Can Simplisafe Camera Be Used Outside
Security Cameras Brands to Consider
SimpliSafe ventures outdoors in a serious fashion.
Nosotros've been fans of SimpliSafe security systems for a while now. I of the things that has been missing from those systems, though? A high-quality outdoor camera. Indoor cameras are important to any security system, of course, simply nosotros want to be able to protect the perimeter of our holding besides. That means we need to have eyes on the outside of our home as well as the within.
The big question is – how does this new outdoor camera from SimpliSafe measure upward? We put it through its paces, and we have all the important details on how it performed. Read on to discover more.
Key Features
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera is definitely a expert-looking device. The photographic camera itself is a white cylinder with a black face. Information technology rests on a black, rounded mount with a unique look that is sleek and modern.
Of course, looks are swell, only this camera is more than merely a pretty face. It comes with several outstanding features.
Outdoor Rated
Let's start with the about of import characteristic of this camera: its ability to work outdoors. SimpliSafe has sold its SimpliCam for years, and that camera has e'er been a decent option for indoor recording. Upward until at present, though, if we wanted outdoor monitoring, we had to purchase a kit to turn the indoor photographic camera into an outdoor camera. That wasn't exactly the best solution. But now that SimpliSafe has an outdoor camera, is it really an outdoor photographic camera?
The respond is a resounding yep. How practice we know? For starters, we didn't need a kit. The outdoor camera mounts on an outdoor surface and works cracking equally-is. More importantly, this camera is outdoor rated at IP65. That ways it is completely dust-tight and can withstand depression-pressure water jets (think heavy rain). In addition, the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera works in temperatures ranging from minus twenty degrees to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. That might not exist enough for Arizona in July, merely it'll do the job for us in Brooklyn all twelvemonth round.
Built-in Siren
The new outdoor camera from SimpliSafe comes with a built-in siren. We liked the fact that we had a choice of how to use information technology. We set it upward to go off any time the camera detected motion, which made information technology handy for scaring off any potential intruders. Nosotros could have set it to silent mode as well. Sometimes nosotros want to capture what'due south happening on our front porch without letting anyone know we're filming.
Epitome Quality
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera features 1080p HD video resolution. That's the industry standard these days. There are some great cameras out in that location with resolution equally high as 4K, such as the Arlo Ultra, but 1080p HD provides crystal clear images, and nosotros don't demand a 4K screen to see them.
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera also offers a 140-degree field of view. We expect our cameras to see at to the lowest degree 110 degrees. All in all, nosotros were pretty pleased to have wide-angle viewing. The camera also features 8x digital zoom. That meant nosotros could tell exactly what costumes play tricks-or-treaters were wearing as they strolled upwards the sidewalk to our door this past Halloween.
Nighttime Vision
We wait our security cameras to work merely likewise at night as they do during the mean solar day. Later all, co-ordinate to the latest FBI statistics, 39 percent of all burglaries happen in the dark.1 The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera includes a congenital-in spotlight that turns on the moment information technology detects any motion. And we didn't just have nighttime vision; we had full-color night vision plus HDR. For those who don't know, HDR stands for loftier dynamic range. Cameras with HDR engineering science really take three pictures at once, which together provide more detail in darker and lighter areas than a single image.ii
Two-way Audio
We're not always looking to scare people off with a siren. Sometimes it'due south dainty to be able to have a chat with whoever happens to exist on our doorstep. Luckily, the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera comes with two-manner audio, some other feature we're ever looking for in security cams. Terminal week, we were able to ask our mail person well-nigh 2-day shipping without even getting out of bed.
Smart Detection
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera let us set up custom detection zones so we captured only what nosotros needed to. Fifty-fifty better, the camera uses bogus intelligence to differentiate between people, animals, and vehicles. That cut down on the number of false alarms we were getting from our neighbor's wandering dachshund. Was this characteristic always authentic? Unfortunately not. Just we didn't experience besides many false alarms during our tests.
Smart Platform Integration
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera works with both Google Banana and Alexa. That meant we were able to activate the camera and change settings using simply our voices. Although SimpliSafe isn't known for the best home automation options, the company is actually coming around and offering some super-smart features as of late. (The SimpliSafe home security system now works with Apple tree Lookout and August Smart Locks, too.)
Security Arrangement Integration
1 of the best things nearly SimpliSafe'south new outdoor photographic camera is simply that it's from SimpliSafe. Equally a event, information technology integrates seamlessly with all of SimpliSafe's other security products, including cameras, entry sensors, and keypads. All we had to do was install the camera, and our SimpliSafe organization detected it immediately.
