02 Apr 5 Best Outdoor Security Camera Systems to Help Burglar Proof Your Home

An outdoor security camera system is the most effective defensive system to protect your home and family from burglaries and intrusions.

It is kind of a network of multiple surveillance cameras designed to be used in outdoor settings. They are generally installed in doorways, walkways, driveways, and backyards. However, they can be installed anywhere you like, even indoors.

The cameras are usually connected to a base station located inside the house, which transmits the visual footage to a smartphone or viewing device. The cameras are equipped with sensors that get triggered whenever someone approaches the property, so you can keep an eye on them wherever you are.

Outdoors security camera systems serve a twofold purpose. First, burglars and intruders are less likely to target homes that are well protected with a security camera system. Second, even if they do target your home, you will be immediately warned and you can take appropriate actions to protect yourself and your home, including informing the authorities.

Outdoor security camera systems and indoor cameras are similar in most ways but with a few key differences:

• Outdoor security camera systems usually have a wider angle lens so they can watch over a greater area and minimize blind spots.
• They have a strong weatherproof and waterproof rating so they can sustain environmental changes.
• They have a strong night vision lens so they can keep an eye on the property even in the dead of night.

However, there are a number of outdoor security cameras out there, all of them with their unique features and specifications. You have security cameras concealed within floodlights, mini spy cameras, bullet cameras, infrared cameras, and so many more.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the best outdoor security camera systems on the market.

Best Bullet Outdoor Security Camera Systems

Bullet Cameras are the most visible and obvious types of outdoor security cameras. They are usually installed under roofs or on the sides of buildings.

If your camera is visible, it can deter people from even attempting to rob your house. However, if someone is really determined to break in, they can either dismantle the camera or work around its blind spots.

1. Nest Security Camera

Nest is one of the most well-reputed brands when it comes to surveillance devices. And Nest Security Camera is one of the best bullet-style outdoor security camera systems on the market because it has a wide range of attractive features, smart home integration, and has stunning video clarity.

Nest Security Camera can record Full HD 1080p videos with a 130-degree lens and instantly upload them in the cloud. In addition to the sharpness and clarity of videos, it also has an 8x zoom capacity so you can really hone in on specific details in the landscape. You can get this security camera system with up to two cameras so you can monitor both your front and rear entrance. You can also toggle the “180-degree rotate” feature so it keeps rotating all around so there are no blind spots.

Nest Security Camera also has complete smart home integration. You can set it up so that it interacts with your smart lights, smart locks, and even smart washers. For example, you can set it up in such a way that all the smart lights automatically start blinking if the motion sensors are triggered. This can help warn you if there’s a potential burglar on the premises. You can also integrate it with Alexa and Siri for voice activation.

The Nest smartphone app is extremely user-friendly. You can view the live footage whenever you want and you can also set up a time lapse so you can zoom through all the past footage quickly. The Sightline feature is one of this camera’s most useful features because you don’t have to get through hours of footage.

Motion Detection is always one of the most important features in all security camera systems. In this case, the motion sensors are pretty accurate and you can also manually change the sensitivity so it only gets triggered by large objects in close vicinity. This allows you to minimize false alarms as much as possible. However, since it’s installed outdoors, you can’t get rid of all false alarms entirely, especially if you’re in a busy neighborhood.

In addition to motion detection, Nest Security Camera also has a 2-way intercom. As such, you can speak to people through the camera’s intercom, allowing you to scare off possible intruders.

This camera is also completely safe and can’t be easily vandalized or defeated. First, you can set up the two cameras strategically so a potential burglar would be caught trying to dismantle one of the cameras. Second, it is vandal-proof by design as well. It unplugs halfway between the camera and outlet plug, not at the base of the camera. As such, dismantling or stealing it would be extremely difficult. And even if someone does steal it and turn it off, you’ll immediately be notified about it the moment it’s turned back on.

It is also completely weatherproof and waterproof to withstand environmental conditions. It comes with a 25-foot long power cord that’s weatherproof and insulated. It also has a great operating temperature of -4 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. That should be a wide enough range for most people in most environmental conditions.

