Here’s our top picks for the best outdoor security cameras of 2020. We’ve ranked these based on resolution, advanced features, connection to smarthome systems, and more. Take a look to see if any of these options look like the best fit for you.
1. Arlo Pro 2
When it comes to round the clock security you can count on, the Arlo Pro 2 as being the best option. However, it’s also the most expensive. It does earn it’s price though. With 1080p video resolution and zoom capabilities, it’ll be easy to identify anyone who threatens your safety. If there’s an emergency, the Arlo Pro 2 can send you up to four different kinds of notifications. It’s also alarmed and has two-way audio. If you’re looking for top-notch security and you have the money to invest in it, we would highly recommend this option.
2. Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is also more expensive, but it comes with some technological advancements you can’t find anywhere else. After a learning period, this camera can learn to recognize people you know and trust via facial recognition software, helping to slow the surge of false alarm alerts you might be receiving. It tracks moving objects and can distinguish between general movement and the movement of people. It’s incredibly durable, too. The only downside is that you’ll need to pay a subscription fee in order to make sure you get the kind of monitoring you want. Those costs can add up over time, but if you’re careful, this could easily be the best option for you.
3. Arlo Go
Out of every camera we’ll be reviewing here today, the Arlo Go is the most expensive. The Arlo Go is extremely sophisticated and boasts a unique feature: it’s completely wireless. That’s right. You don’t have to plug the Arlo Go in, which makes it that much easier to place exactly where you need it. It connects via cellular data and it isn’t integrated with any smarthome services, but it does have a large field of view. It isn’t alarmed and it’s incredibly easy to hide. If the wire-free option makes this more appealing to you, we suggest you try it out.
4. Nest Cam Outdoor
The Nest Cam Outdoor is well-priced, but you will need a subscription to it. We loved that it connects with almost every smart home program, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can drain your bandwidth because it films constantly and one other downside is the cord. It’s only ten feet long which either presents a limit on where you can put it or will require an extension cord. But, because of the mount it comes with, it’s easy to make it look exactly how you want.
5. Lorex Security Camera
The Lorex Security Camera is slightly more expensive than most, but not nearly as much as some of the previously listed options. One highlight of this system is that you can create customized motion sensitivity zones for your camera to watch for. This prevents false alarms and can help you target exactly which parts of your home are the most vulnerable. It also has 4k image sensing and 4k video recording; the highest of any camera we have listed here. Take a look at this option. We think it may be exactly what you’re looking for!
6. Ring Spotlight Cam Battery
The Ring Spotlight Cam Battery falls in the middle when it comes to price. It connects via Wi-Fi and works with Amazon Alexa. We thought this option was great because it has a wider field of view than any of the others we looked at. It also has 1080p resolution. While it may night be as great as the Lorex Security Camera’s 4k, it keeps the price lower on this, making it a better option for many people. Not to mention it’ll protect more of your home than some of the other cameras here are able to.
7. Logitech Circle 2
This camera’s cord is only ten feet as well, so you might have to invest in an extension cable. It comes with 24 hours of free cloud storage and the option to buy more through a subscription if you want. It’s really similar to the Nest Cam Outdoor, but it doesn’t have quite as many capabilities. It’s lower in price though, meaning it might be worth considering.
8. TP-Link Kasa Cam Outdoor KC200
The TP-Link Kasa Cam Outdoor KC200 is well-priced, has excellent resolution (1080p), and is easy to install. The simplicity of this camera makes it right for a lot of people. While it doesn’t have quite as many features, it does have two-way audio and digital zoom.
9. Ezviz C3W ezGuard Wi-Fi Security Camera
Like most of the other options here, this one connects via Wi-Fi as the name suggests. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but with one downside: this camera doesn’t have as big a field of view as the other cameras listed here. To make up for it, it is alarmed and it does come with 1080p resolution. But the smaller field of vision isn’t always ideal. Still, if you wouldn’t mind that part, definitely look into it. One of the benefits is that it’s also one of the cheapest cameras on this list without totally sacrificing quality. If you’re looking for a more economic option, this could be a great one for you.
10. Reolink Argus 2
This camera is only ten dollars more than the one that we ranked before it. Its great price, alarm system, and 1080p resolution make it the right choice for many families. Keep in mind that it isn’t integrated with any smart home software though.
11. Tend Secure Lynx Pro
This one is on the pricier side of things, but it isn’t the most expensive camera. Still, it has a smaller field of vision than the others. It isn’t alarmed either, but if that’s what you’re looking for, then this camera has great resolution and might be the best choice for you.
12. ADT Outdoor Camera
The ADT Outdoor Camera works with Amazon Alexa. You can control where it’s looking from your smartphone if you’re worried about anything in particular and it keeps a detailed log of all past events, which can be incredibly helpful. The only downside is that the resolution is a step down from most of the others; only 720p. freso
13. Zmodo Security Camera System
The Zmodo Security Camera System works with Amazon Alexa and is accessible from your smartphone, so you can monitor your home even when you’re away. But, its night vision can only see 65 feet, which isn’t as great as some of the other options available.
14. Netgear Arlo Pro 2 plus Base Station
The best feature on this camera system is its incredible battery life. That, combined with being able to use your own form of electronic storage (like a USB) instead of needing to purchase more cloud storage is incredibly convenient. However, you have to have a subscription if you want it to record continuous motion. Otherwise, you’ll just get bits and pieces.
15. Swann Wi-Fi Outdoor Security Camera
The Swann Wi-Fi Outdoor Security Camera connects via Wi-Fi, but isn’t integrated with any smart home systems. It has a smaller field than most, but it isn’t alarmed, which some people want. One downside is that it doesn’t have two-way audio capabilities. If you’re not picky about your audio though, it could be a great option for you.
Cove currently doesn’t provide outdoor cameras but in the future we will. For now, if you’re content with an indoor camera try one of ours.