Best Battery Operated Security Camera
The range of security cameras is large. There are many technical aspects to consider before making your choice. Here we list the cameras that we find interesting and have the features that can be demanded from a surveillance camera today.
We don't have much pain to say on SoloCam S340. A very complete security camera that is powered by a battery with about 90 days of life, in addition, the battery is charged by an associated solar panel so you get 24/7 monitoring without having to charge batteries. The now 1.5X stronger solar panel either attaches nicely to the camera or in another place with more sun if, for example, you have a roof rack and it takes 2h of sun per day to power the camera for a whole day. Included in the package comes a 3m long USB-C cable.
With the pan & tilt function and 8X hybrid zoom, you get an unbeatable surveillable surface where it's hard to miss any detail. It doesn't get worse with on-device AI-powered tracking that keeps a detected object in view at all times. The f/1.6 aperture enables good image quality even at night with color night vision.
The camera also comes with two-way communication and support for Google and Alexa voice assistants. If you buy the camera with HomeBase 3, you also get BionicMind which has facial recognition and 16GB of storage with the option to upgrade to a full 16TB.
EUFY's long-awaited update, now with solar cells and 4K! You only need 2 hours of sunshine per day to operate the CCTV cameras without having to charge them. Without sunshine, the cameras can last for a whole year without recharging. As usual, battery life is affected by how you choose to use it in your settings.
Included in the included hub is the 1TB hard drive that you can expand up to 16TB. The cameras have both infrared function at night but also built-in spotlights for night images in color. No monthly costs are required. The camera can also detect faces, people, vehicles, animals and at the same time learn from the images with its own AI.
At the time of writing, the following prices apply to EUFY's subscription service.
Without subscription:
16GB of local storage (usually enough for about 3 months according to Eufy) that can be accessed in the app when you are away from home plus all the other features Eufy offers.
Basic:
$2.99/camera and month or $29.99/camera and year
30 days of video history
Prizes:
$9.99/month or $99.99/year
Up to 10 cameras
30 days of video history
Learn more about Eufy Cloud Storage
The Arlo Essential Outdoor Gen 2 is a security camera with an impressive set of features. The camera's high resolution of up to 2560x1440 (2K) provides crisp and detailed images and videos, which is ideal for monitoring your home or property.
The built-in 4 megapixel image sensor ensures clear and colorful images, with various video options, including 2K, 1080p and 720p, so you can customize the quality to your needs.
Motion detection also occurs through PIR motion detection, which reduces false alarms and saves battery life. The camera also has built-in dual 850nm LED night vision for superior performance at night.
Features like two-way audio communication, built-in speaker and microphone, and a siren let you interact with visitors or deter intruders right from your mobile app.
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, the Arlo Essential Gen 2 can be wall-mounted to suit your needs. It has a useful battery life of up to 4 months and it's connected via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi with a range of up to 300 feet in direct line of sight. It is also possible to buy for a solar panel for continuous charging.
Another advantage is that it works in a wide temperature range, from -4°F (-20°C) to 113°F (45°C), making it practical here in the North.
Arlo is now launching the sequel to the Arlo Pro 4. One of the biggest updates is a battery life that goes from 6 to 8 months. The second major update is that the camera gains support for Dual-band wifi, 2.4 and 5 GHz. This is pretty much the same camera as the Arlo Pro 4.
Arlo Essential Spotlight vs. Arlo Pro 4
Resolution: 1080 - 2K
Field of view: 130° - 160°
Price: Cheaper - More expensive
HDR (High Dynamic Range): No - Yes
Privacy Sheild: Yes - No
TP-Link's Tapo C420 is a wireless security camera that offers flexibility and convenience for home surveillance. The camera has a resolution of 2K and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The camera only works in conjunction with the Tapo H220 Smart Hub and it is possible to connect 4 security cameras to the hub at the same time.
