What are the costs for either storage option? Do you prefer online storage or more private local storage?
Your camera won't be effective if the only footage being recorded is grainy and unreadable.
You don't want anyone peeping on your property or hacking into your camera. Some are more susceptible than others.
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Have you ever experienced your packages being stolen right from under your nose? According to a recent CNET survey, one in six US adults has reported experiencing package theft at least once. That's why installing a home security camera to keep an eye on your home while you're away this summer and upcoming fall, might be just the thing you need. Your typical home security systems do have some drawbacks -- higher electricity bills and pricey subscriptions -- but some of these issues can be avoided by choosing to go for solar-powered cameras instead. Solar security cameras come with many advanced features, are easy to install, need little maintenance and -- most importantly -- won't raise your utility bills.
Which is the best solar-powered home security camera?
Thanks to numerous tests of a dozen solar-powered 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
Arlo Photo Gallery 1/1 Arlo Best overall solar-powered 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 direct sunlight you can find. While some Arlo cams work with Apple HomeKit, this one doesn’t -- but support could come in the future. ... Show more Get it now $80 at Amazon
Eufy Photo Gallery 1/1 Eufy Best solar-powerd 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. ... Show more Get it now $130 at Eufy
Tapo Photo Gallery 1/1 Tapo Best all-weather solar-powered 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. ... Show more Get it now $160 at Amazon $180 at B&H Photo-Video
Blink/Amazon Photo Gallery 1/1 Blink/Amazon Best mount solar-powered 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. ... Show more Get it now $70 at Amazon
Wasserstein Photo Gallery 1/1 Wasserstein 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. ... Show more Get it now $230 at Wasserstein
CNET/Tyler Lacoma Photo Gallery 1/1 CNET/Tyler Lacoma Best solar-powered 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. ... Show more Get it now $90 at Amazon
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 $90 $130 $120 $70 $230 $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 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. Eufy 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. Real-time alerts 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 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.