Help Me, Jugo Mobile: Which Outdoor Security Camera Should I Buy?

I spend a lot of my time testing the best home security cameras like Smart Home Editor for Jugo Mobile. Over the past few years, I’ve tested dozens of the latest security cameras and systems. It’s an area that I’m happy to be a nerd about and that I’ve covered extensively, from my complaints about rising subscription costs to my opinion of Wyze cameras.

That’s why I’m always willing to lend a hand to readers who write in with questions about how to improve their home security setup. So when someone recently wrote asking for advice on which is the best outdoor security camera to buy based on your particular situation, I came up with some versatile recommendations that I thought would be great to share here.

Hello,

I attached a photo of my garage. It doesn’t have electricity. I live around the corner where I can’t see the garage. Someone has been tampering with the garage door, handles and lock for the past few weeks.

What type of security camera would you need to capture/record them in the act? I know the people who live in the apartment with the window in the photo. I don’t think they have Wi-Fi but I think they would let me plug something into an outlet near the window.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Michael S.

First of all, I think it’s great that you have neighbors who can potentially give you a hand (or a way out). Mine wouldn’t save me a drop of water even if it were on fire, so I’d say you’re off to a good start. After analyzing your requirements, I think I can suggest some models that you may want to consider.

If your neighbors let you use their power, I can’t recommend the $35 Wyze Cam v4 enough. Simply insert a MicroSD card and you won’t have to pay a monthly fee for video storage. This outlet camera has a crisp 1440p resolution with color night vision and can be placed outdoors as it is weather resistant.

The Wyze Cam v4 sticks anywhere thanks to its magnetic base and records video locally, which helps in its case since there’s no Wi-Fi. Of course, you won’t receive live notifications immediately when someone is in the act, but you can come back and review the images the next day.

Now, if you don’t want to depend on your neighbors at all, you can buy a battery-powered camera. These models don’t need a power outlet, but will need you to change the rechargeable battery from time to time or mount a solar panel nearby.

Wyze offers an affordable option that often goes on sale for just under $70. Like the Wyze Cam v.4, the Wyze Battery Cam Pro has a built-in microSD card slot, so you can save all your videos locally. So while it may be out of range of your Wi-Fi (i.e. you won’t receive real-time alerts), you can always come back the next day and recover your images.

Cameras with cellular connectivity.

If you’re willing to spend more, some companies make cameras with 4G connectivity, so you can place them virtually anywhere. However, not only do these cameras tend to cost more, but you will also have to pay a monthly fee for wireless service. Still, this is perfect for a scenario like yours where you have no power or access to Wi-Fi. That way, you won’t have to plug in any cameras, and you’ll also be able to receive real-time notifications if motion is detected in your garage.

Two models that I suggest areArlo Go 2($249) and theEufy 4G LTE Camera($249). These cameras can be powered by a solar panel (the Arlo is battery powered by default), so they don’t need a power outlet or Wi-Fi to operate. They will ask you to sign up for a cellular plan to send you live images and notifications. That way, not only will you receive video clips directly to your phone, but you’ll also be able to know exactly when that person is shaking at your garage door like it’s an alarm system.

I don’t know how far your garage is from your house, but you could also consider installing a Wi-Fi range extender in the house closest to your garage; You may simply extend your Wi-Fi far enough to reach your garage.

Of course, there are many security cameras out there, but these are the companies I use in my home every day. I find its hardware reliable and its applications simple enough that anyone can use them without problems. Plus, they all support custom zones so you can reduce false alerts and only receive notifications when someone is near your garage.

Hopefully, one of these recommendations will help you find the perfect option for your security setup. But if not, don’t miss our list of the best home security cameras overall for more comparisons, reviews, and buying advice based on our extensive hands-on testing.