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ADT’s reliable, durable outdoor equipment and best-in-industry professional monitoring service are why it’s our top pick.
Updated November 4, 2024
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Not just any home security system can protect the outside of your property. Every device you install outdoors should be able to stand up to the elements. It’s also a bonus if your outdoor security cameras can tell the difference between cars, animals, and people to reduce false alarms. Plus, each component has to connect to a network, no matter how far it is from your Wi-Fi router.
I put several outdoor security systems to the test during blistering summers and teeth-chattering winters, and ADT performed the best. The equipment can monitor tiny courtyards or large, vast spaces, gives me crystal-clear footage at night, and makes it effortless to manage with the mobile app. But I also liked what I saw from Vivint, SimpliSafe, and Arlo.
Keep scrolling to find out how each of the home security systems performed in the great outdoors.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
>> Related: Buying Guide for Home Security Cameras
We’ve learned the best way to make unbiased and trustworthy recommendations is by testing home security systems ourselves. We buy the equipment with our money, install the systems in our homes, and test them for weeks and sometimes months. This approach means we can get a feel for what it’s like to live with the security system and accurately assess the response times, apps, and features. We then use these experiences to finalize our recommendations.
Many factors impact testing home security systems, but we have found ways to make like-for-like comparisons. For example, all equipment is tested in the same house – a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home with a decent-sized front and back yard and single-car garage. Using a real house owned by one of our experts instead of a lab means we can simulate real-life situations and make better recommendations.
We also buy the same devices for every security system and install them in identical locations. You can see what our usual testing setup looks like below.
There are multiple criteria we had to consider when choosing the best outdoor security systems. Using our knowledge and experience in the industry, these are the factors we believe are the most valuable:
Using these criteria, here is how we scored our top five picks:
Rating the Best Outdoor Home Security Systems
Our team of experts exclusively covers security safety equipment. That means you won’t find reviews on everything from denim jeans to mesh routers on our site, unlike other review sites out there. We have honed our craft in evaluating security systems so our readers get reliable and honest recommendations. The team who contributed to this review were:
We have over 75 years of combined experience, making us the most accomplished home security team on the internet. Since 2016, SafeHome.org has been featured in multiple major outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times. As a team, we have achieved:
Every recommendation we make comes from first-hand product experience and a deep understanding of the security industry. Now, let's find out more about our top picks.
If you want reliability and experience, ADT delivers. They’ve been in business for 150 years and made the first home security offerings in the United States. But, that doesn’t mean their products or services are old. Quite the contrary actually. ADT continues to improve their products and services year after year. Most recently, they reduced the price for their professional monitoring. Even though it’s still more than DIY systems like SimpliSafe, their new pricing gives solid value considering they have some of the most robust monitoring infrastructure in the industry.
ADT packages include security cameras from one of the top brands today – Google Nest. Yes, ADT has an on-going partnership with Google to give customers access to some of the smartest security cameras on the market. These are cameras capable of detecting and distinguishing humans, pets, vehicles, and even faces. And of course, the outdoor models are pretty rugged and weather-resistant.
Note: I said weather-resistant, not weatherproof. The Nest Cam outdoor or indoor,1 Nest Cam with floodlight, and Nest doorbell have an IP54 rating. They can handle a splash of water or a bit of dust. But, if you live in an area with frequent and intense dust storms, Nest cameras are not for you.
FYI: Maybe you have no idea what IP54 means, and at this point, you’re too afraid to ask. I got you. IP stands for ingress protection. The first number refers to how well it can stand up to solids, with 6 being the highest possible rating. The second number refers to how well it can stand up to water, with 8 being the highest.2
Maybe they’re not the most rugged, but ADT’s security cameras have some of the most advanced features I’ve seen. As I mentioned earlier, they even have facial recognition, and ADT is putting that feature to good use with its new Trusted Neighbor feature.
Let’s say you have a trusted pet sitter who comes around everyday at 3 P.M. Rather than stopping what you’re doing to let the sitter in with your smart lock, you can teach your ADT camera to recognize his face and set Trusted Neighbor to unlock the door whenever he’s seen around that time. It’s pretty neat.
