

The 2018 version of this guide is now available separately for outdoor indoor



Yes I admit it, I am crazy about DIY home security. When I started researching home security and IP cameras, my goal was to find the best solutions to keep my family and home safe and secure. What started out as market research has turned into my passion and this blog!

From my experience of trying to make sense of it all, choosing the right security camera can seem very difficult. But it is something that we just can’t afford to get wrong, is it? So I strongly recommend taking the time to research and understand the various options you have before spending your hard earned money. I have taken all my notes and condensed it into this single buying guide which I hope you will find helpful.



View Amcrest IP2M-842EB on Amazon

View Hikvision DS-2CD2132F-IWS on Amazon, and

View Hikvision DS-2CD2332-I on Amazon. My top 3 recommendations for outdoor security cameras are: View my top recommendation for an indoor security camera on Amazon: Amcrest IP2M-841B.



Best Outdoor IP Camera 2016 Recommendations: Summary

As part of a well-planned security system, outdoor security cameras are an effective deterrent against would-be intruders and, if God forbid the worst happens, immensely helpful in assisting the police tracking down troublemakers. Surveillance cameras are not just for companies and large organisations anymore. You can get yourself a good High Definition IP camera (also called a network camera) for not much money. Indeed, its never been better for those who are interested in home security without paying a monthly fee.

Many of these IP cameras work perfectly fine on their own without an NVR (Network Video Recorder) as they have built-in recording capabilities. They can also be easily integrated into either dedicated NVRs or PCs running surveillance software such as BlueIris.

How this list is structured

There are so many ways of categorising IP cameras – we have chosen form factor as we believe this is one of the first decisions to make while choosing an IP camera. Bullet style, dome style or mini-dome, this will depend primarily on the location of installation and how visible you want the camera to be.

Bullet style camera

The typical CCTV camera look which is not discreet and serves as a visible deterrent. Very flexible as it can be aimed after installation. However, it is not resistant to vandalism.

Best value: Amcrest IP2M-842E

Features 2MP (1080p) CMOS image sensor

72° Viewing Angle

30m (98 feet) IR range

Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet (PoE)

ONVIF and RTSP protocols supported

IP67 weatherproof rating

PROS: Very good video quality with 1080p Full HD resolution

SD card slot, PoE, WiFi optional

Simply superb value

CONS: No audio/alarm connections

View on Amazon

This excellent little IP camera from Amcrest is hands-down the best value IP camera we could find. Don’t waste your time, money, and sanity buying cheap knock-offs for a few dollars less than this camera. On the hardware front, this Amcrest camera seems to be a rebranded Dahua which is great because Dahua is one of the top security camera manufacturers in the world. It supports PoE and this is our recommended way of powering the camera and data communication (use a PoE switch like this one). Amcrest software is very professional, and simply works. The other strong reason to go with Amcrest is their extensive US and European support networks. Check out our Amcrest Camera Guide to learn more about who Amcrest are and why we love their cameras.

If you prefer having the Wifi option as well, the Amcrest IP2M-842B is also available.

Great value: Hikvision DS-2CD2032F-IW (Also re-branded as Swann)

Features 3MP CMOS image sensor

Up to 79° Viewing Angle

30m (98 feet) IR range

Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet (PoE), Wi-Fi

On-board storage (SD card)

ONVIF and RTSP protocols supported

IP66 weatherproof rating

PROS: 3MP, excellent image quality

SD card slot & WiFi

Superb value

CONS: No audio/alarm connections

View on Amazon

Hikvision is a manufacturer that many of us venturing into home security may not have heard of. However, rest assured this company has produced some brilliant cameras and this little bullet camera has been one of their best-selling ever. Have a look at our Hikvision product guide to learn more about their product range.

As our first IP camera purchase, we were surprised at how much camera you get for the money with the DS-2CD2032F-IW. With a 3MP Sony sensor, it has very good image quality, both during the day and at night. The full metal body is of solid construction and comes with a choice of lens sizes. The Sony image sensor contributes to stellar low light performance. Adding just a network storage location lets you use the built-in NVR feature if you are aiming at a single-camera setup initially. While it has POE and an SD card slot, it does not have audio or alarm features. Also available is the DS-2CD2032-I which is slightly cheaper at as it doesn’t have an SD card slot or WiFi. If you need higher resolution, there is a 4MP model available. See how you can set up motion detection alerts for any Hikvision camera.

