The best solar-powered security camera must provide a clear recording day or night of whatever triggers the motion sensors. They must also have enough battery life to do the job, even if several days have gone by without a full charge. Considering the primary purpose of a security camera is to provide home security through detection and recording, the device must work when needed. This means having a strong battery life, a well-positioned solar panel, a solid motion detection system, and a wide field of view.
The cameras should also have alarm and notification programs to warn of potential threats or security issues. These should notify multiple individuals of a problem remotely while providing instant access to the user’s desired device footage.
Not all outdoor security cameras support every device, so choosing the right one is important for the user’s needs.
Like any other sensitive electronic device meant to be outdoors for long periods, having one that can handle the elements is vital. Fortunately, these devices have relatively the same protections and a warranty covering everything from the solar panels to the security camera.
Then, as always, deciding which solar-powered security cameras to buy often comes down to price.
The ieGeek Solar Security Camera easily tops the list for several reasons. It has the best night vision and the longest battery life out of the box. This comes at a great price, making it the best solar-powered security camera in this review.
Resolution and FOV
This security camera offers the standard 1080 image resolution inherent in all the devices on this list, ensuring the best visibility. It stands out by a solar camera that offers a 360-degree view like the SOLIOM.
It offers 355 degrees of horizontal rotation and 12o degrees of vertical rotation. This gives it a much wider range of views than other products like the ZUMIMALL offer.
Range of View at Night and Zoom
This security camera stands above the others in this review by having the best night vision capabilities. It boasts the ability to see up to 50 feet. It can only support 33 feet by comparison.
These cameras have a 4x zoom, less than the 6x zoom offered by the REOLINK cameras. But it’s still double the 3x zoom that comes with the SOLIOM.
Data, Compatibility, and Storage
This solar-powered camera requires a 2.4 GHz internet connection to work properly like any other device.
Up to four people can use the CloudEdge app to view the footage on the ieGeek. This is less than the 10 users who can see real-time footage with the SOLIOM, so those with more members who need access should consider that option.
The other downside to this camera is that it will only support smartphones or tablets and does not support PCs. On this point alone, it can support any device would be a better pick.
This security camera will store the footage on either the Cloud through the app or a separately purchased SD card. Like other devices, the Cloud can only support seven days of footage. The device can support up to a 128GB SD card. This is twice the storage capacity of the SOLIOM.
Battery
The ieGeek security cameras have a 15,000 mAh battery capacity, resulting in three to five months of battery life, assuming the solar panels never see direct sunlight in that time.
Accessing the real-time footage or something triggering the motion detection will shorten the total battery life.
Out of the box, this is the best solar security camera in terms of battery life. The second best would be the ZUMIMALL, which has a 10,000 mAh battery capacity of about two to four months.
Warranty and Price
This home security camera comes with the standard two-year warranty.
With superior features like better vision at night and a greater field of view, it’s surprising that the ieGeek is in the middle of the pack in terms of price. It’s more expensive than the ZUMIMALL and Argus Eco while cheaper than the SOLIOM and the Argus PT.
This makes the ieGeek the most cost-effective solar-powered camera reviewed.
Other Features
It has the same standard features as other devices like PIR motion detection, two-way audio, and instant alert features.
One noticeable difference is the customized alarm plan. It’s very similar to the one on the ZUMIMALL in that users can set what times they want to be notified or even deactivate the motion detection if they’re home.
This also has the effect of conserving power.
Pros
Has the best field of view next to the SOLIOM with a 360-degree range of view.
Comes with the highest night vision range at 50 feet.
The highest out-of-the-box battery capacity at 15,000 mAh.
Features a customized alarm plan similar to the ZUMIMALL.
Cons
Footage can only be shared with four users, less than half of what the SOLIOM can support.
The SOLIOM S600 is a decent alternative to the ieGeek. It has a great field of view and, with additional batteries, has the longest battery life on the list. It is the most expensive, but it may be worth it for those wanting long periods of reliable security.
Resolution and Field of View
This outdoor security camera has the standard 1080p video in the other devices to guarantee great visibility. Its field of view is also on par with the ieGeek solar-powered camera.
The camera has 320 degrees of horizontal and 90 degrees of vertical motion. This is less than the range of motion in the ieGeek but better than the Argus Eco or the ZUMIMALL.
