We’ve worked with dozens of home security cameras, and installation is often a significant issue. Laying ethernet cables and drilling holes in your home are neither desirable nor optimal.
The solution is wireless security cameras. We’ve tested and narrowed down the 10 best outdoor wireless security camera systems with DVR for easier installation.
Table of Contents
The Reolink 8CH has everything you need for a complete security camera system setup. It comes with an eight-channel NVR with DVR recorder that can easily be hooked up to an external monitor for viewing.
You can also use the free Reolink App on your mobile device to view the live stream. The home security system comes with four indoor/outdoor cameras each ultra-high-definition 4K resolution and a recorder with two terabytes of storage space.
The ZOSI 1080p records at a slightly lower quality than the Reolink 8CH but still displays clear outdoor security footage with DVR.
The system comes with a digital recorder equipped with a one terabyte security-grade hard disk.
It comes with a free mobile application for your smartphone, which allows you to keep an eye on the live feed.
The system comes with four outdoor cameras but can expand to operate with up to eight security camera system connections.
The XVIM 8CH DVR comes with eight outdoor use cameras that record in full 1080p. It has a base station loaded with a 1TB HDD ready for recording. One thing we liked during testing was the IR cut filter.
While this outdoor camera doesn’t have true color night-vision, the IR cut enhances the image to bring out the color in the video. Each camera is capable of monitoring clearly up to 100ft at night.
The ANNKE is another eight-channel security camera system setup. This is similar to the XVIM outdoor camera with a 1080p resolution and a 1TB HDD recorder.
Each outdoor camera has a field of view of 82 degrees with night vision capabilities of up to 100 feet.
The cameras have an IP66 waterproof housing that protects them from rain to freezing temperatures and other extreme weather conditions.
The DVR camera also has motion technology to send alerts when activated.
The ZOSI H.265 is one of the best weatherproof cameras and a more affordable option than the above ZOSI 1080p.
This DVR security camera system comes with four HD cameras capable of expanding to eight in total.
It has a field of view of 90 degrees, which is one of the best of the cameras we reviewed. The camera is capable of night time recording up to 60ft, which is less than other options on this list.
The Hiseeu 8CH is one of the best security systems on this list and also one of the easiest to set up.
The security camera system is completely wireless, allowing you to set and forget each camera and the recording unit.
You can use the EseeCloud App to view your cams and save footage remotely. The DVR recorder also has the largest hard disk drive at three terabytes in size.
This is another completely wireless unit with an easy plug and play power setup. The unit comes with four cameras and a wireless NVR recording unit.
The recorder is capable of handling an HDD of up to 4TB, which is sold separately.
The DVR cameras are high definition and can record at 1080p. You can easily monitor the live feed by connecting a video monitor to the NVR or through the free mobile application.
This is the lower resolution version of the XVIM 1080p we discussed above. While it still records in high-definition, its the lowest level of HD available, 720p.
During testing, we found the video quality was still good, but it does become a bit more grainy when zoomed in than the 1080p or counterpart.
This comes with a digital recorder with a pre-installed 1TB HDD. The setups were simple, and the unit comes with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day moneyback guarantee.’
The SMONET is an NVR setup that comes with four high definition cameras.
These are also 720p cameras, so lake the same level of resolution as the 1080p and 4K options above.
This unit only has four channels, so it cannot be expanded past the four cameras, which are included.
If you have a larger property, this may not be the best option. The NVR does not come with a hard disk drive and cannot be used with non SMONET cameras.
Other camera comparisons with 1080p and 4K resolution:
The final unit on our list is an eight-channel NVR/DVR setup capable of expanding to up to 8 total cameras beyond the four included.
The cameras have a picture quality of 1080p and are capable of recording at night using the 36 infrared LEDs.
The NVR has a 1TB HDD, which is included with the unit. It can store video for up to 30 days, which up to 3 people can access and view at any one time using the mobile application.
A key factor to look at when purchasing the best outdoor wireless security camera system with DVR is whether the recorder comes with a hard disk drive (HDD).
Most units come with an HDD provided with the system, usually around one to two terabytes in size. However, cheaper recorder systems will often not have a hard disk included.
In this instance, you will need to purchase a separate external HDD to store video on. While having to buy a separate hard drive is not a bad thing, it’s essential to be aware of this fact when you first purchase your unit.
Video resolution is one of the most important factors when purchasing outdoor security cameras (1). You want cameras that have excellent image quality. In the event something happens, it’s essential that you can make out details of people or vehicles upon playback.
This is especially important at night, having a camera that has some kind of night vision, which we will discuss more about next. The ideal video quality for an outdoor camera is at least 1440p or 2k video resolution.
While the vast majority of wireless security cameras are connected via a cable to a power source, some operate using a lithium-ion battery. If you purchase a camera that has a battery, it should also have some kind of motion detection feature (2).
Battery-powered cameras will use motion detection to activate when there is activity within the camera range. This helps to save battery life so that the video only records when needed.
Some PTZ camera types will also use motion detection, allowing the camera to focus on different activity zones as well as save battery life.
By their very nature, wireless home security cameras are meant to be easier to set up than their wired counterparts. However, this isn’t always the case. Make sure to think about how the camera installs and the areas of your home where you want to install them.
Look at the base plate and how it secures to the surface. Make sure the system also comes with everything you need, including screws or adhesives, so that you don’t have to round up extra parts.
There are two primary methods that a video recording system can use to store footage, either on a disk drive or through cloud storage. Ideally, you want a device that has both options. For a disk drive, it’s best to have at least one terabyte but preferably two.
With cloud storage, it will depend on the specific provider you are working with and how much you are willing to purchase or how much you get with your plan. The benefit of cloud storage is that you can use it to back up important footage and access it through an app.
High-quality night vision is essential in the best wireless cameras for security. If an incident happens during the evening hours, you need to be able to view things like license plates, people’s faces, the make and model of vehicles, etc (3).
Something else to take into consideration will be if a camera has color night vision or only infrared lighting. Color night vision cameras have extra sensitive image sensors that use ambient light to show color even at night. Infrared vision, on the other hand, works by projecting infrared light around the lens to improve the image clarity at night.
In our comparison of Lorex and Swann, you can check out their specific camera models that offer night vision surveillance systems.
Related Posts:
