Best outdoor security camera: which one to choose in 2021?
Looking for the best outdoor security camera available in 2021? There are many models, so it is not always easy to navigate. In this comparison, we offer you some keys to choosing the right cameras as well as a selection of the most suitable models.
© Unsplash / Oxa Roxa
CCTV cameras are key devices for your security. Formerly quite expensive, both because of the cameras themselves and the infrastructure to be installed at home to collect, store and destroy recordings, setting up a video surveillance system at home has become more democratic.
The price of the cameras themselves has fallen sharply, even though they now offer a much better image than even a decade ago. Outdoor CCTV cameras, in particular, are much more than that today. They can be used as lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere when you arrive at your home.
Outdoor surveillance cameras are also often equipped with an intercom that allows, for example, remote interaction with a delivery person to tell him where to put a package – or to scare off potential intruders. They install quite easily, especially when the model you have chosen is battery-powered. Be careful, however, to strengthen your WiFi network.
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The antennas included in this type of accessory are generally less efficient than those of your smartphone or computer. CCTV cameras also need a lot of bandwidth since the video stream is usually in HD when it is not Full HD, 2K or 4K.
Installing a mesh network and increasing your internet bandwidth are aspects to consider if you take the plunge. Before buying the first model that comes to hand, you must also be careful to correctly identify your needs. You also need to learn about the equipment, and most often check the data provided by the manufacturer by reading customer reviews.
Some models of inexpensive outdoor surveillance cameras have a lower definition than advertised. Also, not all outdoor surveillance cameras are suitable for all locations. All these sensors do not, for example, have the same viewing angle. If the angle of view is too narrow you risk missing part of what is happening at the time of an intrusion.
If the angle is too wide, you may no longer be able to recognize faces because they will be too small in the image, even with the correct definition. There is also the question of power supply: battery-powered models are great for quickly installing an effective solution. But the connection is often unstable and you have to manually recharge the battery regularly.
When possible, for example when you have a crawl space or a cable duct already present nearby, it is better to opt for a wired installation which will eliminate maintenance and provide you with increased reliability. Finally, it is recommended before buying kits to install yourself to establish one or two quotes from professional service providers such as Verisure. It's free and doesn't commit you to anything.
However, you will no doubt be surprised at the reasonable budget requested by this type of service provider who will provide you with the guarantee that your installation is perfectly suited to your security needs, will ensure the maintenance of the equipment in addition to delivering a remote monitoring service with a lot of more peace of mind and security.
The top 5 best outdoor surveillance camera:
Verisure, the best outdoor camera
The choice of tranquility with solutions that are always 100% adapted
An Arlo camera installed by Verisure / © Arlo
Verisure is number 1 in security in France but also throughout Europe. This professional installs complete security solutions with alarms, remote monitoring and equipment maintenance. Going through Verisure will be a bit more expensive than installing CCTV cameras yourself. However, nothing prevents you from buying yourself the Arlo cameras used by Verisure professionals.
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Nevertheless, Verisure will bring you many advantages that are clearly worth the small additional cost. First, Verisure will never present a solution as something universal. From the estimate to the installation, everything is entirely personalized to your situation. If you request a free, no-obligation quote, Verisure will offer you an appointment with one of its technicians who will look in detail at the characteristics of your home.
One or more tariffs will then be offered to you according to your security needs. Unlike you, Verisure technicians know the specifications of the hardware they install inside out. So you do not risk suffering from blind spots in places where you will regret the day when an intrusion really occurs. And since Verisure offers a bonus remote monitoring service, you also won't risk being unable to react when it matters most.
In the event of a burglary, operators located in approved centers will be able to access all the data of the security equipment installed in your home and will immediately take the right decisions. In particular, they can send a security guard to the scene and bring in the police using a priority line. They can also use the intercoms on outdoor surveillance cameras to try to scare off burglars before they get hold of your property.
Ask quickly for a free quote to give you an idea of the cost of a real solution that will really strengthen the security of your home while giving you a lot of peace of mind:
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Ring, the Amazon solution
One of the best alternatives to strengthen the security of your home
© Ring
Ring is undoubtedly the player you think of first when it comes to installing outdoor surveillance cameras. The advantage of Ring is that as the firm is a subsidiary of Amazon, and that it has particularly neat products both in terms of manufacturing, software development and integration with your smartphone and the ecosystem. Amazon Echo / Alexa connected assistant.
Ring offers three complementary types of outdoor security cameras. First there are the Ring Doorbell cameras. These are de facto doorbells equipped with a camera that can capture images in HD or Full HD depending on the model. They are quite discreet and ensure you have an idea of how an intrusion started, especially if the accessory faces the street.