Nest Cameras use Infrared LEDs that also provide great night vision. The night vision is so powerful that it can provide up to 50 feet of visibility even in complete darkness, which is a lot more than the standard 20 feet of visibility available in most security cameras. The only issue is that the video is streamed in black and white.

Even though there’s a lot to love about Nest Security Camera, it isn’t without flaws. My biggest issue is its complete reliance on Nest Aware subscription. You have to get a separate yearly subscription for each camera that you install. That’s the only way to access the recorded videos, which are automatically uploaded to the Nest Cloud storage. As such, in addition to the upfront cost of the camera system, you have to pay a yearly subscription fee for each camera that you install. This can get to be way too expensive for some people.

Pros

• Extremely sharp 1080p videos with a 130-degree field of view.
• User-friendly app.
• Great smart home integration.
• Timelapse feature.
• Motion Sensors can be adjusted.
• Designed so as to make it vandal-resistant.
• Weatherproof and waterproof.
• 50 feet of vision even in complete darkness.

Cons

• Nest Aware subscription is mandatory if you want to access recorded videos.
• Need separate subscriptions for each camera you set up
• Overall yearly cost is expensive.
• Night Vision can only record in black and white.

2. Arlo Pro 2

Arlo Pro 2 is a wireless bullet-style outdoor security camera system. It is primarily powered by a 2,440 mAh battery, however, you can also connect it to a power source. After you install the primary camera or cameras outside using the wall mount, you also have to set up a base station inside the house.

Installation is fairly simple. You have to connect the base station to a power source. You then get the cameras close to the base station and pair them by pressing the relevant button. Following that, you can mount the Arlo Pro 2 cameras outside using the provided wall-mounting brackets. Once done, you can pair the base station with your smartphone and control the cameras using the smartphone app. The whole process can be done DIY-style within 10 minutes.

One of the most important features for outdoor security cameras is their ability to withstand erratic environmental conditions. Arlo Pro 2 has an IP65 rating, so it can perfectly withstand dust storms and it can also be submerged in water. Suffice it to say, the camera won’t ever have to be put through such a wringer, so it should be perfectly alright outside. It also has a temperature range of 32 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit so it can sustain temperature changes. The only issue — as reported by some users — is that the lens sometimes gets foggy. However, that only occurs occasionally and during early mornings.

In terms of video quality, Arlo Pro 2 can record 1080p videos with a 130-degree field of view. The video quality is completely sharp and you can see all the details. Furthermore, the lens angle is wide enough that there aren’t too many blind spots, and it can also record far enough in the distance.

Arlo Pro 2 is also equipped with an infrared Night Vision feature. It can provide you up to 25-feet of visibility in complete darkness, which isn’t as great as the aforementioned Nest camera, but it’s still better than most. However, coupled with the 1080p resolution, the night vision feature isn’t as clear as it ought to be. Because of the Full HD resolution, all the pixels are smaller in size so they collect lesser light than they would otherwise. That isn’t an issue during the day. However, at night, the resultant video is quite dark and you can’t see the details clearly.

My personal favorite feature here is Motion Detection. All modern security camera systems have motion detection, but none can compare to Arlo Pro 2’s motion sensors. It has a Passive Infrared Motion Sensor in place so it only catches motion from objects that give off infrared energy. As such, it can separate inanimate objects from animate objects. Furthermore, it only catches motion from animate objects beyond a certain size or density so it doesn’t get triggered by animals. Basically, motion detection here is powerful enough to only get triggered when people approach your house.

The only issue — and it’s a very minor issue — with this camera’s motion detection is a slight latency issue. Security Cameras should start recording videos as soon as the motion sensors are triggered. However, in this case, the camera takes a few seconds to start recording videos. This opens up the possibility that you might miss some crucial footage.

