Best Outdoor Security Cameras of 2025
Our number one pick, ADT and Google Nest, combine their technology to offer unique security features designed to protect the perimeter of your home.
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Last Updated on Apr 03, 2025
- ADT uses Nest’s facial recognition technology to disarm you system and unlock smart locks for trusted regular guests
- Create automations to switch on lights when motion is detected
- Award-winning professional monitoring with 12 centers to ensure it’s always online
- Battery-powered setup allows the camera to go wherever you needs it to be
- Backed by the SimpliSafe security system for full indoor and outdoor coverage
- Optional Active Guard Outdoor Protection with live video monitoring
- All Ring cameras pair well with Alexa smart speakers and displays
- Outdoor cameras can come with a built-in spotlight or floodlight, depending on the model
- Each Ring outdoor camera have multiple power options, including solar, battery, and a standard power cable
You’ve likely heard stories about using fake outdoor security cameras to deter thieves. Well, the data shows that tactic has mixed results and if you’re going to go through all that trouble, why not just install the real thing? The cost of outdoor security cameras has come down significantly in recent years and many of them are a breeze to install. On top of that, modern security cameras use state of the art technology for features like facial recognition.
We’ve tested a lot of the latest outdoor security cameras and our favorite right now is from ADT. With an ADT monitoring plan, Nest security cameras use AI to recognize familiar faces and unlock doors for them. It can even activate other products like smart bulbs and thermostats. We’ve also seen some great devices from SimpliSafe, Arlo, Blink, Lorex, Nest, Ring, and Wyze. Let’s zoom in on our top picks to see which real cameras you should install.
What are Outdoor Security Cameras? Indoor and outdoor cameras are pretty similar, except outdoor cameras are built to withstand the elements. Both types can stream and record videos, detect motion, and offer two-way talk. Some outdoor cameras have a high-powered spotlight or floodlight and offer more advanced features like motion-activated lighting.
>> Read More: Best PoE Security Cameras
A Quick Overview of Outdoor Cameras:
- Outdoor cameras are built with weatherproof housing to protect them from the elements.
- Video quality, night vision, and smart motion detection are the most important features in outdoor cameras.
- Lorex sells the widest selection of outdoor cameras; we found them surprisingly smart and high-tech in our Lorex review. See for yourself.
How We Picked The Best Outdoor Cameras
Besides being weatherproof, outdoor cameras act as the eyes and ears of your property. They can spot an intruder or a porch pirate. They can also provide law enforcement with evidence of a crime that happened in your neighborhood. Parents can also use an outdoor camera to keep an eye on their kids playing in the yard.
We’ve been testing security cameras for over a decade now, and we’ve learned that the most essential features of outdoor cameras include:
- High-quality video resolution: Since they need to monitor wider areas, they need to be able to capture clear footage in any lighting condition.
- Clear night vision: Nighttime videos tend to become grainier compared to daytime videos, so outdoor cameras need clear night vision during one of the most critical times of the day – at night.
- Video recording: There’s so much going on outdoors, from vehicles passing by to small animals and critters running around the lawn. A good outdoor camera can recognize important events through motion detection and artificial intelligence and record them for future playback.
- Two-way audio: The mere sight of a security camera can send intruders packing, but in case it doesn’t, two-way audio can help you protect your home even when you’re not there.
By looking at those features, comparing security cameras that offer them, and testing those cameras ourselves, we were able to round up the best outdoor security cameras available. So without further ado, here are the best security cameras to use outdoors – from the most rugged to the smartest.
Pro Tip: Never miss a beat with the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro paired with a SimpliSafe security system. Learn more in our SimpliSafe review (you’ll love the Video Verification feature).
