If you're shopping for the best outdoor security cameras of 2025, you'll want to find something that's weatherproof, captures high-quality footage, and works well at night. It's also important to consider your budget and ongoing subscriptions that may be required to access premium features such as cloud saving and person detection.
Regardless of your budget, there's an outdoor security camera that'll fit your needs. From premium products crafted by Ring to budget-friendly options like those from Wyze, there are dozens of well-reviewed models that are perfect for protecting your home.
In fact, some of the best outdoor security cameras also double as floodlights, allowing you to light up your yard. Others are wireless for easy installation, while a handful require wired connections (though this allows for continuous monitoring).
Below, you'll find a list of the best outdoor security cameras of 2025. You can't go wrong with any of them, but each one caters to a specific audience and budget, so take a closer look at each to figure out which is best for your home.
Best outdoor security camera
Arlo Essential XL (2K)
- Impressive resolution
- Color night vision
- Easy installation
- Motion alerts
- Over 12 months battery life
- Narrow viewing angle (130 degrees)
- Paid membership required for some features
The Arlo Pro 4 held the throne as our favorite outdoor security camera for many years, but it's finally been usurped by the Arlo Essential XL (2K). The Arlo Essential is available in a variety of configurations, but the XL (2K) version is undoubtedly its best.
As you'd expect from the name, this outdoor camera gets you a wonderful 2K resolution. It's also equipped with an "extra large" battery, allowing it to last over a year without needing a recharge. That makes it much more compelling than other cameras, which require a charge every several months. The wireless nature also makes it ideal for all types of properties, as you'll have the flexibility to place it just about anywhere you like.
Arlo seals the deal with a fantastic mobile app that lets you set up customized motion zones, track smart alerts, and dive into a live view of your property. Some features are locked behind a paid Arlo Secure subscription — including useful things like 60-day video history and smart alerts — but that's the case for most of its competitors too.
If you find the Arlo Essential XL (2K) a bit expensive, you can always check out the other Essential models. These let you lower the price by opting for a smaller battery or an HD resolution, so there's bound to be a model that fits your needs.
Best premium outdoor security camera
Arlo Pro 5S 2K
- Captures 2K footage
- Low Power mode extends battery life
- Impressive 160-degree field of view
- Expensive
- Very similar to the more-affordable Arlo Pro 4
The Arlo Pro 5S 2K doesn't cut any corners. Featuring a camera that captures 2K video, a wide field of view, sleek design, and color night vision, few products can match its performance. Unfortunately, all those features come at a price, as the Arlo Pro 5S 2K clocks in at $250.
That makes it one of the most expensive security cameras on this list, but if money is no object, it deserves a closer look. Not only does it offer every feature found on our beloved Arlo Pro 4, but it also features Dual-Band Wi-Fi for simplified installation, SecureLink Connectivity that allows it to stay protected during power outages, and a Low Power Mode that offers a 30% boost to battery life.
But beyond those features, it's eerily similar to its cheaper sibling. Still, if you need an outdoor security camera that's as cutting-edge as possible, you can't do better than the Arlo Pro 5S.
Best budget outdoor security camera
Wyze Cam v4
- Affordable
- Color night vision
- Smart detection
- Not the cleanest picture
Night vision is a vital feature for every outdoor security cam — you don't want the darkness to hide any detail, especially if something like a break-in happens. While our top cam picks include various kinds of night vision, Wyze's indoor/outdoor cam is particularly notable thanks to its Starlight Sensor, which can record night-time video in full color for users.
This wired cam includes all the other smart features that make Wyze's cams a great pick, including a motion and sound sensor for alerts, detection zones, sensitivity settings that you can tweak for best results, and two-way audio for communication. It's also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant and is friendly with IFTTT if you'd like to set up complex routines based on the alerts the cam gives you.
The Wyze Cam v4 also has an SD card slot for local storage if you prefer to store data locally instead of on the cloud. While it's an indoor/outdoor cam, you don't need to worry: All the outdoor IP65 resistances are included for all types of weather.
Best wireless outdoor security cam
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro
- LED spotlight design for effective lighting
- Battery power
- Two-way audio
- Extra features like a siren and Bird's Eye view
- Really needs the Ring Protect plan
Amazon’s update to the Ring Spotlight Cam is an excellent option for those who don’t want a full floodlight camera, but would still like lots of illumination for their porch, patio, or driveway. The surprisingly bright LED lights on either side of the cam can be set to light up along with the motion detection features.
There’s a little bit of everything packed into the Spotlight Cam Pro’s design, including basics like 1080p video, night vision, and two-way audio. But Ring also has some extras, like a siren you can sound, advanced 3D motion detection, and a “Bird’s Eye” view option that gives you a model for where a subject may have gone. We also like that it's battery-powered with an option to plug into an outlet.
As with all Ring cams, you will really want a Ring Protect plan to enable video storage and video sharing, but otherwise, this is the most comprehensive wireless security cam we’ve seen to date.
Best floodlight camera
Blink Wired Floodlight Camera
- Affordable
- Produces 2,600 lumens of brightness
- Wired connection
- Bulky design
Blink makes plenty of great outdoor cameras, but few are as great as the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera. As one of the newest members of the Blink family, the Wired Floodlight Camera offers heaps of functionality despite its budget-friendly price of $99.
