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Reviewed / Reolink / eufy / Blink
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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With multiple options for installation, the Nest Cam (battery) is a versatile home security camera that’s full of smarts. Read More
You get a lot of bang for the buck with this easy-to-mount, 4K-quality Tapo C460 camera with solar panel. Read More
With its 4K 180° ultra-wide view, the Reolink Floodlight security camera offers a floodlight and security camera solution in one device. Read More
Those who need a more robust camera surveillance solution should consider the solar-powered eufyCam S4 2-Cam Kit. It also has smart automatic tracking. Read More
Blink offers an outstanding value on a dual-camera security system, but it is an Amazon product that only works with Alexa-enabled devices. Read More
The question isn’t whether you should have a camera to keep an eye on the outside of your home, it's which one? The peace of mind that comes with knowing something is watching over you is priceless, but buying one can be pricey. Here at Reviewed, we test the best security cameras on the market so you know that you’re buying the best option for you.
In this guide, all these weather-resistant cameras can be easily mounted and capture clear video, day or night, but that’s essentially where the similarities end. Some are wired, others are battery powered, and a few have solar panels. Cameras vary in their field of view or may have multiple cameras pointing in different directions. Many leverage AI to recognize people and objects, and can then push detailed descriptions to your phone. A handful of models have floodlights that illuminate when you walk or drive up to your property. How the video is stored and accessed can also vary.
We’ve tested several of the latest outdoor cameras to help you decide what’s right for you and your wallet. Keep in mind, we looked at video doorbells separately.
Currently, we think the best outdoor home security camera is the Nest Cam (battery) Gen 2 (available at Amazon for $119.99) for its fantastic spread of free smart features and multiple installation options.
Reliable
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Clear day and night view
Crisp resolution
Wide field-of-view
Works well with Alexa
Reasonably priced
A subscription is needed to get the most from the camera
Excellent video quality
Free AI Detection
Free local storage
No HomeKit support
Quick setup
Great for iOS devices
Timely alerts
HomeKit-only
Hub required for video recording
High-quality video
Feature-packed
Cloud storage is optional
App is confusing
Motion detection can be finicky
While video doorbells excel at detecting activity on a porch, a security camera system can protect other areas of the home.
Indoor security cameras are great for interior spaces, but an outdoor security camera is the first line of defense in protecting your home.
To find the top outdoor home security cameras, we research the market, purchasing and testing cameras from the top brands. As new options emerge and older models are discontinued, we retest our winners, pitting them against new cameras.
We install each camera, noting the installation procedures, in-app setup process, and reliability. Testing includes evaluating video quality, audio quality, responsiveness, Wi-Fi network reliability, weather resistance, and app usability.
A big trick with security cameras is dialing in the notifications, so you're alerted to the things you want to know without being bombarded with notifications every time a bird flies by. Because of this, we test the sensitivity controls for each product, whether they support motion zones, and how quickly they send alerts about people and noise.
We also installed mobile apps on iPhones and Samsung devices to determine whether the app experience was identical across platforms. Additionally, we tested how quickly each app began a live stream.
When shopping for an outdoor home security camera, consider what features are really necessary to meet your needs, as additional ones usually come with a higher overall price tag. Features can range from two-way talk audio to privacy zones.
In a world where high-powered cameras are becoming more common, more than pixel count is needed to set a good security camera apart. Here are some things to consider.
Wireless vs. wired: A wireless outdoor camera with a rechargeable battery is convenient, as most cameras should only be recharged once or twice a year. However, not all cameras have a removable battery. That means you must take the entire camera down to charge it. It’s not make-or-break, but it’s something to be aware of if you like the appearance of having security cameras up at all times. With wired cameras, we recommend having electrical outlets in the soffits of your roofline. This allows you to easily connect a camera without running cords all along the outside of your home.
Picture quality: While there is more to a good outdoor camera than picture quality, it’s still an important factor. Finding a camera with 2K resolution doesn’t have to break the bank, however. Some models we tested have exceptional picture quality at a value price, such as the Kasa Cam Outdoor.
