Outdoor WiFi Camera: Which one is right for you?

A quick search on the web for outdoor WiFi cameras will bring up thousands of results. So, if you’re in the market for one, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the many options available. To help you choose which one is the right fit it will be helpful to know what you should be looking for. What kind of features should a good camera have? What’s the right power supply? What are the different types of outdoor security cameras? We’re going to be breaking down each of these questions so by the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll be informed and ready to make your purchase!

Power options for WiFi cameras outdoor

A good place to start when shopping for an outdoor security camera is asking yourself how you want it to be powered. The two most popular solutions are wired and battery-powered. Both have their benefits but there isn’t conclusively a better option here, this one is based on your requirements. A hardwired camera means you’ll never have to be concerned about recharging the battery and you’ll be guaranteed 24/7 coverage. Sounds great right? It is, but it also adds a few more steps to the installation process. Feeding power cables through your home can be quite a task and it also could limit where you can place the camera. If you think hard-wired is the right choice for you check out the Oscar outdoor security camera.

On the other hand, we have a battery-powered option, like the time2 Ava outdoor battery camera. This is the right option for you if you want to have a bit more freedom when it comes to camera placement. You could place it on the shed or fences, get creative with it! (But remember, you’ll still need a good internet connection over WiFi for most smart cameras to function) This does mean you’ll probably be able to get some angles of your property you otherwise wouldn’t with a hard-wired. Also, if you’re renting a property your landlord may not want you drilling holes through it to run power cables. Battery-powered takes care of that. This does bring into play concerns around battery life. Most devices on the market today offer a pretty decent working time. For example, the time2 Ava battery-powered camera offers up to 4 months of battery life based on 10 event recordings a day.

What features do you need?

When it comes to features on security cameras, there is a lot to consider. As technology continually progresses, we are seeing new capabilities emerge all the time. Let’s look at what you should expect from a camera in terms of features. What are the most common, and what’s the bare minimum?

Video Quality

You’ll want to clearly be able to see your camera’s footage, so the video quality should be a big consideration. You’ll find that most cameras on today’s market offer a pretty good standard. 1080p is the minimum here, anything less and you won’t be able to make out any detail. 1080p HD security cameras offer you a clear image so you won’t have to worry about missing the details. Check out this guide to video quality by Mesa for a breakdown of different video qualities.

Weatherproof Rating

For obvious reasons, this is a big one. The last thing you want is rain or dust damaging your WiFi security camera outdoor. You can check this with the IP rating, or ingress protection. This is made up of two numbers that represent how resistant a device is against dust and water. The first digit shows dirt and dust resistance and the second indicates water resistance. For example, the majority of time2 outdoor cameras offer a rating of IP65. With solid objects being rated out of six and water out of nine this shows the device is effectively protected in any weather conditions. So long as it isn’t submerged in water, there should be no issues.

Oscar Outdoor Security Camera IP65 Rating

Night Vision

This is probably essential if you’re buying an outdoor WiFi camera in the UK. You’ll need security during those long, dark winter nights. Again, this is becoming an increasingly popular feature in smart security cameras so you shouldn’t have to try too hard to find one with night vision.

There are definitely a lot more features to consider when you’re buying a security camera which you’ll come across as you shop. If we discussed them here, you’d be reading all day.

Different types of WiFi cameras for outdoor

An important question to ask when you’re shopping is; why do I need a security camera? This can help you determine what type of camera you’ll need. Maybe you want a camera to watch your front drive to keep your vehicle secure. Perhaps it’s to keep a watch on the front door and the daily comings and goings. The point is, everyone’s going to have different uses for them.

Floodlight Cameras

A floodlight camera can be used as a very effective deterrent against crime. If you have a property with a front-drive, you could utilise this type of camera by placing it in front of your vehicle. This way anyone who approaches them will immediately find themselves in the spotlight. Someone is less likely to attempt to break in or steal your car if they know they’re being watched and in plain view.

Doorbell Cameras

Doorbell cameras are almost becoming as popular as regular old doorbells. They’ve got a number of different uses so it’s easy to see why. If you’re someone who isn’t home very often but are guilty of a bit too much online shopping then you won’t want to be missing your daily deliveries. With a doorbell camera, you can communicate with the courier from wherever you are and tell them where to leave your package. No more parcels being carelessly launched into your garden! They became especially useful in recent times during the COVID-19 pandemic. The doorbell camera allows you to speak to whoever was at your door without risking the spread of infection.

Over to you…

To wrap things up it’s clear to see that there is not a one size fits all approach that’s going to work for every home when it comes to security cameras. It might take a mix of hard-wired and battery-powered,  floodlight cameras and doorbell cameras to create the right home security network for you. Use some of the things we’ve looked at here to shape your decision, but ultimately the choice lies with you.

Posted on 18th Aug 2022 by Anesh Pillai