Great value: Dahua IPC-HFW4300S (Also re-branded as Lorex)

Features 3MP CMOS image sensor

Up to 97.6° Viewing Angle

30m (98 feet) IR range

Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet (PoE)

ONVIF and RTSP protocols supported

IP66 weatherproof rating

PROS: 3MP, good image quality

Good value

CONS: No audio/alarm connections

No SD card slot

View on Amazon

Dahua is another respected manufacturer of high quality surveillance equipment. The 3MP Dahua IPC-HFW4300S is similar to the Hikvision DS-2CD2032-I above in technical specifications with POE and no audio or alarm connections, but is considerably longer in size. Even though it uses a different ‘Aptina’ sensor, image quality is very close too, with the Hikvision said to have the edge. The Dahua however has been reported to have slightly better low light performance. The eco-sensor lets the camera operate with just 5.5W of power vs. 7.5W of the Hikvision bullet. Both cameras have been reviewed highly favourably by users on the popular internet forums, so the buying decision can really be boiled down to the rest of your CCTV landscape and price. Also consider the IPC-HFW5300C which adds a 2.7-12mm varifocal lens, audio/alarm connections and an SD card slot.

Full-featured: Hikvision DS-2CD2632F-IS

Features 3MP CMOS image sensor

2.8-12mm varifocal zoom lens

105.2°-31.9° Viewing Angle

30m (98 feet) IR range

Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet (PoE)

On-board storage (SD card)

ONVIF and RTSP protocols supported

IP66 weatherproof rating

PROS: 3MP, excellent image quality

Varifocal lens

Audio and alarm connections

SD card slot

CONS: None

View on Amazon

This 3MP Hikvision model has a unique feature – it has variable focal lengths from 2.8mm to 12mm. While this gives you immense flexibility in camera placement and testing, it does however push the price up but the camera remains great value at current prices. POE, audio and alarm inputs and onboard storage are standard.

High-end: Vivotek IB8168

Features 2MP CMOS image sensor

97° Viewing Angle

Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet (PoE)

On-board storage (SD card)

ONVIF and RTSP protocols supported

IP66 weatherproof rating

PROS: Superior image quality

SD card slot

CONS: No audio or alarm connections

No InfraRed night vision

View on Amazon

Vivotek is a Taiwanese brand and as such their cameras are priced higher than the Chinese manufacturers such as Hikvision or Dahua. There is a large range of cameras available from this high quality manufacturer. The Vivotek IB8168 is a 2MP model with POE and a built-in SD card slot. A 3MP version is also available, the Vivotek IP8371E model which boasts 30fps at 3MP resolution which is uncommon.

Also consider: Amcrest Qcam 3MP Bullet

PROS: Good reviews from users

Amcrest is on the Blueiris compatibility list

CONS: No audio or alarm connections

No SD card slot

View on Amazon

Amcrest is an American company from the same team that founded the popular Foscam brand. So these guys are not exactly new to the CCTV game and are already creating a name for themselves with excellent customer service and support. The Amcrest Qcam 3MP bullet has very positive reviews on Amazon.

Dome style cameras

These cameras are designed to be vandal-proof and are also a good deterrent.

Best value: Hikvision DS-2CD2132F-I(W)(S)





PROS: 3MP, good image quality

Audio & alarm connections

Onboard storage

CONS: Image quality not as good as the Hikvision bullet

IR bleed experienced by some users

View on Amazon

A dome camera is ideal for areas that may be vulnerable to vandals/damage. The DS-2CD2132F-IS dome comes in two flavours, with and without WiFi. However, we do not recommend using the optional WiFi as it is less reliable than a wired ethernet connection and prone to dropped frames. This camera has POE, onboard SD storage, audio and alarm inputs/outputs. Image quality is nearly as good as the Hikvision DS-2CD2032-I bullet above, but there is a noticeable difference. Some users had reported IR bleed in this model’s predecessor but our extensive testing reveals that this is no longer an issue. See how you can set up motion detection alerts for any Hikvision.

Great value: Dahua IPC-HDBW4300E





PROS: 3MP, good image quality

Audio & alarm connections

Onboard storage

Energy-efficient

CONS: Image quality reportedly not as good as the Hikvision dome

View on Amazon

This 3MP Dahua has good image quality and supports POE and audio/alarm connections. It also has a local storage option in the form of an SD card slot. It is also very efficient and consumes just 4W in operation vs. the 7.5W of the Hikvision dome. Also consider the Dahua IPC-HDBW5300 which has a 2.7-12mm varifocal lens.

