Who this guide is for & Why Trust Me:
I’ve tested dozens of cameras firsthand on my own property. These aren’t lab tests — they’re real experiences from a real family living off the beaten path.
This guide is not sponsored, and everything was bought with my own money. It’s written for families, homeowners, and renters who want reliable security without spending a fortune. If you want security without monthly fees, complicated installs, or breaking your budget then this guide was made for you.
Let’s dive into my list of the best wireless outdoor security cameras under $100 in 2025, ranked by my real-world testing.
🏆 Top Picks At a Glance
| Camera | Price | Pros | Cons | Best For | Subscription Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eufy SoloCam S220 | ~$64.99 | Solar, no fees, great image | AI alerts buggy, blurry night vision | Long-term, low-maintenance users | ❌ |
| Blink Outdoor 4 (3-Cam System) | ~$99.99 | 2-year battery, Alexa-friendly | Subscription needed for key features | Alexa homes, multi-cam setups | ✅ |
| Wyze Cam OG | ~$21.58 | Fast notifications, 2-way audio | Needs plan, technically not outdoor-ready | Budget indoor/outdoor security | ✅ |
| TP-Link Tapo C120 | ~$24.97 | Smart AI, color night vision | Subscription needed for some alerts | Pet owners, indoor use | ✅ |
📦 In-Depth Reviews: What You Need to Know
1. Eufy SoloCam S220 – Best Overall (No Fees Required)
🔊 Key Features
- Solar-powered: 3 hours of sun = 24/7 coverage
- 2K resolution
- Human/animal AI detection
- Local storage (no cloud fees!)
✅ Why It’s on the List
This was one of the first cameras I installed, and it’s still running without a hitch. It charges itself, filters out deer alerts, and doesn’t nickel-and-dime you with monthly fees.
➕ Pros
- Totally wireless
- No subscriptions
- High-quality image + wide view
➖ Cons
- AI alerts can be too sensitive
- Night vision is blurry in low-light
- Occasional lag (especially on rural Wi-Fi)
💲 Price & Value Overview
For under $70, you get solar power, no fees, and peace of mind. Worth every penny.
My Favorite No Brainer, Wireless, Solar Powered Security Camera
EUFY S220
2. Blink Outdoor 4 (3-Cam System) – Best for Amazon Alexa Homes
🔊 Key Features
- 2-year battery life
- Smart motion alerts
- Works seamlessly with Alexa
- Easy-to-use Blink app
✅ Why It’s on the List
If you’re already using Echo or Fire TV, Blink just works. I’ve had the Outdoor 4 set up around my garage and driveway, and setup took 10 minutes. Honestly this bundle has INSANE Value because you’re getting 3 powerful units for under $100 which honestly was unheard of when I first bought these units.
➕ Pros
- Great battery life
- Strong motion sensitivity
- Easy app navigation
➖ Cons
- Subscription required for most features
- 2K resolution only
💲 Price/Value
At ~$99 for a 3-camera system, Blink offers solid performance — just budget for the subscription.
Super Practical, Very Affordable, Speedy Notifications, This is a Hard one to Beat!
Blink Outdoor 4 Bundle
3. Wyze Cam OG – Best for Super Tight Budgets
🔊 Key Features
- 1080p with night vision
- 2-way audio and siren
- Noise alerts (baby crying, etc.)
✅ Why It’s on the List
At under $25, the Wyze OG is stupid cheap — and surprisingly responsive. Great for indoors or if you’re OK with a subscription. The main thing I want to mention here though is that I missed the fine print when I bought this guy off amazon. The unit is not truly wireless and needs an external power source. So technically its not wireless but you can still use it outdoors with the WYZE solar panel adapter which is a very dirty tactic by their team listing things on Amazon.
➕ Pros
- Fast live view
- Loud speaker + siren
- Simple setup
➖ Cons
- Requires plan for AI alerts
- Not truly outdoor-ready
- Uses outdated micro USB
💲 Price/Value
Decent value, but factor in the cost of Wyze Cam Plus to unlock full features.
Powerful and SUPER CHEAP!
WYZE OG CAM
4. TP-Link Tapo C120 – Best for Smart Indoor / Outdoor Monitoring
🔊 Key Features
- 2K QHD resolution
- Color night vision
- AI detection for people/pets/vehicles
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
✅ Why It’s on the List
If you’ve got pets or kids, this is a great cam for keeping an eye indoors. It’s fast, flexible, and feature-rich for under $30. Again, another one of those read the fine print units as they need some other source of power to run them so they are more useful inside looking out, pointing at key traffic areas that you are trying to keep an eye on.
➕ Pros
- Smart detection
- Vivid video quality
- Affordable + reliable
➖ Cons
- Cloud storage requires a plan
- No battery — plug-in only
💲 Price/Value
Great for smart home users.
Super Practical, Very Affordable, Speedy Notifications, This is a Hard one to Beat!
TP-Link Tapo C120
💡 What If You Can Spend a Bit More?
If your budget has a little wiggle room, two standout options under $150 offer a big leap in features — perfect for those who want to future-proof their setup or secure larger areas:
- Blink Outdoor 4 + Spotlight — Adds powerful illumination and active deterrence, perfect for high-traffic areas.
- Eufy SoloCam S340 — Offers 360° pan-and-tilt, 2K clarity, and solar charging with no monthly fees.
Both are amazing upgrades that I’ve personally tested and loved.
👉 Check out my full Eufy S340 Review
🧠 Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Wireless Outdoor Cam Under $100
🧾 Subscription vs No Subscription
Many cams require a monthly fee for full functionality. Look for “local storage” options if you want to avoid this or even units that have the option to add on a micro-sd card to really start owning your data and content.
🌤 Battery vs Solar vs Plug-in
- Battery: Easy to install, needs charging or replacements
- Solar: Set and forget (if you get sunlight to the unit for at least 3 hours a day)
- Plug-in: Reliable, but limited placement
🔍 Smart Features to Consider
- Human/animal detection
- Night vision (color is better depending on the unit)
- Two-way audio + siren
- App reliability + integration
💻 Pro Tips:
- Always aim your units in the direction of traffic from an optimal viewing height for more accurate notifications
- Make sure to never aim at bright light sources to avoid lens flaring
- If you have to point in the direction of high traffic, use app functions like “Activity Zones” to block out certain areas and only get notifications in your own personal red zone or notification zone.
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I use these without Wi-Fi?
No — all cameras require a Wi-Fi connection to send alerts or view footage remotely.
Q: What happens if the power goes out?
Battery and solar cameras will still record, but plug-in models won’t unless you use a backup power solution.
Q: Are these cameras really weatherproof?
Yes, outdoor-rated models are IP65 or higher. Still, avoid mounting them in areas prone to water pooling.
🏁 Final Verdict
If I had to recommend just one camera under $100 for outdoor security in 2025:
🌟 Go with the Eufy SoloCam S220
It’s solar-powered, subscription-free, and reliable — the perfect set-it-and-forget-it solution.
That said, if you’re already in the Amazon ecosystem, the Blink Outdoor 4 is a strong runner-up.