Best outdoor security camera system for business

Bottom line: In our opinion, Frontpoint is the best video surveillance system for small businesses. It offers security solutions beyond just cameras, such as smart locks and motion sensors. We also suggest Google Nest if you need outdoor security that can stand up to bad weather. Lorex's bulk camera packages and high resolution make it great for businesses that need multiple outdoor cameras for multiple business locations.

With a video surveillance system, you can use your camera’s motion detectors to prevent theft before business hours. You can record customer interactions to catch potential shoplifters during the day. And you can check in via your mobile device after closing time to make sure your office is locked up tight. Let's dive into the best security camera systems for businesses to find the right one for you.

Best security camera systems for small businesses in 2022

• : Best overall
• : Best budget pick
• : Best outdoor system
• : Best wireless system
• : Best for small offices

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Cost of Frontpoint indoor camera ($74.99) + req'd Frontpoint hub and keypad ($99).
**Outdoor camera only

Frontpoint: Best surveillance camera system for small businesses

Frontpoint

4.5

Plans starting at

$173.99*

• Complete security solutions

• Customizable plans

• Unlimited cloud-based storage

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Cost of Frontpoint indoor camera ($74.99) + req'd Frontpoint hub and keypad ($99).

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available only with Frontpoint hub and keypad, which costs an additional $99

Our top pick for small-business video monitoring systems is Frontpoint—mostly because Frontpoint doesn’t just provide high-definition cameras.

Because Frontpoint is a security company (not just a hardware manufacturer), you can get all the security options you need to outfit your business. We’re talking smart light controls, smart locks, keypads, motion sensors, carbon monoxide detectors—anything and everything you need to make your workplace safe, efficient, and comfortable.

Of course, Frontpoint also offers excellent equipment options for your security camera system. Most Frontpoint cameras include 1080p video quality and two-way voice communication, and the Premium Indoor Camera features the widest viewing angle of any camera on our list. Plus, you can DIY install all your equipment—no extra fees for CCTV camera installation.

We also like that Frontpoint offers monitoring to go with your system. But word to the wise, that doesn’t mean a Frontpoint employee is going to sit in front of a screen and actually watch your video surveillance system for you. Instead, the system will detect anything out of the ordinary and alert you via push notifications on your phone, tablet, and other devices. 

Unlike some of the brands on our list, Frontpoint's cameras aren't available as standalone products. You must purchase a Frontpoint camera as part of a larger Frontpoint system. You can build your own package, but the least you'll pay along with the cost of any cameras is a $99 flat fee for Frontpoint's monitoring hub and keypad system.

Blink Outdoor: Most affordable security camera system

Blink

4.0

• Low pricing

• Strong night vision capabilities

• Voice control via Amazon Alexa

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

The Blink Outdoor camera is by far the most affordable outdoor camera on our list, with single-camera systems starting at just $99.99. But don’t let the price fool you—the Blink Outdoor camera also brings the heat in terms of quality.

Blink Outdoor cameras are multifunctional, meaning they can be used both indoors and outdoors. They’re also fairly resilient when used outdoors, as they can operate in anything from -4° weather to scorching 113° heat waves. And the mobile app (available on iOS and Android) makes it easy to find your system’s remote viewing options from whatever device you use.

And since the Blink Outdoor camera is an Amazon product, it's 100% compatible with Alexa and an Amazon-based smart home system.

Of course, that’s not to say that the Blink Outdoor system is flawless. While the cloud storage for your video recordings is free, you can only store clips—the short recordings triggered by motion in front of your camera. That’s a little disappointing considering Nest, Arlo, and Lorex all offer continuous recording options.

What’s more, many Blink customers report that the battery on the camera lasts much less than the advertised two years, and the night vision range on the camera leaves something to be desired.

On the whole, though, if your small business is on a tight budget and you need only a few cameras, Blink Outdoor is a good choice.

Nest Cam Outdoor: Best video surveillance system for outdoors

Nest Cam Outdoor

4.0

• Connects to Google's other smart home perks

• Enhanced features, like facial recognition

• Strong night vision capabilities

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

There’s a lot to love about Nest security camera systems—especially if your business needs a few weatherproof outdoor cameras.

Nest cameras feature top-notch weatherproof housing that can withstand cold temps down to -40°F and hot temps up to 113°F. In other ways, they can handle outdoor surveillance in both frigid Alaska temps or the punishing Arizona heat. And the Nest Cam Outdoor has a decent night vision range of 50 feet.

For additional monitoring, alerts, and recording, sign up for a Nest Aware plan. These plans start at $6 a month.  Each plan includes 24/7 recording plus intelligent alerts that filter out cars and other objects. And if you pair a Nest Aware plan with a Nest Cam device, you also get facial recognition, smart zoom and follow, and the ability to set activity zones (which helps prevent false alerts).

We think those features make the storage upgrade worth the extra cost, but it is totally optional. Without a plan, you’ll still get a quality camera with a great viewing angle. And you’ll still be able to catch major alerts from your iOS or Android device as they come in.

Arlo Essential: Best wireless security camera system for businesses

Arlo Essential

4.0

• Full-featured wireless camera

• Solar-powered camera options

• Night vision range of 300 ft.

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Don’t want to deal with intense installation on your surveillance system? A wireless system might be your best bet. And our favorite wireless security camera system has to be the Arlo Essential.

We absolutely love that the Arlo Essential can use a solar panel for power. That means lower power bills, less money spent on AA batteries, and greater reliability (since you don’t have to worry about your wireless cameras running out of juice). And the Arlo Essential packs a punch with built-in alarm systems that can go off anytime your smart surveillance system notices anything out of the ordinary.

