More and more security camera manufacturers are adding full color night vision security cameras to their offering. Typically achieved with integrated spotlights, these cameras can greatly enhance your night time surveillance with dramatically improve picture quality.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best color night vision security cameras on the market.
Technical Comparison of Wired v Wireless Cameras
Installation
Wired (PoE)
Wired cameras are a bit more difficult to install. At the very least, you need to connect the camera to a power outlet. There is also the placement of wires, which might require you to arrange it in areas hard to access.
Wireless (Wire-Free in this instance)
Wire-free cameras are easier to install, as no power outlet is required. You just need to set the camera up and you’re good to go.
Cloud storage
Wired (PoE)
Wired cameras usually don’t have cloud storage. That can be inconvenient, as you won’t have access to all of your footage through any device.
However, some customers do not want their camera feeds on an online server somewhere in the world, and for them, this might be an advantage. Wired camera networks are also less susceptible to hacking through software.
Wireless (Wire-Free in this instance)
Wireless cameras tend to have cloud storage. That’s convenient, as you can view your footage from anywhere in the world. At the same time, you need to pay for cloud storage.
Video quality
Wired (PoE)
Wired cameras almost always guarantee a high-quality image. Video feeds traveling through wires encounter much fewer signal interruptions.
Wireless (Wire-Free in this instance)
Wireless cameras can result in poor-quality images, especially if your network is not strong enough. A larger network will need more than one router/repeater.
However, if designed well, wireless cameras can also provide high-quality videos.
Batteries
Wired (PoE)
Most wired cameras don’t require batteries as they are powered by the connected Ethernet cable, so you’ll never need to worry about changing batteries.
Wireless (Wire-Free in this instance)
Wireless cameras can be reliant on batteries. If you want your camera to work, you need to keep track of the batteries and make sure there’s always a new set around as a backup. Some wireless cameras have optional solar panels.
Best PoE Full Color Night Vision Security Cameras
The Annke UHD Acme Security Camera is a durable color night vision camera.
- The Annke UHD Acme Security Camera can produce bright images even in the darkest night.
- The camera allows you to save videos locally on an SD card without having to pay for cloud storage.
- The camera only responds to humans and vehicles, thus reducing false alarms.
The Annke UHD Acme Security Camera is a heavy-duty camera made from aluminum.
Image Quality
The camera provides 4K resolution and ultra HD images at 20 fps. Anke’s patented NightChroma NC800 technology is designed to improve nighttime performance significantly, especially in terms of contrast and range.
Environment Resistance
The camera is weatherproof, with an IP67 rating. It is resistant to dust and dirt. The aluminum body is corrosion-resistant too.
Smart Detection
Anke ensures that the camera will only detect humans and vehicles. This dramatically reduces the number of false alarms.
- You can download a mobile app and use it to view notifications from the security system.
- The camera comes with an IP67 rating, making it weather and corrosion-resistant.
- It comes with a noise-canceling microphone and the latest H.265+ coder allows for a faster user interface.
- This camera does not have Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Lorex 4K Bullet Camera is a budget-friendly security camera that comes with a mobile app. It does not contain a spotlight so requires enough ambient lighting to fully deliver color night vision.
- The Lorex 4K Bullet Camera boasts a 4K resolution, resulting in high-quality videos.
- The camera allows you to zoom in very closely on faces and other little details without getting blurry.
- The camera comes in a sleek black design that will fit in with most interior and exterior designs.
Image Quality
The Lorex 4K Bullet Camera provides high-quality video in 4K resolution. With its motorized varifocal lens, you can adjust viewing angles and zoom in on your video feed remotely.
Mobile App
Use the free mobile app to zoom in as close as you want on the faces of your visitors or plate numbers of the cars that pass by. You can also use the mobile app to change the settings on your camera and make it more suitable for you.
Cost
Cost is always a subjective factor. However, this particular camera does not come at a very high price. The camera is relatively affordable, making it a great alternative to the more advanced models.
- The heavy-duty metal body makes for a very durable piece of equipment.
- There is a free mobile app that you can download to control the camera settings remotely.
- It comes with a motorized varifocal lens, allowing for remote customization of viewing angles and zooming capabilities.
- The 4x optical zoom feature is good enough but still less than some other cameras on our list.
The Reolink Dual Lens PoE Camera is a camera with a wide angle.
- The Reolink Dual Lens PoE Camera has a very wide viewing angle of 150 degrees.
- The camera can detect humans and vehicles.
- The camera boasts color night vision technology.
Reolink’s soon-to-be-released Smart 2K PoE Camera offers a unique design, a wide viewing angle, and motion detection along with color night vision. You can pre-order it as of right now, but it might take a while to arrive – a month or two in most cases. However, Reolink has recently increased its speed and sent batches to local warehouses more often, so be sure to keep checking their website for the latest news.
