Want to know what the weather will be like in and around your house tomorrow? Having an advanced weather-tracking system in your backyard, as well as indoors, can be a great solution with the best camera for the weather stations.
Then again, what if you want to not only register the weather changes in numbers and fancy also visually register the massive rainfalls that happen out of the blue and other sudden weather changes?
Well, how about you pair up your advanced sensor-based system for tracking the weather with a tough and durable outdoor weather camera?
In this article, we will talk about the best weather camera and present to you the five best cameras for weather station models currently on the market.
Here’s the lot.
Our Favorite Camera For Weather Station
Best Camera for Weather Station: To 5 Picks
1) mibao – Security Camera for Outdoors
Relatively inexpensive and offering some pretty interesting features, such as the 1080P image quality, this mibao model is the best weather camera and can be a perfect solution for the person working on a smaller budget.
Thanks to its Wi-Fi connectivity, you will be able to set this camera up wherever you want outdoors and not worry about having to bring a truckload of cables with you to make it work.
What’s more, thanks to this model is waterproof; you won’t have to spend any extra money to build some protective structure over it.
Here are the most important features of this model in more detail:
- Waterproof material – … this mibao model is made out of means it will be able to survive heavy precipitation as well as snow fairly easily.
As the material of choice for this camera, the folks at mibao decided to use a mixture of zinc and aluminum.
Therefore, besides being waterproof, this model is also fairly lightweight, so installation will be a piece of cake, as far as mounting it and securing it with bolts is concerned.
- Motion detection – One of the most important features of security cameras (that is also useful for weather cameras) would certainly be motion detection.
Once you’ve set this camera up, you can rest assured that it will be able to differentiate between your kids and pets and hail, rain, and other elements.
Also, this detection feature can be hooked up with a mobile phone app, which you can set to notify you whenever there are any suspicious changes in the area the camera is overseeing, so to speak.
- Easy, one-key connection – After you’ve set this camera up physically, making it come to life and start recording the area it’s above is a matter of pushing one key.
The setup process is easy and intuitive and doesn’t take that long, so you don’t have to be a professional to get this thing up and running.
Pros:
- Made out of high-quality zinc-aluminum alloy
- Waterproof design
- Night vision (with a reach of up to 65 feet)
- Motion detection feature
- Comes with an inbuilt microphone
- Relatively inexpensive
- There are speakers in this camera, too
Cons:
- Some users may not like the design of this unit
2) Reolink – Argus PT with a Solar Panel
Representing probably the best camera for weather stations on this list, this Reolink model falls in the category of all-weather cameras thanks to its waterproof design.
That said, the manufacturers recommend that this camera should be installed upside down to increase its resilience to water and moisture.
One of the most interesting things about this model is that it comes with a solar panel that can power it up during the day. This also means that you don’t have to worry about getting tangled up in cables, as this thing is powered by a battery, which is itself powered by the solar panel.
Here are some of the features of this model:
- Excellent night vision – Tracking the water as well as the security of your backyard 24/7 is easy with this model thanks to its advanced night vision, which allows you to record everything in 1080P.
This is mostly thanks to its powerful CMOS sensor, allowing you great visibility in low light conditions at a distance of up to 33 feet.
- Field of view coverage – … on this model is some of the best of all cameras we analyzed.
Horizontally, this camera can tilt its head up to 335°, and vertically, the range is 140°. This allows you to see every nook and cranny of your property – as long as it’s within the field of view of this camera.
- Simple setup – Fixing this camera to your wall, whether indoors or outdoors is a piece of cake, because you only need to fasten two screws to secure this device to a wall.
The same goes for the solar panel.
Pros:
- Comes with a solar panel and a powerful battery
- Excellent field of view range
- CMOS night vision technology
- Easy setup
- Two-way audio system
- 2-year warranty
Cons:
- Quite expensive
3) Goowls – Outdoor Security Camera
Featuring a cheeky name that suggests what kind of design this camera has, the Goowls outdoor security camera comes packed with useful features.
First off, all the insides of this model are neatly packed in a rotund body that does a good job of fending off rain and other rough kinds of weather.