Outdoor Security Cameras Overview
| System |
ADT
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SimpliSafe
|
Ring
|
Nest
|
Arlo
|
Wyze Cam Outdoor v2
|
Blink Outdoor
|
Lorex
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
| Ratings | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Price | $179.99+ | $199.99 | $99.99+ | $179.99+ | $179.99+ | $73.99+ | $99.99+ | $99.99+ |
| Resolution | Up to 1080p | 1080p HD | Up to 1080p | Up to 1080p | Up to 2160p | Up to 1080p | Up to 1080p | Up to 2160p |
| Field of View | Max of 130° | 140° | Max of 140° | Max of 130° | Max of 180° | Max of 130° | Max of 110° | Max of 160° |
| Monthly Plan | $39.99+ | $4.99+ | $3.00+ | $6.00+ | $2.99+ | $1.67+ | $4.99+ | N/A |
| Read Review | ADT Review | SimpliSafe Review | Ring Review | Nest Review | Arlo Review | Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 Review | Blink Outdoor Review | Lorex Review |
The Best Outdoor Cameras of 2025
- ADT - Best Outdoor Security Camera with Professional Monitoring
- SimpliSafe - Best for Crime Prevention
- Ring - Best Outdoor Security Cameras for Alexa
- Nest - Best DIY Outdoor Cam
- Arlo - Best Wireless Outdoor Security Cameras
- Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 - Best Outdoor Security Camera with Local Video Storage
- Blink Outdoor - Most Affordable Outdoor Cameras
- Lorex - Best Hardware and Technology
A Closer Look at our Top Picks
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1. ADT
View Packages Links to ADTProduct Specs
Resolution Up to 1080p Field of View Up to 128° Power Wired, battery Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet Video Storage Cloud Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home ADT offers the Google Nest Cam and Google Nest Cam with Floodlight for outdoor protection. The specs are similar between the two, except the Nest Cam with Floodlight adds a motion-activated light and color night vision. But both models are IP54 water-resistant, have two-way audio, and recognize faces day or night – which unlocks one of ADT’s best features, Trusted Neighbor.
Scrolling through some of the familiar faces our Nest Cam recognizes Facial Recognition and Trusted Neighbor
Trusted Neighbor was our favorite feature when reviewing ADT. The Nest Cams recognize familiar faces walking toward your door. Once verified, the system can disarm and unlock smart locks for access. It’s handy if you have a friend watering your plants while you’re on vacation. It’s also a lifesaver in an emergency. For example, if there’s a fire and your pets are inside, you can use Trusted Neighbor to unlock the door for neighbors.
FYI: Nest Cams recognize more than just faces. We received different notifications for package deliveries versus vehicles entering our driveway. The outdoor cameras also alerted us when our cat wandered past to sunbathe on the front step.
Monitor What’s Important
Personalized alerts for every motion event can get overwhelming fast. You can toggle alerts manually, but activity zones simplify things by focusing cameras on the most important areas around your house. We outlined our front yard so the Nest Cams would ignore sidewalk pedestrians and street traffic.
Professional Monitoring and Installation
For all of these features, you’ll need an ADT subscription. Unlike our next pick, SimpliSafe, camera support is only available on ADT’s most expensive package. The Complete plan is $39.99 per month if you install your ADT system yourself and $49.99 per month for professionally installed systems. While it’s pricier than some competitors, it’s worth it. You’re not just paying for cameras, you also get 24/7 professional monitoring, cellular backup for power outages, and video verification, which can speed up emergency responses.
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2. SimpliSafe - Best for Crime Prevention
View Packages Links to SimpliSafeProduct Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $249.96 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs Starts at $21.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home SimpliSafe is one of the top home security systems, and it’s known for being simple yet effective. In keeping with this mission, SimpliSafe only offers one outdoor camera. However, we strongly believe it’s the best option on the market.One reason is the hardware. The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro is battery-powered and has an IP 65 rating. When we reviewed the SimpliSafe outdoor camera, it lived for about 4 months before running out of charge. It also had good video quality (1080p with HDR), two-way audio, solid night vision aided by a spotlight, and a 140-degree viewing angle. Those aren’t particularly exceptional, but as we’ll discuss next, it’s how SimpliSafe uses those features to deter crime that makes this outdoor camera special.
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Pro installed along our property’s fence. Active Guard Outdoor Protection
One major drawback with this camera is that you can’t use it as a standalone device. It must connect to a SimpliSafe base station that acts as the brains of your security system. Because we highly recommend a SimpliSafe security system anyway, this isn’t a big drawback for us.