One of the clear advantages that Arlo Pro 2 has over Nest Security Camera is in terms of local storage and cloud storage. You can store up to 7 days of recordings in the cloud for free. You can also store the videos in a local SD card so you can access even after those 7 days for free. As such, you don’t have to pay an exorbitant yearly subscription fee.

Pros

• Extremely easy to install.
• Weatherproof and waterproof.
• Sharp Full HD video recording.
• PIR Motion Sensors that can differentiate humans, animals, and inanimate objects.
• Intuitive smartphone app.
• 25-feet visibility in the dark.
• Can run on batteries, making it more portable.
• No yearly subscription fees.
• Free cloud and local storage.

Cons

• Night Vision recordings are quite dark.
• Motion Detection suffers from a slight time lag.

3. Amcrest UltraHD

I am usually hesitant about recommending Amcrest security cameras because it’s not the most well-reputed company.

Their users often complain about security breaches. However, that mostly occurs because they ship the products with the same username and password, so the users have to be diligent enough to change them.

Their products also require that you update the firmware whenever new updates are available because the process isn’t automated. So Amcrest products require quite a bit of diligence from the users.

If you are willing to take on those responsibilities, then Amcrest UltraHD is one of the most powerful outdoor security cameras available at an incredibly reasonable price point.

Amcrest UltraHD has some of the most impressive specifications for such a cheap camera. It can record Ultra HD 3840×2160 videos with a 112° field of view. It also has a weatherproof rating of IP67, which is the best in the industry and is far better than both the Arlo and Nest cameras mentioned above. Basically, you can drown this camera in up to 2 meters of water for 30 minutes and it will be totally alright.

Based on these specifications, you can see that Amcrest UltraHD has a tendency towards showboating. Technically speaking, no one really needs to record Ultra HD security footage. Even 1080p videos are perfectly capable of capturing the minutest details. Furthermore, as sharp as Ultra HD videos are, they take up an immense amount of storage space and you need incredible internet bandwidth to stream them. If you don’t have enough cloud storage and internet speed, you’ll have to end up going down to 1080p recordings anyway.

Furthermore, an IP67 rating is certainly very impressive. But is it necessary? I can’t really think of any natural situation in which your security camera will be dunked into a swimming pool or water tank for 30 minutes. So not really.

If you love these advanced specifications and features for the mere sake of having them, that’s good for you. But it’s not really necessary for security.

Amcrest UltraHD is also equipped with Night Vision. However, it’s not an infrared night vision of the kind available in Arlo or Nest. Their camera has an extremely low lux rating, which allows them to capture colored footage even in extremely dim-lighting up to a distance of 131 feet. However, there’s no true Night Vision available so it can’t capture any footage if there’s no light at all.

This can be a good or a bad thing. On the plus side, you get a colored night vision, which is extremely hard to come across. The rage of night vision is much better than cameras with a dedicated IR Night Vision. However, this type of night vision can only work if there’s some light in the surrounding in the form of street lights or bright moonlight.

One of the best features in this camera is Motion Detection. You can basically set up four different Motion Sensitivity zones within the camera’s field of view. For example, if there’s a part of the camera’s view that overlooks the street, you can set that out as a rectangular zone in which the motion sensors are disabled. You can set up your own yard as a highly sensitive motion zone. In doing so, the camera will send you notifications when triggered based on specific zones. This can drastically reduce false alarms.

In terms of motion detection methods, I personally prefer Arlo’s PIR sensors because that works automatically. However, a lot of people love and prefer this smart motion detection zone feature. The only issue, however, is latency. Generally speaking, I have noticed that it takes about 20 to 30 seconds between the motion detection getting triggered and you being able to pull up the live feed. So you may miss out on quite a bit of crucial footage.

In terms of storage, the recorded videos can either be stored in the Cloud Storage or in the MicroSD card. You have both options. However, if you choose Cloud Storage, you can only record videos in 2560 x 1440 resolution. Storing up to 4 hours of footage in the cloud is free. However, if you want to access more than that, you’ll have to get additional subscriptions.

