7 Best Solar Powered Security Cameras in 2023
Introduction
If you have decided to keep an eye on your house, solar powered security cameras are your best option. Thanks to the large selection of security cameras currently available on the market, you have plenty of options to choose from!
You can view your home’s inside and surroundings with these incredible cameras. These are simple to install and have a lot of new sophisticated features. Wireless solar security cameras are the more useful option as the batteries never run out as long as there is sunlight.
The majority of solar-powered cameras operate without the requirement for manual recharging. They consist of a battery and a solar panel that automatically gets charged in the sunlight. Solar cameras give you the added benefit of not dealing with dead batteries.
We have thoroughly evaluated the majority of the solar power security cameras available in the market right now. In the hunt for the best solar powered security camera, we have gathered here 7 of the most preferred ones among the users.
Buying guide for the best solar powered security cameras
When you decide to get a solar outdoor security camera, there are a lot of things you need to consider. Starting from the outside weather to the convenience of your own usage, buying a camera is not a quick decision. Since it is a very expensive purchase, there is a lot that you need to consider.
Some main factors you should consider when buying a solar security camera system are-
Battery life
The lifespan of the battery in a solar power camera is very important. Needless to say, the battery will, of course, be charged via sunlight. However, how much charge the battery can hold and how long the camera can operate with a full battery is something you should be aware of.
Always choose asolar camera that has a long lifespan and can provide many hours of service after one charge.
Camera Resolution
Similar to most cameras, a security camera also needs to have high resolution to record everything clearly. If the resolution is too bad or pixelated, there will be no point in monitoring your house with that camera. You won’t be able to see the important details when the time arises to check the footage.
Therefore, make sure to check the camera resolution before installing any solar powered cameras for security reasons. It should have HD (high-definition) footage.
Night vision
Having night vision is essential for your solar security camera as most security is needed for your house at night. Solar-powered security cameras use their backup battery at night to keep recording.
To be able to do this, the night vision of the particular camera should be top-notch. It should be able to provide perfect captures of the surroundings even in the pitch-black atmosphere.
Wireless connectivity
Solar wireless security cameras are really your best friend when it comes to installing them. There is no extra hassle of wires and maintaining them at the point of installation.
Sometimes, the camera placement might not be near a power socket. In that case, a wireless camera just makes the whole installation process a lot easier.
Field of View
For a security camera, the amount of area they can cover is one of the most important things you need to be aware of. The more ground the camera can cover, the better and the stronger your security system will be.
So, make sure to get a solar power security camera that can rotate and cover at least 180 degrees of field view.
List of the best solar powered security cameras
After careful surveying of the user reviews and features each of them has to offer, these are the seven best solar powered security cameras for you.
- Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (Solar)
- Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera and Arlo Solar Panel Charger
- Ring Spotlight Cam Plus (Solar)
- Wyze Cam Outdoor Camera and WYZE Solar Panel
- REOLINK Argus 3 Pro-B with Solar Panel
- Eufy Security SoloCam S340
- Ring Stick Up Cam
1. Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (Solar)
In the overall ranking for the best wireless solar security camera, Ring Spotlight Cam Pro takes the top spot. Solar must come up at the number one spot. This camera provides the ultimate security with its special features in crystal clear HDR footage.
Some of the most sophisticated features of this camera include 3D motion detection, Bird’s eye view, HDR video quality, and Dual-Band Wi-Fi (2.4 or 5.0 GHz). You can configure specific zones with this camera so that certain movements in the area instantly alert you. You can also get an aerial view at any time.
Regardless of the time, a 140° field of vision and 1080p HDR video let you see everything that is occurring at home in live view. Color Pre-Roll and Color Night Vision features to ensure that you can see even in the darkest of the surroundings. Since this is a security camera with a solar panel, you can adjust the solar panel to get the most sunlight for maximum charging.
There is a Ring app along with the camera through which you will be able to monitor the live view from anywhere in real-time. A Ring protection plan in this app can get you real-time notifications, security and privacy controls, and download and saving options, too.
Pros
- Radar-powered 3D motion detection feature
- 1080p HDR vision
- Color night vision and features
- Two spotlights to light up dark alleyways
- Bird’s eye view
- Simple and easy to setup
- Rings an alarm in case of intruders
Cons
- The spotlights don’t provide very bright lights.
2. Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera and Arlo Solar Panel Charger
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight camera is an excellent choice as one of the best outdoor solar security cameras.It features extremely advanced clear video details in 2K HDR resolution. The diagonal and wide-angle view with a 160° viewing angle provides protection from all sides.
The most impressive feature is the color night vision of this camera, which can keep track of the surroundings in clear images at night, too. This night vision can clearly note down the license plates and faces without any trouble. Additionally, it can zoom into any moving object to capture the details.
