Are you looking for an outdoor security camera that is battery operated and wireless?
These cameras are the most convenient and flexible cameras available on the market.
Without having to worry about a wire to power the camera or a wire to connect it to the Internet, the only constraint that you have on the position of the camera is the strength of your Wi-Fi.
And so in this guide, I written in depth reviews for 10 of the best battery operated wireless outdoor security cameras.
I have also tried to answer lots of FAQs as well.
Please use the Contents box to move around as there is lots to get through!
How Are Wire Free Outdoor Security Cameras Powered?
The chart below looks at the power options for the ten cameras in my review.
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Battery
All of these cameras can be powered by batteries alone.
Most battery operated security cameras have built in lithium ion batteries, but some like the Wansview camera in my comparison use 18650 batteries that you need to buy separately.
The Blink XT uses standard or rechargeable AA batteries.
Built in lithium ion batteries can either be recharged by plugging a power lead into the camera for a few hours (without detaching the battery) or the batteries can be detached and then plugged into a power supply.
To many people, a detachable battery is the most convenient because it means users don’t have the hassle of connecting an outdoor camera to a power source.
But, in order for this system to be perfect, you will need a spare battery to use in the camera whilst the original is being charged.
Power Cables
They can also all be powered by a power cable, which comes with every camera.
But here’s the thing. All of the power cables are only rated for indoor use and not outdoor use.
And so, for those of you who are going to place your camera outside, you should not leave the power cable permanently connected.
Fancy a security camera which is powered by an Ethernet cable instead? Read about the latest models.
Solar Panels
One of the latest developments in charging technology is the use of solar panels with outdoor gadgets.
In my comparison, the Arlo Pro, Reolink Argus 2 and the Ring Spotlight can all be powered via a solar panel.
But these solar panels need to be purchased separately and you should only buy a solar panel that has been made by the same company that makes your security camera.
Solar panels are a great alternative to using a power cable to recharge a security camera’s battery as long as:
- You have enough sunlight
- You do use use your camera too frequently.
- There is enough space near to the camera to mount the panel.
Wireless Connections
Now let’s take a look at another important feature of these security cameras, which is their wireless connections.
Looking at the chart below, we can see that there are two ways in which these cameras connect- base station or directly to a WiFi router.
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Base Station
The Arlo Pro, Wansview and Blink XT cameras all use a base station to connect to WiFi.
How do base stations work?
Base station act as a bridge between a security camera and a WiFi network. The base station connects to WiFi and the cameras connect (wirelessly) to the base station.
The chart shows how many cameras can connect to each base station.
An Arlo Pro base station can have up to 15 cameras connected to it, the Wansview can have up to 4 and the Blink XT can have up to 10 cameras connecting to the base station.
All of the base stations in this comparison are powered by a power cable.
However, whilst the Blink XT and Wansview base stations connect wirelessly to your WiFi router, the Arlo base station uses an Ethernet cable.
In contrast, the Reolink and Ring cameras do not need a base station and they connect directly to your WiFi router at a speed 2.4 GHz and not 5 GHz.
Outdoor Protection
You are looking for a camera to use outside and therefore your camera needs to be tougher and more “bulletproof” than a camera that you might buy for indoor use.
Fortunately, for us there is an industry standard rating for any electrical products that are designed to be used outside.
And that rating is the IP (Ingress Protection.)
The IP rating is a scale containing two numbers, ranging from 0 to 9.
The first number measures resistance to dust, the second measures resistance to water.
The higher the number the greater the resistance.
The chart below displays how “outdoor proof” each camera is.
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All the cameras in my comparison, with one exception, have an IP rating of 65, which as far as protection goes, is pretty good.
And the exception is the Ring Spotlight camera, which is just labelled as “weather resistant.”
If you want a little more protection, then you might want to look at this well liked wireless outdoor security camera. It has an IP rating of 66, but it isn’t battery powered.
Can Outdoor Security Cameras Be Used Indoors?
Outdoor cameras come with features that improve their outdoor performance.
However, this does not limit their use to only outdoors.
Their weather proof casing and out door mounts make it great for outdoor placement, but these can be used in doors with added benefits too.
However, solar panels that are used to power many outdoor systems will not work in low light.
This means that you will either have to recharge the batteries of the cameras or wire them up for indoor use.
How Are Outdoor Security Cameras Powered?
Most outdoor cameras are either wired or wireless.
In this day and age, the industry leans towards wireless, but either design can still be found online.
