There are hundreds of home security cameras on the market, varying widely in price, features, and quality, but only a few are solar-powered. CNET has been testing home security cameras for years, and we have some tips for those in the market for a new solar-powered security camera. Here are some parameters to consider:
privacy
This is a big problem. You don’t want someone snooping on your property or hacking into your cameras. Wireless home security cameras are more susceptible to hacking due to their connection to a Wi-Fi network and remote access. Wired home security cameras are more secure. (Learn more about the pros and cons of wired vs. wireless systems here.)
Video resolution
When purchasing a home security camera, solar powered or not, video quality should be your main consideration. Simply put, a camera won’t be effective if the recorded footage is grainy and unreadable.
The higher the resolution, the better the video quality. Most home security cameras on the market today have a resolution of 1080p, but some have 2K resolution (such as the Arlo Pro 4) or even 1,536 x 1,536 pixel resolution (such as the Arlo Video Doorbell). Keep in mind that the higher the quality of the video, the more bandwidth it will use and the more likely your camera will experience lags or glitches.
Local and Cloud Storage
There are two main options: Cloud storage, where your video footage is sent to a remote server for storage; Local storage, where you store the footage you want on a separate accessory or hardware (usually a microSD card). Cloud storage usually comes with a monthly fee.
