What to Look For in a Solar Outdoor Camera

The best solar outdoor camera offers features to keep you safe from porch pirates, vandals, and other unwanted intruders. Look for key attributes like a battery capacity, storage memory, video resolution, field of view, and more.

Also consider a solar security camera that works with your existing Wi-Fi, smart home, or 4G network. Many products support Power solar home security cameras over Ethernet (PoE) technology, which lets you transmit both data and power over a single Ethernet cable.

High-Definition Video

Unlike non-solar security cameras, solar-powered models don’t require batteries that need to be changed regularly. Instead, they use a solar panel to pull in power from the sun throughout the day, which allows them to stay on continuously without the worry of losing footage or missing an important event.

When shopping for a solar-powered security camera, be sure to consider the model’s resolution, field of view, solar panel wattage, night vision and motion activation features. The resolution describes how sharp the images are, while the field of view indicates how wide an area the camera covers. The solar panel wattage is how much power the panel generates, while the night vision feature determines whether the camera can see in low lighting conditions. Motion activation and remote monitoring let you check on your property from afar, and smartphone alerts notify you when motion is detected.

Some brands bundle a battery-powered camera with a solar panel to offer an all-in-one device, making installation and maintenance simpler. For example, the Ring Spotlight Cam Solar bundle ($229) combines a Ring-branded outdoor camera with a small solar panel that sits next to it. The solar panel provides power to the camera, which eliminates the need for separate batteries or cables and reduces the chance of tampering. Some solar-powered cameras also feature advanced storage systems that allow you to access footage from a USB or micro SD slot or through the brand’s cloud storage accessible via your account or company app.

24/7 Video Recording

While the vast majority of smart outdoor cameras take a snapshot every 30 seconds, some allow you to choose a longer recording schedule. These are often called “continuous recording” modes, and can be useful for keeping a close eye on your property throughout the day, and possibly spotting any nefarious activity that might take place while you’re away.

Unfortunately, many of the solar-powered models in our review don’t offer this feature. For example, the eufy cam line doesn’t support 24/7 continuous recordings when connected to solar power. Instead, they’re able to record in scheduled periods, and only up to the maximum storage capacity of an SD card (32GB).

Ring’s solar spotlight cam is another option that has the solar outdoor camera potential to keep your property safe around-the-clock. However, unlike other competitors, it doesn’t include local storage and you must either use an external drive or sign up for a Ring Protect plan, which starts at $30 a month.

Alternatively, the Kasa cam lets you store footage on a microSD card or subscribe to a Kasa Care plan. It can also detect people, motion and your personalized trigger zone and send notifications to your smartphone or Alexa- or Google Assistant-supported display. You can also view live video or communicate with whoever is detected in the camera’s field of vision using two-way audio.

Weather-Resistant

Solar outdoor cameras do not require a connection to the power grid, making them ideal for remote locations. They also typically have a higher degree of protection against the elements than indoor security cameras. You can expect a high-quality model to be sealed against rain and sleet, and many will even be capable of operating in light snow. This means that they can keep on monitoring and detecting intruders even when the weather is unfavorable.

The capacity of a camera’s rechargeable battery is also an important factor to consider, as it determines the duration of operation during periods with less sunlight or at night. Some models have an onboard storage option, which can be either local (such as a built-in 32GB of SD storage) or cloud (reachable via the brand’s account and/or app).

Shoppers looking for a more comprehensive system should choose a model with advanced features like two-way talk, audio recording, night vision and motion detection. Other desirable options include a WiFi connection for live viewing and a roaming (3g, 4g, and sometimes 5g) cell signal that allows you to watch your home from work or on the go. Lastly, some solar-powered cameras are compatible with smart home systems like Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. This makes it easy to view footage on other smart devices, such as smart displays and TVs.

Remote Access

Whether you’re looking to monitor your home from the office or on vacation, solar outdoor cameras allow you to connect remotely. Some models come with built-in Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity to stream your live feeds and send alerts directly to your phone. Others include advanced motion sensors with infrared technology that can detect human movement even at night. Some of the best solar-powered security cameras also offer voice control with Alexa to adjust and view your video, allowing you to stay safe without ever leaving your home.

Solar-powered cameras use high-grade solar panels (sometimes integrated directly into the camera’s exterior) to capture and convert sunlight into electrical energy. This energy is then stored in rechargeable batteries to power the camera throughout the day and night. They’re ideal for remote areas that don’t have access to electricity or are difficult to wire for traditional cable-based devices.

The amount of energy a solar outdoor camera can generate depends on the size of its solar panel and average sun exposure in the area. However, many solar-powered security cameras can work for up to a week without any battery charges, making them a great choice for long-term monitoring. The batteries are also easily replaceable to ensure continuous operation. Regardless of which model you choose, look for a brand with a good reputation and a robust warranty to protect your investment.