SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Review

First Impressions

Before we go any further, we need to say this: We didn’t just purchase a single camera. We purchased the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera as part of an entire SimpliSafe system, including entry sensors, motion sensors, and a Pro Plus monitoring plan. In that context, this camera couldn’t have been much more impressive. Try to use it without those other components, though, and you’re going to be very disappointed. The Outdoor Camera doesn’t work as a standalone camera the way a Nest Cam might.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about our first impressions of the camera.

SimpliSafe Essentials Kit

The Outdoor Camera Pro is compact, especially given that it is battery-powered and includes a built-in spotlight. It’s smaller, in fact, than the Ring Spotlight Cam we reviewed. Even so, it is clearly well-constructed with a solid weight and heft. One of the best features of this camera’s construction is that it’s attached to its mount at an angle. This allowed us to choose between mounting it on the wall and the ceiling, and it made for easy adjustments to the camera’s angle. A simple twist and turn was all it took to make sure we had a view of our entire living room.

The Camera Pro costs $199. That’s a chunk of change, no matter how you look at it. It seems like an especially big number when you take into account that you can get a Wyze Cam Floodlight for less than half. Still, $199 is $30 cheaper than the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro, and it comes with some pretty impressive features you won’t find in a Wyze camera.

The thing is, if you want to take full advantage of the SimpliSafe outdoor camera’s features, you’re going to want to upgrade to the Pro or Pro Plus monitoring plans. Only those plans offer Active Guard. Those plans cost between $49 and $79 a month, well above Ring’s $20 a month monitoring price tag. But, as we’ll get into, Active Guard provides a much higher level of home security.

Here’s the good news: SimpliSafe is perpetually running one type of sale or another. Right now, for example, all systems are a full 60 percent off in honor of President’s Day and SimpliSafe is throwing in a free Outdoor Camera. That could certainly alter the math when it comes to deciding whether or not the Outdoor Camera is a worthwhile investment.

Our verdict, at least after assessing our first impressions? The Camera Pro is impressive, but you have to have the right situation and – even if you get it for free – the right budget for it.

Installing the Camera

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera in Box

SimpliSafe has a great reputation when it comes to camera installation. The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera isn’t quite as easy to install as the SimpliCam we reviewed. After all, this is an outdoor camera and you can’t just sit it on an end table and plug it in. Even so, we managed to get ours up and running in just around 40 minutes.

Once we got the box open, we discovered the camera’s battery was only half charged, so we immediately plugged it in. We didn’t do that when we reviewed the Ring Spotlight Battery, and it ultimately caused frustration when we got ready to check the camera’s feed. This time, we knew better. The first thing we did was plug the SimpliSafe Outdoor’s battery and fully charge it before we started the installation process.

Charging took a couple of hours – not an enormous amount of time. In fact, that’s the standard in the industry. The battery-operated Reolink Argus 2 camera, for example, takes about the same amount of time to charge. We were feeling anxious about waiting, though, so we went out to run a few errands. When we got back, everything was ready to go.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Inside

The SimpliSafe Outdoor comes with a magnetic mounting bracket. We’ve become big fans of magnetic mounts. We first encountered them when we were testing out Google Nest cameras. Geeni uses it as well, as you’ll discover if you read our full Geeni review. The SimpliSafe version features a tight connection so you don’t have to worry about it slipping over time. Once you’ve attached the wall bracket, this camera is super easy to adjust. A nudge one way or the other, and you’ve got the exact view you need.

The mounting bracket itself is easy enough to install and can go virtually anywhere. A couple of screws and you’re done. Since we’re accustomed to DIY cameras, this step was no sweat. But if you’re new to home security, check out our thorough security camera installation guide for more tips.

First, we took the bracket apart, then proceeded to drill those two (very) small screws into the wall adjacent to our home’s garage door using the bottom of the bracket as our guide.

SimpliSafe Garage Door Bracket

From there, we sealed up the mounting bracket and popped the camera body into place.

Installing SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera to Wall

Of course, like any other camera, the tricky part of installing it is deciding where to put it. When it comes to security cameras, location matters. You want all your cameras positioned where they can capture the widest field of view. This helps save money since you don’t have to buy extra cameras to cover as much ground. That said, you want to position your camera so that it can provide a clear picture of your property. A camera on the top of a radio tower isn’t going to be able to provide you with much detail.

Adding to the complications, this camera can sometimes perform poorly if it’s placed too far away from the required base station or Wi-Fi router. In fact, six to eight feet is usually the maximum distance;3 any farther away, and you can experience delays in loading the camera’s live stream or preparing motion-activated clips. To be fair, you’ll find this limitation with most of the top wireless security cameras. Installation can involve some trial and error, but this shouldn’t add much time to the total installation.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Placement

There is one more consideration when it comes to placement. Magnetic mounts offer tremendous flexibility when it comes time to fine-tune your camera’s position. However, they’re also relatively easy for the bad guys to grab and go. From a practical perspective, this means you’re better off placing cameras in hard-to-reach locations.