Full-featured: Vivotek FD8167 SNV

PROS: Superior image quality

PIR motion sensor

Varifocal lens

Audio & alarm connections

30m IR range

Onboard storage

CONS: None

View on Amazon

The 2MP Vivotek FD8167 has two very interesting features – firstly, it is an outdoor camera that has a built-in PIR sensor. This means you can avoid one of the biggest hassles with automatic motion detection – false positives. Using the PIR sensor should greatly reduce false notifications and thus make it likelier that you will pay attention to motion detection alerts. Of course you can modify any camera with an alarm input to achieve the same result but its just easier if it has this function out of the box. Secondly, it is varifocal (2.8mm – 12mm), greatly increasing the flexibility of installation location and it supports POE and audio/alarm connections as standard. The SNV models such as this one, have increased IR range of up to 30 metres.

High-end: Axis M3005-V

PROS: Superior image quality

Audio alarm connections

Onboard storage, supports edge recording

CONS: None

View on Amazon

Axis is the Swedish company that invented the network camera in 1996. As it is a European company, you can expect prices to be higher but what sets Axis apart from the Asian manufacturers is the quality of their products and their global support network. The Axis M3005-V is a 2MP camera with a tiny footprint, POE and a built-in SD card for storage.

Turret/Mini-dome style cameras

The best of both worlds – easy to aim and set up, and somewhat resistant to vandalism.

Best value: Hikvision DS-2CD2332-I

PROS: Great image quality

Bright EXIR LEDs

CONS: No audio/alarm features

No onboard storage

View on Amazon

Turret or mini-dome style cameras have the advantage of being able to use EXIR LEDs instead of the classic ring style LEDs. EXIR LEDs last longer and are brighter thus contributing to the higher IR ranges on these models. This 3MP turret is a big favourite for its great value and small size. It supports POE but does not have audio, alarm connections or any on-board storage.

Great value: Dahua IPC-HDW4300C

PROS: Good image quality

Bright EXIR LEDs

Built-in microphone

Low power consumption

CONS: No alarm features

No onboard storage

Max. bitrate only 8Mbps

View on Amazon

This 3MP Dahua is similar to the Hikvision DS-2CD2332-I turret above but has a built-in mic as well which is great if you need the audio feature. It also claims to use just 4.5W of power vs. the Hikvision’s 7.5W. However, it supports only a rather average maximum bitrate of 8Mbps vs. the 16Mbps of the Hikvision.

Full-featured: Hikvision DS-2CD2532F-I(W)(S)

PROS: Extremely compact and discreet

Very good low-light performance

SD card slot

CONS: Weak IR LED illumination

View on Amazon

This 3MP camera has a very discreet look and very good low light performance. It is perfect for those locations where you don’t want your camera to stick out like a sore thumb. It supports POE and also has an SD card slot for internal storage.

High-end: Vivotek FD8166

PROS: Extremely small footprint

Very good low-light performance

Built-in microphone

SD card slot

CONS: No alarm features

No on-board IR LEDs

View on Amazon

This Vivotek camera comes with a 2MP sensor and is highly rated for its low light performance. It is also difficult to spot due to its tiny footprint of just 90 millimetres. It supports POE, has an SD card slot for internal storage and even manages a built-in microphone!

Indoor security camera

These are designed to be used in indoor locations and may not be waterproof or weather-resistant. They also tend to have 2 way audio and PIR based motion detection.

Best Value: Amcrest ProHD 1080p Pan-Tilt Indoor Security Camera

PROS: Good image quality and 1080p resolution

Very clear and loud two-way audio with mic and speaker built-in

WiFi and RJ-45 Ethernet port

IR Leds provide night vision capability

360 degree Pan-Tilt feature

Support for SD card, NAS, NVR, FTP and Cloud storage locations

Very good value for money

CONS: Doesn’t have Power over Ethernet feature

Smartphone apps could be better – free Amcrest apps lack basic features such as push notifications

Check Price on Amazon

The Amcrest IP2M-841B did very well in our hands-on review and I like it so much that it is now serving as our full-time baby monitor. It has a network port, WiFi, built-in InfraRed LEDs for very good night vision, loud and clear 2-way audio with mic and speaker, built-in SD card local storage, and very good low-light performance. A non-WiFi PoE-enabled IP2M-841EB version is also available.

