Buying Guide · Updated November 2026
Best Solar Powered Security Camera 2026: 6 Wire-Free Picks, With and Without a Subscription
A solar powered security camera is a battery camera with a small solar panel that keeps it charged, so you can mount it with no outlet and no wiring. It still needs your Wi-Fi. The Reolink Argus PT Ultra earns our top score for 4K pan-and-tilt video with no subscription. The eufy SoloCam S340 adds a zoom lens, and the eufy S220 was the cheapest no-fee pick when we checked. Ring cameras suit Alexa homes, but saving video needs a paid Ring plan.
As an Amazon Associate, SolarGenAdvisor earns from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Scores are AI-synthesized from manufacturer product and support pages, Amazon listing details and logged Amazon prices; we did not test these cameras.
By Quick Verdict
Decide first whether you'll pay a monthly fee. If you won't, choose from the four no-subscription picks. The Reolink Argus PT Ultra gives the most coverage, with 4K and a 355° pan, on dual-band Wi-Fi. The eufy S340 trades 5 GHz Wi-Fi for a second, zoom lens and built-in storage. The Reolink Argus 3 Pro kit is the low-cost dual-band option, and the eufy S220 the cheapest and simplest. If your home already runs on Ring and Alexa, the Ring Outdoor Cam Plus Solar (2K, dual-band) and the Spotlight Cam Plus Solar (spotlights and a siren) work in the same app, but you'll need a Ring plan to save video. Whichever you choose, check the sunlight and cold limits before you mount it.
How We Score Solar Security Cameras
We score every camera on this page with the same rubric. Scores are AI-synthesized from each maker's product and support pages, Amazon listing details and the Amazon prices we logged on November 7, 2026. We did not test any camera. We score only figures that every maker publishes, so no camera loses points for missing data. Battery capacity, panel wattage and sunlight hours aren't scored, because Ring and eufy don't publish all of them. They're shown in the table where the maker gives them. Camera scores compare these six cameras with each other and aren't comparable with our power-station scores. Weights total 100:
- Video detail (25): the maker's resolution: 1080p 65, 2K 75, 3K or 5MP 82, 4K 90
- Ongoing cost (20): records and plays back with no subscription 90; needs a paid plan to save video 50 (not zero: Ring says some features work without a plan)
- Value (15): 50 plus 40 × the lowest live price here divided by this camera's price, so price differences don't swamp everything else
- Coverage (15): pan and tilt 90; fixed lens of 135° or more 75; fixed 105° 65
- Solar setup (15): panel in the box on a cable, so it can face the sun while the camera sits in shade, 85; panel built into the camera 70
- Wi-Fi (10): dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 90; 2.4 GHz only 70
The 6 Best Solar Powered Security Cameras
Every camera here comes with a solar panel in the box and had a new, in-stock offer in Amazon's buy box when we checked on November 7, 2026. Both Ring cameras are sold by Amazon.com. The eufy cameras are sold by Anker EufyHome and the Reolink cameras by ReolinkDirect, both brand stores on Amazon. Specs come from each maker's product or support page (linked), checked against the Amazon listing.
1. Top Score: Best 4K Pan-and-Tilt, No Subscription
Reolink Argus PT Ultra 4K Solar Camera
4K (3840 x 2160, 8MP) · Dual-band 2.4 / 5 GHz (Wi-Fi 6) · None required; optional Reolink Cloud in selected countries · Score 86/100
The Argus PT Ultra earns our top score because it does the most with no monthly fee. Reolink lists 4K (3840 x 2160, 8MP) video, a fixed lens of 90° horizontal and 110° diagonal, and a motor that pans 355° and tilts 140°, so one camera can sweep a driveway and a side yard. It runs on dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi 6, is rated IP65 and works from 14 to 131°F. Recordings go to a microSD card or a Reolink Home Hub, with no subscription needed for local recording (Reolink). The Amazon bundle adds a 3W solar panel on a cable, so the camera can sit under an eave while the panel faces the sun. The microSD card isn't included. Reolink's pages disagree on the card limit (128GB in one place, 512GB in another), so check the manual before you buy a large card.
