Most home security cameras assume two things you might not have where you need them: a power outlet and a strong Wi-Fi signal. Solar and 4G cameras are built for exactly those spots — a gate, a barn, a driveway, a holiday home.
How they work
- Solar cameras have a built-in battery and a small panel. In most climates a few hours of daylight a day keeps them topped up indefinitely — no wiring, no ladder, no electrician.
- 4G cameras use a SIM card instead of your router, so they work anywhere with mobile coverage. You check the feed from your phone exactly as you would a Wi-Fi camera.
- The best outdoor cameras combine both: solar-charged and 4G, fully independent of the house.
Features worth paying for
- PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom). The camera physically turns to follow movement instead of showing one fixed angle.
- AI human/vehicle detection. Cuts the false alerts from wind, rain and cats so you actually trust the notifications.
- Colour night vision. A spotlight or a low-light sensor gives you colour footage after dark, which is far more useful for identifying someone than grey infrared.
- Local storage (microSD). Recording to a card on the camera means no mandatory monthly cloud fee.
Watch the running costs
Two subscriptions can creep in: a cloud-recording plan and, on 4G models, the data SIM. Check both before you buy. A camera with local microSD storage and a pay-as-you-go SIM can cost almost nothing per month.
Video doorbells without a subscription
A doorbell camera is the highest-value single upgrade for most homes — it covers the exact spot where packages and visitors arrive. Look for one with an indoor monitor included and no mandatory subscription, so it works out of the box and keeps working for free.
The cheapest deterrent of all
A realistic dummy camera with a blinking LED, mounted where it's clearly visible, deters opportunists for a few dollars. Pair one with a real camera covering the actual entry point.
Our Security Cameras collection has solar 4G PTZ cameras with AI tracking, a no-subscription video doorbell with its own monitor, and dummy units for the low-risk corners.