Having this camera as part of a bigger system gives you access to the Active Guard Outdoor Protection feature, available with the Pro and Pro Plus SimpliSafe subscriptions. With Active Guard, SimpliSafe agents can handle any incidents picked up by your outdoor camera. You can go for overnight protection for $49.99 per month or 24/7 protection for $79.99. Expensive? It’s more expensive than ADT, but it’s worth it, in our opinion. If the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera detects a potential intruder, agents can use the microphone and speaker to talk to strangers trespassing on your property. These top-tier subscription plans also give you cellular backup, and provide cloud storage for up to 10 SimpliSafe cameras.
FYI: When we tested this feature, we learned that the outdoor camera uses AI person detection to fine-tune its alerts. It didn’t trigger Active Guard when a cat wandered into our yard, but it did when the pizza delivery guy came to deliver our dinner.
All-Around Protection
The Outdoor Camera Pro is just one of the four available SimpliSafe cameras. If you also want front door protection, we’ve reviewed the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro and it was pretty good. It’s hardwired, but it didn’t take us long to set it up.
SimpliSafe agents can also protect the inside of your house if you have the Wireless Indoor Camera. This feature, Intruder Intervention, is included in the Pro and Pro Plus plan prices. But hopefully the SimpliSafe agents won’t need to access it, as they do a pretty good job of turning people away using the Outdoor Camera Series 2 and its built-in siren and spotlight.
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3. Ring - Best Outdoor Security Cameras for Alexa
View on Amazon Links to Amazon.comProduct Specs
Resolution Up to 1080p Field of View Up to 155° Power Wired, battery, PoE, solar Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet Video Storage Cloud Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home 
Ring is more than a video doorbell company. The Amazon brand has expanded into security cameras for the whole house. You don’t even need to buy a monitoring plan. Ring has a self-monitoring option that’s free. But we recommend signing up for a subscription as there are some great features like cellular backup and cloud storage for up to 180 days that make it worth your while.
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro with its light on Great Selection of Outdoor Cams
The outdoor security camera selection from Ring was impressive. While ADT and SimpliSafehave just one or two models, Ring has multiple options. For power, we were offered our choice of batteries, solar energy, or plug-in equipment. The cameras were priced fairly and had the best outdoor security features overall. Before discounts, Ring outdoor cameras started at $99 and up. Examples of special features on Ring’s weatherproof cameras included sirens, two-way talk, LED floodlights, and infrared night vision. The 100-decibel sirens on Ring’s outdoor cameras were activated via the motion of a trespasser or when we pressed a button in our Ring mobile app.
>> Learn More: Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras
Now, if you want security sensors in addition to security cameras, you could integrate a Ring Alarm security system. It’s a simple DIY solution with wireless sensors for security and home safety. The Ring Alarm is great for indoor monitoring, and with Ring’s outdoor cameras keeping watch of the perimeter, you’ll have a ring of security around your home.
Ring Alarm Equipment with Alexa We also liked that Ring integrates well with Alexa, the Amazon-made voice assistant. In particular, we enjoyed using Ring cameras with Alexa smart displays like the Echo Show 8 we reviewed. We could say commands like, “Alexa, show me my front lawn,” and the Ring cameras would start streaming live footage.
Ring works with Google smart displays too, like the Google Nest Hub we reviewed, but since Ring is owned by Amazon, we much preferred using Alexa.
These features were included with some or all weatherproof Ring camera models:
- 1080p resolution
- Custom motion zones
- Infrared night vision
- Two-way talk
- Spotlight
- Siren
Typical setup time took five to 20 minutes per security camera, depending on its design, and no hardwiring was required.
Affordable DIY and Pro Monitoring
Ring has three plans you can choose from. The Basic plan is $4.99 per month, but only covers one home doorbell or camera. But it does include a generous 180 days of video event history.
