Stay Safe With the Best Outdoor Security Cameras

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.

Why Should You Get an Outdoor Security Camera?

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 2022, 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!

How Do the Best Outdoor Security Cameras Work?

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!

What things should I look for when buying an outdoor security camera?

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:

Connectivity type

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.

Motion sensor

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.

Sound sensor

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

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!

Weatherproofing

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.

How Much Should You Spend on an Outdoor Security Camera?

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!

How Do You Install an Outdoor Security Camera?

If you want a quick demonstration on how to properly install an outdoor security camera, check out this video by Vivint.