
- #Best outdoor wireless security camera install
- #Best outdoor wireless security camera upgrade
- #Best outdoor wireless security camera series
Like the eufy cameras, they are tied to a base station but are also compatible with HomeKit. Arlo CamerasĪnother popular outdoor HomeKit camera product is the Arlo cameras When the eufy cameras are using HomeKit Secure Video, it doesn’t get the fully quoted battery life as it has to communicate with HomeKit, so the solar charging option will save you from having to take the cameras down to charge. While the eufy cameras are battery-powered, eufy now offers a solar charging option if your cameras are located in a place to receive direct sunlight. There are no monthly fees for storing on the base station, but if you use HomeKit Secure Video, you’ll have the recurring iCloud storage subscription. The euf圜am products require a base station connected to Wi-Fi or ethernet, and the cameras then talk to the base station. They come in various models with ranging battery life and camera quality.
#Best outdoor wireless security camera series
The euf圜am series of products have long been some of my favorite HomeKit products. You can get around using a product like SOCKiTBOX to seal the plug up from outdoor elements. Most outdoor cameras generally recommend plugging into an indoor/attic outlet as most plugs are not weatherproof. The significant downside here is that you’ll need to get it powered. All you have to do is swap the cameras out.įor hardwired cameras, you’ll get the benefit of mounting it once and then not having to worry about it again.

If a new model comes out with higher quality or longer battery life, you don’t have to worry about re-running the power cable to an outlet.
#Best outdoor wireless security camera upgrade
One of the aspects of battery-powered cameras that I think goes under-appreciated is how easy it is to upgrade them in the future. Depending on the camera, you’ll have to tame them down a few times a year to charge them, though. To get started, you’ll do the initial charge, get them on your Wi-Fi network, add to HomeKit, and then mount them wherever you want coverage.
#Best outdoor wireless security camera install
There are benefits to both, though.įor battery-powered cameras, it’s straightforward to install and upgrade in the future. Outdoor HomeKit Camerasįor outdoor HomeKit cameras, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is if you want to go battery-powered or hardwired. What are their business models? What is their track record of protecting customer privacy? Is privacy at the core of what the company values? In my experience, the only major technology company that cares deeply about your privacy is Apple, and that is why I believe HomeKit Secure Video is a fundamental part of the smart home experience. By starting with a secure foundation, customers can know that they can have all the benefits of modern conveniences while knowing their privacy is still intact.Īs you think about putting devices in your home that can hear and see you, consider the companies making these products. In a few decades, there will no longer be homes vs. As our world becomes more connected, it’s even more important to consider the security of your data from the beginning. HomeKit Secure Video includes end-to-end encryption. If you want to use more than one camera, you’ll need the 2TB iCloud storage plan. To use HomeKit Secure Video, you’ll need a compatible camera, HomeKit Hub (Apple TV, HomePod, or HomePod mini), and a minimum of a 200GB iCloud storage plan. If a product supports HomeKit Secure Video, the camera will store its footage in iCloud.


If a product supports only HomeKit, you can use it for automations like using a camera’s motion sensor to trigger a light or view the live stream inside Apple’s Home app. Some products support HomeKit but don’t yet support HomeKit Secure Video. HomeKit Secure Video isn’t a requirement for using cameras with HomeKit. Wrap up on best outdoor HomeKit cameras.
