Keeping your home secure can be a daunting task with a lot of options available in the market.
Smart security has made it way faster than we imagined from indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras to alarms, live view, two-way communication, and much more.
Installing the best outdoor home security cameras at your place is a good way to keep track of what’s going on outside your home to keep your family and property secure.
Although there are ways to improve security systems with high-end security components, that may be done swiftly and for a pretty modest cost these days.
Home Security Cameras; Introduction
Security cameras are recording devices that record video footage of the house or areas that are specified. In recent years, home security has evolved significantly.
Security cameras have been more affordable than they ever used to be. Security cameras fall into two major categories, wired and wireless security.
Both security systems can be linked to the internet, allowing you to monitor your property from almost anywhere.
Types Of Home Security Cameras
There are two sorts of security cameras: those that are wired and those that are wireless. Wi-Fi-enabled security cameras transfer surveillance footage to local or cloud storage through the internet.
You can access the record from anyone with an internet connection.
Wireless cameras are not completely wireless because they require a power cord to be plugged into a power source, whereas some cameras utilize rechargeable batteries instead.
Wired Security Camera
Home security cameras that are directly connected to an on-site video storage device, such as a digital video recorder (DVR) or a network video recorder (NVR), are known as wired security cameras.
A local storage device is connected to each camera via a cable, providing both power and video transmission.
Wired home cameras do not use Wi-Fi, but you at your convenience can connect them to the internet through an ethernet wire to allow remote viewing of images.
Pros and cons of wired home security
Like any other device, wired security systems for homes come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
I would like to mention the most crucial factors that can make or break your home security.
Pros
- They are more reliable when it comes to security.
- Wired security systems are hard to tamper with.
- They offer more consistent video quality in comparison to other alternatives.
- Wired security systems do not require monthly subscriptions or fees.
- They offer battery backup if the power goes down.
Cons
- They require professional installation.
- Wired security systems very often offer mobile app assistance.
- These cameras do not support smart home security systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Best For
Every camera does not work the same as every household has different security requirements. Wired security systems are best suitable for;
- Big security network
- Reliability is your major concern
- If you need high-end video quality
- Affordability without compromising performance.
Wireless security is mostly referred to as “smart security” as it is smart. You can access the security system and its components like sensors and motion detectors remotely through a mobile app or voice assistance.
Pros and cons of wireless home security
Wireless security has made its way to every home because of the protection it offers with ultimate features and services. Surely it has some limitations, but the convenience and protection are worth some drawbacks that can be covered with a bit of additional effort.
Pros
- It is easy to install all by yourself if you are not in favor of a professional coming over to set up the device for you.
- Quick and easy to operate.
- It offers the addition of multiple sensors and monitors as per your requirement.
- Wireless security devices provide cloud storage that can be remotely accessed from anywhere.
- You can view live footage on your smartphone or tablet.
- Wireless security is intelligent enough to recognize the difference between an animal, an object, or a human.
- It has an option for batteries and other power sources. You can choose the one that suits you the best or both for a backup if one goes down.
- Wireless devices are highly portable.
Cons
- They come with monthly subscriptions or fees to use full features and services.
- The video recording or monitoring can be interrupted if the wifi signal is not strong enough.
- They require batteries to be changed on time.
- Wireless devices are more prone to be tampered with and hacked.
Best for
Considering the features and services along with the level of security, wireless security systems are suitable for;
- Apartments
- House and office
- To cover larger areas from various points
Outdoor Home Security Cameras Vs. Indoor Cameras
Speaking of indoor security cameras in comparison to outdoor security cameras the main distinction between the two is how capable they are to withstand external factors as per their use. Most of the features, models, and designs are the same to some extent.
Outdoor Security Cameras
- They have to be able to withstand every kind of weather or light conditions.
- Outdoor cameras need more durable and sturdy construction to prevent tampering.
- These cameras require to be placed in spaces that are not so visible but can access the required area to be monitored.
Indoor Security Cameras
- Indoor cameras are smaller and lighter in weight.
- They are less intrusive than outdoor cameras.
Similarities; Indoor vs. Outdoor Security Cameras
- They both use infrared.
- Works well in low light conditions.
- They offer easy transitions for sudden lighting conditions.
Best Home Outdoor Security Cameras
If you are looking for a powerful deterrent to intruders or potential harm, the best home outdoor security cameras are the most protective addition to your home.
Choosing the best security cameras for a home outdoors varies as per personal preference. As if one camera that may work the best for me, may not be as effective as per your personal preference, such as;
- How many sensors do you need?
- Where will you be using the camera?
- If you want to be wired or wireless home security?
However, there is a wide range of good cameras you can invest in for your outdoor home security. I am mentioning a few that I have experience with or like the most in terms of protection, reliability, and affordability.
Google Nest Cam Outdoor – Best Smart Outdoor Security
As my first preference, Google Nest Cam is the best for outdoor security.
