AliceEverybody wants a safe and secure home. These days, outdoor security cameras are the best way to keep an eye on the comings and goings around your property. Video doorbells have become a recent trend, but they just don’t match up to a tried-and-true camera system that keeps an eye on things 24/7.
Camera technology has come a long way since old-school CCTV: expect motion tracking, super-bright lights, night vision, Alexa compatibility and HD quality as standard, and wireless setup as a given. These aren’t your father’s home protection systems. If you’re serious about security, you’ll want to take a look through our hand-picked list of the best outdoor security cameras to protect your property. Your loved ones have never been this well-defended.
Product Comparison Table: Best Outdoor Home Security Camera
| Title | Price | Rating (Amazon) | Best in class | Buy | |
 | Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera | $$$ | 4 stars | Best Floodlight Camera | Amazon |
 | Imou Security Camera Outdoor with Floodlight and Sound Alarm | $$ | 4.5 stars | Best Data Protection | Amazon |
 | YI Security Camera 1080p Outside Surveillance Front Door IP Smart Cam | $ | 4.5 stars | Best Value | Amazon |
 | PANOOB 16-Channel 4K PoE Security Camera System | $$$$ | 4 stars | Best Premium | Amazon |
 | Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera | $$$ | 4.6 stars | Best Overall | Amazon |
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
Out of all the outdoor home security cameras we’ve reviewed, Arlo products are our favourites – and the Pro 3 Floodlight Camera showcases Arlo’s trademark quality. This outdoor camera’s motion-sensing lights offer 3000 Lumens of brightness (equivalent to high-intensity car headlights) utilising the outdoor magnetic charging cable, illuminating the zoomable sharp details it records in 2K HDR.
Moreover, any floodlit intruder will be recorded by a wide 160° diagonal viewing angle lens complete with auto image correction that reduces any fisheye distortion. If the Arlo Pro 3’s floodlights don’t get your attention, you’ll get a notification if anybody turns up; this camera can recognize if it’s a vehicle, person or package arriving. Respond with the clear two-way audio system. Best of all, this wire-free outdoor security camera is quick and easy to set up.
Pros
- Trademark Arlo quality
- Wireless
- Brighter-than-bright floodlight function
- Weather-resistant design
Cons
- Light requires charging
- Emergency response requires Arlo Secure subscription, but you get a free trial
Verdict
The Arlo Pro 3 is the best outdoor security camera if you want to shed some light on the situation. It’s not cheap, but it’s the consensus among security camera enthusiasts that you get what you pay for. Luckily for you, all the quality and functionality you’d expect from an outdoor security camera is here, in the Pro 3 and then some – wrapped up in a slick, beautiful design that won’t uglify your driveway.
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Imou Security Camera Outdoor with Floodlight and Sound Alarm
Security camera footage could give ne’er-do-wells a range of information about you and your family: the look of your home, your vehicle, and all your familiar faces. All of our best outdoor security cameras keep your data safe, but the Imou boasts both advanced TLS encryption technology, and 100% compliance with GDPR Data Protection Regulation from one of the first manufacturers to gain GDPR-derived certification.
The Imou’s video can be stored via NVR (network video recorder), Cloud or Micro SD (up to 256GB), and you’ll be sure nobody else can get their hands on it. This is especially important when the Imou offers such clear coverage: 360° full colour footage with 355° horizontal and 90° vertical rotation range, and 4MP QHD glass optics. Two built-in spotlights augment smart human motion tracking and an effective sound alarm, alongside smartphone alerts. On the flipside, it’s not wireless, but the power system is IP66 weatherproof and dustproof.
Pros
- GDPR data protection
- Clear and consistent footage
- Waterproof plug and 3-metre power cord
Cons
- Not wireless
- Outside the US, plug may require an adapter or converter
Verdict
Even if you’ve never even thought about data protection in relation to choosing the best outdoor security camera for you, the Imou will allow you to sleep safe in the knowledge that only you can see your footage. It may not be wireless, but it has enough features to compensate… and sometimes a good old-fashioned wall plug is the best foolproof option!