Wired refers to power wires coming from an outdoor (or indoor) powerpoint to power the camera.
Wireless uses batteries.
Many outdoor camera now use solar power to recharge the batteries.
This is efficient, environmentally green and effective for small camera systems.
Many outdoor security camera packages will even provide their own solar panels which can be easily installed to your roof.
Using just a little sun they will run your camera for days.
Which is Better, Wireless or Wired?
This is a hotly debated topic, either system has advantages and disadvantages.
But really, it is decided by what you need the system to be used for.
For a large business or complex, a wireless system could be overwhelmed by the number of cameras.
Most wireless system and routers can only support 4 or 6 cameras.
If you need more than that, a wired system is required.
However, if you have a normal or even large home and need two or three cameras, wireless might be the solution.
Wireless means a quick set up and everything runs to your home router.
If you are worried about hackers then wired might be better.
Hackers can easily hack a wireless signal and disable or damage your cameras.
But most households don’t have this problem.
Really, wireless is a good solution to the modern family household.
But for larger areas or higher risk areas, wired is a more solid solution.
Where Should I Place an Outdoor Security Camera?
Most people find that they want one near their door.
This way, you can see who comes and goes from your house even when you aren’t there.
And criminals are most likely to test a door first, so this is the perfect time to spot them.
Other people also like to monitor their driveway, or entire garden.
But it really depends on what you want to use the camera for.
For common criminal deterrent and security, your door and driveway might be good options.
But if you have people trespassing, a good camera up high might serve your needs better.
Outdoor Security Cameras and Lighting, How do I Set it Up?
Many people worry that they will need to instal a security light along with their camera.
But this isn’t true.
Most modern outdoor security cameras come with night vision that will let you record during the night without alerting others that you can see that area.
Some night vision will actually not work as well if there are outdoor lights shining on the camera, so be sure to check your camera’s settings.
Some people though might want to light their home and property anyways, in which case it might not be necessary to get a night vision camera.
Are Outdoor Security Cameras Worth It?
Outdoor security cameras come with features that specialise them to outdoor environments.
These features include waterproofing and long distance HD vision.
These specially suit outdoors, and make these cameras better than indoor cameras and other systems used outdoors.
These cameras will also help to secure your home and property and are definitely worth it as a security asset.
How Do Wireless Security Cameras Work?
So how do we get wireless security cameras?
They don’t run on magic, so what do they run on?
Thanks to most households now having wifi routers, wireless security cameras use the wifi network to broadcast their footage to the cloud.
From there, you can watch it live or later from your smart device connected to the internet.
But what about wireless when it comes to power?
Most wireless security cameras use either batteries, or in the case of outdoor systems, solar power.
This means that there is no need for cables to run power to the cameras.
#1. Reolink Argus Pro Wire Free Security Camera
Specs
Resolution: 1080 (15 FPS)
Field of Vision: 130°
Voice Control: No
Motion Detection: Email | App Alerts
Power: Rechargeable battery | Solar | Powered
Night Vision: PIR Black and White
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi
Storage: micro SD card (64GB)
Audio: 2 Way
Siren: 75 db
Remote Access: iOS | Android | Windows | Mac
Weatherproof: IP65
Floodlight: No
I won’t say too much about this security camera because the next camera in my review is an upgraded model- the Reolink Argus 2.
The Reolink Argus Pro is an excellent wireless security camera system.
Not only do you not need connection cords, power cords are also unnecessary.
The whole system works off a rechargeable battery.
And if you want to place the system outdoor, a solar panel can be attached.
No more holes in walls or chords draped across your home!
All you need is a battery charger and a wifi router and boom!
The whole system is running.
The small egg shaped device is easily concealable and stream line.
With a mount it can attach to horizontal or vertical surfaces.
The device is a clean white and black colour to fit in with most modern homes.
It blends in wonderfully!
Even the solar panels are beautiful features.
They take up very little space and have the same rounded and streamline finish as the cameras.
The Reolink Argus doesn’t just have amazing solar panel and wireless technology.
It also comes with a multitude of great technological advancements.
Most of which are only recently being realised by other systems.
High resolution footage is broadcast to you no matter where you are.
This is done through your Reolink app for no extra cost.
This footage is always 1080p so you won’t miss anything to bad definition.
Even at night the Reolink Argus comes equipped with 36 feet of night vision.
And if you don’t want to watch the footage live, the Reolink Argus can support up to 64GB of storage on an SD card.
