Best Solar-Powered Security Camera: Wireless, Outdoor, Systems, WiFi, Motion Lights, Long Range, Cellular, & More
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Solar-powered security cameras are a great way to save yourself the hassle of wiring and having to constantly recharge your outdoor camera’s batteries. They’re also environmentally friendly and can help you save on electric bills. See which cameras we’ve chosen as your best options to give you a seamless outdoor security system.
Article Overview
- How Do Solar Powered Cameras Work?
- Things To Consider
- Best Solar Powered Security Cameras
- What Other Cameras Should I Consider?
- Camera Comparison Table
- Go Solar With Your Security
How Do Solar Powered Cameras Work?
Solar-powered security cameras use a solar panel to harness the sun’s energy to charge a rechargeable battery that is the power source. The solar panel converts sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. Then, an inverter turns that direct current electricity into an alternate current (AC) so it can be used to power the camera.
Anytime there’s sunlight, the solar panel absorbs that energy to keep the battery charged. So even if it’s cloudy or raining, the battery should have enough juice to power the camera.
Things To Consider
- Camera features: We have a great article that will teach you everything you need to know about security camera features.
- Battery: Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type used in solar-powered security cameras. You’ll need to consider if they need direct sunlight to charge and how much mAh (milliamp hour) they have. mAh is a unit that measures the energy capacity of a battery — the higher the mAh, the longer the charge will last.
- Solar panel location: Solar panels are either built into the camera or separate and attached to the camera with a cord.
- WiFi vs Cellular Network Connection: There are two ways that solar-powered cameras connect to monitoring, either by WiFi or by connecting to a 3G or 4G network.
- Video Recording Options: They either have cloud storage or local storage, which uses an SD card. Some cameras may even have both.
Beware Of Hacking
Keep in mind that anything that is connected to WiFi can ultimately be hacked. Think about the direction your camera is pointing and what a hacker could be seeing.
If your cameras have pan, tilt and zoom capabilities, this can complicate things a little more because a hacker could adjust the camera positioning. Additionally, WiFi cameras with two-way audio can allow hackers to listen in as well as speak.
While WiFi cameras are extremely common and convenient because they can be viewed remotely via smartphones, tablets and web browsers, we do urge you to think twice about where you position these around your home.
Think about what you really need the cameras for, position them thoughtfully and do things to protect your WiFi — secure your router, install a VPN, lock your system down to only accept your devices and deny anything that’s unrecognized, etc.
Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras
There are a lot of options on the market, so if you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. Here are our top 3 picks for the best solar-powered security cameras.
Arlo Ultra Review
#1
View Solar Panel on Amazon | View Camera on Amazon
Our top pick for the best solar-powered security camera is the Arlo Ultra. This WiFi camera has the best picture quality and most features of all the cameras we review here.
This camera offers a wide 180º field of view and automatically reduces the fisheye effect. With enhanced night vision and an integrated spotlight, you can expect excellent 4K video quality in color, day and night. Auto-zoom and tracking follow moving objects, and two-way audio and noise-canceling technology allow for clear communication.
The weather-resistant Arlo Solar Panel charges your camera battery with direct sunlight. Installation is simple with an adjustable mount and an 8-foot magnetic power cable.
Arlo Ultra requires a base station for monitoring. Cloud monitoring is not included with this camera, but they offer 2 subscription plans depending on the video quality you prefer. Also, the solar panel is sold separately because it’s an add-on option.
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Cloud Storage Plans
Arlo doesn’t require a subscription plan for live video streaming and basic notifications. However, you will get so much more out of your camera by choosing one of their Smart Plans. Check out the cloud storage options here.
Ring Spotlight Cam Review
#2
View Solar Panel on Amazon | View Camera on Amazon
The Ring Spotlight Cam is another solid choice because you can pair it with a compatible solar panel for a seamless wireless outdoor security camera.
With 1080 HD video, infrared night vision and a 140° horizontal/78° vertical field of view, this Ring camera can give you a great picture of what’s going on outside of your home. The free Ring app connects the camera to your smartphone, and it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa. When the camera detects motion, you’ll receive alerts and the spotlight activates. Two-way audio and a remotely activated siren allow you to deter intruders. You can also customize motion sensors for the spaces you want to monitor.
The Ring Solar Panel will charge your camera with a few hours of direct sunlight. This easy-to-install solar panel has a 13-foot power cable, adjustable mounting bracket and is weather resistant. With any Ring camera, you’ll incur a monthly fee for video recording. Also, the solar panel is a separate cost since it’s an add-on option.
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- Solar Panel Check Amazon for availability
- Camera
Check Amazon for availability
Monitoring Plan
Ring monitoring offers 3 options. However, if you want video recording, you will have to pay a monthly fee.
| Free | Basic | Plus | |
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| Price | Free | $3/month or $30/year | $10/month or $100/year |
| Coverage | One doorbell or camera | All devices at one address | |
| Ring & Motion Alerts |  |
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| Live Video On Demand | |
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| Warranty | One year | One year | Extended |
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| Review, Share & Save Videos | |
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| Professional Monitoring | |
SOLIOM S90 Review
#3
Rounding out our top 3 is the SOLIOM S90 Pro Outdoor Home Security Solar Battery Camera. This self-sustained camera is the only one in our top three that is an entirely wireless solar panel security camera.
The SOLIOM S90 is made to withstand extreme weather, has 3 enhanced antennae and allows you to take manual snapshots from the app while in live mode. Motion detection alerts go to your smartphone, and it will immediately record 8 seconds of video to your SD card and the cloud. It also has loud and clear two-way audio.
It’s important to consider that this camera will only work with 2.4GHz WiFi, and you may need a WiFi extender if your signal is not strong enough. Also, even though this has a 10000mah battery, it does require 3 to 5 hours of direct sunlight, and the manufacturer does not recommend placement on the north side of any building.
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Comparison Table
All of the cameras listed below are weatherproof, have night vision, SD storage and motion detection.
| 1st:Arlo | 2nd:Ring | 3rd:SOLIOM | Reolink | |
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| Price | Solar Panel: Camera: | Solar Panel Check Amazon for availability Camera Check Amazon for availability | Check Amazon for availability | Check Amazon for availability |
| Field Of View | 180° diagonal | 140° horizontal 78° vertical | 110° | 110° |
| WiFi Connection | |
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| 3G/4G Network | |
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| Camera Resolution | 4K | 1080p HD | 1080p HD | 1080p HD |
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| Solar Panel Placement | Separate | Separate | Built-in | Separate |
| Battery Capacity | 4800 mAh | 6000 mAh | 10000 mAh | 7800 mAh |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 2 year |
What Other Cameras Should I Consider?
Here are a few more solar-powered security camera reviews that did not make the top 3 but are worth your consideration.
Reolink Review
The Reolink 3G/4G LTE Outdoor Solar-Powered Security Camera is a good option if you need to place your solar camera outside of your WiFi range because you can connect it to T-mobile’s 4G-LTE and 3G GSM network. However, that’s the only way to connect it, and you have to use T-mobile prepaid data.
It offers an impressive night vision up to 33 feet, portability and weatherproof design. The app allows you to connect to multiple devices, and you (and up to 10 other users) can watch live video and playback. You also get access to the past 7 days of cloud video recordings for free.
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Read Our In-Depth Reolink Review
Go Solar With Your Security
Another great way to upgrade your solar security is to add solar-powered motion lights to your home. You’ll not only reduce your power bill and help the planet, but increase your overall security profile at the same time.