Bombardment Powered
The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera is wireless, significant it runs on bombardment power. Luckily that battery can last between three and six months between charges, depending on usage. When we did demand to accuse it, it was simply a matter of plugging it into a wall outlet and leaving it there for 5 hours. That's pretty expert, peculiarly when compared to the viii hours required to charge batteries on Ring security cameras. For those who don't want to exit their cameras off, even for five hours, SimpliSafe sells a fill-in battery you can skid in while you lot're charging the main battery. Y'all can fifty-fifty eliminate charging altogether by investing in one of the company's solar chargers. Not every security company out there offers a solar pick for its cameras. The dwelling security system doesn't come with one, for instance. We ever like information technology when companies push the boundaries to make life just a little easier.
Wi-Fi
1 of the nicer features of the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera is that it includes ii Wi-Fi antennas. That meant we could position information technology on the opposite end of the house from the router and all the same become a strong connexion. Nothing frustrates united states more having to spend money on an antenna booster to make sure all our videos brand it safely to the deject. Nosotros loved the fact that we got that kind of coverage without having to purchase additional equipment.
DIY Setup
Nosotros had no trouble setting up our SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera. It took all of effectually five minutes, and about of that time was spent deciding where to place information technology. As we note in our guide to installing video cameras, information technology's always best to identify cameras out of easy reach and then no one can tamper with them. Of course, that meant pulling the ladder out of the garage, which added a couple of minutes to our installation time. Luckily, though, all we had to do was spiral the mountain on. The camera itself attaches to the mount using magnets, so all we had to do was stick it on. Those magnets also made it an piece of cake matter to conform the camera and then we could become but the right view of our front thou.
Storage Options
As with all SimpliSafe cameras, all storage is cloud storage. That's a little disappointing. We similar having local storage options so we don't take to purchase a storage plan if we don't want to. Still, SimpliSafe offers a depression-toll storage plan. For just $iv.99 a month, we got unlimited recording, and videos were stored for up to 30 days. You can run across more on pricing below. Of form, because the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera is wireless, it doesn't have the battery power to record non-cease. However, when the camera detects motion, information technology records for a minimum of five minutes, and longer if information technology continues to detect motility.
SimpliSafe Outdoor Price
SimpliSafe prices its outdoor camera at $169.99. That'due south $70 more than the SimpliCam, just this is a hardier camera, engineered specifically for outdoor apply. In fact, as outdoor cameras go, the SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera is at the lower end of the toll spectrum. Arlo Pro cameras cost $10 more, and Band's Spotlight Cam costs $199.99.
Of course, there are savings to be had if you packet your photographic camera with other SimpliSafe products. There's no discount specifically for the outdoor camera, merely if you purchase a camera as part of a security system bundle, SimpliSafe throws in its base station and a keypad for no charge.
In addition, you can discover SimpliSafe deals and discounts throughout the year. For Father's 24-hour interval this year, the company offered all its systems for 25 pct off and threw in a free SimpliCam. For Prime Twenty-four hours, everything was 40 pct off, including cameras. Here'southward hoping that SimpliSafe will include the outdoor camera in future sales.
Finally, you lot should know that the SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera comes with a lx-day return policy. That includes free shipping. Basically, yous tin can give the camera a endeavor for ii whole months without adventure. That's pretty generous. Most companies' satisfaction guarantees max out at 30 days or less.
Monitoring
SimpliSafe's monitoring plans tin can be a chip confusing, but it's worth taking the fourth dimension to sympathize them earlier yous commit to buying a camera.
Get-go, you can utilise the camera in a limited capacity for free. Obviously, the free programme doesn't include any professional monitoring or video storage. However, it does provide real-time alerts, and you lot tin can utilize your app to view the alive feed. In addition, you can control your camera using your mobile device, and the app includes a arrangement timeline that describes the last seven days of action.
If you want to add just storage, you tin can practise that for ane photographic camera or up to 5. Both storage plans permit for unlimited recording, and y'all can keep videos for up to 30 days.
Nosotros encourage you lot to sign up for 24/7 monitoring with whatsoever security cameras or system you utilise. The reason is elementary: unless you lot're a superhero, you tin can't possibly monitor your cameras all the time. With monitoring plans, you don't accept to. SimpliSafe will check your feeds any time there is an alarm and phone call you if in that location's a trouble. It will even call emergency services for you lot if you lot aren't available. SimpliSafe offers two kinds of monitoring: monitoring with and without video storage.
SimpliSafe Monitoring Plans and Prices
| Plan | Unmonitored | Self-monitoring storage, 1 camera | Self-monitoring storage, 5 cameras | Professional monitoring with no storage | Professional monitoring with storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real-time alerts | Yep | Aye | Yeah | Aye | Yes |
| Live video feeds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited storage for 30 days | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Person detection | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yep |
| Built-in cellular connexion | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dangerous temperature detection | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Water leak detection | No | No | No | Yes | Yeah |
| 24/7 fire, police, and medical dispatch | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Price per calendar month | Free | $4.99 | $9.99 | $fourteen.99 | $24.99 |
SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera vs. Arlo Pro 4
How does the SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera stand up against the competition? Well, nosotros put it caput-to-head against a comparable outdoor-rated camera, the Arlo Pro four. We considered how each camera performed in a variety of categories, and here's what we discovered.