This Outdoor Wi-Fi camera has everything you’d expect from a DIY security camera: sharp 1080p video, a broad field of view, and two-way audio.
The Nest Aware subscription (beginning at $6 per month) gives you the option of event-based recording or 24/7 cloud recording, as well as configurable Activity Zones and person recognition.
The Nest Cam Outdoor comes with a waterproof wire and plug, as well as a handy mounting mechanism that allows you to point your equipment in any desired direction.
However, the power connection limits installation possibilities. It must be close to locations that can reach an outlet, for constant recording.
Notables:
- Remote access – it allows you to personalize your settings like notification settings to watch videos from anywhere. You can also set the system on and off along with other remote actions just from your system or smartphone with the help of an app.
- Two-way communication – despite where you are, you can interact through your phone because it comes with a built-in microphone and speakers. Such a relief at an affordable price.
- Cloud storage – Nest offers cloud storage for a 30-day trial to let you enjoy free storage.
- HD recording – it offers a vivid 1080p resolution to capture minute details under any weather condition.
- Night vision – you do not have to worry about anything with Nest. Its night vision camera records details even in the dark.
- WiFi connectivity – for efficient and remote security, it connects to your internet connection for working.
- High-end audio and video quality – its built-in speakers and microphone are very good when it comes to quality. It gives you a life-like audio and video experience.
- Zoom-in – you can focus on the desired details and part of your house with 8x zoom.
Limitations:
- It requires wired connectivity.
- No touchscreen display as many other cameras offer touch displays at this price.
Blink Outdoor Security – Best Battery Camera
The best thing I like about the Blink camera is that it is small and discrete, yet comes with all the characteristics of a good, high-end outdoor security camera that you can trust.
The Blink outdoor security camera is wireless. It offers cloud storage with a reasonably priced monthly subscription that is inexpensive.
It is a tiny home security camera with several helpful features, including an excellent weather-resistant rating. It’s also suitable for usage indoors.
This is an excellent choice if you want a camera that can do several functions. It’s battery-powered, so it doesn’t need to be near an outlet.
This allows you to keep an eye not only on what’s going on the outside but inside of the home as well as on the back deck.
Notables:
- HD resolution – it offers you 1080p resolution for images and video recording, which perfectly captures details.
- Field of view – you get enough field of view of 110 degrees, which is good for small porches and yards.
- Battery life – Blink security cameras are best known for their batteries. Its long battery life offers the best portability and convenience.
- Two-way communication – it comes with built-in speakers and microphones for live interaction remotely.
- Temperature resistance – this camera works exceptionally well under higher temperatures outdoors. Made to last, I would say.
- Night vision – it records well in low light conditions. I am not a fan of it for full dark surroundings though.
Limitations:
- You may find the storage restricted. It stores up to roughly two hours of video on Blink’s server, which does not require any fee. Once you’ve used up all of your alerts, the server will delete the oldest ones to make room for new ones. You can’t record clips that are longer than sixty seconds, either.
- Picks up background noises, which can be beneficial in some situations, and not in many.
Red Flags For Best Home Security System With Outdoor Cameras
Here are some of the questions, you must not feel shy of asking before investing in the best home security system with outdoor cameras. Paying a little more is better than compromising your and your family’s security.
Do outdoor security cameras work with other devices?
By investing in the best outdoor security cameras for your home, and choosing the right features, you can maximize the functionality of your camera.
Make sure that the camera you are getting does more than just record videos and send alerts. Most decent security cameras offer other devices integration for extended protection and performance.
IFTTT is a service that lets you connect to other IFTTT-integrated devices such as lights on and off, arming and disarming sensors, and much more.
Do I need sound detection along with motion detection?
It can never be a wrong decision to add a layer of protection to your home.
The majority of cameras come with motion detection, which sends a notification or arms the siren when motion is detected.
You must go for the camera that lets you detect someone out there, even if they are out of range or not in front of the camera.
Is my camera resistant to adverse weather conditions?
Checking IP ratings before making a purchase is important to ensure that your camera is capable of withstanding high temperature, water, and moisture.
How to check IP rating:
IP rating contains 2 digits. The first one explains how much the camera is capable of taking solid objects like dust. Whereas, the second digit explains the resistance to moisture or water.
The first digit ranges from 0(not resistant) to 6(complete resistance against dust). The second digit ranges from 0(no protection) to 9(high protection to water from all angles).
Final Verdict
Well, choosing the best outdoor security camera is not just about the price and model or what your neighbor uses.
Unlike me, I would like you to better understand what you are getting. Outdoor cameras are a bit expensive in comparison to their indoor counterparts.
They start from as low as $50 and go up to thousands of dollars depending on their size, model, features, services, and overall coverage.
Here, I would vouch for, “you get what you pay for”. Investing in high-price models you can find cameras with facial recognition, time-lapse recording, both local and cloud storage, rechargeable battery, and much more.
Choose wisely.