Field of view: Another thing to consider when investing in an outdoor home security camera is the field of view. You want the camera you choose to capture images from key access points around your home, and to have limited blind spots. Our top pick has a 130-degree field of view, while other recommendations offer a wider field of view. One thing to remember: You may need to restrict the field of view so you aren’t looking into your neighbors’ properties.
Night vision: Night vision can come from infrared imaging, full-color night vision capture, or a spotlight. Infrared is the least reliable of the three. Full-color night vision uses powerful light sensors and a minimal supplement light to help the camera record in the dark. Finally, a spotlight can help the video capture images and warn passersby they’re being recorded, which you may or may not want.
Smart motion detection: Not all motion sensors are created equal. Some cameras are incredibly adept at separating vehicles, packages, animals, and people. Others simply bombard you with constant notifications. Still, others allow you to set up zones and adjust sensitivity to your preferences. Make sure your camera is on when it needs to be.
Storage: Where does your video live? Is it on a hard drive that you own? Or is it on the cloud somewhere? Paying extra for updates, advanced features, and cloud storage is not uncommon. However, accessing your video clips without an extra fee is nice. It’s worth noting that most outdoor security cameras have apps that let you control when they record and upload video to the cloud.
Paid subscription plans: A paid subscription plan is fairly common with almost any smart home security system gadget, from smart doorbells to security cameras. Think of home security as a continual investment rather than a one-time deal. If you want access to the best features like continuous surveillance and special detection alerts for people, cars, animals, and packages, subscribing to a paid plan is the way to go. Alternatively, some cameras record to built-in storage or an optional microSD card, instead of uploading to the cloud, at least as an option. But most of the time, a paid plan enhances what the camera can do. Features like the ability to differentiate between people and general motion, or to share videos, are worth paying for.
From data breaches to sharing your footage without your consent, there are plenty of concerns about the security of your security footage. Ensure you sign on with a company you trust to maintain your privacy.
We have excluded Wyze cameras from our security camera recommendations. The company faced criticism after some customers reported seeing live feeds from cameras that weren’t theirs. For that reason and due to previous security issues, Reviewed has decided to withdraw its recommendations for all Wyze security cameras.
When choosing a security camera, look for privacy protections.
Two-factor authentication: This security feature, which sends a code to your mobile device to verify that it’s really you, is available on many home security cameras and should be sought out and activated. That way, if someone tries to hack into your account, you will receive an alert and can quickly resolve the problem.
End-to-end encryption: Encryption offers a layer of protection that can help prevent unwanted eyeballs from viewing your saved videos.
You can also take some steps to protect your data. Create a strong, unique password for your camera’s app. Do not reuse passwords across multiple websites and apps.
You should also consider regularly deleting your voice recordings when using security cameras with smart assistants like Google, Alexa, and Siri. Muting the speaker’s mic when not in use is yet another way to protect your privacy.
For more privacy tips, read our securing your smart home guide.
Along with Reviewed and USA TODAY, Marc has been a freelance journalist for more than 20 publications, is a 16-time author (including Apple Watch For Dummies and Game Design: Secrets of the Sages), hosts the syndicated Tech It Out radio (and podcast), and is host of Tech Impact television show (on Bloomberg TV and FOX Business).
Based in Toronto, Marc specializes in consumer electronics, games and apps, smart home innovations, automotive tech, and future trends.
Rachel Murphy is Reviewed's home editor. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a freelance writer for publications like Insider and Mashable, and as an associate editorial producer for Good Morning America. Aside from smart home tech, her interests include food, travel, parenting, and home renovation. You can usually find her sipping on coffee at any time of the day.
Christian de Looper is a consumer tech journalist with over a decade of experience. De Looper has covered all areas of the consumer tech industry, from smartphones to smart homes — and has attended all of the major trade shows, including CES.
De Looper has always been interested in consumer technology, but his love for gadgets and electronics blossomed into a full-blown passion when he started writing about it while completing his degree in audio production.
Since then, he has written for many of the top tech publications, including Digital Trends, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and many more. He loves getting his hands on all of the latest gadgets, but when he’s not reviewing tech, he can be found hanging out with his family or producing music.
Nick Woodard is a tech journalist specializing in all things related to home theater and A/V. His background includes a solid foundation as a sports writer for multiple daily newspapers, and he enjoys hiking and mountain biking in his spare time.
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