The Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras for 2024 (2024)

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Why We Picked It

Sharp 2K video, wireless installation, and a generous feature set make the battery-powered Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight one of our top picks. In addition to working with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, the camera can interact with lots of third-party devices via IFTTT. In testing, it delivered sharp, colorful video during both day and night, as well as provided accurate motion alerts.

Who It’s For

This is a smart choice for anyone who wants a wire-free outdoor camera that does it all. It is very easy to install, works with lots of other smart devices, and has a built-in spotlight and siren that help keep unwanted visitors at bay. You also get some neat features such as motion tracking, auto-zoom, and intelligent alerts.

Why We Picked It

For just $40, the TP-Link Tapo C120 is loaded with features usually only found on more expensive models, including 2K resolution (2,560 by 1,440 pixels), color night vision, and local video storage. The camera records video when it detects motion and offers free intelligent alerts that differentiate between people, pets, vehicles, and other motion events, a feature many competitors charge extra for.

Who It's For

If you’re in the market for a 2K security camera for indoor or outdoor use but don’t want to spend a bundle, the TP-Link Tapo C120 deserves a spot on your shortlist. It requires a nearby GFCI outlet for power but saves you a lot of money compared with wireless 2K alternatives.

Why We Picked It

Nothing quite matches the Wyze Cam OG on value. For a little over $20, you get a weatherproof camera with excellent 1080p video quality, a built-in spotlight, local and cloud storage options, and broad third-party integration options. Better yet, you can pair this device with a second camera from the company's OG series (including the OG Telephoto) to enable a picture-in-picture viewing mode in the app.

Who It’s For

If you want to spend as little as possible on an outdoor security camera, the Wyze Cam OG gives you the best set of features for the lowest price. The flexibility to add another camera on the same mounting apparatus for a wider or a zoomed-in view adds value if you need to cover more ground than one camera can manage.

Why We Picked It

Most outdoor cameras offer a limited view of your yard and/or driveway, but the Wyze Cam Pan v3's pan and tilt controls mean you can see your entire property. It captures vibrant 1080p video, responds reliably to remote camera adjustments, and detects both motion and sound. Support for Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT rounds out the package.

Who It’s For

If you need an outdoor security camera that lets you monitor your whole yard, this Wyze model is worth your attention. It offers versatile storage options, a handy Privacy mode (in which the camera points straight down and turns off), and an IP65 weatherproof rating, all at an affordable price. If you don't need the pan and tilt capabilities, consider the Editors' Choice-winning Wyze Cam v3 Pro ($49.99), which offers sharper 2K video and a built-in spotlight.

Why We Picked It

The Arlo Essential XL Outdoor is a wireless outdoor security camera that delivers sharp 1080p or 2K video depending on the model you choose, and lots of features, including color night vision, voice control, and ample third-party integrations for a relatively affordable price. It's powered by a built-in (non-removable) battery rated to last up to 16 months between charges depending on Wi-Fi signal strength and overall usage. In comparison, most wireless competitors last anywhere from six months to a year between charges.

Who It's For

If you're in search of a feature-rich outdoor security camera that's easy to install, this is a top pick. You’ll have to pay extra to access recorded video, but the same is true for its closest competitor, the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery. Ring charges a bit less for cloud storage, but the Essential XL is a better option if you prioritize long battery life and/or Google Assistant support. As another long-lasting alternative, the Blink Outdoor 4 runs on two AA batteries and promises up to two years of power.

Why We Picked It

Although it isn't cheap, the Arlo Go 2 earns our Editors’ Choice award for its easy wire-free installation, excellent 1080p video quality, and ability to connect from just about anywhere using either a cellular or Wi-Fi radio. A premium price means premium features including support for voice commands, lots of third-party integrations, intelligent alerts, a built-in spotlight, and color night vision.

Who It’s For

If you need to monitor a cabin, a boat, or a worksite where there is no electricity or Wi-Fi, this is the camera for you. It installs in minutes and uses a cellular radio to connect to your phone, thus allowing you to view live and recorded video or dial 911 if necessary. It can also use a Wi-Fi connection when one is available, provides long battery life with an option for charging via a solar panel, and can store recordings locally or in the cloud.