Also, another useful design feature related to the looks of this contraption would be its watertight build. This strong waterproof outer layer will protect the sensitive chips, optics, and wiring inside so that this camera can continue to work easily – even in bad weather.
Here are some of the features of this model:
- Two-way audio system – If there’s a person in front of your entrance door and you don’t know them and what their intentions might be, the great news is that, with this camera, you can not only see them first – but also talk to them.
The phrase ‘two-way audio system’ means that there is both a microphone and a speaker in this camera.
So, you and whoever is in front of your house can communicate easily.
- Night vision – In case there is a great hail storm in the middle of the night and you want to catch it on camera, this model can be the perfect tool to do it with.
Since the folks at Goowls have built in a special night vision feature, you will be able to record whatever is happening during the night in your backyard.
Also, you can count on a 110° field of vision.
- Compatible with Alexa – If you like to use Alexa for issuing commands around your house, so to speak, you’ll love to hear that this camera is compatible with this AI system.
Pros:
- Motion detection feature
- Two-way audio system
- Waterproof design
- 110° field of view coverage
- Both cloud service and micro SDs are supported
- Alexa compatibility
Cons:
- Some users complained about the quality of the app that comes with this model
4) FOSCAM – Outdoor Security Camera
Last but not least, as our entry number five, we’ve got a model that looks stylish and that comes with a bunch of lamps around its lens, so that it can ‘see’ in the dark.
These added lights allow this model excellent night vision coverage that can reach up to 66 feet.
Pair that up with the excellent motion detection technology that can pick up only human movements, and you can see why this model is probably the best camera for the weather station in the mid-price range.
Here are some of the most important features of this model:
- Ultra HD quality – Thanks to its high-quality image sensor, this camera does an excellent job of capturing footage, regardless of the weather conditions outside.
It has 4 megapixels, so the images you will get from this thing will be clear, and they won’t take up too much space on the cloud or perhaps some other media you decide to save it to.
- Durable housing – One of the great things about this model is that it comes in durable housing that can survive all sorts of rough weather.
It is completely waterproof, so you can rest assured it will perform well in the rain, snow, and during the days with particularly high humidity.
- Smart motion detection – When it comes to owning security with motion detection, one of the common problems is that it will capture everything, from a squirrel climbing a tree to a moth flying directly in front of a camera.
Well, this was the case with some of the older models, anyway.
This model has a special motion detection system that will only capture and alert you of human movements, which can save you a lot of frustration when analyzing the camera footage later on.
Pros:
- Ultra HD quality of footage
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Waterproof design
- Night vision with a long-range
- Compatible with Alexa
- Compatible with Google Assistant
Cons:
- A bit expensive
5) ViShawtek – Security Camera Outdoor
Compact design paired up with some excellent security features makes this ViShawtek camera one of the best complementary devices for residential weather stations currently on the market.
As far as outdoors web cameras are concerned, this model from ViShawtek has you covered with a range of useful properties such as night vision, Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as smart alerts.
Here are some of its most important features in more detail:
- Compact, waterproof design – … ensures that no matter how rough the weather outside gets, this camera will continue to work just fine and record high-quality footage.
Besides its primary role as a security camera, thanks to the fact that this model is impervious to water and features wireless connectivity, you can also use it as a weather camera.
- Two-way audio – … means that you can use this camera not only to record footage but also to communicate with anyone close to the device itself.
This is possible because the folks at ViShawtek built in a microphone and speaker in this little camera, so it can also serve as an intercom.
- Motion detection – Other than being able to film high-quality footage, this camera also has excellent motion detection properties, so to speak.
What’s more, you can even set the sensitivity of this motion detection, so you can avoid getting alerted every time a bird lands on your clothesline or a squirrel makes its way up a tree.
Pros:
- Smart alert system
- Motion detection technology (you can set the sensitivity)
- Two-way audio system (that works as an intercom)
- Easy-to-use app
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Compact design
- Night vision
Cons:
- It requires an SD card to save footage
Best Camera for Weather Station Buying Guide
Night Vision
Since a weather camera is supposed to work 24/7, ensuring you get a model that can record footage during the night is a must.
To make sure a camera model has this feature, look for the phrase ‘night vision’ in the product’s description, as this signifies that this camera is equipped with special sensors that enable it to film during the night and in other low-light conditions.
