Best Floodlight Security Cameras
I tried three popular models from Arlo, Eufy, and Ring to see which one is the best driveway security guard
If your house has floodlights, odds are theyāre placed in areas that are also ideal mounting spots for security cameras: hardwired for power, high above the ground and facing open areas like yards and driveways that you want to keep an eye on.
Thatās why floodlight security cameras are such a compelling option. You get a camera, floodlight, and siren in one package and, in most cases, you donāt have to worry about recharging batteries every few weeks or months like you do with other types of outdoor wireless security cameras. And as a bonus, you can control your floodlight from your phone or smart speaker.
Floodlight cameras are different from conventional outdoor security cameras, though theyāre frequently made by the same companies. Wireless cameras are often battery powered, smaller, and less noticeable. They can be a better option in places where you donāt need a powerful light turning on every time a person or animal passes by, and theyāre easier to set up. All you have to do is plug them in or charge up the battery, connect them to WiFi, and youāre ready to go. With most floodlight cameras, you have to shut off the power at your breaker box, get up on a ladder, remove the old floodlight, and wire in the new fixture (or call an electrician to do it for you).
I installed a prerelease press sample of the new Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro for my early review. I then bought another for this evaluation to confirm that the sample functioned the same as a consumer unit. Now in its third generation, Ringās new floodlight camera features a number of improvements, such as radar-equipped 3D Motion Detection, high dynamic range (HDR) video with color night vision, and better WiFi connectivity.
I also purchased the battery-powered Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera and the Eufy Floodlight Camera. All three feature full HD (or better) security cameras with bright 2,000 to 3,000 lumen floodlights (a typical household lightbulb is 800 lumens), built-in sirens, and two-way audio for speaking with visitors, and come in black or white finishes.
In addition to floodlight cameras, youāll see a number of spotlight cameras on the market, some made by the same manufacturers. Spotlight cameras can be a great option if youāre looking to keep watch over a small area, and they can be easier to install because most run off battery power. Floodlight cameras tend to provide broader, brighter light, and theyāre ideal for monitoring a large, well-trafficked area like a driveway or yard. Those are the cameras I focused on for this review.
Hereās a quick look at each model: