What are the best outdoor cameras for cold winters… wireless and with local + remote storage?

Discussion Forum
1

Helping a family member set up cameras for their house. Here’s the situation:

  • Location: Canada, so really cold winters.
  • Need 3 cameras, one above each entrance door.
  • Video quality should be good enough to identify someone if needed.
  • Must have night vision.
  • Would prefer a mobile app.
  • Local storage (SD card) but also some backup in case the cameras are stolen. Maybe something on the home WiFi or cloud?
  • Cameras should be wireless for both power (solar/battery) and data.
  • No monthly fees.
2

I’d say trail cameras are your best bet. Most wireless cameras with batteries don’t perform well, especially in freezing temperatures.

3

If the cameras are mounted on the house, I suggest skipping the wireless option and going for Power-over-Ethernet (PoE).

Drill a small hole to run Ethernet cables to each camera. These cables provide power and data, making them much more reliable in extreme cold. Many PoE cameras are rated for -40°C.

4

@Merritt
I get it, but how would I run PoE cables to all four sides of the house? Are there better WiFi or mesh options available now?

5

Darian said:
@Merritt
I get it, but how would I run PoE cables to all four sides of the house? Are there better WiFi or mesh options available now?

PoE cables are small and low-voltage, so you could run them discreetly through the eaves or walls.

As for WiFi options, they exist, but many are vulnerable to signal jammers. This has been reported in places like Minnesota and Los Angeles, so security might be a concern.

6

I recommend Lorex Fusion cameras. In the US, Costco has a great deal on an NVR package with 8 PoE cameras. I use them, and even in winter, they work perfectly (aside from Christmas lights triggering motion occasionally).

The Lorex Home app is free but a bit slow. You can add both wired and wireless cameras to the same app. If you have an NVR with extra channels, you can also record video from wireless cameras. Most Fusion cameras support SD cards too.

7

@Josie
Are these cameras powered by an electric cable?

8

Darian said:
@Josie
Are these cameras powered by an electric cable?

Yes. For wired cameras, the NVR provides power through Ethernet (PoE). For their wireless models, they need a nearby power outlet for electricity.

9

A friend in Alaska swears by Axis cameras, especially the “LVE” series for extreme cold. Other brands like Reolink or Dahua tend to fail within a few years in harsh outdoor conditions. Axis cameras last for over 15 years, but they are pricey.

Here’s what I’d recommend:

  1. Avoid their M series; go for P or Q series cameras.
  2. Check eBay or Facebook Marketplace for used models to save money.
  3. For doorways, Axis A-8105E cameras are great. They work as an intercom and handle cold weather well despite being 2MP.
  4. Use surveillance-grade SD cards (32GB should be enough for home use).
  5. Free cloud storage via Axis Edge Cloud is an option.
  6. If you want doorbell functionality, Axis I8116-E is a newer model with object recognition (like identifying vehicles or people). It’s expensive, though.
  7. Pair the cameras with smart locks or a relay for remote door control.

I’ve had this setup for years and love it. My family and I can monitor all four doors remotely via the mobile app, even while traveling.

10

@Ainsley
Do Axis cameras require their own branded SD cards? I’ve seen mentions of that.

11

Merritt said:
@Ainsley
Do Axis cameras require their own branded SD cards? I’ve seen mentions of that.

Not sure about that. I’ve always used regular endurance-grade SD cards without issues.