It is one of the best things you can do for your property and it happens to be investing in outdoor security cameras. A decent camera can be a game changer whether you want to watch your visitors, keep an eye on your packages, or check that everything is safe at home while you’re out and about. But security should not be subscription based, and therefore hidden. Which is why I compiled this list of the best outdoor security cameras under $200 in 2025 that don’t have subscription fees.
Not only do those security cameras give you premium features such as optical zoom, auto-tracking, and panoramic view, but you also do not need to force a subscription down your throat. Super inexpensive, also. They all have been field-tested by me, and each of them is made for a person who wants quality security that simply works. Let’s dive into the details.
Reasons Why Outdoor Security Cameras Are Essential
Imagine this: You are mowing the lawn, decided to take a break. So you go in for a drink, you come out and something is off. Why would you even know what happened while you were gone without the video footage? This is one example of how a security camera can come in handy. From delayed packages to surprise guests, having video footage might save you a bundle.
Before knowing the best Outdoor security camera, you need to now, Outdoor security cameras are not only for the prevention of crime. These help you monitor things remotely, give you peace of mind, and keep you informed about what is happening on your property.
Best Outdoor Security Cameras Without Subscription I Love and Recommend in 2024
Camera types, the cameras I have chosen are:
- Top Quality Pan tilt Zoom (PTZ) Camera
- Best Battery-Powered Camera
- Best 180 Degree Panoramic View Camera
- Best Dual-Lens PTZ Camera
- Best Bullet PoE Camera
Now let’s pull apart each one, what it is good for, and their performance during my testing.
Ace CAM 8MP PoE PTZ Camera Best PTZ Camera
Why it is great: The Ace CAM 8 Megapixel PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera is your 24/7 dedicated security. And through its 20x optical zoom, you can clearly read a license plate from 80 meters away. That’s right—80 meters. This would include someone loitering at a distance, or a car that had just parked down the road, and this camera provides the details.
Key Features
20x Optical zoom: This is imperative while capturing images from a distance especially when you need to identify a license plate.
Auto-Tracking: The camera will instantly track people, provided they’re moving at a normal pace.
Cruise: You can set the camera to patrol an area, which is a useful way to monitor multiple points on your property.
Technical Specs
20 FPS at 3840×2160 resolution
Field of View: 350° Pan, 90° Tilt
Lens: 4.7 to 94 mm (for optical zoom)
Storage : Up to 256GB MicroSD card support
Other Features: Human & car detection, two way audio, Onvif NVR compatible
Best For:
Ideal for monitoring expansive open spaces. With plenty of zoom and auto-tracking, this camera allows a lot of space to fit in. From your backyard to a parking lot, to the end of a long driveway, the Ace CAM keeps a watchful eye on all of it.
Drawbacks:
The zoom-in is certainly good, but auto-tracking can’t manage at high speeds — for example, if someone is running. However, it does just fine for average walking speeds.
Day/Night Performance
The camera performs exceptionally well in both day and night time tests. Despite poor lighting conditions, the image quality remains crisp using night vision IR lights built into the device.
Best Outdoor Security Cameras Without subscription
With Battery: Anran C3
Why we like it: If you need battery-powered security, the Anran C3 is a great option. No messy wires. The best part? This has a solar panel that can power it year-round, if you put it in the right place.
Key Features
Solar-Powered: Place it in a sun-facing spot, and you will literally never have to touch the battery, ever.
Video with Full-Color, Night Vision: The camera can record tone due to the built-in spotlights that turn on when it sees motion at night.
Does not require WiFi: You won’t receive app notifications if you’re not on WiFi, but the camera is still recording for you.
Technical Specs
Capture Resolution: 2048 x 1536 @ 15 FPS
Viewing Angle: 135°
False Alarms Reduction: PIR Motion Detector
IP67 Waterproof: Ready for rain, snow or dust
Storage: Up to 128GB MicroSD card supported
Best For:
Cost-effective if you need a wire-free system, particularly in a sunny location, and can be obtained long-term at no charge. Place it somewhere with low traffic so that battery last longer, you should be good.
