A wireless outdoor security camera is a convenient way to monitor your home to see who is bumping in – whether it’s a friend, furry creature, mischief-makers, or evening a burglary. We reviewed 9 of the best wireless outdoor security cameras, and any of our picks can do the job. Their convenience and flexibility; our favorites, the Arlo Pro 3, WiFi connection, and battery make it easy to install just about anywhere a ladder can reach. Arlo Ultra 4K and Pro 3 are both expensive security cameras, but we think it’s worth the price. However, Google Nest Cam Outdoor Camera is our best pick for the job, although you need a subscription to enjoy some features you get for free with Arlo.
What are the Best Wireless Outdoor Security Camera in 2021?
1. The best outdoor WiFi camera: Google Nest Cam Outdoor Security Camera
As far as outdoor cameras go, the Google Nest Cam Outdoor WiFi camera is the best you can buy. The camera comes with everything you could ever want in an outdoor security camera, including crisp HD video resolution, night vision, two-way audio, and face detection.
Nest Cam also comes with a long extension cord, 3 hours of free cloud storage, and an optional subscription at $6 a month. The subscription options allow you to choose between event-based recording or capturing everything 24/7 and customizable person detection and activity zones, which helps cut down on annoyance alerts.
Nest Cam Outdoor is a highly recommendable DIY outdoor security camera just like our other pick Arlo. Though, you’ve to choose between dealing with Arlo’s batteries or Nest’s power cord.
Pros:
- Highly rated app
- Custom activity zones
- Best operating temperature
- AI features (like familiar face detection)
- Great video, two-way audio, and night vision
- Integrations with Alexa, Google Assistant, and more
Cons:
- No local storage
- Alerts are still sporadic
2. Best self-monitored home security system: Arlo Ultra 4K
The Arlo Ultra is the first outdoor home security CCTV camera system that streams and records video in an incredible 4K and HDR advanced image quality technology. It is expensive at £520 but loaded with premium features, including motion tracking, smart motion detection, auto zooming, and enhanced color night vision.
The Arlo Ultra’s main feature that I am excited about is its siren, which worked well to scare off intruders. We also like the camera, which has twice as many pixels as 1080p HD. However, you need to subscribe to get the most from the camera.
It brings a new range of things to think about including cloud, and local storage, smart platform integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant, and so much more. So far, Arlo Ultra represents some of the best higher-end security systems you can buy in 2021.
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Automatic zoom
- Weatherproof
- Color and infrared night vision
- 4K video
- Person, animal, package, and vehicle detection
- Lots of smart features
Cons:
- High price
- It requires a hub.
- Some features need a subscription.
3. Best battery powered outdoor security camera: Eufycam 2 Wireless Security System
If you want a simple, affordable battery wireless outdoor security system with no additional cost, like a monthly cloud subscription, to view saved vidoes, consider the Anker Eufycam 2 Wireless Security System. However, it doesn’t offer professional backups every second of the day.
Eufycam 2 eliminates the need for getting a power cord if you don’t have outdoor electrical outlets. They also claimed a 365-day battery life that never seems to drain away. However, the local storage speed and convenience — which eliminates the need for a cloud plan, make it among our top picks.
Unlike Arlo, Eufy’s features are available without a subscription, but I had an issue with Eufy’s audio and night vision. All that said, the long battery life and other cool premium features justify the higher price.
Pros:
- Sharp 1080p video
- Fairly easy setup and straightforward interface
- Weatherproof
- 365-day battery life
- Geofencing mode
- Local and cloud video storage
- Smart motion detection, including human detection
- Works with both Alexa, Google Assistant
Cons:
- No audio detection
- Requires a hub
- Blurry, pixelated night vision
4. Best wireless camera system: Arlo Pro 3
Arlo has always been on top of things when it comes to tech features. Arlo-Pro3 wire-free camera means no more worry about power cords across your backyard. It offers impressive specs, including smart alerts, 2K ultra-HD resolution, smart home integrations, and an easy-to-install just about anywhere.
