10 Best Outdoor Security Cameras in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Last Updated on Jan 03 2024

Whether you’re looking to protect your home or business, nothing works quite as well as a camera. But while the right camera can help deter crime and hold the responsible parties accountable, the wrong one might not do either.

That’s why we tracked down 10 of the best outdoor security cameras on the market today. There’s also a comprehensive buyer’s guide to walk you through any questions that you might have. So, keep reading, as we clue you into everything that you need to know.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Outdoor Security Cameras

1. Lorex 1080p 8-Channel Security System — Best Overall

If you’re looking for the best overall outdoor camera system that you can get, look no further than the Lorex 1080p 8-Channel Security System. It doesn’t require any sort of subscription, and this kit comes with four different cameras at a price that other companies charge for just one!

Each camera does require a wired connection, but the entire system comes with 1 TB of data to back up every interaction. Furthermore, each camera has IR night vision that lets you see up to 130 feet, and the entire system is super easy to set up.

This kit comes with four different cameras, but if you want more, the main box that this kit comes with can support up to eight. With everything that it offers without a subscription, it’s easy to see how this system earned our nod as the best overall outdoor security camera.

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2. WYZE Cam Outdoor Starter Bundle — Best Value

Not everyone has a ton of cash to drop on an outdoor camera, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need one or must go with a low-quality option. The WYZE Cam Outdoor Starter Bundle comes with everything that you need to set up this security camera, for a price that other cameras can only dream of.

It does require a monthly subscription to access the video storage capabilities, but even that is available for a low monthly cost. This battery-powered system uses rechargeable batteries, but you only need to worry about recharging them once every 6 months.

This kit only comes with one camera, but if you find that you need more, it can fit up to four total. The only real downside of this product is the fact that the microSD stays with the camera, so if someone takes that, you lose all the evidence.

Still, it’s easily the best outdoor security camera for the money, even if you do need a monthly subscription to unlock all the features.

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3. Lorex 4K Ultra HD 16-Channel Security System — Premium Choice

If you need a high-end option and aren’t too worried about the price tag, consider the Lorex 4K Ultra-HD 16-Channel Security System.

Each camera gives you 4K video quality for the best possible results, and you get 3 TB of storage with the system. You also don’t need to worry about a monthly subscription, and you get to decide which footage is important to keep.

Even better, this system comes with eight different cameras right from the jump, and you can expand it up to 16 cameras if you need it. It works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, and if the 3-TB memory isn’t enough, you can expand it up to 10 TB.

This is an expensive wired system, but it’s also the best security system around, bar none.

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4. EZVIZ Outdoor Camera

Compared to many other outdoor cameras, the EZVIZ is super affordable, and it can pan and tilt to track movement.

The system also comes with AI-powered person detection to notify you when somebody is by the camera. Furthermore, it has night vision that’s effective up to 30 meters, which gives your outdoor area even more protection.

It has two spotlights to help light up an area and get a better recording, it works with Alexa, and you can add up to 128 devices to a single account!

However, it doesn’t come with any internal storage. You’ll either need to purchase a subscription to record, or you’ll need to get a microSD card. Second, it’s not as discreet as many other camera options. Still, it’s a great choice.

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5. Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro

Ring is one of the largest names in the outdoor camera industry. But while its doorbell camera is one of its top products, another option to consider is the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro.

Like most Ring products, it’s super easy to install and pairs with Alexa for easy use. However, what sets this outdoor camera apart from many other options is two-fold. First, it has two super-bright floodlights that you can use to brighten any area.

Second, it has an alarm feature that you can set off to deter criminal activity. It also has Ring’s typical two-way communication, and it has motion-detection activation and alerts that go straight to your phone.

Even with all these additional features, though, it’s hard to justify the high price tag. Not only do you need to spend more up front, but you’ll also need a monthly subscription to get its recording features. It’s not a bad choice, but it’s definitely on the more expensive side of things.

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6. Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell

Arlo might not have the same brand name recognition as Ring, but they’re similar services. This Essential Wired Video Doorbell is just what it sounds like: a wired doorbell camera that you can use to see and talk to whoever is at your door without opening it up.

It’s also available for an affordable price, and it’s easy to set up and add to the system to get everything that you want. It’s motion-detection activated, and it has night-vision features to help you see what’s going on even when it’s dark.

However, it requires a monthly subscription for data storage, and it only holds onto videos for 30 days. You’ll also need to have a wired connection for it, and depending on your setup, that can become a problem.

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7. Blink Outdoor

If you’re looking for one of the most affordable outdoor cameras on the market, consider Blink Outdoor. It’s battery operated, but each pair of AA batteries can last a single camera for up to 2 years! For that reason, it’s also easy to set up. If you want more devices, you can quickly and easily add them to the same network. If you want to use this as a doorbell area camera, it comes equipped with two-way communication capabilities.