Solar: 3W Reolink panel in the Amazon bundle, on a cable. Battery: 21.6 Wh built-in (Reolink). Storage: microSD card (not included) or Reolink Home Hub.
Pros
- ✓ 4K, the highest resolution here
- ✓ 355° pan and 140° tilt
- ✓ Dual-band Wi-Fi 6: joins a 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz network
- ✓ No subscription needed for local recording
Cons
- ✗ microSD card sold separately
- ✗ Fixed lens is 90° wide before it pans
- ✗ Rated only down to 14°F, the warmest limit here
- ✗ Sold by ReolinkDirect, a third-party seller
2. Best Dual-Lens Zoom Camera, No Monthly Fee
eufy SoloCam S340 Dual-Lens Solar Camera
3K wide (2880 x 1620) + 2K telephoto (2304 x 1296) · 2.4 GHz only · No monthly fee required · Score 82/100
The S340 has two lenses: a 3K wide-angle lens (2880 x 1620, 135°) and a 2K telephoto (2304 x 1296) with 8x hybrid zoom. The whole head pans 355° and tilts 70°. eufy lists 8GB of built-in storage, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, no monthly fee and a -4 to 122°F operating range. It says two hours of direct sun a day is enough to keep it powered (eufy). The solar panel comes off and can be wired in from a sunnier spot. SafeWise also lists 8GB of storage that you can expand with a eufy HomeBase (SafeWise). eufy doesn't publish the battery capacity, and its own pages disagree on the panel's wattage, so we don't quote either.
Solar: Removable, adjustable panel included (eufy); watts differ between eufy pages. Battery: Built-in; capacity not published by eufy (about 3 months standalone, eufy). Storage: 8GB built-in eMMC; expandable with a eufy HomeBase.
Pros
- ✓ Wide plus telephoto lens with 8x hybrid zoom
- ✓ 355° pan and 70° tilt
- ✓ 8GB built in: no card, no fee
- ✓ Lowest sunlight figure here: 2 h a day (eufy)
Cons
- ✗ 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- ✗ eufy doesn't publish battery capacity
- ✗ Panel wattage differs between eufy pages
3. Best Budget Dual-Band Camera With Spotlights
Reolink Argus 3 Pro Solar Camera Kit
5MP (2880 x 1620) · Dual-band 2.4 / 5 GHz · None required (Reolink) · Score 82/100
Reolink lists the Argus 3 Pro with 5MP video (2880 x 1620), a 105° by 55° view, a 6,000mAh built-in battery, two 230-lumen color spotlights and dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi. It is rated IP65, works from 14 to 131°F and records to a microSD card, and Reolink says "No subscription fees required" (Reolink). The Amazon listing sells it as a kit with a Reolink solar panel. Reolink pairs the camera with its 3W panel, but the listing we checked doesn't state the kit panel's wattage. When we checked, it cost less than every pick except the S220, and it adds 5 GHz Wi-Fi and spotlights. The trade-off is the narrowest fixed view on this page.
Solar: Reolink solar panel in the kit, on a cable. Battery: 6,000mAh built-in (Reolink). Storage: microSD card (not included); Reolink lists up to 512GB, the Amazon listing up to 128GB.
Pros
- ✓ Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi
- ✓ Two color spotlights for color night video
- ✓ Published 6,000mAh battery
- ✓ No subscription required
Cons
- ✗ 105° view, the narrowest here
- ✗ microSD card sold separately
- ✗ Rated only down to 14°F
- ✗ Sold by ReolinkDirect, a third-party seller
4. Best Cheap Solar Camera (Lowest Price When We Checked)
eufy SoloCam S220 Solar Camera
2K · 2.4 GHz only · No monthly fee required · Score 79/100
The S220 is the simplest setup here: the 0.9W solar panel is built into the camera, so there's no cable to route. eufy lists 2K video, a 6,500mAh battery, 8GB of built-in storage, IP67 weather protection and a -4 to 122°F range. It has no monthly fee and doesn't support cloud or NAS storage. eufy says about 3 hours of sun a day keeps it running (eufy). The Amazon listing confirms the 2.4 GHz-only Wi-Fi and says night vision is black-and-white infrared, without a color spotlight. Because the panel is part of the camera, the camera itself has to face the sun. That rules out shady porches and north walls.