My Nest Cam is mounted above my front door for the best coverage.
FYI:Nest Secure, which was Nest’s home security system, is now discontinued. If you want a great Google-friendly security system, ADT is your best bet.
ADT has a great control panel, but it’s easier for me to jump into the app on my phone to check notifications, set up home automations, and review footage. It’s even helpful if I’m on vacation or out shopping and need to check out the livestream from the cameras.
The reason I had to do this was because I got so many alerts during the first few days of testing the system. Eventually, I organized for a technician to come out and make some adjustments, which helped. It reduced my daily notifications from around 50 to less than 10.
FYI: Make sure you’re downloading the right app for your ADT system. Most people should use ADT+. The app you download must match the panel you have, which could be different for an older molder like ADT Pulse. If you’re unsure, double-check with your ADT rep.
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $269 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring options | Professional |
| Monitoring cost | Starting at $29.99 per month |
| Contract length | Starting at 36 months |
| Installation options | Professional or DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
Vivint offers a wide selection of premium products with advanced smart home capabilities and cutting edge technology. Although they require long-term contracts, professional installation, and 24/7 monitoring, Vivint keeps their products a step above the competition. This makes it well worth locking into their system for anyone that wants the most advanced security system on the market. Their cameras are also top-notch making them a great choice for securing your outdoor areas.
The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro is (surprise, surprise) suitable for outdoor use. The same goes for the Vivint Spotlight Pro. I will say: I liked SimpliSafe’s spotlight design a bit better than Vivint’s. With Vivint, the light attaches to the bottom of the camera making it a bit bulky, whereas SimpliSafe has it built into the camera.
Both Vivint devices have an IP65 rating. Rain, snow, or shine, they will work just fine.
A view from the cameras in my Vivint Smart Hub.
Not every Vivint security camera meant for the outdoors can actually take the heat (or cold, or wet). The Vivint Doorbell Camera has an IP33 rating. Light rain? No problem. A torrential downpour? Your doorbell may shut down.
Did You Know? A lower IP rating is not necessarily a dealbreaker for a doorbell camera. Think about it. How much rain is your doorbell exposed to? You might have a portico that shields it from the elements.
When I tested Vivint’s camera for my Vivint review, I was impressed. First off, it works seamlessly with the rest of the system. When my siren went off inside, it also went off outside, thanks to the camera’s 85 dB siren extender. It terrified my delivery guy but delighted me. I was able to hear the siren whether I was inside my house or in my yard.
That thoughtful design wouldn’t matter if the camera didn’t have excellent specs. The Outdoor Camera Pro has a 4K image sensor, 1080p resolution, and AI capabilities. You can’t ask for much more. Even though it’s not the 4K resolution of the Arlo Ultra 2, that 4K image sensor makes the image surprisingly crisp for 1080p resolution. With the Outdoor Camera Pro, I could see what was happening at night and in those early morning hours with dim lighting. This made it look closer to a 2K camera and reminded me of when I reviewed the Arlo Pro 4 security camera.
FYI: 4K resolution means your video will have four times as many pixels as the industry-standard 1080p resolution. While you probably won’t notice much of a difference if you’re just looking at your video on your phone, those extra pixels give you way more clarity when using any digital zoom features.
That said, when I compare Vivint to ADT, I feel slightly disappointed with the price. ADT’s cameras all cost below $200, while Vivint’s cameras cost a minimum of $250. The outdoor camera was actually $400. It was high-quality for sure, but I also paid a premium price for it.
Vivint’s sleek, modern app makes me feel like a genius. It was so easy and intuitive to set automation rules for each individual device. My favorite was the custom notifications. I configured one that had the outdoor camera start recording every time the garage door opened.
I even set notifications for when windows are left open for more than 30 minutes. It’s a nice reminder to make sure I close them before I head off to bed. These features are just some of the reasons I think Vivint is one of the best smart home automation security systems.
Pro Tip: Vivint doesn’t always get things right. Skip the Vivint Classic app. It’s older and clunkier than their current app.
