These sustainable surveillance devices will save you a ton of hassle & money in the long run. Here’s how

If you’re looking to ramp up security at home or your place of business, you’re going to need a reliable set of eyes on the property. There are plenty of DIY options that offer high-quality video and wireless control, but the low maintenance and convenience of solar-powered security cameras make them hard to beat. Below, we’ve listed seven key features you should know about these devices before you pull the trigger on a wired system.

1. They Don’t Need Direct Sunlight

Naturally, a common question people have about solar-powered security cameras is, “Do they still work if it’s cloudy?”

And the answer is yes. In fact, they’re designed specifically to keep feeding you information whether the sun is out or not. 

They can work whether it’s gloomy outside, rainy, or even pitch black. This is because the sunlight they get during clear weather doesn’t just power the device. It also charges the internal battery, which it can draw from whenever the weather turns unfavorable.

2. They’re Easier to Install & Move Around Than Wired Cameras

With a regular wired camera, you’d need to install it close enough to a power cable or outlet to plug it in or connect it to your home security system. But since solar-powered security cameras don’t need an outside power source, they take far less time and effort to set up. 

This also means you have the freedom to place them wherever you want and move them around as needed. Don’t like the spot you chose? No need to wrestle with any wires and worry about where the nearest outlet is. Just take it down and set it up somewhere else.

3. They Can Easily Last Through the Night

As we mentioned in the first section, sunlight charges the internal battery so the camera can continue recording in cloudy or rainy weather. But the power supply is also built to store plenty of juice to make it through the night.

When you shop for solar-powered security cameras, you’ll have the chance to choose between models with varying internal battery life. Depending on the model you get, your camera could last anywhere from twelve hours to three days without a single ray of sunlight.

4. They’re Very Low Maintenance

If you’re working with a regular wire-free camera, you’ll need to take it down and replace the batteries every few months. This could be a pain, especially if you’re out of town and want to keep an eye on things at home.

In contrast, there’s no need for the hassle with a solar-powered security camera. Once you’ve got it up and running, the only reason you’d need to mess with it is if you want to move it somewhere else.

5. No Power-Saving Mode Means No Missed Moments

Wire-free cameras often stay in power-saving mode to extend their battery life, only recording when they detect motion. The problem with this is that if the subject is out of range of your camera, you could miss valuable context in the time it takes for it to start recording. 

The whole point of having a camera is to monitor the comings and goings of your property. If you’re missing key information, you’re putting your safety at risk. But since solar-powered security cameras are self-sustaining, they don’t have this problem. There’s no need for power-saving mode if the camera never runs out of battery.

6. Many Models Can Integrate With Your Smart Home

If you already have a smart home or you’re planning on having one installed, there are solar-powered security camera models available that can easily integrate with your system. Just make sure when you’re shopping around that you find a model with that capability.

7. They Save You Money in the Long Run

Perhaps the most attractive item on our list is the fact that these self-sustaining devices don’t draw from any power source other than their internal batteries, meaning you don’t have to pay a dime to power them. So, if you try one out and find you like it, you could outfit your entire home with solar-powered security cameras and your power bill won’t go up by a single cent.

It is worth mentioning that these types of cameras typically cost more upfront than those without solar panels, but the money you’ll save on electricity will more than make up the difference long-term.