If you’re going to surround your home with Ring cameras, you’ll want the Standard ($9.99 per month) or Premium plan ($19.99 per month). These two subscriptions add a lot of extra benefits, like multi-cam live view, cellular backup for the alarm system, and extended warranties. You can also add professional monitoring for an extra $10 per month, although this service only applies to the Ring Alarm/Alarm Pro security system. Unlike SimpliSafe, security camera monitoring from Ring is expensive – it starts at $99.99 per month and have ad
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4. Nest - Best DIY Outdoor Cam
View on Amazon Links to Amazon.comProduct Specs
Resolution Up to 1080p with HDR Field of View Up to 130° Power Wired, battery Connectivity Wi-Fi Video Storage Cloud Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home
The Nest Cam is available as a standalone product without an ADT subscription. You’ll lose features like 24/7 professional monitoring and Trusted Neighbor, but the cameras still send personalized alerts for people, animals, and vehicles. If you’re trying to cut down false alarms, they can even ignore movement caused by animals and vehicles. We also like that it has facial recognition when added to a Nest Aware plan. We think that’s a great feature to have in an outdoor camera.
Nest Camera and box As you can probably tell from its name, the Nest Cam (battery) is a battery-powered camera. That made our installation a lot easier compared to when we did Lorex. We didn’t need to plug it in and it connected to our Wi-Fi easily.
There was another outdoor Nest Cam though, but it requires hardwiring because it has built-in floodlights. It’s less versatile than the battery-powered Nest Cam, but should you need floodlights with a security camera, it could be a good choice. Just be prepared to pay an electrician to set it up. It needs to be hardwired to a junction box.
FYI: If possible, connect your outdoor cameras to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, not 5 GHz. The former has a wider wireless range, so it’s better for security cameras you might have to place far from your router.
About CVR, Do-It-Yourself Monitoring, & Pro Monitoring
You might not need an ADT subscription to use Nest Cams, but you’ll still pay a monthly fee – and it’s affordable. We paid $8 per month for unlimited cameras, or you can sign up for one year and pay only $80. If you need continuous recording, it will cost you $15 per month or $150 for the year. Here’s what’s included in the plans.
Nest Aware Nest Aware Plus $8/month or $80/year $15/month or $150/year 30 days of event history clips 60 days of event history clips No CVR 10-day CVR Familiar Face alerts Familiar Face alerts Access to e911 Access to e911 FYI: Cloud-reliant security cameras like the Nest Cams are unable to store recordings when they’re offline. However, we found that the Nest Cams can record event clips locally onto their internet storage for up to an hour. This works great as backup for when your Wi-Fi is down.
Just be aware that Nest’s CVR uses cloud storage – meaning it’s bandwidth-heavy. If you have more than two cameras constantly uploading video clips to the cloud, your Netflix stream might end up looking a little pixelated.
You should also note that CVR won’t work if your Nest Cams are running on batteries. If you have the Nest Cam (battery), you’d need to plug it into a weatherproof outdoor plug. That kind of defeats the purpose of buying a battery-powered outdoor camera, but sadly, that’s the only outdoor Nest Cam that doesn’t have hulking floodlights built in.
The upside, compared to Lorex’s DVR continuous recording, is you get that 10-day history in full. That’s longer than the seven-day history of our four-camera Lorex system. You also don’t risk losing your recordings due to a damaged recorder, since the videos are stored off-site in a server somewhere. You do have to make sure your Wi-Fi is always running, but in case it fails, Nest Cams can still record event videos (not CVR) locally for a brief period until your Wi-Fi is restored.
FYI: Well, maybe not so safe. Security systems and cameras can be hacked, especially if they’re connected to the internet 24/7. So when using a cloud-recording security camera, make sure your network is secure.
Four samples of Nest Cam video quality Compatibilities
As you would expect, Nest Cams can be operated with Google Assistant. We connected ours to the Google Home speaker to use voice commands. Some of the things we asked were to stream the garage camera on the TV and save videos to our Android smartphone.
We also used voice to control other equipment monitored by the Nest hub. For example, we got a child’s room ready for bed by saying, “Okay, Google. Dim the lights in the baby’s room.”
Overall, Nest was the best option for DIY security cameras with continuous recording. They even offered professional installation for $79.
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5. Arlo - Best Wireless Outdoor Security Cameras
View Packages Links to ArloProduct Specs
Resolution Up to 4K HD Field of View Up to 180° Power Wired, battery, solar, PoE Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet Video Storage Cloud Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home
For people seeking totally DIY home security, Arlo offered the best selection of outdoor wireless security cameras for $189 and up. Color night vision, floodlights, and facial recognition were among their special features. We chose from three lines of cameras that worked indoors or out. The main difference among these was the resolution: 1080p for the Essential line, 2K for the Pro line, and 4K for the Ultra.
