What Is a Bullet Camera?

Bullet Camera – A Popular Pick for Home Security

Published: 25-Feb-2025

TL;DR

Bullet cameras are a solid, reliable choice for monitoring specific areas like driveways, entry points, and backyards. 

They’re visible (great for deterring intruders), durable, and perfect for long-range views. Just make sure to choose the right resolution, night vision, and weatherproofing—and mount them high, angled down, and away from glare. 

Not great for tight indoor spots, but outdoors? They’re rockstars.

If you’ve ever walked past a business or a home and spotted a long, tube-shaped camera mounted under the eaves or on a wall—that’s a bullet camera.

They’re one of the most common types of security cams out there, and honestly? There’s a good reason for that.

Photo 1: A bullet camera (AI image)

People always ask me, “Why do so many places use bullet cameras instead of those little dome ones?”

And I tell them straight: bullet cams are simple, effective, and they send a clear message—’we’re watching.’

Their shape isn’t just for looks.

That longer body lets them pack in larger lenses and better zoom options, which makes them ideal for watching long driveways, backyards, alleyways, or any space where you need more distance coverage.

Plus, because they’re more visible, they act as a natural deterrent. A burglar sees one of these pointed at them, and suddenly, your place doesn’t seem like such an easy target.

Related blog post: Choosing the Right Home Surveillance System

If you’re setting up outdoor surveillance and want something that’s easy to aim, durable, and makes it obvious you’re not messing around—bullet cameras are a solid choice.

Next, let’s break down where they shine, and where they might not be the best fit.

Where Bullet Cameras Work Best (And Where They Don’t)

So, bullet cameras are great—but they’re not magic.

Like any tool, they work best when you use them in the right spots.

Photo 2-3: Bullet camera placement

I’ve seen setups where people tried to stick them in tight corners or inside small rooms and then wondered why the footage looked weird or wasn’t helpful.

So where do they really shine?

Long, Straight Views

Think driveways, walkways, fences, backyard perimeters—anywhere you want to watch a straight line of activity.

Bullet cams are built for distance, so if you want to keep an eye on someone walking up to your front gate from 50 feet away, these do the job perfectly.

High-Mount Outdoor Spots

They’re weatherproof, sturdy, and easy to point exactly where you want.

Mount them under an eave or along the side of the house, and boom—you’ve got coverage that holds up through rain, wind, and snow.

Visible Deterrence

Honestly? One of the best features is that they’re obvious. A bullet cam says, “You’re on camera,” loud and clear.

That alone can make someone think twice before creeping around.

Now—where don’t they work so well?

• Tight, enclosed spaces like small hallways or indoor corners. The field of view might be too narrow.
• If you’re looking for something discreet—these are not subtle.
• Areas where you want a wider, all-around view—dome cams or fisheye lenses might be better for that.

Here’s what I tell people: if you need a camera to watch one direction, over a decent distance, and you don’t mind it being obvious—bullet cams are the way to go.

Just don’t expect them to cover a whole room with one shot.

Next, let’s talk about the key features you should look for when buying a bullet camera. Because not all of them are built the same.

Key Features to Look for in a Bullet Camera

So you’ve decided a bullet camera fits your setup—awesome. But before you click “buy,” let’s make sure you’re getting a camera that’ll actually do what you need it to do.

I’ve seen way too many folks grab the first one with good reviews, only to realize later that it’s missing something important, like decent night vision or enough range.

Here’s the list I usually walk people through—this is the stuff that really matters.

Resolution (Clarity is Everything)

At the bare minimum, go for 1080p (Full HD). That’ll give you a clear enough picture to catch faces, read license plates (on a good day), and actually make out what’s happening.

If you want sharper detail—especially for long distances—2K or 4K is the move. Just keep in mind, higher resolution = bigger files, so your storage plan has to keep up.

Night Vision (Because Stuff Happens After Dark)

A lot of people forget this, but night vision is one of the most important features, especially for outdoor cams.

Look for infrared LEDs or, even better, color night vision if it’s in your budget.

I once tested a cheap bullet cam with weak night vision—it looked like someone smeared gray soup over the footage. Totally useless.

Weatherproof Rating (Don’t Skip This)

If you’re mounting it outside, make sure it’s got a solid IP rating—I usually recommend IP66 or higher. That means it’ll hold up in rain, dust, and wind.

No point installing a cam if the first storm is going to fry it.

Field of View (Not Too Narrow, Not Too Wide)

Bullet cams are built for directional views, but you still want a decent field of view—somewhere in the 90° to 120° range is great.