Motion Detection
To find the best camera for the weather station model, you might want to look for the features such as motion detection.
The thing is, these cameras often come with alarms that will sound off in case something out of the ordinary is caught by their lens.
Now, for these alarms to work, the cameras need to have a special motion detection feature that will enable them to ‘tell’ when something happens that is worthy of sounding the alarm.
The best cameras on the market, in terms of motion detection technology, are those that can differentiate between a human and other moving creatures and objects.
Watertightness
Since weather cameras need to capture the footage of various weather conditions, they must feature a waterproof build.
If the camera has the word ‘watertight’ in its product description, this means that it’s safe to use it outdoors and in all sorts of weather conditions.
Alerts
While the main purpose of a security camera is to pick apart a potential intruder from a mere raccoon going through your garbage, it is also important for it to alert you of any trespassing going on your property.
The same goes for weather cameras.
If it starts raining, or something else happens out of the ordinary in terms of weather conditions, it can be useful to get an alert, so you can get your T-shirts and socks off of the clothesline before it starts raining, for example.
Video Quality
Although security cameras aren’t that well known for the mind-blowing quality of the video footage they can capture, it’s still important to get a model for your backyard that can film in as good quality as possible.
For example, as long as the footage is clear, 1080P can be considered a decent quality, considering it’s a camera that works pretty much around the clock.
How to install a camera?
Pick a camera
First of all, before you buy any screws and camera holders, make sure to learn in detail what sort of camera you’re buying.
For example, in the list of products above, we have a camera that comes with a solar panel.
If you get a model like that, for example, you have to install the camera and the solar panel next to it.
Install the software
Another thing you will need to look into before you install your camera physically, so to speak, would be to set up its software.
Usually, manufacturers of these cameras have specially-made apps that you can use to set the camera up easily in just a couple of steps. Also, since most security and weather cameras nowadays feature wireless connectivity, you won’t have to worry about any cables.
Pick a location for it
Once you’ve set up the software for your camera and everything is up and running, you can pick a location for the camera.
Ensure that the location is elevated and that there aren’t any obstacles between the lens and the area you want to oversee.
After you’ve found the right spot, fixing the camera to a wall is as simple as securing a couple of screws and bolts. These cameras aren’t usually that heavy, so you won’t need any special heavy-duty structures to support them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) How are these cameras different from normal cameras out there on the market?
Well, for the most part – they aren’t.
That said, security cameras (often used as weather cameras) have some features that many common cameras don’t.
For example, the ability to run for extended periods (days, or even weeks on end), night vision, motion detection, and two-way audio systems are some of the features that make these cameras different from the most.
2) What is an IP camera?
Simply put, an IP (Internet Protocol) camera is the sort of camera that transfers its footage through an Internet network to a cloud or some other storage unit.
While, for the most part, it works like a regular camera, what makes IP cameras different is that they are set up and used as a computer periphery such as a printer or a scanner.
Usually, IP weather cameras are connected to a computer via a wireless network.
3) Do you need to have an Internet connection to properly use a weather station camera?
Yes, you do.
If you want to track the weather using a weather camera around the clock, you have to have an Internet connection because the footage needs to be sent constantly.
On the other hand, you can also use an SD card instead, but you will quickly run out of space, so this method is not that practical.
4) Is it costly to afford a camera for weather stations?
Not really.
Generally speaking, if you can afford a weather station, you can also afford a mid-price range weather camera.
Weather cameras come in all sorts of different price ranges, so even if you’re working with a smaller budget, you will be able to find something that suits your needs.
5) Can the cameras for weather stations shoot high-quality video as well?
Weather cameras aren’t made to film high-quality footage, so that the answer would be no.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that the footage weather camera can always film a bad quality.
The thing is, the main purpose of a weather camera is to film decent footage and film it for long periods without interruptions. If you want to film high-quality footage, you may be better off just buying a professional camera for filming.
Conclusion
All in all, getting a camera to ‘accompany’ your weather station can be a great way to closely track the weather in your backyard and also to provide some extra security for your home.
We hope you found the best camera for weather station in this article helpful and that you found the perfect weather and security camera for your needs from the product list above.