You need the best outdoor security cameras to allow you to keep an eye on your home even when you're not there. With the ability to detect motion, capture video, and send alerts, they provide peace of mind by letting you monitor any suspicious activity around your house.
We've researched dozens of outdoor security cameras over the past several years to bring you our recommendations for the best options in 2023. Whether you want completely wireless capabilities, sharp night vision, or budget-friendly choices, we have a pick that will work for your needs.
Our Top Picks
The Pro 4 series 2K HDR security camera delivers superior video quality combined with the convenience of connecting directly to Wi-Fi without a SmartHub. Perfect for protecting medium to larger spaces.
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera – Best Overall
The Arlo Pro 4 delivers top-notch performance thanks to its detailed 2K video, intelligent alerts that distinguish between people, vehicles, and animals, and easy installation. It connects to WiFi so there's no wiring required.
Some key features:
- Records video in color even at night thanks to built-in spotlights
- Detects motion up to 25 feet away
- Sends notifications when it spots people, animals, cars or packages
- Stores recordings securely in the cloud
The downsides are that it requires a paid Arlo Secure subscription starting at $5/month to access certain features, and the battery may need charging about once a month with frequent use. But for the best combination of detailed video and smart alerts, the Arlo Pro 4 is a superb choice.
Amazon Customer
Verified purchase
Picture and Spotlight is great, incompatibility with past accessories is very troubling
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2023
We have had issues with trespassers in our neighborhood over the past year so we had started installing these cameras and Wyze Lamp Sockets for security purposes. The issue that we found is that the lamp socket is stated to work with the Wyze CAM V3, and only that version. The v3 Pro does not.The camera is great for what it does. The picture quality is much better than the original v3. The spotlight is an added source of light which can either scare off trespassers or at least give us a clearer ...
Wyze Cam V3 – Most Affordable
At just $35.98, the new Wyze Cam V3 proves you don't have to spend a lot for a full-featured security camera. The V3 captures crisp 1080p video and offers free cloud storage of motion alerts. New features include color night vision, faster motion detection, compatibility with Alexa and Google voice commands, and support for IFTTT applets. For basic monitoring at a bargain price, the V3 is hard to beat.
All-new Blink Outdoor 4 (4th Gen) – Wire-free smart security camera, two-year battery life, two-way audio, HD live view, enhanced motion detection, Works with Alexa – 3 camera system
User reviews
Offline in 5 months, but it's networking problem. UPDATE: Blink support contacted me in a timely manner. They helped diagnosing problem, turns out to be networking problem. I have 3 Asus routers in mesh mode. Recently they constantly gave me network connection problem. I switched to MikroTik router, all cameras are found and added back to the sync module. Working smoothly now as when I got them new. One caveat I found afterwards is that these cameras required specific 1.5 Lithium batteries. Those are not lithium rechargeable batteries, but regular high power normal AA batteries. It's super misleading from Energizer brand. However, all 10 batteries died in 4 months. Another caveat is that Blink cameras are not friendly with NI-CD rechargeable 1.2V batteries. Continuously complaining lower battery. There's nowhere that specifies these cameras require high power Lithium AA batteries. Only when I opened camera and closely examined it, it says 1.5V Lithium battery inside. So this is a drawback of Blink camera. Buyers be aware of this before buying. Cost of batteries should be considered, they are more expensive than regular AA batteries, and do not last any longer than regular AA battery. One additional drawback is Blink system has pretty weak processing power, constantly complaining another action is in progress, can't see a camera live view, making pretty much big chunk of time unable to examine camera live view, defeating the purpose of installing Blink cameras. After 5 months, all cameras are out of connection. Before that, cameras went offline one after one randomly, making them almost useless most of the time. Tried all methods found online, nothing worked out. Couldn't find any camera anymore. Basically they are all dead, useless. Tried contacting manufacturer, no reply at all. Completely disappointed. Now they are a pile of garbage. I don't recommend to anyone. Go for another brand. Batteries are dead, can't even re-charge.
Great cameras for money / Wireless easy installation. These are great cameras with easy installation. Package comes with the cameras, a Sync Module 2 hub, a USB charging cable and adapter, a mounting brackets and adhesive backing, and two AA batteries for each cameras. Two way audio is great but could be better, it does pick up other unnecessary noises. Solid video performance, live stream that lasts for around five minutes at a time before starting a new stream, had to tap a “continue” button every 30 seconds. Cloud storage is working great so far.
