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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 March 27, 2025
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Home security systems are designed to protect homes, and that should include the outside of your house. Most companies offer equipment like outdoor security cameras. Those are enough for some, but since you’re here, we assume you’re looking for more to improve your home’s perimeter security. Well, we have just the right recommendations for you.
We tested five security systems in particular that we believe offer more advanced outdoor security than your typical security systems. We have ADT that offers state-of-the-art monitoring and smart outdoor cameras from Google Nest. We also have Vivint that uses home automation to up its security game, and SimpliSafe, which has a powerful new feature called Active Guard Outdoor Protection. Then, we have Arlo and Deep Sentinel – two brands that offer remarkable outdoor cameras.
Keep scrolling to find out which solution is best for your outdoor security needs.
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.
In our experience, ADT offers excellent, high-quality equipment paired with one of the most reliable professional monitoring services in the industry. It has 12 monitoring centers backing each other up. However, it’s how ADT utilizes its equipment and monitoring to protect homes that makes it special. For example, you’ll see in a minute how it takes advantage of security camera AI not only to keep trespassers out of your property, but also to let people you trust inside your home. ADT, in our opinion, is the most well-rounded security system to protect your home inside and out, especially if you’re looking for full-service professional monitoring.
ADT packages include security cameras from one of the top brands today – Google Nest – featuring person, pet, and vehicle detection as well as facial recognition. As smart as they are, though, they’re not the most rugged. We suggest planning your outdoor camera placement well if you’re going with ADT because the Nest Cam (battery), Nest Cam with Floodlight, and Nest Doorbell – the outdoor-capable models – are not completely waterproof.1 With their IP54 rating, they can handle a bit of dust and small splashes of water, but it’s best to keep them away from torrential downpour.
FYI: What’s an IP rating? The first digit refers to how well it can stand up to solids (dust particles), while the second one refers to its resistance to water.2 In security cameras, IP68 is the highest we’ve seen.
In testing the Google Nest cameras, however, we found them quite hardy. They don’t feel plastic-y and cheap like the $30 Wyze Cam we tested recently. As long as you can keep them shielded from direct rain, they should be able to hold up well. We had our ADT technician install our Nest Cam (battery) under an eave.
My Nest Cam is mounted above my front door for the best coverage.
Maybe they’re not the most rugged, but ADT’s security cameras have some of the most advanced features we’ve seen. Facial recognition easily takes the cake, and we know because we’ve tested the Nest Cams separately and it’s one of their strongest features. Paired with our ADT system, however, we unlocked a new feature called Trusted Neighbor thanks to the camera’s smarts.
Let’s say you have a trusted pet sitter who comes around every day 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 their face. Then, using Trusted Neighbor, ADT automatically unlocks your door if the circumstances are right. You set the rules – you can have it unlock the door only at certain times or when a certain event occurs (e.g. smoke is detected). Our dog walker stops by every day at around 3 p.m. Trusted Neighbor only opens the door for her between 2:45 and 3:15.
FYI: ADT’s direct partnership with Google automatically makes it the best Google-friendly security system. It’s the only system that pairs directly with Google Nest equipment, especially now that Nest Secure has been discontinued.
ADT’s professionally installed security systems require professional monitoring as well. Meanwhile, if you choose a DIY system from ADT, you can self-monitor it. We strongly recommend professional monitoring, though. It’s ADT’s biggest strength. For a system with outdoor cameras, it ranges from $39.99 to $49.99 per month, but it’s the only way to access Trusted Neighbor, facial recognition, and home automation features.
We’d like to highlight SMART Monitoring, which is a function included in ADT’s monitoring subscriptions. Not everyone who enters your property is a threat – it could be a postman delivering your mail or a neighbor kid offering to mow your lawn. With SMART Monitoring, ADT sends everyone in our household group text alerts before raising the alarm. That way, we can have a meeting and collectively verify or waive off alarms, preventing false alarms. As they say, it’s the small things.
FYI: ADT’s response times were also pretty fast in our experience. SMART Monitoring alerts arrive 5 to 10 seconds after a sensor is triggered, and if no one responds immediately, they’ll give the point person in the household a call. We clocked in phone alerts at about 30 to 45 seconds after a sensor was triggered.
| Equipment Cost | Packages starting at $349 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring Options | Professional or DIY |
| Monitoring Cost | Starting at $24.99 per month |
| Contract Length | Monthly |
| Installation Options | Professional or DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
Vivint requires signing a long-term contract, professional monitoring, and professional installation, but it’s well worth choosing it if you want top-notch equipment (especially their outdoor camera) with customizable automation. Automation is good for outdoor security. If you can make your lights turn on as soon as someone steps into your property – something we’ve confirmed Vivint can do – you’ve already taken your outdoor home security to the next level.
The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro – one of the three Vivint security cameras we tested – anchors Vivint’s outdoor security. It’s a rugged outdoor camera that can survive sub-zero winter temperatures and hot summers. It’s also IP65 weatherproof, much better than ADT’s IP54 Nest Cams. We just wish Vivint’s doorbell camera was as rugged. It’s only rated IP33, so it’s not ideal for homes without a porch.
Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro Wiring
On the bright side, we liked how the Vivint technician installed our outdoor camera. You don’t need a strong Wi-Fi signal outdoors. The technician drilled through our exterior wall and ran a 15-foot Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable through the hole. At the end of the cable is a power adapter with a Wi-Fi bridge built in. In our case, we only needed a strong Wi-Fi signal in the garage – which we already had – to make sure our Vivint outdoor camera got a solid connection.
>> Read More: The Best Security Systems for Homes With A Garage
FYI: The Vivint Outdoor Camera doesn’t have a built-in spotlight, but you can purchase the Spotlight Pro attachment to give it one. It’s a bit bulky when you put the two together, especially compared to SimpliSafe’s compact, spotlight-equipped outdoor camera, but the Spotlight Pro gives your Vivint outdoor camera automatic, motion-activated spotlight.
Vivint, in our opinion, is one of the best security systems for automation, including for automating outdoor equipment. Just take the outdoor camera for example. When we reviewed Vivint, we used the app to set when to trigger the camera’s built-in warning LEDs and chime. Our automation looked something like this: “If someone stepped into the detection zone when Smart Deter is on, play a soft chime. If they stay longer than 15 seconds, flash the LED ring red and play a whistle tone.” You’d be hard-pressed to find a system that lets you be as specific as that with your automations.
That said, we think the Outdoor Camera Pro is a bit overpriced. Specs-wise, it’s similar to the Arlo Pro 4 we reviewed. Pricing-wise, however, it costs twice as much. Still, the automation you get from Vivint could make buying the outdoor camera worth it. When we compared Vivint and ADT, we could clearly see a difference between their cameras. Even with the Nest Cam with Floodlight, all we could do was make the light turn on when movement was detected. It didn’t let us set up automation rules as granular as Smart Deter did.
FYI: The built-in LED ring on the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro isn’t bright enough to illuminate anything, but it’s enough to get the attention of trespassers. If you want motion-activated lighting, though, you can also set up automations that link compatible Z-Wave smart bulbs with the camera’s motion detection.
As flashy as Vivint’s automation and equipment are, Vivint’s professional monitoring service is quite straightforward. It costs $29.99 to $49.99 per month, with the top-tier Vivint plan including both cloud video storage and home automation features. We highly encourage using Vivint’s home automation to further improve your security. Even simple custom notifications – like reminding you to close the front door if you left it open for more than 30 minutes – can help. And yes, we were able to set up those types of automations using Vivint.
As for performance, we appreciate Vivint’s reliability. It’s a cellular-based system, which means it can send alerts to the monitoring centers even if your internet is down. Response times were pretty fast, too. Text-based alerts come in within 10 seconds of a sensor being tripped, and phone alerts come in within about 45 seconds.
Something to Consider: Unlike ADT that sends text-based alerts in a group chat, Vivint sends texts only to the household’s designated point of contact.
| Monitoring Options | Professional only |
|---|---|
| Installation | Professional |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $599.99 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | From $30 |
| Contract Length | 48 to 60 months |
SimpliSafe didn’t even have an outdoor camera just a few years ago. But, now that it has one, it made a huge leap forward in outdoor security by also adding a monitoring feature called Active Guard Outdoor Protection. As the name suggests, this feature allows live virtual guards (real humans!) to monitor your outdoor cameras from SimpliSafe’s monitoring center. They can even use the camera’s speaker and microphone to speak with potential intruders, making SimpliSafe the best at deterring criminals before they get inside your home.
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Security Camera can withstand jets of water and gusts of dust. It has the IP65 rating to prove it, similar to the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro. What sets it apart from the Vivint outdoor camera is that it’s battery-powered. There are pros and cons to that, but we know that some people prefer battery-powered cameras. Particularly as part of a DIY system, the lack of wires makes the SimpliSafe camera a breeze to set up. We were able to install it in under five minutes, while it took our Vivint technician almost an hour to set up the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro.
That said, the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell is the opposite of wireless – it’s hardwired! That means you need existing doorbell wires to install it, and the process can take 15 to 30 minutes. The doorbell is pretty durable though, with an IP65 rating. So, if you have an exposed doorbell without cover from the elements, you might want to go with SimpliSafe instead of Vivint.
>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. Vivint
Besides the fact that it runs on a rechargeable battery and that it has a built-in spotlight, the SimpliSafe outdoor camera is pretty bare bones. We think it’s worth its $189.99 price tag, but if you get it as part of a SimpliSafe package, you can often enjoy lower prices.
Installed on an exterior wall, our SimpliSafe outdoor camera is a pretty solid device for video monitoring.
The camera doesn’t have a lot of features to brag about, but upon testing it, we think SimpliSafe got it just right. The motion detection is fully customizable – we set zones so that it would only detect movement within our property line, and it worked. We also appreciate that there’s an option to limit motion alerts to people only, ignoring pets and vehicles.
