Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
David AndersSenior Writer
David Anders is a senior writer for CNET covering broadband providers, smart home devices and security products. Prior to joining CNET, David built his industry expertise writing for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. In his 5 plus years covering broadband, David's work has been referenced by a variety of sources including ArcGIS, DIRECTV and more. David is from and currently resides in the Charlotte area with his wife, son and two cats.
ExpertiseBroadband providers, Home internet, Security Cameras
Ry CristSenior Editor / Reviews - Labs
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
ExpertiseSmart home technology and wireless connectivityCredentials
10 years product testing experience with the CNET Home team
Get peace of mind and an extra layer of protection when you install a home security camera. You'll be able to have monitoring for your property at all times, and if something happens while you're away or asleep, you'll be able to pull an exact record. Making sure your camera is hardy and the video is easy to access are key to ensuring a quality experience with home protection.
Indoor cameras will monitor what's going on inside your home when you're away or want to keep tabs on little ones sleeping in another room. The best outdoor cameras, like a good doorbell camera, offer that same home-monitoring peace of mind. They also work to deter trespassers and help keep the things outside your home safe, all while enduring rain, pollen, heat, cold and other weather extremes.
When shopping for an outdoor camera, I'd recommend checking out wireless models first. They tend to be easier to install since you won't have to run a power cord. A wireless camera takes away the possibility someone could walk up and simply unplug your camera.
From there, you'll want to consider video quality, storage options, end-to-end camera feed and storage encryptions, two-way talk and compatibility with smart home ecosystems like Alexa, Google and Apple HomeKit. There are also nice-to-have features such as sirens, lights, and facial recognition that you may want to compare as well.
We've taken these attributes and more into consideration when testing cameras and compiling our lists of the best. Here are our picks for the best outdoor cameras.
Best outdoor home security cameras
Editors' choice
Show less
Though it's one of the pricier outdoor cameras on our list at around $140, the Arlo Pro 4 is worth the premium. It checks all the boxes of what goes into a high-quality outdoor camera -- 2K HDR resolution, a wide 160-degree field of view, full-color night vision -- and then some. It also comes with the features you'd expect like two-way talk and compatibility with Alexa and Google, as well as extras including a built-in siren, a spotlight, and compatibility with Apple HomeKit.
Arlo offers three subscription plans starting at $10 per month for unlimited devices, you can also get smart alerts, direct dispatch, and a few other useful features. If you'd rather keep your recordings local or don't want to pay for a subscription, the Arlo Pro 4 has a microSD card slot to secure your videos directly from your home security system to your Arlo Base Station.
Photo Gallery1/1
Show expert takeShow less
Editors' note, Sept. 22, 2023:A reported security breach has affected some Wyze camera users. Out of caution and until Wyze resolves its systems for reporting breaches to users, we've removed our Editors' Choice designation from Wyze products. We will update this page as we reevaluate home security cameras and accessories.
This outdoor camera from Wyze doesn't sport all the bells and whistles of the Arlo Pro 4, but it's by no means lacking in functionality or performance. You'll get 1080p HD resolution and a 130-degree field of view, two-way talk and PIR motion detection to reduce false movement alarms from falling leaves, cars, etc. The night vision is also impressively clear and colorful.
Best of all, the camera kit, which comes with a camera, base and everything you need to get started, is available for just $70, less than half the price of the Arlo Pro 4. Additional cameras start at $64 and a single base will support up to four total.
Subscription services are also a bit cheaper than Arlo, or just about any other major outdoor camera manufacturer for that matter. Wyze Cam Plus, which comes with unlimited motion detection recording, package detection and a number of other useful features, starts at less than $2 per month per camera. Or, you can opt for Wyze Cam Lite and "name your price" (even if you want that price to be $0) and get 12-second videos recorded and saved in the cloud for 14 days.
The Wyze Outdoor Cam v2 features AES 128 encryption to keep your feed and recordings private and secure. It's technically not the most secure encryption (the Arlo Pro 4, for example, uses AES 256 bit encryption), but it will help to keep your content secure. Wyze has had security issues in the past, but has since taken steps to either patch vulnerabilities or phase out cameras, like the Wyze Cam v1 -- not to be confused with the Wyze Cam Outdoor v1 -- that could not be patched.
