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An independent consumer guide to smart homes.
Best Battery Operated Security Camera
Updated
Sep 6, 2024

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.

Top 3
1
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Eufy S330 eufyCam 3
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2
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Eufy Cam 2 Pro
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3
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Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera
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1

Eufy S330 eufyCam 3

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2

Eufy Cam 2 Pro

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3

Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera

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X.

Eufy S330 eufyCam 3

Now with built-in solar cell
Eufy S330 eufyCam 3
4.6
Buy here:
Buy via a link above to support our business <3
Buy here
Solar powered
No Subscription Required
Hub acts as Wi-Fi repeater
AI Detection
Requires hub
Camera
4k
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Recording
Cloud & local
PoE
No
Requires hub
Yes
Field of view
135°

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

X.

Eufy Cam 2 Pro

Affordable quality
Eufy Cam 2 Pro
4.4
Buy here:
Buy via a link above to support our business <3
Buy here
High resolution
Long battery life
No Subscription Required
Hub acts as Wi-Fi repeater
Requires hub
Camera
2k
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Recording
Cloud & local
PoE
No
Requires hub
Yes
Field of view
140°

The Eufy Cam 2 Pro is just one camera in the line that Eufy offers. What makes Eufy stand out is their ability to store all movies locally. By far the biggest advantage of this is that you don't have to pay a monthly fee for a subscription service that most competitors offer to unlock more storage and more features. Not only that, with the Eufy Cam 2 Pro you also get, face recognition, nightvision, 2K resolution, up to one year of battery life and anti-theft function.

Eufy Cam 2 Pro also supports Apple HomeKit Secure Video. This means that you can choose to store your videos in iCloud. However, this requires you to have a hub at home in the form of a HomePod or Apple TV. Another thing to keep in mind if you choose this service is that your videos will be saved in 1080p and not 2K. We would like to warn that users are experiencing some issues with Apple HomeKit Secure Video.

Keep in mind that the Eufy Cam 2 Pro requires a hub. You have to buy this or buy a kit with two cameras.

X.

Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera

Second Generation Essential with 2K
Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera
4.0
Buy here:
Buy via a link above to support our business <3
Buy here
Reduced price
2K
Camera
2K
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Recording
Both (Hub required for local recording.)
PoE
No
Requires hub
Voluntary
Field of view
130°

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.

X.

Arlo Pro 5

Updated Arlo Pro with extended battery life
Arlo Pro 5
3.9
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30% longer battery life than its predecessor
Dual-Band 2.4 & 5GHz
2K
Built-in LED lamp
Expensive subscription
Expensive if you need a lot of cameras
Camera
2K
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 2,4 & 5GHz
Recording
Both (Hub required for local recording)
PoE
No
Requires hub
Voluntary
Field of view
160°

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

X.

Tapo C420

Battery-powered surveillance camera with hub for indoor & outdoor use, which can be connected to solar panel
Tapo C420
3.8
Buy here:
Buy via a link above to support our business <3
Buy here
2K Video
Ai features for automation
Ai detection
180 days battery length
Does not work without hub
Camera
2K
Connectivity
Wifi, 2,4 GHz
Recording
Cloud & local
PoE
No
Requires Hub
Yes
Field of view
113°

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.

X.

Ring Stick Up Cam Battery

An affordable camera that requires a subscription
Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
3.8
Buy here:
Buy via a link above to support our business <3
Buy here
Requires no hub - available for purchase for extended functionality
Can I buy a solar panel
End-to-end encryption
Requires subscription to record video on the move
Unable to view recordings on computer
Camera
1080
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Recording
Cloud
PoE
No
Requires hub
Voluntary
Field of view
130°

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

Read more about Ring Protect

X.

Arlo Pro 4

A powerful camera with a higher price tag
Arlo Pro 4
3.2
Buy here:
Buy via a link above to support our business <3
Buy here
2K
Built-in LED lamp
Expensive subscription
Expensive if you need a lot of cameras
Camera
2K
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Recording
Both (Hub required for local recording)
PoE
No
Requires hub
Voluntary
Field of view
160°

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

X.

Google Nest Cam

Google's first battery-powered camera
Google Nest Cam
3.1
Buy here:
Buy via a link above to support our business <3
Buy here
3 hours free storage
Free Face and Package Recognition
Requires additional holder for table mounting
Unable to save files locally
Camera
1080
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz (PoE Ready)
Recording
Cloud
PoE
Yes
Requires hub
No
Field of view
130°

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

Produkterna i vår lista

Eufy S330 eufyCam 3
Eufy Cam 2 Pro
Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera
Arlo Pro 5
Tapo C420
Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
Arlo Pro 4
Google Nest Cam

Jämför egenskaper

Camera
Connectivity
Recording
PoE
Requires hub
Field of view
Eufy S330 eufyCam 3
4k
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Cloud & local
No
Yes
135°
Eufy Cam 2 Pro
2k
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Cloud & local
No
Yes
140°
Arlo Essential Outdoor Camera
2K
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Both (Hub required for local recording.)
No
Voluntary
130°
Arlo Pro 5
2K
Wi-Fi 2,4 & 5GHz
Both (Hub required for local recording)
No
Voluntary
160°
Tapo C420
2K
Wifi, 2,4 GHz
Cloud & local
No
Yes
113°
Ring Stick Up Cam Battery
1080
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Cloud
No
Voluntary
130°
Arlo Pro 4
2K
Wi-Fi 2,4 GHz
Both (Hub required for local recording)
No
Voluntary
160°
Google Nest Cam
1080
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz (PoE Ready)
Cloud
Yes
No
130°

Jämför priserna på Price Runner

What to consider when choosing a surveillance camera

A surveillance camera can be used for many different purposes. It is therefore important to choose a camera that is suitable for your specific needs and intended purpose. Think for a while about what you are going to use the camera for. Here we list a few things you should keep in mind.