- Resolution: The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera offers the industry-standard 1080p Hard disk resolution. That's non bad. Nevertheless, the Arlo Pro 4 has a maximum resolution of 2K. Next, the images from these two cameras won't look much dissimilar. However, if yous zoom in, the 2K will be sharper every time, with the Arlo Pro 4 winning by a olfactory organ.
- Field of view: Here again, the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera exceeds expectations, with a 140-caste field of view. However, the Arlo Pro 4, with its 160-degree field of view, still manages to outdo SimpliSafe, if just by 20 degrees.
- Night vision: When it comes to nighttime vision, the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera and the Arlo Pro 4 are remarkably similar. Both characteristic full-colour night vision images and both attain this by using a congenital-in, motion-activated spotlight.
- Artificial intelligence: Both cameras include person detection, which can aid eliminate false alerts. However, neither provide facial recognition, which is an up-and-coming technology in the security camera world.
- Smart platform integration: Here once more, SimpliSafe and Arlo run neck and neck. Both outdoor cameras work with Alexa and Google Home. Neither works natively with Apple Homekit, but you tin can go around this deficiency by purchasing an Apple Homebridge hub.
- IP ratings: The Arlo Pro 4 and the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera are advertised equally outdoor cameras. How well do they live upward to this merits? Both are rated IP65, which means they are dust-tight and capable of withstanding h2o from a nozzle. In addition, both cameras are capable of operating in temperatures up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. When it comes to low temperatures, though, SimpliSafe has the edge. It can operate in temperatures equally low as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, while the Arlo Pro 4 only works to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Battery: Both companies merits their cameras' batteries can last up to six months. Of class, claims are just that: claims. The truth is that battery life depends a great bargain on how you use your camera. In the end, this one is another toss-up.
- Storage: Nosotros like the option of local storage, and both the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera and the Arlo Pro 4 let usa down in this regard. Both offering cloud storage, although they each require y'all to pay for it. Arlo's cloud storage plan is but a tad cheaper at $ii.99 a calendar month for a single camera versus SimpliSafe'southward $4.99 per month price tag.
- Price: Finally, how do the two cameras compare when it comes to the earth-shaking issue of price? The SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera takes the prize at $169.99, which is $10 cheaper than the Arlo Pro 4.
In the terminate, which camera offers the best features for the all-time toll? The truth is there'southward not a lot of difference between them. Both include a congenital-in siren, both utilize magnetic mounts, and both are rated for outdoor use. The decision, then, really comes down to what you want in a camera. If you're looking for the sharpest, widest views, the Arlo Pro 4 is probably the way to go. Nonetheless, if you're looking to save a little money and enjoy ultra-fast installation and ease-of-apply, the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera is something to consider.
Video Review
The Bottom Line
Taking everything into account, we recollect the new SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera is a great purchase. For just $169.99, we got an IP65 rated device that delivered fantabulous video quality, rain or shine, twenty-four hour period or night. The 140-caste field of view isn't the widest on the marketplace, merely it's far from the smallest.
Nosotros loved having a siren we could turn on or off to accommodate our needs. We thought the person detection did a bully task of cut down on annoying false alarms. Most of all, though, we were impressed by the fact that SimpliSafe is able to offer an affordable outdoor photographic camera without skimping on extras like a 2d antenna. All in all, nosotros call back this camera makes for an excellent addition to the SimpliSafe family of products.
Looking for more than options for outdoor cameras? Check out our list of the all-time outdoor security cameras, the all-time wireless outdoor security cameras, and the all-time outdoor security systems.
FAQs
Want even more information about the SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera? Check out our FAQs below for answers to some of your well-nigh pop questions.
- Is SimpliSafe's Outdoor Camera any good?
Yeah, SimpliSafe has built a well-rounded outdoor camera. The camera features 1080p HD resolution, a 140-degree field of view, color night vision, and a built-in siren. In addition, information technology is rated IP65, which means it is dust-tight and can withstand low-ability h2o jets. It is also capable of operating in temperatures between minus 20 degrees and 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Do SimpliSafe security systems work with other cameras?
No, SimpliSafe systems aren't compatible with cameras from other companies. Because SimpliSafe makes its own line of cameras, it hasn't invested in finding ways to work with devices from other brands.
- What are the best outdoor security cameras?
According to our research and hands-on testing, the best outdoor cameras are produced past Lorex and Nest. Other great outdoor cameras include Arlo, Glimmer, and Band.
- Should I upgrade my SimpliSafe security system?
You lot should upgrade your SimpliSafe arrangement by calculation an outdoor camera. The SimpliSafe security organisation works groovy, and typically doesn't need to be updated. Even so, it's important to always go on up with the latest technology. If y'all haven't withal purchased the SimpliSafe Outdoor Photographic camera, it can be a useful addition to your full home security.
Source: https://www.security.org/security-cameras/simplisafe-outdoor/
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