Surveillance Made Easy with Cheap Outdoor Security Cameras

While sitting at your office desk or within the comfort of your home, have you ever wondered if your surroundings are secure enough? This is when security cameras come to your rescue. With an increase in crime rates, it is highly important to invest in a reliable security camera that gives you access to smart features, making your life stress-free and simple.

We tested various security cameras in terms of display, video/audio quality, ease of installation and motion detection, among other factors.  We handpicked ten cheap outdoor security cameras for you that will not just provide safety but are also highly economical.

10 Cheap Outdoor Security Cameras that Will Ensure Your Peace of Mind

Cheap Outdoor Security Cameras

 1. Kasa Cam Outdoor by TP-Link (KC200)

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• What’s to like?

Topping our list of budget friendly security cameras is Kasa Cam Outdoor by TP-Link.

Get ready for a crystal clear, wide angle video quality of 1080p, which lets you stream recorded videos without any delays. With a siren of 80 decibels, be assured burglaries won’t go unnoticed. You also get two complete days of free HD video cloud recording without any subscriptions.

Compatible with Alexa and Google assistant, you can command your camera to do as you please. As for the installation, it is hassle-free. The magnetic mount and mounting wall plate makes sure you don’t need an expert to install your camera. IP65 certified, the camera is completely waterproof and is designed to withstand all kinds of tough weather conditions. Also, you can feel secure on the go with Kasa’s smart app that sends a notification to your smartphone each time it detects a motion.

What’s more is a precise night vision that can spot objects up to a distance of 20 feet along with 130 degree field of view. So, be assured that the camera will be a reliable security guard while you’re asleep. It also features a 2 way communication system with which you can easily talk to anyone stopping by. One of the best buys under $150, this security camera is a true leader on our list.

• What’s not to like?

If you want to expand your storage space on your security camera, then you might be disappointed with the Kasa Cam Outdoor. You cannot insert a SD card, which means your memory space is limited. Additionally, the siren and speaker volume is low enough to not reach your neighbors in your absence.

2.Nest Security Camera

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• What’s to like?

Nest is a brand that crafts its products with thoughtfulness and believes in creating safe homes. Its security camera is a delightful creation modelled to protect. Forget about anticipating damages during rough weather conditions, as this camera is fully weatherproof.

No more worrying about dead batteries because this camera can be charged anytime. With a heightened sense of motion and sound detection, this device will alert you with photos and notify sounds like glass breaks and crashes. And, if you’re too busy to check your notifications, these photos will be saved up to three hours.

If you have other smart devices at home like smart bulbs, the Nest Cam can communicate with them too. For example, you can link the Nest Protect smoke detector to turn on your Philips Hue lights in the event of an emergency, or have your Nest Learning Thermostat switch to Home mode when you unlock your August Smart Lock.  A built-in speaker and mic ensures that you can easily talk to anyone.

If it is your delivery man, you can just ask him to leave your parcel outside when you are unavailable or busy. Its 1080p display is full-HD equipped with a 130-degree wide view lens to give crisp image quality that ensures you see even small objects. The 8x digital zoom enables you to zoom into faces of people who are standing at a distance and helps recognize those who could be potential threats.

A smart Nest app through Nest Aware records videos 24/7 even as you sleep. You can access your cloud account where these videos are available up to 30 days. You can now save, retrieve and share these videos with whoever you wish to.  Its 2-way mic system lets you talk to visitors outside your house and an activity zone in the system immediately alerts when any incident happens.

• What’s not to like?

We tested the Nest Security Camera for several hours and realized that its sensitivity to motion is problematic. Its feature of differentiating between an ordinary motion and a person is quite efficient. However, you may only enable/disable either ALL or ALL ZONE activities. So if you get notifications of either of those, it will include “I see a person” and all non-person activity such as moths, seagulls, rabbits, shadows of leaves on a windy day.

 3.Amcrest Wireless Outdoor Security Camera

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• What’s to like?

One of the most outstanding features of the Amcrest Wireless Outdoor Security Camera is its IP67-certified waterproof rating and its ability to withstand extremely low temperatures. By waterproof, we mean that you can dip it into a meter of water up to 30 minutes and the camera will still remain unaffected. Such is its imperviousness. Besides, it is also resistant to damages by strong wind or dust. So if you’re someone who resides in places where it’s freezing cold with a lot of dry air, then this security camera is totally for you.

Adding to its list of features is a 2K HD video quality with 3MP camera and a 100-degree field of view. With a high precision camera, you also get a built-in IR LED’s giving excellent night vision up to 98 feet. This means that even in pitch darkness, your camera will efficiently detect the presence of intruders and ensure your safety.

All the recordings of your security camera can be downloaded and saved on your phone or laptop with four hours of free cloud storage. This cloud storage can be easily accessed as the model has 2.5 Gigahertz Wi-Fi featuring a secure SSL/HTTPS connection and wireless AES/WPA2 encryption. Despite its resilience, if your camera exhibits flaws while being operated, then Amcrest provides a 1-year US warranty and lifetime support.  A bonus is the camera’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa which enables you to control your system with your voice commands. You can avail all these features just under $100.

• What’s not to like?

We think that the Amcrest Wireless Outdoor Security Camera is one of the best buys when you’re on a budget. While there are many good features offered for the marked price, the 100-degree field of view becomes limiting. With a limited coverage, the camera may miss out on important objects or people that are located farther away.

4.NETGEAR Arlo VMS3230 Security System Wire free 2-camera kit

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• What’s to like?

Arlo VMS3230 is a strong contender on our list with its 110-degree broad angle lens and 720p videos that you can watch by installing Arlo’s smart app on phone and PC. There are absolutely no hassles while installing this security system a so you don’t need to call a professional for help. The model comes with magnetic mounts and is 100% wire free. All you need to do is place the cameras discreetly at any angle or corner of your house. Being highly versatile in its usage, these cameras can be placed either indoors or outdoors.

Being weatherproof and resistant to changes in temperature, Arlo VMS3230 will not be worn out when installed outdoors. In terms of motion detection, an advanced PIR motion sensor detects movement within a range of 5-20 feet and sends you alerts as notifications and emails. This system aims to keep you updated 24/7 and has rechargeable batteries to prevent the system from running out of power.

NETGEAR has created smart cameras that turn on its night vision automatically once they detect low light. If you need more coverage, you can even add more cameras to this expandable system. Excelling as a smart device, this security camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa, IFTT, Stringify and SmartThings.

• What’s not to like?

While Arlo VMS3230 is a premium model in terms of a smart home security system, it does come with its drawbacks. The motion detection does not take place through glass doors and windows. Feedbacks also make mentions of unclear video quality of 720p which makes it difficult to spot visitors.

5.Amazon  Cloud Cam Security Camera

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• What’s to like?

One of our personal favorites on the list of cheap outdoor security cameras is the Amazon Cloud Cam with its 1080p HD video recording and advanced motion detection system. With its 2-way audio system, you can hear and be heard by anyone who comes at your doorstep. A smart night vision system activates on sensing low light and 8 infrared LED’s monitor objects accurately even in pitch darkness. So you can be assured that any home invasions occurring at night will be tracked and sent to you as an alert on your Cloud Cam app in your phone or PC. You can even use this app to turn night-vision LED’s on and off.

Also, Amazon has equipped its security camera with a highly useful feature that lets you retrieve your lost footage anytime; you can go back 24 hours to see a footage you missed. . So, you don’t have to worry about missing out on any important events that may have occurred in your absence.

Being compatible with all Alexa enabled devices like Amazon Fire TV, Fire Tablet, Echo Spot and Echo Show, Amazon Cloud Cam can be voice controlled and operated at your command. So, feel free to access your camera even when it is out of your reach. All these features make this security camera a value package that comes with a 1-year limited warranty which can be extended.

• What’s not to like?

We tested Amazon Cloud Cam and struggled to find any drawbacks of the product. If we do have to mention one, it would be regarding Cloud Cam subscription. You can start with a 30 day free trial but advanced monitoring features like person detection and choosing of specific zones in and around the house requires a subscription plan. This could get a little expensive.

 6.Ring Stick-up Camera Battery

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• What’s to like?

Sleek and versatile, the Ring Stick-up Camera Battery is a model that can be mounted easily almost anywhere with its bendable base. With its crisp 1080p HD video quality, a field of view of 115-degrees (horizontal) and 65-degrees (vertical) and excellent night vision, you can use this camera for both indoor and outdoor monitoring.

With its 2-way talking feature having noise cancellation properties, you can clearly talk to visitors and make enquiries about their visit from your phone, tablet or PC. If this system detects motion, it immediately sends notifications to your device so that you stay alert and take necessary actions.

You can also snooze motion alerts or decrease motion sensitivity if too many notifications or alerts bother you. A unique quick release battery pack lets you remove the batteries and charge them separately. You can also purchase a second battery pack to have ample battery back-up or a solar panel to ensure that you never run out of charge.

Adding to round-the-clock monitoring is the live view on demand video which lets you check in on your abode whenever you want. If you have other Ring devices at home, you can easily link all of them to the Ring App and locate them on the app’s dashboard. As for subscription plans, you can enjoy a free 30-day trial of the Ring Protect Basic Plan to review, save and share videos captured by your Stick Up Cam. Sign up after the trial, and spend only $3-a-month per device.

In terms of being smart home compatible, Ring Stick-up Camera Battery works with select Alexa devices to launch real-time video on your verbal command. Owned and backed by Amazon’s trustworthy name, this security camera provides good value for money.

