The Best Wireless Outdoor Home Security Cameras of 2022 - National Today

We did all the thinking so that all you'd have to do is pick your choice. Here are all the must-have features we know your future home security camera cannot do without.

Camera Quality
Of course, the most important feature of these devices will make it to the top of our list. Camera quality refers to the video and audio production of a camera. The lens's resolution determines how clear the footage produced on it will be, and the higher this number, the better the picture quality. Therefore, cameras with HD quality — 720p, 1080p, etc. — produce lower quality footage than those with 2K or 4K resolution. Likewise, the audio system of a camera determines its sound quality and functionality. A one-way security camera only allows you to hear audio from the recordings, whereas a two-way/full-duplex system allows you to hear from and speak through the camera. For example, being able to tell the delivery man to leave your package at the front door.

Night Vision
Studies show that crime happens more at night than during the day. Once you get a camera with the solid recording quality, the next thing you'd want to do is make sure your device can see just as clearly in the nighttime. Security cameras have night vision capabilities thanks to different kinds of apertures, lenses, spotlights, and sensors. This helps them see just as brightly in the nighttime, thereby producing crisp-colored footage.

Power and battery life
The most convenient types of home security cameras are removable battery-powered devices because they can easily be recharged when needed and installed wherever you like. On the other hand, wired cameras need to be installed somewhat close to being installed relatively close to a power source so that they are constantly up and running. The best battery-powered security cameras last a significantly long time and will only need to be recharged once every three to six months. It also shouldn't take too long for said batteries to be all charged up, as the average charging time for a well-functioning camera battery is five to ten hours. With wired devices, once these devices are plugged in, they operate for as long as they are in good condition. However, their pitfall is that they turn off once there's a power outage or no electrical issues.

Connectivity to WiFi and/or Bluetooth
If there is one thing we are spoiled by in this day and age, it's the ability to connect to devices at our convenience, and facilities like WiFi and Bluetooth make this a breeze. Thanks to technological advancements, our household security cameras also have a variety of connectivity options and allow us to connect via WiFi and sometimes Bluetooth as well. Some security cameras require you to have an additional hub in order to connect using WiFi, but all our selected products don't need additional tools or costs. Connect, operate, and upload recordings at ease.

Storage type
There are two major ways security cameras store footage — internally and externally. Some devices store your recordings locally for a short period of time in in-built storage systems, while other devices allow you to use an SD card to keep a larger volume of footage. On the other hand, some devices only let you store recordings on the cloud via certain manufacturer software. In most cases, you would have to subscribe to these platforms to gain monthly/yearly access to this additional storage that is oftentimes available on the cloud for only a certain period of time.

Durability and reliability
Your future home security device should be able to stand a reasonable test of time and should be reliable even in the most strenuous conditions. A durable device is made of premium weatherproof/waterproof materials that can withstand extreme weather conditions, from heat to rain to even snow. Because these are outdoor security tools, they need to be consistently productive in a wide range of conditions so that you can always depend on their protection. The durable and reliable nature of our chosen security cameras gives you the best value for money by staying useful for years to come.

Notifications
We all hate seeing unnecessary notifications pop up on our screens. Not only do they take up space, but they also have a unique way of raising our anxiety levels for no reason. Intuitive security cameras are programmed to show you only what you need to know and what's important for your safety. These devices are usually connected to smartphone apps that are able to provide intelligent alerts under certain conditions, like motion sensing. Some of them even take it a step further by being able to differentiate between people/animals/vehicles/packages and give you detailed notifications based on such identifications, although this is oftentimes a paid feature through software subscriptions.

Sensors
How can a security camera tell the difference between an animal and a vehicle, or see so clearly at night to tell when there's an intruder, or be able to tell when something moves within its field of view motion range, or better yet, remember a visitor's face or identity? These and more all happen thanks to the use of sensors! Sensors are utilities used to fine-tune the intuition of security cameras and also make them more alert. A device with the right sensors and programming truly is a force to be reckoned with.