Experts Tell Us the Best Outdoor Camera Without Subscription

SimpliSafe is an industry-leading and award-winning home security company that provides home security inside and out. SimpliSafe’s Outdoor Security Camera, much like its other products, do not require a subscription and can be monitored using the mobile phone app. With an adjustable magnetic mount, the outdoor camera does not require any wiring and can be self-installed with ease in less than five minutes. Plus, its removable, rechargeable battery lasts up to three to six months on a single charge. In addition to DIY install and ongoing ease of use, the outdoor camera offers outstanding video quality without compromising on affordability. The camera has 1080p HD video, a 140° ultra-wide field of view that is capable of digital zoom and full color vision at night, so nothing slips by undetected. The camera features two-way audio for the owner to be able to interface with anyone that trips the sensor.

Hawkray does a fantastic Wireless Outdoor Security Camera that ticks all of the boxes. It has all the weatherproofing you need to make sure that your feed isn’t affected by the climate, and also has motion detection so you don’t have to constantly be looking through your camera to know if someone is there. One feature I really like about this camera is the two-way talk feature, allowing you to answer the door when you aren’t even home.

As a non-subscription unit, there are no hidden or other extra costs. Buy the complete unit including the Home Base 2 and you’re good to go. However, the Home Base unit can accommodate a second camera (available at an additional cost if you choose to add it on). This security camera is completely wireless making installation easy. It’s also weatherproofed and offers HD video resolution making clarity of the images captured a priority. An important feature of the camera is its extended battery life. The internal battery will power the unit for a full year. Another important feature is its low light capabilities. Any photographer knows that lenses with the smallest apertures let in maximum light to the sensor. The eufyCam 2 Pro offers a lens with an aperture of just 2.0, meaning a lot of light can hit the sensor. As such, its night vision capabilities are superior. The camera offers motion detection for when critters pass in front of it as well as human detection for security. You can also adjust the motion zones that are detected to highlight a higher traffic area or exclude other coverage areas. Finally, the unit offers local and cloud storage options to save your video footage.

The Reolink Argus PT is a solar powered camera that will never require battery replacement and operates even in power outages. It can pan up to 355 degrees horizontally and tilt 140 degrees vertically to give the optimum view of your space and is of course weatherproof. It’s rated at IP65. This camera can be mounted on either a wall or upside-down and offers 1080P resolution. It offers smart motion detection for when someone passes in front of it and will detect movement up to 52 feet away. When the camera detects movement, it saves an image and alerts you that there is movement in the coverage area. Uniquely, this unit allows for live video viewing by up to 8 users via the app. It is important to note that the unit is designed to operate with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Both require a separate purchase. You can save your recordings locally on an SD card as large as 128GB (not included), or you can access up to seven days of footage on the encrypted cloud service for free. Note: For additional storage, the brand offers additional optional cloud storage for an additional fee.

For the bargain shopper, the Lorex W462AQC-E Wireless Security camera is the way to go. The unit offers a 110-degree angle of view and 2K resolution. It is designed to work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Like most higher end units, this camera offers Person Detection and notifies you when someone approaches. A unique feature is its magnetic base making mounting to different surfaces easy. It offers internal local storage via the included 16GB micro-SD card. The card can be upgraded to 256 GB at an additional cost.