The 7 Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras & Systems (2023)

Solar-powered security cameras and systems are ideal for outdoor locations. These can be sheds, fields, and parking lots where you need surveillance but can’t run power cables.

However, most of them aren’t 4G cellular LTE cameras; hence, you must ensure they are within Wi-Fi range. This is crucial for remote viewing and cloud storage. 

My top pick as the best solar-powered security camera is the Eufy 2K Bullet Security Camera. It has a solar panel built into the enclosure and a spotlight for active deterrence. 

My second pick is the Arlo 4MP Spotlight Security Camera. This camera records in 2K resolution and supports two-way communication.

The 7 Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras & Systems (2023)

The best solar-powered security camera on our list is the Eufy 2K bullet security camera. It is a wire-free device that relies on rechargeable batteries and solar panels for power. Hence, there are no DC/AC power options.

For data transmission, this Eufy security camera requires 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. There are no wired options such as PoE.

The camera can store 8GB of footage in its onboard eMMC storage card. On average, this amounts to 60 days worth of footage. You will need to maintain the Wi-Fi connection to access the Eufy Security Mobile App. (Which supports all monitoring and control functions of this security camera.)

There is no cloud subscription service, but it works with smart assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Chromecast.

The Arlo Pro 4 is a very versatile wire-free camera. It’s made runner-up in this list because of its extreme mobility and ease of use.

For starters, the camera is easy to install and remove from the magnetic wall mount. You can pull it out and place it anywhere without the wall mount.

The camera supports fast charging. On top of that, you can always replace the batteries inside with a fresh set. There’s no need to leave gaps in your surveillance system.

The camera is equipped with modern features. This includes color night vision and two-way communication. It’s also compatible with smart home platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.

The four-pack spotlight cam solar bundle by Ring features four Ring spotlight cams, each with its own solar panel.

These cameras can only draw power from rechargeable batteries; hence there are no wired options. Each camera includes a single battery pack with room for another one that needs to be purchased separately.

The camera only supports motion-activated recording with short clips that last from fifteen seconds to two minutes. (configurable via the app) Because of this, the rechargeable battery can keep the camera operational for a minimum of six months. With solar, the battery may last even longer, but depending on the availability of sunlight, the battery will die out eventually.

It takes around five to seven hours to recharge the battery. (All charging accessories included.)

The Reolink Argus 3 Pro is a 4MP wire-free camera with solar and DC power options. The solar panel needs to be purchased separately, and it is only compatible with Reolink solar-powered cameras such as this Argus 3 Pro and Argus 2.

The camera doesn’t support continuous recording, and the motion-activated clips only last from 8 to 30 seconds. So when it is detecting people and vehicles, it won’t cover anything longer than half a minute unless the user logs in and controls the camera.

Along with the solar panel, there is an included 4m (13ft long) power cable. If this cable is not long enough, Reolink allows the option to connect another 4.5m (14ft long) extension cable. (Purchased separately.)

Also, the rechargeable battery on the Argus 3 Pro will last only four weeks (maximum) without solar panels.

The Hikvision DS-2XS2T47G0-LDH/4G/C18S40 is a premium high-end bullet camera. It supports both continuous and motion-activated recording features.

This camera setup is designed to be self-reliant in remote locations. Therefore, it transfers data using 4G LTE with the optional ethernet port and DC power receptacle.

There is a 40W solar panel to power the camera with a 180Wh rechargeable battery embedded into the camera system. Also, the device can function for almost two and a half days on the battery alone while recording footage continuously.

Therefore, to make sure that the solar panels keep charging the battery and the camera system working perpetually, the motion-activated recording feature will need to be enabled instead.

Swann’s CoreCam wireless includes a 2.8W solar panel and a 6000mAh rechargeable battery. Therefore, with motion-detected recording, it can power itself for a long time.

The camera records footage in 1080p and includes a 32GB micro SD card as local storage. It also supports cloud storage and remote viewing via the app.

Unfortunately, the camera doesn’t support continuous recording. Also, the solar panel's production varies with the environment. Therefore, you might have to take it in and recharge once a month.

Our final entry on this list is the Blink Outdoor 3 Camera Kit. This bundle includes three Blink 2MP security cameras (with in-built solar panels) and a Sync Module 2.

The cameras are wire-free devices that solely rely on 2AA consumer batteries and in-built solar panels for power. They transfer data via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi directly to the Sync Module 2, which needs wired DC power. (Through an AC to DC adapter connected to a wall outlet.)

The sync module can store footage on a USB flash drive, but it works best when transferring data to the cloud. The cloud service is optional, but camera features such as remote viewing and notifications via the Blink Home Monitor mobile app will be disabled.

Decision Factors when Choosing a Solar Powered Security Camera or System

IP rating

Solar-powered cameras will always be placed outdoors. Therefore, most of them usually include weatherproof enclosures with a minimum IP65 rating. To be on the safe side, we recommend noting down the IP rating of a security camera before committing to a purchase. There’s no need to worry about the IP rating of the solar panel because they are weatherproof by design. 

Motion Activated Recording

Most consumer-friendly solar-powered security cameras cannot incorporate high-capacity rechargeable batteries. Therefore, to make sure that the camera can function for long periods on a single charge, the system favors motion-activated recording instead of continuous recording. So if you need 24/7 recording, we recommend picking out a high-end solar-powered camera (which can be very expensive and only meant for remote locations) or switching to a wired option with support for an NVR.

Storage Options

Fortunately, most solar-powered cameras include a MicroSD card slot with a minimum of 16GB storage. This method of local storage is reliable but is only recommended as a backup solution. It is more convenient to include cloud storage because most brands limit certain features without it. These include access to the mobile app for remote viewing, receiving alerts, and managing the camera settings. The only disadvantage is that cloud services are expensive since they require a monthly subscription. 

Solar Panel

The solar panel’s capabilities are also something that many users will have to consider. Most small-scale cameras include smaller solar panels that (with the help of a rechargeable battery) won’t be able to maintain the security camera indefinitely. Besides, solar panels work best when there is no shade; hence, their power generation abilities are not always consistent. We recommend picking out a good spot for the solar panels such that it has enough sun (especially at noon) and aren’t too far from the camera. 

Rechargeable Battery

In a solar-powered camera, the rechargeable battery will be doing most of the heavy lifting. We recommend going for a rechargeable battery that can last up to a minimum of four weeks on a single charge. (With motion-activated recording.) Otherwise, you will have to keep recharging the battery every week or so, especially if the solar panels couldn’t generate enough power to compensate for the loss.

Conclusion

Solar-powered security cameras tend to be more expensive than their wired-only counterparts. However, the wire-free design makes these devices more reliable against power failure. 

On top of that, they are easy to set up and are basically maintenance-free.

My main recommendation as the best solar-powered security camera is the Eufy 2K Bullet Security Camera. The device can run independently thanks to a wire-free setup and local MicroSD storage. 

My runner-up is the Arlo 4MP Spotlight Security Camera. This is a versatile 2K camera that allows you to install a solar panel for extra stability.