IP66 Cameras: Definition & Recommendations

The IP66 camera means water-resistant and weatherproof. That’s what most IP66 camera producers advertise, and probably pretty much all you know about them. And that’s not enough!

Actually, IP66 is just a rating that indicates the dust and water-resistant level of the enclosure, and there are other similar types like IP67, IP65 and IP54 cameras as you may see on the market.

So what does ip66 rated mean exactly? Could the IP66 CCTV cameras stand the heavy rain, strong wind or terrible snow in your area? IP66 vs. IP67 cameras, what’s the difference and which one should you invest in? What’s the best IP66 security camera?

Find all the answers below in minutes.

IP66 Camera Definition – What Does It Mean

An IP66 camera is the one that has a solid housing that provides complete protection to the dust and powerful water jets, meaning it could stand the heavy rain, wind, and snow outdoors.

Actually, the IP code, International Protection or Ingress Protection Marking, is a rating that indicates the level of protection against dust and water provided by the enclosure.

Technically, each digit in the IP code has its specific meaning:

  • The first digit represents the level of protection against solid objects;
  • The second digit represents the level of protection against fluids.

Generally speaking, the larger the number is the higher the level of protection provided, as the chart below shows.

Level Solid objects/dust protection Liquid protection
1 Solid objects over 50mm Dripping water
2 Solid objects over 12.5 mm Dripping water when tilted at 15°
3 Solid objects over 2.5 mm Spraying water
4 Solid objects over 1.0 mm Splashing of water
5 Dust protected (not entirely prevented) Water jets
6 Dust-tight (complete protection) Powerful water jets
7 X Immersion, up to 1m depth
8 X Immersion, 1m or more depth
9 X Powerful high-temperature water jets

*X means no data available to specify the rating instead of no protection. Actually, they are higher protected than level 6.

IP65 vs. IP66 vs. IP67 Cameras: Which One to Choose

You may see IP54, IP67, IP65, or IP66 cameras on the market claiming to be waterproof. But there could be huge differences between them – as the chart above suggests.

Generally speaking, the IP65 (battery-powered ones) and IP66 cameras would be no mistake in any environment, and the IP67 cameras could be overkill for home use and not a cost-effective option.

To be more specific:

  • IP66 cameras, also called waterproof cameras, are the most common ones, and they are completely impervious to natural elements. That’s to say, you can place them outdoors in any weather condition like the extensive rain or heavy snow, even in Canada and Russia.
  • IP65 cameras, or so-called weatherproof cameras, are also popular, especially in the battery-powered cameras world (why is that?), and they should be enough to guard your house or establishments in the rain and shine – as long as there is not extensive rainfall in months.
  • IP67 cameras are not very common in security cameras and you’ll find them more cost-effective if you have specific uses, like monitoring things under the water.
  • IP54 cameras could only protect the camera from splashing water, which is far from enough to resist powerful rains. So it’s advised to find a shelter for the IP54 camera if you use it outdoors.

* There is also a comparison chart for your reference.

Security cameras Dust and water-resistant level Advised working environment
IP54 camera rating Dust & water splashing protected Outdoors with shelter
IP65 camera rating Dust-tight & water jets protected Most outdoor environments
IP66 camera rating Dust-tight & powerful water jets protected Any outdoor environment
IP67 camera rating Dust-tight & 1 meter immersion protected When immersion is needed

Editor’s Note:

Whether to go for IP66 security cameras or IP65 ones actually depends on what kind of security cameras you are looking for.

Most outdoor battery-powered cameras are designed with a special plastic casing. For this reason, IP65 cameras are the best you can find on the market today, and # is the top one of them.

While the hard wired or WiFi cameras, which you could normally see on the street and around the neighborhood, mostly come with metal housing, and therefore the IP66 camera enclosure is now the industry-leading standard for this type of camera.

Best IP66 Cameras for Your Choice

IP66 cameras are the first choice for outdoor surveillance, like the front door, backyard, driveway or the wild, and for the business where the washdown operation is a normal practice.

However, there could be different best matches for different installation places and monitoring purposes.

#1. Best IP66 WiFi Camera – C611

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This IP66 WiFi camera features not only solid metal aluminum housing for any adverse weather but also dual-band WiFi which delivers the strongest network signals. And it is even better than that with more bonus features:

Resolution 1080P Super HD
Mounting distance 250ft in open areas
Motion alerts Email, push, save to FTP & SD card
Remote access The smartphone app, PC app, and web browser
Night vision 100ft night vision range
Installation Plug and play
Audio capability Built-in microphone
IP66 camera price USD 29.99

If you want an IP66 WiFi camera that is IP66 waterproof and WiFi connection combined, the C288 is the one, and it will surprise you with no compromise in other features at a totally affordable price.

Here is a group of pictures shared by ZOSI users, showing the stability of this IP66 WiFi camera in all kinds of weather conditions.

#2. Best IP66 Bullet Camera – C190

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This mini IP66 bullet camera could be easily mounted at high positions inconspicuously like under the eaves to guard your front door area, garden, backyard, driveway, garage, etc. Its tiny body also reduces the risk of suffering from natural elements like the possible rain, snow, and wind.