Read our full review of this wonderful IP camera below:



Great Value: Hikvision DS-2CD2432F-I(W)

PROS: Great image quality

Good low-light performance

Bright EXIR LED

Built-in microphone and speaker

SD card slot

PIR sensor

Alarm In/Out connections

True 2-way audio (full-duplex)

CONS: No Pan-Tilt-Zoom

View on Amazon

This 3MP Hikvision cube is the best balance of image quality, features and price for an indoor IP camera. It has POE, WiFi, built-in EXIR LEDs for IR illumination, true 2-way audio with speaker, built-in SD storage, a PIR sensor for accurate motion detection, good low-light performance and looks good too. A non-WiFi enabled DS-2CD2432F-I version is also available in the US, but is only marginally cheaper.

Full-featured: Hikvision DS-2CD2432F-I(W)

The Hikvision DS-2CD2432F-I(W) above has all the features you will ever need for an indoor camera and so gets this title as well.

Also consider: Samsung SmartCam HD Pro / SNH-P6410BN

PROS: Good image quality

Built-in microphone and speaker

SD card slot

128 degree wide-angle lens

Push notifications on mobile app

CONS: Default remote monitoring cloud based

No PIR sensor

Not POE enabled

No alarm connections

Audio is only one-way at a time (half-duplex)

11W power consumption is high

View on Amazon

This 2MP Samsung camera is the consumer electronics giant’s first foray into home security and in our opinion is one of the better mainstream options. It should have good daytime image quality based on the Sony 2MP sensor, and supports 2-way audio with a built-in mic and speaker just like the Hikvision. It has an SD card slot for local storage and built-in IR illumination, so night visibility should not be compromised. POE would have been a nice to have but is not critical considering it is an indoor camera. There is also no PIR sensor which the Hikvision has. It should be noted that the default remote monitoring website is set up on Samsung’s servers so is not great from a security and privacy standpoint. However, integration with 3rd party NVRs is possible and this camera is listed on BlueIris Software’s compatibility list.

High-end: Axis M1025

PROS: Excellent image quality

Great low-light performance

Built-in HDMI port

SD card slot

True 2-way audio (full-duplex)

CONS: No PIR sensor

No alarm connections

No on-board IR LEDs

View on Amazon

The Axis M1025 cube camera sports a 2MP sensor giving upto 1080p Full HD resolution and has an SD card slot as well. An interesting feature is the on-board mini HDMI port that lets you hook up the camera directly to your HDTV.

What about Dropcam/Nest etc.?

Dropcam, Arlo (a Netgear brand), Nest, Oco etc. are not our first choice because they are mostly designed to tie you into their monthly cloud recording/home monitoring plans. So while they may seem cheaper initially, the operating costs add up quickly. These devices may be simpler to set up and maintain as most of them run off the cloud, so may be the best solution for those who want a plug and play option. But if you are prepared for a slightly more hands-on experience, we think more robust, standalone, local-recording solutions that are in your full control and ensure total privacy are the way to go (anything you put on the cloud is open to hacking and potential misuse – remember the iCloud hack or the ransomware attacks?)

If you must however go for one of these mainstream solutions, make sure you go for one that offers the local storage option instead of a pure cloud storage approach. We echo the advice in the articles above.

Here is a quick overview of the most popular cloud based security cameras:

Dropcam (now acquired by Nest): Local storage: No, cloud storage only (Paid subscription required for video archives of any length) Highest resolution: 1080p Subscription: Paid subscription required per camera for video archives

View on Amazon



Oco: Local storage: No, cloud storage only (Paid subscription required for video archives of any length) Highest resolution: 720p Subscription: Paid subscription required for video archives.

View on Amazon

Arlo (battery powered cameras from Netgear): Local storage: No, cloud storage only (Paid subscription required for video archives) Highest resolution: 720p Subscription: Paid subscription required per camera for video archives.

View on Amazon

Belkin Netcam: Local storage: No, cloud storage only (Paid subscription required for video archives) Highest resolution: 720p Subscription:Paid subscription required per camera for video archives.

View on Amazon

Choosing the best IP camera for your needs

The myriad of IP camera brands, models and jargon can trip up even the most determined shopper, but we are here to help. Your choice of a camera depends on the area you want to observe, the location of installation, and specific features required such as onboard storage, motion detection method, audio etc.

In any case the camera should produce video footage that is good enough to positively identify a suspect – the threshold for a positive identification required by the police and courts is much higher than what you might assume it to be.

There are a few minimum requirements for an IP camera if you want a good quality system that can easily identify a suspect:

Minimum of 1080p Full HD resolution (2MP)

Outdoor cameras must be Power over Ethernet(PoE) enabled

Good image quality at both day and night (using InfraRed LEDs)

Should be able to send email motion detection alerts or push notifications automatically

Why these particular IP Cameras?