Range of View at Night and Zoom
Unfortunately, the SOLIOM solar security cameras have the lowest night vision on the list. It offers 32 feet of visibility, a hair under the standard 33 feet of visibility offered by the REOLINK cameras.
It also has the worst camera zoom, a 3x instead of the Argus Eco 6x or even the ieGeek 4x zoom.
In short, this solar-powered security camera will work fine during the day, but it doesn’t perform as well at night as the other options.
Data, Compatability, and Storage
This solar outdoor camera requires the standard 2.4 GHz of wifi connection to work properly.
It can support up to 10 users on their app, which is far more than the ieGeek offers, though the ZUMIMALL has no user limitations.
Like the ieGeek, it will work on tablets and smartphones, not PCs. Users wanting something compatible with PCs may want to consider the Argus Eco.
It can store recorded footage on its Cloud or an SD card purchased separately. The maximum size of the SD card is 64GB, which is half of what the ieGeek or the ZUMIMALL can store.
Cloud storage is the standard seven days of footage in other solar-powered security cameras.
Battery
The camera comes with a 9000 mAh rechargeable battery, lasting about two to four months without charge from the solar panels. The only security camera with a smaller battery life is the Argus PT with 6500mAh.
It is unique from others in that it can have batteries added to it. In fact, the total battery space it could support is 18,650mAh. This exceeds even the ieGeek, which comes with 1500mAh included and should provide around four to six months of charge.
Warranty and Price
It comes with a standard two-year warranty. The only device with a shorter warranty is the ZUMIMALL at one year.
One downside is that it’s the most expensive option on the list. It’s twice the price of the ZUMIMALL.
This can be a hard sell because it has less night range and a smaller battery than the ieGeek.
Other Features
While the range of vision at night is less than other devices, it does with color night vision, which none of the other solar-powered cameras have.
Pros
The best rechargeable battery life is 18,650 mAh. This is even better than the 15000mAH on the ieGeek.
Provides color night vision.
Offers 360 degrees of field of view like the ieGeek.
Cons
It is the most expensive product on the list.
Out of the box, it has the second-lowest battery capacity at 9000 mAh.
Has the shortest range of view at night at 32 feet, much shorter than the ieGeek’s 50 feet.
It has the lowest zoom at 3x, half of what the Argus PT or the Argus Eco have at 6x.
It only supports 64 GB of storage on an SD card, half of what can be stored on the ieGeek.
The REOLINK Argus PT wireless security cameras have the best field of view, zoom, and the unique ability to record a custom siren. It is expensive for what it offers, but it has some good features.
Resolution and Field of View
It comes with the standard 1080p resolution to produce high-quality footage and visibility with a 360-degree field of view. The real selling point is that it has a 355-degree field of view horizontally and 140 degrees vertically. This is even better than the ieGeek and the SOLIOM.
This means users would be able to see more when controlling the camera or, at the very least, have more options on where they position it compared to other devices.
Range of View at Night and Zoom
The night vision is fairly standard at 33 feet. This is in the same ballpark as the Argus Eco and the ZUMIMALL. But less range than the ieGeek, which offers 50 feet.
The zoom is 6x, making it the best on the list alongside the Argus Eco. This is twice the zoom of what the SOLIOM offers and is better than the 4x zoom offered by the ieGeek.
Data, Compatability, and Storage
The typical 2.4GHz of internet speed is required.
One major perk is that up to 32 users can log into the REOLINK app and gain access to the real-time footage of the wireless security camera. This is far more than the 10 offered by SOLIOM but less than the ZUMIMALL, which has no user restrictions.
This device can support users on any device, including PCs. This makes it more convenient to use compared to the ieGeek or the SOLIOM.
The free cloud storage can store video footage for up to seven days. An SD card can also be used but only up to 64GB, like the SOLIOM or the Argus Eco. The ieGeek and ZUMIMALL can support twice the SD card size.
Battery
The biggest downside is that it has the smallest battery capacity at 6500 mAh. This is enough for about one to four weeks of use if the solar panel doesn’t receive sunlight. This is a third of what the ieGeek can sustain with 15000 mAh of battery life.
Warranty and Price
The REOLINK Argus PT has the standard two-year warranty for other solar-powered security cameras.