Photo Gallery1/1
Show expert takeShow less
Thieves checking for unlocked car doors can be as much of an outdoor home security concern as porch pirates stealing packages off your doorstep. A good video doorbell can deter a porch pirate, but keeping opportunists off your driveway and out of your cars can be a bit more tricky.
A camera equipped with an automatic siren and spotlight, like the TP-Link Tapo C310 outdoor camera, can be one of your most effective tools for keeping trespassers at bay. The $50 camera (currently on sale for $35) allows you to arm the camera to watch specific zones, like a driveway, at scheduled times and blare its siren and spotlight when anyone crosses the detection line.
The outdoor camera also features 2K resolution, night vision up to 98 feet away, Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility and local storage via a microSD card slot (card not included). If you want cloud storage, Tapo Care plans start around $.50 per month per camera and include 30 days of event recording.
The only significant drawback to the camera I see is that it uses a wired power source, so you'll have to run a cord to plug it in. But, if you have an accessible power outlet, perhaps in your garage or an inconspicuous location on your home's exterior, the TP-Link Tapo C310 is worth checking out for its potential to automatically drive away any unwanted guests.
In recent years, home security has become a major concern for property owners. With advancements in technology, having a reliable home security system is essential for the safety and security of your family and belongings. One such integral component of a modern home security system is the security camera. In this article, we will discuss the best home security cameras available in 2023 to help protect your home and loved ones. 1. Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera: Arlo Pro 4 is a top-of-the-line wireless camera that boasts impressive features such as 2K HDR video quality, color night vision, and two-way audio. The integrated spotlight protects your home during the night by providing sufficient lighting to scare off intruders. With its weather-resistant design, the Arlo Pro 4 can be mounted indoors or outdoors, making it a versatile solution for almost any home. 2. Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor: Google's Nest Cam IQ In...
The Infodemic: mRNA Vaccines Aren't Killing People - Voice of America The Infodemic: mRNA Vaccines Aren't Killing People - Voice of America The Infodemic: UK Didn't Block Data on Deaths Related to Vaccinations - Voice of America World War II veteran in Lindale reflects on life filled with patriotism, lessons learned - Longview News-Journal The Infodemic: mRNA Vaccines Aren't Killing People - Voice of America Posted: 03 Mar 2021 01:24 PM PST Fake news about the coronavirus can do real harm. Polygraph.info is spotlighting fact-checks from other reliable sources here. Daily Debunk Claim: The mRNA vaccines for coronavirus could halve the population in five years by killing most people who receive them. Verdict: False Read the full story at: Reuters Social Media Disinfo Screenshot Circulating on social media: Claim that Israel is implementing an internal COVID-19 vaccin...
To tell the truth: What current and hopeful federal employees should know about polygraphs - Federal News Network To tell the truth: What current and hopeful federal employees should know about polygraphs - Federal News Network Posted: 09 Aug 2018 12:00 AM PDT An ever-present backlog of federal security clearances continues to grab attention from lawmakers and leadership. But one component of those clearances — polygraph exams —is getting a closer look, as well. In April, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a major utilizer of polygraphs, told the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security it was evaluating the results of a six-month alternative polygraph pilot for screening new hires. And this fall, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will launch a competition to find new standards for assessing credibility. Alexis Jeannotte, prog...
Putin Tells Elton John Russia 'Unbiased' Toward LGBT Community - Polygraph.info Putin Tells Elton John Russia 'Unbiased' Toward LGBT Community - Polygraph.info Posted: 05 Jul 2019 12:30 PM PDT On Thursday, June 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview with the U.K.'s Financial Times newspaper, in which he reacted to claims regarding Russia's poor record on LGBT rights. "I am not trying to insult anyone because we have been condemned for our alleged homophobia," Putin told the newspaper. "But we have no problem with LGBT persons. God forbid, let them live as they wish. But some things do appear excessive to us. They claim now that children can play five or six gender roles. Let everyone be happy, we have no problem with that. But this must not be allowed to overshadow the culture, traditions and traditional family values of millions of people making up the core populati...
