In addition to the Arlo Pro 3, there are other great outdoor cameras on the market. We’ve included our picks for best budget model, best camera for night vision, and best camera for cold weather.
Arlo Pro 3 Home Security System
Best outdoor security camera
Why we picked the Arlo Pro 3:
The Arlo Pro 2 was our pick for the best outdoor security camera for some time, but after testing the Arlo Pro 3, we feel it edges out its predecessor. It boasts 2K video resolution, and a wider (160-degree) viewing angle. Each weatherproof camera also has color night vision, with a built-in LED spotlight you can manually activate or trigger in response to motion. There’s also a built-in siren that can alert you to danger, and you can set the siren to trigger remotely.
The Arlo Pro 3’s audio quality is excellent, and conversation flows naturally through the two-way audio system. The Arlo Pro 3 camera system comes with two cameras, but you can add on additional cameras. The system is compatible with smart home systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Plus, it’s wire-free so you won’t have to deal with any pesky wires. The Pro 3 includes a three-month free trial of Arlo Smart, which gives you access to advanced features like 30 days of recording history, activity zones, Enhanced 911 calling, and advanced detection features.
Blink XT2 Smart Security Camera
Best outdoor camera without a subscription
Why we picked the Blink XT2: Don’t want to rely on your home’s electricity to power the security camera system because you’re wary of a power outage? These cameras from Blink are totally wire-free and run on 2 AA lithium batteries, which promise to last for about two years without needing to be replaced. The camera also comes equipped with motion detection, so when the unit senses motion, the Wi-Fi-enabled device will send a real-time alert to your smartphone and a short recorded clip.
The Blink XT2 comes with free cloud storage and a variety of features, including two-way audio, infrared night vision, and customizable motion zones. It has a clear 1080p picture, and it’s weather-resistant (IP-65 rating), so you use it indoors or outdoors, and you can connect up to 10 devices on one Blink Sync Module.
Ring Stick Up Cam Battery Security Camera
Best outdoor wireless camera
Why we picked the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery: While there are plenty of wireless outdoor cameras on the market (including two on this list — the Blink XT and the Arlo Pro 3), we like Ring’s Stick Up Cam Battery because of how versatile it is. It comes with a base that can be bent in multiple direction and allow for mounting on a ceiling, wall, fence post, or wherever you want to stick it. Setup of the device takes just a few minutes via Ring’s fantastic app.
The Stick Up Cam Battery features 1080p video quality and allows you to snooze motion alerts or decrease motion sensitivity as needed. Night vision is decent. Although this camera doesn’t feature a siren, it is durable and should last you awhile. Owned by Amazon, all Ring products are compatible with Alexa, so if you have an Echo Show or Echo Spot device, you’ll be able to view video footage from the camera on those devices.
Kasa Cam Outdoor Security Camera by TP-Link
Best budget outdoor camera
Why we picked the Kasa Cam Outdoor by TP-Link: There’s a lot to like about TP-Link’s Kasa Cam Outdoor. It’s a great buy if you’re looking to get started with home security. The Kasa Cam’s features include 1080p streaming videos, an 80dB siren, and two days of free HD video recording.
Looking for a device that is Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant compatible? You’ll get both with the Kasa Cam Outdoor. In terms of installation, there’s a strong magnetic mount that allows for easy installation, and an IP65 rating makes it fully waterproof. It features a generous 130-degree field-of-view with decent night imagery. Motion alerts hit your app pretty quickly, and the overall video quality is very good, especially for a an affordable camera.
Nest Cam IQ Outdoor Security Camera
Best outdoor camera for night vision:
Why we picked the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor: One of the most popular outdoor security cameras on the market for good reason, the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor Security Camera lets you keep an eye on your property at all times. It plugs directly into power, so you’ll never have to worry about replacing any dead batteries. The camera also sends live alerts directly to your smartphone if it hears any loud sounds, like a window smashing. The model comes equipped with excellent two-way communication, letting you ask the FedEx person to leave the package on the porch, or help you scare away any would-be thieves.
What’s most impressive about the IQ Outdoor is the superior night image quality. At maximum strength, images at night are extremely crisp, even from long distances away. The camera also features an Enhance mode, where you can zoom in on various locations and get a clear image of what you’ve zoomed in on. You can also focus and zoom in on people in the camera’s field of view.
Amcrest 2K 3MP Wireless Outdoor Security Camera
Best outdoor camera for cold weather
Why we picked the Amcrest 2K 3MP Wireless Outdoor Security Camera: This wireless camera could have easily fit in the best budget or best wireless categories, but what’s most impressive about this device is its weather rating. The Amcrest has an IP67 weatherproof rating, which is one of the highest ratings out there. That means it can withstand extremely cold temperatures, is air- and dust- tight, and can withstand being dipped in a meter of water for up to a half an hour. Regardless of your environment, this camera will do the job nicely.
Other impressive features of the camera includes 2K HD video quality, compatibility with Amazon Alexa, a 100-degree field-of-view, and night visibility of close to 100 feet. It also comes with four hours of free cloud storage, and the ability to download videos to your phone or a laptop.
Research and buying tips
How well does night vision work on an outdoor security camera?
Night vision on cameras typically uses infrared light to illuminate dark images at night. Essentially, cameras with night vision use this technology to backlight images to help you see what’s happening in the field of view. Most outdoor security cameras feature night vision, but the quality varies from model to model.
How well do outdoor security cameras detect motion?
Motion sensitivity in outdoor security cameras vary widely, but generally the technology works well regardless of the model you choose. Most cameras, even inexpensive ones, do an excellent job of detecting motion, and, if the camera is connected to an app, will send a motion alert to your phone. Most people find that motion settings on cameras are too sensitive, meaning that things like rain, bugs, or even bright sunlight can trigger an alert.