The price is a bit high for what’s offered, making it the second most expensive option on the list after the SOLIOM. While the 6x zoom and field of view may make this price worth it, it comes with less battery life and night vision.
Overall the ieGeek is cheaper with more rounded features by comparison.
Other Features
It comes with features like a PIR motion sensor and an integrated solar panel. One unique feature not seen in the others is that it allows the user to create a custom siren.
Pros
Best field of view on the list even when compared to the ieGeek or the SOLIOM.
Has the best zoom at 6x, like the Argus Eco.
It can support 32 users who are only surpassed by the ZUMIMALL.
Any device, including PCs, can use it.
Allows the user to make a custom siren.
Cons
It has the lowest battery capacity at 6500 mAh. This is almost a third of what the ieGeek offers at 1500 mAh.
It can only support a 64GB SD card, half of what the ieGeek or the ZUMIMALL can handle.
The REOLINK Argus Eco Solar Security Camera shares a few similarities with the superior Argus PT. It has great zoom, can be used on any device, and can be used with Amazon Alexa. It may not be the best in terms of field of view or battery life, but it can be a very convenient option.
Resolution and Field Of View
It offers the same 1080p resolution found on other security cameras.
The field of view is 130 degrees, which might be enough to handle line of sight security, but it is less than what the ieGeek, SOLIOM, or the Argus PT will see.
Users will need a better camera for a wider range of views.
Range of View at Night and Zoom
The night vision capabilities allow 33 feet of visibility, like the ZUMIMALL or Argus PT. The ieGeek has a better 50-foot range.
This camera has the great 6x zoom found on the Argus PT. This makes it a better security camera for Zoom than the ieGeek or SOLIOM.
Data, Compatability, and Storage
This device is like the others in that it needs a steady 2.4 GHz to operate efficiently.
Up to 32 users can share the recorded footage on the REOLINK app. This includes simultaneous viewing as well.
Also, this device can support any device, including PCs. Though it’s not the best in class compared to the ieGeek, it may be worth purchasing if the user needs access from their PC.
It can have up to seven days of recorded footage on the free cloud storage system. While the ZUMIMALL or the ieGeek have 128GB SD cards, it only has a 64GB SD card to store recorded video footage.
Battery
The battery life is 10,000mAH, identical to the ZUMIMALL, making it the second-best out-of-the-box storage on the list. This camera should operate for up to two to four months if the solar panel doesn’t receive any sunlight.
It still is two-thirds the battery life offered by the ieGeek, however.
Warranty and Price
It has a standard two-year warranty.
The price is low compared to most on the list. Only the ZUMIMALL is cheaper by about ten dollars. So, while the Argus Eco may not offer much compared to the ieGeek or even the Argus PT, it does save money.
You are, however, getting what you pay for when purchasing this camera.
Other Features
In addition to standard features and functionality, it is unique in that it is compatible with Amazon Alexa. This can make this camera a much more convenient choice for Amazon users, even if it is inferior to the others on the list.
Pros
It has the best 6x zoom alongside the Argus PT.
SD card storage.
It is the second cheapest wireless security camera after the ZUMIMALL.
Is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa.
It can support any device, including PCs, just like the Argus Pt.
Cons
The second-lowest field of view, the only solar camera worse, is the ZUMIMALL.
It can only support 64GB SD Cards, unlike the ieGeek and the ZUMIMALL.
The ZUMIMALL solar security camera may be the worst option on this list, but it isn’t without some upsides. It has a decent out-of-the-box battery life, a customized alarm plan to conserve power, and is the cheapest product on the list. It can’t compete with the ieGeek by any means, but it does have its niche.
Resolution and Field Of View
It has the same standard 1080p resolution as the other solar security cameras.
It comes with a wide-angle 130-degree view. This makes it tied with the Argus Eco, the worst field of view out of the security cameras reviewed.
This device should work well to provide a direct line of sight security over a specific door. But users wanting a vertical range of view should consider the ieGeek, SOLIOM, or the Argus PT.
Range of View at Night and Zoom
Night vision on the ZUMIMALL ranges 49 feet above the Argus Eco and Argus PT but below the ieGeek, though not by much.
It does come with a 5x zoom, which is better than most devices on this list. The REOLINK home security cameras have better 6x zoom capability.