All this footage can be reviewed later.
With its simple setup and high tech features, for a reasonable price, the Reolink Argus is a great choice of surveillance camera.
The system is great for anyone who wants a quick and easy setup with little to no hassle.
It’s also great for people with outdoor security needs.
The solar panel will mean no more recharging of the batteries.
However, if you don’t already have a wifi router this is not the system for you.
And large scale camera setups, for businesses or compounds, will not be able to operate off the Reolink.
But for most households this camera system is perfect!
#2. Reolink Argus 2 Wire Free Security Camera
Specs
Resolution: 1080L
Field of Vision: 130°
Voice Control: No
Motion Detection: Email | App Alerts
Power: Rechargeable battery | Solar | Powered
Night Vision: Starlight Sensor (Color Images)
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi
Storage: micro SD card (64GB) | Reolink Cloud
Audio: 2 Way
Siren: 75 db
Remote Access: iOS | Android | Windows | Mac
Weatherproof: IP65
Floodlight: No
So what are the differences between these two battery powered security cameras from Reolink?
Well, there are three.
Firstly, the Argus 2 is more expensive.
Secondly, although both of these Reolink cameras have 1080p sensors, the Argus 2 has a Starlight sensor which means that its night vision is better even with very low levels of light.
And thirdly, the Argos 2 can be mounted on a standard outside mount as well as a magnetic mount.
Whereas the Argus Pro can only be mounted on a standard mount.
#3. Arlo Pro
Specs
Resolution: 720p (30 FPS)
Field of Vision: 130°
Voice Control: Alexa
Motion Detection: Email | App Alerts
Power: Rechargeable battery | Solar
Night Vision Range: 25 ft
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: Base station
Storage: Cloud | Free 7 days
Audio: 2 Way
Siren: 100+ db
Remote Access: iOS | Android | Web
Weatherproof: IP65
Floodlight: No
Since this is the first of three Arlo cameras that I will be comparing, I will just use this space to discuss some of the feedback on the battery life and the best and worst features of the Arlo Pro.
Then after you have viewed the specs for all three Arlo security cameras, I will outline the main ways in which they are the same and different.
The Arlo Pro can be powered by a rechargeable battery, solar panel or a power lead.
A main disadvantage of the power lead is that it is not weatherproof and designed for outside use.
It is only designed for indoor use.
Overall, owners of this camera are pretty pleased with the battery life, as long as the camera is not being used in busy environments.
Arlo Pro cameras that are continually detecting motion run the battery down far quicker.
The Arlo Pro is one of this most reviewed security cameras- thousands of users have left feedback and it is an incredibly popular device.
Features that users really like include night vision and the build quality of the camera.
To check out the latest prices for the Arlo Pro and to read more reviews, click here.
#4. Arlo Pro 2 Wire Free Security System
Specs
Resolution: 1080 (30 FPS)
Field of Vision: 130°
Voice Control: Alexa
Motion Detection: Email | App Alerts
Power: Rechargeable battery | Solar
Night Vision Range: 25 ft
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: Base station
Storage: Cloud | Free 7 days
Audio: 2 Way
Siren: 100+ db
Remote Access: iOS | Android | Web
Weatherproof: IP65
Floodlight: No
Like the Arlo Pro, the Arlo Pro 2 can be powered via a rechargeable battery, solar panel or power cable.
The included power cable is only compatible with indoor use.
If you need an power cable to use outside, go here.
The Arlo Pro 2 has the same battery in it as the Arlo Pro and the battery has a capacity of 2440 mAh.
And owners of the Arlo 2 are generally incredibly positive about the battery life, although there are a few users who live in busy areas who are less than impressed with it.
Other Arlo Pro 2 features that are highly rated include the build quality of the camera which was a much liked feature of the original and the picture quality.
To check out the latest prices for the Arlo Pro 2 and to read more reviews, click here.
#5. Arlo Ultra 4K Camera
Specs
Resolution: 4096p (8MP)
Field of Vision: 180°
Voice Control: Alexa
Motion Detection: | Person Detection | Vehicle Detection | Animal Detection
Power: Rechargeable battery | Solar | Powered
Night vision range: Not specified
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: Base Station
Storage: Free for first year
Audio: 2 way
Siren: 80db (on camera)
Remote Access: iOS | Android | Web
Weatherproof: Yes
Floodlight: Yes
This is the third Arlo camera in this comparison, which I guess should mean that they are Kings of the battery security camera?!
