7 Of The Best POE Security Camera System (Reviewed [year])
Best Budget
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Most Features
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Best 8 MP PoE IP
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01.08.2023
Written By: John Fox | Security expert / Locksmith 30 Years Experience
Our top pick – Reolink 4K 16CH PoE Security Camera System, is the best security system we could find, but read on to see more.
Here is a list of things that we cover below:
- Quick links to each outdoor PoE security camera system
- An in-depth description of each POE security camera with pros and cons
- A practical buying guide on how to select the best Poe security camera system
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Best Overall
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1. Reolink 4K 16CH PoE Security Camera System
With the 2560 x 1920 pixel resolution, these outdoor cameras record super HD videos. They can capture the view 24/7 without any pause. It comes with a pre-installed 3TB HDD, and if you want, you can replace it with 4TB for extra storage.
These outdoor cameras extend their support to T-568B connectors and CAT5, CAT6, CAT7 with eight-pin Ethernet cable. The video, power, and audio functions of the camera run on one PoE cable. Hence, the plug-and-play installation process is simple, and you can do it quickly.
The surveillance system includes 59 feet long eight-pin network cables, which you can extend up to 270 feet using CAT5 and up to 330 feet through CAT6 Ethernet cables. Hence, you do not have to buy extra wire. Using the Android or iOS app, you can watch the live feed and playback the videos.
It can record constantly and has motion detection. So, when the camera detects any activity, it will send motion alerts. You will get one 16CH NVR, eight 5MP PoE Cameras, and one 48V NVR adaptor. Other accessories include Cat5 cables, a USB mouse, a user manual, and an HDMI cable.
Features:
- Number of Channels: 16
- Video Resolution: 3840 × 2160 ( 8 MP)
- Lens: 4 mm
- Night Vision: Up to 100 feet
- Sound: Built-in mic
- Field of View or Viewing Angle: Horizontal: 87 degrees; vertical: 47 degrees
What We Liked:
- It records video at 4K Ultra HD quality
- Continuous 24/7 video recording
- Two-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee
- Video playback access through Reolink app
What We Didn’t Like:
- This system does not have facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and person detection features
Verdict:
16 channel PoE security camera system with 4K (8 MP) high-resolution. Good enough for outdoor use + comes with a daylight sensor and day or night auto switch.
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Best High-End
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2. Lorex Smart 4K UHD Active Deterrence Indoor Outdoor Security System
This 4K NVR system includes eight IP bullet cameras, and every security camera records videos using 4K super HD high definition resolution. Every camera comes with an advanced motion detection feature. They can detect the difference between vehicles, persons. So, you would not receive false alarms or unnecessary warnings.
To give the best security, it comes with an active deterrence motion-activated warning light and a trigger siren. You can adjust the warning light setting to trigger only when it detects an outdoor vehicle or person. The cameras work well with home automation or integration devices like Google Assistant Voice Control and Amazon Alexa.
These outdoor cameras have color night vision technology and come with infrared LEDs. They can cover up to 150 feet and give quality recordings even during nighttime.
You can monitor your outdoor, home, or business and control the cameras from anywhere using the mobile Lorex Home app. The user-friendly app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. For connecting the NVR system to your smartphone, install the app and scan the system’s QR code.
Features:
- Number of Channels: 8
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
- Lens: 2.8 mm
- Night Vision: Up to 150 feet
- Sound: Built-in microphone
- Field of View or Viewing Angle: 111 degrees
What We Liked:
- It is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa home integration devices
- The cameras feature high-end motion detection
- User-friendly mobile app
- It has IR night vision up to 150 feet
What We Didn’t Like:
- The tech support and user guides are not super user friendly
Verdict:
Comes with four IP bullet cameras, an 8 channel outdoor security system that can record videos at 4K Ultra HD resolution.
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Most Features
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3. Swann 8 Channel Home Poe Security Camera System
The PoE IP security camera set comes with four cameras. This model includes a top-notch feature which is face recognition. You can add numerous people to the list, and when the camera detects them, it starts trigger recording. It can also distinguish the human shape and other vehicles and sends alerts.