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YI Security Camera 1080p Outside Surveillance Front Door IP Smart Cam
If you’re on a budget but still security-conscious, you can’t go wrong with the YI Security Camera. This outdoor security camera has many features comparable to more expensive models. In terms of camera quality, the YI camera offers full HD 1080P resolution (approximate to Netflix or other streaming platforms), combined with a 110° lens and universal ball mount.
Night-vision comes from infrared LED beads with a nighttime viewing distance of up to 50 feet. In terms of audio, the YI’s microphone system is noise-cancelling to tune out environmental sounds, and this camera’s got a decent deterrent alarm. Cloud storage and 24/7 Emergency response are optional, available via subscriptions to the compatible Noonlight app or YI Cloud.
Pros
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Waterproof
- Night-vision and decent camera quality
Cons
- Not wireless
- Requires subscription services for certain features
Verdict
You get what you pay for with the best outdoor home security cameras, but what you get with the YI Security Camera is good enough for basic home security. This camera’s reliance on external subscription services for maximum functionality could be a bit annoying (and even costly), but if all you need is a decent camera that watches your door and deters intruders, this is the perfect outdoor security camera for you.
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PANOOB 16-Channel 4K PoE Security Camera System
Is your house large? If so, you’ll need more than one camera – or potentially an outdoor security camera system as comprehensive (and brilliant) as the PANOOB 16-channel PoE Security Camera System. If you’ve got valuable possessions, an extensive property or even just live in a high-risk area, this is the best outdoor security camera for you. The base model PANOOB offers is a 16-camera bullet system, but it’s possible to size up to a 32-camera system and even mix in dome model units.
Like some of our other best outdoor security cameras, the PANOOB has 4K 8MP picture quality, featuring personal detection that can eliminate unwanted alert notifications by remembering the shapes of people as opposed to animals or shadows. However the PANOOB’s crystal-clear footage has a 100ft+ night-vision range, and its Guard Viewer App gives you 16 channels of real-time images that can be watched live and even replayed on smart devices (iOS/Android), laptops or anywhere with an internet connection.
Another important difference with the PANOOB system is its use of PoE (Power over Ethernet) technology, usually reserved for hardcore commercial CCTV surveillance systems. PANOOB also gives 24/7 technical support and a 2-year Warranty Service. Oh, and it’s weatherproof.
Pros
- Unbeatable coverage and picture quality
- Warranty coverage and support
- Professional PoE power system
Cons
- Expensive
- Could take time to install 16 individual cameras
Verdict
This is the best outdoor security camera if you’re really serious about protecting your home and garden – and if you’re shopping for a business, the PANOOB 16-Channel 4K PoE Security System is the choice you need to make. Valuable property is under constant surveillance with the PANOOB, and you’ll have help on hand throughout the installation and maintenance process.
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Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera
Ah, Arlo. Maker of the best outdoor home security cameras you can get for your home. The Arlo Ultra 2 is no exception. The recording quality on the Ultra 2 matches and exceeds the aforementioned Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight: the Ultra 2 shoots in 4K, tracks with auto-zoom, and includes free local storage that lets you access your locally secured smart camera footage on the included Arlo Smart hub.
Another unique feature is full-colour night-vision, highlighting faces or licence plates. It’s also wireless with a long lasting battery, and if you’re building up your smart-home, this camera features compatibility with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and SmartThings.
Moreover, an Arlo Secure plan lets the Ultra 2 ping alerts for people, vehicles, packages, and animals straight to your lock screen. An Arlo Secure subscription (offering 24/7 Professional Monitoring, 30-day cloud recording, advanced object detection, rich notifications, Smart Activity Zones, and more) is included as a free trial – which is nice.
Pros
- 4K picture quality and colour night vision
- Attractive design
- Wireless easy installation
- Compatibility with other devices
Cons
- Requires subscription services for maximum functionality
- Micro SD card not included (as usual)
Verdict
We’ve concluded that out of all the options we’ve reviewed, the Arlo Ultra 2 comes out on top as the best outdoor home security camera. All the features you want and need in a home security system are here, including colour night-vision and device compatibility. Needing a subscription to Arlo Secure for full functionality may sound like a pain, but only one subscription service is required per household, so it might be a jumping off point towards other great home security products Arlo provides.