Drawbacks:
You lose some image quality, especially relative to wired cameras, because it has to be battery-powered. Not only that, if the door is in a frequently used area, the camera is going to wake up a wee bit too much so it’s going to deplete the battery faster.
Day/Night Performance
During testing, we found it to be acceptable during the daytime, but a little noisy at night. That said, the color night vision is something that distinguishes it from the other battery-operated cameras out there.
Top 180° Panororama Camera: Anis 8MP Turret Camera
What makes it so great: The Anis 8 MP turret camera uses a pair of cameras that seamlessly stitch the footage together and give you a wide 180° field of view so you can see everything. The twofold appearance implies you get basically two cameras for one.
Key Features
180° Full View: No blind spots, as the camera stitches the footage to provide a full 180° view.
Integrated Spotlights: These are primarily for alarms, not for sight, and despite this, the camera still works well in low illumination.
License plate readable or identification possible from max. 15 m
Technical Specs
Rendering at 4096×1840, 20 FPS
Lens: 2.8 mm
Viewing Angle: 180°
AI Functions: Human detection, vehicle detection, intrusion detection, line-cross detection.
MicroSD Card: Up to 512GB (Supports ExFAT)
Best For:
If you are looking for the ideal camera for a space that needs to cover a large area without the mounting of various cameras, the wide viewing angle makes this the perfect camera. Great for Aversion of blind spots when you want to keep the whole area under surveillance.
Drawbacks:
None major. The only small downside is the spotlights — they do not help you see at night, just warn. However, even without them, the camera still does well with night-time recording — with ambient light.
Day/Night Performance
Both in the day and at night, it was a pleasant performer with the camera. It provides seamless stitching between the two lenses, ensuring that your wide-angle shots stay continuous.
Best Dual-Lens PTZ Camera: Reolink TrackMix
Reason for Awesome: The Reolink TrackMix offers a dual-lens systems, a first in this form factor. The first is an ultra wide angle while the other one is a zoom lens that gives a more cropped view. This comes handy when you are zooming in but you don’t wanna miss everything that is happening in the scene.
Key Features
Dual-Lens Configuration: Wide-angle (4K) and a Telephoto (1080p).
Tracking-Auto: This mode of tracking is of two types, one to track the human being and the other to track the vehicle.
Color nighttime vision: Thanks to integrated spotlights.
Technical Specs
4K wide-angle, 1080p telephoto resolutions
Camera Orientation: 355° panning, 90° tilting
Lens: 2.8 mm wide-angle; 8 mm telephoto
Storage: Up to 256GB MicroSD Support
Best For:
It is a great camera for when you need a wide field of view as well as closer view, such as a large property you need to cover that you may want to zoom in on an area.
Drawbacks:
The telephoto caps out at 1080p, which is great but certainly not quite as crisp as the 4K wide-angle.
Day/Night Performance
The ability to compare both lenses side by side is super handy and the transition to night mode is pretty much instant. When testing, the brightness even in the low light situations was good even at a long distance.
Best Bullet PoE Camera: Reolink RLC-811A
What makes it great: The Reolink RLC-811A is a bullet-style PoE (Power over Ethernet) camera. You will not need to choose between wide-angle or zoom because this camera can do both by incorporating a 5x optical zoom.
Key Features
A 5x optical zoom to focus on specific areas of interest.
Time-Lapse: Perfect for Long-Term processes such as Renovations or Gardening.
PoE: A single network cable for power and data
Technical Specs
The resolution is 3840×2160 at 25fps.
Lens: 2.7 to 13.5 mm
Night Vision: Aided by five integrated spotlights
Storage: MicroSD card (Up to 256GB support)
Best For:
If you are unsure about what lens size you need, this adjustable zoom can make this a versatile option. As well as being perfect for anyone who enjoys creating timelapse captures of building or gardening projects.
Drawbacks:
Good quality for an unprecedented price, there are no real cons here.
Day/Night Performance
Its performance is a highlight in both daytime and nighttime tests. It also comes with spotlights to boost night vision and even records in color in total darkness.
Conclusion
If you head under $200, you have quite a few great options for your best outdoor security cameras without a subscription fee.