Table of Content
The inexpensive Blink Floodlight Cam is a combination of the standard Blink Outdoor Camera and a separate Blink Floodlight device. Four D-cell batteries power the floodlight section, and two AA batteries are used in the camera itself. Blink claims the batteries can last up to two years, though of course, that’s dependent on your settings, weather conditions and how often the camera and lights are triggered. Despite an estimated 6 months of battery life, the Arlo Pro 4 started sending alerts that its battery level was getting low around 3 weeks into testing.
It has a built-in spotlight that can illuminate your driveway or backyard when it detects motion, as well as an 89dB siren that can scare off intruders. You have to pay extra to access intelligent alert features, but the fee is nominal and gets you additional cloud storage. Most smart outdoor security cameras use a Wi-Fi radio to connect to your home network, enabling you to access them from anywhere via a mobile app. Some models even use Ethernet, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or a proprietary wireless technology to connect to a mobile app or a dedicatedhub. Take everything nice I said about the Floodlight Cam Wired Plus, and it applies to the Floodlight Cam Wired Pro. On top of that, the Cam Pro adds better motion tracking capabilities, thanks to its 3D motion detection technology that can map out the path a person took to get within the camera’s current field of view.
Best for Cellular Connectivity
This 2K-resolution model is fully wireless, so you can install it just about anywhere. Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. For an even more advanced way to keep a set of eyes on your home, both indoors and out, explore our picks for thebest smart home security systems. And if you prefer to go the DIY route, check out our tips for building your own home security system.
Enhanced HD footage can be reviewed and saved from anywhere for instant peace of mind. Here you can see the latest view from one live webcam in the destination of Garsdorf, Germany. Both the current image, and the most recent daylight image are available for each webcam. Our journalists combine independent research with over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions.
Bright, detailed images inside your home
It isn't cheap, but the battery-powered cameras are very easy to install and connect to a hub that links everything together. The system stores recordings locally and in the cloud, and you can access them via a user-friendly mobile app. A lot of the terminology when talking about security and surveillance cameras can be hard to track, not least because people use the terms informally and interchangeably all the time. Basically, surveillance cameras are usually used with CCTV, in businesses and where there is continuous recording. Home security cameras, by contrast, are often motion-triggered and connected to cloud storage.
The camera is designed to be mounted flush to a flat surface instead of to an electrical junction box like the other wired cameras we tested. According to Eve, you might need to purchase a flush mount light fixture mounting bracket if your existing junction box doesn’t have the required screw hole spacing. The amount of history the camera will store depends on how often it’s triggered, but after nearly a month of testing, the Floodlight Camera 2 still has 700 megabytes of free storage. Achieve new levels of cost-efficiency while meeting today’s toughest security demands, large or small. Merc provides access control technologies for partners and end users to optimize their system investments, eliminating the need to replace hardware due to upgrades or enhancements.
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Cam
With this option, the camera records continuously and stores up to 30 days of 24/7 video in the cloud. Logitech’s Circle View camera is built specifically for use with Apple’s HomeKit smart home platform, including full support of Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video feature. It’s primarily designed for indoor use, as indicated by the attached power cord and wall adapter.
For $3 per month, you can also get smart alerts, motion zones, 30 days of event history and a few other cool features. This 2K-resolution floodlight camera allows you to store video on a memory card for free or in the cloud for a fee, and it has bright, adjustable lighting. No matter the resolution, try to choose a camera with a relatively wide field of view and make sure it can capture clear night-vision video. Most cameras use IR LEDs to deliver black-and-white night video, but a few use white light to deliver full-color night video. If you want an affordable smart floodlight that can light up your property and record video when it detects motion, this is your best bet.
Best indoor security camera
In our tests we always found its images to be sharp regardless of the storage method, but if 2K resolution is important to you, opt to use a microSD card. Also, it doesn’t offer the specialized detection that some other cameras do, such as animal, package, and vehicle detection. The first decision you'll need to make is whether you're looking for a professionally installed system or a DIY security system. The $100 Google Nest Cam is not only the most affordable Nest camera yet, but it's also our favorite from the brand. Thanks to the easy setup, the attractive design and, most importantly, the free smart features, it takes the top spot of all Google Assistant cameras.
Bluetooth cameras are also simple to install, but you have to stay within 30 feet or so to connect to them via your phone. The Circle View records crisp 1080p video during the day, but leaves something to be desired at night due to the lack of a floodlight or enhanced night recording. The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Cam adds 2K HDR video quality and a convenient magnetic mount to the Essential Camera. You’ll still need to install the mounting bracket to your wall, but the Pro 4 itself attaches to the mount with magnets, making it easy to take inside to charge when the battery runs out. The Cam 2 is small and weatherproof, records 1080p video at 20 frames per second and can be mounted inside or out, as long as there’s a power outlet nearby.
Granted, there had been plenty of motion during the test period to trigger the Pro 4, but its battery life fell far short of Arlo’s estimates. This was, however, no worse than Ring’s wireless Spotlight Cam, which also fell short of the manufacturer’s estimates under our testing conditions. One hiccup you may run into with the Eve Outdoor Cam is how it’s mounted against the outside of your home.
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions.See how we test. The Spotlight Camera is, however, a fantastic camera for someone who can’t or doesn’t want to replace existing fixtures or isn’t comfortable with electrical work. Certification encompasses Mercury’s entire portfolio and represents third-party validation of the company’s long-standing commitment to quality, on time delivery and customer satisfaction. Sign up for our mailing list to receive new product alerts, special offers, and coupon codes.
New to this model are color night vision, 3D motion detection, dual-band Wi-Fi, and HDR video. Also new is a Birds Eye View feature that gives you an aerial view of where visitors have traveled on your property. In testing, the floodlight did a great job of illuminating our backyard and delivered sharp 1080p video.
All that said, most wireless cameras will require Wi-Fi to use all their features as intended. Of all the floodlight cameras we tested, the Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro is the least attractive, resembling a small spaceship . If you're concerned about privacy and would rather not store your video in the cloud, look for a camera that offers a local storage option via a microSD card slot. A few cameras let you save video recordings to a portable USB or NAS drive, but these devices are rare. A rugged indoor and outdoor camera, the Google Nest Cam packs a useful selection of smart features to help you keep tabs on your home.
