Thanks to smart home technology, it’s easy to protect the exterior of your home. There are many great outdoor security camera systems to keep an eye on what’s happening outside your door.Many of these all make the video accessible on a smartphone or smart home hub. If you’re ready to invest, here are some of the best outdoor security systems available today.
Q: Do All Outdoor Security Cameras Have to be Plugged In?
Wyze is known for its budget-friendly smart home devices. And the company can help keep your home secure with its Wyze Cam Outdoor. The completely wireless cameras are weatherproof and can be placed almost anywhere within range of the Wi-Fi signal.The starter kit includes two cameras and a base station, but you can also add cameras later on to extend coverage. The integrated battery can provide up to six months of regular use before needing to be recharged. Infrared night vision provides a clear image up to 25 feet away from the camera. To limit false alarms, motion detection senses body heat with passive infrared technology. So instead of a blowing branch, you’ll only see a video when a human or animal is detected. All of the 12-second motion-activated recordings are saved in the cloud for free for 14 days.
Fans of the Google Nest line of smart home products also have a way to keep an eye on what’s happening outside. The Google Nest Cam Outdoor is weatherproof and attaches to a power source, so you’ll never have to worry about recharging batteries.The camera features a 130-degree wide-angle lens with up to an eight times zoom so you can get a closer look at what’s happening. A built-in speaker and mic allow you to communicate with anyone near the camera.With an optional, paid subscription, you can unlock additional features like person alerts. You can view the video feed with the Google Nest app or with a Google Nest smart hub with a screen.
The good news is that several outdoor security cameras don’t need a constant power source thanks to a battery pack. The battery in some cameras can be removed, while others require charging the entire camera. That’s a big plus when trying to secure your home’s exterior.The downside of a battery-powered camera is that the cell will eventually need to be recharged. But most wireless camera batteries can go for weeks, if not months, before needing to be juiced up.
Q: Do Outdoor Security Cameras Need Wi-Fi?
For the most part, outdoor security cameras do require Wi-Fi to operate. That’s because the internet connection is needed to send video and notifications to a user via a smartphone app or smart home hub. Using Wi-Fi also makes the cameras lighter and more resistant to the elements than models with a wired Ethernet connection.
Q: What Should I Look for When Buying an Outdoor Security Camera?
There are some options to consider when looking for an outdoor security camera. Most importantly, you need to decide whether you want to record what’s going on outside 24/7 or something more specific, like a time of day or when motion is detected. Then you’ll want to decide if a wired or wireless option makes more sense for the location you’d like to watch. Another essential thing to consider is if the camera is part of a larger security ecosystem.Many brands offer different types of features, including cameras and other security tools like lighting and indoor security systems that can be professionally monitored.