The camera also has auto image correction, which reduces the fisheye effect from the solar powered camera. The integrated outdoor spotlight and a loud siren can instantly let you know of any intruders. There’s a two-way audio option to talk to people from inside the house.
You can use this camera with a solar panel, for which you will need to buy the Arlo solar panel charger separately. This charger has an adjustable mount and an 8-foot magnetic power cable. This will cost you an extra $60, along with the camera.
Pros
- Excellent camera details with the ability to zoom into moving objects
- Colored images privilege at night
- Receive notifications and alerts instantly
- Easy Wi-Fi installation
- Good quality siren and spotlight feature
- Stores video history of the past 30 days
Cons
- Need to get the solar panel separately
- More expensive than other cameras
3. Ring Spotlight Cam Plus (Solar)
Ring Spotlight Cam Plus is considered to be a great solar powered outdoor security camera, according to the users. This solar camera provides a clear image regardless of the day and night in 1080p resolution. Two built-in LED lights are there to brighten up the surveillance video.
Ring Spotlight Cam Plus has customizable motion zones where you can choose which area your camera will notify you of when it detects motion. The lights are also motion-controlled to turn on when motion is detected. There is a two-way talk option to communicate with the people outside.
You’ll be able to receive real-time notifications and alerts via the Ring app built for this camera. You can use the camera from several devices via the app. Get a Ring Protect plan to get access to more features. Also, the camera can also be connected to Alexa. The Echo device will make an announcement every time there is a motion outside.
Pros
- High quality 1080p camera
- Customizable motion zones and lights
- Built-in siren
- Two-way talk option
- Color night vision
- 2 LED spotlights
- Can be connected to Alexa and Ring app
Cons
- Not that great in getting details of moving objects.
4. Wyze Cam Outdoor Camera and WYZE Solar Panel
Wyze produces really good indoor andoutdoor solar security cameras. It is even more consistent as an outdoor camera due to the IP65 weather-resistant build of the camera. There is also a travel mode option for when you need to move the camera somewhere with you.
The resolution of the camera is up to par with the other solar powered wireless security cameras with its 1080p vision. The color night vision of this camera gives vivid colors even in 25x dark surroundings at night. The camera has advanced detection sensors, such as PIR sensors, which can sense body heat and alert you.
You can set it up easily anywhere, as it has a wireless Wi-Fi setup option. And you can connect up to four cameras at a single base station. With a 130° angle, you can monitor and communicate with the two-way audio. There is also a starlight sensor built into it, along with a smoke and CO (Carbon monoxide) detection alert, which is immensely helpful.
Pros
- IP65 weather-resistant material built
- PIR body heat detection sensor
- Powerful color night vision
- Customizable motion detection zones
- Smoke and CO detection sensors
- Two 2,600mAH batteries to operate up to 6 hours.
- Features local and cloud storage options
Cons
- Needs a base station for setup.
- It is not supported by Apple homekit.
5. REOLINK Argus 3 Pro-B with Solar Panel
In the hunt for the best solar wireless security camera, Reolink Argus pro-B is an unforgettable name. It has the easiest installation process with zero wires and a rechargeable battery. You can get crystal-clear video images no matter whether it is day or night.
The 2K resolution of this solar powered wireless security camera delivers vivid images. There is a spotlight for an even better view at night, but without it, the videos are still crystal clear. The videos can also be shot as time lapses for your convenience sometimes.
The connectivity is constantly stable with this camera. It has a dual-band of 2.4GHz and 5GHz that provides 867 Mbps of speed for live videos of your home from far away. It is also designed to withstand various weather conditions and is very sturdy. The kit comes with a Reolink solar panel, which is pretty convenient since you won’t have to buy one separately.
Pros
- Stable connection with dual-band Wi-Fi
- Easy wireless installation
- 128GB local storage videos
- Two-way audio feature
- Customizable alert zone and reduction of false alarms
- 16x digital zoom
Cons
- Can only record 30 seconds of footage after a motion trigger.
6. Eufy Security SoloCam S340
Eufy Security Solocam S340 is one of the best solar WiFi security cameras. Due to its 3K resolution, the camera has enhanced clarity all the time. It can rotate 360 degrees and leave no blind spots during the surveillance. There are four preset camera positions that you can indulge in with just one tap.
A special feature of this camera is the 8x hybrid zoom that can zoom in and even read license plates clearly while moving. The dual camera covers 50 50-foot radius during monitoring. The pan and tilt option of the camera just makes it even more convenient to keep an eye on every corner of your house.
Eufy security camera also has automatic motion tracking, where it tracks and follows anything that’s moving. Even at night, it allows 20% more light to see clearly because of the f/1.6 aperture. However, the functions are reduced to 26 feet at night instead of 50 feet. It can run on 2 hours of direct sunlight every day.
This camera is also voice assistant compatible. Therefore, you can give orders and control with the help of Alexa and Google voice assistant. For an enhanced experience, you can connect it to Homebase S380.