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $599.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $40 |
| Contract Length | 48 to 60 months |
Its value proposition is right in its name. SimpliSafe aims to make your home security simple. Every aspect of its security offerings makes using the system easy from its easy-to-install equipment to its intuitive mobile app. That means you can set up outdoor security cameras quickly and monitor them with ease to keep tabs on your front and backyard. SimpliSafe also has some of the best professional monitoring in the industry.
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera can withstand jets of water and gusts of dust. It has the IP65 rating to prove it.
The SimpliSafe Video Doorbell also has an IP65 rating. That’s notable because many of their competitors tend to neglect doorbell durability. When I compared SimpliSafe to Vivint, for example, I was surprised to see the budget brand beat out the deluxe option. Vivint’s doorbell camera only goes up to IP33. So, if you have an exposed doorbell without cover from the elements, you might want to go with SimpliSafe instead of Vivint.
Did You Know? Several iPhone models are IP68-rated.3 That means you can drop them in the bathtub without too much damage.
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera is $189.99 on a bad day. Most of the time, it’s less than that, thanks to frequent deals on SimpliSafe packages.
So, is SimpliSafe a great value? Or a case of “you get what you pay for”?
In my experience, SimpliSafe really is a solid deal. It features a lot of the same specs and tech as its more expensive competitors, including:
The big thing with SimpliSafe is that you must install it yourself. While that shouldn’t be a problem for most people, it can be a dealbreaker for some.
I spent a lot of time in the SimpliSafe app, as it was how I added equipment to my home security system. It was easy to set them up and configure the sensitivity for each device, so I wasn’t bombarded with false alarms.
Adding devices to my home security system in the SimpliSafe app.
The app is also useful if you want to set up schedules for your alarm system and review recordings from the security camera. It was also helpful when I was simulating break-ins, as I could quickly cancel alarms before emergency services showed up.
| Monitoring options | Professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional and DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | Packages starting at $249.96 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $9.99 |
| Contract Length | Monthly |
Although Arlo is new to offering complete security systems, they know how to make high-quality security cameras. It’s what they specialize in after all. And when it comes to outdoor security, cameras are your best friend. So, even though you might not be able to get every bell and whistle for general home security like you can with Vivint, Arlo can keep your outdoor spaces secure with their huge selection of security cameras.
Arlo boasts a long list of weather-proof devices. It’s easier to list them than to explain them individually.
IP65 Arlo Devices
Any one of these devices will stand up to wind, rain, dust, and unpleasant temperatures. When I tested the Arlo video doorbell, I liked not having to worry about heavy rainstorms damaging my camera. I didn’t have the same confidence in the Vivint video doorbell.
FYI: Like SimpliSafe, Arlo sells weather-proof doorbell cameras. Learn more about how these brands stack up in our in-depth Arlo versus SimpliSafe comparison.
Arlo is, first and foremost, a smart camera brand, so it’s no surprise it sells several excellent outdoor cameras. I mean, take a look at these specs. The Arlo Ultra 2 records in 4K video. You won’t get that from SimpliSafe. The Arlo Pro 4 offers two-way audio with stunning clarity. The Arlo Essential XL features a built-in siren and spotlight — for just $149.99.
The Arlo Essentials Camera stands out, even at night.
FYI: Want to see how much an Arlo security system costs? Check out our full rundown of Arlo pricing.
Any one of these cameras would do a great job keeping an eye on your backyard. But there’s one more I want to highlight: the Arlo Go 2.
The Arlo Go 2 connects directly to the cellular LTE network and gets its power from a rechargeable battery. The best part? You could stick it in the middle of the woods and it would still work. That’s great news if you live in the woods.
>> Read More: Best Security Systems for Rural Areas
It’s clear Arlo has designed its app for functionality. There was nothing I wasn’t able to customize. I set schedules to arm and disarm the system automatically and tweak the sensitivity of the cameras when I felt I was getting too many false alarms.
