The 10 Best Bullet Cameras
Special Honors
Flir Ariel 4K UHD This model comes from a company renown for its innovation in thermal imaging and night vision, so it's no surprise that it's capable of generating images in wildly low-light conditions before its very capable infrared system even kicks in. It offers multi-zone motion detection customization, a wide temperature safety range, and 4K resolution. flir.com
Editor's Notes
October 09, 2020:
With sensor quality and image resolutions continuing to improve, we saw fit to upgrade the previously included XVim model to the XVim Outdoor, which takes the quality from 720p up to full 1080 HD. Resolution also lead to the upgrade in the Revo Ultra, which has a better housing than its predecessor and shoots in 4K.
An important factor to keep an eye on, perhaps even more important than resolution, is frame rate. If you've ever seen security footage that looks slow and jumpy, as though it's missing part of the action every second or so, that's because the camera in use had a low frame rate. 4K resolution is great, but if it's running at 15 frames per second it might not get a clear look at a perp's face. The newly added Axis P1435-LE, for example, shoots 4K at 60fps, allowing you to zoom in without dipping below 1080, and providing you with smooth enough video to make out faces, tattoos, and other identifying markers. This particular model also has some of the best night vision out there.
April 03, 2019:
One of the major benefits I've learned about by reviewing this category is that performance, power, precision, and functionality all become that much more relevant in numbers, meaning that a majority of the models I've included consist of entire surveillance systems offering multi-camera setups that are designed to interface with a variety of computers and mobile devices. This ultimately results in superior monitoring of a premises, be it a large home or place of business. Many of the options I included also feature built-in motion detection via infrared LED array. My second focus was on the equipment's ability to withstand all types of indoor and outdoor environments.
I added the GW Security AutoFocus for its H.265 video compression capabilities as well as its capacity for providing individual IP addresses for each camera, resulting in simple plug-and-play operation. Also added the Anran All-In-One for its 5.6-inch LCD and 2-terabyte hard drive, so it's a great option for large business owners who require the ability to go back and review a 10-day history of their security footage. Additionally, the system's zone-based email alerts come in handy when the cameras detect motion in a specific area of a store. The Smonet 16-Channel offers very similar functionality with regard to detection zones, but does so more for the purposes of preventing false alarms from things like wind or other neighbors. Both the Tonton Expandable and Soliom S60 offer the benefit of two-way audio recording, the latter of which delivers energy-efficient solar-powered operation and an extra-wide viewing angle. Added the Annke Ultra for its sleek, modern design and extremely high playback resolution. The DVR accompanying the XVim Outdoor is compatible with many different types of camera equipment (in addition to bullet cameras), so I thought it was a great choice to include for those looking to expand their security systems. Also included the Amcrest UltraHD for the high-quality image sensor and durable metal housing for withstanding extreme weather conditions. It can also conveniently record footage to FTP servers. Thought it's a standalone option and not part of a kit, the Revo Ultra was a worthy contender for its smart infrared technology, which can automatically adjust the intensity of its LED rays according to the unit's surrounding light conditions. Finally, added the JideTech 4X due to its motorized zooming lens and built-in surge protection.