One in six US adults fell victim to package theft last year, according to a recent CNET survey. With theft on the rise, it's worth securing your homes and doorsteps by installing a home security system. There are so many options to consider and not all will be the best fit for your needs. While most wireless outdoor cameras offer great features and flexible installation, keeping them charged can be a hassle, which is why solar-powered systems are becoming more popular. Solar powered cameras can enhance home security with little maintenance required and they're better for the environment and your electric bill.
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Which is the best solar-powered home security camera?
Thanks to numerous tests of a dozen solar-powered home security cameras, our CNET experts crowned Arlo’s second-gen Essential cam the best pick overall for 2025. It offers stunning 2K resolution, seamless compatibility with smart home devices and the convenience of a built-in spotlight, all at an unbeatable price.
However, this isn't a review. Our tests allowed us to pick other standout options that you should consider, including models with built-in solar panels and budget-friendly choices. We also offer tips on finding the best setup spot for your outdoor cameras.
Best solar-powered home security cameras of 2025
Best overall solar-powered home security camera
Arlo Essential Camera 2nd-Gen with Solar Panel
Pros
- Feature-rich but affordable
- Durable outdoor camera
- Compact solar panel
- Integrated spotlight
- Good smart home support
Cons
- Most users will need Arlo’s subscription to take advantage of all features
The solid, durable Arlo Essential 2nd-gen cam tested well in outdoor conditions, and we think that Arlo’s compact solar panel is a perfect accompaniment. The Essential cam is also far more affordable than the high-end Arlo 5S Pro but still has plenty of valuable features including a 2K resolution, color night vision, an integrated spotlight and two-way audio. It’s our top pick for a combination of features, solar power and affordability.
Note that the Essential solar panel has an 8-foot cable for positioning away from the cam and into the most sunlight you can find. While some Arlo cams work with Apple HomeKit, this one doesn’t -- but support could come in the future.
Best solar-powerd home security camera with integrated panel
Eufy SoloCam S230
Pros
- Integrated solar panel
- Built-in video storage
- 2K resolution
- Free AI detection
Cons
- A bit bulky
- Requires careful placement
Eufy offers stand-alone solar panels but we like this alternative: a well-made camera that integrates a solar panel on top so you don’t have to worry about separate mounting. Find a spot in the sun for this 2K cam and your job is an easy one. Eufy offers AI detection capabilities free and 8GB of built-in local video storage so you don’t have to rely on a cloud storage subscription.
Best all-weather solar-powered home security camera
TP-Link Tapo Outdoor Camera C420S1 Plus Solar Panel
Pros
- 2K resolution
- Adaptable solar panel
- Choice of local or cloud video storage
- Dual spotlight design
Cons
- Small field of view
Tapo’s solar bundle includes the 2K QHD resolution C420S1 camera and a 360-degree pan/tilt solar panel that you can position just right. TP-Link’s Tapo says that it needs only 30 minutes of direct sunlight to keep the camera powered, although that probably depends on how often you use the dual spotlights for bright night shots. AI and activity zones are free and you have the choice to buy a microSD card for local storage or use a Tapo Care plan.
Best mount solar-powered home security camera
Blink Outdoor 3 Cam Plus Solar Panel Charging Mount
Pros
- Integrated solar mount
- Budget pick
- Easy app controls
Cons
- Positioning is more difficult
- Not available for the Outdoor 4
Blink offers our favorite budget option for solar-powered cams, combining the Blink Outdoor 3 cam and a solar charging mount in one compact package. The Outdoor 3 isn’t the newest Blink cam (that would be the Outdoor 4) but it’s budget-friendly and still has most of the Blink features we like, including easy installation and app controls, night vision, two-way audio and motion detection. You can also detach the solar panel and position it several feet away to take advantage of the sunlight. Note that Blink offers only local storage if you have a recommended Sync Module 2 unit.
Best indoor/outdoor solar-powered home security camera
Google Nest Cam Plus Wasserstein Solar Panel Bundle
Pros
- Versatile cam
- Free AI detection
- Some free video storage
Cons
- Expensive compared with other bundles
We’re fans of the versatile indoor/outdoor Google Nest Cam battery model, which is a little bulky but very easy to mount, position and recharge as needed. The Wasserstein solar panel is made specifically for the Nest Cam, pairing well if you’re planning on a long-term outdoor installation. Of course you get the Nest Cam benefits of free AI object recognition and three free hours of video storage before your videos expire. Nest Cam works with Google Home and Alexa, so you do have voice assistant options.
Best solar-powered home security camera for big yards
Ring Stick Up Cam Pro Solar Configuration
Pros
- Extra-large field of view
- High-quality solar panel
- Tracking and 3D detection for large spaces
Cons
- Low resolution for a high-end cam
- Ring subscription usually mandatory
If you have a large yard or similar space to watch over, Ring’s Stick Up Cam Pro comes with an extra-large resolution and the Bird’s Eye View feature, which excels at tracking movement across big areas. The color night vision is also a plus but we advise using a Ring subscription to take advantage of all features including AI object recognition. In our tests we found the Ring Solar panel very easy to handle and install, with a durable, human-friendly design.