Arlo Pro 5S 2k mounted outside The Pro 5 2K is the standout to us with its 2K HDR video, color night vision, and impressive 12x zoom. It also has a 160-degree field of view and can last up to eight months on a single charge. That’s better than the Nest Cam’s three-month average. You can get your hands on this for just $179.99.
For something more advanced, you could grab the Ultra 2. It’s the most advanced security camera in Arlo’s lineup. It has a 180-degree view, 4K HDR, and it sends instant alerts the second motion is detected. The Ultra 2 has a built-in siren that sounds automatically when motion or audio is detected, so it can scare off intruders like SimpliSafe’s Active Guard Outdoor Protection. We also learned we could trigger it manually from the Arlo smartphone app and used it to scare raccoons off our garbage bins.
We’re also impressed by Arlo’s collection of indoor video security cameras. The Essentials Indoor 2K is a plug-in indoor camera that’s only $79.99. It has 2K video, night vision, and two-way audio. We like that it as an automatic privacy shield so that the camera only starts operating when it detects motion. It even has a siren, which is something the SimpliSafe Wireless Indoor Camera doesn’t have.
>> Related: Defender Security Camera Review
Monitoring Arlo Cameras
The Arlo app made monitoring Arlo cameras a breeze. All the cameras we added to our account appeared on the app, and from there, we were able to check on them, use features like two-way talk, activate their built-in smart lights and sirens, and review recordings.
Camera view and events on the Arlo Secure app Speaking of recordings, Arlo cameras need a cloud subscription, and it’s more expensive than that of Nest. 30-day event recording starts at $7.99 per camera or $12.99 for unlimited cameras. It costs almost $5 more than Nest Aware. But when you think about it, it’s not that bad. Arlo offers 4K cameras that require more storage space than Nest Cam’s 1080p cameras. So if you want to take full advantage of the pricier cloud subscription, consider adding 2K and 4K Arlo cameras to your setup.
Pro Tip: Another option is to pay your Arlo subscription annually. Arlo discounts plans by 20-percent when you pay for 12 months upfront.
Features
Some special features of Arlo Pro outdoor security cams include:
- Wire-free installation
- Color night vision
- Motion-activated spotlights
- Facial recognition
- White, black, and camouflage print
- Arlo Pro 3 and Arlo Ultra support Apple HomeKit.
Arlo’s main products were indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, and security floodlights. All in all, Arlo has the best deals on high-end home security cameras that we monitored ourselves. Their three weatherproof options covered the spectrum from 1080p to 4K, with infrared or color night vision. Discounts were given on two or more, and Arlo cloud storage for continuous video recordings was low-priced.
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6. Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 - Best with Local Video Storage
View on Amazon Links to Amazon.comProduct Specs
Resolution Up to 2K HD Field of View Up to 130° Power Wired, battery, solar Connectivity Wi-Fi Video Storage Cloud, local Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home 
Wyze is best known for its value cameras, and the Wyze Cam Outdoor v2 is one of the latest additions from the brand. At $73.99 for a starter kit, it’s definitely a good purchase. It has a slew of value-adding features, like its six-month battery life, its use of PIR motion detection, and its ability to listen for smoke and CO alarms.
Our favorite feature has to be its support for local storage. Like most cameras from Wyze, the Wyze Cam Outdoor has an expandable local storage via a microSD card. It supports microSD cards up to 32 GB, and simply plugging one into the camera activates continuous recording. Even though the camera is small, it’s quite capable of protecting homes because of that.
Wyze Cam OG and Wyze Cam OG Telephoto The Wyze Family
The Wyze Cam v2 is just a part of the larger Wyze family of security cameras. And technically, almost every Wyze camera model can work as an outdoor camera. The base model, the Wyze Cam v3, is IP65 weatherproof. Just give it an outdoor-ready power cord and it’ll work outdoors.
The same is true for the more AI-heavy Wyze Cam v3 Pro, which has the same body as the Wyze Cam v3 but an upgraded 2K image resolution and faster AI detection.
