6 Best Farm & Ranch Security Cameras (Wired & Wireless)

By: Author Anna Stanek

Posted on Last updated: 07/21/2023

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When it comes to owning a farm, you want to ensure that your animals and property are protected. Farm security cameras are a great way to provide surveillance to give you peace of mind when you are away.

There are many benefits to setting up security cameras on your farm. Not only can they alert you of thieves, but they can also help you monitor sick and pregnant animals. In addition, during a robbery or accident, security cameras will hold crucial evidence that can help protect your farm.

Whether you have a small barn with a few horses or you own a large commercial farm, having security cameras is a good idea. Your property, animals, and equipment are valuable, and having a security camera will help protect them.

To help you find the one, here are our picks of the best security cameras for farms and ranches.

The Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless Security camera provides 4K video with HDR for high-quality footage. To keep your farm protected at all hours, the camera offers dark with color night vision. You can easily connect it to your Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, with the ability to get a 1-4 camera kit.

No matter where you are, you can stay connected with your ranch thanks to live video. Noise-canceling 2-way audio allows you to talk to any unsuspecting guests that come onto your property. You can receive alerts with the object detection feature and reduce unwanted notifications with activity zones.

In case of an emergency, you can get help with just one touch from first responders. You can easily look back at past events with video history. The Arlo Ultra 2 can be used indoors or outdoors with an ultra-wide viewing angle to get as much coverage as possible.

Ring has gone beyond doorbell cameras with the Ring Spotlight Camera. The camera is easy to install and will provide you with a sense of security knowing your property is protected.

For Ring’s best coverage yet, the camera features color night vision, customizable motion detection, and a pair of bright, motion-activated lights. The 1080p camera works no matter the weather and includes a remote-activated security siren. Two-way audio with noise cancellation allows you to talk with whoever is on your property.

Receive real-time notifications and live streaming so that you never miss a beat. Connect with your phone and Amazon Alexa with the ability to customize your alerts and minimize interruptions. The wireless Ring Spotlight Camera is available in two, three, or four packs with the option to buy the Floodlight Cam Wired Plus.

For a clear picture with incredible clarity, Reolink has you covered. The 4K Ultra HD Security System with Smart Detection package is a wonderful option for farm owners.

Reolink’s cutting-edge smart detection technology is intelligent enough to distinguish people and cars from other objects so you don’t have to deal with false alarms. The camera features power over ethernet so you can have reliable high-quality video footage you can depend on. Notifications are sent to your phone so you can always stay up to date with what is happening.

The 18pcs powerful infrared LEDs in each camera emit invisible lights that brighten darkness up to 100 feet. In addition, advanced 3D-DNR technology reduces noise levels, and the camera is IP66 certified weatherproof so it will remain working no matter the conditions. Multiple cameras can be purchased so you can keep your entire ranch protected.

Barn Owl is built to outlast all weather conditions. The 4G cellular camera takes photos or short videos on motion detection, at scheduled times, or on-demand.

The RangeCam 4G camera features 3G/4G/LTE connectivity with high-resolution image transmission and dual antennas for improved reception. You can easily program the camera to notify you of “alert-worthy” movements such as people, vehicles, and animals. The camera is easy to mount and can operate off of solar power, simply install the camera anywhere you have cellular service.

The Barn Owl sends you photos or videos immediately after they are captured for near real-time awareness. Designed with farmers and ranchers in mind, this hardy camera is a great option for your property.

If you have a small horse barn, a blink outdoor camera is a reliable, budget-friendly option. The system is also great for those with large properties as you can get up to an eight camera package.

The easy-to-install wireless HD camera is waterproof and protects your property night and day. With a powerful two-year battery life, so you can rest assured you won’t miss a moment. The camera will send motion notifications immediately to your phone and can be paired with your Amazon Alexa.

With your Blink Outdoor, you can record and view 1080p HD video during the day and at night with high-quality infrared HD night vision. Two-way audio allows you to talk with whoever is on your property no matter where you are.