Solar: 0.9W panel built into the camera. Battery: 6,500mAh built-in (eufy). Storage: 8GB built-in eMMC; no microSD, cloud or NAS.
Pros
- ✓ Lowest price of our picks when we checked
- ✓ No cables: the panel is built in
- ✓ IP67, the best weather rating published here
- ✓ 8GB on-camera storage, no fee
Cons
- ✗ Camera must face the sun
- ✗ Black-and-white night vision only
- ✗ 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only; no microSD slot
5. Best for Ring and Alexa Homes
Ring Outdoor Cam Plus, Solar
2K (2560 x 1440) · Dual-band 2.4 / 5 GHz · Recording and video history need a paid Ring plan (from $4.99/mo or $49.99/yr per Ring) · Score 72/100
Ring's spec page lists 2K video (2560 x 1440), a 140° horizontal, 80° vertical and 160° diagonal view, dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi and a -4 to 122°F operating range (Ring). PCWorld's launch report gives the same resolution and view (PCWorld). This Solar version adds Ring's USB-C solar panel, packaged separately in the box, to the removable battery pack. Ring says 3 to 4 hours of direct sun a day keeps the battery charged (Ring EU). Ring doesn't publish the panel's wattage. The catch is the subscription: saving and replaying recorded video needs a paid Ring plan (see subscription costs). It ranks fifth here for that reason. If you already have Ring doorbells or Echo devices, it fits in with them.
Solar: Ring USB-C solar panel in the Solar bundle, on a cable (watts not published). Battery: Removable Ring battery pack (capacity not published). Storage: Cloud, with a paid Ring plan.
Pros
- ✓ 2K video with a 160° diagonal view
- ✓ Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi
- ✓ Works with your existing Ring app and Alexa devices
- ✓ Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- ✗ Recording needs a paid Ring plan
- ✗ Ring doesn't publish panel watts or battery capacity
- ✗ Was low on stock at Amazon when we checked
6. Best Ring Camera With Spotlights and a Siren
Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar
1080p HD · 2.4 GHz only · Recording and video history need a paid Ring plan (from $4.99/mo or $49.99/yr per Ring) · Score 67/100
Ring's support page lists 1080p HD video, a 140° by 80° view, single-band 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, two LED spotlights, a remote-activated siren and a -4 to 122°F range. The box includes a USB-C solar panel and one Quick Release Battery Pack, and the camera holds two (Ring). The Amazon listing confirms the camera, battery and solar panel bundle and says Ring Protect is sold separately. Choose it if you want lights: two motion-triggered spotlights and a siren you can sound remotely. It scores lowest here because of 1080p video, 2.4 GHz-only Wi-Fi, the price and the Ring plan you need to save video.
Solar: Ring USB-C solar panel in the box, on a cable (watts not published). Battery: Removable Ring Quick Release Battery Pack; holds two (capacity not published). Storage: Cloud, with a paid Ring plan.
Pros
- ✓ Two motion-activated LED spotlights and a siren
- ✓ Room for a second battery pack
- ✓ Solar panel and battery in the box
- ✓ Sold by Amazon.com
Cons
- ✗ 1080p, the lowest resolution here
- ✗ 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- ✗ Recording needs a paid Ring plan
- ✗ Highest price of our picks when we checked
Other solar cameras we checked
The Reolink Argus 4 Pro had no offer on Amazon ("Currently unavailable") when we checked, so we left it out. We also skipped the original Reolink Argus PT, a 5MP pan-and-tilt camera that was in stock, because the Argus PT Ultra covers the same job in 4K. We didn't include any camera whose Amazon listing we couldn't match to a maker spec page.