Solar-powered security cameras compared
| Best solar-powered home security cameras | Arlo Essential Camera 2nd-Gen with Solar Panel | Eufy SoloCam S230 (S40) | TP-Link Tapo Outdoor Camera C420S1 Plus Solar Panel | Blink Outdoor 3 Cam Plus Solar Panel Charging Mount | Google Nest Cam Plus Wasserstein Solar Panel Bundle | Ring Stick Up Cam Pro Solar Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $70 | $130 | $100 | $60 | $180 | $210 |
| Resolution | 2K | 2K | 2K | 1080p/HD | 1080p/HD | 1080p/HD |
| Light | Spotlight | Spotlight | Dual spotlights | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Field of view | 130-degree | 135-degree | 113-degree | 110-degree | 130-degree | 155-degree |
| Motion detection | Yes, with object detection available via Subscription | Yes with personal and animal detection | Yes with person, pet, and vehicle recognition | Yes, person detection available via subscription | Yes, with person, vehicle, animal, package recognition | Yes with motion zones and object recognition via subscription |
| Night vision | Color night vision | Color night vision | Color night vision | Infrared night vision | Infrared night vision | Color night vision |
| Audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio with siren | Two-way audio | Two-way audio | Two-way audio with siren |
| Voice assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Home | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Google Home | Amazon Alexa |
| Review score | N/A | N/A | N/A | 8.2/10 (Outdoor 4) | 8.2/10 | 8/10 (standard model) |
Factors to consider when choosing a solar-powered camera
There are hundreds of home security cameras on the market, ranging drastically in price, functionality and quality, but only a few offer solar power. After CNET's years of testing home security cameras, we have some tips if you're on the hunt for a new solar-powered security camera. Here are a few parameters to consider.
Privacy
This is a big one. You don't want anyone peeping on your property or hacking into your camera. Wireless home security cameras can be more susceptible to hacking due to their connectivity to Wi-Fi networks and remote access. Wired home security cameras are more secure. (Read more about the pros and cons of wired versus wireless systems here.)
Video resolution
Video quality should be a major consideration when buying a home security camera, whether it is solar-powered or not. In simplest terms, your camera won't be effective if the only recorded footage is grainy and unreadable.
The higher the resolution, the better the video quality. Most home security cameras on the market now have 1080p resolution, but others even have 2K resolution (like the Arlo Pro 4) or 1,536x1,536-pixel resolution (like the Arlo Video Doorbell). Just remember, the higher the video quality, the more bandwidth it takes up and the more likely your camera is to experience lag times or glitches.
Local vs. cloud storage
You have two main options: There's cloud storage, which sends your video footage to a remote server to be saved, and local storage, which relies on a separate accessory or piece of hardware, usually a microSD card, to hold any footage you'd like to save. Usually, cloud storage requires a monthly fee.
How we test solar-powered home security cameras
Eufy's solar panel makes a great pairing with this open-range security cam.
Home security cameras are tricky devices to test because how good they are doesn't just come down to how their numbers stack up against the competition. We do look for better resolution, wider field of view and the presence of features we consider must-haves in 2025, like two-way talk, night vision and options for cloud storage. Then we add in extra goodies, like smart notifications or a built-in siren or spotlight, and hold up that whole package against its retail price. If the features are really strong for the price, we'll recommend a camera more highly.
We also test out cameras carefully, making sure all the features work well. Smart notifications aren't helpful if they arrive 20 seconds late; a siren isn't useful if it's barely audible. Some cameras disconnect too often, and some apps are difficult to understand or navigate. This experiential side of things is where our recommendations become more personal and in many ways more useful. Anyone can line up the specs of different products, but we're putting our hands on these cameras for a week or more to see how it actually feels to install and use them.
We've tested each of the solar-powered home security cameras extensively, but not necessarily with their solar panels. If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security cameras and video doorbells. You can also read about how CNET tests all devices and services.
FAQ
Are solar-powered cameras any good?
Yes, but long-term benefits depend on where you live. To get the most out of solar panels, you need to angle them toward the equator and tilt them according to your latitude. In regions farther to the global north or south, you'll likely generate less power than in regions closer to the equator. Likewise, the power generated will correspond to the season and weather. In other words, a cloudy week in Alaska during December isn't going to give your solar panels as much to work with as a sunny week in Florida during July.
That said, solar-powered security cameras generally use batteries to store the power generated during the day, so a few cloudy days probably aren't going to mean a cut feed. In short, they're not foolproof, but depending on your region, solar panels can seriously lengthen the battery life of your outdoor cameras or even do away with regular battery replacements altogether.
How long do solar-powered security cameras last?
Much of this comes down to region once again, but many people report that needing to replace the batteries is exceedingly rare, assuming you live in a good area for solar power and you keep your panel properly angled and clean.
Do solar-powered security cameras work at night?
Solar-powered security cameras will work during the night using the battery power stored up during the daytime. Remember: The cameras above have built-in batteries that normally last months. That means you shouldn't run into issues with overnight battery drainage. If you do, it's most likely a problem with the battery and not the solar panel. You can always save battery life by limiting how often motion sensors are triggered or reducing sensitivity, too.
Do solar security cameras need a Wi-Fi connection?
Most will need Wi-Fi, yes. If you're worried about a Wi-Fi connection reaching a camera, look for an LTE camera design that uses cellular signals instead of Wi-Fi, an ideal option for remote sites, mountain cabins and so on. Solar panels are often made to work with multiple cameras from a company, so you should be able to find an LTE cam and a solar panel from the same brand to work together.
Do solar cameras record 24/7?
Not really. Battery cameras in general don’t offer 24/7 recording, to avoid battery drain. We’ve seen it pop up occasionally, but only on wireless models where users should be comfortable with regular recharges. Solar cameras work best with motion-triggered recording, to save on battery life.
Do solar-powered security cameras have any drawbacks?
Solar-powered cameras rely on sunlight to function, so placement is crucial. They’re not ideal for every location — you may need to skip them if you’re installing cameras under eaves or overhangs, in shaded spots, or indoors.