This system features outdoor spotlight cameras that will turn on the lights when it detects motion with heat. There is a built-in speaker which allows you to speak to people, and it has an alarm siren for stopping crimes or dealing with emergencies.
You can see even tiny details in the footage as it has 4K Ultra HD image quality which gives four times more quality than 1080p super HD. It is easy to mount these cameras outdoors as they have an IP66 weatherproof rating which can resist moisture, rain, and heat.
These cameras are compatible with voice commands. You can connect them with devices like Google Assistant, Echo Show, Google Home Hub, Echo Spot, Chromecast, and 4K Fire TV.
Features:
- Number of Channels: 8
- Video Resolution:1080p HD
- Lens: Not specified
- Night Vision: Up to 115 feet
- Sound: Two-way audio
- Field of View or Viewing Agle: 90 degrees
What We Liked:
- It features facial recognition detectors
- This outdoor security system comes with a two-way audio feature
- Easy to install and perfect for self-monitoring
- It has an emergency sound or alarm siren
What We Didn’t Like:
- This set features only outdoor bullet cameras
Verdict:
Features such as facial recognition, motion detection, night vision, and more. Motion-activated lights included.
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Best Budget
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4. Reolink 8CH 5MP PoE Home Security Camera System
It is one of the best 5 MP Power over Ethernet (POE) camera systems and has four dome-type cameras. This outdoor camera system is the best budget camera as it includes dome cameras, NVR and arrives with other accessories and add-ons.
For easy and quick outdoor PoE installation, each dome camera includes a 60 foot long Ethernet wire. Besides, after installing it, you can adjust the camera, the angle, and more. These cameras can rotate at the base and can tilt 70 degrees down and up.
This Reolink 8CH 5MP PoE Home Security Camera System can backup the video recording or clips to the FTP server. You can share the clips by using the FTP server as it comes with sufficient storage space. It is easy to set up and offers 24/7 recording.
It sends motion alerts and gives remote access through the mobile app. The minimum and maximum outdoor working temperature of the cameras is -10 degrees Celsius and +55 degrees Celsius. It has a waterproof lid and comes with a durable IP66 weatherproof certification.
Features:
- Number of Channels: 8
- Video Resolution: 2560 x 1920 ( 5MP )
- Lens: f = 4.0 mm fixed; F = 2.0 mm
- Night Vision: 65 to 100 feet
- Sound: Built-in microphone
- Field of View or Viewing Angle: Horizontal: 80 degrees; Vertical: 58 degrees
What We Liked:
- It includes a micro-SD card slot for extra video storage
- Reasonable pricing and comes with four cameras and one NVR
- High quality 5 MP resolution with 30 frames per second
- Night vision up to 100 feet and has 18 infrared LEDs
What We Didn’t Like:
- It has only dome cameras
- Not compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant devices
Verdict:
A 5 MP high resolution and 80 degrees field of view, includes 60 feet network Ethernet cables, making it easy to set up and connect.
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Best 8 MP PoE IP
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5. Hiseeu 4K PoE Security Camera System
It is by far the best IP PoE 8 MP camera and includes four outdoor IP67 weatherproof rating cameras. All the cameras have a 2.8 mm wide lens. They can record the videos in 4K high-definition resolution.
The 100 feet night vision feature can capture videos at dark places or nighttime. Each camera comes with an 18 piece new nano LED technology for better lighting. You can stretch the 8 channel NVR, which comes with a pre-installed 3TB hard drive.
This Power over Ethernet (PoE) security system allows for easy and quick installation. One single Ethernet cable runs the power supply, audio signal transmission, and video of the camera. You will not face signal issues and do not have to deal with wiring issues.
This outdoor PoE system is good enough for entry-level users. They can record 24/7, and there is a built-in one-way audio feature. It uses advanced compression technology, which gives a 30-Days video history before overwriting.
