Best Weatherproof Outdoor Cameras

If you live in the wintry depths of Minnesota or the high heat of Arizona, then this weatherproof security camera’s for you. With an IP67 weather rating, the Amcrest 4K Turret is the most protected camera on our list from things like wet, cold, dust, and even heat. No matter the weather, you shouldn’t have to worry about this camera going offline.

Along with its top-notch weatherproofing, the Amcrest has a bunch of impressive features. It has 4K video resolution (also known as Ultra HD), and its night vision range goes up to 164 feet, which is a pretty sweet sightline.

This camera is wired, so you’ll need to figure out how to string an Ethernet cable around wherever you want to put it. But once it’s all set up, you can record to the cloud, to an NVR device, or a microSD card. (We recommend the NVR.)

This camera doesn’t have the widest field of vision at only 112º. The Amcrest app can also be a little glitchy. But on the plus side, if you don’t like the Amcrest app, this camera lets you use third-party apps like Blue Iris instead.

Google Nest never skimps on cool tech features, and the Nest Cam Outdoor is no exception. This baby has 1080p HD recording, along with a 4K image sensor that gives you clear images, even when you zoom in. As for weatherproofing, the Nest has an excellent rating of IP66.

Along with its excellent tech specs, the Nest Cam Outdoor has some extra smart features. For example, it can recognize familiar faces and distinguish a person from a tree, car, or animal. That means you get more useful push notifications from this camera instead of just a generic, “Motion detected.”

The Nest Cam Outdoor also has a decent temperature range. You shouldn’t have any issues with it unless you live somewhere super hot that gets over 113ºF on a regular basis.

This surveillance camera is technically wireless (because it connects to your Wi-Fi network), but you still have to plug it into an outlet. Which means you have to string a wire through a doorway or window, or you’ll have to drill a hole in your exterior wall. The Nest is also a bit pricey at almost $400.

But all things considered, the Nest is one of the strongest, most feature-packed cameras out there.

If you want an excellent outdoor camera that will also integrate with your whole home security system, then the Vivint Outdoor Cam Pro is an easy choice. Vivint is our favorite home security system because it gives you top-notch tech, plus protection from creeps, vandals, or just the mischievous kids next door.

The Vivint Outdoor Cam Pro gives you a lot of the same features as the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. You get that same 1080p resolution as well as a 4K image sensor. And the Vivint Outdoor Cam Pro has person detection, so it knows it’s a human standing in your yard and not a dog.

Vivint also built in something they call “Lurker Detection,” which just means that when the camera spots a person, it turns on its LED light and makes a noise so the person knows they’re being recorded and (ideally) decides they’d rather lurk somewhere else.

The only problem with the Lurker Detection feature is that the Vivint Outdoor Cam Pro doesn’t have facial recognition capabilities. That means it can’t tell if it’s you in your yard or a stranger, and it can be annoying to be squawked at by your own camera.

We also don’t love that the only way to get this camera is to get an entire Vivint security system. And to price out a system, you’ll have to call Vivint and get a quote. No easy online buying here.

The Reolink Argus 2 won’t make you string any wires, and it will give you so many different mounting options that you can put this cam just about anywhere. You can choose from battery- or solar-powered. And you can install it in a screwed-in mounting bracket or use the provided strap to string up the cam without breaking out your drill.

Along with flexible placement, this home security camera has some cool features, like color night vision and encrypted video. Reolink uses Amazon Web Services for its cloud storage, so you’re better protected against would-be hackers, and you can still view your footage from anywhere.

As for weatherproofing, the Argus 2 still gets a pretty high rating of IP65. And its temperature range is nice and lenient for those more extreme bits of the country.

The Argus 2 only has 6x digital zoom, which is the lowest on our list. And its two-way audio quality isn’t the best we’ve heard. But for a weatherproof outdoor camera that costs less than $100, the Argus is still a pretty sweet deal.

The TP-Link Kasa Cam Outdoor won’t break the bank, but it will give you HD resolution and a cool, spirally base that lets you adjust the angle however you want. This little camera also comes with a built-in siren to help scare off intruders and keep your yard safe.

First of all, the Kasa Cam Outdoor is pretty cheap. It’ll cost you less than $100, and you’ll still get decent video quality with 1080p resolution. This camera also still has features we expect in every outdoor camera these days, like night vision, and a wide field of view.

And despite its affordable pricing, the Kasa Cam Outdoor still has an IP65 weather rating, and a temperature range wide enough for most people in most places. Although, it is the most narrow temperature range on our list, so be aware if you live somewhere that gets above 109.4ºF on the reg.

This home security camera still has to be plugged in, which means stringing wires around. And TP-Link is a bit stingy with their free cloud storage. You get only two days’ worth of stored clips before you have to subscribe to a monthly storage plan.

You can find an outdoor camera that can take the weather, no matter what the climate is like where you live.

Amcrest 4K Turret Camera: Most resilient—This camera has the best weatherproofing of any camera on our list, and it gives you excellent video quality with 4K resolution.

Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor: Best AI features—Google Nest always has the best tech features, and that includes the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. You’ll get AI stuff like facial recognition and person detection with this cam.

Vivint Outdoor Cam Pro: Best for a security system—The Vivint Outdoor Cam Pro works with Vivint’s excellent security system, and gives you a lot of the same features as the Nest, including person detection and a 4K image sensor, plus a useful feature called “Lurker Detection.”

Reolink Argus 2: Best mounting options—The Reolink Argus 2 lets you mount the camera without drilling holes in your wall (if that’s what you want). It’s wire-free, and you can choose a battery-powered or solar-powered model.

TP-Link Kasa Cam Outdoor: Best budget buy—The TP-Link Kasa Cam Outdoor will save you some serious cash. This camera costs less than $100 and still has HD resolution, night vision, and a built-in siren.

For more options, try our Best Outdoor Security Cameras or Best Wireless Security Cameras. And if you want a whole security camera system, try Best CCTV Systems.

Do you use an outdoor security camera to protect your house? Have you had any issues with weather affecting performance? Tell us about your experience in the comments.