Good for use in my Squirrel and Bird Nest boxes but not perfect. Already have a 24x7 live recording IP security cameras that are hardwired to local storage all over my property so cannot comment on their ability as security cameras. My purpose for purchasing was for a decent camera setup to place cameras inside my nest boxes on the property. Something that is very difficult using physical wiring. These battery operated cameras are very small and can fit in most of nest boxes I have. Was able to get 100 percent strength of the Sync module and 100 strength connection to my WIFI on all 4 cameras that I ended up purchasing. Fairly impressive for inside a wooden box outside. I did purchase a WIFI repeater to get all at 100% signal. The live view focuses very well in the tight sizes of some of the nest boxes but the motion sense just won't work on the smaller boxes even at the highest setting. Assume the motion is just too close to the camera to trigger properly. The larger squirrel boxes work well but the blue bird houses are basically a bust. They only seem to trigger when moving from daylight to night vision or vice versa. I have turned off the motion sense in the blue bird house to conserve battery but do live checks once in a while to see if there are any new residents. My hope is to get some fun footage of nesting birds and squirrels. So now for some of the limitations that are some what annoying. You cannot give each camera an individual schedule. Every camera attached to one sync module must be armed and disarmed all at the same time. Bummer. You cannot just click a button on the App to check and update new firmware. You must wait in line until they decide to send out the update over the internet. You cannot view any motion clips right away on a computer or Mac. You have to wait until they backup to the USB stick on the sync module and then pull and put that USB stick into your computer. That alone will make me never pay any subscription fee to blink. I am not young any more and it strains my eyes trying to see detail on a small screen. Overall they are working well for the month I have had them. The sync module once in a while briefly drops offline but assume that is firmware updates. Only happened 3 times over the month and lasts about 4 minutes or so. I have set all the video setting and IR settings to the lowest settings to conserve battery and since the action is so close to the cameras don't need high resolution. Worth purchasing for you nest boxes but know the limitations before making your decision to purchase.
I must have received a defective one. I have been using the older Blink cameras for years now without any problems up until recently. One camera just stopped working one day, which is expected after years of use, so I decided to replace it with a new one. I purchased a new Gen 4 camera to replace the old one that quit working because the Gen 4 camera has a wider field of view which is great, but let me tell you that the color quality of the videos with this new camera is absolutely terrible! So that’s why I say that I must have received a defective camera because the color quality on all of my old cameras is so much better than the one I received. Surely the color quality of these Gen 4’s cannot be this horrible?!?!Updated review: A blink representative reached out and contacted me about the issues I was having with my new Gen 4 camera and asked if she could have access to the new camera to try and resolve the issue. She did a reboot on the camera and with no avail that did not resolve the problem. So she immediately shipped me a new camera at no cost to me!!!! The new camera works perfectly and the videos look amazing! Thank you very much Amanda! I will definitely continue to use Blink products in the future!
Blink Outdoor – Completely Wireless
If you want to place a camera anywhere without worrying about wiring, the Blink Outdoor security camera delivers. This 100% wire-free HD camera runs on two AA lithium batteries that provide months of use per charge. It captures 1080p video with night vision and motion alerts, and allows two-way audio so you can talk through the camera. At $100 for the starter kit, it's pricier than some competitors but the convenience of the removable, waterproof battery is a major perk.
Noorio B210: 2K Camera - Easy Install, 16GB, No Monthly Fees
Experience Hassle-Free Setup: Equipped with an easy magnetic mount, our Noorio B210 Smart Security Camera ensures a quick and effortless installation process.
Crystal Clear Vision, Even at Night: Capture every detail with our high-quality 2K Resolution camera, even in the dark thanks to the advanced Night Vision feature.
Durable and Long-Lasting: Powered by a battery, the Noorio B210 ensures continuous operation for long periods, enhancing your home security system.
Real-Time Alerts: Stay informed about every movement with real-time surveillance via the Noorio app, providing you with instant alerts for enhanced security.
No Hidden Costs: With our integrated 16GB local storage, capable of storing a substantial amount of video footage, you won't face any additional costs.
Noorio B210 – Flexible Magnetic Mounting
The Noorio B210 outdoor security camera offers flexible placement thanks to its magnetic mounting system. This 100% wireless 2K camera has color night vision, human detection, 16GB local storage, and an IP66 weatherproof rating. It runs for 6 months on a charge and starts at just $99.99, making it a versatile budget-friendly option.
What To Look For in an Outdoor Security Camera
- Video Quality: Look for 1080p or higher resolution for sharp footage.
- Power Source: Wireless cameras offer flexible placement, while wired cameras limit you to mounting near an outlet.
- Field of View: A wider field of view (100-150 degrees) covers more area with one camera.
- Night Vision: Infrared or color night vision ensures recording in low light.
- Smart Alerts: AI detection of people, cars, animals and packages reduces false alerts.
- Weatherproofing: IP65 or IP66 rating protects against the elements.
- Local Storage: On-board storage allows recording if WiFi is disrupted. Cloud backup provides remote access.
Reviews of the Best Outdoor Security Cameras
Arlo Pro 4
With superb 2K video quality, intelligent alerts that distinguish between types of motion, and flexible wireless setup, the Arlo Pro 4 is our top recommendation for most homeowners.
Key Features:
- 2K resolution with HDR provides detailed video day and night
- 160° diagonal field of view
- Color night vision spotlights objects up to 25 ft away
- Detects people, vehicles, animals and packages
- Local storage with microSD card support
- Wireless and weatherproof (IP65 rating)
- Rechargeable battery lasts 1-2 months per charge
- Auto zoom and tracking lock onto motion
The Arlo Pro 4 checks all the essential boxes and more for an outdoor security camera. It delivers excellent video quality with 2K resolution and high dynamic range (HDR), so faces and license plates will be clear. The built-in spotlights enable full color night vision video.