Solar Security Camera Comparison Table
All six cameras side by side. Figures come from each maker's product or support page. "Not published" means the maker doesn't publish the figure, not that it's missing.
| Camera | Video | View | Wi-Fi | Storage | Subscription | Sun needed (maker) | Operating temp | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reolink Argus PT Ultra 4K Solar Camera | 4K (3840 x 2160, 8MP) | 90° H / 110° diagonal, plus 355° pan and 140° tilt | Dual-band 2.4 / 5 GHz (Wi-Fi 6) | microSD card (not included) or Reolink Home Hub | None required; optional Reolink Cloud in selected countries | Not stated on the product page | 14 to 131°F (-10 to 55°C) | 86/100 | Check price at Amazon → |
| eufy SoloCam S340 Dual-Lens Solar Camera | 3K wide (2880 x 1620) + 2K telephoto (2304 x 1296) | 135°, plus 355° pan and 70° tilt | 2.4 GHz only | 8GB built-in eMMC; expandable with a eufy HomeBase | No monthly fee required | 2 h of direct sun a day (eufy) | -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C) | 82/100 | Check price at Amazon → |
| Reolink Argus 3 Pro Solar Camera Kit | 5MP (2880 x 1620) | 105° H / 55° V (fixed) | Dual-band 2.4 / 5 GHz | microSD card (not included); Reolink lists up to 512GB, the Amazon listing up to 128GB | None required (Reolink) | Not stated on the product page | 14 to 131°F (-10 to 55°C) | 82/100 | Check price at Amazon → |
| eufy SoloCam S220 Solar Camera | 2K | 135° (fixed) | 2.4 GHz only | 8GB built-in eMMC; no microSD, cloud or NAS | No monthly fee required | 3 h of sun a day (eufy) | -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C) | 79/100 | Check price at Amazon → |
| Ring Outdoor Cam Plus, Solar | 2K (2560 x 1440) | 140° H / 80° V / 160° diagonal (fixed) | Dual-band 2.4 / 5 GHz | Cloud, with a paid Ring plan | Recording and video history need a paid Ring plan (from $4.99/mo or $49.99/yr per Ring) | 3-4 h of direct sun a day (Ring) | -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C) | 72/100 | Check price at Amazon → |
| Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Solar | 1080p HD | 140° H / 80° V (fixed) | 2.4 GHz only | Cloud, with a paid Ring plan | Recording and video history need a paid Ring plan (from $4.99/mo or $49.99/yr per Ring) | Not stated on the pages we checked | -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C) | 67/100 | Check price at Amazon → |
Sources: Reolink Argus PT Ultra and Argus 3 Pro product pages (reolink.com); eufy SoloCam S340 (eufy.com) and S220 (anker.com) product pages; Ring Outdoor Cam Plus and Spotlight Cam Plus support specs (ring.com). Weather ratings: IP67 (S220) and IP65 (both Reolinks) are published by the maker. Ring says "weather resistant" and eufy lists "weather protection" for the S340, without an IP rating.
Solar Security Camera With No Subscription: What You Actually Pay
Over a few years, the subscription can cost more than the camera itself. Here's what each maker says about the four no-fee picks and the two Ring cameras:
- eufy S220 and S340: no monthly fee. Both record to 8GB of built-in storage. eufy says the S220 doesn't support cloud or NAS storage (eufy). The S340 can add storage through a eufy HomeBase, sold separately.
- Reolink Argus PT Ultra and Argus 3 Pro: no subscription required. Both record to a microSD card, which you buy separately, or to a Reolink Home Hub. Reolink also offers an optional Reolink Cloud service in selected countries. Its product pages don't list plan prices, so we don't quote any (Reolink).
- Ring: a paid plan to save and replay video. Ring says its products "provide certain features without a plan." Video Event History, which keeps recordings for up to 180 days, comes with its paid plans. Ring's US plan page lists plans from $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year for one device, plus tax, and $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year for every device at one address (Ring plans, checked November 7, 2026). Ring changes its plans from time to time, so check the current price before you buy.
