A security camera is only half as effective if it doesn’t have proper night vision capabilities. And the lack of night vision is especially felt if you plan to buy a camera for outdoor use. Imagine the alert going off in the middle of the night; all you can view is a sea of grey. Disappointing. Don’t worry, we’ll suggest some of the best night vision security cameras you can buy.
Thankfully, many security cameras exist in the market with excellent night vision skills. And the best thing is that some are affordable and won’t burn a hole in your pocket. So, without further ado, let’s get to some of the best outdoor security cameras with night vision. But before that –
- Don’t want to spend too much? Pick up a cheap home security camera for just under $50.
- Torn between two security cameras? Our Blink Mini vs. Wyze Cam v3 comparison should help you make a better decision.
- Consider security cameras for apartments if you don’t want to go through a lot of installation hassles.
1. Best Budget: Wyze Cam Pan
The Wyze Cam 1080p HD Indoor Camera is one of the best affordable options. It’s compact and measures just about 2.4 x 2.4 x 5 inches. And this form factor makes it easy to keep this indoor camera just about anywhere. It’s capable of recording Full HD videos with a 120-degree FoV. What makes this tiny camera special is its rotating base, which pan across 360 degrees in just 3 seconds.
The primary highlight of this camera is its 6-InfraRed LEDs. This helps to get a clear and sharp night vision. These LEDs increase the distance and help you see clear images. Wyze claims that these lights help you distinguish between 18-shades of grey.
Plus, it bundles several nifty features for the price, such as two-way audio, activity zones, live streaming, and third-party app integrations. On top of that, you can customize alerts and enable motion tracking.
Regarding user reviews, users have spoken highly of its night vision, motion detection, and picture quality.
However, it has its share of issues. For one, it can’t connect to the 5 GHz network. On the upside, the Amazon Alexa integration means you can pair it up with an Echo Show as a baby monitor.
2. Best for the Price: Kasa Cam Outdoor by TP-Link
TP-Link’s Kasa Cam Outdoor Camera makes for a great outdoor camera. This weatherproof budget security camera boasts many great features, including Full HD streaming video, a built-in 80dB siren to alert you, and a two-way audio system. And if that was not enough, many users describe the night vision quality of this camera as crisp and clear.
Moreover, the Kasa Cam Outdoor Camera gives you two days’ worth of free HD cloud recording. It supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
If we talk numbers, you get a 130-degree FoV. The Kasa Cam Outdoor Camera also features night vision up to 20 feet. So, if you do not perch it way up on your porch, you can see most of the details in the frame.
Users have praised this small and compact camera for its motion detection, night vision, and picture quality. The only catch is that there’s no option for local storage.
3. Our Pick: Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera
There’s a lot to like about the Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera. This one boasts Full HD 1080p video recording, instant alerts, and a two-way audio system, besides a notable night picture quality. It can also pick up soft voices and babbles of infants quite effectively. That feature makes it great to double as a baby monitor.
The video and audio quality is clear and precise. And similar to the Wyze Cam Pan, this one also has a ring of 8 LED lights around the camera. The lights combine with the 3-megapixel camera to give you an impressive performance.
As per the folks at Tom’s Guide, this camera can pick up minute details even in night mode. And the claim has been backed by several users on Amazon.
Another quality worth mentioning is the zooming option in the companion app. Like any security camera, you also get motion alerts when the camera picks up something out of the ordinary.
So far, the Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera has picked up 67% positive ratings on Amazon, with users speaking highly of its Motion detection features, night vision, wireless compatibility, and picture quality.
The only catch is that you’ll need to subscribe to the Nest Aware monthly subscription for continuous video recording. The subscriptions start at $5 per month.
4. Best Premium: Arlo Pro 3
If you’re looking for something in the premium segment, the Arlo Pro 3 is the best option. This one bundles a couple of great features that are worth every cent. For starters, you get crisp 2K live streaming, built-in siren, local storage, and support for voice assistants like Google Assistant and Siri.
Furthermore, it bundles smart alerts that can differentiate between various situations. The picture quality is great for the price, with a good contrast ratio and colors.
When it comes to night vision, you can rest assured as it’s sharp and clear. The Arlo Pro 3 is one of the few security cameras that boast colored night vision. Yes, you read that right. You no longer have to be limited by monochromatic images in the dark.
The best part is that there is no jitter or motion delay that is usually associated with most of its affordable competitors. Its features includes a 160-degree field of view, integrated spotlight, two-way audio, and digital zoom. Not to forget, the Arlo Smart app adds to the experience. If you want a color night vision security camera, you can’t go wrong with the Arlo Pro 3.
5. Also Consider: Ezviz Mini 360 Plus
Another security camera you can consider buying is the Ezviz Mini 360 Plus. This one is a small device that resembles a tiny (and adorable) orb rather than a security device, similar to the Amazon Echo Spot. This shape gives you the advantage of placing it anywhere in the home. Plus, the neat design lets it blend with the background.
Regarding the features, the orb Ezviz Mini 360 Plus comes with 92-degree FoV in addition to an 80-degree tilting angle and a 340-degree panning angle. All these combine to see you a lot in a single glance.
While there is the option to opt for a paid cloud service, you can also use a microSD card for local storage. And as far as night vision is concerned, you get vision up to 33 feet, and the details are sharp and clear for the price.
Furthermore, this camera bundles two-way audio, making it perfect for communicating with the elderly and small kids.
Other than that, the device is easy to install, and the app is easy to use. You can see all the motion-detected events easily since they are marked orange. However, the lower price tag means you will need to make some sacrifices. Some of the app features are a tad difficult to find. Secondly, the auto-panning feature isn’t as effective when it comes to following motion activity.
FAQs for Night Vision Security Cameras
Yes, the IR LEDs on night vision cameras can help you see even in pitch-dark conditions.
Some cameras offer cloud storage where you can store your footage for a few days, weeks, or months. Others offer local storage via SD cards. If you are storing locally, you need to be aware that the footage gets overwritten with new videos as time goes by. Hence, it’s a good practice to transfer your local footage daily to an external hard drive or SSD.
Yes, all the cameras mentioned above have accompanying apps that you can use to view your security camera’s footage in real-time.
The Eyes of a Cat
Prevention is always better than cure. You can monitor what’s happening outside your home using a night vision security camera — even when it’s dark. So whether you want to keep intruders away or keep an eye on your house when you’re not in town, pick up a camera from this list and you will be ready.
Last updated on 29 June, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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