The Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras

Solar-powered outdoor security cameras provide electricity-free protection for remote areas, large backdrop, outbuildings, and more.

All-new Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In HD security camera with two-way talk, Works with Alexa

Ring Solar Camera

3.9 out of 5 stars

iii.9

  • Icon Pros  Light

    Plug-in Hard disk drive security photographic camera

  • Icon Pros  Light

    2-style-talk and Alexa-uniform

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    Compatibility with Ring Alarm

Nosotros like the Reolink Argus 3 Pro for its simple DIY setup, cheap price tag, and easy-to-apply app. Y'all tin pick upwards the photographic camera and compatible Reolink solar panel for around $115, and it'due south a snap to install. The Argus 3 Pro also has impressive solar ability, a proficient picture, and clear starlight night vision. Whether y'all're trying to become greenish, relieve money on the power bill, or keep an eye on a garage or barn, this is a solid, affordable choice.

Compare the best solar-powered security cameras

Photographic camera

Price*

Video storage

Weather durability

Learn more

All-time overall

Reolink Argus 3 Pro

Micro SD card,
seven days free cloud storage
IP65
weatherproof
Runner up

All-new Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In HD security camera with two-way talk, Works with Alexa Ring Stick Up Cam Solar

Ring Protect plan required IPX5
waterproof
Budget selection

Zumimall Solar Powered Photographic camera

Micro SD carte, cloud IP65
weatherproof
Versatile choice

Maxsa Camera Maxsa Secuity Cam

Micro SD carte du jour IP44
weatherproof

*Amazon.com list price equally of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Reviews: Best outdoor, wireless, and solar security cameras

one. Reolink Argus 3 Pro: All-time overall

When information technology comes to affordable outdoor wireless security, the Argus iii Pro delivers. This security camera is plug and play, and virtually every feature is customizable—from motion detector sensitivity to image resolution. In the app, you can configure the types of alerts and alarms you lot want and view a live video feed.

The camera also comes with ii storage options: a micro SD card or seven days of free deject storage. If yous add together extra cameras or want more than cloud storage, Reolink also offers plans that can support upwards to 10 cameras with 30 days of storage.

The Argus three Pro is a pace-up from the Argus 2, thanks to the add-on of a spotlight. If you don't think you need a spotlight, the Argus 2 is still an excellent (and slightly more affordable) choice.

Pro Heading

Pros

Pro Bullet Cheap cost tag

Pro Bullet Easy-to-follow instructions

Pro Bullet Customizable alerts

Pro Bullet Good image quality

Pro Bullet Costless cloud storage

Pro Bullet 2-way sound

Con Heading

Cons

Con Bullet SD menu sold separately

Con Bullet Batteries aren't removable

Con Bullet No motility zones

Read our full review to run into how the Reolink Argus 3 Pro performed in our hands-on examination.

2. Ring Stick Up Cam Solar: Runner up

The Ring Stick Upward Cam provides extra security and convenience because information technology lets you interact with people on your property from your smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Information technology was one of the beginning solar-powered security cameras to offer two-way talk, and it works with Amazon Alexa for vox control.

One of the coolest things about this outdoor security camera is that it tin be part of the larger Ring Alarm security system. Most home security camera systems don't offering solar power options, and so this is a big reward if you want to extend your home'south protection to more remote spots on your property.

Pro Heading

Pros

Pro Bullet Theft protection

Pro Bullet Vox control

Pro Bullet Compatibility with Band Alarm

Pro Bullet Accurate motion detection

Pro Bullet Excellent video quality

Con Heading

Cons

Con Bullet Expensive toll tag

Con Bullet Required subscription for video recording

Con Bullet Quieter siren

This solar-powered Ring camera also comes with a theft protection guarantee. If your Stick Upwards Cam gets snatched, Band volition supersede it for free. Just that'due south one of the only things you get for costless.

Live video streaming comes standard, just if you want to record and save video, you'll demand a Ring Protect Programme, which starts around $3 a month. For effectually $20 per month you tin get the Ring Protect Pro subscription, which includes 3GB of fill-in internet to keep your cameras running even when there'due south an outage.

iii. Zumimall Solar Powered Surveillance Camera: Budget pick

For a solar-powered security camera priced just under $100, the Zumimall has a lot of loftier-tech bells and whistles. Our favorite characteristic is the 55-foot range night vision, made possible by four infrared LEDs. The camera's motion sensor merely detects move up to 32 feet abroad, merely the longer night vision range ensures you can clearly see who (or what) is moving around out at that place.

The perk of a solar-powered camera is, of course, its ability to continuously charge in sunny weather. The Zumimall supposedly holds its charge for 3 to 6 months, which should be enough of time for the sun to peek out and charge the camera once more.

This smart security camera includes two-way audio with noise cancellation for clear sound.

Pro Heading

Pros

Pro Bullet two-fashion audio

Pro Bullet Adjustable motion sensitivity

Pro Bullet App supports multiple users

Pro Bullet 120° field of view

Pro Bullet Dark vision up to 55ft

Pro Bullet Detects motion upwards to 32ft

Con Heading

Cons

Con Bullet Glitchy motion sensitivity

Con Bullet Battery issues

Con Bullet Poor image in shadowy conditions

Con Bullet SD menu sold separately

This solar-powered camera performs best when mounted in a sunny expanse; video quality and move sensitivity decreases in shadowy locations. Like many other smart cameras on the marketplace, the Zumimall simply works with 2.4Ghz wifi and records clips merely when motion is detected. A small-scale pct of reviewers note issues with the battery, SD card storage, and wifi connection.

four. Maxsa Motion-Activated Solar Security Camera and Floodlight: Versatile option

We like the Maxsa solar-powered habitation security device considering it combines motion-activated floodlights with a wireless security photographic camera to capture all the activity on your property. All the settings are fully customizable, including how long the lite stays on when activated and the sensitivity of both the move sensor and the daylight trigger.

Even with adaptable settings, some customers still find the motility sensor to be too sensitive, triggering almost constant recording but non always capturing movement in the videos. This is a glitch that can bleed the floodlight photographic camera's battery chop-chop, peculiarly when you're counting on sunshine for ability.

Pro Heading

Pros

Pro Bullet Affordable cost

Pro Bullet Customizable settings

Pro Bullet Ample storage

Pro Bullet Congenital-in floodlight

Con Heading

Cons

Con Bullet Oversensitive motion detection

Con Bullet Unreliable date and time stamps

This solar-powered motion sensor light and camera comes with a 16GB memory carte du jour, but you can upgrade to a 64GB memory card or download video to a computer. Ane affair to note is that users have had a hard time getting the camera to sync up for proper date and time stamping. We recommend including that information in the name of whatever videos y'all download

Things to consider in a solar security photographic camera

Placement

At that place are 2 things to consider when information technology comes to the placement of your solar-powered security photographic camera. The first is where yous desire the camera to be installed for maximum protection, and the 2d is where the solar panel needs to be placed for maximum dominicus exposure.

To keep your solar-powered security camera upwards and running, you demand plenty summit sun-hours to go it fully charged. Peak sun-hours are classified as an hour in which the sun provides one,000 watts of power per square meter. The measurement refers to the intensity of sunlight, rather than the amount of fourth dimension the dominicus is shining.

Peak sun hours typically occur when the sun is at its highest point and can vary depending on flavour and location. Some guidelines to help you harness every bit much solar power as possible include placing your solar console in a due south-facing spot that gets full sunlight for at least six hours per solar day.

Depending on how long the cablevision is that attaches your camera to the panel, you might demand to adjust your choice for camera placement. We recommend identifying your desired camera placement before deciding which solar photographic camera to buy.

Weatherproof rating

When you count on an outdoor device to proceed your home and family safe, you need to make sure it tin can stand up up to the elements. Every outdoor solar camera we recommend has a weatherproof rating that lets you lot know how well it withstands grit and water.

Weatherproof, or Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, rank devices and device casing based on how much dust and water tin become into the device.

H2o standards

Water standards range from IPX0 that offers zero protection from water to IPX7 that means the product can withstand 30 minutes of submersion in upward to ane meter of water. In that location is an IPX8 rating that is defined by the manufacturer as better than IPX7.

Grit standards

Grit standards range from IPX0 that indicates no protection against dust and other objects entering the device to IPX6, which ways the device is impervious to grit and other objects.

IP ratings are often displayed equally IP65, which indicates the waterproof rating start (vi) followed by the dustproof rating. If you meet a rating with an X in the middle, that means the item is rated only for ane cistron.

Solar camera FAQ

Considering abode security cameras need to exist on the job 24/7, they can utilize up a good chunk of electricity. Y'all'll definitely keep your ability bill from taking an extra striking with solar-powered cameras, merely the amount of savings will vary from abode to abode.

Most of the solar-powered security cameras nosotros recommend include rechargeable battery fill-in that can keep your camera working for anywhere from 12 hours to three days.

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Disclaimer

*Production prices and availability are authentic as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Whatever cost and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will use to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided "as is" and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Rebecca Edwards

Written by

Rebecca Edwards

Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house good for SafeWise.com. She has been a announcer and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the by eight. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over crime reports and spotting trends. Her safety expertise is sought later past publications, broadcast journalists, not-profit organizations, podcasts, and more. You can find her good advice and analysis in places similar TechCrunch, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, NPR, HGTV, MSN, Reader's Assimilate, Real Simple, and an ever-growing library of radio and TV clips.

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