While the Arlo Ultra was far the best security camera we reviewed, it still has a limited and high price. With the Arlo Pro 3, you get a good video quality that is even more detailed than other brands, and it can tell the difference between people, animals, cars, and packages.
The Arlo Pro 3 is the best wireless camera system and a top pick that offers some of the cool features that the Arlo Ultra had. However, although it’s not cheap, it provides fantastic results to those who can afford it.
Pros:
- Custom activity zones
- Easy-to-install magnetic mount
- crisp 2K ultra-HD resolution and HDR
- Rechargeable battery
- Built-in spotlight and siren
- Auto-zoom and track
- Alexa, Google, IFTTT, and HomeKit integrations
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Requires Arlo hub
- Needs Arlo subscription for best features
- Full 2K resolution requires a microSD card
5. The best budget security camera system: Zmodo Outdoor Wireless Security Camera
The Zmodo outdoor wireless security camera is an excellent sturdy and basic camera: With motion alerts, plugin, optional cloud recording, a fantastic 1080p HD video, 65-foot night vision, although not so great, which is probably expected. You’ll never miss a thing that is happening in your home.
Zmodo cameras are a great choice if you want an affordable security camera system to install and monitor yourself. Compare to our other picks, the speaker is loud and clear, while the video quality is bright and sharp, and you also pay less. However, installation troubles and app reliability problems may be reason enough to go with our other picks.
Pros:
- DIY installation
- Inexpensive
- It does not require a cloud storage plan
- Clear 1080p video quality
- Variety of indoor camera options
- Support Alexa and Google Assistant
- 30-day money-back guarantee & 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Professional features require a paid plan
- Only two outdoor camera options
- No built-in siren
- Cost for storage
6. Best security light camera: Ring Spotlight Cam Battery
If you want a wireless, outdoor home security camera, look no further than the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery. The Ring comes with a built-in spotlight, bright security light, HD video with up to 30 feet of night vision, and a siren to scare potential intruders. It also does not require monthly fees. We receive notifications whenever the camera detected motion.
It’s especially for anyone concerned about theft or to keeps an eye on your mischievous pet or older kids when you’re not home. However, Ring Spotlight Cam Battery can be used as an entire home security system when paired with Ring Alarm because of its functionalities. Or who want a range of smart home products there can control with their voice, using the Ring app, Alexa or Google Assistant.
The Ring Spotlight Cam Battery is easy to install – no hardwiring required. The battery worth the price! Paying just $3 a month for 60 days of cloud storage is the best deal ever from any home security camera!
Pros:
- Easy setup and solid performance
- Good video, audio, and night vision
- Built-in spotlight and siren
- Person detection and adjustable motion zones
- 30-refund policy
- Cloud storage, local storage, and 24/7 professional monitoring cost just $3
Cons:
- No storage even if it is reasonable prices
- Depend on a power source
7. Best for the buck in the UK: Victure Outdoor Security WIFI Camera
If you live in the Uk, are you’re looking for an affordable home security camera, Victure wireless outdoor security camera is designed to monitor your property 24/7. A 1080p, 110-degree wide-angle lens cuts producing a high-resolution, night vision, 2-way audio, and suspicious activity is detected; will help you keep an eye on everything happening at home.
The Victure indoor camera is a simple and effective solution for most beginners without networking knowledge. The app is a solid performer (the app is available for Android and Apple smartphones). The cloud system makes things that much easier. The Victure WiFi camera received a total score of 9.51 out of 10, based on review sentiments and user opinions related to 9 features, including best for the buck, audio and video, design, control, app, storage, and other unique functionalities, according to Bestviewsreviews.