Construction
The camera’s design affords it a wider viewing angle than the other cameras on this list. There is the main camera housing part along with a separate base that will be used to mount it. At the very center, there is the motion detector. On its two sides, are the 4.0mm fixed lenses, which give it a viewing angle of 150 degrees. Both lenses are surrounded by LED rings to form a floodlight that helps its night vision.
Storage & Features
There is no cloud storage as of now, so the onboard microSD card (up to 256GB) will suffice, which some people might even prefer. You will get two displays, one from each camera, each with its image sensor. You can combine the two screens for a wider landscape display.
The camera has person and vehicle detection and along with a microphone and speaker to help you interact with anyone approaching. It is recommended that you install it on your main door. To see what the color night vision is like, you can check the Reolink website for sample videos. We’d say it is pretty similar to other Reolink cameras.
Weather Resistance
The Reolink Dual Lens PoE Camera is durable, waterproof, and has an IP66 rating. You can install it outside and not worry about the device being exposed to rain or snow.
Connectivity
You can use the camera after connecting it to your Wi-Fi, 4G, or Ethernet. The camera is also powered via the Ethernet cable and connects to most Reolink NVR’s. The company doesn’t recommend using it with other brands.
- The Dual Lens PoE Camera by Reolink features two-way audio communication, allowing you to communicate with your guests.
- The camera has onboard storage.
- It comes with a built-in microphone and speaker.
- The camera consists of two separate lenses, so image quality might suffer if streams are not combined effectively.
Best Wire-Free Color Night Vision Security Cameras
The Reolink Solar Powered Camera is a great sustainable option, as it’s solar-powered.
- The camera is compatible with Google Assistant.
- The camera offers person and vehicle detection, so it reduces the number of false alarms.
- The camera is partly solar-powered, so it’s a sustainable device.
The Argus 3 Pro Camera by Reolink provides high-quality video even at night. Use it for your indoor and outdoor security needs.
Installation
The installation process is quite simple and you can mount the camera one of several ways.
The kit comes with three different mounting options. There is a security bracket, a magnetic bracket, and a stand bracket. Choose the one that suits your needs best. You will find all the necessary equipment you will need to mount the camera in the box that it came in. There is also a guide on how to set up the camera and start using it.
Viewing Angle
One of the main drawbacks of this camera is that the view is so narrow. The camera compensates for that by offering very high-quality video.
- The camera is quite small, making it very difficult to detect.
- The device features two-way audio communication. You can use it to communicate with your guests before you let them in.
- The camera is battery-powered and solar-powered, so you won’t have to worry about batteries or wiring.
- Unlike other cameras by Reolink, this one has a relatively narrow field of view.
The Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera is a set of two security cameras.
- The Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera is a two-camera security system.
- The security camera set by Arlo is completely wire-free, which allows for free movement.
- The cameras feature two-way audio communication, so you can talk to your guests through them.
The Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera by Arlo is one of the most popular models from the brand. The camera provides 4K resolution video content with an 8MP Image Sensor.
Installation
The installation process is quite easy. It is beginner-friendly and would take you less than an hour.
Phone Alerts and Night Vision
The cameras communicate with you through your phone and will alert you if any disturbances are detected.
Smart Home Connectivity
The camera is compatible with most voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Alexa. In addition, it can be integrated with Samsung Smartthings, Apple Homekit, and IFTTT.
At the same time, you might want to consider more budget-friendly alternatives, as this camera comes at a high price. You should also keep in mind that if you want to be able to view your videos in the cloud, you need to pay for a subscription.
- You can access your video camera footage remotely from the Arlo Smart Hub.
- You can zoom in on the smallest details.
- The cameras boast a wide angle of 180 degrees.
- It lacks free video storage.
This security camera by Eufy is a great choice for someone who is looking for a security camera with no monthly fees. The camera’s storage will hold around two months of footage, so you won’t need to pay for any storage.
- The Eufy SoloCam S40 is a wireless outdoor security camera.
- The camera features advanced AI-based human detection technology.
- The camera features two-way audio communication, so you can interact with people through the camera.
With security cameras, people are used to false alarms. The Eufy SoloCam S40 only notifies you when there is a person or a car in its sight. This way, you won’t receive false alerts about animals running by or trees swaying in the wind.
The camera is completely wire-free, so you won’t need to connect it to any power outlet. The setup only takes a few minutes.
The Verdict
When looking for the best color night vision security camera you now know you need to choose between wired vs wire-free and one with integrated spotlights or not. We hope this article was helpful in helping you choose!
The Annke UHD Acme Security Camera is a durable color night vision camera.
- The Annke UHD Acme Security Camera can produce bright images even in the darkest night.
- The camera allows you to save videos locally on an SD card without having to pay for cloud storage.
- The camera only responds to humans and vehicles, thus reducing false alarms.