When it comes to securing the outdoor areas of your property, things get a bit more complicated. You want a durable outdoor camera, of course, without sacrificing key components like motion, entry, and glass break sensors, panic buttons, key ring remotes, and the like. While there are outdoor security cameras and security systems, it can be hard to find ones that overlap…until now.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my first piece of 2020, the best outdoor security cameras with systems review. You can rest assured knowing that your outdoors are as safe as your indoors. Let’s get started!
Tend Indoor 2
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Tend Indoor 2
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Tend Indoor 2
This camera has the best artificial intelligence capabilities of any on this list, able to identify specific people. |
Doesn't expire |
Ring Alarm and Ring Stick Up Cam Wired
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Ring Alarm and Ring Stick Up Cam Wired
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Ring Alarm and Ring Stick Up Cam Wired
Ring has a wide array of sensors and outdoor security cameras ideal for protecting all areas of your property. |
Doesn't expire |
Swann Security System and 4K Camera
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Swann Security System and 4K Camera
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Swann Security System and 4K Camera
Keep it simple with 6 4K cameras and a 2 TB hard drive, which can hold up to 80 days of video. |
Doesn't expire |
Nest Secure and Nest Cam Outdoor
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Nest Secure and Nest Cam Outdoor
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Nest Secure and Nest Cam Outdoor
With person detection and activity zones, you'll love monitoring your home's outdoor spaces with the Nest Cam Outdoor, which has optional 24/7 professional monitoring. |
Doesn't expire |
Vivint Security System and Outdoor Camera Pro
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Vivint Security System and Outdoor Camera Pro
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Vivint Security System and Outdoor Camera Pro
You'll love Vivint for it's free, professional installation, it's integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant, and the person detection on the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro. |
Doesn't expire |
Tend Indoor 2
Tend Indoor 2
When it comes to artificial intelligence, the Tend Indoor 2 takes the cake, which is pretty impressive considering it costs only $60. Not only does the camera have person detection, meaning it only notifies you if it spots a person, but it even has facial recognition. That means that over time, the camera can learn the faces of your family and friends, alerting you when specific people are in front of it. Of course, it can also tell when there’s an unfamiliar face, which is information you want as quickly as possible. Thank God for the highly-rated TendApp, which will alert you pronto!
Aside from that, the Tend Indoor 2 impresses with 1080p HD video, infrared night vision, two-way audio plus an Alexa integration. While it lacks local storage, I am pleased that you get a week of cloud storage on the house. Plus, the camera is plug-in, meaning you don’t have to worry about the battery running out. Sign me up!
To learn more, read my full review of the Tend Indoor 2.
This camera has the best artificial intelligence capabilities of any on this list, able to identify specific people.
Ring Alarm and Ring Stick Up Cam Wired
Ring Alarm and Ring Stick Up Cam Wired
When it comes to Ring home security, you can customize pretty much anything. From self-monitoring in the highly-rated Ring— Always Home app to paying only $10 a month or $100 a year for professional monitoring and cellular backup, you can choose exactly how you want to monitor your system. Regardless, you’ll be able to livestream footage through Ring’s app, all in the industry standard of 1080p HD.
Let’s talk more about the camera, one of Ring’s many outdoor options aside from the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery. The camera works with Alexa as well as Google Assistant, although you won’t be able to livestream footage on Chromecast. It includes a siren, plus, you can create up to three motion zones, ideal for outdoor use. And no matter what kind of climate you’re in, the Stick Up Cam can handle it, with a temperature range of negative five to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Two-way audio and clear infrared night vision are givens, as well.
To learn more, read our full review of the Ring Alarm security system and of the Ring Stick Up Cam Wired.
Ring has a wide array of sensors and outdoor security cameras ideal for protecting all areas of your property.
Swann Security System and 4K Camera
Swann Security System and 4K Camera
When it comes to outdoor home security, Swann keeps it really simple. It’s system comes with six cameras and one two-TB hard drive, with no sensors, monitoring, or backup available. With no monthly or yearly fees whatsoever, you’ll control everything from the HomeSafe View app, available for iPhone and Android users alike.
Let’s talk about Swann’s 4K cameras. If you’re not super familiar, 4K display has four times the amount of pixels as 1080p HD, the current industry standard. That means footage that’s clear as day. Plus, the camera has built-in spotlights, sirens, as well as heat and motion sensing. So not only will you be able to see through infrared night vision, but there’s also a color night vision option, if your lights are on. Plus, these cameras is super smart, with detection for people, faces, perimeter intrusion, and more.
To learn more, read our full review of the Swann security system.
Keep it simple with 6 4K cameras and a 2 TB hard drive, which can hold up to 80 days of video.
Nest Secure and Nest Cam Outdoor
Nest Secure and Nest Cam Outdoor
The Nest Secure system works better than nearly any security system I’ve ever reviewed, but let’s start with the Nest Cam Outdoor. With an IP rating of 65, it can handle any solid thrown it’s way as well as water jets up to 6.3 mm. You’ll be alerted as soon as the camera detects a person in clear infrared night vision. And if you sign up for Nest Aware, you can even get dog barking alerts, person speaking alerts, and familiar face alerts for the most specificity.
