Page Text: Best Dome Outdoor Security Camera: ZOSI 8 Channel Video Security Camera System
Best Dome Outdoor Security Camera
For those who prefer a dome security camera, the ZOSI 8 Channel Video Security Camera System is one you won’t want to miss.
$119.98
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The ZOSI 8 Channel Video Security Camera System will allow you to record your camera’s video for as long as the storage device allows. You can purchase separate hard drives to go with your DVR (and will need to in order to take advantage of the recording feature), and you can plan for a TB to film roughly two weeks while a 500 GB drive will store seven to ten days. So plan accordingly if you’re going on vacation. You will need the DVR unit to run it, but once you’ve installed these cameras properly, you can also make use of their app for real time video.
With a glass cover, your cameras are weatherproof, so you won’t need to worry about if it’s going to rain or freeze, and with twenty-four LEDs, the night vision will allow you to view images up to sixty-five feet away with the optimal 1080p quality. The dome design will allow you to cover an 105-degree view and that means you’ll see more with this camera than many of its competitors, without even bothering to adjust the angle.
This outdoor camera has plenty of positive feedback on Amazon, over 600 customer reviews have awarded it an overall rating of 4.0 stars. And the cost isn’t bad either; you can get four cameras and the DVR for under $100 or add on an additional camera for just $20!
ZOSI 8 Channel Video Security Camera System Key Features:
DVR recorder included
2-year guarantee and lifetime support available
Best Bullet Outdoor Security Camera: Wansview 1080P Wireless Home Surveillance Camera
Best Bullet Outdoor Security Camera
For a bullet outdoor security camera that will keep any visitors, wanted or otherwise, on their toes, try the Wansview 1080P Wireless Home Surveillance Camera.
$50.99
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The Wansview 1080P Wireless Home Surveillance Camera connects to your Amazon smart home and will display its recording on an Amazon Show on verbal command. The motion detection will alert you via its app to any activity and with this, you’ll be able to store your content directly onto a cloud, making it easy to reference back to any event you missed. For a vacation, or just when you’re out, this is an invaluable tool that you can access anywhere with an internet connection making it incredibly convenient.
With this listing you’ll be getting a 2-pack of bullet cameras that make it all the easier to cover all the entry’s into your home and keep your home covered. And since the risk of forced entry is for primarily first floor entries, you’ll want to make sure that back door is covered with a camera just as much as your front door to give yourself maximum coverage.
Sitting with right around 400 customer reviews and an overall rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon, this outdoor security camera is sure to make you feel safer and your life just a bit more convenient, too.
Wansview 1080P Wireless Home Surveillance Camera Key Features:
1080P FHD with 2 Megapixel
1-year warranty
IP 65 Waterproof; works from 14-degrees F to 104-degrees F
Who Should Buy an Outdoor Security Camera
The most common reason to get an outdoor security camera (or more than one) is to add a level of safety to your home. Your home has your most valuable belongings and more than that, your family. You want to do everything you can to ensure their safety, and setting up a robust security system isn’t as expensive and out of reach as it once was. (Though you certainly can still reach a high price tag for the more inclusive security camera set ups.) The very act of putting the cameras up within sight of potential criminals may be enough to deter them from breaking in, knowing that they’re more likely to be caught. And while that’s not a guarantee – you may not actually be able to prevent crime, you will be more likely to catch the person who commits it if you have them on video. If your family is gone for vacation, it can be difficult to disguise that fact and with the added security of these outdoor cameras, you’ll at least be able to monitor your home periodically from a distance. That can clue you in on when you should call a neighbor to check on the house or if the home needs police attention, too.
Curiosity is another big motivation for a person to set up their outdoor security systems. If you have problems with door-to-door sales people or other unwanted visitors, having a security camera to notify you when your door is approached is a big win for filtering out to whom you do and do not want to open your door. This can save you unpleasant conversations or save you a bit of money if you’re completely unable to say no to Girl Scouts selling cookies. You can also guide a package being delivered and without needing to stop what you’re doing to answer the door. A doorbell camera will notify you even when you’re not home. Placing a camera that is always monitoring on the front door is also especially helpful to satisfy your curiosity when it comes to the comings and goings of your family members. Whether that’s for a teen prone to breaking curfew or a spouse that leaves the trash on the porch rather than taking it all the way out, a security camera can definitely catch them in the act.
Best Overall Outdoor Security Camera
For the best outdoor security camera that seamlessly adds to your home’s security system, look no further than the Nest Security Camera.
$199.00
Buy on Amazon
Important Features to Consider
An outdoor security camera should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting a security camera for your outdoors:
Style. There are two main styles of outdoor security cameras: dome and bullet. Dome security cameras are dome-shaped are generally ceiling-mounted in entryways, whereas bullet security cameras can be mounted on either ceilings or walls. There are also discrete models that can easily be hidden from potential intruders.
Lens. The wider the angle of the lens on a security camera, the more area it will be able to cover. This is important when it comes to covering large areas such as a backyard or for larger properties.
Night vision. Home surveillance cameras with night vision, or infrared, mode allow users to more clearly see images in low light conditions and even complete darkness. This is a valuable feature in areas with poor lighting, and during times when intruders are more likely to strike.