Finding a place that provides good coverage and a clear view? No easy task. Finding one that’s accessible to Wi-Fi but still out of reach of home invaders? That can make it even more challenging. You can find some great tips, though, in our guide to security camera placement.

SimpliSafe Outdoor: The Full Experience

In our experience, the SimpliSafe outdoor camera is as easy to use as any other wireless camera, from the multi-functional Canary cameras we reviewed to the practical Lorex cameras we tested soon after.

The SimpliSafe app gives you complete control over the system. With just two clicks, for example, we had motion-triggered alerts set up. Basically, any time the camera detected movement, we got a message letting us know. Then we had the option to pull up a live feed. In addition, the app provides a video timeline. We were able to record events and even transfer clips from the app to our phone or our other several devices. Thankfully, no one tried to break in while we were testing our camera, but if they had, we’d have had concrete video evidence to turn over to the authorities.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera App

What did that live view look like, you might be asking? See for yourself:

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera View

Video Quality

We tested this camera on a beautiful fall day in Central Ohio, and we really couldn’t have asked for better picture quality from a home security camera. The 1080p HD resolution offered clear, colorful video, and we had no trouble, even making out fine facial details. Granted, you can buy 2K and even 4K security cameras these days, and OK, they may be able to provide sharper details. 1080p HD is the industry standard these days, though, and it’s plenty for identifying neighbors or catching a potential crook.

Night Vision

Night vision is one of the most important features of an outdoor camera, and it’s the difference between great cameras and so-so cameras. The SimpliSafe Outdoor performed like a dream in this category. The camera includes built-in spotlights, so you don’t just get pretty clear IR images. You get full-color with a range of up to 10 feet. That light is tied to the camera’s motion sensor, so it lights up any time the camera picks up movement.

The SimpliSafe app makes it easy to adjust this camera’s settings, though, so you don’t have to worry about the light coming on at awkward moments. Initially, we set ours to come on at night – naturally – but turns out it was shining into our neighbor’s living room in the evenings. No worries, we changed the time setting so that the light only came on after 11 p.m. Our camera still captured great IR images until the spotlight was ready to come online. In fact, some homeowners may actually prefer the IR, since it doesn’t let home invaders know that you’ve spotted them.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Settings

One way or another, this camera caught every bit of motion we threw at it during testing. We should note that it sometimes failed to record in color. This had more to do with the Wi-Fi connection than the camera itself, and it’s a common problem with outdoor cameras. They’re usually farther away from routers, and they have to connect through exterior walls as well.

Most of the time, what we got were slightly grainy but overall decent motion clips. Would they be usable to the police if the camera happened to capture an intruder or another crime in progress? For the most part, yes. But again, wireless cameras do have their limits at night.

Now, let’s explore more notable features of this camera.

Motion Detection

If you’re trying to identify nocturnal critters nosing around in your front garden, you might want to leave your motion detection set to full. That will capture essentially anything in front of your camera that moves. We find that results in too many unnecessary alerts, though. We’re only trying to catch the criminals.

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera Motion Detection

Luckily, the Outdoor Camera is a technological step up from previous Simplisafe camera models. The Outdoor is capable of distinguishing between people and other moving objects, so when we get an alert, we know it’s about a person. It’s all about your particular security needs, and it’s nice to know you have options.

Two-Way Talk

The camera has a built-in microphone that lets you hear what’s happening around your home, even while you’re away, and talk to relatives or even suspicious lurkers within the camera’s view. This is a standard feature in security cameras, and for good reason: it can actually scare people away.

The audio handled as well as many others in the market, like the affordable Wyze Cam we tested recently. It fell just a bit short of expectations in audio clarity, but it definitely accomplished the task.

What makes two-way talk on the outdoor camera unique is how it integrates into the new Pro and Pro Plus monitoring plans – again, $49.99 and $79.99 respectively. If someone approaches your home, which the outdoor camera detects using person detection, it begins streaming to the monitoring center. An agent will respond by viewing the feed, and if they deem necessary, they’ll use two-way talk to get the intruder to back off.

This feature is special with the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera. With the indoor version, monitoring agents can only talk to people if your system sounds an alarm. But with the outdoor camera’s built-in AI capabilities, it notifies monitoring agents of potential threats giving you more proactive protection. This only occurs when your system is armed, so you can still enjoy complete privacy whenever your system is disarmed.

Smart Home Integrations

We mentioned it in the beginning, but the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera doesn’t do nearly as much if you buy it as a standalone device. You need a full SimpliSafe system to take advantage of all its many features, like third-party integrations.

All in all, SimpliSafe automates well with Alexa-enabled platforms like the Echo Show and Fire TV, but it was a little less intuitive than when we reviewed Blink’s security cameras. SimpliSafe users still have plenty of options to automate with other components, like smart lighting, smart locks, and smoke detectors. For example, you can tell Alexa you’re going out, and Alexa will set the system to Away mode, so it’ll be armed and ready for any suspicious or hazardous activity.

