Having an outdoor security Camera is one of the most effective measures against criminal activities and an effective way to keep an eye on your property when you are out. Outdoor cameras are designed for outdoor use and are capable of recording high-quality video even at night or in bad weather. There are so many models available for purchase that it becomes very challenging to decide on the best outdoor security camera. This article will discuss the areas that you need to pay attention to when purchasing an outdoor security camera and give you our top picks.
Image Quality The biggest necessity that any security camera should possess is the ability to record high-quality footage 24/7. During the search for cameras, focus on the maximum possible resolution, night vision distance, and the viewing angle. 720p or 1080p is now the normal expectation from most of the outdoor cameras today which gives a good picture quality to help identify people and cars. The night vision infrared LEDs offer night vision up to 100 feet or more of black and white vision. A 140-degree wide view is larger, meaning fewer areas are not within the camera’s vision.
Outdoor Protection Outdoor cameras must remain functional in extreme temperatures, precipitation, snow, and sunlight for long periods. For the IP weather resistance rating, the device should have an IP65 or above since these will be fully protected against dust and can withstand low-pressure water jets from any angle. Some of the outdoor cameras can work in temperatures as low as -4°F/-20°C about their operating temperature. If you are burying any cables outside, make sure they are rated for outdoor use as well.
Power Source Three common options can be used to power an outdoor camera, and they include; Wired cameras supply constant energy, but they are installed by a specialist and need an outlet connection. Battery-operated cameras can be placed anywhere without restriction provided that the battery is changed from time to time. Solar-powered cameras use sun power to produce electricity, thereby allowing continuous operation in sunny locations with no need for cables or batteries.
Connectivity If you want to monitor video footage captured by your outdoor camera, then the camera must send the data through WiFi or another connection protocol. All standalone cameras establish their own local secure Wi-Fi network to directly connect to your phone and other devices. If you want to connect to a larger network, seek ONVIF Profile S to interact with NVR recorders or smart platforms. It also makes it possible to install cameras way beyond the coverage range of WiFi networks.
Smart Features The best outdoor cameras of 2021 not only capture what is happening in front of them but also use artificial intelligence and machine learning to look for people, cars, animals, and packages. As opposed to most other available security cameras, smart motion detection notifies you in real-time only of activity that is relevant rather than all moving objects. Two-way talk allows speaking through the camera from outside the vehicle using the smartphone application. Other features are Color Night Vision, Time Lapse, Cloud Storage, and IFTTT support.
Best Wireless Outdoor Cameras SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera SimpliSafe is another great no-contract outdoor security camera with 1080p video, motion detection, two-way audio, and wireless installation for under $100. It can be set up anywhere and on other SimpliSafe devices, and it can connect to WiFi without needing base stations.
Blink Outdoor Camera This affordable Blink Outdoor camera from Amazon offers smart features such as Full HD resolution, motion detection, integration with Alexa voice assistants, up to two years of battery life, and free cloud storage for less than $100. However, it does not have constant video footage, but it is one of the cost-effective options to use for outdoor filming and alert systems. It is easy to add multiple cameras into a whole-home Blink system.
Arlo Pro 4 Wire-Free Spotlight Camera The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Cam is the best in the market and comes with 2K HDR image quality, color night vision, 160° Field of View, Motion Tracking, and a built-in Spotlight. It does have to remain plugged in to operate, but thanks to its weather resistance, long-range wireless connectivity, and its smart intelligent alerts it is one of the highest-ranking devices available.
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro Ring’s Spotlight Cam Pro differs from other battery cameras by integrating rich features such as 1080p HD color night vision video, custom motion zones, sharp radar tracking, loud siren alarm, two-way talk, and bright LED lighting into one device. While most popular for providing clear views of the front door, this long-lasting camera is also great for outdoor surveillance of large yards and driveways, even in the absence of electrical power.
Best PoE Outdoor Cameras With PoE (Power over Ethernet), cameras can transmit information and energy through a single Ethernet cable connected to a nearby network switch, eliminating the need for batteries or other leads. If you have wireline networking outside, then PoE cameras offer the most dependable continuous operation, the highest video quality, and easy installation.
Reolink Argus Eco+ If you plan on installing the network cables to your outdoor areas, the Argus Eco+ is one of the most inexpensive PoE security cameras that has 2K HD video, color vision at night, intelligent motion detection, tracking, and free cloud storage on option. It can be coupled with any PoE switch or NVR recorder to serve as an easy yet strong entry-level outdoor IP camera solution.
Amcrest UltraHD 4K Outdoor PoE Camera: This highly durable Amcrest 4K outdoor PoE security camera offers 8MP video resolution, which most of the competitors do not offer at this price let alone half of it. It also has true color night vision ability, motion zones, custom automation rules, local storage, and secure remote access through iPhone, iPad, and Android applications.
Hikvision ColorVu PoE Camera The Hikvision ColorVu camera series makes street illumination and full 24/7 color imaging possible even in the complete darkness of 0 lux with the help of intelligent LED lighting and other smart camera features. Along with 4MP clarity, acoustic detection, warm supplemental lights, and sleek cabling, it is one of the most technologically and visually stunning outdoor PoE cameras despite its premium price.
This should help one take his/her time in assessing factors such as the location of the camera, power availability, quality of the video, and the smart features required to choose the right outdoor security camera for the given property and budget in the long run. If properly tested and maintained, a good outdoor camera is a worthwhile investment that brings peace of mind and definitive proof in case of an occurrence. Decide wisely depending on your requirements and be tension-free knowing the fact that your property is always under someone’s surveillance even if you are not around to supervise.
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