Data, Compatability, and Storage
Like the others on this list, the ZUMIMALL needs 2.4 GHz of wi-fi connectivity to work as intended.
A major upside to this camera is that the included app does not restrict who can access the real-time footage. This is better than the REOLINK cameras, which support 32 users.
The Cloudedge app works on smartphones and tablets but not PCs. This is common with the other cameras on this list, though the Argus Eco and Argus PT can do PCs.
The ZUMIMALL has free cloud storage and can support an SD card. The cloud storage keeps up to seven days of footage, and the SD card can hold 128 GB of data. The only other device that can do 128 GB SD cards is the ieGeek.
Battery
The battery life of the ZUMIMALL is 10000 mAh, the same as the Argus Eco. It’s not quite as good as the ieGeek, which comes with 15000 mAh.
This comes out to about two to four months of footage, though frequent triggering of the motion sensor can shorten this.
Warranty and Price
Unlike every other solar power camera on this list, the ZUMIMALL comes with a one-year warranty, less than the two-year standard.
The flipside to a lower warranty is that the ZUMIMALL is the cheapest solar power camera on the list. Being half the price of the SOLIOM.
However, more buyers could get more features and capabilities from Argus Eco for ten dollars.
Other Features
One unique aspect of the ZUMIMALL is that it has a customized alarm plan. This adds a layer of convenience as it can send notifications to certain users depending on the time of day or even deactivate if the user is home.
It also helps with power conservation as the device will trigger less often.
Pros
Is half of the cost of the SOLIOM.
It can support a 128GB SD card.
Conserve power through a customized alarm plan.
It can support an unlimited number of users through the app.
Cons
Like the REOLINK, Argus does not have a great view.
It is the only solar camera with a one-year warranty instead of the typical two-year warranty.
Buying Guide
Resolution and Field of View
The primary role of security systems is to provide footage in real-time or after a potential security issue. The best products will have at least 1080p resolution and a wide view.
This will help provide identification for whoever may be in the camera’s view. The video footage may provide law enforcement with helpful information if the worst happens.
Range of View at Night and Zoom
In addition to having this awareness during the day, it’s also important, if not more so, to have those viewing capabilities at night. Long-range night vision can identify threats sooner, and a helpful zoom can give a clearer picture of what’s occurring in the video quality.
Alternatively, using an alternative light source with a camera lessens the need for better night vision. For instance, a solar security light can trigger to help the camera identify what set the motion sensors off.
There are also more aesthetically pleasing lights that can work alongside security cameras. Solar step lights lining the path to the door can work well at providing visibility at night.
Data, Compatability, and Storage
The best solar-powered cameras are wireless and will commonly need 2.4GHz to operate. It’s important to place the device within the range of a Wi-Fi connection to ensure it behaves properly. This can be a problem if the device is used on a shed with a solar shed light and might be out of range.
They must also be compatible with the device the user intends to operate them with. It’s common for solar security system apps for a mobile device, but not a PC. So users wanting to operate them with PCs will need to pick specific options.
Video storage methods are an important feature to pay attention to. Most devices will have a free cloud storage option that can support up to seven days of storage.
Users wanting longer storage periods will need to purchase SD cards that hold 64 or 128 GB of footage.
Battery Life
Long battery life is important to ensure the product is always operating. Even if the solar panel cannot collect sunlight for a while, the solar camera needs to continue recording.
Most devices will support at least a month, but finding some that go longer is common. Lack of direct sunlight on the solar panel and frequent use will lessen the battery life.
One way to minimize battery usage is to trigger a solar flood light during a security issue. The outdoor camera won’t need its night vision to record footage.
Warranty and Price
It’s standard for these devices to come with a two-year warranty, but some may shorten that. It’s strongly recommended to have a two-year warranty on these devices.
The price should also be considered to ensure that users are getting the most for what they’re paying for. A high field of view, longer night vision range, and special features often increase the cost.
This cost can be minimized by having a lesser camera paired with other security features like having solar disk lights in the yard to compensate for bad night vision.
Other Features
The average solar power security camera should come with standard features. This can include a built-in solar panel, PIR motion sensor, infrared night vision, and two-way audio.
Then, finally, sometimes, a solar camera will include special features worth purchasing for convenience or customization. Colored night vision, customized alarm plans, an additional separate solar panel, or the ability to connect another one can be useful.
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