Buy Ring Video Doorbell 3
Note also for apartments that a more compact (but just as effective) version of the doorbell exists, the Door View Cam. In larger devices, we can also mention the Spotlight Cam, a video surveillance camera which remains quite compact, but which nevertheless contains an intercom function and lighting powerful enough to deliver images that are always clear even at night.
For very dark places, or where you want the added presence of a siren, there's also the Floodlight Cam. This is associated with two powerful projectors, an intercom and a very strident siren.
Buy Ring Floodlight Cam
Note that Ring offers a subscription from €10 per month that allows you to benefit from two very useful services. First there is anti-tamper protection which makes the internet connection rely on the cellular data network. But also the possibility of registering three emergency contacts who will be automatically called in the event of an intrusion.
Netatmo, the French for remote monitoring
The best outdoor security camera for those who love design
© Netatmo
The Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera stands out from the others for its design. Indeed, especially in the evening, when it lights up, it is really difficult to guess that it is a surveillance camera. The object looks more like a very designer garden projector with an elongated rectangular shape. And yet, it is indeed a formidable security device – compatible with Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant.
Thanks to this outdoor surveillance camera you are sure to receive a real-time notification on your smartphone when an unknown person or vehicle is detected on your property. The accessory knows the difference between people, animals, vehicles, and movements that are not caused by anything dangerous. Therefore, with Netatmo you will never be spammed by a shower of useless notifications.
Everything is configurable from the application – which presents each detection with small logos, such as a little man when a human has been detected or a car when it is a car. This CCTV camera captures sharp images day and night thanks to the infrared-based night vision function.
The projector itself is activated in two ways. At night, whenever motion is detected and manually, wherever you are, via the app. This accessory does not have an intercom. But Netatmo has a small asset to catch up. Unlike many of its competitors, Netatmo does not charge for storing your security videos in the cloud.
Buy Netatmo Outdoor Surveillance Camera
Eufy, a mini budget camera
The widest range of outdoor surveillance cameras on the market
© Eufy
Eufy has the broadest offering of outdoor surveillance cameras. We can notably mention the Eufy SoloCam S40. This outdoor surveillance camera has an integrated solar panel. It only takes two hours of sunshine per day to recharge the accessory. Thanks to its 600 lumen infrared torch, it captures very clear images even after dark. This is all the more so since Eufy has integrated a particularly precise 2K definition sensor into it.
For the rest, it is equipped with a motion detector and a siren and is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The brand also offers other models adapted to your needs. There is for example the SoloCam L20 without solar panel, on battery, the Solocam E40 or the SoloCam E20 among other very powerful models. Note, however, that Eufy does not offer cloud storage. Everything is therefore stored locally in the memory of the device.
These generally have 8 GB of space, which, according to the brand, corresponds to about two months of video surveillance. We invite you to consult the Eufy models available on Amazon by clicking on the button below:
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Bosch, Deutsche Qualität
The other design reference for outdoor surveillance cameras
© Bosch
Bosch also offers some safety accessories for individuals. Including an attractive Bosch Smart Home outdoor surveillance camera. The accessory looks like a luxurious outdoor light. It looks like a small pillar light, with an opening also on the bottom that delivers more directional illumination as you can see in the image above.
Discreet, the surveillance camera is located in the base. It detects both movement, noise and human body heat to distinguish between useful and unwanted notifications. It also features an intercom that allows you to scare away any intruders – or tell the poster what to do when he rings the doorbell.
Buy a Bosch surveillance camera
Conclusion: where to find the best outdoor camera?
As you can see, there are many quality options if you want to equip yourself with one or more outdoor surveillance cameras. However, not all of them deliver the same services or have the same characteristics. To really benefit from an effective system, it is necessary to take into account all the situations which will make your system useless in situations of burglary.
That's why before rushing to the cheapest camera model, we strongly recommend that you request a free quote from Verisure. This does not commit you to anything. And you will no doubt be surprised at their rather reasonable prices. The advantage of Verisure is that an expert will come to your home to assess all the characteristics of your home and offer you a suitable plan of attack.
Choosing a professional like Verisure also means opting for a complete service, from installation, to maintenance and remote monitoring – a golden service, because without it you could react badly at the time of an intrusion. , and again, if you can be reached at that time. Remote monitoring relies on approved centers active 24/7.
In the event of intrusion detection, an operator will always take the most appropriate decision to scare away or stop burglars. In the event of a break-in, an agent will come to your home to guard it until your return. Peace of mind that cannot be matched by a do-it-yourself installation.
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