Together, these other Wyze cameras can help the battery-powered Wyze Cam Outdoor make your home more secure.
Affordable Cloud Storage and Monitoring
Another thing that sets Wyze apart from the competition is that it can be monitored professionally, just like ADT.
Here’s how it works:
When the monitored camera is triggered, its AI will kick in to determine if a person triggered the motion sensor or something else. If it’s not a person, it will only notify you. If it’s a person, the camera will send footage to the monitoring center. There, an agent will verify the alarm. If it’s a real alarm, they’ll try to get in touch with you and at the same time call the police if necessary.
Professional monitoring is available through the Wyze Cam Protect plan, which costs $3.99 per month per camera.
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7. Blink Outdoor - Most Affordable Outdoor Cameras
View on Amazon Links to Amazon.comProduct Specs
Resolution Up to 1080p Field of View Up to 143° Power Battery, wired, solar Connectivity Wi-Fi Video Storage Cloud, local Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa 
Blink sells dependable security cameras for as low as $34.99 and up and outdoor cameras (named Blink Outdoor) for as low as $99.99. Its cameras include mobile alerts and a bit of local storage via the Sync Module 2 without monthly fees, helping the brand and the Blink Outdoor take credit for being the most affordable outdoor camera option.
Blink Outdoor 4 Camera Cameras by Blink weren’t feature-rich but were good value for DIY video security. They were easy to install, had motion detection with customizable zones, and recorded with infrared vision at night.
How much storage did Blink provide for free? Each Sync Module 2 can connect with up to 10 Blink cameras, and while it doesn’t have any sort of built-in video storage, you can plug in a USB flash drive up to 256 GB to use as storage. Given the Blink cameras’ video resolution, 256GB should be enough to store months of motion and sound event videos.
If you wish to have cloud backup, though, Blink’s cloud plans are affordable, too. They start at $3 per month for 60 days of cloud storage for one camera, and go as high as $10 per month for 60 days of cloud storage for unlimited cameras.
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8. Lorex - Best Overall Outdoor Cam
View Packages Links to LorexProduct Specs
Resolution Up to 4K HD Field of View Up to 180° Power Wired, battery, PoE Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet Video Storage Cloud, Local Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home
If you prefer to choose from a range of security cameras, then ADT or SimpliSafe might not be for you. While it’s a great camera and our number one pick, we’d recommend checking out Lorex, which offers outdoor security cameras in various shapes and styles.
Lorex offers dozens of packages that include different types of outdoor cameras, like bullet cameras such as the ones we see in malls and dome-type cameras typically installed under an eave. They are some of the sturdiest cameras, too. Some of them can withstand external forces up to 22 lbs in addition to being waterproof and dust-tight.
Lorex cameras don’t just look modern. They have advanced features to match, such as 4K resolution and facial recognition. One model even has two lenses to create a wider viewing angle.
>> More info: Best 4K Security Cameras
Lorex Cam Outside Scalability of Lorex Security Camera Systems
You might be thinking that these sleek, modern, highly advanced security cameras are going to be expensive. But Lorex is quite affordable. We picked up four outdoor cameras and a DVR for less than $600. It was enough to cover every corner of our property.
Of course, you’d want to maximize your cameras, so choose your camera placement wisely. We’d also recommend buying a smaller bundle. It’s better and more practical to buy additional cameras a la carte style than waste money on one too many cameras.
As we’ve established, Lorex has a wide range of cameras available. If your focus is on keeping down costs, there are plug-in outdoor cameras available for less than $100. If you can afford to spend a bit more and want a higher quality video feed, the 4K Dual Lens camera goes for about $250. You can also split the difference by mixing different tiers in the same system, using the best cameras for high-priority areas and the lower-end cameras for lower-priority areas.
Setting up our Lorex 4k Dual-Lens Camera Continuous Local Recording
If you live in an area where there’s a lot going on outside your home, you may be interested in continuous recording that gets stored locally to a DVR that you own. Systems that only record video when activated by a motion sensor can miss important events or fail to capture important context. With a Lorex system, you can record continuous video and store it for later reference. We had a four-camera system that was continuously recording and the DVR was able to store around one week of footage.