A no-fee camera keeps your video on the device or on a card at home. That means no monthly bill, but if someone takes the camera, the footage goes with it. A Ring plan stores clips in the cloud. Choose based on which risk matters more to you.
How Much Sun Does a Solar Security Camera Need?
Go by what each maker publishes, and treat it as a minimum. eufy says 2 hours of direct sun a day keeps the S340 powered (eufy) and about 3 hours a day keeps the S220 running (eufy). Ring says 3 to 4 hours of direct sun a day keeps the Outdoor Cam Plus charged (Ring). We didn't find a sunlight-hours figure on the Reolink product pages or the Spotlight Cam Plus support page. A camera that records many motion events a day uses more battery than one on a quiet wall, so busy spots need more sun.
- Mount the panel where the sun actually reaches it. Five of the six picks have a panel on a cable. You can tuck the camera under an eave and put the panel on a sunny wall or post. The S220's panel is built in, so the whole camera has to face the sun.
- Watch for winter shade. The sun sits lower in winter, so a roof edge, tree or fence that's fine in July can shade the panel in December. The same physics that limits a big solar panel on cloudy, short days applies here. Our guide to how solar panels perform on cloudy days explains it.
- Check the battery level in the app for the first few weeks. If it keeps falling, move the panel or charge the battery indoors once. On the Ring cameras, the battery pack is removable.
Solar security cameras in winter: the published limits
The makers rate the Ring and eufy picks to operate from -4 to 122°F (-20 to 50°C) (Ring; eufy). Reolink rates both of its picks from 14 to 131°F (-10 to 55°C), so they're the warmest-limited here (Reolink). If your winter nights regularly drop below 14°F, a Ring or eufy camera stays within its rated range longer. None of these makers publishes winter solar-charging figures, so we can't tell you how much charge each camera gains on a short, cold day. If you're unsure, choose a camera whose battery you can take inside to charge, such as the Ring packs.
Solar Security Camera for a Cabin, Off-Grid Site or Power Outage
The solar panel powers the camera, but the camera still needs Wi-Fi to send alerts and live view. All six picks are Wi-Fi cameras. At a cabin, barn or off-grid site, that usually means a router, often a satellite dish like Starlink, running all day from a battery. In a power outage at home, the camera keeps running on its own battery, but your router and modem go dark unless they have backup power. Alerts stop even though the camera still has power. The no-fee picks keep recording locally to their own storage or microSD card. We found no maker statement on whether that continues with no Wi-Fi at all, so test yours before you rely on it.
A small power station keeps the network up. For example, a router and modem drawing about 20W together, an illustrative figure, so check the labels on your own adapters, would run for these times, using the same 0.85 usable-energy factor we use for every power station:
| Power station (rated on this site) | Battery | 20W router + modem | Our score* | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow River 3 Plus | 286 Wh LiFePO4 | ~12 h | 86/100 | Check price at Amazon → |
| Anker SOLIX C300 DC | 288 Wh LiFePO4 | ~12 h | 86/100 | $199.99 |
Hours are continuous-draw estimates (Wh × 0.85 ÷ 20W), not measurements. *Power-station scores come from our power-station scoring and aren't comparable with the camera scores above.
To keep a router up with no gap when the grid drops, see our power station vs UPS guide, or put the router and modem on a mini UPS for the router for a few hours of cover. For wired PoE cameras and an NVR, our battery backup for security cameras section sizes a UPS from published camera and NVR maximums. If the site runs on Starlink, our power station for Starlink guide covers the much larger draw of a dish. For a whole cabin, start with our cabin and tiny-house solar generator guide. To keep the station itself charged, compare portable solar panels.
Is a Solar Security Camera a Good Black Friday or Holiday Gift?
It can be, because there's no electrician to book and no wiring to run. A few checks make the difference between a gift that gets mounted and one that sits in a drawer:
- Match their Wi-Fi. The S220, S340 and Spotlight Cam Plus connect on 2.4 GHz only. The Argus PT Ultra, Argus 3 Pro and Outdoor Cam Plus also support 5 GHz. Most home routers broadcast 2.4 GHz, but the camera has to be within range of it outdoors.