Coronavirus: The Infodemic - April 21 - Polygraph.info Coronavirus: The Infodemic - April 21 - Polygraph.info Posted: 22 Apr 2020 02:32 PM PDT Fake news about the coronavirus can do real harm. Polygraph.info is spotlighting fact-checks from other reliable sources here. Daily Debunk Claim: Phil "Dr. Phil" McGraw said there are 360,000 annual deaths in the U.S. from swimming pools. He's since said he was citing the worldwide number and "misspoke." Verdict: False Read the full story: "Dr. Phil's faulty point about the coronavirus and swimming pools," PolitiFact. Social Media Disinfo Bill Gates Circulating on social media: Claim that Microsoft owns patent "666," which involves inserting microchips into people to mine their activity for cryptocurrency purposes. Verdict: Mostly False Read the full story at: "Does Microsoft Own Patent '666' About Implant...
Lie detector tests have little to do with the truth - Baltimore Sun Lie detector tests have little to do with the truth - Baltimore Sun Posted: 24 Jul 2019 12:00 AM PDT IMAGE DISTRIBUETD FOR HASBRO- Demonstrators at the Hasbro, Inc. showroom play the LIE DETECTOR GAME at the American International Toy Fair on Friday, Feb. 15, 2018 in New York. The voice analysis in this adult party game is designed to detect subtleties in a person's voice to help you discover who is telling the truth, and who is not. (Charles Sykes/AP Images for Hasbro)(Charles sykes/AP) You are subscribed to email updates from "polygraph definition" - Google News . To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now . Email delivery powered by Google Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States
FIRST-PERSON: 5 ways your church can respond to COVID-19 - BP News FIRST-PERSON: 5 ways your church can respond to COVID-19 - BP News Posted: 13 Mar 2020 12:00 AM PDT Copyright (c) 2020 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/54465/firstperson-5-ways-your-church-can-respond-to-covid19 by Don Pucik, posted Friday, March 13, 2020 (11 days ago) EDITOR'S NOTE: Don Pucik is the associational mission strategist for the Northshore Baptist Association near New Orleans. COVINGTON, La. (BP) -- As the coronavirus disease spreads around the globe, thousands of deaths have forced decision-makers to cancel sporting events, restrict international travel, and discourage common social interactions. Individuals are being asked to self quarantine. Financial markets are in disarray. Daily lives are being disrup...
Should I Tell People I'm Applying for a Security Clearance Job? - ClearanceJobs Should I Tell People I'm Applying for a Security Clearance Job? - ClearanceJobs Posted: 28 Apr 2020 07:00 AM PDT When applying for any ol' job, you might not think twice about telling your family, friends, or your neighbors—basically, anyone who isn't your boss—that you've submitted an application. In fact, it's often a pleasure to share the application process with others, who can commiserate over the stress of an impending interview, and celebrate with you when you receive good news. But when you're applying for a job that requires security clearance, it's not always abundantly clear if you can tell just about anyone—or anyone at all. (Luckily, we've got the answers here.) And the fear of doing the wrong thing, or telling the wrong person, can be very, scarily real. When it comes to divulging your security clea...
Love Island's Dr Alex: 'The lie detector was an inaccurate sham - I am glad it's gone' - Mirror Online Love Island's Dr Alex: 'The lie detector was an inaccurate sham - I am glad it's gone' - Mirror Online Posted: 27 Jul 2019 07:34 AM PDT Love Island star Dr Alex George has described the now-scrapped lie detector tests as a sham, claiming that they "simply did not work". The much-loved medic took part in the 2018 season, and fell foul of the infamous lie detector test leaving viewers stunned. However, he claims the tests are not accurate, and is glad to see the back of them. The tests, which are carried out in week 8 of the reality show, have seen even the strongest of couples break down when hooked up to heart monitor and quizzed. The medic failed almost every question but insists he was telling the truth (Image: ITV) Speaking to Racing Post , ...
Why You Can Trust CNET 