If you want additional storage and the ability to notify emergency services directly from your phone, sign up for an Arlo Secure plan. If you want to sync unlimited cameras to your security system, you'll pay $9.99 a month on top of the cost of the cameras. If you have just one camera, you'll pay $2.99 a month.

Lorex: Best resolution outdoor camera

Lorex

4.0

• Bulk camera quantity discounts

• Tailored to business needs

• Up to 4K resolution

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Data as of 8/5/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Lorex is a top-notch brand that offers quite a few CCTV camera systems. It stands out in a few key ways. At $99.99, its high-resolution cameras are fairly affordable. Its night-vision capability isn't quite as far as an Arlo camera, but 150 feet of full-color filming is pretty good.

But Lorex's cameras, while intense, aren't the most user-friendly. And $99 seems like a pretty low price—and it is, but the systems you need to support the camera itself puts it at a way higher starting price.

So if getting the perfect shot in full color and high resolution is your key security system ask, Lorex is a great choice. But if you're looking for the cheapest, easiest system, Lorex definitely isn't it.

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The takeaway

There are tons of commercial security camera systems on the market, but our overall favorite is the robust Frontpoint system, which you can mix and match with other security system devices. Plus, Frontpoint offers monitoring—though you’ll still have to keep tabs on your system yourself using the mobile app.

For businesses on a budget, we recommend the Blink XT2, which starts at just $99.99 for a single-camera system.

We also prefer the outdoor capabilities of Nest systems, the solar panel and other wireless perks of the Arlo Pro 2, and the hard-to-hack DVR storage included with the Lorex C581DA system.

Looking to build out your business security system? Check out the pros and cons of the top providers in our guide to the best business security systems.

Related content

• The Best Security Cameras for Businesses
• How Your Small Business Benefits from Network Security
• The Best Business Security Systems to Protect Your Small Business

FAQs about small-business surveillance systems

How many cameras does my business need?

That depends on a few factors.

• Power usage
  Some cameras use more power than others, and we’re not all made of money. Make sure you don’t get so many cameras that it overwhelms your budget (or your circuit breaker).
• Office size
  The larger your workplace, the more cameras you need to cover every square foot. Of course, if you’re only looking to monitor specific areas (like the cash register or safe), the size of your workplace may be irrelevant.
• Field of view and pan tilt
  If you get a camera with a narrow viewing angle, you should consider getting more cameras to monitor every area of your business. However, if your camera has a narrow viewing angle but a wide pan tilt, you may be fine to scale back your number of cameras (as long as you frequently pan the cameras to take in every corner of the room).
• Frame rate
  Frame rate refers to the number of frames per second captured by your camera. If your camera of choice has a low frame rate, more cameras may be a worthwhile investment to help lower your chances of missing an important incident.

Do I need a video surveillance system if my building already offers security?

If your building offers security, you might not need your own video surveillance system. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea.

Office security systems can include guards, 24/7 video monitoring, door controls, or any number of fancy features. In that case, getting your own surveillance system within your office suite isn’t a necessity—though it would still be valuable if for no other reason than giving you remote monitoring capabilities.

Alternatively, your building’s security system could consist of nothing more than a couple bubble cameras that only monitor hallways and office entries. Businesses with this type of building security should definitely consider getting their own CCTV setup to provide adequate protection for their assets.

In the end, installing your own security system will do wonders for your peace of mind, and you can’t put a price tag on that.

What’s the difference between DVR and NVR?

DVR stands for digital video recording, whereas NVR stands for network video recording. What does that mean? Basically, it comes down to where and how your system’s videos are recorded and stored.

In a DVR system, cameras have to be hardwired to a DVR device. When your camera captures video, it’s sent to the DVR via coaxial cable. The DVR then processes the image data and saves it as a video recording on its hard drive.

Because DVR systems must be hardwired with coax cable, they’re not as versatile as NVR options. Coax is stiff, larger than other cables, and incapable of transmitting audio, so DVR systems often have to run large amounts of cabling through walls and ceilings to connect each camera to the DVR.

NVR systems, on the other hand, can be wired or wireless. NVR cameras capture images, process them, then transmit them to the NVR—either via your Wi-Fi network or an ethernet cable. The NVR then saves the already-processed video. Alternatively, NVR cameras can save video images to their own internal storage using a microSD card.

If connected by ethernet cables, NVR systems tend to be easier than DVR systems to install (since ethernet is smaller, more flexible, and capable of transmitting audio). However, NVR systems that connect via Wi-Fi are a bit more susceptible to hacking, as hackers can intercept and control camera signals simply by accessing the network.

In the end, both DVR and NVR systems are great options for your surveillance system. The right choice just depends on your workspace and privacy preferences.

Methodology

We carefully examined each camera solution's resolution, night vision capabilities, suitability for businesses, connection to other smart technologies, and overall value for the money, among other factors.

Disclaimer

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.

Sources

1. Law360, "Catching Them Red-Handed: Preventing Employee Theft". June 19, 2015. Accessed December 21, 2021.

Written by

Courtenay Stevens

Courtenay cut her teeth (and occasionally her tongue) on the world of business when she was eight years old, licking envelopes to help her dad mail calendars to his clients. Ever since, she has fostered a passion for entrepreneurship, which makes small business one of her favorite topics to write about. When Courtenay isn’t writing, she enjoys podcasting about pop culture and attempting to keep up with her hellspawn (aka children).