Best Outdoor Security Cameras for Cold Weather [2024]

Choosing the right outdoor security camera for your home and needs is very important, and the weather in your area is an important factor before making your decision.

The most common reason outdoor security cameras do not work in the cold is that they are sometimes made of low-quality materials, which make them susceptible to dampness and freezing.

Regular cameras are also likely to fail because the cables are simply not insulated. Which cameras are the best for cold weather? Many have built-in weather sensors that tell you when the camera is too cold to function.

The ones we choose here are all insulated and rated as GOOD!

Research has shown that cold weather can affect your security footage. The lenses on your security cameras are more likely to fog and fail to work properly.

Also, some of the electronics on the camera may begin to fail. These issues cause the camera to save footage incorrectly, which makes it difficult to sort footage by date and time.

It is highly recommended that you purchase an actual OUTDOOR camera (Eufy mounting Guide), with a built-in anti-freeze feature and is insulated.

In addition, people who live in cold climates are at higher risk for theft, so it’s vital that the camera has the maximum number of security features possible.

To make sure my readers get the best outdoor cameras, I did a lot of research. I interviewed security professionals, and I talked to the companies that make outdoor security cameras. Finally, I visited stores and read customer reviews online.

After consulting all of these sources, I was able to write this article for you, I hope you enjoy it.

5 Best Cold Weather Smart Security Cameras

Model	Installation type	Field of View	Temperature range	Learn More
Blink Outdoor	Wireless	110° diagonal	-4°F to 113°F	Check Price
Google Nest Cam	Wired	135° diagonal	-4°F to 104°F	Check Price
Netvue Outdoor	Wireless, Wired	100 degrees	-4°F to 122°F	Check Price
Amcrest UltraHD	Power over Ethernet	105 degrees	-4°F to 122°F	Check Price
SV3C Wi-Fi Outdoor	Wireless	70 degrees	-4°F to 140°F	Check Price

1. Blink Outdoor Security Camera – Best Overall

Review

Blink outdoor is one of the best cold weather security cameras currently available in the market. I recommend this camera to all the homeowners who are tired of facing unexpected camera issues due to rain, snow, and frost.

Blink’s outdoor camera is a wireless battery-powered HD security camera with infrared night vision, motion detection, and two-way audio features.

You can control the camera through the Blink smartphone app. The motion detection alerts come right to your phone.

I like the ease of installation this camera offers. There is no wiring involved, and no professional installation is needed. All you have to do is create an account on the Blink App, plug the sync module and connect Wi-Fi, put in the batteries, and you are good to go.

The batteries are included and last for 2 years without any hiccups. However, please note that these batteries are not rechargeable.

You will have to buy new batteries once they die.

It offers two-way video and photo storage. In addition, you can use cloud-based subscription or store events locally to the Blink Sync Module via a USB flash drive.

Another interesting feature of this camera is privacy zone creation. You can create customized motion detection and privacy zones, so you only see and get notifications about the movements you care about. In addition, the camera is Alexa compatible.

The camera offers a 110° diagonal field of view. Its temperature range is -4°F to 113°F. The temperature range is versatile. It can not only handle cold weather but works great in hot weather.

User Feedback

This is one of the most sought-after security cameras for cold weather. Buyers mention long battery life, clear video, weather protection, 5-minute installation, and a good price point.

The common complaints include poor night vision, but the camera is cheaper than top-end models. The two-way talking feature also gets stuck at times. Moreover, the two-year battery life depends on the number of instances recorded.

Overall, it is a fantastic unit at the price at which it is being sold. I would recommend it to all the people who need a reliable cold-weather security camera.

2. Google Nest Cam Outdoor – Premium Choice

Review

Google’s nest cam is yet another technological marvel. This camera is best for people who don’t prefer battery cameras.

I like this unit because it has a wide field of view compared to the one reviewed above and other cameras in my list. A wide viewing angle covers more areas in the outdoors.

In addition, it can save you some money by allowing the users to install fewer cams.

The camera, cable, adapter are all weatherproof. So don’t worry about installing wires outdoors in extreme weather.

The camera works by sending alerts on your smartphone. You can view and talk back through the camera as well.

The installation process is relatively easy too. All you have to do is plug in the cable and the adapter, mount the camera, and you are good to go.

Don’t worry about dead batteries, and enjoy 24/7 surveillance and video recording with Nest Aware Plus.