One of my favorite features was being able to make calls via the app. Rather than back out of the Arlo app and open the phone app, I could bring up a menu that gave me the option to call 911, an emergency contact, or activate the siren. It’s one of the reasons why I think it’s one of the best security systems with a mobile app.
| Connectivity | Wi-fi, ethernet |
|---|---|
| Power | Wired, battery, PoE |
| Field of View | Up to 180° |
| Resolution | Up to 2160p |
| Storage | Cloud |
| Smart Platform Compatibility | Alexa and Google Home |
Deep Sentinel’s cameras are some of the best we’ve seen, and the outdoor security they provide is quite unique. They combine AI technology and live video monitoring by trained guards to make users feel like they have personal guards watching over their homes. That is one of the best outdoor protections you can get.
So why isn’t it our top pick? For starters, that kind of protection can be costly. Aside from the camera’s cost, you also need to pay a monthly service fee that starts at $100 to have just one camera monitored. It’s not for the average consumer.
We’re also not big fans of the fact that Deep Sentinel doesn’t offer any other type of security equipment besides outdoor cameras. We believe that outdoor security is important, but we also strongly recommend securing the inside of your house with sensors that can detect intrusion and hazards like fire and gas leaks.
Cameras, sensors, and motion detectors are just a few of the devices that can secure your property. But there are dozens of other useful pieces of equipment to integrate into your home security system for extra protection, whether they come from one of the companies mentioned above or third parties.
Pro Tip: Not all home security systems play well with others. To check whether yours is compatible with IoT equipment, look for “Z-Wave,” “Zigbee,” or “IFTTT” integrations. And, make sure to take a peek at our roundup of the best IFTTT home security systems to maximize your home automation possibilities.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
Don’t be alarmed, I’m just testing out the Nest Cam night vision.
I’m a big believer in the power of technology to keep your home (and the surrounding property) safe. But, sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best. Here are a few security measures you can take that don’t require a master’s degree in machine learning to understand.
Did You Know? Drowning doesn’t look like it does in the movies. A person might be in trouble if they’re upright in the water without using their legs, they have a panicked expression, or their hair is covering their face.5
Mounting my Arlo Pro 4 on my back fence.
One of the biggest challenges to extending a security system outdoors? Power. Your home is full of outlets and charging ports. Your yard probably isn’t. Good thing you still have options.
FYI: Wired cameras don’t necessarily mean using electricity. You can also power them using internet cables. Check out our article on the Best PoE Security Cameras for some options.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
There is no shortage of threats that can affect us outdoors. Natural disasters. Wildlife. Nasty neighbors. Car accidents. Our research revealed:
Any of those things could hit us in our backyard (or front yard, for that matter).
>> Read More: Emergency Prep Guide
A basic home security system will keep you safe once you cross the threshold of your front door. But what about before that?
You may need a security system that covers you before you get inside. One with rugged equipment, high-quality outdoor security cameras, and an app you can check from anywhere. You could do much worse than Vivint, ADT, SimpliSafe, or Arlo.
It depends. A quality security camera battery should last somewhere in the ballpark of three to six months. Low signal strength, cold weather, and lots of activity could drain it faster.
Most security systems are designed to cover indoor and outdoor space. Since not every device works outside, check for an IP65 or higher rating before installing a component.
Yes, if you’re strategic about device placement. The trick is to buy enough security camera equipment to cover your property. Then, install them in high-traffic areas like your driveway, front porch, and backyard.
There are myriad ways to keep your yard safe. Start simple: Get a gate. In addition to that low-tech solution, you can also bring in some devices for extra help. Security cameras are a no-brainer, but don’t forget about floodlights too.
After extensive testing, we found Vivint was the best outdoor security system of them all. But ADT, SimpliSafe, and Arlo are still great options.
Google Store. (2024). Inside Nest Cam.
https://store.google.com/product/nest_cam_battery_specs?pli=1&hl=en-US
International Electrotechnical Commission. (2024). IP ratings.
https://www.iec.ch/ip-ratings
Apple. (2024). About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone 7 and later.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/108039
National Drowning Prevention Alliance. (2024). Drowning Facts – Have We Hit A Crisis Point In America?
https://ndpa.org/drowning-facts-have-we-hit-a-crisis-point-in-america/
RNLI. (2017, March 24). How to recognise drowning: It’s not like the movies.
https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2017/march/how-to-recognise-drowning-its-not-like-the-movies