Why We Picked It

The Eufy Cam 3 S330 offers all of the features we expect from a high-end model including color night vision, face recognition, cloud and local storage, and an integrated spotlight. You don't get IFTTT or HomeKit support, but built-in solar charging panels are a major plus. Eufy also conveniently sells the camera in packs of two, three, or four, with an increasingly lower per-device cost the more you buy.

Who It’s For

If you need to record people, pets, and vehicles on or around your property in high resolution, the Eufy Cam 3 S330 is a top choice. And its solar charging panel means you can place it wherever you want without worrying about having to take it down to recharge the battery.

Why We Picked It

The Eufy SoloCam S340 is a unique outdoor home security camera that is equipped with two high-resolution lenses, one for wide-angle viewing and the other for telephoto zooming. It runs on battery power, which makes it very easy to install, and it comes with a small solar panel to stay powered indefinitely. While on the pricey side, the SoloCam S340 offers a lot of bang for your buck, including sharper video than similarly priced competitors, free local storage, and mechanical pan and tilt capabilities.

Who It's For

If you have a sunny spot you're looking to monitor, this is a top choice that doesn't require a GFCI outlet or manual battery charges for power. If you need to keep an eye on multiple areas, however, it's worth upgrading to the solar-equipped EufyCam 3 S330, which comes with up to four cameras, delivers even sharper 4K video, and includes a hub for expandable local video storage.

Why We Picked It

The Ring Stick Up Cam Battery is a battery-powered indoor and outdoor security camera that is easy to install and works with lots of third-party smart devices as well as other Ring products. We like its sharp 1080p video quality, accurate motion detection alerts, and long battery life, but would love for Ring to add a local storage option.

Who It’s For

A painless installation process makes this camera a solid choice if you don’t want to deal with wires or drilling. Simply charge it, pair it with the app, and place it anywhere you want, inside or outside. An optional solar panel extends the battery life indefinitely. You have to subscribe to a Ring Protect plan to access video recordings, but the $40-per-year fee is fairly reasonable considering you get 180 days of video history, person alerts, and rich notifications.

Why We Picked It

The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro is pricier than the standard Stick Up Cam, but offers a lot more bang for your buck with features such as HDR video, color pre-roll footage, 3D motion detection, and dual-band Wi-Fi. 3D motion detection uses radar to detect the distance of an object for improved accuracy and fewer false alerts compared with the standard camera. This technology also powers a bird’s eye aerial view feature, which lets you see where visitors to your home have traveled while on your property.

Who It's For

This is a top option for anyone in the market for a versatile 1080p indoor or outdoor security camera with advanced motion detection. It offers wireless, wired, and solar-charging options, and works with both 5GHz and 2.5GHz Wi-Fi networks (whereas many security cameras including the non-Pro Stick Up Cam only support 2.4GHz). Just be aware that like all other Ring devices, it doesn’t include native support for Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant. Also know that the Stick Up Cam Pro doesn't have an integrated light, which might be a drawback if you plan to use it outdoors.

Why We Picked It

Thanks to its particularly wide field of view, the wireless Blink Outdoor 4 can help you keep tabs on everything that happens around the perimeter of your home. Highlights of the camera include a 1080p recording resolution, person detection (via subscription), cloud and local video storage, and an extensive battery runtime of up to two years. Alexa and IFTTT support make it quite versatile, as well.

Who It's For

If you already rely on Alexa to control your smart home, the affordable Blink Outdoor 4 should fit right into your system. It responds to voice commands reliably and conveniently uses the same app as any other Blink devices you might own.

Why We Picked It

A rugged indoor and outdoor camera, the Google Nest Cam packs a useful selection of smart features to help you keep tabs on your home. In addition to sharp 1080p HDR video, it offers face recognition, dual-band Wi-Fi, and intelligent alerts that know the difference between people, animals, and vehicles. It also sends alerts when it hears the sound of a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, or breaking glass.

Who It’s For

The battery-powered Google Nest Cam is a good fit for people who want a wire-free outdoor camera that installs quickly. It doesn’t work with many third-party devices, but it integrates seamlessly with other Google and Nest devices, responds to Google Assistant voice commands, and can stream video to a Google Nest display.