The downside, however, is that we had to wire each of those cameras to the DVR. It wasn’t an easy task, as we had to snake the thick wires up the eave and through the ceiling. We even had to break out our power tools just to install Lorex. But it was all worth it. After we set them up, we just left them there constantly recording and waiting for any incident to happen.
Features to Look For
As you compare outdoor security cameras, keep these important factors in mind:
- Power Source: Outdoor security cameras varied in terms of power sources. The main choices were plug-in power, battery power, and solar power. Each of our top choice brands had models we could set up wire-free. Cordless outdoor cameras were generally powered by long-lasting rechargeable batteries. One company we mentioned, Arlo, offered solar-powered cameras. If a camera used mains power, it also likely had a cord. The best outdoor cams with cords had protected cords to help defeat vandals plus they had battery backup.
- Continuous Video Recording: Some outdoor security cameras only recorded audio and video when triggered by trespassers. Others could record continuously. Continuous video recording was sometimes advertised as CVR.
- Resolution: Resolution on leading cameras ranged from 720p to 4K. The most common was 1080p, which meant video that was 1080 pixels tall and 1920 pixels wide.
- Recording Cost: Each brand below had smartphone or desktop apps. Apps let us view live camera footage for free. However, generally, a paid plan was needed in order to save video clips or record continuously. One exception was Blink XT, a budget security camera brand. Blink gave us very minimal cloud storage for free. Many paid plans for home security combined video storage with professional monitoring of our system. Professional monitoring alerted emergency dispatchers of potential trouble. This way, they could send the police even when we couldn’t call 911. Most alarm monitoring companies could also dispatch firefighters and paramedics.
- Two-Way Voice: Our selections for best outdoor security cameras captured exceptionally clear audio. Ideally, they’d have all had echo cancellation and other advanced audio features. Some also had two-way voice, which let us holler at potential criminals or stay in touch with family members around our property.
- Doorbell Video Camera: A wide-angle doorbell camera guarded our doorstep and provided us with a long-range view. A smart-motion detector ignored running squirrels and swaying trees and alerted us of a person’s presence, even if they didn’t ring the bell. A smartphone app let us use two-way talk and gave the impression that we were at home, no matter where we were. Additionally, some doorbell security cameras, such as the Nest video doorbell, recognized familiar faces and played pre-recorded messages for expected visitors.
There were always many factors to consider when choosing any type of security camera, but with outdoor security cameras, the factors only increased. To create our Best Outdoor Camera list for 2025, we started with our necessary features test. All of these cameras were weather-resistant and worked throughout the seasons for a variety of climates. Whether we were looking for wired or wireless, we were sure we didn’t want a camera that would hurt our wallets too much. Read on to learn more about our selections for 2025’s Best Outdoor Camera list, their costs, why we chose them, and more.
Pricing Rundown
| Outdoor Camera | Price |
|---|---|
| Nest Cam with Floodlight | $279.99 |
| eufyCam E | $229.99 |
| Arlo Pro 3 | $199.99 |
| Nest Cam Battery | $179.99 |
| Ring Spotlight Cam Battery | $199 |
| Canary Flex | $169 |
| Blink Outdoor | $99.99 |
Clearly, there was a huge variation when it came to the pricing of outdoor security cameras, with the most expensive device listed at well over $200 and the most affordable coming in at just under $50. Of course, generally speaking, we got what we paid for, so we recommended buying a higher quality camera for a bit more money rather than a cheaper camera that had fewer necessary features. Regardless, we knew to be prepared to spend roughly $200 purchasing an outdoor security camera and additional funds on monthly or yearly storage plans.
Outdoor Security Camera Methodology
So just how did we pick out the outdoor security cameras on our list? In this section, we discuss the methodology that led to our selections in detail.
Design
Aside from simple aesthetics, we considered whether we wanted our camera to be wired or wireless. While having a camera wired to our home definitely made installation harder, we liked the idea that we wouldn’t have to worry about changing a battery. However, we also wondered how far many of the outdoor cameras would reach from outdoor outlets. Additionally, some cameras required hubs, bridges, or DVRs, so we also took those costs into account before we made our purchases.
