You'll be hard-pressed to find someone without a video security camera to protect their home. But keeping these outdoor security cameras up and running requires power, and taking them down to charge isn't ideal.
That's why our solar experts have researched hundreds of products to find the five best outdoor solar security cameras available. Our top solar security camera picks are:
Best overall solar security camera: Ring Stick Up Cam Solar: $139.98
Best runner-up solar security camera: Blink Outdoor + Solar Panel Charging Mount: $99.99
Best affordable solar security camera: SEHUMUA Solar Security Camera: $59.99
Best multi-camera solar security kit: eufy Security eufyCam Pro 4-Cam Kit: $699.99
Best outdoor solar security camera: eufy Security Solar Wall Light Cam: $99.99
Best overall solar security camera: Ring Stick Up Cam Solar
Pros
-
Trusted brand
-
Integrate with Alexa
-
Easy-to-use app
Cons
-
Some issues with motion detection and night vision
-
Solar charging can be spotty
Ring is one of the biggest home security names, best known for its popular video doorbells. The company has other security offerings, like this Stick Up camera that can be mounted anywhere, not just by your front door. You can use the Ring App for a live view, or pay for extra storage of your security footage.
The 1.9-watt solar panel has an adjustable arm that allows you to position it for optimal sun exposure. It can be easily connected to the 3rd and 4th generation Ring Stick Up Cams via USB-C. By charging via solar power, you don't have to worry about dismounting the camera and charging it when the battery runs low.
Ring's solar security camera stands out because of its reasonable price point, brand reliability, and 4.6-star customer review score with over 71,000 reviews.
Runner-up best solar security camera: Blink Outdoor + Solar Panel Charging Mount
Pros
-
Trusted brand
-
Wireless
-
Easy installation
Cons
-
Setup limitations
-
Notification lags
Blink is another big name in home security. Owned by Amazon, Blink's cameras can integrate with Alexa devices to make your smart home safer.
The camera and solar panel charging mount are two separate devices, with an adjustable solar panel attached to the mounting device. The camera is powered by a solar panel and two AA batteries to ensure the camera has power even when the sun isn't shining. Wireless solar security cameras are easy to install and you don't have to worry about how close the camera is to an outlet.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Blink solar-powered security camera is that it needs to be attached to the solar power mount, making it difficult to find a site that you both want to monitor and that gets ample sunlight for charging.
Best affordable solar security camera: SEHMUA Solar security Camera (WiFi)
Pros
-
Weatherproof
-
360° view
-
Certified climate neutral by ClimatePartner
Cons
-
Issues with wireless connectivity
-
Does not integrate with popular smart home systems
The SEHMUA 2K Solar Security Camera is our pick for the best affordable solar security camera. At just $59.99, this outdoor solar security camera provides great bang for its buck. It has a 360° view, something the Ring and Blink solar options don't offer, ensuring you get the best field of view of whatever you need to monitor.
The Climate Pledge also certified it as climate neutral, meaning the SEHMUA camera's carbon footprint was calculated, and the emissions were offset. So, you can feel good about using these cameras as a sustainable security solution.
Some customer reviews report that the WiFi security camera quality is lower than expected, but you can opt for the more expensive 4G version for better resolution. With 4.3 stars out of 5,200 customer reviews, you can't go wrong with SEHMUA's affordable solar security camera.
Best multi-solar security camera kit: eufy Security eufyCam Pro 4-Cam Kit
Pros
-
Durability
-
Easy installation
Cons
-
Difficulty with smart home integration
-
Expensive
-
Limited installation sites
The Security eufyCam Pro kit comes with four solar-powered security cameras so you can keep tabs on your entire property. The 4K cameras provide high-quality footage during the day and color night vision, allowing you to rest assured that your home is safe.
Each eufy camera has a solar panel integrated into the camera, making installation a breeze. However, not having a separate solar panel means that you need to install the cameras in an area that gets direct sunlight, limiting where you can place the cameras.
