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6 Best Floodlight Cameras in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
Recent technology has made home security better than it has ever been before. Instead of going through large and expensive security companies, you can buy and install your very own floodlight camera and have the feed sent straight to your phone. When it comes to home security, you want to know you are getting a good product. This guide includes six of the very best floodlight cameras available right now for users of all kinds. We have also included an in-depth buyer’s guide and FAQ section so you can know that you are making the best purchase for you.
Ring is an industry leader in household cameras because of their ease of use. Ring produces videos that go viral all of the time because their cameras are everywhere, and they work. While Ring is known for its doorbell cameras, they also make floodlight cameras. The Ring Floodlight Camera Wired Pro is the best floodlight camera on the market because of its design, features, and functionality.
The Ring Floodlight Camera Wired Pro includes two-way communication, hard-wired power, bright lights, a loud siren to scare away criminals, Alexa integration, and phone notifications. This is the most full-featured floodlight camera on the market right now. If you are looking for a permanent floodlight camera with all of the bells and whistles, this is the one for you.
The biggest downside is that without the subscription (Ring Protection Plan) you cannot save, edit, or share video clips. You will only get access to the continuous live feed. This camera is also expensive compared to some other competitor brands but that is because of a large number of features included. Altogether, this is one of the best overall floodlight security cameras available on the market right now brought to you by Ring.
Pros
Excellent video quality
Continuous monitoring
Alexa integration
Loud siren included
Bright lights illuminate the area
Cons
Requires subscription to save video
Pricey
2. Wyze Cam Floodlight with 2600 Lumen LEDs – Best Value
Home security does not have to break the bank. There are options available that are high quality and do not cost hundreds of dollars to obtain. The Wyze Cam Floodlight with 2600 Lumen LEDs is a versatile camera with extremely bright floodlights that can be had for a fraction of the cost of rival floodlight cameras. It’s the best floodlight camera for the money. This is a hard-wired camera that provides 270 degrees of motion activated light. The lights are dimmable if 2600 lumens are too much for your yard. The camera also features colored night vision and AI-enhanced detection ability.
The biggest downside of the Wyze Cam Floodlight with 2600 Lumen LEDs is the fact that it requires a subscription to operate. Getting the camera set up and linked to your account and paying for the subscription is a chore. Without the subscription, the camera has very minimal functionality. Issues with the camera are also stymied by poor customer service and backend support. Keep those things in mind before hitting that buy button. Once you get through the setup process, this camera really is great and a true value.
Pros
Very affordable
Extremely bright floodlights
AI-enhanced motion detection
Colored night vision
Cons
Requires subscription
Tricky to set up
Poor support
3. Google Nest Cam with Floodlight – Premium Choice
Google is a household name, and their Nest Camera is one of the best floodlight cameras available today. Hard-wired cameras have many benefits over battery-powered and solar cameras. Hard-wired cameras are always on as long as the power is running. Google brings its quality and innovative prowess to the fore with its Nest Camera. This camera can be integrated with your entire Google Home system and phone for easy access. It has bright floodlights, a communication system, AI-enhanced recording abilities, a 1-hour backup in case the power goes out, and it can even recognize friendly faces and regular visitors. Google Nest Cam with Floodlight is innovative, versatile, and effective. If you are looking for the best hard-wired camera available, you need to give this option a hard look.
The biggest downside is the price. Google’s quality does not come cheaply. There are numerous options available that can be bought for a lot less money, but they do not have all of the features and support that you get with this camera.
Pros
Round-the-clock monitoring
One-hour backup system
Google integrated
Super high-quality design
Cons
Pricey
4. Blink Outdoor 3rd Gen Camera + Floodlight – Best Battery Powered
The Blink Outdoor 3rd Gen Camera + Floodlight is a great battery-powered camera that does not require sunny weather or live wires for it to function. It provides high fidelity HD video that can be beamed straight to your favorite device. The camera is powered by simple AA batteries, and the floodlights are powered by D batteries. Each flood light produces 700 lumens of light and can be customized to kick on at certain ranges and motion levels. Since this camera is battery-powered, installing it is really a breeze. Just make sure you are in Wi-Fi range.
The Blink Outdoor 3rd Gen Camera + Floodlight does have some drawbacks to be aware of. First, the camera only runs when motion is detected. That is to save on battery life. Otherwise, this thing would drain itself in mere days. Second, to get the most functionality out of this camera, you need to subscribe to a Blink Subscription Plan which is an extra cost.
IHOXTX Security Camera is a simple and affordable option for solar powered security at home. This camera provides 1080p HD video quality, an easy to install solar panel, and two small floodlights. If installed in direct sunlight, this camera is able to provide 365 days of continuous protection. The case is weather resistant and also includes a durable two-way talk system that allows you to communicate with people on camera. There are not that many solar powered floodlight cameras available that provide good video and reliable power, but IHOXTX Security Camera is one of them.
The biggest letdown of the IHOXTX Security Cameras is the floodlights. The lights are very small and do not provide as much light as competitors. They are more akin to flashlights than floodlights. The lack of light makes the night vision very poor in some situations.