And as my comparison’s only 4K camera, does the Ultra perform as impressively as the specs suggest?
Let’s take a look at battery life.
Arlo are vague about the estimated battery life of the Ultra, putting it somewhere between 3 and 6 months.
And there is plenty of logic behind this.
People use security cameras in many different ways and in a whole range of contexts.
Features such as motion detection and the integrated spotlight are power hungry and the frequency with which they are used massively affects battery life.
Looking at the feedback on battery life, most owners are very pleased with how the Arlo Ultra works.
The most jaw dropping feature of this camera is the 4K resolution but there is a catch.
In order to unlock this feature, you need to subscribe to Arlo Smart- as a sweetener, you get the first year free.
The next feature that places this camera head and shoulders above its rivals is its 180° field of view- most other cameras max out at 140°.
This battery operated security camera has lower than an average rating than other cameras that I have looked at.
Although, users do rate the picture quality and night vision very highly, many buyers think that the camera isn’t value for money.
To check out the latest prices for the Arlo Ultra and to read more reviews, click here.
Arlo Pro vs Arlo Pro 2 vs Arlo Ultra
Having discussed three Arlo cameras individually, it is now time to compare them directly to see in which ways they are similar and different.
Battery life is one of the most important ways in which all three of these Arlo cameras are the same.
The biggest difference between these three cameras (apart from price) is in the resolution.
The Arlo Pro is 720p, the Arlo Pro 2 is 1080p and the Arlo Ultra is 4K.
Also, the Arlo Ultra will automatically zoom and track a moving object, which the other cameras can’t do.
The Arlo Ultra also comes with a power cable that is designed to be used outside, whereas the Arlo Pro and Pro 2 only come with indoor chargers.
And although the function of all the cameras can be enhanced by paying a monthly subscription to Arlo Smart, the Arlo Pro 2 and Ultra offer even more features such as CVR or Continuous Video Recording.
I have written a much more detailed comparison between the Arlo Pro and Pro 2, which you can read here.
#6. Ring Spotlight Cam Battery
Specs
Resolution: 1080 (30 FPS)
Field of Vision: 140°
Voice Control: Alexa
Motion Detection: Motion Zones | Motion Clips| Alerts | Human Detection
Power: Rechargeable battery | Optional 2nd battery | Solar Panel
Night vision range: Not specified
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 2.4 Ghz
Storage: Cloud
Audio: 2 Way
Siren: 110 decibel
Remote Access: iOS | Android | Web
Weatherproof: Yes
Floodlight: Yes, 300 lumens
Despite looking in all the obvious places, I could not find any official guidance from Ring on how long the battery in the camera should last.
But reading some of the reviews, most users are finding that the battery is lasting between one and two weeks.
This is well below the 6 month life that Ring has promised (according to one of the reviewers.)
Obviously, this leaves many owners with a bad taste in their mouths because charging a battery every two weeks is impractical.
However, a unique feature of the Spotlight Cam is that a second battery pack can be mounted on the device, which will power the camera once the original battery pack is dead.
Spares can be bought here.
The Ring Spotlight Cam can also be charged via a solar panel, which is a separate purchase.
To buy the camera and the solar panel, look at this page.
Another fairly unique feature of the Ring Spotlight Cam is that it comes with a built in flashlight.
2 white LED strips are positioned either side of the camera lens and these motion triggered lights produce up to 300 lumens of light.
Perhaps a final feature of this camera that is worth mentioning is that it has a huge amounts of positive reviews written about it.
This will provide you with more peace of mind than other cameras in this comparison.
Highly rated features of the Ring Spotlight Cam are the quality of; motion detection, night vision and the strength and consistency of the wi-fi signal.
What users don’t like about this model is that the motion alerts can be very, very slow…
To check out the latest prices for the Ring Spotlight Battery Cam and to read more reviews, click here.
#7. EufyCam E
Specs
Resolution: 1080p
Field of Vision: 140°
Voice Control: Alexa
Motion Detection: Motion Clips | Motion Zones | Notifications | Facial Recognition
Power: 365 day battery life
Night vision range: Not specified
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: Base Station
Storage: micro SD (128 GB)
Audio: 2 way
Siren: 100 db
Remote Access: Android | iOS | Web
Weatherproof: IP65
Floodlight: No
According to Eufy, a single charge of this wireless security camera will last for a full year or 365 days.
This is the equivalent of ten, thirty second videos everyday.
And it is this ability that is the E’s biggest selling point.