 Pros

• Ultra HD recording.
• IP67 weatherproof rating.
• Low Lux rating which provides colored night vision.
• 131 feet of visibility in low light settings.
• Motion Sensitivity Zones can be set up.
• Free cloud storage for up to 4 hours.
• Can use cloud storage or local storage.

Cons

• Ultra HD isn’t necessary for security purposes.
• Users are responsible for maintaining their security by constantly updating the firmware.
• Infrared Night Vision isn’t available so can’t record in complete darkness.
• Latency issues with motion detection.

Best Hidden Outdoor Security Camera Systems

Hidden Cameras are those that are concealed within ordinary-seeming objects. For example, you may have a camera concealed within an ordinary-seeming lamp or floodlights.

A lot of outdoor hidden security cameras are concealed within smart lights and floodlights because they can serve a dual purpose — providing security light and being a hidden camera.

If your camera is hidden, it won’t deter some low-level burglars from attempting your home. However, since they won’t be aware of the camera, they will more easily trigger the motion sensors and get caught.

4. Maximus Craftsman Black

Maximus Craftsman Black is widely considered to be one of the best outdoor security camera systems that’s concealed under a security light. The entire system comes with a 40-Watts LED light bulb, a light fixture, a security camera, and a mounting bracket. The camera is located just under the frosted-glass cover of the security light. It’s a black camera surrounded by a black metal casing so it gets camouflaged and no one can see the camera from a distance.

Since you have to connect the entire light fixture, you might need professional help to install this security camera system. However, once it’s physically installed, you can easily connect it to the Kuna Smartphone App in order to access and control the camera. The entire device is made of premium die-cast aluminum, so it’s perfectly durable and weatherproof.

This security camera can record 720p videos with a 116-degrees field of view. The video isn’t the sharpest out there, but it’s perfectly adequate. The viewing angle could be a lot wider, especially since it is installed outdoors where you need to monitor a greater horizontal range of vision. This camera is also equipped with a 2-way intercom that you can use to communicate with potential robbers to warn them. You can also trigger the 100dB alarm to scare them away. The siren is loud enough to be heard by your neighbors as well.

As is true for most security cameras with a smart light fixture, Maximus Craftsman Black doesn’t have a dedicated Infrared Night Vision feature. Instead, it relies on the light from the bulb to provide enough peripheral illumination for the camera to record videos in the dark. As such, you can record colored videos in the dark as well. But you have to keep the light turned on and the resultant video isn’t very clear.

Maximus Craftsman Black has a pretty accurate motion sensor in place. When in default settings, it gets triggered when there’s movement within a 16-feet radius. However, you can also modify the sensitivity.

The recorded video is automatically uploaded to the cloud storage. You can view up to 3 HD videos per month for free. However, if you want access to any more recorded videos, you have to get one of their subscription packages. This is the worst part of this security camera system  you only get access to the recordings if you purchase one of their subscription packages.

Pros

• Camera is camouflaged well.
• 100dB siren.
• Motion sensor’s sensitivity can be changed.
• Intercom available.
• Also serves as a smart light.

Cons

• Need professional help to install this camera.
• There’s no dedicated night vision.
• Can only access recorded videos if you purchase a subscription package.

5. Ring Floodlight Camera

Ring Floodlight Camera is an excellent security camera equipped with floodlights. However, unlike Maximus Craftsman Black, it isn’t very discreet. In terms of design, the two floodlights flank the camera on the side and the camera lies in between them, surrounded by a white casing that reads ‘Ring’. So it’s definitely not very discreet and will be visible to most intruders who look at the lights carefully.

This security camera, however, is pretty great when it comes to video quality and features. It can record 1080p videos and provide live video streaming with audio. It has a pretty great horizontal angle of 140-degrees, which is perfect for outdoor use. It has an inbuilt intercom so you can communicate with potential burglars and warn them that you’re calling the authorities. You can also trigger a loud siren sound to scare them away.

Furthermore, this camera has a pretty strong motion sensor that doesn’t trigger a lot of false alarms. It encompasses a 270-degree radius so it will get triggered no matter which direction someone is coming from. You can also use the app to demarcate different motion zones and with their own sensitivity levels. So the device will only get triggered when people in those zones move about, effectively minimizing false alarms.