Features:
- Number of Channels: 8
- Video Resolution: 4K Ultra HD ( 8 MP)
- Lens: 2.8 mm wide
- Night Vision: Up to 100 feet
- Sound: Built-in microphone
- Field of View or Viewing Angle: 100 degrees
What We Liked:
- Two-year full warranty with a 60-day money-back guarantee
- Free mobile-friendly app for iOS and Android devices
- It comes with IP67 waterproof certification
- Perfect for entry-level users or beginners
What We Didn’t Like:
- A few issues with the weatherproof connector
Verdict:
The best 8 MP camera that can record outdoor footage at 4K resolution. 8 channel NVR system includes four camera pieces with a 3TB HDD.
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Best 5 MP PoE Kit
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6. ZOSI H.265+ 5MP PoE Home Security Camera System
The ZOSI H.265+ 5MP PoE Home Security Camera System includes a 2K pixel high resolution of 2560 x 1920. It is approximately 2.4 times better quality than 1080p HD. The night vision technology can cover distances up to 120 feet, and the field of view is 110 degrees.
This 8CH 5MP PoE NVR system comes with eight indoor and outdoor bullet PoE IP cameras. This PoE system uses self-developed H.265+ video coding technology, which saves 80% storage and gives good enough image quality.
The package includes two TB high-end hard drives. You can have access to local, playback, and remote viewing anytime from anywhere through the mobile app. You can connect the system to your iOS & Android devices using ZOSI Smart. For Windows and Mac devices, there is a free ZOSI Client software.
This system allows you to set custom motion detection areas for every camera to reduce false motion alerts and notifications. The ZOSI NVR has four different types of recording modes. They are 24/7 recording, schedule recording, motion detection, and recycle records.
Features:
- Number of Channels: 8
- Video Resolution: 2560 x 1920 (5 MP)
- Lens: 4 mm
- Night Vision: Up to 120 feet
- Sound: Not specified
- Field of View or Viewing Angle: 110 degrees
What We Liked:
- Easy to install
- The system features various ports and cables
- It comes with one 60 feet and 100 feet RJ-45 Ethernet cable
- The app is compatible with smartphones, desktops, and tablets
What We Didn’t Like:
- The customer support could have been better
Verdict:
5 MP best PoE kit can support up to 8TB video storage. It comes with outdoor cameras, cables, an NVR system, mounting screws, a USB mouse, and many more.
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Most Affordable
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7. OOSSXX 8ch POE NVR Security Camera Systems
OOSSXX 8 channel NVR Security Camera System is the most affordable PoE camera system. All four bullet cameras come with the IP-67 weatherproof rating, which means you can install them in rain, dust, and snow conditions.
With a 3.6 mm wide lens and 1080P video quality, it records high-definition footage with utmost clarity. The field of view is 70 degrees, and they come in pairs with a three-array IR-LED system.
The night vision technology can cover up to 60 feet. These cameras will turn on the infrared mode when the light is low. The wireless signals of these cameras operate on the wireless security network making NVR the central hub. This system can support up to a 6TB hard drive.
To view the live feed and previous camera recordings, you can install the IP Pro or Eseecloud app on your iOS or Android devices. Besides, you can playback and can save them. For remote viewing, you can use the mobile app or internet browsers.
Features:
- Number of Channels: 4
- Video Resolution: 1080P HD (5 MP)
- Lens: 3.6 mm
- Night Vision: Up to 60 feet
- Sound: Built-in microphone
- Field of View or Viewing Angle: 70 degrees
What We Liked:
- IP67 weatherproof certification bullet cameras
- It comes with a set of three IR-LED systems
- This system includes a 2 TB storage drive for saving the recordings
- The network cable operates on modern 4-core technology
What We Didn’t Like:
- The cameras can not record the audio
- It has a bit so good app
Verdict:
Comes with four outdoor bullet cameras. The lens is 3.6 mm wide, and the field of view is 70 degrees. These PoE cameras have night vision technology and can cover up to 60 feet.
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What Are Things To Look At Before Buying PoE Security Camera System
Video Quality
It is necessary to choose an outdoor PoE camera that can record high-definition videos. You can not have a decent look at the things or objects in the low-quality recordings. Most PoE system cameras come with 1080P, 2K, or 4K super HD resolution so selecting a resolution dependant on what you really need it for is a must.