Pros
HD video quality
Easy to install
Solar power is effective
Includes microSD and two-way talk
Cons
Poor floodlight power
Poor night vision
6. ieGeek Solar Security Cameras – Easiest to Install
ieGeek Solar Security Cameras are perfect for people who are not comfortable installing complicated electrical floodlights and cameras. This camera can be put up almost anywhere on the outside of your house. It requires no intense installation, no construction, no electrician work, and no experience. Simply pick your spot and secure the camera with the included fasteners. Just make sure that the solar panel can get strong sunlight during the day. One full day of sun can power the camera and light for up to three days afterward, which is a great return.
This camera provides excellent 2K quality images, onboard storage, 600-lumen lights, no wires, strong wireless connectivity, and the ability to quickly share your camera’s live feed with family and friends as needed. The camera is super affordable and easy to install. The biggest downside to the ieGeek Solar Security Cameras Wireless Outdoor revolves around rainy weather. Rainy weather prevents the camera from getting the necessary power, and it also causes the lens to fog and become blurry. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain you might be disappointed in this camera’s performance.
Pros
Super easy to install
2K image quality
Onboard storage included
Affordable
Cons
Issues working in the rain
Some connection issues reported
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Floodlight Cameras
Installation
Before buying, check to see what the installation requirements are for each camera. Some floodlight cameras can be easily installed by anyone. Other floodlight cameras require basic knowledge of low-voltage wiring and the presence of a junction box. Some cameras have solar panels that need to be installed and arranged properly in order to get enough sunlight to power the camera all night. Buy cameras that you are comfortable installing. If you are not comfortable installing certain types of floodlight cameras, you can usually hire a professional to do it for you, but it will cost extra money.
Image Quality
Check the image quality of your floodlight camera before making a final purchase. Higher resolutions allow you to make out finer details in your footage. Many cameras today have excellent resolutions during the day but poor resolutions at night. Look to see what kind of night vision your camera comes with (if any). If you want to use your floodlight camera as a nighttime eye in the sky, you need to make sure that the resolution and night features will allow you to see things after dark.
Image Credit: Joy Horton, Shutterstock
Brightness of Floodlights
Not all floodlights are created equally. Some floodlights are much brighter than others, and some floodlights only produce 600 lumens of light which is about half that of a typical lightbulb. If you want a really bright floodlight, you need to keep your eyes on the lumen values of each light. The higher the lumen count, the brighter the lights.
Low
>1000 lumens
Average
1000–1500 lumens
Bright
1500+ lumens
Camera Placement
Another thing you want to consider is where you are going to put your camera. Some cameras will work better in certain locations than others. Common locations for floodlight cameras are the corners of houses, over garage doors, and on outbuildings like sheds or barns. You want to consider if your camera location has power available, how much light you need to illuminate the area, and what the camera will be looking at.
Extra Features
Keep an eye out for extra features. Extra features include two-way audio, sirens, adjustable brightness, a specialized application, motion sensors, timers, and more. Not all floodlight cameras have all of these features. Some basic cameras simply have the light and the camera with some audio capability. The more extra features you get, the better the value and the more versatile the camera. Not everyone will be drawn to all of these features. Some people might want a siren. Others might want the two-way communicator. Choose a camera with the features that are best for you and your family.
Subscription Services
Some cameras have extra fees and subscription services to get all of the functionality out of them. For example, in order to get playback capability with a Ring camera, you must subscribe to a Ring subscription plan. Without the plan, you can only access the live feed with no storage options available. Subscription services can lock some features behind a paywall and add a monthly fee to your overall cost.
FAQs
What Are the Benefits of a Floodlight?
Floodlights have numerous benefits for home security. They are a deterrent force. Criminals do not want to approach a house with a floodlight because they do not want to draw attention to themselves or be identified on camera. Floodlights provide ample light for your cameras to get a better view than in the dark. Floodlights can also help keep animals away by scaring them off if they wander through your yard. Lastly, floodlights help to alert you to something going on. If you see your motion-activated floodlight kick on, you know that something is moving out by your camera. All these things offer a lot of benefits for a home security setup.
Image Credit: Joy Horton, Shutterstock
Are Floodlight Cameras Easy to Install?
Sometimes. Floodlight cameras that do not require hard wiring are much easier to install than hard-wired cameras. However, wireless cameras require solar panels or batteries to function, which has a higher chance of faltering or failing than hard-wired cameras. Hard-wired cameras can be tricky to install. They require working with live wires and utilizing a junction box for the best results. All of these cameras can be installed by the owner, but some of them require more knowledge and experience than others.
What’s the Difference Between a Spotlight Camera and a Floodlight Camera?
Some cameras say they are spotlight cameras rather than floodlight cameras. Spotlight cameras have a narrower beam and a much dimmer light. Spotlight cameras focus on illuminating an area in a nice light. Floodlight cameras produce a large pool of very bright light. Floodlight cameras are designed to startle or ward off people and animals by flooding an area with sudden light. The cameras on this list are all floodlight cameras but there are some spotlight cameras available online if you want something a little softer for your house.
Conclusion
Floodlight cameras are a great way to add some enhanced security features and peace of mind to your home. Floodlight cameras light up the night, provide round-the-clock monitoring, and are easy to operate. These floodlight cameras represent some of the best available on the market right now. There are hard-wired options, solar options, and battery options for all types of users. Just pick the one with the features that are right for you.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