Wired/wireless. Outdoor security cameras can be installed either hardwired or wirelessly. There are pros and cons to each method. Hardwired outdoor security cameras are generally less expensive and can provide a clearer picture, but they require professional installation, must be located in weather-resistant areas due to their electrical needs, and they can be quite obvious to potential intruders. This may limit your placement options. Wireless outdoor security cameras offer the convenience of being able to mount (and move) almost anywhere, but will require regular battery replacements.
Recording. Some outdoor security cameras come with on board storage, or the option to add a memory card to record images. They can be set to record only when movement is detected in order to cut down on file size and battery usage. Recordings can be invaluable when it comes to catching and prosecuting a potential intruder.;
Resolution. The higher the resolution on your outdoor security camera, the better you’ll be able to discern who or what is outside your property.
Pan/tilt/zoom. This is more an option seen on dome-style outdoor security cameras, but the ability to remotely pan, tilt, or zoom the camera can help offer a clearer image of the goings on around your property.
Audio. Some outdoor security cameras come with two-way audio, which can allow you to listen in to the goings on around your home, and let intruders know that you are watching them when they are within range.
Client. Depending on the outdoor security camera you choose, it may be compatible with your mobile phone or other device to allow for live streaming. If this feature is important to you, it’s important to make sure that the client will be compatible with your device. Some offer more features than others, so shop around for what best meets your needs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an outdoor security camera and what does it do?
Much as the name suggests, an outdoor security camera is a camera that goes outside your home to monitor the comings and goings of those in and around it. The cameras will be weatherproof, or at the least weather resistant to make sure they can withstand the change in seasons and, the biggest obstacle, rain. If the camera itself does not come with these features, there will often be a housing you can purchase to make it more durable and able to be full-season. Wyze cameras, for example, do not come standard with weatherproofing and as such won’t be “outdoor” security cameras. However, they sell an upgrade shell that will mount outside and protect the more delicate camera from the weather.
The camera will record whatever it’s pointed at and most often will be adjustable from either an app on your phone, computer, or a remote. Some cameras come with a memory card installed so that you can pull it and access what’s been happening outside your home but the majority these days will rely on you connecting it to your WiFi and to give you access from wherever you are from a dedicated app. Some will only do live streaming but possibly the most appealing practice is for the camera to maintain a record for a period of time. For example, the camera may maintain a 10-day history of the recordings so you can access it whenever you want.
How do you power a wireless security camera?
How you power a wireless security system depends entirely on your selection. Most will access your WiFi or connect to your device in range via Bluetooth, with the majority opting for the former. You may need a range extender for some of your further out cameras, so bear that in mind during set up and have either one as a back up plan or a location selected to prevent the need. The power with the most reliability will be a typical power cord you’d extend to an outlet. You’ll want to make sure the outlet is secure so that anyone you’re trying to catch on your camera won’t be able to just unplug the camera to avoid getting caught (or have a battery powered back up supply for power outages). Otherwise the camera is pretty useless. You can also use solar power to prevent your camera from always using your electric or in case of a power outage, but solar will likely not be the only source of power due to the unreliability of it. For battery powered cameras, you’ll simply pop batteries in the camera and leave alone until they dies. If your camera uses “wireless” power, you have then you may still have an Ethernet “wire” to connect the camera to your internet (though it would be pointless, it’s more common than you may expect, so make sure to look for that too.)
Where should outdoor security cameras be placed?
Statistically, the most common place for a criminal to break into your home are the entrances on the first-floor. Your front door, back door, and all first-floor windows should, ideally, be covered by cameras to make sure that you’re getting any intruders that may potentially be breaking in. If you have the means and design, you will appreciate being able to see every entrance into your home through your security camera system but 81% of burglars enter through the front door. If you get just the doorbell camera to start your outdoor security, then that may just be all you need. (And for an apartment, that’s probably all you’ll ever need.) If the doorbell camera doesn’t give you the range you’re looking for, but you can really only swing one camera (even just at first), then direct the camera to the front door. Aim it to get as much of the first floor as possible, but make sure the front door is covered completely.
Are wireless security cameras better than wired?
Depending on your priorities and how you weigh the pros and cons of your outdoor security cameras, you may find either wireless or wired better for you. If you don’t have a set up that allows you to run power to all the cameras you have mounted over your property, then the battery powered security cameras may be the only option for you. However, if you want your cameras on all the time, without fail, then you may value the reliability of a wired system (with a battery back up) over the convenience of the wireless. Generally, renters will opt for wireless to make sure they can easily take their cameras with them if and when they move. For the homeowner who has every intention of staying put in his home for years, the reliability of a wired system may just be too tempting to resist. And the fact that, unless something goes wrong, you’ll never need to touch the wired cameras again after the wires are installed, may just trump the con of the notoriously tricky installation.
Other Outdoor Security Cameras We Reviewed
Best Overall Outdoor Security Camera
For the best outdoor security camera that seamlessly adds to your home’s security system, look no further than the Nest Security Camera.
$199.00
Buy on Amazon
We looked at 35 other outdoor security cameras. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best outdoor security cameras list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your home. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.