Installing a security camera system on your property can help stave off the threat of burglars. To help protect you and your loved ones against these home invaders, it is wise to purchase an outdoor wireless security camera system with digital video recorder (DVR) capabilities.
The problem is, there are far too many security camera models to choose from. There are cameras with night vision, IP cameras, the latest CCTV camera with motion detection and a 360-degree viewing angle, the Wi-Fi camera with video recorder or cloud storage, ultra HD surveillance cameras for the very best video quality… the list is almost endless. If this is your first time purchasing an outdoor wireless security system, we understand that it can get overwhelming. This is because there are so many considerations that you need to keep in mind if you want to get the best deal possible.
If you are interested in purchasing a wireless security camera system, you have come to the right place. Our experts hand-tested dozens of outdoor wireless security camera systems so you don’t have to. In this article, we list our favorite models and review each in detail. Read on to discover more about these great household security devices.
Why You Need a Security Camera System with DVR
In the United States alone, hundreds of thousands of burglaries and break-ins occur every year. No matter where you live, you and your property are subject to a home invasion. While this is certainly a grim reality, you have options available to you to protect yourself.
Smart home security systems, security gates and doors, and, of course, security camera systems are the most common household devices for protecting against burglary. In fact, security cameras have been proven to be the most effective in thwarting criminals and keeping them away from their victim’s property.
In today’s world, everybody can benefit from an outdoor wireless security camera system. It is an unfortunate fact of life that criminals are lurking everywhere, and it is your responsibility as a homeowner to take every precaution possible to protect you and your loved ones.
Are you ready to take action? If you want to take a stand against the threat of burglary and home invasion, read on and discover everything there is to know about the best outdoor security camera systems and how to install them.
How We Choose Our Ratings
We understand that your trust is earned, not given. That is why we always pledge to keep our reviews independent of third-party interests. Although we review many products, we promise to never receive financial support from any of our manufacturer’s products. This way, we can stay unbiased and neutral with every article we write.
When it comes to rating products, we take a diversity of factors into account. Among the many considerations, we keep in mind are overall cost, shipping and delivery speed, usability, ease of installation, durability, and aesthetics. By considering a wide variety of factors, we believe we can come to a holistic understanding of the product from as many angles as possible.
The Best Outdoor Wireless Security Camera Systems with DVR
Now, let us move on to meat and potatoes of this week’s article. Below, we rank our favorite outdoor wireless security camera systems—each of which we have personally tested for several days. Read each review carefully to find a security system suitable for you and your needs.
ZOSI Security Camera System 1280TVL
The ZOSI Security Camera System 1280TVL is one of the finest household security camera systems designed for outdoor use. This camera system features four lenses that generate crisp and sharp images, even during the nighttime.
Unlike most other outdoor security cameras, the ZOSI 1280TVL is specially designed to pick up on details and facial images during low-light settings. After recording test footage, we were happily surprised to find that the details of our dummy burglar were completely visible—we could even tell what brand of shoe and watch he was wearing.
This camera system features a 4-in-1 DVR which supports multiple file formats. This made playback a breeze and it allowed us to play our footage over our home television. Best of all, this system has an effortless installation process. If you can screw in a light bulb, you can install the ZOSI 1280TVL. It’s that simple!
TIGERSECU Super HD 4-Channel Recording System
The experts at TIGERSECU have outdone themselves yet again with the Super HD 4-Channel Recording System, which is a DVR designed for use with security cameras. As one of the premier home security systems on the market today, the TIGERSECU 4-Channel is capable of recording in 1080P (full HD), 720P, and other resolutions.
The best part of owning of TIGERSECU 4-Channel is the wonderful ease of use. While this camera system is not the only one to feature their own mobile app, the TIGERSECU app is by far the best one we have used so far. After a simple download and QR code scan, we were able to integrate our phones with our recorder without any hassle.
Although the cameras must be purchased separately, this is a great security setup for larger households that want the option to add as many cameras as they would like. Plus, with an internal storage capacity of 4TB, you can freely record hundreds of thousands of footage hours before you need to start deleting.
ZOSI 4PCS 720P IP Camera System
The ZOSI 4PCS 720P IP Camera System stands out as one of the market’s best options for an outdoor wireless security camera system in 2018. If you need a security camera solution that prevents burglary and theft, this is the system for you.
Unlike the other ZOSI models, the 4PCS system features four white cameras with built-in antennae. These antennae, in our opinion, work a lot better than most other models which tend to cut out or gather static during inclement weather. With the ZOSI 4PCS, however, it was smooth sailing from the moment we turned it on.
Overall, we highly recommend the ZOSI 4PCS if crystal clear 1080P resolution is not a major issue for you. For most household users, a 720P security camera system will suffice and not cause any major issues. In fact, we were able to zoom in with the DVR after we collected our test footage and could even make out individual blades of grass on our lawn!
