ROI of Outdoor Home Security Cameras: A Definitive Guide

Mar 17, 2025|

An outdoor home security camera can give you that much-needed peace of mind whether you're at work, in the backyard, or on vacation.

Outdoor security cameras record live footage of your property, deter burglars and vandals, and warn you about suspicious activity in the area. They also provide evidence of criminal activity in the event of theft or burglary.

For added security, modern outdoor cameras like the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro can proactively discourage potential intruders by alerting them that they've been spotted.

In this guide, we discuss the reasons outdoor home security cameras are worth the investment and how to choose the right surveillance system for your needs.

Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro (Gen 2) on a home's exterior.

How much do home invasions cost homeowners?

If you're worried about leaving your home unattended, you're not the only one. Many homeowners dread the moment when they leave their property and belongings behind.

Someone's home is broken into approximately every 26 seconds, and these break-ins cost victimized homeowners an average of $2,800 per incident.

How outdoor security cameras help prevent home invasions

One way burglars decide whether to invade a home is by seeing if it has a security system—particularly a security camera. Considering how much a home break-in could cost you, investing in an outdoor security camera that potential intruders can clearly see (such as near the front door) could save you thousands of dollars.

The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro's Smart Deter system even detects potential burglars and scares them off with a built-in siren and LED illumination.

To make the most out of your outdoor home security system, remember to keep your surveillance cameras where lurkers and intruders can see them. The best place to install your camera is on or near the front door.

Are outdoor home security cameras worth it?

Outdoor home security camera systems are a worthy investment if you're concerned about the security of your home and family. These rugged home devices can protect your valuables in a number of ways—from proactively preventing theft to helping you recover your valuables if they're stolen.

Choose Vivint's professional monitoring service for additional security benefits. Our smart home pros will monitor your house 24/7, 365 days a year and dispatch responders in case of an emergency if they can't reach you.

This way, you know that your home and family are always protected.

Home security camera options

With so many smart home security systems available, you might have trouble choosing the best security camera for you and your family.

The next sections explore three types of security camera systems—outdoor, indoor, and video doorbells—as well as what to look for in each.

Outdoor security cameras

Outdoor security cameras are essential for monitoring what's happening around your property and taking the necessary actions in an emergency.

Most outdoor wireless security cameras use a Wi-Fi network to capture and record real-time footage of your home, which you can view remotely on your smartphone or a central interface like the Vivint Smart Hub.

Thanks to technology, these rugged devices offer a plethora of features and integration options to provide total home security. Look for the following:

Weatherproofing. Outdoor cameras are made to tackle wind, hail, snow, and all sorts of extreme weather conditions and fluctuating temperatures. Invest in a weather-resistant camera with an IP rating above IP65, like the sleek, black-and-white Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro.
High resolution. The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro delivers HD video quality with 1080p and infrared color night vision, so you can see clearly at any time of day or night.
Person detection. Having a second pair of eyes looking at your home and scaring off lurkers might sound too good to be true, but that's exactly what the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro does. Equipped with an intelligent motion sensor and facial recognition technology, the Vivint camera detects lurkers and sends them away with loud sound and LED illumination.
Smart home integration. If you want to enjoy a fully automated home experience, an outdoor camera with smart home integration could be what you need. Check your device's compatibility with integrations like Google Assistant, Google Home, Apple Homekit, Amazon Alexa, and IFTTT technology.
24/7 monitoring. If you're worried about missing notifications or not acting early enough, our team of smart home pros can take the hard work off your shoulders with 24/7 professional monitoring. We'll send first responders straight away if we can't reach you.
Video storage options. Opt for a free cloud storage option if you want your wire-free home security system to access, manage, and share your footage on the go. Unlimited cloud storage is also available, but it may come with a monthly fee. Alternatively, you can choose a local storage option like a hard drive or microSD card.
Night vision and lighting. Choose a camera that can see clearly in the dark. You may also want a floodlight cam that illuminates when an intruder approaches, such as the Vivint Spotlight Pro.

Indoor security cameras

Like outdoor security cameras, indoor security cameras monitor and record an indoor view of your home.

Apart from deterring lurkers and providing evidence in the case of burglary, indoor smart security cameras pack a ton of features that can come in handy. Here are the things to consider as you compare your options:

Resolution. Today's indoor security cameras offer high-quality video footage that ranges between 720p to 4K HD/HDR. The Vivint Indoor Camera has a full 1080p HD video resolution that strikes the perfect balance between high-quality video streams and optimal storage. It also has a wide field of view, with 155° horizontal and 80° vertical angles.
Two-way audio capabilities. Apart from home security, indoor cameras can give you the peace of mind you need when leaving children, older adults, or pets alone at home. The Vivint Indoor Camera keeps you connected to your family through two-way talk.
Motion-triggered recording. The ability to watch the camera's recorded footage is a must for any indoor camera. The Vivint Indoor Camera features motion-triggered video recording so you can rewatch video clips—whether you want to check something suspicious or see if the pool cleaner came.
Customizable settings. Being able to customize your camera to fit the needs of your home and family is more important than you think. The Vivint Indoor Camera can schedule recordings, define custom motion zones, and alert you whenever something happens inside your home.
Smart home integration. Switching on the lights with voice-enabled technology? It's possible. Opt for an indoor Wi-Fi camera with smart home integration like the Vivint Indoor Camera and control everything through the Vivint Smart Hub.
Ease of installation. Installing your Vivint Indoor Camera is pretty easy to DIY, as you don't have to drill through walls or install complex wiring. However, it's best to contact a professional installer when setting up an entire home automation system.
Long battery life. If you're opting for a rechargeable battery-operated camera, make sure you invest in a model with good battery power. The last thing you want is to run out of battery while away from home.

Doorbell cameras

Video doorbells are small smart devices that attach to your front door. Besides acting as regular doorbells, video doorbells can also detect and record motion when something is happening outside your home.

Doorbell cameras can come in handy in various daily situations, including monitoring your home's surroundings when you're not around, getting notified when packages arrive, and talking to visitors.

Look for the following features:

Package detection. Considering that package theft is a common crime in the U.S., a doorbell camera that notifies you as soon as something arrives can be helpful. The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro knows when packages arrive and sends motion alerts through your mobile device or touch-screen base station.
Two-way talk. Whether you want to talk to a delivery person outside your door or ask an unexpected visitor what they need, two-way talk can help keep you and your family safe. You can do this through your mobile device or the Vivint Smart Hub.
Real-time recording. Use the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro to see what's happening at your doorstep. This camera records in real time, letting you see what's going on at your door even when you're hundreds of miles away. All you have to do is open your Vivint app.
Smart home integration. You can connect all your smart home devices to your mobile app for total home control. This way, you can lock the doors and set custom activity zones through the palm of your hand. You can even integrate the app with floodlight cameras to control the lighting outside your door.
Hardwiring. If possible, opt for a hardwired option over a battery-operated video doorbell. You don't want the battery to die and prevent you from spotting an unwelcome guest. For plug-in options like the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro, this won't be a concern.

Discover the best outdoor home security camera options from Vivint

Now that you know an outdoor security camera is worth the investment, how do you choose the best outdoor security camera to fit your family's needs?

Vivint security cameras check all the boxes when it comes to home security. Vivint cameras offer worry-free protection, with advanced features like remote viewing, scheduled recording, and motion detection.