Are you looking for the best outdoor security cameras without subscriptions? You’re at the right place! Keeping your house safe without being forced into monthly fees and cloud privacy is a smart approach towards building your smart home setup.
I’ve tested and compared countless outdoor security cameras from reputable brands like Reolink, Lorex, Wyze, and Eufy. They all offer killer value without making you pay monthly for keeping your home safe. Let’s start and find which brand suits you best.
What is the best security camera for outside without a subscription? (Quick Answer!)
Here are my top picks for best no monthly fee security cameras:
- Reolink Argus 3 Pro (Best Overall) >>> Jump to review
- EufyCam 3 (Best smart features) >>> Jump to review
- Lorex Fusion 4K NVR Kit (Best for full property coverage) >>> Jump to review
- Blink Outdoor 4 (Best battery life) >>> Jump to review
The final decision comes down to your specific needs and budget:
- If you want high resolution, go with EufyCam 3 or Lorex 4K NVR Kit.
- If you’re not a fan of wired setups, all models are fine (especially Reolink Argus 3 Pro or EufyCam 3) except for Lorex.
- If you want fancy AI detection features, Eufy’s camera is the right choice for you.
- If you need something that’s just plug-and-play, Blink Outdoor 4 is the ultimate choice.
Here’s a full comparison table of the best outdoor security cameras without subscription:
| Camera | Video Resolution | Power Source | Storage Type | Weather Rating | Special Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reolink Argus 3 Pro | 2K Super HD | Rechargeable battery + optional solar | microSD card / Reolink NVR | IP65 | Balanced features, smart AI detection |
| EufyCam 3 | 4K Ultra HD | Built-in solar + rechargeable battery | HomeBase 3 with up to 16TB | IP67 | On-device AI + huge expandable storage |
| Lorex 4K NVR Kit | 4K Ultra HD | Wired PoE | NVR with upgradeable HDD | IP66 | Stable wired system for large properties |
| Blink Outdoor 4 | 1080p Full HD | 2× AA lithium batteries | USB flash drive via Sync Module 2 | IP65 | Exceptional battery life & easy setup |
Best No Monthly Fee Security Cameras
Reolink Argus 3 Pro (Best Overall)
After testing dozens of outdoor cameras, I’ve decided to crown Reolink Argus 3 Pro as my top choice! You may ask: why? Well, not only does it offer 2K Super HD resolution, but it also comes with a rechargeable battery that can be paired with a small solar panel.
This wire-free model, when paired with its solar panel, helps you put the camera in spots where wiring would be a nightmare.
Night vision is also good, and you can get color images even in very low light. Plus, motion detection lets you filter alerts for people, vehicles, or both.
The most significant advantage here is Reolink’s local storage options; it is handled via a microSD card, and it can also connect to a Reolink NVR that gives you a range of storage options, from 8TB on smaller models up to a massive 48 TB on the RLN36! That’s enough for weeks or even months of footage. Isn’t that just amazing?
In addition, the camera’s IP65 rating ensures that it can handle harsh weather very well, and you can fully rely on it in the long run.
Pros:
- 2K resolution with excellent night vision.
- Flexible power options
- Some AI detection features that are acceptable
- No mandatory cloud service
Cons:
- 2K resolution can take up storage faster
- Investing in an NVR does increase your initial costs
- Battery life goes down faster with continuous recording
EufyCam 3 (Best Smart Features)
This one is a blend of high-quality resolution and advanced features.
EufyCam 3 delivers 4K Ultra HD resolution, and they don’t lie about it; the image you see on screen is impressive, you can actually zoom in on footage without it turning into a pixelated mess.
Additionally, this camera comes with on-device AI, instead of sending footage to a cloud server, the camera processes motion events locally and identifies pets, vehicles, or people right on the spot. There are reports of false alarms and inconsistencies in AI features, but according to my experience, it works pretty well, and the issues are too minor to be discussed.
The device responsible for storing footage locally is Eufy’s HomeBase 3. It supports up to 16TB via an external hard drive, which is enough to store months of continuous recording. There’s also a HomeBase 2, which is the older version; you can find more information about this in my Eufy HomeBase 2 vs. 3 guide.
Power-wise, the EufyCam 3 comes with a built-in solar panel. I’ve had units running for a year without manual charging.
This camera comes with an IP67 rating. So, it doesn’t mind extreme weather.
Pros:
- Stunning 4K resolution
- Local AI processing
- Expandable storage up to 16TB
- Built-in solar panel
- No mandatory cloud service
Cons:
- Pricier than budget models
Lorex Fusion 4K NVR Kit (Best for Full Property Coverage)
If you’re trying to secure a large property, like a multi-car driveway, a large backyard, or even a small business, and you want to get outdoor security cameras without subscriptions, the Lorex Fusion 4K NVR Kit must be your go-to choice.
This kit comes with wired Power over Ethernet (PoE) cameras, which means you don’t experience connectivity problems when the internet is down.
My kit came with four 4K bullet cameras, but you can expand to eight or more.
Just like Reolink, Lorex also offers an NVR that can secure all your recorded footage and store it locally without subscriptions. The pre-installed space is 2TB, but it’s upgradable if you need more space.
Image quality is the best among all models mentioned in this article. It provides decent imagery both day and night, with color night vision that kicks in under minimal lightning.
Also, Motion detection is very good; you can fine-tune zones to reduce false alerts, so you don’t need to worry about tree branches swaying in the wind or the neighbor’s cat wandering past.
While Lorex impresses me in every area, its installation process makes me very sad! I mean, it’s obvious that you need more effort to install a wired setup since Ethernet cables need to be run all over the place. However, the payoff’s unmatched reliability. If you have a large property, definitely go for Lorex.
Pros:
- True 4K resolution
- PoE cameras mean you don’t need to worry about connection problems or battery life.
- Expandable local storage
- Expandable system for bigger properties
Cons:
- Installation needs more effort
Blink Outdoor 4 (Best Battery Life)
Looking for a set-it-and-forget-it camera for spots that are hard to reach? Let me introduce you to my little friend! The Blink Outdoor 4 is one of the best wireless cameras you can find out there.
The most interesting thing about Blink Outdoor 4 is its battery life, with up to two years on just two AA lithium batteries under typical use. Also, this camera is super easy to install, very beginner-friendly, just mount, connect, and you’re done in minutes.
This camera offers 1080p resolution, which is more than enough for most home security scenarios. Motion detection is also reliable. The older generations did have problems when it came to low-light performance and detection accuracy, but it looks like Blink improved this one.
So, how does this camera save you from subscription fees? The answer is: with Blink Sync Module 2, which lets you save clips to a USB flash drive (up to 256GB), no cloud plan required.
Note that Blink continuous recording is not possible, and they offer motion-based recording. With a USB flash drive up to 256GB, you can have months of recorded footage before overwriting.
It’s also IP65-rated, so you don’t need to worry about rain or dust.
Pros:
- Exceptional battery life
- Easy install
- Affordable
Cons:
- Resolution isn’t as sharp as the other models we mentioned
Conclusion
This was my guide for the best outdoor security cameras without a subscription. Remember, going subscription-free isn’t just about saving money; it also helps you have more control over your recorder footage and gives you independence and privacy. Consider your needs and budget, and pick the model that fits like a glove.
FAQs
What Security Cameras Do Not Require a Monthly Fee?
Brands like Eufy, Reolink, Lorex, and Blink offer cameras that help you get rid of monthly subscriptions.
What is the Cheapest Outdoor Camera Subscription?
If you ever want a subscription, Blink Basic is among the cheapest with only $3 per month, but all the cameras I recommended in this article don’t require a subscription and offer killer value.