Really, the outdoor camera is best used with a SimpliSafe system. Besides the optional Active Guard Outdoor Protection feature, we like that it automatically records as soon as any other SimpliSafe sensor is triggered. This way, you get a full picture of what’s going – or what went – down during alarm events.
Bad News: Using the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera alongside a SimpliSafe security system isn’t just a recommendation, but a requirement. The camera doesn’t work without a SimpliSafe system in place.
We’ve mentioned the Active Guard feature several times, but here’s the catch: It requires a monitoring plan, and the plans that offer this feature start at $49.99 per month (Pro plan). This puts SimpliSafe in the same price range as ADT and Vivint. Moreover, that plan only gets you overnight protection. If you want 24/7 Active Guard Protection, the price increases to $79.99 per month, which is pretty pricey.
FYI: We tested the Pro plan for a couple of months, and we think the overnight (between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time) Active Guard Protection is enough for most homes. Keep in mind that the time limit applies to that feature in particular only; SimpliSafe will still monitor your other sensors and equipment 24/7 no matter which professionally monitored plan you end up with.
In our experience, SimpliSafe responds to alerts with minimal delay. During our break-in simulations, our outdoor camera came alive within five seconds of us entering the detection zone. We heard the live agent speak not a second later. Even without Active Guard, though, SimpliSafe is still fast. Text alerts similar to Vivint’s arrived in 5 to 10 seconds, while phone alerts came in within 30 seconds – even faster than ADT!
>> Compare: SimpliSafe vs. ADT
| 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 $21.99 |
| 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 weatherproof devices, all of which are at least IP65 rated. We know it can be daunting to choose outdoor cameras when there’s a long list of options, but here’s a shortcut – if you want simple 1080p HD cameras, go with the Essential lineup; if you want mid-tier 2K HD cameras, choose from the Pro line; if you want top-notch 4K cameras, go with the Ultra line. Regardless, you’ll get rugged cameras you can set up outdoors.
One thing to note is that most Arlo cameras run on batteries. It’s how they came to be known, and they continue to produce high-quality, battery-powered cameras. We actually got more mileage on a single charge from the Arlo Pro 4 we tested than our SimpliSafe outdoor camera – seven months vs. two and a half months!
>> Compare: Arlo vs. SimpliSafe
FYI: Arlo offers more doorbell camera options than SimpliSafe, Vivint, and ADT. Arlo has a wired option as well as a battery-powered option.
Let’s zoom in on a couple of Arlo’s outdoor cameras – the Arlo Pro 5S and the Arlo Go.
The Arlo Pro 5S is a 2K spotlight camera. It has a better resolution than SimpliSafe’s outdoor camera, and it’s sleeker, too. We also noticed that it has a wide-angle lens capable of covering a 160-degree field. That will bode well for you if you have a large outdoor space to monitor. And just like the outdoor camera from SimpliSafe, the Arlo Pro 5S offers customizable activity zones and person detection. On top of all that, Arlo’s pricing for the Arlo Pro 5S is affordable – only $179.99 on regular days, with occasional discounts to sweeten the pot.
The Arlo Pro 5S has a small but bright motion-activated spotlight.
The Arlo Go 2 is another great option, although it’s not for everyone. The reason we say that is because it’s a camera that doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi but on 4G/LTE signals instead. That’s great if you’re protecting a remote cabin, but unnecessary for homes with Wi-Fi. It can be quite expensive, too, because, on top of the $199 equipment fee, it requires a data plan from a supported carrier service. Still, it’s one of the very few security cameras that can work without Wi-Fi.
>> Read More: Best Security Systems for Rural Areas
Arlo does offer professional monitoring for its security system, but that system is mainly designed for indoor protection. For the outdoor cameras, you’ll mostly be self-monitoring. Arlo’s subscription plans, however, offer features to make it easier for you.
We recommend the Arlo Secure Plus subscription, which covers unlimited cameras for $19.99 per month. Getting a subscription for it gave us smart features such as person and vehicle detection. Unlike Vivint and SimpliSafe’s person detection, person and vehicle recognition can tell you if the person or vehicle in the frame is someone or something Arlo recognizes based on past interactions. This is similar to ADT’s facial recognition, but it also applies to vehicles.
If you decide to get the Arlo security system as well, professional monitoring costs $29.99 under the Arlo Secure Premium plan. It includes everything in the Plus subscription plus a personal safety app called Arlo Safe.
>> Further Reading: The Best Home Security Mobile Apps
| 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 |
When it comes to outdoor security, there’s another brand that might be worth looking into called Deep Sentinel. 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.
We’re big believers 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.4
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). Our Emergency Prep Guide can help you secure those areas of your home, but you also need a security system with strong outdoor protections. ADT tops the list with its smart cameras and reliable monitoring. Vivint’s home automation, SimpliSafe’s live guard monitoring, and Arlo’s healthy selection of outdoor cameras are also great options. No matter which one you choose, make sure you take a balanced approach – protect the inside as well as the outside of your home. Our top recommendations are great at both.
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
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
