Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras & Systems

Solar-powered security cameras and systems are ideal for locations where you need surveillance but can’t run cables.

Solar panels (with the help of rechargeable batteries) create a standalone device that doesn’t rely on your home’s electrical wiring. That being said, you still need to ensure the camera is in Wi-Fi range if you want to access live feeds. (Some devices have onboard storage so even without access, you can still record footage and physically retrieve it)

Below, we’ve listed ten of the best solar-powered security bundles and individual cameras.

Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras & Systems

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.

Our runner-up is not an individual camera but a dual camera, six-channel system with no monthly fees. (Complete with solar panel and wireless hub.)

The cameras have an IP65 rating along with a temperature range of -4F to 140F. 3W The solar panel also has the same weatherproof rating, but it can only support one camera at a time. The cameras can record 2K footage and include full-color night vision and two-way communication features.

The wireless hub supports six channels, i.e., six cameras. It comes with a pre-installed 32GB WD Purple MicroSD card and incorporates a built-in speaker and chime. Unfortunately, the hub needs to be indoors, and it needs wired power. (Power adapter included.)

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.

The Swann Xtreem Two Camera bundle includes two solar panels and two SWIFI-XTRCM16G1PK wire-free cameras.

These cameras have no wired options. Instead, they rely on a 13,200mAh rechargeable battery and the option to plug in a compatible solar panel. (Purchased separately.) Also, these cameras need 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for data transmission.

The cameras are shipped out with 16GB MicroSD cards right out of the box, and if necessary, you can replace them with a 64GB card. There is an optional cloud subscription (with additional features) along with support for a plethora of smart integration platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, Echo Show, Google Nest Hub, and even IFTTT.

The camera has an integrated siren and two-way communication facilities, but it can only perform motion-activated recording.

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

So, this was our list of the best solar-powered security cameras and systems. These devices may be more expensive than their wired-only counterparts, but the wire-free design makes these devices more reliable in the event of a power failure. Apart from that, they are very easy to set up and require very little maintenance.

Which was your favorite camera/bundle? Let us know in the comments.