Additionally, you get to decide if you want USB storage or a subscription service, which means you’re not locked into a plan once you purchase the product. However, that does lead to this camera’s only real drawback: The expandable storage maxes out at 64 GB.

While that might seem like a large amount, HD-quality video will fill that quickly.

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8. TRENDnet Indoor/Outdoor 3MP Motorized PTZ Dome Network Camera

If you want a professional-looking camera for your property, consider the TRENDnet Indoor/Outdoor 3MP Motorized PTZ Dome Network Camera. It provides high-quality videos, and it has 350-degree movement to cover an entire area after you set it up.

Furthermore, with its 4x optical zoom and 16x digital zoom, you can easily zoom into more distant objects or people to see what’s going on. It’s also motion-detection equipped to always find the action.

However, this is an expensive option up front, especially when you consider that you need to purchase a microSD to record anything that it captures. Still, it provides professional-quality results, and one camera can cover a wide area.

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9. Ring Stick Up Cam Battery HD

This Ring Stick Up Cam Battery HD device is the easiest device to set up out of any product on this list, and it’s available for an affordable price.

However, like all Ring devices, it does require a monthly subscription to record video. It works with Alexa and your in-home Wi-Fi, and it’s easy to add additional Ring devices to the system. The battery itself is rechargeable and lasts up to 6 months, but if you do need more batteries, they’re available for a great price.

This device is easy to set up and use, but compared to other devices, you’re losing quite a few capabilities. The choice is yours if the ease of use is worth the limited capabilities and monthly subscription.

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10. eufy Security – eufyCam 2 Pro Wireless Home Security System

The eufy Security – eufyCam2 Wireless Home Security System is a subscription-free service that can record up to 16 GB of video.

It uses a rechargeable battery setup, and each charge lasts a full year before you need to charge it again. This kit comes with two different cameras, and they’re both night-vision equipped for additional capabilities.

Everything about this kit is easy to set up and use, but you can’t expand the small storage capacity that it comes with. Moreover, it has a slightly expensive upfront cost. Still, this is a high-quality camera.

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Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Outdoor Security Camera

With so many great outdoor camera options out there, it’s natural to have a few questions. We developed this comprehensive buyer’s guide to help walk you through everything that you need to know to get the perfect outdoor camera the first time.

What Video Quality Do You Need?

This is a question that only you can answer, but for most people, 1080p is enough. It translates to high definition, and there aren’t many situations where you need more than that.

However, if you do need higher-quality video feeds, like 3mp or 4k, do know that that capability will significantly drive up the price. You’ll have to decide if the added quality is worth the expense.

Wired vs. Wireless

One major factor that you need to consider when getting an outdoor camera is whether you want a wired or wireless setup. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

The advantage of wireless is that it’s easier to set up. You don’t need to find an outlet; you typically just have to remove an adhesive and stick it where you want it. The downside is that this also makes the camera easier to steal or remove — but it should record the entire incident.

Wired setups are more challenging to move, as the setup often requires drilling a hole for the wire to travel through. If you install it to an exterior outlet, all someone needs to do to disable it is unplug it! These cameras are also a bit easy to damage because someone can easily cut the wires if they’re exposed.

Subscription Services

Once you purchase your outdoor camera, you might think that that’s the last thing that you need to buy! But that’s not the case for all outdoor cameras.

Some companies require you to pay for a service if you want the cameras to record anything instead of just giving you a live feed. The problem with these systems is that you can never jump to a different company without completely replacing the camera.

The upfront cost of the camera is usually low, but you’ll have a new monthly expense that you’ll need to account for.

Ensuring Adequate Coverage

While simply having a camera outside often helps deter crime from happening in the first place, things can happen, anyway. You want to ensure that you get it all on camera so the authorities can get all the information that they need to hold the offender accountable.

One of the most important ways that you can do this is by putting up enough cameras to cover anywhere a perpetrator might go. It’s why sets like the ones by Lorex are so impressive. You get multiple cameras to thoroughly saturate an area and have more angles to use.

One camera is better than none, but when it comes to total security, the more cameras you have, the better.

Conclusion

If you’re still unsure about what camera system is right for you, try the Lorex 1080p 8-Channel Security System. It’s a comprehensive system that lets you saturate your area with coverage and is a phenomenal price.

If you need more protection and higher quality, the Lorex 4K Ultra-HD 16-Channel Security System can help you out. What’s important is that you order the security system and install it before you need it.

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Featured Image Credit: Anna Tikhonova, Unsplash