Defender offers professional quality outdoor security cameras to provide you peace of mind your ranch is protected. The wireless cameras are easy to set up and no Wifi is needed.

The camera is IP65 weather-resistant so you can get quality video footage no matter the weather. Long-range, automatic infrared night vision allows you can keep a watchful eye on your ranch even when it gets dark.

The security system includes a 7-inch LCD screen where you can view up to four cameras at once in real-time. A notification can go off when motion is detected and two-way audio allows you to talk with whomever is on your property. The package includes four cameras to provide a sense of security.

Not every security camera is the same. While some may be great options for your home they may not be the right choice for your farm. Fortunately, there are some helpful tips when it comes to choosing the right security system for your property.

The security cameras you place outside should have long-range surveillance monitoring. This will allow you to monitor if anybody trespasses through your property.

In most cases, you will want an exterior security camera that has a range of 50-100 feet. To monitor entry gates, a 20-50 foot range will typically do for a camera.

It is important that your long-range security cameras have high definition, as this will allow you to read license plates and get more detailed video footage of anyone that comes onto your property. In most cases 1080p resolution is fine but for long-range outdoor surveillance, it is best to invest in 4MP resolution or higher.

Even if your farm doesn’t have WiFi you can still get a wireless camera. Some brands of security cameras offer wireless cameras that run off of 4G LTE networks and get power from the battery.

Wireless cameras are easy to install and you don’t have to worry about the hassle of dealing with wires. They have the capability to transmit footage to your phone even if you are far away.

Ideally, the security camera you choose should be able to send alerts to your phone or computer. This will allow you to know if something is wrong at your farm, allowing you to jump into action as soon as possible.

Many cameras can be programmed to alert you when motion is detected. Certain cameras even have advanced technology that can discern people and vehicles from other movements, allowing you to know only true potential threats.

Setting up alerts and notifications through your security camera system allows you to know if anything is happening on your farm no matter where you are. With some cameras, you can even create an alarm to frighten any trespassers.

It is important that your farm security cameras have night vision capabilities so you can monitor your farm at all hours. Since many robberies happen at night it is important to have

Many outdoor security cameras feature IR LEDs that will emit light when it gets dark out. This will provide you with quality footage no matter day or not. Be sure to make sure whatever exterior camera you buy has the ability to capture footage in all conditions.

It is vital that any camera you place outside is weatherproof. Your security camera should capture footage whether rain or shine to ensure your ranch is always protected.

Look for weather-resistant cameras with IP65 ratings or higher. This shows the protection the camera has against solid objects and liquids. With the amount of dust and dirt farms produce as well as being exposed to the elements, a weather-resistant camera is a must-have.

Your farm security cameras should cover entrances/exits, storage rooms, tack rooms, barn aisleways, fields, arenas, and residences. Most farms will have between three to eight cameras depending on the size of the property.

Generally, should place your camera in a corner so it can get the most coverage. The camera should be placed at least eight to 10 feet off the ground.

Be sure to install your cameras in locations where your animals will not be able to get to them. In addition, if they are wired make sure the wires are out of reach of animals to make sure they don’t get tangled up or chew on the wires. You also want to make sure your cameras are not in a place that is easily accessible for thieves to steal or tamper with.

Both wired and wireless cameras are great options for security cameras. While many people have their own preferences, one isn’t exactly better than the other.

Wireless cameras are great because you don’t have to worry about the hassle of dealing with wires. They are typically easy to be installed and certain options can be used without access to WiFi.

Wireless cameras can also easily be moved to other locations. Since they are battery-powered, you will still be able to use them in a power outage.

With wired cameras, you will have a steady connection and typically have a better overall picture and audio. However, if you have a power outage then you will lose connection. In addition, it can be time-consuming and pricey to install.

In general, security cameras are designed to watch for crime whereas surveillance cameras are used for monitoring purposes. In most cases, surveillance cameras are hidden from plain sight but security cameras are visible for anyone to see.

Both security and surveillance cameras record at all times and are a way to track crime and accidents. Most farms and private residences will use security cameras for safety measures.