We have deliberately avoided the hundreds of dodgy brands that make up the ‘most popular’ lists of Amazon and the like, for one simple reason – when you are spending your hard earned money on something to protect your family and your home, you want it to be rock solid when it comes to reliability and performance.

What you do not want is having to spend countless hours setting it up, or troubleshooting to get it up and running only to then experience unreliable performance. An IP camera should mostly be a set and forget item in your network. It needs to give you the confidence that it’s running in the background and will pay for itself, if God forbid, you need to provide video evidence to the police.

If you are currently using a generic IP camera, you have probably not yet experienced the incredible power and advanced features that quality IP cameras bring. Many of us have gone down that route, trying something cheap and cheerful only to find that for some things in life you get what you pay for.

So we recommend only reliable manufacturers with a track record of quality products. We have used some of these IP cameras, and our recommendations are backed up by the real life experience of thousands of users on the popular Internet forums.

Technical terms or IP Camera Jargon

Here’s a quick overview of the technical terms you will find in this article:

IP camera: Internet Protocol or network camera as opposed to an analog camera.

Megapixels (MP) : A measure of resolution, we recommend going for at least 2MP (1080p), and 3MP is quickly becoming very popular as prices are steadily falling. Even 4MP cameras are now available at affordable prices but we suggest 3MP as the optimum balance of detail and storage requirements.

Frames Per Second (FPS): The higher the FPS, smoother the motion will be. Most cameras offer 20fps at 3MP and 30fps at 2MP resolution. We recommend you set your cameras to record at a minimum of 10 fps to capture adequate detail.

POE-enabled: Power over Ethernet, the recommended way to provide power and data connection to the camera over a regular ethernet cable. The easiest way to achieve this is by using a POE enabled switch such as the highly recommended TP-Link TL-SG1008P 8-port gigabit switch we reviewed this year. This saves you having to run a separate power cable and thus improves reliability and troubleshooting.

Lens focal length (mm): The focal length of the lens which is expressed in millimetres (mm) affects the angle of the coverage area. For example the standard lens is 4mm, 2.8mm is great for wide-angle and 6mm onwards is great for a zoomed-in view. Of course some cameras have variable focal lengths (varifocal) and hence give the greatest flexibility but at added cost.

PIR sensor: Passive Infrared sensor (PIR) – a method of detecting changes in heat in a scene and thus detecting motion. The advantage is that it is far more accurate than image based motion detection, and thus cuts down the number of false alerts.

Network Video Recorder: A device that records IP camera streams usually to its build-in hard drive(s). The main advantage of using an NVR is that it enables you to record your cameras as well as bring all your cameras together in a single multi-channel live-view screen that you can access locally within your network or remotely.

Is there an alternative to cloud connected cameras that can still be accessed over the Internet?

Definitely and that’s precisely what we have at our home. We have a few Hikvision IP cameras hooked up to a TP-Link TL-SG1008P 8-port gigabit POE switch. These cameras are individually set up to send email alerts on motion detection. We also have a QNAP TS-231+ Network Attached Storage system running Surveillance Station that records these IP cameras 24/7 365 days a year.

For enhanced security, we remotely access our home network only over a VPN connection – the QNAP NAS acts as a VPN server. You can also set up a VPN server on your router (such as the Asus RT-AC68U) if it supports this function. When we are away from home, our Android phones, tablets and Windows laptops can connect to the QNAP over VPN and so access the entire home network including the Hikvisions. This lets me access a multi-channel live view of all our cameras (either via the QNAP’s Android app or any other Android IP camera app such as our personal choice tinyCamMonitor Pro). This system is secure and reliable. We can optionally back up the recordings to the cloud.

The NAS and VPN are optional, you could simply port forward your IP cameras to your router and achieve the same multi-channel view on your phone or computer. However anybody on the Internet could easily attempt a brute force hack attempt on your IP cameras. Our own IP cameras were attacked in this manner and that’s why we got the QNAP NAS with a view to securely remote access our home network and IP cameras. Read more about our DIY home security setup here.

We hope this IP camera roundup has helped you to choose the best IP security camera for your needs. If you have any questions at all, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!

A quick note: Notice the lack of ads on our blog? This article contains links to Amazon instead. Reason is I don’t like ads and I’m sure you don’t either but we still have to pay the bills. Moreover linking to Amazon ensures a distraction-free experience for you, my dear reader. So if you click on one of these links and then purchase something from Amazon, I will receive a fee for referring you to Amazon. This goes towards the costs of hosting and running this website and does not affect you in any way, promise! Thanks for your understanding and I hope I have been of some help to you today!