Its night vision is a luxury. It comes with 1080P HD resolution and 8x zoom, allowing the users to see every tiny detail.

The nest cam alerts your smartphone when it spots a familiar face or hears something. You can also use your Home App to call emergency services when you are not at home.

User Feedback

This is a premium product from a great company. Google’s home solutions are always preferred by people regardless of the selling price. Overall, this cam has very good reviews from buyers.

The common complaints are related to required subscription plans.

3. Netvue Outdoor Security Camera – Best on a Budget

 

Review

If you are running tight on budget or are looking to install many cameras at your property, you don’t need to look any further. The Netvue outdoor security camera is the answer to all your problems.

Despite being on a budget, this camera still offers great features and specifications. It has a 3 MP camera with 1080P FHD video and image quality.

One remarkable feature of this camera is its high-quality night vision. It has three powerful night vision LEDs that produce a crisp image even pitch dark.

Netvue gives smart motion detection and alerts on smartphone applications. It can identify human faces from other objects and avoid alert spamming.

The camera is compatible with Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Alexa. It also works with Echo Show, Echo Spot, and Fire TV. Please note that this is not a battery-powered camera. You will need to plug it in. However, it is a good thing as you don’t have to worry about dead batteries.

The unit is IP66 rated for outdoor protection and can withstand storms and extreme temperatures. It also offers a 2-way talkback system. Another amazing feature of this camera is its customized detection area. In addition, the optional motion tracking design prevents you from being bothered by unnecessary alerts.

What I don’t like about this camera is its viewing angle. It has 100 degrees field of view. This is justifiable looking at the selling price.

User Feedback

It gets mixed reviews from buyers. Some people are so satisfied with its performance that they term it the best camera they have ever purchased.

They praise the picture quality and like the memory card feature that allows viewing while the camera is still recording.

While the negative reviews forget that this is actually a really cheap camera.

 

4. Amcrest UltraHD  Outdoor – Best Resolution Camera

 

 

Review

Some people prefer high-quality pictures and video feeds from their outdoor security cameras. If you are one of them and need a high-quality camera with 4K picture and video results, then I will suggest Amcrest outdoor security camera.

The PoE (Power over Ethernet) camera provides an easy installation. Please note that PoE injector/switch is required and is not included in the initial purchase. The waterproof IP67 housed camera is built to withstand the toughest of storms.

Its built-in LED lights give clear and crisp night vision feed up to 98 feet.

The thing I like most about this device is its high-resolution camera.

It has an 8MP camera that produces 4K videos and images. However, one thing that limits this camera’s usability is its one-way audio feature. You can only listen to what’s happening but cannot speak.

The feature that puts this camera ahead of all is its video quality. If you need a camera covering every tiny detail, Amcrest will give the best results.

In addition, it has intelligent motion detection alerts that allow you to make up to 4 motion detection zones and customize each zone’s sensitivity to receive necessary alerts.

The mobile application allows you to view, record, and playback video footage directly from your smartphone. You can also store HD footage now to a memory SD card.

User Feedback

Buyers recommend this camera as a commercial use camera. Many people used it in homes but soon replaced it because it doesn’t offer 2-way audio communication.

It is best for outdoor use, garage, roof, and other places, but it is not recommended for your home’s entry point.

5. SV3C Wi-Fi Outdoor Camera – Best All Weather Outdoor Security Camera

 

Review

The last entry on my list is the best all-weather outdoor security camera. Its operating Temperature is more versatile than the other cameras reviewed above. It can not only withstand freezing temperatures and rain; it can also deal with severe summers.

The camera features 1080P video resolution and 2 MP image resolution. The design of this camera is different from the other cameras reviewed above. It comes with a mount that holds the camera. The camera is also bigger than the other variants I have reviewed above.

It has motion detection, 2-way audio communication, and a Wi-Fi antenna. The antenna helps catch the signals better. This is a great feature.

Even if the Wi-Fi signals are weak in the area, the antenna will capture the movements and ensure that the camera operates best.

You can view the video feed remotely on your mobile phone and PC because the camera supports the P2P feature. All you need to do is make sure that both the devices are connected to the internet.

What I perhaps like less about this camera is its smaller viewing angle. It has a 70-degrees field of view. As a result, it limits the covered area, and so you might have to install multiple cameras.

