The number one thing that is going to affect the performance and longevity of your outdoor security camera is the enclosure that it uses. A camera is a sensitive instrument and it needs to be protected from the elements, whether that is the heat, cold, wind,, rain, or dust to keep working. The best outdoor security camera enclosure will give the camera protection from any unwanted vandalism as well. Most cameras should come with an enclosure already attached, but if you would like to build your own and control how good of a case you have, you can find numerous sources of cases online.
The number one thing you have to look at when you are looking outdoor security camera cases is the IP code or rating. The IP, or International Protection Rating, is a two digit code that indicates how impervious an electrical enclosure is to dust and other physical objects and water. The first number is protection against solid objects and ranges from 0, no protection to 6, dust tight. The second number is how well he outdoor security case resists water, and ranges from 0, not protected, to 8, which is immersion below one meter.
When you’re looking at an enclosure, it should have an IP rating of at least 65. This will make the camera dust tight, so that you don’t get any unwanted specks on the lens and will protect it against water jets, defined as water projected from a nozzle hitting the camera at any angle. Anything less than this and you risk your camera being rendered useless after a strong rain.
If you live in an area that can be subjected to extreme heat or cold, you should also consider buying a case with a heater or fan installed. Most cameras are good from around 12 degrees to 112 degrees Fahrenheit. This may seem like a lot of room to work with, but remember in the summer that heat can get trapped in the case, raising the temperature dramatically. If it gets anywhere close to 100 degrees during the summer or down in the single digits in the winter, you should think hard about including a fan, heater, or both. It’s better to invest a few dollars more than have your outdoor security camera break during the first cold snap or heat wave.
Finally, your case needs to also be able to stand up to random knocks and abuse that vandals can give it. The best, toughest, type of cases for protecting your camera from the elements and vandals are metal cases. Metal cases are tough, won’t snap in the cold or melt in the sun like plastic cases can, and will last a long time. The only downside to metal cases is if you have a wireless camera, you may need to get a booster antenna for it because the metal and interfere with the signal.
Outdoor security camera enclosures will protect your camera from the elements, vandals, and most other hazards that you can think of. Make sure you pick out the right one by comparison shopping, I suggest this model from VideoSecu, and your camera will last outside for years to come.
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Greg is a the owner and main contributor to Outdoor Security Camera Reviews. 