• What’s not to like?

Ring Stick-up Cam provides a number of features that’s worth your money. But it’s a little expensive if you’re looking for cheap security cameras. Additionally, the motion detection lights cannot be turned off completely and this might use extra battery power.

7.Netvue Outdoor Security Camera

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• What’s to like?

Featuring a 1080p FHD display with 36mm lens and a 100-degree viewing angle, the Netvue Outdoor Security Camera is probably the best home surveillance system under $100. IP66 certification means that this system is highly waterproof and is strong enough to withstand tough weather conditions so that you don’t have to worry about damage from heat or rain. Thanks to the infrared LED’s fitted in this system, you can clearly see up to 60 feet even in darkness and monitor faces effortlessly.

Connect this camera to a 2.4 gigahertz Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable and view lived feed 24/7 to keep your home and office safety intact. You can even communicate with visitors at your doorstep with a 2 way audio system that helps you ward off potential threats. In terms of storing your videos, the system uses AWS cloud and provides 30 days of cloud storage.

This makes sure you can access old videos in the span of a month when the need arises. But if you do need more storage space, then this security camera also supports a 128 GB micro SD card, which will give you ample memory for all your surveillance videos.

Furthermore, when it comes to detecting motion, Netvue Outdoor Security Camera has motion recording, motion detection zones and motion alerts that are sent to you on your phone or laptop through its app. An additional feature is that all the recorded motion will be compiled together in one video for upto 24 seconds that you can view once you’re back home. Many security cameras set off false alarms and cause inconvenience not just to the owner but also the neighbors.

This security system has adjustable motion sensibility and smart motion detection that alerts you only when there is real danger around your house.  Finally, Netvue’s camera is compatible with Alexa, Echo Show, Echo Spot and Fire TV so that you can easily play your video footage with voice commands.

• What’s not to like?

One drawback of Netvue’s Outdoor Security Camera is that it is not battery powered. This means that it needs a wall plugin to be charged. You get a black adapter as an accessory which you will find inside the package. The NETVUE outdoor camera can only be used with this adapter. This limiting factor might disturb your 24/7 surveillance.

 8.Swann Outdoor Wi-Fi Security Camera

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• What’s to like?

The next model on our list is a security camera which is quite efficient and also light on your pocket. Swann Outdoor Wi-Fi Security Camera is weatherproof which means you can install the camera anywhere and not worry about damage due to harsh weather.

A special audio capture feature which ranges from 10-60 seconds keeps you aware of everything happening on and off-screen including conversations and all kinds of noise. With a 110-degree viewing angle and 100ft/30M night vision, you can be assured that your residence will be safe from burglars at night. Swann also offers free local storage so you can save up to 7 days of short video clips to the camera’s inbuilt memory and days of free cloud storage.

Going one step ahead in terms of spotting unwelcomed guests is a special sensing feature that detects heat emitted by the bodies of humans and animals, and sends you the recorded footage as an alert. In this way, unimportant objects that could be mistaken with animals or even people are not detected and you need not worry about being falsely alarmed. Connect your system to your Wi-Fi or use an Ethernet port for a wired connection to access network and receive notifications. You can even playback video clips with audio on your phone in case you feel like you’ve missed something in the footage.

Swann’s camera easily accepts voice commands with Google Assistant, Chrome Cast and Alexa devices.

• What’s not to like?

Swann Outdoor Wi-Fi Security Camera records clips between 10-60 seconds and there is no way to expand the recording time. Moreover, the cameras only record when they detect motion and not all throughout.

9.Tend Insights Lynx Pro

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• What’s to like?

Tend Insights Lynx Pro with its face recognition feature stands out in our list. It identifies faces registered in the facial recognition library and the ones that it cannot recognize; it spots them with a question mark. This will help you differentiate friends from strangers and make your life easy and safe.  With every familiar face that arrives at your doorstep, you receive a check-in notification.

Other than this amazing feature, the camera has a weatherproof enclosure with an IP65-certified rating, which means that it is resistant to damages by sudden weather changes. You can either place it on a flat surface or attach it to one of the two mounting devices with screws and anchors. To get a good angle of view that lets you see every corner of your house, Tend has provided a tilt adjustment feature to its camera.

In addition, the camera comes with a power adaptor with 10 foot cord and a 26 foot extension power cord that makes charging your system easy even when you’re at a distance from the plug point. Monitor all activities clearly with a 1080p video quality at 30fps and a 100-degree field of view. You also get a power port and a reset button at the back of the camera to restore all settings to default.

A brilliant motion sensor and LED indicator on the front with infrared LED’s gives up to 25 ft. of night vision, which means you can track strangers even at night. With a built-in speaker and microphone, feel free to talk to anyone who arrives at your doorstep. What we liked about this camera is that it can store upto 3 days of data in case of power outage, ensuring that your videos are safe and can be viewed when possible.