The main thing we looked for design-wise was durability. That came in the form of a temperature range and an IP rating, which measured how susceptible an object was to both solids and liquids.
| IP Ratings | Solids | Liquids |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not Protected | None |
| 1 | A large body surface like the back of a hand, but no intentional contact with a body part | Dripping water falling vertically |
| 2 | Fingers of similar objects | Dripping water falling from 15-degree tilt |
| 3 | Tools, thick wires, etc. | Spraying water |
| 4 | Most wires, screws, etc | Splashing water |
| 5 | Dust protected | Water jets 6.3mm and below |
| 6 | Dust tight | Powerful water jets 12.5mm and below |
| 7 | N/A | Immersion up to 1m |
| 8 | N/A | Immersion over 1m |
Make sure wherever you live and its weather conditions are compatible with your outdoor security camera before purchasing— you’ll thank me later.
Features
Of course, like with any security camera, we applied our necessary features test to all of our outdoor cameras. Dive in with us as we review our thought process behind each type of feature we sought during the selection of 2025’s best outdoor security cameras.
Video
Display-wise, we looked for a camera that had at least 1080p HD video display, the current industry standard. We also preferred cameras that zoomed-in optically and that had fields of view that were 120 degrees or greater. That gave us the widest, clearest, and most detailed view possible.
Audio
We looked for cameras that had both speakers and microphones built-in, as that enabled two-way audio and let us speak to whoever the camera was focused on. This proved quite useful not only for telling our kids to come in for dinner but also for scaring away luckers or potential intruders remotely. This was a security camera, after all!
Night Vision
We specifically selected cameras that included infrared night vision rather than color night vision via a bright white light. Infrared was much more inconspicuous, which was definitely a quality we looked for in a smart security camera. Additionally, we always tested out the camera’s night vision before making a purchase.
Storage
We were also big on ensuring that our cameras came with enough storage to make owning an outdoor security camera worthwhile. We preferred cameras that offered both cloud and local storage, whether that was through a Dropbox, micro-SD card, hard drive, or what have you.
Smart Platform Integrations
Since smart security was pretty much the standard, we searched for cameras that fit perfectly into our smart home, whether it was through Amazon, Google, or Apple.
Artificial Intelligence
Another thing we preferred in outdoor security cameras was person detection, which helped us differentiate between people and other moving objects like animals, cars, etc. A. It made our notifications smarter and more specific, so it was easier to monitor our home with minimal effort.
We considered it extra points if the camera had facial recognition, which, after a period of time, learned specific familiar faces and identified unfamiliar ones.
Convenience
The convenience of easy installation was a big deal for us, as most of the cameras we selected were DIY. While we knew we could always hire a professional if we weren’t confident, the majority of these cameras were designed to be installed by non-professionals in less than 20 minutes.
Value
As we witnessed in the pricing rundown, the tags on these cameras varied. Nevertheless, when we decided to buy something, we always double-checked to ensure the price coordinates logically matched with the number of necessary features met.
Mobile Application
Apps were our mobile command center for our outdoor security cameras. With each camera’s respective app, we live-streamed footage, viewed storage, received notifications, had conversations with visitors via two-way audio, and more. One mobile app element we searched for was a good rating on either the Apple or Google Play store, depending on the type of mobile device we owned. To meet our app standards, apps needed ratings of at least three-stars or higher. Of course, a lack of high ratings did not necessarily mean a deal-breaker since apps could always be updated.
How To Power Outdoor Security Cameras
Outdoor security cameras are typically wireless, powered by either batteries or solar panels. However, there are plug-in outdoor cameras available to those with nearby outdoor outlets. To power outdoor security cameras, either recharge your camera in the home, replace the batteries, plug it into an outlet or attach a solar panel.
Outdoor Security Camera FAQs
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What are the best outdoor security cameras?
The best outdoor security cameras are from the brands SimpliSafe, Lorex, Google Nest, Ring, Arlo, and Blink.
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What is the best wireless outdoor security camera?
The best wireless outdoor security camera is the Arlo Pro 3.
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How much is an outdoor security camera?
Outdoor security cameras can range anywhere from $50 all the way up to $400, with the majority falling around $150 to $250.
