Thanks to smart home technology, it's easy to protect the exterior of your home. There are many great outdoor security camera systems to keep an eye on what's happening outside your door.

Many of these all make the video accessible on a smartphone or smart home hub. If you're ready to invest, here are some of the best outdoor security systems available today.

Premium pick

1. Arlo Ultra 2

8.40 / 10
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It's hard to beat the Arlo Ultra 2 if you're looking for an outdoor security camera system with great image quality and other excellent features. Most importantly, the cameras record in 4K resolution, so you'll always get a clear view of what's happening outside your home.

The lens provides a 180-degree field-of-view with automatic image correction to reduce the fisheye effect. Made for the outdoors and resistant to the elements, the camera also sports a built-in spotlight to shine on visitors.

The removable battery can last for up to six months before needing to be recharged. The starter kit, which includes two cameras and a hub, is compatible with three major smart home systems—Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

An optional subscription unlocks additional features like AI-based object detection, activity zones, and 30 days of cloud video storage.

Key Features
  • Camera features 180-degree field-of-view
  • Motion can automatically turn on integrated spotlight
  • Removable battery can last for up to six months of normal usage
Specifications
  • Brand: Arlo
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
  • App Compatibility: Yes
  • Night Vision: Yes
  • Internal or External: External
  • Power Source: Battery
Pros
  • Works with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant
  • Can store video locally with a optional microSD card
Cons
  • Many features require an additional subscription
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Arlo Ultra 2
Editors choice

2. Ring Floodlight Camera

9.40 / 10
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If you're already in the Ring ecosystem and using one of the company's popular video doorbells, the Ring Floodlight Camera can further extend your security outdoors.

The top feature of the devices is the integrated floodlight that can provide 1,800 lumens of brightness, sure to get anyone's attention. When motion is detected, you can automatically trigger the camera to start recording and the floodlight. There is also an integrated siren that you can remotely trigger to scare off any unwanted visitors.

The system is perfect for anyone who already has an exterior floodlight or can hardwire the Ring device to an outdoor electrical box. You can view 1080p video with an Amazon Alexa device with a screen or through the Ring app. A two-way microphone lets you talk with anyone in range of the camera.

Key Features
  • Requires hardwiring to outdoor electrical box
  • Floodlight provides 1,800 lumens of brightness
  • Detected motion can automatically trigger floodlight and camera
Specifications
  • Brand: Ring
  • Resolution: 1,080p
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
  • App Compatibility: Yes
  • Night Vision: Yes
  • Internal or External: External
  • Power Source: Wired
Pros
  • Built-in siren can be triggered remotely
  • Large vertical and horizontal field of view
Cons
  • No compatibility with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant
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Ring Floodlight Camera
Best value

3. Wyze Cam Outdoor

9.00 / 10
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Wyze is known for its budget-friendly smart home devices. And the company can help keep your home secure with its Wyze Cam Outdoor. The completely wireless cameras are weatherproof and can be placed almost anywhere within range of the Wi-Fi signal.

The starter kit includes two cameras and a base station, but you can also add cameras later on to extend coverage. The integrated battery can provide up to six months of regular use before needing to be recharged. Infrared night vision provides a clear image up to 25 feet away from the camera.

To limit false alarms, motion detection senses body heat with passive infrared technology. So instead of a blowing branch, you'll only see a video when a human or animal is detected. All of the 12-second motion-activated recordings are saved in the cloud for free for 14 days.

Key Features
  • Integrated battery lasts up to six months with normal use
  • 12-second motion activated videos stored in the cloud for free for 14 days
  • Up to four cameras can be connected to a single base station
Specifications
  • Brand: Wyze
  • Resolution: 1,080p
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
  • App Compatibility: Yes
  • Night Vision: Yes
  • Internal or External: External
  • Power Source: Battery
Pros
  • Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Motion detection designed to cut down on false alarms
Cons
  • Entire camera needs to be pulled down when it's time to recharge
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Wyze Cam Outdoor

The eufyCam 2 Oro is highlighted by excellent battery life. With regular use, you won’t need to worry about recharging for an entire year. That makes it perfect to use at an out-of-the-way location that’s difficult to access.

The camera provides video in 2K resolution and with a lens designed for high-quality night vision video. You can view videos with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant or via a smartphone app.

There’s no need to worry about any hidden fees with the system. All of the features, like activity zones and human detection, are included. Along with two weatherproof cameras in the starter kit, you’ll also receive the HomeBase to use with the cameras. That will act as a Wi-Fi repeater and boost the signal to the cameras.