This security camera also has a dedicated infrared night vision feature. As such, it can record videos in the darkest of nights, even if there’s no light in the surroundings. The recorded video, however, will be presented as black and white. You also have the option of configuring it such that the 1,800 lumens floodlights get turned on the moment the motion sensors are triggered. This will serve a twofold purpose. First, it can potentially scare off intruders. Second, the recorded video won’t need to use infrared night vision as it will simply record colored videos based on the floodlight’s illumination.

The biggest issue with this security camera is its reliance on subscription plans. You get a free 30-day trial with unlimited video storage and access. However, after that 30-day trial period, you have to purchase one of the subscription plans if you want to gain access to all of the recorded videos.

In terms of durability, this outdoor security camera system has an IPX5 rating. As such, it is adequately waterproof and can survive harsh rains and storms as well. However, it hasn’t been rated for dust or debris, which is slightly concerning.

 Pros

• Extremely bright floodlight.
• Full HD video recording.
• Wide angle lens.
• Extremely accurate motion detection with manual zones.
• Can record with infrared night vision and from the illumination of the floodlights.
• Comes with an intercom.

Cons

• Not very discreet.
• Has not been rated for dust-resistance.
• Subscription is necessary.

Why do I need an Outdoor Security Camera System?

Outdoor Security Camera Systems are important for the following reasons:

• Intruders and burglars usually only target homes that aren’t well-protected. As such, if you have installed an outdoor security camera system, it’s possible that your house won’t be targeted at all.
• If someone does target your home, you’ll be informed whenever someone approaches your property. This will give you plenty of time to call the authorities.
• Some outdoor security camera systems come with floodlights that you can activate to scare the intruders away.
• You can monitor your home even when you’re away at work or on vacation.

How Do Outdoor Security Camera Systems Work?

Outdoor Security Camera Systems have to be installed — either hardwired or wirelessly — in locations around your home that you want to monitor.

They are connected to a central device that’s usually located inside the house. The device transmits the visuals — usually via WiFi — to the user’s smartphone device so they can see visuals and record footage.

They are generally also triggered through motion detection.

Which Factors to Consider when Buying Outdoor Security Camera Systems?

When you’re buying outdoor security camera systems, you need to take the following factors into consideration.

Weatherproof Rating

When it comes to outdoor security camera systems, checking their weatherproof rating is of crucial importance. Since they are installed outdoors, they need to be durable enough to sustain heavy rains, snows, winds, and temperature differences.

A camera’s IP rating determines how weatherproof it is. The IP rating is followed by two digits. The first digit refers to the camera’s ability to sustain damage from solid objects like sand, debris, etc. And the second digit refers to the camera’s ability to sustain exposure to liquids. The first digit should at least be 6 to denote that it can sustain sandstorms and debris damage. The second digit should also be at least 6, which denotes that it can survive underwater. As such, even if there’s a heavy sandstorm or an extremely heavy storm, the camera will remain perfectly functional.

In addition to the weatherproof rating, you should also study the camera’s temperature range to make sure that it can function in your region’s coldest and hottest temperature. If you have a hardwired security camera, make sure its wires are also weatherproof.

Vandal Rating

The biggest issue with outdoor security cameras is that they’re located outdoors, so they can be tampered with. Most burglars generally try to dismantle or destroy the security camera before they carry on with their invasion.

Most outdoor security cameras can be dismantled by cutting their wires or simply thrashing their mounting brackets, lenses, or bodies.

However, a camera with a strong vandal rating can withstand such damage. They are generally made of hardened metal or plastic housings and their lenses are made of polycarbonate covers. All of these features ensure that they can sustain a lot of damage without breaking or having their focal point altered.

The highest vandal rating for an outdoor camera is IK10, so you should try and get one of those.

Connectivity

Outdoor Security Camera Systems can either be connected to a power outlet or they can be powered via batteries.

