When it comes to outdoor tech, traditional home security products can’t accomplish much because most cameras, whether weatherproof or not, are only designed to capture the most detail of an environment. picture in daylight. When it gets dark, the built-in infrared usually takes over, which can lead to a big drop in resolution and contrast. That said, if you’re looking to effectively protect your property when the sun goes down, a floodlight camera is the way to go.
It’s unclear if outdoor floodlight cameras have a profound effect on deterring unwanted activity, but they’ll definitely help you have peace of mind. They offer more features and are more visible than a traditional security camera. Plus, you’ll now have a better view around your home and more ways to interact with what’s going on.
Like any other smart home product, there are plenty of choices to choose from. We have listed the best floodlight cameras available for you in different categories. Check them out below.
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
Table of Contents
The best overall
Advantages
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160 degree field of view
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bright projector
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Intelligent AI for detection
The inconvenients
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The mermaid is on the calm side
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Some video distortion
The best option on our list today is the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera. It has one of the best video quality of any floodlight camera on the list, and it combines that with HDR to give you a crystal clear picture. It also has a 160 degree field of view.
One of the other best features of the Arlo camera is that it works seamlessly with any smart home integration including Homekit and IFTTT, which is almost unheard of. It can detect people, animals, cars and packages with its automatic tracking function. This means that Arlo provides fewer false alarms than other security camera brands.
Of course, there are also disadvantages. Although it only costs $250, it does not offer local storage recording. You are stuck paying between $3 and $15 per month for cloud recording storage plans.
And while the siren isn’t the loudest we’ve ever heard, when it comes to intuitive AI detection, bright and powerful lighting, and great in-app customizations, there’s no no better outdoor option than the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight camera.
Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
The best overall
Eufy
Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro
Honorable mention
Advantages
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Excellent video quality
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Excellent motion tracking
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A powerful companion app
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No subscription required
The inconvenients
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Wired only
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Only 8 GB of internal storage (no cloud option)
While we think the Arlo is the best camera to buy for its features, the Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro is no slouch. That’s actually what we’d suggest to most people looking for more outdoor security – unless, of course, you’re in a HomeKit ecosystem.
The Cam 2 Pro also offers 2K resolution with pan and tilt adjustment, but the camera can also rotate 360 degrees. It can also automatically track people and give you smart alerts about them.
Unfortunately, there are a few downsides to the Eufy camera that we need to discuss. First, it doesn’t work with HomeKit – only Alexa and Google Assistant. Second, the Eufy projector has a retail price of $300 but offers free local storage – but no 24/7 recording. So even if you pay a little more upfront, you save money if you intend to keep your recordings stored on a microSD card.
Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro
Honorable mention
Wyze Cam Projector
For the budget conscious
Advantages
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Price – $100 retail and $2 per month.
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Has smart alerts for sound.
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130 degree field of view
The inconvenients
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Low field of view at only 130 degrees.
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Does not work with Apple HomeKit.
The Wyze Cam Floodlight joins us on the list for those who don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars for extra security. Or, maybe you want to test how a floodlight camera fits into your home without having to invest too much.
The Wyze projector option is available for $100 with a small $2 monthly fee for smart alerts and other features. You even get free cloud and local storage with this camera. It’s no slouch on the specs front either.
The Wyze Cam Floodlight offers 1080p video quality with a 130 degree field of view, the lowest of any camera on this list, but will still give you better optics than a traditional security camera. It can detect not only people, animals, cars, and packages, but also sound, which is unique to Wyze cameras.
Here, however, is another camera that only appeals to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa users.
Wyze Cam Projector
For the budget conscious
Erika Rawes/Digital Trends
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro
The best wired camera
Advantages
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Adjustable mounting
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Has color night vision
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Has 3D motion detection
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Powerful two-way talk with noise cancellation
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Customizable motion zones
The inconvenients
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Requires subscription for all features
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No local storage
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Lights are not replaceable
Last on our list is the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro, which should also receive the award for most extensive. Ring offers a wired projector option with its camera that allows the camera to be powered without worrying about (re)charging the batteries.
The Ring Spotlight Camera can detect people in 1080p resolution within its 140-degree field of view. It also has the loudest siren of any camera on this list and a decent zoom level of 8x.
Ring sells for around $280, with monthly fees between $3 and $10. Unfortunately, it only integrates with Amazon Alexa, which isn’t much of a surprise considering Amazon owns Ring.
One thing to note with Ring is that the company offers a Pro and Plus version of its wired floodlight cameras. They are very similar but have slight differences in functionality. For one, the Plus is about $70 less than the Pro version. The Pro version offers better audio quality, motion detection and Wi-Fi capability.
Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro
The best wired camera
Blink Spotlight Outdoor Camera
Best for Alexa Households
Advantages
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1080p live views and recordings
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700 lumens
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Excellent motion trigger
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Easy to customize
The inconvenients
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Not as bright as other floodlight cameras
Amazon’s Blink line is an impressive, budget-friendly assortment of home security products that are easy to install, wrap, and customize. If you’ve been looking to illuminate and monitor an outdoor space, the Blink Outdoor Spotlight is the answer.
With 700 lumens of powerful illumination, the Blink Outdoor features 1080p live views and recordings, plus impressive motion detection capabilities that you can customize from the Blink Home Monitor app. Wandering on the budget side of floodlight cameras, the Blink Outdoor might not be as bright as some of the other models in this roundup or have as many features, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth checking out. be bought.
Even better, if you already use Alexa products in your home, the Blink Outdoor is the perfect addition to your ecosystem. Using the Alexa app and compatible devices, you’ll be able to view live video, receive alerts, use two-way talk, and more.
Blink Spotlight Outdoor Camera
Best for Alexa Households
Frequently Asked Questions
Are floodlights good for safety?
Floodlight cameras are better than standard security cameras when it comes to adding security around the exterior of your home. They have additional features, such as bright lights and sirens, which deter unwanted intruders.
What is the difference between Ring Floodlight Plus and Pro?
Both are similar, but the Pro has more advanced specs and a slightly higher price tag than the Plus version.
How far can the projector’s camera see?
Distance is not normally listed when looking at specs for floodlight cameras. The companies instead show the field of view and whether the cameras can move remotely.
Do the projectors have cameras?
Generally speaking, most projectors have a motion-triggered video camera to view and record whatever action caused the projectors to turn on in the first place. While you can purchase projectors and cameras individually, the vast majority of projector options will inevitably come with some sort of camera.
Are Floodlight Cameras Worth It?
Yes, for the most part. If you have a large plot of outdoor property that requires surveillance, floodlight cameras provide the lighting, motion, and recording capabilities you’ll need to keep your outdoor environment safe and secure.
If you’re looking for a better way to protect your garden, a floodlight camera may be the answer. Our top picks include those from Arlo or Eufy, but other options are available depending on your specific needs and smart home ecosystem.
Editors’ Recommendations