Are you tired of security cameras that run out of battery life in just a few months, or even weeks? Replacing and recharging batteries repeatedly can get tiring, especially if you have to climb a ladder each time. If you feel that frustration, I have some cameras you really need to see.
These models tested for the best battery life in my reviews, with charges lasting up to multiple years — so long that you may forget you need to manage battery life at all. If you want the most tireless battery cams around, here’s where to start.
Important note: Battery life varies widely across security cameras. It depends on resolution, the number of motion detection activations, how much you use the live view, motion sensitivity, motion detection zones and plenty more. So results will vary, but for the longest possible battery life, you’ll want to turn everything to lower settings. Some cameras have low-power or battery-extension modes for this exact purpose.
1. Blink Outdoor 2K Plus with Battery Extension Pack
The Blink Outdoor cams already had the best battery life of any model I had tested, and now it’s even longer. The two lithium AA batteries that come with the model are rated for 2 years. In my tests, my battery pack lasted about 1.5 years with fairly frequent activations (plus some very cold winters that sap battery life).
But Blink also has an extension pack for this model ($30). Add the pack, and the batteries are rated for up to four years of life, longer than anything else on the market. Just make sure to keep the resolution to 1080p for the best results.
2. Arlo Pro XL 6
Arlo’s Pro series is one of my favorite security camera lines, and the sixth-gen model includes all the latest features, including the option to enable advanced AI detection and summaries with the right Arlo subscription.
However, the most impressive part of this cam’s version is the XL battery pack, specifically designed to last twice as long as the standard rechargeable battery. Since the normal battery easily lasted three to four months in my testing, the XL version could stretch to nearly a year, especially with low activations. Just keep in mind that Arlo benefits the most when you pay out for a subscription to enable all features, starting at $8.
3. Tapo MagCam 2K Plus
If you had a lower-cost camera in mind, this Tapo MagCam is often on sale for under $70 and doesn’t need an extra battery pack, add-ons or a subscription. It also comes with a useful magnetic mount, an IP66 weather-resistant rating, and full-color night vision.
The 10,000-mAh battery is rated for 300 days, a.k.a. 10 months, particularly high for a wireless camera of this caliber. My tests were lower than that, but I test at higher motion detection settings with lots of bells and whistles. Just make sure you screw in that magnetic mount instead of using the adhesive strips — this cam is pretty weighty.
4. Ring Spotlight Cam Pro
Spotlight cameras are notorious for draining batteries quickly, especially if the spotlight comes on frequently in the evening. Ring’s latest Spotlight Cam Pro with Retinal 2K has tricks up its sleeve to handle that issue. You can set motion detection and brightness levels low to save on battery life while still getting illumination. But more importantly, the cam has two slots for two separate battery packs.
That means you can either let the camera switch to the new battery pack when the old one dies for maximum longevity, then charge both packs at once, or switch between charging packs so the camera never runs out of juice. Either way, it’s one of the best battery results I’ve found for a spotlight camera. If you’re interested in floodlight models, check out our review of the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight cam.
Pro tip: Add a solar panel for automatic recharging
Almost every security camera brand offers an optional solar panel add-on these days. Some are built-in or attachable, and many let you mount the panels several feet away from the camera. If you can position the solar panel in a sunny spot, you can automatically charge the camera’s battery.
While this method isn’t foolproof, it can help greatly reduce the time between manual recharging for even average batteries. If you’re after the longest lift possible, I highly recommend this add-on.
If you’re very much against camera subscriptions, boy, do I have a list for you — and if you’re really into the latest AI technology, these cameras offer it for free.
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