Outdoor cameras are useful for far more than actual security: They can show you if your dog is in the backyard, or if the gate is open, or alert you when friends show up or you get a package delivered. These cameras are there for more than just catching intruders—they capture life as it is happening outside your door.

These are the cameras I've tested and loved.

Eufy Solocams

Eufy Solocams are the cameras I rely on when I'm not testing other cameras. I love the dual lenses and 360º field of view. Also, you can store clips locally if you have a eufy backup hub, called a Homebase.

• eufy Security Floodlight Cam S330: regularly $299.99, now $169.98

• eufy Security Floodlight Camera E340: regularly $219.99, now $149.98

Reolink PoE security cameras

I was a little slow to Reolink—I tried and didn't love their Argus line, either the physical appearance or the app. But their PoE (power over ethernet) PTZ (point, tilt, zoom) cameras are a different story, and now they'd be my pick if I was buying cameras for the first time. You want PTZ to give you the best 360º view of your space, and PoE provides better security from wifi hackers.

• Reolink 4K PoE Security Outdoor IP Camera now $62.99, was $89.99

• Reolink 4K UHD PoE PTZ Camera for Outdoor Security, now $174.99, was $249.99

• Reolink 4K Wired Wifi Outdoor Camera, 8MP w/Auto Tracking now $118.99, was $169.99

Blink Outdoor 4 camera

Blink cameras are a little rudimentary compared to other high-end security cams, but for $39.99, they’re a great deal. I find them easy to put up, and they keep a decent battery charge and offer a pretty good field of vision. The resolution is great, and the system is extendable, which I really like. Pro tip: Get a Sync module so you can store clips locally, skipping the subscription. 

• Blink Outdoor 4 Camera, was $99.99, now $39.99

Ring Wired floodlight camera

As discounts go, 40% off is nothing to sneeze at, and as someone with a lot of Ring products at home, I like the level of notifications I can achieve after a few adjustments to the cameras settings. This 1080p camera has two-way talk in addition to the security siren.

• Ring Wired Floodlight Cam, was $199.99, now $119.99

from LifeHacker https://ift.tt/g3c4BMD