- Match their ecosystem. Someone with a Ring doorbell or Echo Show will likely prefer a Ring camera in the same app. Someone who dislikes subscriptions will be happier with eufy or Reolink.
- Don't hand them a bill. A Ring camera comes with the cost of a Ring plan, from $4.99 a month for one device according to Ring. A no-fee pick avoids that. For the Reolinks, add a microSD card to the gift.
- Order early. When we checked on November 7, Amazon showed the Ring Outdoor Cam Plus Solar as low on stock. If a camera sells out, its button on this page shows "Check price at Amazon" instead of a price.
Security cameras have historically appeared among Amazon's holiday-season deals, but we can't predict which models will be discounted or by how much. Every price on this page loads live from Amazon. For bigger gifts, see our solar generator gift guide and the Black Friday deal tracker.
Who Should Buy a Solar Security Camera (and Who Should Skip)
Good fit
- ✓ Renters, or anyone who can't run wiring to an outdoor wall
- ✓ Driveways, gates, sheds and side yards with no outlet nearby
- ✓ Spots that get at least the maker's published hours of direct sun
- ✓ People who'd rather not pay a monthly fee: choose eufy or Reolink
Skip it (or choose something else) if
- ✗ The only mounting spot is in all-day shade
- ✗ Your Wi-Fi doesn't reach the spot: fix that first
- ✗ You need nonstop 24/7 recording: a wired camera suits that better
- ✗ Your winters regularly drop below a camera's rated range (14°F for the Reolinks, -4°F for the others)
Solar Security Camera FAQ
What is the best solar powered security camera?
In our scoring, the Reolink Argus PT Ultra ranks highest: 4K video, 355-degree pan and 140-degree tilt, dual-band Wi-Fi and no required subscription, with a 3W solar panel in the Amazon bundle. The eufy SoloCam S340 adds a zoom lens and built-in storage, and the eufy S220 was the lowest-priced no-fee pick when we checked. For Ring and Alexa homes, the Ring Outdoor Cam Plus Solar is the pick, but it needs a paid Ring plan to save video.
Is there a solar security camera with no subscription?
Yes. eufy says the SoloCam S220 and S340 have no monthly fee and record to 8GB of built-in storage. Reolink says the Argus PT Ultra and Argus 3 Pro need no subscription and record to a microSD card, sold separately. Ring cameras need a paid Ring plan to save and replay recordings. Ring's US plans start at $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year for one device.
How much sun does a solar security camera need?
It depends on the camera and how much it records. eufy says 2 hours of direct sun a day for the S340 and about 3 hours for the S220. Ring says 3 to 4 hours of direct sun a day for the Outdoor Cam Plus. Busy spots with many motion events need more. Mount the panel where nothing shades it in winter, when the sun is lower.
Do solar security cameras work in winter?
Within their rated range, yes. Ring and eufy rate these cameras to operate from -4 to 122 degrees F, and Reolink rates its two picks from 14 to 131 degrees F. Short days and a low sun mean less charging, and none of these makers publishes winter charging figures. Check the battery level in the app, and take a removable battery inside to charge if it runs low.
Do solar security cameras need Wi-Fi?
All six cameras on this page are Wi-Fi cameras, so they need a signal where you mount them for alerts and live view. The eufy S220, S340 and Ring Spotlight Cam Plus use 2.4 GHz only. The Reolink Argus PT Ultra, Argus 3 Pro and Ring Outdoor Cam Plus also support 5 GHz. At an off-grid cabin, you'll also need to power a router.
Will a solar security camera work during a power outage?
The camera keeps running on its own battery, but your router and modem need power too, or alerts and remote viewing stop. A small power station keeps them on. A 286 Wh station such as the EcoFlow River 3 Plus runs a 20W router and modem for about 12 hours at our 0.85 usable-energy factor. That's an estimate, not a measurement.