Too narrow, and you’ll miss stuff. Too wide, and everything looks tiny.

Mounting Flexibility

Check if the camera has a good adjustable mount, so you can fine-tune the angle after installation. Some cheap ones are basically “set it and forget it,” and if you guess wrong?

You’re stuck with a camera filming your garden gnome instead of the driveway.

Power Source & Connectivity

Ask yourself: Do you want wired for reliability or wireless for flexibility?

Wired is stable and great for 24/7 recording, but it’s a pain to install. Wireless (Wi-Fi) is easier but depends on your signal strength.

There are also PoE (Power over Ethernet) options that give you the best of both worlds, if you’re into that kind of setup.

Bottom line—don’t just go for the one with the most bells and whistles. Pick the features that make sense for your space.

That way, you’re not just buying a camera—you’re buying peace of mind.

Next up, I’ll walk you through a few placement tips that’ll help you get the most out of your bullet cam.

Even the best gear can fall short if it’s pointed the wrong way.

Bullet Camera Placement Tips That Actually Work

Alright, so you’ve got your bullet camera and it checks all the right boxes—now the big question is:

Where should you put it?

Trust me, this part makes or breaks the whole setup. I’ve seen perfectly good cameras completely wasted because they were pointed at the sky, blocked by a plant, or aimed at… I kid you not… a brick wall.

So here’s how I like to break it down—a few real-world tips that’ll save you time and frustration.

Mount It High, Angle It Down

You want to mount your bullet camera at least 8–10 feet up, and tilt it slightly downward. That gives you a better view of faces, full-body movement, and general activity.

Plus, it keeps the camera out of reach, so it’s harder for someone to mess with.

Cover Key Entry Points First

Don’t overthink it—start with the areas someone is most likely to enter. Front door, back door, driveway, garage, and gates are my top picks.

If you’ve only got one or two cameras, make sure they’re covering the most vulnerable or most active areas first.

Avoid Direct Sunlight (It’s a View Killer)

Point your camera away from the sun’s usual path, especially if it’s facing east or west.

I’ve had setups where the footage looked great during the day… until the sun hit just right and completely washed everything out. Glare is a real thing.

Mind the Weather

If your bullet cam isn’t under some kind of cover, it’s going to take a beating from the elements.

That’s fine—just make sure you angle it so rain doesn’t sit on the lens and obscure the view. A small overhang or eave can go a long way.

Don’t Create Blind Spots

This is a common one. People install a cam thinking it’s covering the whole yard, when in reality, they’ve got a huge blind spot right near the wall or fence.

Here’s my trick: after installing, open the app or monitor and walk through the area yourself.

See exactly what the camera sees. You might need to make a few angle tweaks, and that’s totally normal.

Watch Out for Infrared Reflection

If your bullet cam has night vision, don’t aim it through glass—like a window. The infrared light bounces back and totally ruins the image.

If you need to monitor through glass, go for a cam without IR or disable the IR lights and add some external lighting instead.

Placement doesn’t need to be perfect right out of the gate—just aim for visibility, coverage, and clarity.

And take a little time to review the footage after it’s been up for a day or two. You’ll catch things you might’ve missed during install.

Up next, let’s wrap things up with a quick recap and some final thoughts on whether bullet cams are the right fit for your home.

So, Are Bullet Cameras Right for You?

Alright, you’ve made it this far—so let’s answer the big question:

Are bullet cameras the right fit for your home setup?

If you want something that’s straightforward, tough, and built to keep an eye on a specific area, bullet cams are honestly one of the best choices out there.

I’ve used them on everything from a small backyard to a long driveway that needed extra reach, and they’ve always delivered.

But here’s how I usually look at it:

• Want a visible deterrent that says “You’re on camera”? ✔️
• Need to watch a narrow or long space, like a fence line, alley, or walkway? ✔️
• Planning to mount it outdoors and need it to survive the weather? ✔️
• Don’t care if it’s a little obvious? Or maybe even prefer that? ✔️✔️

On the flip side, if you’re looking for something discreet, super wide-angle, or better for indoor coverage, you might want to lean toward dome cams or compact indoor models.

Bullet cameras aren’t meant to blend in—they’re meant to stand guard.

Here’s what I always tell people: use bullet cameras where you want control and visibility. They’re like security guards who never blink—just point them at what matters, and let them do their thing.

Want to build a strong perimeter? Bullet cams are a great place to start.

Just make sure to pair them with smart placement, proper setup, and a little routine checkup now and then, and they’ll have your back for years.