One final note about home automation: You’ll need an Interactive plan to enjoy any home automation feature. Otherwise, SimpliSafe is just a security system. A pretty good one, sure, but one without smart home integrations.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Many competitors in this market offer one-year warranties by default, with options to extend – and that typically costs extra. With SimpliSafe, the default is one year as well, but you can get a limited lifetime warranty by signing up for Core Monitoring or above before your warranty expires. If you only sign up for Standard Monitoring, you’ll still get an extended warranty, but only for three years. It’s a nice touch, and another reason we’ve been recommending SimpliSafe as one of the best security systems out there.

On top of that, you’ll get a no-questions-asked, 60-day money-back guarantee. During that period, you can return your system and get your money back. It’s essentially a risk-free buy.

SimpliSafe Camera Costs

Side of SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera

For $199.99, the SimpliSafe outdoor camera is priced fairly, in our view. Some might find it a bit steep, since it only works with a SimpliSafe system and lacks any direct smart platform integrations. Also, as we noted above, the original Indoor camera costs only $99 and the new Wireless Indoor Camera costs just $149.99. SimpliSafe frequently includes one or the other for free in pre-made packages.

We should say that where the outdoor camera is concerned, it’s pretty obvious that it was simply meant to fill a void in SimpliSafe’s product line. Users had long been clamouring for an outdoor model. Compared to $100+ outdoor cameras we’ve reviewed previously, though–like the Reolink Argus 3 camera and its successor, Argus 3 Pro–this one didn’t knock our socks off, but we also understand its primary function: as a component to SimpliSafe’s larger system, rather than a standalone camera.

It’s a decent camera at a mid-range price. The price, however, appears to reflect the flexibility this camera provides, so we don’t think $199.99 is an unreasonable price for an add-on camera. If you think otherwise, the $80 Night Owl camera might be worth looking at; their cameras tested well and presented a functional alternative.

One final note about pricing — keep an eye out for deals. SimpliSafe offers them throughout the year. For example, SimpliSafe currently offers 50 percent off any new system with a free indoor camera if you sign up for a free month of Core monitoring or any other monitoring plan. It pays to do your homework.

Keep reading for a brief snapshot comparing SimpliSafe’s cameras.

SimpliSafe Cameras: Cost Breakdown

SimpliSafe Packages: Cost and Features

Interested in what a full SimpliSafe security kit might cost you? Here’s the latest pricing on the brand’s selection of packages.

SimpliSafe Package Pricing

SimpliSafe Individual Equipment Costs

In addition to their affordable kits and cameras, SimpliSafe sells their own equipment and add-ons individually, ranging from motion and entry sensors to video doorbells and smart locks. Here are their offerings and what you can expect to pay:

SimpliSafe Offerings

SimpliSafe Subscription and Monitoring Plans

When it comes to the Outdoor Camera, we can talk about what you can do in terms of monitoring, but we also need to talk about what you should do.

The thing is SimpliSafe offers a wide variety of monitoring options, more than any other home security system on the market. You can, for instance, self-monitor SimpliSafe equipment. If you’re willing to do without video storage, you can do that for free. Buy your equipment, and you’re done. You still get real-time alerts and access to live video footage. Or, you can add cloud video storage to your self-monitoring for $9.99 per month. That gets you 30 days of recordings for up to 10 cameras.

If you’re interested in professional monitoring, SimpliSafe offers the Standard plan for $22 a month. Basically, any time one of your sensors detects a problem, monitoring agents call you and, if necessary, emergency personnel.

Next up is the Core plan. It’s much like the Standard plan except it includes video verification, cloud storage, and Intruder Intervention. Although Intruder Intervention isn’t for the Outdoor Camera, it’s still a neat feature. It lets SimpliSafe’s monitoring agents access the Wireless Indoor Camera’s live feed and two-way audio to scare off intruders and guide you to safety.

However, none of these plans makes full use of the Outdoor Pro’s technology. Given just how much the Outdoor Pro costs, you want to take full advantage of what it can do. The Pro’s AI, for instance, can track how long a stranger is on your property and determine whether or not they represent a threat. Then, monitoring agents can take control of the camera to scare the intruder away. That technology only works, though, if you subscribe to SimpliSafe’s top two monitoring plans, the Pro Plan or the Pro Plus plan.

We’ve included all of SimpliSafe’s monitoring plans below, but the bottom line is that if you want to make the most of your Outdoor Pro, you’re going to need either the Pro or Pro Plus plans.

Monitoring Costs and Options

Final Thoughts on SimpliSafe Outdoor

SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera, installed, evening

SimpliSafe started out as a favorite of college students and renters, but it didn’t take long for the brand to become universally beloved by homeowners, businesses, apartment dwellers, retirees, and home security enthusiasts in general.

The addition of an outdoor camera to SimpliSafe’s arsenal only makes it a more well-rounded security solution. Did the camera knock our socks off? Not really. But part of that is because there are plenty of other top security brands that can do the same thing at the same or lower price, and still be on par with this camera in terms of performance.

But those other brands don’t rely on a complete home security system to keep them running, either. With a trusted brand like SimpliSafe, you can’t really go wrong with the new outdoor camera.

If you already have a SimpliSafe system installed — or you’re considering buying one — then this outdoor camera will protect your home with the best of them.

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