Hardwired

Hardwired security cameras are those that are connected to a power source. They generally require professional installation and their area of installation is limited because they have to be close to a power source.

Hardwired cameras are generally not discreet because the wires can be hard to hide, making them clearly visible to intruders. However, they are generally more reliable in terms of streaming and they may also be equipped with better lenses and recording capacities. You also don’t have to worry about replacing the batteries.

Wireless

Wireless security cameras are ideal for installation in outdoor settings. You can basically install them anywhere you want — even on the branches of trees — because they are not restricted to a power source. They also don’t have wires so they can be more discreet. Furthermore, you don’t need professionals to install them and they are also highly portable.

However, wireless cameras generally have weaker video and recording capabilities than wired cameras. Furthermore, you have to be wary of the battery running out.

App

Most modern security camera systems are accessible via smartphone apps. It’s important for you to go through the app’s interface and make sure that it has all the features you need and that it’s easy to navigate.

Video Resolution

Video Quality is an extremely important factor to consider. The greater the video resolution, the clearer the video. You need a camera that can record high-resolution videos so you can see all the details clearly.

Most modern outdoor security camera systems can record videos in 720p or 1080p quality, which is perfect.

Some still stick to smaller 640×480 VGA videos. While 480p videos take up less storage space, you might not be able to see details like license plates and facial features very well.

Some advanced cameras also go the opposite route by giving you 4k videos. That is not at all necessary because you can see details perfectly well with 1080p as well. Furthermore, streaming 4k videos requires a lot more internet bandwidth, which might make them inconvenient. Furthermore, when it comes to storage, you’ll need way too much storage space for 4k videos, which will also make the whole setup more expensive.

So stick to cameras with a 720p or 1080p quality.

Lens Angle

The Lens Angle determines the camera’s field of view. The lens angle can vary greatly, from 40° all the way to 180° and beyond.

The lens angle is determined by the camera’s focal length. Cameras with smaller lens sizes have a greater field of view, but they have a smaller range so they can’t see too far ahead. Cameras with larger lenses have a smaller field of view, but they can see further off in the distance.

When it comes to outdoor cameras, you should go for a camera with a wide lens angle so that you can see a greater horizontal view. This essentially minimizes all your blind spots. So you can see intruders no matter which direction they come from.

Storage

Some outdoor security camera systems come with local storage in the form of SD cards and some come with cloud storage features.

If you’re going for local storage, make sure the camera can accommodate SD cards of at least 64GB with scope for expansion. These cameras generally work on loop recording so the oldest videos are overwritten by the latest videos. You have to regularly retrieve the SD card to access the videos and store them elsewhere if you don’t want to lose them.

If the camera has cloud storage, you can simply access the videos from your smartphone app and then download them to local storage, if you so choose. You should, however, note that most security camera systems charge a monthly subscription fee to provide cloud storage.

Subscriptions

Some outdoor security camera systems withhold crucial app features and storage from those who haven’t bought a subscription. As such, if you want to do things like recording videos or access features like motion detection, you might have to get a monthly subscription package.

Some security camera systems only charge a monthly subscription to provide Remote Monitoring services. As such, a remote surveillance team will monitor your cameras 24/7. As such, if there are any signs of suspicious activities, they can contact the relevant authorities or send a dispatch team. If you are really concerned about your safety, then this can offer you some much-needed peace of mind.

If you don’t care for remote monitoring, you can also go for some basic security camera systems that don’t come with any additional subscription packages. They give you access to all the features and recorded footage for no additional cost.

Low-Light Vision

If you’re installing a security camera without a dedicated infrared lens or night vision feature, you need to look at its low-light vision. This can be determined by the camera’s Lux Rating.

The lower the lux level, the greater its ability to capture videos in the dark. To be able to see clearly in full daylight, you need a lux rating of 10,000 to 20,000. For the camera to see clearly at twilight, it needs to have a lux rating of 10. And for the camera to be able to see in complete darkness, it needs to have a lux rating of 0.001.