Zmodo Wireless Home Security Camera System
The Zmodo Wireless Home Security Camera System is an 8-Channel security system that ranks among the best available for household users. Although the internal storage space is slightly disappointing at only 500GB, there is still plenty of room to capture hundreds of hours of full HD footage throughout your property.
Featuring an easy installation process without the use of cables or other burdensome equipment, the Zmodo camera system simply mounts to whatever surface you need. At the flick of a switch, we had all eight cameras firing at once. When placed strategically around your property, you can rest assured that this camera system provides plenty of coverage.
With the Zmodo app, we were able to easily view the recorded footage on our smartphones. After a simple synchronization process, we were even viewing our security camera footage in real time on our screens. Truly, the Zmodo wireless camera system is ahead of its time.
TECBOX AHD Home Security Camera System
Built by the professionals at TECBOX, the AHD Home Security Camera System is a great choice if you do not want to sacrifice aesthetics for security. Whereas most other camera systems are bulky and unpleasant to look at, the TECBOX breathes new life into the market by providing visually stunning physical cameras.
The TECBOX cameras mount easily to the wall using the provided hardware. They are completely weatherproof and are designed to withstand gale force winds. During nighttime is where this camera truly shines, as it can capture illuminated footage in the dark without the use of a conspicuous flash mechanism.
If you need an all-in-one system that combines four high definition cameras with an easy-to-use DVR unit, the TECBOX is the device for you. You will be glad you made the purchase if finding a budget-friendly solution is important to you since the price point for this system is on the lower end of the spectrum.
Isotect 8CH Camera System
The Isotect 8CH Camera System is a fantastic solution for homeowners interested in securing large estates, mansions, or ranches. With eight cameras in the kit, you can be sure that every nook and cranny of your property will be covered and kept under surveillance. With the Isotect camera system, all eight camera pieces come fully equipped in the original bundle.
With a 10dB antenna and a 2TB hard drive disk in the DVR unit, you can be sure that you will have plenty of storage space for recording footage. Without any cables or wires, this outdoor camera system can transmit 1080P footage to your DVR or smartphone with the click of a button. If you ever need to review your footage, it only takes a mere few seconds.
All in all, we strongly recommend picking up an Isotect 8CH Camera System if you need to secure a large property that would be unsuitable for four cameras only. And with up to 65 feet of coverage, you can rest assured knowing that your entire yard is under close watch during all hours of the day.
EZVIZ Outdoor Surveillance System
The EZVIZ Outdoor Surveillance System is an excellent security camera apparatus if you need a durable, high-capacity system capable of picking up objects from afar. With 100-foot night vision capability, these cameras are able to do a lot of heavy lifting to secure your home.
Our favorite aspect of this camera system is the fact that it has built-in motion detection. While most cameras simply roll throughout the day without adapting to the external environment, the EZVIZ system will zoom and focus if it picks up movement on the screen. Best of all, it is affordably priced which makes it great for first-time homeowners.
SANSCO Pro CCTV System
The SANSCO Pro CCTV System is a great option for property owners interested in securing their homes while also boosting its “curb appeal.” The jet-black SANSCO cameras are sleek and modern-looking and hang from their fixtures without any dangling cords or external equipment. In fact, they look like they would belong in a sci-fi movie, that’s how chic and futuristic they are.
We adored having the option to shoot in 1080P or 720P because sometimes we find that full HD can be overkill if we are recording during daylight hours. Also, the 1TB internal hard disk is perfect for capturing and storing all of the footage and keeping it safe for weeks on end. The equipment featured in this kit is so sophisticated that it appears to be professional grade.
It was a simple process connecting the SANSCO Pro to our TV monitors inside. Without any hassle, we were able to view our camera footage in real time and without any hang-ups. This makes the SANSCO ideal for those who need a quick solution without having to worry about a painful installation process.
IHOMEGUARD 1080N DVR Security Camera System
The IHOMEGUARD 1080N DVR Security Camera System provides the best overall value for your money if you are on a scant budget. While other camera systems tend to get pricey, this model is one of the few that stand out for their low cost.
While the features are generally the same in this camera system as any other, such as weatherproofing and 720P video capture, there is a lack of internal storage. Consequently, you may need to set the camera to automatically delete footage after a week’s worth has accumulated. In most use cases, this will be perfectly fine for ensuring household security.
Buyer’s Guide
Without a doubt, there is a lot that goes into purchasing an outdoor wireless security camera system. Ultimately, your purchase should consider the kind of home you live in, and your specific security needs as determined by your location of residency. However, to keep things simple, follow these easy tips and guidelines to find a reliable model for you:
- Large properties (mansions, ranches, country estates) will suit eight cameras instead of four
- If you want to store multiple weeks’ worth of footage at one time, make sure you buy a unit with at least 1TB internal storage
- Black cameras are less detectable than white cameras
- Opt for a 1080P camera system if you need to zoom in on the picture from time to time
- If recording primarily at night, find a camera with at least 100-foot night vision