Ease of Installation
All the outdoor power over Ethernet (PoE) cameras need one cable connection to deliver audio, power supply, and video transmissions. Hence, it is easy to set up and use them. As they come with simple plug-and-play technology, you can save a lot of money. (1)
Essential Features
Before buying any outdoor or indoor camera, you have to check whether it has basic essential features or not. It is better to select the PoE cameras which come with motion detection, night vision, and other security features. Having a PoE camera with the vehicle, person, and face detection is a bonus. Besides, we recommend you not to choose the cameras with below 70 feet infrared night vision.
Smart Platform Integrations
A few outdoor security systems work with voice commands and are compatible with various gadgets like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, and various others. If you want the PoE cameras for home integration, you have to choose the camera which shows compatibility with the above devices. (2)
Overall Value and Cost
It is one of the crucial factors to consider, as the cost of the indoor and outdoor PoE cameras ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Hence, only select the system that has enough cameras that you need. We suggest that you do not spend money on something that you are not going to use.
Addons
At last, you have to consider whether the camera systems have any add-ons or not. Check the cloud storage or other video storage options. Some other things to make sure of before buying are viewing angle, wide-angle lens, waterproof rating, optical zoom, cable length, two-way talk feature, indoor or outdoor use, and many more.
FAQs for PoE Security Camera System
With so many options out there, you probably have a few questions concerning PoE security camera system. I do my best to answer your most pressing concerns:
What does an outdoor PoE camera do?
This is a unique kind of technology that enables either Cat 5 or Cat 6 cables to hold an electrical current. It facilitates the installation process and allows you to keep only one wire for every camera. (3)
Can I use PoE cameras at the home or business?
Yes, the PoE cameras are perfect for home, workplace, office, and business use. You can use them near your surroundings or backyard, front door, and more.
What are the benefits of using a PoE security camera system?
The PoE surveillance system security cameras have many benefits over wireless security and wired security systems. However, the significant advantage is the ease of installation. You can easily install them as they have only one cable, which provides power, audio, and data transmissions.
Can the NVRs support six PoE cameras?
Yes, they can support six cameras. However, the number of PoE cameras an NVR supports depends on the number of channels. Mostly, the high-end NVRs for home or office have either eight or sixteen channels. Hence, they can support up to eight or 16 cameras, respectively.
Do the HD PoE cameras use any cable?
Yes, the older PoE cameras use Cat5 Ethernet cables, but the modern PoE cameras use higher resolution cables such as Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables. These types of cables make it easy for video transmissions using one Gbps or more.
Final Thoughts
It took us several months to prepare the above list of the best Poe security camera surveillance systems. We tested hundreds of outdoor IP cameras, wired security systems, bullet cameras, and dome Poe security cameras. And only the above seven products stood as the top-notch choices of every category. However, our top pick is Reolink 4K 16CH PoE Security Camera System. This HD PoE camera system is durable, weatherproof, reliable, has perfect optical zoom, and has high definition resolution. Most importantly, it is the customer’s top pick and ticks every requirement to be the best Poe security camera system.
References
(1) plug-and-play technology – https://www.techopedia.com/definition/3413/plug-and-play-pnp
(2) Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast – https://www.techhive.com/article/3215193/google-home-and-chromecast-vs-amazon-echo-and-fire-tv.html
(3) Cat 5 or Cat 6 cables – https://www.howtogeek.com/70494/what-kind-of-ethernet-cat-5e6a-cable-should-i-use/
Our Recommendation Again
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John Fox
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is John Fox and I’ve been working as a security consultant for over 20 years now. During my time in the industry, I’ve learned about what it takes to ensure your home and family are always safe. With Safe Now, I’ve tried to take those two decades of experience and share it with others. My goal now is to help others figure out how to make the right choices for their businesses and families. On my website, you’ll find tips and guides on how to prevent crimes, as well as product recommendations. What’s more, my readers can learn more about what to do in case of an emergency and how to protect themselves at all times. So, if you want to know everything there is about security systems and home safety, I invite you to join me and my team and help us build a community together.
