The need for outdoor WiFi home security cameras has increased more and more over recent years. As the technology is more accessible than ever, solutions on the market make it ever easier to remotely communicate with delivery people, watch the home, or simply alert unwanted types on your property.
There are lots units on the market, which nowadays cover even the basic needs in the most budget conscious units. Plus, WiFi devices have the bonus of being easy to install and are generally battery-powered. But, what are the main features you need to look for in an outside security camera?
As a small overview of what you need to be looking for, the first main point is a solid WiFi connection. This means units that cover 2.4GHz or 5GHz for the strongest WiFi connection. It’s also an idea to check out your internet router for its stated range. There is no harm in updating this unit to make sure there’s always good coverage to your security cameras.
Being outdoor units, WiFi home security cameras need to have an IP (Ingress Protection) rating. This is a two digit number that basically says how well the camera can handle certain weather conditions. The higher the number, the better the protection.
Then it’s down to video resolution, which these days should be no less than 1080p, so your remote images and footage don’t look like a hazy mess on-screen. Lastly, even the cheapest units these days feature some sort of motion and sound detection and easy ways of storing video. Storage options most likely come in internal SD cards or footage stored in the cloud.
Now you have a checklist of the basics, let’s have a closer look at what outdoor WiFi home security cameras are currently available on the market.
1. Arlo Pro 3 (Overall Winner)
We are almost at the point with the Arlo Pro 3 of simply recommending just this unit and nothing else. It keeps hitting the top of our lists for not just its rounded features, but it’s rock solid performance and build quality. It’s not the cheapest unit on the market, but what you do get is high-quality 2K HDR video, a rather loud siren, wireless connectivity, a weather-resistant outer shell, Alexa and Google Assistant integration, and a stylish design.
There’s also color night vision and a bright LED spotlight which can be remotely switched on. Custom activity zones can be set up, which can intelligently detect humans and other objects, plus magnetic charging. There’s also an optional solar panel and dual charging station if you want to fully round out the package. Feature packed and although not the cheapest camera solution around, all the quality features more than outweigh the price.
2. EZVIZ C3W/ezGuard
The EZVIZ C3W/ezGuard security camera looks the part, like an eye on the wall and the two antennas resembling always listening ears. This unit comes with 1080p video, built-in alarm system, motion detection and two-way audio. The alarm system incorporates a siren and bright LED to ward off unwanted types, while the two-way audio is still clear up to 15 feet away.
Built with a rugged design, the unit supports Alexa and Google Assistant. The only downside is the not-so-great included app.
3. Ring Stick Up Cam
The Ring Stick Up Cam acts as both an indoor and outdoor solution, shown here with its optional wall mounts. The device has a cylindrical design, with clear and detailed 1080p video. The smartphone app is simple to set up and once you’re up and running, you have a field of view of 130 degrees, two-way communication, and a built-in siren.
One big plus point is the motion triggered video recording. And while the unit is quite basic compared to the others on this list, the Ring Stick Up Cam covers all the basic requirements of home security.
4. Arlo Go Mobile HD
Arlo is again on the list, not because the company offers the cheapest unit, but because it builds quality camera units. The Arlo Go Mobile HD camera can be easily mounted to a wall and is fully adjustable. The HD video can’t be faulted for quality and the 850 nm LEDs do a fine job in night-time mode, producing a clear picture up to 25 feet away.
The camera comes fully weatherproofed with live streaming, two-way audio, mobile alerts and SD card storage. Motion detection is also extremely good, with the only downside being this is an expensive unit and does require a cellular plan for operation. In every other regard, it’s a fully rounded security camera.
5. D-Link PoE Mini Bullet
D-Link produces a bunch of security units, but what we liked about the D-Link PoE mini bullet camera is the rugged outdoor design. This camera has a very good IP66 rating, making it an excellent choice for all weather types. It’s fine having an all singing and dancing camera on your premises, but if it can stand the rigors of the elements, then it’s best to look elsewhere.
The mini bullet camera features respectable two megapixel HD resolution, through a bright f/1.8 lens, having a field of view of 90 degrees. Night-time viewing is also clear, aided by the IR LED and it’s 95 feet range. Ruggedness and basic features are the main selling points here.
6. Blink XT2 (Budget Winner)
Lots of features are packed into the Blink XT2 at a reasonable cost and can be expanded with the addition of multiple cameras. Considering the price, there are lots of usable asset here, with 1080p video, free cloud storage, two-way audio, motion-activated recording and infrared night vision.
The unit is fully weather-resistant and requires two AA batteries, which do not recharge but are easily accessible to swap out. Activity zones are a plus point and the Alexa integration works very well. The Blink XT2 comes with basic features, but with a quick and easy setup, this unit covers all the essentials needed for straightforward home security.
Choosing Outdoor WiFi Home Security Cameras
With a huge variety of home security cameras available on the market, it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Luckily, even the cheap units have a lot to offer and cover the basics such as motion detection and reasonable video quality.
One of the main differentiating factors is the cost of online storage. If you’re not happy with an extra monthly fee for online video storage, then the units that have SD memory card storage are a good idea. Budget will always be a factor, but it’s always worth spending a little more for that extra level of quality and facilities.