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Weatherproof
- No blind zones
- Support up to 64GB Encrypts Micro SD card
- It comes with one year warranty
- Support both wireless and wired network connectivity
Cons:
- Short power cable
- Black and white image to about 50 feet
8. The best security camera with a spec-sheet: TP-Link Kasa Cam Outdoor (model KC200)
The TP-Link’s Kasa Cam Outdoor KC200 has not looked too far from Nest Indoor Cam. It offers the same easy installation, excellent video quality, two-way audio, mobile notifications, and motion with accurate sound detection: All the usual stuff we expected from outdoor security cameras, though it doesn’t offer the advanced functions. It’s a great value if you’re more interested in at-home security.
For less than $80, you get a great outdoor camera with decent cloud storage. It integrates with all of Kasa’s other smart home products and both Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant so you can set scenes and rules. Easy to set up within the Kasa app, which is also the home of TP-Link’s other Kasa-branded switches, smart plugs, and other IoT devices.
There is some slight time lag, but it’s expected with security cameras. It’s a great value if you’re interested in more inquisitive at-home security.
Pros:
- Great value for the buck
- Easy installation- magnetic camera mount
- Sharp 1080p video and night vision
- Free cloud storage
- Motion and sound detection highly customizable
Cons:
- Not entirely a weatherproof design.
- No battery-power option
- The siren is not too loud.
9. Netvue Wireless Outdoor Security Camera
With more than a thousand plus five-star reviews, Netvue Wireless Outdoor Security Camera is among the best camera you can buy; the picture quality is unbelievable. “Clear, crisp views both day and night, along with providing alerts if motion’s detected. I had the opportunity to test this camera out for myself to see just how well it helps improve home security,” said Crystal.
In addition to the PIR function, it includes infrared light, which enables you to see clearly in the dark. It’s also a WiFi and an Ethernet-enabled camera but wired. Meaning it needs a power source to operate. The night vision is excellent for viewing movements, which cannot be said for many cheaper cameras. Also, its installation and setup as easy as it were connected to Amazon Alexa.
Pros:
- Low price
- Good video quality
- 80-degree wide Field of view
- Ethernet and WiFi
- Waterproof
- Long power cable
- Monitor easily from the Netvue app
- AI. Human Detection (requires subscription)
- Class 10 and above Micro SD card (Max 128GB)
- Cloud and SD recording storage options
Cons:
- No battery sources
- It May require drilling a hole for the power cable
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Wireless Outdoor Security Camera
We’ve been reviewing security cameras for years now, so we’ve kept tabs on existing models and what features to look for.
Resolution: All our recommended cameras stream 1080p to 4K video Resolution. A high-resolution camera allows you to see clearly even in the dark. However, 4K cameras can see up to 150 feet. There is very little reason to buy a 720p camera unless it’s cheap or has unique features.
Night vision: All outdoor cameras should have night vision capability that shows clear footage in darker areas and at night. Usually, night vision cameras use infrared LED lights to shed light on the motion-triggered activity, and it shows clear footage at 20-50 feet.
Smart Alerts: A good security camera alerts you when someone enters your property or when motion is triggered. However, the speed it takes to warn you depends mostly on your network than on the camera. Our recommended camera can also distinguish between different motion causes, such as a person, animal, or vehicle.
Cloud Storage:
Videos footage is stored on a remote server operated by the manufacturer. Though, some cameras offer storage locally on a microSD card or an attached hard drive. But we prefer a camera that stores footage remotely because if the camera loses power or got stolen, microSD doesn’t help much. Our recommended best security light camera, Ring Spotlight Cam Battery, offers 24/7 professional monitoring cost just $3
Two-way audio: A good security camera should have an excellent built-in microphone for two-way audio, allowing you to talk to whoever is on the other end
Security system compatibility: If you’re considering a brilliant home security camera, start by evaluating cameras that can integrate easily with the likes such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, or IFTTT, as well as SmartThings, and other smart IoT devices
Power source: Many smart wireless outdoor security cameras are battery-operated and offer flexible placement. While some outdoor wireless cameras still require AC power; however, consider a backup power source if you need to plugin.
