When it comes to outdoor technology, traditional home security products can only accomplish so much because most cameras, whether weatherproofed or not, are only designed to capture the most image details by daylight. Come nightfall, built-in infrared typically takes over, which can cause a big drop-off in resolution and contrast. That said, if you're looking to effectively guard your property when the sun sets, a floodlight camera is the way to go.
It's unclear whether outdoor floodlight cameras have a profound effect on deterring unwanted activity, but they will definitely help you have increased peace of mind. They offer more features and are more visible than a traditional security camera. Plus, you'll now have a better view around your home and more ways to interact with what's going on.
Like any other smart home product, there are many choices to pick from. We've listed the best floodlight cameras available for you in various categories. Check them out below.
The best overall
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
- 160-degree field of view
- Bright floodlight
- Smart A.I. for detection
- Siren is on the quiet side
- Some video distortion
The best option on our list today is the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera. It has some of the best video quality of any floodlight camera on the list, and it pairs that with HDR to give you a crystal-clear image. It also has a 160-degree field of view.
One of the other best features of the Arlo camera is that it works seamlessly with any smart home integration, including Homekit and IFTTT, which is nearly unheard of. It can detect people, animals, cars, and packages with its auto-tracking feature. This means Arlo provides fewer false alarms than other security camera brands.
Of course, there are some downsides, too. While it only costs $250, it doesn't feature local storage recording. You're forced to pay between $3 and $15 monthly for cloud recording storage plans.
And while the siren isn't the loudest we've ever heard, when it comes to intuitive AI detection, bright and powerful floodlighting, and excellent in-app customizations, there's no better outdoor option than the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera.
Honorable mention
Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro
- Excellent video quality
- Great motion tracking
- A powerful companion app
- No subscription required
- Hardwired only
- Only 8GB of internal storage (no cloud option)
While we feel the Arlo is the best camera to buy for its features, the Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro is no slouch. It's actually what we'd suggest to most people searching for more outdoor security — unless, of course, you're in a HomeKit ecosystem.
The Cam 2 Pro also features 2K resolution with a pan and tilt adjustability, but the camera can also rotate a full 360 degrees. It can also auto-track people and give you smart alerts about them.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of drawbacks to the Eufy cam that we need to discuss. First off, it doesn't work with HomeKit - only Alexa and Google Assistant. Secondly, the Eufy floodlight has a $300 retail price but offers free local storage — yet no 24/7 recording. So, while you may pay a bit more upfront, you save money if you intend to keep your recordings stored on a microSD card.
For the budget conscious
Wyze Cam Floodlight
- Price - $100 retail and $2 monthly.
- Has smart alerts for sound.
- 130-degree field-of-view
- Low field of view at only 130 degrees.
- Does not work with Apple HomeKit.
The Wyze Cam Floodlight joins us on the list for those who don't want to pay hundreds of dollars for extra security. Or, maybe you want to test how a floodlight cam fits in your home without having to invest too much.
The Wyze floodlight option is available for $100 with a small $2 monthly fee for smart alerts and other features. You even get free cloud and local storage with this camera. It's no slouch on the spec front, either.
The Wyze Cam Floodlight features 1080p video quality with a 130-degree field of view, the lowest of any camera on this list, but will still give you better optics than a traditional security camera. It can detect not only people, animals, cars, and packages, but also sound, which is unique to the Wyze cameras.
Here, though, is another camera that only appeals to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa users.
The best hard-wired camera
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro
- Adjustable mounting
- Has color night vision
- Has 3D motion detection
- Loud two-way talk with noise cancellation
- Customizable motion zones
- Needs subscription for full features
- No local storage
- Lights are not replaceable
Last on our list is the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro, which should also get the award for the most extended. Ring offers a wired floodlight option with its camera that allows power to come to the camera without worrying about (re)charging batteries.
The Ring floodlight camera can detect people in 1080p resolution inside its 140-degree field of vision. It also has the loudest siren of any camera on this list and a decent zoom level of 8x.
Ring retails around $280, with a monthly fee between $3 and $10. Unfortunately, it only integrates with Amazon Alexa, which isn't much of a surprise considering Amazon owns Ring.
One thing to note with Ring is that the company offers a Pro and Plus version of its floodlight wired cameras. They are very similar but have slight differences in features. For one, the Plus is about $70 less expensive than the Pro version. The Pro version features better audio, motion detection, and wi-fi capability.
The best for Alexa households
Blink Outdoor Floodlight Camera
- 1080p live views and recordings
- 700 lumens
- Great motion triggering
- Easy to customize
- Not as bright as other floodlight cams
Amazon's Blink lineup is an impressive and budget-friendly assortment of home security products that are easy to install, wrap your head around, and customize. If you've been looking to illuminate and monitor an outdoor space, the Blink Outdoor Floodlight is the way to go.
Touting 700 lumens of powerful illumination, the Blink Outdoor features 1080p live views and recording, along with impressive motion-detection capabilities that you can customize from the Blink Home Monitor app. Erring on the budget side of floodlight cams, the Blink Outdoor may not be as bright as some of the other models in this roundup or have as many features, but that doesn't mean it's not worth the purchase.
Best of all, if you're already using Alexa products in your home, the Blink Outdoor is the perfect addition to your ecosystem. Using the Alexa app and compatible devices, you'll be able to view live video, receive alerts, use two-way talk, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Floodlight cameras are better than standard security cameras when it comes to adding security around your home's exterior. They have extra features, such as bright lights and sirens, that deter unwanted intruders.
The two are similar, but the Pro has more advanced specs and a slightly higher price point than the Plus version.
Distance is not normally stated when looking at floodlight cameras' specs. Companies instead show the field of view and if the cameras can move remotely.
Generally speaking, most floodlights come equipped with a motion-triggered video camera for viewing and recording whatever action caused the floodlights to illuminate in the first place. While you can purchase floodlights and cameras individually, the vast majority of floodlight options will inevitably come with some kind of camera.
Yes, for the most part. If you have a wide parcel of outdoor property that needs surveillance, floodlight cameras offer the lighting, motion, and recording capabilities you'll need to keep your outdoor environment safe and secure.
If you're in the market for a better way to protect your yard, a floodlight cam may be the way to go. Our top choices include those by Arlo or Eufy, but more options are available depending on your specific needs and smart home ecosystem.