The camera is completely wireless, which means it is easy to install without wiring. With fully charged batteries, it can sit up without recharging for about 180 days. When the camera needs charging, simply remove the battery from the camera and charge it separately or connect the charging cable directly to the camera. Tapo C420 is also compatible with Tapos Solar Panel A200 V1. The solar panel has a 4-meter-long charging cable and can charge one camera at a time. The solar panel can withstand -20 to +45°C and has an IP rating of IP65, so it can stay up all year round. The solar panel needs about 30 minutes of sun a day to maintenance-charge the batteries.
The camera provides crisp and clear video, even at night. The camera has color night vision via the Starlight Sensor function, which allows you to get a better and sharper image with the camera when it is dark.
Tapo C420 supports two-way communication, which allows you to communicate with people in front of the camera directly through the app. You can also watch live in camera via the app or watch recorded footage afterwards. In the app, you can make a number of settings depending on what you want the camera for. Using the camera's AI function, it recognizes people, animals and vehicles and sends notifications when detected. It is also possible to set up so that you receive notifications in case of movement and person detection.
The camera has an alarm that can be used in different situations. When you activate the alarm, you choose what to trigger the alarm but also whether to flash a lamp at the same time as the lamp goes. There are different alarm sounds and sound levels to choose from within the app.
Ring may not be the first manufacturer to think of when it comes to security cameras, but with the price tag of this camera, it is a worthy competitor to the other major players. If you also use other Ring products, this is a choice we can recommend. Ring Stick Up Cam is in its third generation and works just as well outdoors as indoors. One of the major drawbacks of Ring Stick Up Cam is that you have to subscribe to their plans in order to trigger recordings. If you choose not to do this, you will only get access to watch live video.
Ring also sells one solar panel which you can connect to your camera to supply it with constant power (according to Ring). This way you do not have to charge the batteries and mount a camera with a cord.
At the time of writing, the following prices apply to Ring's subscription service.
Without subscription:
Movement Notices
Real-time video
Protect Basic:
One camera 3.99€/month or 39.99€/year
More smart features
Up to 180 days of video history
Protect Plus:
Unlimited number of cameras 10€/month or 100€/year
More smart features
Up to 180 days of video history
The Arlo Pro 4 does not require a hub or base station, but keep in mind that battery life will decrease and range will be shorter if you choose not to buy a hub. You also get the option to store files locally on a USB stick or SD card (depending on the hub you choose) if you connect your cameras to a hub. If you choose to buy into Arlo's subscription service, you won't be able to record videos locally. It should be added that it can be quite complicated to access these files if you are not on the same network as your hub.
Liked Arlo Essential Spotlight so, the Arlo Pro 4 has a built-in LED lamp. It allows you to see more clearly and in color at night. Use the lamp with caution as it devours some battery.
Arlo Essential Spotlight vs. Arlo Pro 4
Resolution: 1080 - 2K
Field of view: 130° - 160°
Price: Cheaper - More expensive
HDR (High Dynamic Range): No - Yes
Privacy Sheild: Yes - No
In 2014, Google acquired Nest. After a couple of shaky years for the two companies together, it seems that they have now figured out how to establish themselves as a strong competitor in the smart home market. By integrating Google Assistant into their products, they are now competing with well-established brands like Amazon Alexa.
The latest camera, the Google Nest Cam can be used both indoors and outdoors and is powered by a battery with about one to seven months of battery life. The package also includes a USB cable for those who want to provide the camera with constant power. If you buy a Power over Ethernet (PoE) adapter, you can also power the camera through it and thus get a faster and more stable connection. The camera has a clear and clear image with a resolution of 1920x1080. In case your internet connection goes down, the camera has the ability to save recordings and events locally to later upload them to the cloud when the camera accesses the internet again.
If you already own a Google Nest Hub and use Google Assistant, this is a good choice. The camera is easy to install and offers smart notifications for mammies and animals at no extra cost.
You can now access your cameras in a new web interface on home.google.com
