9+ Best Outdoor Security Cameras 2021 | Ultimate Guide & Reviews

The Best Outdoor Security Cameras are one of the best tools to keep safe your home, or your business. Through high-quality video recording, you will be able not only to spot thieves but also in some cases to prevent theft.

The video surveillance kits are structured to ensure the control of the external situation of the property, even when you are not on-site, through smartphone monitoring.

These devices are able to record videos 24 hours a day, configure customized risk areas to be controlled more assiduously and communicate via audio with the person on the other side as if it were an intercom.

The main distinction between the different models is the power supply mode, which can be by rechargeable battery or by wire. The latter is useful to avoid signal loss, but at the same time reveals the presence of a video surveillance system.

Among the most important features to consider when purchasing an outdoor camera are video resolution, the width of view, number of night vision LEDs, and range.

Additional factors that could be useful are compatibility with voice assistants (Google Home, Alexa, Apple Home Kit, Fire TV Stick) and the presence of an automatic alarm siren that is activated in the event of an attempted break-in.

Some models have a subscription to take advantage of continuous recording or cloud storage.

Regarding aesthetics, it is important that the models are light, not too obvious and above all built to withstand atmospheric agents and temperature changes.

Now let’s see what are the best outdoor cameras for video surveillance available today, from high-end to cheaper models.

Best Outdoor Security Cameras 2021

Before going into the details of this buying guide, it might be useful to know what an IP camera is and why they are different from traditional cameras. By IP camera we mean a camera model that can be connected to the internet, as the name suggests: unlike the old CCTV cameras, which could only transfer the video within the same local circuit, a video camera IP can send and receive data from a remote computer or computers thanks to the Internet connection.

The first models of IP cameras, where IP stands for Internet Protocol, date back to 1996 but have become particularly common in recent years due to a substantial reduction in price.

An IP camera can be used mainly for video surveillance purposes of local or domestic environments and, at times, is supplied together with a series of services and accessories to make the most of it. For example, some manufacturers offer cloud space on the internet to save their videos and check for suspicious parts, others simply use a memory card to store the highlights.

 In some cases, they are also equipped with infrared LEDs so you can record videos that can be used even at night or in dim light. But there is also some disadvantage compared to CCTV cameras: if not properly configured, in fact, they could be less secure since they are susceptible to hacks by malicious people and cyber-criminals.

Best Outdoor Security Cameras 2021 | Comparison Table 2021

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Best Outdoor Security Cameras 2021 | 2021 Reviews

How to choose Best Outdoor Security Cameras in 2021 | Definitive Buyer’s Guide

There are three main characteristics of an IP camera: the first is related to the technical characteristics, for example, the sensor used, the type of lens, and the size of the environment that they can cover with a simple shot; the second and third are related to the supported connections and the features present. If for the technical specifications the quality of a camera can be established objectively, in the second case it is not so since the availability of a connection technology may interest some users, but it can be totally useless for others.

Not all surveillance or IP cameras are also able to record audio, so decide whether it is essential for your needs or not. If you need to hear what an intruder has to say for the safety of a club, it may not be useful, on the other hand, if you want to control your child any screams and crying could capture your attention and inform you of any problem.

Technical features of Outdoor Security Cameras

These are the main features that you must always consider before buying an IP camera.

Image quality and format – before making a purchase, carefully evaluate the quality of the images captured by the IP camera. As obvious enough, HD resolution cameras (1280 × 720 pixels) offer greater sharpness of the footage but when the speed of your ADSL is not the most exciting it may be wiser to opt for a lower resolution IP camera ( e.g. 640 × 480 pixels) whose images require less bandwidth to be transmitted remotely. Speaking of shooting quality, the format in which the images are captured is also important.

 IP cameras generally support H.264, MPEG4, MJPEG, and JPEG (still photo) formats, which offer different compression ratios. In general, the format that offers the best ratio between weight and quality of the files is H.264. It also pays attention to the frames per second of the shooting (a higher number corresponds to a greater fluidity of the images) and to the optics of the camera which denotes, among other things, its ability to capture images in low light. Remember that a lower value corresponds to a larger aperture (f / 2 is greater than f / 2.8, so to speak).

Sensors – the recording is started automatically in those cameras that are equipped with motion detection, i.e. a sensor that detects movements in the monitored area and alerts the user (via email or via a notification on their smartphone/tablet) of what is happening. IP cameras equipped with passive infrared PIR sensors can detect intrusions even in low light conditions.

Framing and range – as regards the “range” of the camera, you must know that there are static IP cameras (ie with fixed framing), robotic cameras that can move remotely, and PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) which, on the other hand, can be moved slightly horizontally and vertically or zoomed in on the framed area. Alternatively, there are Fisheye (fisheye) cameras that are able to offer a 360 ° shot of the room in which they are placed.

Audio – as for the sound sector, it is advisable to opt for cameras with two-way audio, which allows you to listen to what is happening in the monitored area and, at the same time, to communicate through the device using the computer microphone or mobile phone.

Features and connections

Once you have established the qualities that your IP camera must have, you must choose its location and intended use in order to understand what type of model you need, if you prefer a wireless or wired connection, and if it can be easily installed with traditional tools. The variables to consider are mainly those that I report below.

Indoor and outdoor IP camera – a fundamental distinction to be taken into account is that between indoor IP camera and outdoor IP camera. To be used outdoors (eg in the garden), the cameras must be resistant to rain, temperature variations, and all those “inconveniences” to which they can be subjected outside the home. Unless you want to break it in no time, it is not recommended to use an indoor camera for other purposes.

Connection type – one of the first things to look at is the type of connection the IP cameras need to work. Generally, cameras of this type are connected by cable to the power supply (so they must be placed near an outlet) and connect to the wireless home network without additional cables, but there are also models that need a direct connection (Ethernet) to the router to access the Internet. In the latter case, it is better to opt for PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras, which, through an inexpensive adapter, allow you to use the same cable for both power supply and network connection.

Recording – commonly, the recordings of the IP cameras are acquired on the PC thanks to special software provided in the sales package of the device. Some IP camera models, however, are equipped with SD slots through which it is possible to record videos directly on a memory card without going through other devices. Those looking for more advanced solutions can opt for the purchase of a special recorder called NVR (Network Video Recorder) or a NAS (Network Attached Storage) on which to automatically transfer the footage (if undecided on the choice you can refer to my guide to purchasing of NAS). In addition, some IP cameras allow you to record live video on the cloud by activating special services (often by subscription) offered by the manufacturer.