Image quality

Image quality is one of the most important aspects when choosing a camera and here there are more things to consider that determine the quality.

Connectivity
If your camera is connected via wifi and runs on battery and is located far away from its router/gateway, the camera will automatically reduce the quality of the image to be able to send it

Resolution
A digital image is made up of pixels, the more the better. Some common formats are HD (1280x720px), Full HD (1920x1080px) and 4K/Ultra HD (3840x2160px). The higher the resolution, the higher the price. You don't always need a camera with the highest resolution. Again, think about your needs and what you're going to use the camera for. For example, if you want to monitor your entrance and want to be able to distinguish a person's face, you need at least Full HD. If you want to be able to see whose car is parked at home, it can be enough with HD or even lower.

FPS (Frames per second)
This is how many shots the camera takes per second in a movie. The more pictures, the better you can follow in detail a sequence of events. You can then go through the footage picture by picture and get a better picture of what has happened. In some cases, this does not matter much. For example, if you want to see if the outdoor furniture is still standing, a picture is enough. A typical speed is 30fps, about as many images as the eye has time to perceive. Anything above 30fps is good to have if you want to be able to slow down the movie and watch it in slow motion. Keep in mind that a higher frame rate (fps) also stores more data in your cloud or on your memory card. If you then pay extra each month to be able to store your movies, it may be helpful to adjust the frame rate to suit your needs.


Night vision

It's usually a good idea to choose a camera with night vision (also called nightvision or dark mode). The technology consists of one or more built-in IR lights in the camera that turn on when it gets dark. You will then get a black and white image but also the ability to see in the dark.

Recording in the cloud or on-premises

Some security cameras have the ability to record movies and store them in the cloud and some store the footage on a memory card in the camera. Storing the videos in the cloud usually requires a subscription with the camera provider. There are cameras that offer limited storage in the cloud for free. It is also possible to connect some cameras with a network cable to a local hard drive, a so-called NVR (Network Video Recorder). The latter is most often used by enterprises and retail premises.

Location

Many cameras today have a so-called wide angle (wide field of view), which allows the camera to cover a fairly large area. If you need to see 360 degrees, there are also cameras that can be controlled. Feel free to place the camera under a roof, for example, to avoid rain and snow on the lens and camera. Some cemeteries have a shelter for this. Remember to point the camera correctly to comply with the law. Placing the camera high up (at least 3 m) complicates any sabotage by the burglar. A camera in sight can in itself be a deterrent, so don't try to hide the camera.

Battery-powered or corded

A battery-powered camera has the advantage of being easily positioned and, above all, repositioned as your needs change. You may want to monitor your entrance in the summer and the boat in the winter. Then it's easy to move the camera without having to pull power cords. The disadvantage, of course, is that you have to recharge the batteries from time to time. If you have a camera that is difficult to place and also more than one camera, it can be quite difficult.

A camera powered by power often has better performance and has the ability to record longer sequences or continuously (CVR - Continuous Video Recording). A battery-powered camera only records material if, for example, it sees something moving.

Recognition

Recent years have focused on smart features that are often linked to an add-on service. Cameras now have the ability to differentiate, for example, humans from a pet. This can be especially useful if you have a camera that is battery powered because it saves batteries by not recording everything that moves. Some cameras such as Google Nest Cam can also recognize familiar faces and thus only send notifications if an unknown person appears.

Select an area

Today, many cameras can choose a specific area to which it will react. Thus, you can draw a surface in the camera's eye catcher where movement is required for the camera to react and start recording footage. This can be a handy feature if, for example, you have something that moves easily in the wind and you want to exclude this from the camera's surveillance.

Field of view (FOV)

Cameras come with different lenses that have different wide fields of view. Consider where to place your camera to know how wide the field of view your camera needs. One tip is to test with your mobile phone first and compare with the intended surveillance camera. Field of view is measured in degrees where a larger number of degrees gives a wider view.

Security camera or home alarm?

Many providers of home alarms make use of the same technology that is currently available for private individuals to purchase. The big difference is often that the alarm goes to a central one that can send out security guards to check the alarm. If you are on vacation, this can be an advantage. However, with the technology available today, it is not always the extra cost that companies take.

Wifi or 4G

If you have a wifi in your home, this is usually the best choice as 4G cameras are usually more expensive and require a sim card. If you need a mobile camera that you want to be able to take with you on vacation, you only have the choice to buy a 4G camera. For hunters who want to film their shooting locations, a 4G camera is a perfect choice.

Battery Powered Security Cameras FAQ

What is the best battery-powered security camera?

The best battery-powered surveillance camera includes products like the Arlo Pro 3, Ring Stick Up Cam Battery, and Google Nest Cam Outdoor. These cameras offer wireless capability, high-definition video surveillance, and user-friendly app features to keep your home safe.

How long does the battery last in a battery-powered surveillance camera?

Battery life in a battery-powered surveillance camera varies depending on factors such as camera settings, usage, and ambient temperature. Generally, the battery of a high-quality battery-powered surveillance camera can last for several months before needing to be charged.

Can I use multiple battery-powered security cameras in my smart home?

Yes, you can use multiple battery-powered security cameras in your smart home. Many systems offer the ability to connect and manage multiple cameras via a central app, giving you a comprehensive overview and security for your home.

Previous products

These products have previously been included in our top list.

Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera
Reolink Argus 3 Pro
Super deals right now! - At least 20% discount