But how does it work out in everyday life?
Reviewers who have mentioned the battery life are very positive about how long it seems to last.
However, only a handful of people have written about battery life and so it is difficult to make a definite decision on the quality.
Another fairly unique feature of this product is that there is no cloud storage.
Instead, it stores all footage on a micro SD card within the base station.
A 16 GB card is included but the maximum capacity is a whopping 128 GB.
The camera has motion detection but not facial recognition but I cannot find out any information regarding if it allows you to create motion zones.
And so I presume that the eufyCamE does not have this feature.
Overall the reviews of this camera are just above average, although there have not been too many reviews written.
Whilst users are not blown away by the camera, many are quietly impressed.
Looking at the specs, an outstanding feature of the security camera is the night vision but other users are disappointed by its range.
The cameras need to be much nearer to the base station than the product description outlines.
To check out the latest prices for the eufyCam E and to read more reviews, click here.
#8. Lynx Solar Wireless Surveillance Camera
Specs
Power: Built in rechargeable lithium ion | Solar Panel | Power Adapter
Resolution: 1080p
Field of Vision: 100°
Voice Control: No
Motion Detection: Motion Clips | Motion Zones | Notifications | Facial Recognition
Night vision range: Not specified
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi
Storage: Cloud | 7 days free
Audio: 2 Way
Siren: No
Remote Access: iOS | Android | Web
Weatherproof: Yes
Floodlight: No
Looking at the product description, the Lynx Solar Camera comes with a solar panel that charges the battery.
One full of day of sunshine powers the camera for 7 days.
But there are no specifics about what 7 days days of use actually means.
For instance, how many motion detection events per day will it work for?
This battery operated security camera also comes with a power adapter which can be used to power the camera as well.
And the feedback from buyers about the solar panels is fantastic.
Many reviewers report that the solar panels work well and that they are solidly constructed.
However, far too many other owners complain about other aspects of this security camera for me to recommend it as a product to buy.
But if you want to check the latest price and read the reviews about the Lynx Wireless Solar Surveillance Camera, click here.
#9. Foscam E1 Wireless Camera System
Specs
Power: Built in rechargeable lithium ion (5000 mAh) | Power Adapter
Resolution: 1080p
Field of Vision: 110°
Voice Control: No
Motion Detection: Motion Clips | Motion Zones | Notifications | Human Detection
Night vision range: 25 ft
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: Base Station
Storage: Cloud | 7 days free
Audio: 2 Way
Siren: No
Remote Access: iOS | Android | Web
Weatherproof: IP 65
Floodlight: No
The wire free E1 security camera system can be powered via the battery or via the power adapter.
Although we know that the battery has a capacity of 5000 mAh, I have had to dig deep into some reviews to find out how long Foscam expect the battery to last.
And the answer is that under normal conditions, on a single charge, it should last 6 months.
But that doesn’t tell us us how many minutes of use the camera will get per day.
And people who have bought the E1 are generally scathing about the battery.
Many reporting that the battery life is only a few days.
So are there any other features that make this camera a strong contender in my comparison?
I think that there are two.
It’s free 7 day cloud service and the human detection aspect of its motion sensor.
But in real world use, owners complain that the E1’s ability to detect motion is very poor.
#10. Wansview Outdoor Wireless Security Camera
Specs
Power: x2 18650 Rechargeable batteries | Micro USB
Resolution: 1080 HD
Field of Vision: 110°
Voice Control: No
Motion Detection: Push Notifications
Night vision range: 25 ft
Base Station OR Wi-Fi: Base Station
Storage: 64 GB micro SD
Audio: 2 Way
Siren: No
Remote Access: iOS | Android | Win 10
Weatherproof: IP 65
Floodlight: No
This Wansview outdoor security camera is powered by two 18650 batteries.
These are not built in batteries but separate “cell” batteries, the same shape as your AA’s but bigger.
Not only are the batteries rechargeable but they don’t need to be taken out whilst recharging.
Just plug the micro USB cable in to recharge them.
Another possible solution is to buy a spare pair of 18650 batteries.
And how do these batteries perform?
Wansview believe that on a single charge, these batteries will last between 6- 8 months if they are activated 10 times a day.
And in real life?
Well, an overwhelming majority of users are very impressed with the battery life of these cameras.
These include owners who are operating the cameras in very, very cold weather and people who connected to “live view” frequently.
To check out the latest prices and to read more reviews of the Wansview Outdoor Wireless Security Camera, click here.