This kit costs almost $800, but it includes four cameras, two backup solar panels, and a home base for management and connectivity. It also has AI features to help you manage your security camera system efficiently.
Best outdoor solar security camera: eufy Security Solar Wall Light Cam
Pros
-
Security camera and floodlight
-
Easy installation
-
No subscription fees
Cons
-
Light can drain battery
-
Spotty motion sensor
Flood lights are often used as a security measure alone, deterring intruders and scaring away unwanted visitors when the sensor light turns on. With the added benefit of a camera attached, this light keeps people and animals off your property while letting you monitor what is moving around your yard.
With a solar panel attached directly to the top of the eufy Security Wall Light, you don’t have to worry about dismounting the device to charge it or replace the batteries. It also contributes to the ease of installation, as they are wire-free and only a single component to install.
However, like other products on this list, you do have to make sure that the light is installed somewhere that will get enough sunlight to keep it powered. Also, because this is both a light and a camera, more energy is needed to power its features, meaning it may have a shorter battery life. This makes it even more essential that you have this light installed somewhere that the sun will reach it.
How much do solar-powered security cameras cost?
Most solar security cameras cost between $100 and $200, but you can find cheaper ones. How much you pay for a solar security camera depends on the brand, features, functionality, and quality of the camera.
What to look for when buying a solar security camera
There are several solar security cameras to choose from, and the one you pick should meet your specific needs.
Some important features to look out for in finding the best solar-powered security camera are:
Camera quality: You want the camera to show you what or who is on your property. Many home security options have 4K cameras.
Smart home compatibility: If you have a smart home system, connecting your solar security camera can make management easier and alert you quicker when something is going on.
Subscription fees: Some home security systems require you to pay a subscription fee to save footage for long periods of time or have access to cloud storage. Consider these charges when shopping around, you may find some with no monthly fees.
Storage options: Well-known brands like Ring and Blink often offer cloud storage to save videos you capture for the future. But, you may want to consider a camera with local storage via a sim card or microSD card if the brand doens’t have cloud options.
Brand reliability: Many home security cameras are expensive, so you want to get something that gives the best value and that you feel confident will last a long time and honor any warranty claims.
Privacy: Cameras are cameras, so as much as a security camera is going to capture any intruders, it’s almost going to capture your everyday life. If this concerns you, read through some of the fine print to see if the brand uses camera footage for things like AI learning.
Why choose a solar-powered security camera vs. a non-solar one?
The biggest benefit of a solar-powered security camera is that you don’t have to worry about charging it regularly or installing it somewhere close to a power source.
The solar panels charge the rechargeable battery within the camera and can run it during daylight hours with solar energy. With a non-solar camera, the system would run entirely on battery power, draining the batteries quicker and requiring frequent replacement.
Solar security cameras allow for flexibility in installation and continuous power. Most of them have batteries as well as solar panels, so even on a not-so-sunny day, your camera can still run smoothly.
Final verdict: Should you get a solar security camera?
Outdoor solar cameras can be a great addition to your home security system. They require less work from you, as they’re typically “install it and forget it,” and they offer plenty of flexibility in where you can install them. Solar cameras can bring you peace of mind and reliability.
Installing surveillance cameras is just one useful way to incorporate solar into your life. There are plenty of solar-powered gadgets, like solar shed lights, solar phone chargers, and solar string lights. You can even power your entire home on solar.
A home solar panel system can run your whole home and provide you with significant energy bill savings. And if you want to be prepared for anything, you can even install a solar battery to keep your lights on even when the power is out.
Catherine has been researching and reporting on the solar industry for five years and is the Written Content Manager at SolarReviews. She leads a dynamic team in producing informative and engaging content on residential solar to help homeowners make informed decisions about investing in solar panels. Catherine’s expertise has garnered attention from leading industry publications, with her work being featured in Solar Today Magazine and Solar ...
Learn more about Catherine Lane