameras with devices like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT-enabled gadgets. If you’re a fan of automation, you may even be able to link your outdoor security camera to your smart lock!
A: Well, if it’s not burning your pockets, there’s no reason as to why you shouldn’t buy cameras with motion and sound sensors. These features help you manage storage efficiently and most importantly, add an extra layer of protection to your security system.
A: Outdoor cameras come equipped with an IP rating (Ingress Protection). Most outdoor security cameras have an IP66 rating, the first number right after the prefix tells the protection against wind, dust, and dirt (with 6 being maximum protection). The second number after the prefix refers to protection against moisture and humidity (with 9 being maximum protection). The ‘IP66’ rating refers that your camera is well-equipped to deal with all weather conditions including fog, rain, and snow but you shouldn’t be dipping it in water per se.