User Feedback

The reviews for this camera are a bit mixed, though most people are very satisfied. Some people are extremely satisfied with the camera’s performance, and a few state this camera as the best camera they have ever tried.

The negative reviews complain about data sharing to foreign IPs, the camera getting stuck and disconnecting time and again, and Wi-Fi connecting issues if the power goes out.

Buying Guide: Outdoor Security Cameras for Cold Weather

The safety and security of your family depend on the security system in your home.

Before buying an outdoor security camera for extreme weather conditions, I recommend taking your time.

The 8 key points to keep in mind when buying these cameras are: 

1. Operating Temperature
2. Power Source
3. Camera Quality
4. Lens Protection
5. Storage
6. IP Rating
7. Motion Sensors & Night Vision
8. Privacy

To make sure that you make an appropriate buying decision, I have compiled a buying guide based on all the factors you need to consider before purchasing a cold-weather security camera.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into these key points.

Operating Temperature

The first step is to check the local Temperature in winter. Check out the extreme Temperature ever recorded in your area, and then make the buying decision.

For example, you don’t want to buy a costly camera with a temperature rating of -4F if the Temperature only falls about 15F in your area.

All the cameras in the list above can handle temperatures as low as -4F. So, if you are considering buying one from the list above, don’t worry; I have got you covered for even the coldest Temperature in the country.

Power Source

Outdoor cameras either run on batteries or AC power. The trick here is to consider the installation space, whether you have an AC outlet nearby and your preferences.

If you don’t like making electrical connections, go with a battery-powered outdoor camera.

The battery life varies from one camera to another. However, a good camera will have around a 2-year battery. The battery life also depends on the number of events recorded and how much the cameras are used.

AC-powered cameras don’t have these limitations but require electric connections.

Camera Quality

For cold weather, a higher camera quality (resolution) is always better when it comes to outdoor cameras.

Your camera will have to deal with rain, snow, and fog.

I recommend going with a camera with at least 1080P resolution. Some cameras also come with 4K resolution.

Lens Protection

The lens is an important part of an outdoor camera. Ensure that the camera you are getting has some good lens protection so that your camera operates flawlessly. It will help keep your lens safe and in mint condition for a long time.

Storage

There are two types of storage spaces available with outdoor cameras; cloud-based storage or local SD card storage. Some offer both types of storage.

For SD card storage, you will need to buy an SD card and delete stored videos regularly to make space for the new ones.

Cloud-based storage is subscription-based.

You will be charged either monthly or annually according to your purchase plan.

IP Rating

The IP rating is also an important factor when buying a security camera for outdoor weather.

Outdoor cameras are rated against an IP rating that tells how well the camera will perform against rainwater. IP rating stands for “ingress protection.” It shows how severe weather a camera can handle.

If you buy a camera for cold weather, make sure that it has a higher IP rating.

Motion Sensors & Night Vision

Motion sensors make sure that your camera only records something when it happens. You don’t want 24/7 recording to consume your storage space. All the cameras on my list are motion-sensitive.

Another important feature is night vision. It comes in handy to record any burglars or miscreants in the nighttime. Make sure that your camera has the best night vision features.

Privacy

If you are going for cloud-based storage, ensure that it is end-to-end encrypted and that no one can access your recorded events. It is a big breach of privacy, and many such instances have been reported.

Some buyers have also mentioned that their live feeds were transferred to foreign IPs.

FAQs

Which security camera is best for cold weather?

Blink Outdoor and Google Nest Cam outdoor are the best security cameras for cold weather.

What are the maximum weather conditions an outdoor security camera can handle?

Outdoor security cameras can handle temperatures (here is a review for our best indoor cams) as low as -4F and as high as 120F, making them a perfect match for extreme weather conditions.

How a surveillance camera differs from a security camera?

Government agencies usually use surveillance cameras to monitor everyday activities and record out-of-the-box activities.

Homeowners typically install security cameras to ensure their safety and protection. These cameras are connected with security alarms to alert you in any unfortunate event.

Where should I install my outdoor security cameras?

The security cameras are commonly installed at the front gate, backyard, garage, entrance, or any potential break-in point in your home or Airbnb. .

Final Words

I would give anything to keep my home and family safe from intruders. Therefore, I never compromise on the quality of outdoor security cameras.

Consequently, I suggest all my readers upgrade their security system with the best outdoor security camera for extreme weather.