One of its standout features is intelligent alerts. The camera uses AI to distinguish between people, cars, animals and packages, sending notifications only for the types of motion you want to be alerted to. This dramatically cuts down on false alerts from branches blowing or other harmless activity.
Installation is quick and simple with the included mounts and no wiring required. The rechargeable battery generally lasts 1-2 months between charges depending on usage. An IP65 weatherproof rating ensures it can withstand the elements. Local storage and cloud backup offer dual recording options.
Overall, the Arlo Pro 4 combines robust features with top-notch video and smart alerts to provide reliable monitoring and peace of mind. The required Arlo Secure subscription starts at $2.99 per month for basic features, making this a worthwhile investment for whole-home security.
Wyze Cam V3
If you need an affordable camera that doesn't skimp on features, the Wyze Cam V3 is a superb value.
Key Features:
- Captures 1080p HD video
- Color night vision
- 130° wide field of view
- AI motion and sound detection
- Free 14-day cloud storage
- MicroSD card support for continuous recording
- Alexa and Google Assistant voice control
- IP65 weather resistance rating
The recently released V3 builds on the popular Wyze Cam line of budget-friendly indoor/outdoor cameras. Beyond sharp 1080p recording, the V3 adds color night vision for better visibility in low light. Detection zones and a faster processor reduce false alerts and speed up notifications.
Like previous versions, the V3 features free basic cloud storage of motion events. For $1.99 per month, you can upgrade to continuous recording to the cloud. It also supports local continuous recording with a microSD card (sold separately).
With voice control through Alexa and Google Assistant, you can pull up live video on displays using voice commands. Support for IFTTT lets you connect the camera to other smart devices and services.
For all it delivers at less than $40, the Wyze Cam V3 is a no brainer for affordable whole-home security monitoring. It provides 24/7 recording, intelligent alerts that matter, and easy connectivity.
Blink Outdoor
Go wire-free with Blink's Outdoor camera that runs for months on removable AA batteries.
Key Features:
- 100% wireless and weatherproof
- 1080p HD video with 110° FOV
- Infrared night vision
- Motion detection alerts
- 2-way audio communication
- Alexa integration
- Cloud storage and local USB storage options
The Blink Outdoor camera brings the convenience of wireless operation plus long-lasting battery power. It runs for up to two years on the included lithium batteries. Placing the camera anywhere in WiFi range, without having to mount near an outlet or run electrical wiring, is a huge perk.
The Blink features crisp 1080p recording, night vision up to 30 feet, and motion alerts with activity zones. With two-way talk, you can warn off intruders through the camera. Integration with Alexa allows voice commands to view the live feed.
Storage options include free cloud storage for motion events or local USB storage for continuous recording.
For flexible wireless security, the Blink Outdoor delivers sharp video and key features at a reasonable price point. If you want to mount cameras in tricky locations without wiring hassles, this battery-powered unit is up to the task.
Noorio B210
The Noorio B210 provides versatile wireless security with flexible magnetic mounting.
Key Features:
- 100% wireless with magnetic mount
- 2K resolution with night color vision
- Advanced human motion detection
- IP66 weatherproof rating
- Up to 6 months battery life
- App connectivity and push alerts
- Built-in microphone and speaker
- 16GB local storage
This wireless home security camera boasts 2K video quality day and night thanks to color night vision. The innovative magnetic mounting base allows flexible placement on any metal surface indoors or out.
AI detection focuses on people while ignoring other motion to reduce false alerts. And built-in local storage eliminates the need for an extra subscription fee.
The powerful long-life battery provides security monitoring for up to half a year on a single charge. With an IP66 weatherproof rating and operating range from -4° to 122°F, it can withstand any climate.
Priced below $100, the Noorio B210 delivers impressive capabilities for the money. For easy installation anywhere without wiring, it's a versatile outdoor security pick.
Final Thoughts
Adding an outdoor security camera is one of the best ways to deter and monitor unwanted activity around your home. Today's cameras provide HD recording, motion alerts, night vision and convenient features at increasingly affordable prices.
Our top recommendation for all-around performance and value is the Arlo Pro 4. With superb 2K video, smart alerts, wireless design, and easy installation, it's a wise investment for full-home security.
For budget-friendly monitoring, the $35 Wyze Cam V3 packs impressive specs into an ultra-affordable package.
The Blink Outdoor delivers wireless flexibility perfect for tricky installations.
The Noorio B210 provides a flexible magnetic mount and weatherproofing at a reasonable price point.
Whichever model you choose, positioning outdoor security cameras around your home's perimeter provides an extra set of eyes to give you peace of mind.
Ready to step up your home security? Get a quote on professional installation services in your area. Our trained technicians will help you select the right cameras and optimal placement to protect your property with complete coverage day and night.