Consumer Reports Data Shows What Outdoor Security Cameras Are Worth Your Money In 2025

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Technology continues to change at a rapid pace, improving life in many ways. However, with new tech comes more choices and products, and for some, this perpetual learning curve makes it hard to figure out which home devices and gadgets are the best for your money. Doing research is the best way to avoid common mistakes when buying a home security system, but it can get a little overwhelming. When you're shopping for outdoor security cameras, the just-released Consumer Reports list can help you figure out which models are truly worth your money.

Since there are many types of outdoor security cameras, this top-ten list includes models from several categories, including everything from wireless cameras to battery-powered models with SD cards. Each item on this Consumer Reports list has a high IP rating (meaning it can withstand the weather) and features a two-way radio system, so you can talk to visitors and delivery people. Many of them offer subscription plans that unlock additional features, such as the Arlo Essential (VMC3050-100NAS). The top two on this alphabetical list are both packaged with Arlo's security plan. This service, available for about $25 per month with the premium plan, integrates AI features such as person and vehicle recognition, emergency backup response, and discounts on your home insurance.

The products on the Consumer Reports list of the best outdoor security cameras for 2025 can help improve your front door security without wasting your money. Since Consumer Reports focused on different types of security cameras, there's no "best camera" in this report. By presenting their findings alphabetically, Consumer Reports puts the Arlo Go 2 LTE WiFi security camera at the top of their list.

This camera includes the option of subscribing to Arlo's security plan, a service available for about $25 per month for the premium option (when paid yearly). The security plan integrates AI features such as person and vehicle recognition, emergency backup response, and discounts on your home insurance, making it easy and cost-effective to monitor your home's security.

The Arlo Go 2 LTE WiFi supports both cellular and WiFi, giving you some options if you need to monitor a remote location. For smart home integrations, it works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT devices for custom applications. Unfortunately, the reviews on Amazon aren't all favorable, earning the Arlo 2 a rating of 3.7 out of five stars — many of the complaints centered on Verizon phone connectivity issues. According to one reviewer, this camera is not even compatible with the carrier. You may want to take that into account when considering both the security camera and ratings.

The front door is a common entry point for home intruders, making a $40 security camera one of the best investments you could ever make. Going deeper into the Consumer Reports outdoor security camera list, you'll find a variety of options to suit different budgets and smart home setups. For budget-friendly picks, though, the Blink Mini 2 is a favorite. It costs about $39.99 for the camera alone, and although it's somewhat limited without the subscription, you can still use it for home security.

For $119, the camera is available with a one-year plan that includes things like video recording and person detection, making it a good option for a holiday gift. The Blink Mini 2 also works with Alexa and has HD night view in color. Even better, if you can catch the Black Friday deal, you could get a whole home bundle for about $75. With 4.5 out of five stars, the Blink Mini does much better in Amazon reviews than the Arlo Go 2.

Available on Amazon as a two-camera outdoor security system, the TP-Link Tapo 2K QHD Outdoor Wireless Security Camera System is featured on the Consumer Reports list of the best outdoor security cameras. With this system, which costs around $139, you can integrate with smart home systems like Alexa and Google Assistant. This feature, when paired with the Amazon Echo Show, allows you to give voice commands such as "Alexa, show me the front door." Features like these make it easy when you're choosing the best home security system, and since the Echo Show is priced at $89.99, you can get a decent small outdoor security system for less than $250.

Before you make a purchase, it's always wise to check the ratings, and with 4.0 out of 5 stars, we know that there are bound to be some issues with this camera. While some people seemed to like the picture quality, others cited connectivity issues and battery life as potential problems.

If you don't want to worry about battery life, you could try something like the eufy S340 SoloCam Wireless Outdoor Solar Camera. This is another one on the Consumer Reports list that's on Amazon for $199. With this camera, you get a 360-degree view. There are no monthly fees or subscriptions, making this camera a low-maintenance option if you want a basic setup without a lot of hassle.

Storage is one of the top key factors to consider when purchasing a security camera, and with the eufy S340, you have some options. Able to capture details up to 50 feet away, this camera stores images locally with a built-in 8GB capacity, which can hold about two to three months of recordings. Although this is marketed as an outdoor security camera with no monthly fees, you can also set it up for cloud storage via the eufy app. The app allows you to set up multiple security devices that can be viewed from your phone.

When it comes to reviews, Amazon customers give this camera 4.3 out of five stars. At Home Depot, they're a little more generous with 4.6 out of five. On both sites, some people had connectivity issues and problems with the solar panel, while others praised the camera's picture quality and functionality.

For people who live in their own homes, there are a lot of ways to upgrade home security. Renters have fewer options, which may be a reason why household burglaries are more common in rental properties than in other residential buildings. This makes installation of an outdoor security camera a wise decision for the 44 million households that are renting in the United States. For a small outdoor security system like this, you could try another camera from the Consumer Reports list, the Wyze Cam v3 Pro. It's available at Walmart for less than $50, and comes with an optional subscription plan that includes advanced detection notices for only $3 per camera per month. This makes the Wyze Cam v3 Pro a good choice for people who only need one or two cameras, such as apartment dwellers and renters.

Compatible with smart home integrations like Alexa and Google Assistant, this camera features a built-in alarm that deters intruders when you're away. Looking at what others had to say about the Wyze camera, we can see it only earned 3.6 out of five stars across about 600 reviews. While people appreciated the budget-friendly price and clear picture quality, some real-world users complained about connectivity and motion detection issues.