In terms of storage, your local data will be uploaded to cloud, based on 1 hour of recording or streaming per day. You also get 7 days of free cloud storage where you can archive and review videos you want to go through again. Along with good storage and HD video quality, Tend provides a built in support for 802.11B/g/n and 2. 4 GHz WI-Fi bandwidth. Finally, you can easily access your connected camera with the Tend secure app.

• What’s not to like?

The facial recognition feature is not available in all states so you may have to check if it is accessible in your area. Furthermore, Tend Insights Lynx Pro can be operated with Google Assistant voice commands but you can’t stream live video to an Echo Show device which is quite a limitation if you own Amazon’s Echo Show.

10.Reolink Argus 2

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• What’s to like?

We’re ending our list with Reolink Argus 2 which is a good buy under $100. You need not be a professional to install this camera as it can be easily mounted with wireless installation. This camera makes your life simple with its built-in micro USB port which can be used to connect 5V 2A power adapter for easy charging or the Reolink Solar Panel, both of which are sold separately. So replacing worn out batteries is something that you don’t have to worry about.

Besides, the clear display quality of 1080p HD videos and night vision with 1920×1080 resolution lets you see objects and people clearly even at night. Night vision in this camera is enhanced by Starlight image sensors that give footage visibility up to 33 ft.

Argus 2 supports micro SD card and can add up to 64 GB of space to save and store your videos. The Reolink app lets you play recorded videos with no subscription fees unlike other expensive security cameras. Connect your camera to a 2.4G wireless router and get notifications and alerts on your phone or laptop through the Reolink app. You can control your camera with your voice as Argus 2 has Google Assistant to help you operate your security system.

• What’s not to like?

Reolink Argus 2 lacks in integrating with other smart home devices. Also, SD card is not included and has to be purchased separately. Some feedbacks claim that its siren is not very loud.

FAQ’s-

1. What’s the best CCTV camera for outdoors?

In our opinion the Nest Security Camera is the best CCTV camera for outdoors as it has quite a few outstanding features. A 2-way mic system, 8x digital zoom, heightened motion sensitivity and 130 degree field of view along with storage of videos on cloud upto 30 days is what sets it apart from other models on our list. So you can communicate, spot and track visitors and also have a wide view of everything happening around your house.

2. Where should outdoor security cameras be placed?

Consider placing your outdoor security camera in the following places for better coverage and to spot intruders-

• At the Front Door- This is the most significant placement of security camera outside the home or office. Place your camera on the second floor level to prevent a burglar knocking out your camera. If you only have one level, you could include your front door security camera in a mesh wiring to safeguard it from tampering.
• At the Back Door- This also includes side doors. In fact, in case of intrusion, you should attach a security camera to every door you have. Again, try to keep it out of the reach of people or things they can throw at the camera.
• Near Off-Street Windows – Burglars will also break into a home by opening a back window away from the street view. So you can point a camera to these back windows to keep your homes secure from robbers and vandals.

3. How Do Wireless Outdoor Security Cameras Work?

Wireless cameras use RF signals to operate. These cameras have a transmitter that sends data about the footage to a main receiver inside the home/office. With technological development, we’ve now allowed Bluetooth and also enabled wireless security cameras with Wi-Fi. The data these cameras transmit is usually stored in a DVR and can be stored in cloud as well.

4. What Type of Weather Can Outdoor Security Cameras Handle?

Reliable and resilient security cameras can handle extreme heat, rain, wind and are even dust resistant. We recommend Amcrest Wireless Outdoor Security Camera for extremely low temperatures.

5. What Resolution Do You Want?

We suggest a 2-3 megapixel security camera with a 1920×1080 resolution and 2,073,600 pixels.

6. Do You Need Motion and Sound Detection?

Motion and Sound detection features are very important in security cameras to be able to track movements and sounds made by strangers and burglars. Once tracked, these detected changes can be sent to you as alerts via apps and enable you to take necessary action.

7. What Else Do Outdoor Security Cameras Work With?

Most outdoor security cameras can be connected to your other smart devices like all Alexa enabled devices and other voice controlled devices like smart bulbs and refrigerators. Apart from Alexa, security cameras can also be operated via Google Assistant.

8. What is the difference between indoor and outdoor security cameras?

Ring vs Nest outdoor security cameras

Conclusion-

We hope our list of cheap outdoor security cameras satisfied your urge to know all about surveillance systems and helped you choose one that suits your needs. Motion Detection and display are two important factors that you should keep in mind while choosing an outdoor security camera.  If we had to suggest two models for you, we recommend the Nest Security System and the Amazon Cloud Cam because of their amazing features and even better feedbacks that show 100% customer satisfaction. So pick one that you liked from our list and stay safe.

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Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API