As far as your indoors go, Nest Secure is a minimalist collection of one base station, two sensors, and two key fobs to easily arm and disarm your system. Not shocking, it works with Google Assistant, as Google owns Nest, but it also works with Alexa, Philips Hue, LIFX, Kasa, and the Nest Yale lock. Professional monitoring and backup are available from Brinks Home Security starting at $19 a month. Basically, home automation is just the beginning when you choose Nest as your security system!
To learn more, read our full reviews of Nest Secure and the Nest Cam Outdoor.
With person detection and activity zones, you'll love monitoring your home's outdoor spaces with the Nest Cam Outdoor, which has optional 24/7 professional monitoring.
Vivint Security System and Outdoor Camera Pro
Vivint Security System and Outdoor Camera Pro
The Vivint Outdoor Camera is one of the most impressive outdoor cameras I’ve ever reviewed, with a 4K, HDR sensor, excellent infrared night vision, two-way audio, person detection, integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant, plus continuous recording if you buy Vivint Smart Drive. Plus, it has an IP rating of 65, meaning it’s good for rain, snow, or whatever else life throws at it.
Aside from it’s impressive outdoor camera, Vivint offers free, professional installation (the only company I’ve reviewed that offers this feature), plus optional 24/7 professional monitoring and cellular backup. Aside from Google and Amazon, Vivint also works with products from Philips Hue, so you can sync your lighting up with your security system. Imagine your outdoor lighting turning on as soon as your Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro detects a person— that’ll certainly stop an intruder in his tracks!
For more information, read our full reviews of the Vivint security system and the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro.
You'll love Vivint for it's free, professional installation, it's integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant, and the person detection on the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro.
Outdoor Security Camera System Methodology
When selecting an outdoor security camera with a system, here are some things to look out for:
- Video: I prefer cameras with 1080p HD video display and fields of view of 120 degrees or higher, plus the ability to zoom in optically to capture details.
- Audio: Your outdoor camera should come with a microphone and speaker enabling two-way audio, which allows you to communicate remotely with whoever your camera’s pointing at.
- Night Vision: It should also have LED sensors for infrared night vision, which I prefer over color night vision from a bright white light as it’s much less conspicuous.
- Storage: I look for cameras with both cloud and local storage, ideally for free. It’s important to store your footage in two ways in case one of them fails.
- Smart platform integrations: If you already have Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, or Microsoft Cortana in your home, then you’ll want an outdoor security camera system that works with your voice assistant, allowing for hands-free commands.
- Artificial intelligence: Ideally, your outdoor camera should have person detection so you get alerted only when it detects a person and not movement from other objects like cars, trees, or leaves flying around. This will create smarter, more specific notifications that matter more, as you don’t want to be bombarded with useless notifications daily.
- Durability: Be sure to check the camera for it’s IP rating and temperature range. IP ratings are a two-digit number that tell you how susceptible a camera is to solids and liquids. It should be 65 or higher. The temperature range, of course, will depend on where you live, but make sure to pick a camera that fits into your climate.
- Easy installation: Of course, you should pick a camera and system that’s easy to install, whether it’s plug-in or battery-operated. Sensors, on the other hand, tend to be peel-and-stick which makes for an easy DIY installation. If you want professional installation instead of DIY, Vivint is your best bet.
- Other security components: Aside from your outdoor camera, you may want a larger system with motion, entry, and glass break sensors, panic buttons, key ring remotes, key fobs, base stations, and more. Be sure to check out each individual security system review before purchasing, as there are many customizable packages available!
- Monitoring: You may want to pay an extra monthly or yearly fee for 24/7 professional monitoring, which has a team of people available to call emergency services for you if necessary at all times.
- Backup: In case the power in your neighborhood goes down, you’ll want a system with some form of power backup, be it cellular, landline, or even battery.
- App: Depending on whether you have an iPhone or Android, be sure to check out customer reviews at the Apple or Google Play stores, respectively, as updates can greatly change the app’s overall rating. With a smart security system, a user-friendly app is a necessity, allowing you easy remote control and notifications.
Recap of the Best Outdoor Security Camera Systems of 2020
That’s it for the best outdoor security camera systems of 2019! For more options, check out our list of the best outdoor security cameras of 2020, or our list of the best home security systems of 2020. If you have a more specific question, feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you soon.
FAQs
What are the best outdoor security cameras?
The best outdoor security cameras include the Ring Stick Up Cam Wired, the Swann 4K camera, the Nest Cam Outdoor and the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro.
Is there a security camera that works without Wifi?
Yes, the Wyze Cam works without Wi-Fi, but to use it outdoors you’ll need to buy a protective cover.
What is the best PoE security camera system?
The best PoE security camera system is from Lorex.
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