Check its basic features to get a better understanding of this IP66 bullet camera.

Resolution 1080P super HD
Mounting distance Unlimited with 330ft network cable
Motion alerts Email, push, save to FTP
Remote access The smartphone app, PC app, and web browser
Night vision 100ft night vision range
Installation Plug and play
Audio capability Built-in microphone
IP66 security camera price USD 35.99

If you want a real solid guardian in the outdoor to stand the unpredictable weather and don’t know which one to choose, the IP66 bullet camera C190 would be the safest choice and it will never let you down at a surprising price.

#3. Best IP66 Dome Camera – C418

This IP66 dome camera settles three big troubles for you, namely the harsh weather, vandalism, and complex installation, which offer you a worry-free option:

  • It is an IP66 camera which could work well in any weather condition;
  • It is a TVI CVI AHD CVBS camera that provides a plug and plays solution.
  • Find more features of this IP66 dome camera in the chart below.
Resolution 1080P super HD
Zoom function 4X optical zoom
Motion alerts Email, push, save to FTP
Remote access The smartphone app, PC app, and web browser
Night vision 100ft night vision range
Installation Plug and play
Audio capability Built-in microphone
IP66 CCTV camera price USD 19.99 – 66.99

If you want an IP66 dome camera that you can easily hide under the eaves or other places, or an IP66 waterproof camera with the optical zoom function to see more details without getting closer, RLC-422 is the best choice.

#4. Best IR IP66 Camera – C289

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Look for IR IP66 camera with exceptional night vision? C289 is the one. It could see things 190ft away clearly even in low light conditions – that’s where most security cameras fail to work. And it could also do PTZ, which extends its field of viewing greatly and leaves you no blind spots!

Check out the detailed features of this IR IP66 camera via the chart below.

Resolution 1080P super HD
Pan function 360° pan range
Tilt function 90° tilt range
Zoom function 4X optical zoom
Motion alerts Email, push, save to FTP
Remote access The smartphone app, PC app, and web browser
Night vision 190ft night vision range
Installation Plug and play
IP66 weatherproof camera price USD 44.99

Now join the winter fun after the harsh snow with the IR IP66 camera ZPTZ-B220W.

#5. Best IP66 Battery Powered Camera – C306

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As I put it earlier, the highest IP rating you may expect for a battery-powered camera is IP66 and that’s enough to work in most environments, like the dry hot summer in California and the cold moist winter in New York.

So with no compromise in the working environment and no wires at all, this IP66 battery-powered camera offers you the easiest installation than ever before: just put the batteries in, you can place it anywhere you like – even mount it on the tree in the wild with a strap!

For a closer look at the IP66 camera A3, check the specification chart below.

Resolution 1080p HD resolution
Motion sensor Accurate PIR motion sensor
Motion alerts Email, push and sound alerts
Remote access The smartphone app and PC app
Night vision 33ft starlight night vision
Audio capability 2-way audio
Battery life Up to 180 days of standby time
IP66 camera price USD 69.99

A ZOSI user shared his refreshing moment with C306 in the rain. Check it out below.

IP66 CCTV Camera Resource Centre

ZOSI, the industry-leading security camera producer, offers a full range of IP65 and IP66 cameras as listed above, with responsive support, 2-year long warranty, and updated resources to help you get the most out of security cameras.

* Click here to download the latest ZOSI IP66 CCTV camera software.

If you still have trouble finding the right IP66 camera, you may leave us a comment down below and we’ll get back to you very soon, or you may contact the support team for help.

Could IP66 Cameras Stand Extreme Weather – Yes, of Course

Whether the IP66 camera could survive the extreme weather could be the first question that pops up to your mind if you live in Canada, Russia or other cold areas.

But no worries, the answer to the above question is absolute yes! Actually, the IP65 camera C306 could make it too.

You may be careful enough to find the operating temperature for most IP66 security cameras would be something like -10°C~+55°C, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t work in harder environments.

Here is the thing: The IP66 CCTV camera working temperature actually indicates the requirement to start the camera.

That’s to say, even if your local temperature couldn’t meet the required operating temperature all year round, you could still use the camera by starting it indoors and then moving it outdoors!

And that’s why ZOSI cameras, especially the C306, become hot sellers in Canada, Russia and other cold places even without a heater or something you might have thought of.

* We’ve also covered a cold-weather IP security camera buying guide, you may also check it out.

Top IP66 Cameras Outdoor Installation Tips

Yes, the IP66 cameras are waterproof, which literally means you can put it anywhere outdoors. (See how waterproof camera monitor outdoor in extreme weather?)

Yet, any obstruction on the IP66 security camera lens could affect the image clarity and the IP66 cameras could be more durable with careful installation and placement.

So here we collect some IP66 CCTV camera installation tips for you:

#1. Place the IP66 weatherproof cameras under the eaves or ceilings, which will make the IP66 security camera less conspicuous and protect it against the natural elements at the same time.

#2. Build a shelter for the IP66 camera when necessary. You may make use of a plastic bottle, pot or something like that to DIY an IP66 security camera housing.

#3. Dress the IP66 camera with skins or special housing.