In case the name didn’t give it away, the Blink Wired Floodlight Camera isn’t just an outdoor camera – it’s also a floodlight. And a bright one at that, capable of producing 2,600 lumens of LED light. You’ll also benefit from motion detection, a wired connection that offers a constant power supply, and color night vision. Its design is a bit bulkier than others on this list, but that’s largely due to the massive floodlights that loom over the camera.
Anyone in the market for an outdoor camera that’s both affordable and powerful (and comes with shockingly bright floodlights) should give strong consideration to Blink’s new product. But if you’re looking for something with a more streamlined design, consider looking back at the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro mentioned above.
Best indoor and outdoor security camera
Ring Stick Up Cam Pro
- Easy installation process
- 1080p video with HDR support
- Can also double as an indoor cam
- Expensive
- No privacy shutter
It's a bit expensive, but you're getting a lot of value out of this investment. The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro is designed to work both indoors and outside – giving it plenty of versatility. Along with its weatherproofing, the camera offers HDR video and films in 1080p, supports two-way audio, and is easy to install thanks to its wire-free setup.
One minor sticking point is its lack of a built-in privacy shutter. That might be an issue if you're using it indoors, though you can quickly toggle alerts off and disarm the camera from the Ring smartphone app. But if you have it installed outside, you likely won't miss the feature. You'll also want to spring for a monthly Ring subscription to unlock additional features such as cloud saves and smart alerts.
Beyond those minor quirks, there's not much to dislike about this powerful outdoor camera. Homes with other Ring products already installed will love how easy it is to sync the device with the rest of their smart home, and Ring newcomers will enjoy its high-quality images, simple setup, and generous 155-degree viewing angle.
Frequently Asked Questions
FBI crime data indicates that most (around 55%) home intruders try to get into homes through either the front or back door. So, you may want to have your security camera scoping out your doors. It’s also a good idea to cover other entry points, like back windows, that are hidden away where someone could break in without being seen.
Where exactly to mount your outdoor cameras, however, depends on your property and your individual needs. You may have a shed in the back that contains expensive lawn equipment, for instance, and you might want to place more focus on that area. Perhaps your neighborhood has experienced a few break-ins recently, and the intruders typically enter through the garage, so you want to cover your garage area.
Typically, having at least two outdoor cameras is ideal, not including your video doorbell. If you have a video doorbell to watch your porch, combined with an outdoor security camera covering the front and back areas of your home, this should be sufficient. However, if you have a large property, live in an area where there’s a lot of property crime, or if you have vehicles or valuables stored on your property, you may want to add in an extra camera or two.
No. An indoor camera does not have the necessary protection from the elements, so it won’t hold up outside. Some cameras are rated for indoor or outdoor use, and you can use those cameras outside. If you want to point your indoor camera out a window to watch the outdoors, you technically can do so. However, the camera’s features probably won’t work as well, and you’re better off just buying a cheap outdoor camera.
Yes, although it’s not usually recommended because the cameras designed for outdoor use may not work optimally indoors. Again, you can opt for a camera that’s rated for both indoors and outdoors, like a dome camera.
The short answer is no. Many wired outdoor cameras feature two-way audio, which allows you to speak back and forth with someone through the camera via an app on your phone, but not all outdoor cameras have this feature.
If two-way audio is something you’re interested in, consider doing research on which cameras have it, and of the ones that do, read up on which are better. Not all two-way audio is created equal — some companies do it well, while others do not. Keep in mind that cameras with two-way audio might cost a bit more than those that don’t feature the technology.
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.
If you’re looking for superior night vision, go for the Arlo camera listed above, or research night vision quality before making a purchase.
Motion sensitivity in outdoor security cameras varies 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, it 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.
If you’re concerned about motion alerts, consider buying a camera that not only sends you motion alerts so you can monitor what’s happening on your property but also allows you to adjust the motion sensitivity so that small things aren’t triggering it all the time.
Most outdoor cameras have a rating of IP65 or higher, which means they are waterproof and can withstand someone spraying a hose on them. That usually (but not always) means that a camera with that rating can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit or similar.
Cameras vary slightly in terms of survival in extreme weather, but anything with a rating of IP65 or higher will be fine for most climates. If you live in an extremely hot or extremely cold climate, you might want to consider a camera with a rating of IP66 or higher.
This depends a lot on the brand and the model. Generally, if a security cam has a memory card slot, you can use native storage without paying anything — it’s just a little trickier to manage. If you want video footage to be uploaded to the cloud for easier viewing and saving, you’ll often have to pay for it. Brands like Arlo and Ring only allow for free livestreaming video and require a plan if you want to save video for any length of time. Google is one of the best options here because its Nest cam offers a certain amount of free online storage without needing a subscription.
It can be, although privacy laws haven’t entirely caught up with home security cams yet. Generally speaking, you can’t point a camera where people have the expectation of privacy. Pointing a cam at your porch and the street in front? Totally fine, it’s considered a public area. Pointing a camera so that it captures footage of your neighbor’s backyard or looks into their windows? Illegal, and you could get successfully sued for it.
