From a visual perspective, the Zmodo Outdoor Security Camera leaves much to be desired. Resembling something out of a 1980s spy film, the Zmodo does little to separate itself from the pack. But, if you’re looking for security on a budget, it’s hard to miss coming across one of Amazon’s top-selling security cameras.
It’s hard to say the Zmodo Outdoor camera is worth it, considering its questionable security issues, poor Wi-Fi range, and terrible companion-app reviews. While it has some things going for it, there’s nothing there that you can’t find elsewhere at comparable prices and with stronger features and quality companion apps.
Zmodo was founded in 2009 and is based in Shenzhen, China. Since its inception, it has become a popular brand on Amazon and other online retailers. Their security cameras aren’t as numerous as competing brands but, that lends a sense of simplicity when choosing a home security system. Below, we’ll cover the pros and cons of Zmodo outdoor cameras and whether they’re worth the investment
Pros and Cons of Zmodo Outdoor Cameras
Zmodo Outdoor Security Cameras have several pros and cons worth considering:
| Pros | Cons |
| Priced at $33.99 1080p HD resolution Infrared night vision Smart home integration Set motion/detection zones | No battery option Field-of-view is only 90 degrees No two-way audio No local storage Listed under questionable privacy issues and studies |
Notoriously Bad App Reviews
One of the biggest complaints with Zmodo security cameras is the accompanying apps. Currently, Zsight has a 2.6/5.0 rating on Google Play and a 1.5/5.0 rating on Apple Store. Zmodo has a 2.3 out of 5.0 rating on the Apple Store and a more respectable 3.7 out of 5.0 on Google Play.
The largest complaints center around freezing, long lag, and the app shutting down. Despite numerous updates to the app, the reviews haven’t improved.
In today’s world, it is expected that home security systems will have a quality app so that customers can view their security footage at any time. When you have an app that is consistently buggy and lacks support or improvement, that’s a significant black mark.
Comparable Cameras Do More
The Zmodo Outdoor Security Camera alone is not bad. The problem is that it doesn’t stand out amidst the heavy competition. A brief comparison with the Wyze Cam v3 is a perfect example:
| Wyze Cam v3 | Zmodo Outdoor Cam | |
| Price | $29.98 | $33.99 |
| Night Vision | Color | Black and White |
| Resolution | 1080p HD | 1080p HD |
| Storage | 14-days free rolling cloud storage w/micro SD for 24/7 expandable storage. | 12-hours free cloud storage |
| Field of View | 130 Degrees | 90 Degrees |
| Two-way Audio | Yes | No |
| Subscription | $1.25/mo. | $4.99/7-day plan $9.99/30-day plan |
| Smart Home Support | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT | Amazon Alexa |
| Artificial Intelligence | Yes | No |
Wyze cams aren’t alone in this regard. Sure, the Zmodo Outdoor Security Camera is a solid security camera for the money. However, there are better options available for similar or lower prices, better smart home integration, and better companion apps.
Blink, Wasserstein, Wyze, Zosi, and Hoop are just a few brand options that are comparable with the Zmodo Outdoor Security Camera. If you browse Amazon, Walmart, or eBay, you’ll find that the competition is heavy.
Security Issues
It’s a shame that Zmodo isn’t the only camera system that consistently pops up in security reviews and warnings. Wyze, iHome, and Google Nest Hub are a part of that as well. IoT—Internet of Things—devices are growing exponentially, and privacy protection should be growing along with it.
Dark Cubed put together a 2019 study entitled, The State of IoT Security, in which Zmodo was an unfortunate inclusion.
Data privacy is not only an ever-expanding individual concern; it is also a national security concern as well. Your privacy is certainly something that should be considered, even when weighed against a budget-friendly security camera.
Final Thoughts
While the Zmodo Outdoor Security Camera does exactly what you would expect from a home security standpoint, it doesn’t separate itself from the pack in any remarkable or intuitive ways. In fact, several options do more, for the same price or less.
Zmodo also has its work cut out for it in the app department. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to review a security alert on a laggy app that’s constantly freezing or shutting down.
Privacy issues are so prevalent in today’s society that it’s imperative to make your personal privacy a priority when selecting a camera that may be pointed at your kids or home. Until some of these companies get a grip on their security vulnerabilities, products from Zmodo—and many others—should be considered carefully.
Ultimately, Zmodo Outdoor Cameras aren’t worth their wallet-friendly attraction. With a market saturated with better products that do more for less, Zmodo needs something to separate it. Unfortunately, the Zmodo Outdoor Cam falls short in that regard.