Key Features
  • Camera provides 2K resolution
  • No subscription needed to unlock features
  • Battery lasts for up to 365 days before needing to be recharged
Specifications
  • Brand: eufy
  • Resolution: 2K
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
  • App Compatibility: Yes
  • Night Vision: Yes
  • Internal or External: Both
  • Power Source: Battery
Pros
  • Home base acts as Wi-Fi repeater to boost signal to cameras
  • Works with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant
Cons
  • Apple HomeKit video is limited to 1080p
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eufyCam 2 Pro

The Blink Outdoor is another system to consider when looking for extended battery life. The camera is powered by a pair of AA lithium batteries that can last for up to two years with regular use.

Wireless and weatherproof, you can place the camera almost anywhere outdoors. Along with detecting and recording motion events, the camera also monitors temperature. You can view video up to 1080p using the companion smartphone app, and the system is compatible with Amazon Alexa.

As a result, you can view what’s happening outside on an Amazon Echo with a touchscreen. A starter kit offers three cameras and a Wi-Fi base station to place indoors.

Key Features
  • Included pair of lithium AA batteries last for up to two years of normal use
  • Compatible with Amazon Alexa devices
  • Completely wireless and designed to withstand the elements
Specifications
  • Brand: Blink
  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
  • App Compatibility: Yes
  • Night Vision: Yes
  • Internal or External: External
  • Power Source: Battery
Pros
  • Also monitors temperature
  • Can store video locally with optional USB flash drive
Cons
  • Subscription required to unlock some features
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Blink Outdoor

The Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In is also one of the best outdoor security cameras available. As long as you have a nearby power outlet, you'll never worry about batteries or recharging.

But even if that's a problem, there's an identical version of the camera with a removable battery. Ring includes a wall mount to help you find the perfect location outdoors. The camera integrates with other Ring products, so you can expand a system with an additional camera or even path lights.

Compatible with Amazon Alexa, the camera will trigger Echo devices to illuminate and make an announcement when motion is detected. On an Echo device with a screen, you can also see, hear, and speak to anyone nearby.

Key Features
  • Compatible with Amazon Alexa
  • Designed for use outside or indoors
  • Integrates with other Ring products
Specifications
  • Brand: Ring
  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
  • App Compatibility: Yes
  • Night Vision: Yes
  • Internal or External: Both
  • Power Source: Wired
Pros
  • You can select from a black or white model
  • Also available in a battery-powered version
Cons
  • Additional features require a paid subscription
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Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In

Fans of the Google Nest line of smart home products also have a way to keep an eye on what's happening outside. The Google Nest Cam Outdoor is weatherproof and attaches to a power source, so you'll never have to worry about recharging batteries.

The camera features a 130-degree wide-angle lens with up to an eight times zoom so you can get a closer look at what's happening. A built-in speaker and mic allow you to communicate with anyone near the camera.

With an optional, paid subscription, you can unlock additional features like person alerts. You can view the video feed with the Google Nest app or with a Google Nest smart hub with a screen.

Key Features
  • Camera features 130-degree wide-angle lens
  • Built-in speaker and mic allows you to communicate with anyone near camera
  • Optional subscription unlocks additional features like person alerts
Specifications
  • Brand: Google Nest
  • Resolution: 1080p
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi
  • App Compatibility: Yes
  • Night Vision: Yes
  • Internal or External: External
  • Power Source: Wired
Pros
  • Uses power source so need to worry about charging batteries
  • Up to eight times zoom for a closer view of what's happening
Cons
  • Only compatible with Google Nest products
Buy This Product
Google Nest Cam Outdoor

FAQ

Q: Do All Outdoor Security Cameras Have to be Plugged In?

The good news is that several outdoor security cameras don't need a constant power source thanks to a battery pack. The battery in some cameras can be removed, while others require charging the entire camera. That's a big plus when trying to secure your home's exterior.

The downside of a battery-powered camera is that the cell will eventually need to be recharged. But most wireless camera batteries can go for weeks, if not months, before needing to be juiced up.

Q: Do Outdoor Security Cameras Need Wi-Fi?

For the most part, outdoor security cameras do require Wi-Fi to operate. That's because the internet connection is needed to send video and notifications to a user via a smartphone app or smart home hub. Using Wi-Fi also makes the cameras lighter and more resistant to the elements than models with a wired Ethernet connection.

Q: What Should I Look for When Buying an Outdoor Security Camera?

There are some options to consider when looking for an outdoor security camera. Most importantly, you need to decide whether you want to record what's going on outside 24/7 or something more specific, like a time of day or when motion is detected.

Then you'll want to decide if a wired or wireless option makes more sense for the location you'd like to watch. Another essential thing to consider is if the camera is part of a larger security ecosystem.

Many brands offer different types of features, including cameras and other security tools like lighting and indoor security systems that can be professionally monitored.