Best outdoor cameras with bad internet?

I’m looking for good outdoor cameras, but I have slow and spotty internet because I live in a rural area. My current setup uses cheap Amazon cameras (viziuuy brand), and I have issues with motion detection not being recorded or notified. My Blink doorbell camera has the same problem, and my TP-Link indoor cameras for my dogs also struggle—likely because of the internet.

I don’t want to go with companies like ADT or local services due to subscription costs and trust issues. I’d prefer a setup where I can still get notifications and view footage remotely via an app or browser. Any advice?

You should consider a local system with an NVR. Reolink offers good options for this, and you could build your own system too. Is running Ethernet cables to the cameras an option?

MegWhitgal said:
You should consider a local system with an NVR. Reolink offers good options for this, and you could build your own system too. Is running Ethernet cables to the cameras an option?

With an NVR system, could I still view and save footage remotely via an app? I work long hours far from home, so that’s important. Running Ethernet is possible, but I’d prefer not to deal with 12V power since I’m not comfortable with wiring mistakes.

@leecole3
You can use an app with an NVR, but your spotty internet will still affect remote access. The NVR will store high-quality footage locally, but you may struggle to view it live or get notifications when away.

If you’re okay with running Ethernet, Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) cameras are a great choice. PoE combines data and power in one cable, so no need to deal with separate power supplies. Just make sure to buy good cables, not copper-clad aluminum (CCA).

@ashleyn
Thanks for the tip about cables! I’d probably just buy whatever and end up redoing the work later if you hadn’t mentioned that.

Reolink has an app for viewing footage over the internet, but the benefit of a local NVR is that it doesn’t rely on cloud services. Ethernet is low voltage, so you don’t have to worry about safety issues.

@MegWhitgal
Does the camera get power through Ethernet? I’d prefer that over my current solar-powered, battery WiFi cameras, which have connectivity issues. Also, are you building your own system by picking cameras and linking them to an NVR?

@leecole3
Yes, PoE cameras get power and data through the same Ethernet cable. They’re more reliable for long-term use. As for my system, I’m actually using a Linux server instead of an NVR and open-source software like Scrypted for smart home features.

Cameras are only as good as the network they’re on. It might not be your internet but your local network causing the issue. Use a WiFi analyzer app to check signal strength where your cameras are. If the signal is below -60dBm, you’ll have connectivity problems.

Also, consider upgrading your router if you’re using one from your internet provider. A good router is crucial for a stable system. Head over to r/homenetworking to get help optimizing your local setup.

@Roland
I suspect my network is the problem, which is why I want to transition to wired cameras. My internet is through Straight Talk Home Internet since fiber isn’t available here. I get about 110Mbps download and 13-15Mbps upload. It works fine for streaming and smart home features but not for cameras.

Wireless cameras are often unreliable. We usually replace systems like Arlo, Ring, Nest, and Blink. Reolink is a great option with AI and vehicle detection. You can get a 4-camera setup with a 6TB hard drive for about $600, and it’s easy to set up. Here’s a video guide.