Purchasing and installing an outdoor security camera is one of the best steps that one can take to protect his or her property. But with the abundance of products offered today, it might be confusing to choose the right outdoor security camera. In the guide below, you will find information on how to choose an outdoor security camera as well as some of the top outdoor security cameras on the market.
Image Quality
The most crucial aspect of an out Doorbell Cameras is the resolution it offers. Any camera being used should have a minimum of 1080p high definition so that the quality of the videos taken is clear. It also needs to have night vision with a minimum range of 30ft for observing details in low light conditions and pitch darkness. Some models employ infrared night vision over LED lighting as the latter is not as likely to be washed out when the camera’s light bounces back from rain or other weather.
Field of View and Motion Detection
Check the field of view measurements so that you can see how large of an area the camera can cover. The average field of view in most outdoor security cams is between 1100 and 1300. The models that have a broader field of view up to 1800 can capture even a larger portion of your yard at once. Depending on the angle of view, the pan and tilt controls provide more control over what is captured in the frame.
You will also need a camera that has smart motion detection that then triggers notifications when motion is detected since outdoor areas have lots of movement from trees, and animals, which may not be of interest. High-end models have customizable motion zones where you choose the parts of the field of view that should initiate motion detection when crossed.
Weatherproofing
One of the major challenges that affect the functionality of outdoor security cams is the weather. Only buy models that are labeled as being weatherproof or weather-resistant. Some of the features like IP ratings represent protection from dust and moisture when operating while operating temperatures depict that the camera can perform under heat & extreme cold conditions. Storms and rains should not affect the product and therefore models with outdoor ratings should have sealed ports for protection from water damage.
Wireless vs Wired Set Up
It is important to compare the various aspects of wireless and wired outdoor security cameras when you decide to install your security system. Wireless cameras are more convenient in installation since you don’t have to deal with wires and holes. They include battery power or solar and this gives the user flexibility in where to install them. Nonetheless, wired cameras may suffer from signal interference issues when placed far apart from each other, and the footage is vulnerable to hacking en route. Hardwired cameras have more secure connections and stable power sources and thus no issues with dead batteries, but their installation costs are higher.
Local Storage versus Cloud Storage
Outdoor security cameras record footage to a memory card a networked storage device, or to the cloud. Cloud storage plans are useful for convenient storage and playback anytime, anyplace, whereas local storage grants full control of videos without charging extra fees. Advanced features such as facial recognition and long-term archiving are some of the features that are offered in cloud storage plans. Most cameras have local storage and cloud storage options; therefore, having both guarantees that you have an enhanced secure storage solution both physically and online.
Our top choices for the best outdoor security cameras.
Based on the above factors and comparing dozens of highly rated outdoor security cameras, these are the best outdoor security cameras to protect your property.
Arlo Ultra
The Arlo Ultra camera has features such as 4K HDR, auto zoom tracking, motion detection zones, color night vision, and smart alerts to provide broad area high-quality surveillance for outdoor spaces. It has a 180-degree diagonal field of view lens along with a built-in spotlight and two-way speakers. Despite being a compact security camera, the Arlo Ultra is rainproof in addition to having a three-month free trial to the Arlo Smart cloud plan that enables safe storage of all the footage recorded. Indeed, the top scores in video playback, motion detection, mobile alerts, as well as weather sealing, make this camera the best outdoor security camera on the market.
Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor camera records 1080p HDR video and has one of the highest video resolutions with 12x digital zoom. Some of the other features include facial recognition alerts, intelligent motion detection zones, and HD Talk and Listen two-way audio. At IP66 rating, you can take it out in the heat, cold, and rain, and see it in pitch black with the integrated infrared lighting. Nest Aware is an additional paid service that provides you with continuous recording of events captured by the camera for 30 days.
Ring Spotlight Cam Wired
The company called Ring has come up with Spotlight Cam Wired, which is a security light and HD camera in one device. It records at 1080p during the day and night and offers LED lighting in a circular pattern around the lens. Motion zones, text and voice notifications, and two-way talk help you keep abreast of the activity registered. Being a wired model, you do not experience battery or WiFi problems for constant recording and storing of the secure footage locally or in the cloud. Plus Ring’s Protect storage plans are quite cheap for reviewing weeks of footage per camera that triggered the alert. All in all, it is one of the most budget-friendly packed outdoor cameras out there.
Eufycam 2C
If you are on the lookout for weatherproof wireless security that is not expensive, then you might want to check out the Eufycam 2C. It might not have wires or monthly fees, but it has basic features you would find in other high-tier Nest Cam IQ, such as 2K resolution, night vision, customizable activity zones, and the ability to distinguish between people from motion detection. Local storage is accomplished with a wireless home base station with up to one year of local recording without cloud storage. HKSV support enables you to access and command your Eufy cameras, doorbell, as well as other Apple HomeKit, all from the same touch of your phone screen.
Wyze Cam Outdoor
The Wyze Cam Outdoor provides additional features such as color night vision, motion and sound detection, timelapse, and alert summaries at a very low cost for an outdoor security camera. Though image capture is limited to 1080p HD, you have whole picture coverage whether during the day or at night. Since it is battery-operated, it is quite portable and can be fixed anywhere apart from the house. It is suggested to use local MicroSD storage since two weeks of free secure cloud storage is available only with a paid subscription. If you want comprehensive property protection without overpaying, the Wyze Cam Outdoor is an economical beginner option for most households.
Take into consideration some of the special circumstances of your house.
The layout of your house, the quantity and type of lighting at the outside of your home, and the overall security within your neighborhood will help determine which type of outdoor security camera system is right for you. The following breakdown will help you understand why video quality, motion alerts, weatherproofing, wireless options, and secure storage are important when choosing the models. Gather an overview of your exterior spaces and what seems most important to document concerning budgets and current conditions of security. The models discussed here offer the best choices that are laser-focused on the main goal of keeping intruders at bay by monitoring their activities through technological means and obtaining very clear images that leave no room for uncertainty around the perimeter of your property.
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