It’s not really possible to find a camera with a lux rating of 0.01 or 0.001. However, you can get a camera with a lux rating of 2 or 1 lux, which will be enough for you to see in dim-lighting or in deep twilight hours.

However, you still won’t be able to see details clearly. For that, you’ll need a camera with a dedicated night vision capacity.

Night Vision

Night Vision cameras are those that can capture details even in complete darkness. Night Vision cameras come in two types:

• Infrared Night Vision: These cameras use infrared LEDs that turn on in the dark and flood the area with infrared light. This allows the camera to record videos via the infrared light.
• Thermal Night Vision: These cameras are capable of picking up differences in temperatures. As such, they don’t capture clear visuals, but they can capture shapes with colors corresponding to the temperature. As such, people will be seen as red because of their body temperatures.

Out of the aforementioned night vision cameras, Infrared Cameras are the best because they can capture clear details and not just outlines and shapes.

Motion Detection

This is one of the most important features for all outdoor security camera systems.

Outdoor security cameras should be equipped with motion sensors. As such, whenever someone approaches the camera, the motion sensors will get triggered, the camera will automatically start recording a video, and you’ll receive a push notification in your smartphone.

This allows you to get immediately warned if someone is approaching your property. You can also set it up to release a loud siren sound whenever the motion detection is triggered.

However, you should get a camera that has an effective and accurate motion detection feature. There are a lot of cameras out there with inaccurate or over-sensitive motion sensors so they keep triggering false alarms.

Another great advantage of motion sensors is that they only record videos when some motion is detected. This saves storage space and it saves time as you don’t have to sift through hours upon hours of useless footage to find what you need.

Noise Detection

Noise Detections isn’t a very common feature, mostly because they tend to get falsely triggered in most locations.

However, if you live in an extremely quiet and isolated area, you can get a camera with noise detection. As such, whenever some sudden noise is detected in the area, you’ll receive a notification.

This feature can be useful for some, but it’s not as effective as motion detection so it’s not a priority.

Pan/Tilt/Zoom

This is an extremely important feature. You should get security cameras that allow you to pan, tilt, or zoom using the smartphone app.

As such, you can remotely move them from side-to-side or up-and-down and watch over all the different corners of a room. This can help you really get rid of all blind spots.

Furthermore, if you notice any suspicious activity — like a suspicious neighbor or a vehicle — you can zoom on it to capture the details clearly.

Intercom

The presence of an intercom is a pretty useful feature. If someone comes to your door, you can use the intercom to ask them who they are and to state their business. As such, if you often get hassled by door-to-door salesmen, you can turn them away without having to answer the door.

More importantly, this feature can also be useful in case of break-ins. If you find that some intruders are breaking into your property, you can use the intercom to let them know you’ve called the authorities to scare them away.

Color or Black & White

Some cameras can only record in black and white, and some can record in color. Generally speaking, most cameras can record in color during the day. However, when it comes to night vision, some cameras only record in black and white.

Try to get an outdoor security camera system that can record in color both during the day and with night vision.

Smart Home Integration

If you have a smart home, you should get an outdoor security camera system that can be integrated into your smart home easily. You should find a security camera system that can be connected to other smart devices like smart locks, smart lights, etc.

As such, you can even connect them and set related commands. For example, if motion detection is triggered, you can engage the smart lights around the house to automatically turn on. This can scare possible intruders away.

You should also see if the security cameras have voice activation features via Alexa or Siri. That will allow you to control them remotely via your voice or through Alexa-associated devices.

Stealth

If you choose to go for stealthy security cameras, you need to make sure that the camera is located in an ordinary-seeming object. When it comes to outdoor security, the most stealthy cameras are those that are concealed within floodlights or lamps.

As such, from a distance, the setup looks like a simple light, but it can also record visuals. Furthermore, these cameras don’t even need night vision because they can record from the illumination of the lights.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you figure out which is the best outdoor security camera system for your needs. Now that your armed with that knowledge, you can finally go ahead and turn your home into a safe and secure haven.