Pros
- Enhanced camera quality
- Dual camera view covering 50 feet
- Automatic motion tracking
- f/1.6 aperture colored vision at night
- Compatible with voice assistant
- No blind spots in monitoring
Cons
- Sometimes, it has trouble connecting to Homebase 3.
7. Ring Stick Up Cam (Solar)
Another Ring produced famous solar security camera is the Ring Stick up cam. It’s not wireless and can only handle a 130° diagonal field of view. This cam setup comes with a stand with an adjustable angle or a mounting base. You can easily mount the Ring Stick Up Cam on a wall and continue monitoring your house.
This camera is pretty reasonable compared to all the other security camera options we have discussed so far. But the features are not any less amazing. It still provides a great, detailed video experience at 1080p. There are motion-activated notifications that can update you about the motions in the surroundings in real-time.
Another feature of this camera is the two-way talk option with noise cancellation. Solar security camera user reviews also vouch for it to be very weather resistant. This camera works both with Alexa and the Ring Connect app, from which you can access a lot of the controls.
Pros
- Long-lasting battery and solar panel
- Weatherproof camera build
- Motion activated notifications
- USB accessories and solar panels are included in the pack
- Custom privacy settings are available.
- Reasonable price within budget.
Cons
- Audio quality is not great.
- Charges additional money for cloud storage
Best Solar Powered Security Camera Comparison
Solar Powered Security Camera | Resolution | Field of View | Setup type | Extra features |
Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (Solar) | 1080p | 140° | Wireless | Color pre-roll, color night vision, bird’s eye view, 2 spotlights, 3D motion detection feature |
Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera | 2K HDR | 160° | Wireless | Color night vision, integrated spotlight, smart alerts, object detection, 24/7 emergency response |
Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar | 1080p | 140° | Wireless | Customizable motion zones, color night vision, two-way talk, real-time live notifications, 2 motion detected LED spotlights |
Wyze Cam Outdoor Camera and WYZE Solar Panel | 1080p | 130° | Wireless/ base station setup | IP65 weather-resistant material, smoke, and CO detection, PIR body heat sensors, starlight sensor with color night vision |
REOLINK Argus 3 Pro-B with Solar Panel | 2K 4MP | 122° | Wireless | 16x digital zoom, color night vision, 128GB local storage, smart AI detection |
Eufy Security SoloCam S340 | 3K | 360° | Wireless | Dual camera lens, automatic motion tracking, no blind spots, 8x hybrid zoom, pan and tilt option, local storage available |
Ring Stick Up Cam | 1080p | 130° | Mounting base or stand with adjustable angle | 1080p video image, advanced motion detecting notifications, long-lasting battery, weather-resistant |
Do solar powered security cameras need the internet?
Yes, solar powered security cameras definitely need the internet.
Wired cameras are connected to the system with adjustable cables and wires. On the other hand, solar powered security cameras usually connect to the home security system with the Wi-Fi connection. For establishing the wireless connection between the security camera and the home system, the internet is a must.
Moreover, if you want to monitor real-time live video of the camera from anywhere, the internet is also mandatory for this. You can’t get live, real-time notifications when an intruder alert is issued without the camera being connected to the internet.
Some of the solar powered cameras with SD cards in them can record and store the videos when the internet is not available. Even so, in order to watch these videos on your app or own device, you must need the internet.
What are the reasons to use a solar powered security camera?
Nowadays, there are plenty of battery powered security cameras available in the market. Still, why feel the need to use a solar powered security camera? Of course, it has some very useful merits compared to the other cameras. Some of them are-
No Maintenance
Battery powered cameras run out of batteries very often. And then, you need to dismount the camera from way above the walls and replace these batteries each time.
Solar powered security cameras require no such hassle. The camera will charge itself up during the daylight with the help of its own solar panel. So, you can just leave the camera up there with no maintenance hassle.
Lowers Electricity Bills
Since security cameras need to run 24/7 in order to monitor the surroundings, it can build up a huge amount of electricity bill. However, solar powered security cameras are not connected to the electric outlets but still run 24/7. This way, you are saving up a lot of the money from the bills.
Eco-Friendly
Solar powered cameras are the most eco-friendly options out there. It doesn’t have disposable plastics such as batteries in it. Moreover, it is solely powered by the sunlight, so there is no energy being wasted either.
Conclusion
Now you are familiar with 7 of the best solar powered security cameras out there right now. Each of them has their own winning points and unique features that set them apart from the rest. Any of the cameras provided in this guide can fulfill your wants and satisfy your home security plans.
All you need to do now is to check out their current market price. Consider which one of them fits your budget the most and also meets your expectations. Only then, make the purchase for your own solar powered wireless security camera.
Installing these cameras is pretty easy. You can complete the task by yourself. Once done, just be completely worry free and feel secure in your home.
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