Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. News

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Arlo’s new security camera combines solar power with a big battery for low-maintenance monitoring

With a 1.2W solar panel and a 14,790mAh battery, the Essential Solar Security Camera can stay powered for months with minimal maintenance.

Add as a preferred source on Google
Arlo Essential Solar Security Camera featured
Arlo

Arlo has officially unveiled its new Essential Solar Security Camera, a budget-friendly outdoor option aimed at eliminating the biggest pain point of using wireless security cameras: constant battery recharges. Priced at $99.99, the new device pairs an integrated solar panel with a massive internal battery to deliver true low-maintenance coverage year-round.

Continuous power and sharp resolution

The primary appeal of the Essential Solar Security Camera rests in its top-mounted 1.2W solar panel. Arlo claims that just two hours of direct sunlight per day is enough to keep the unit continuously powered. For overcast stretches or dreary winter months, a substantial 14,790mAh internal battery is included, which can keep the unit operational for up to six months on a full charge.

The hardware does not sacrifice visual clarity for efficiency. It captures 2L video at 24 frames per second across a wide 130-degree field of view. An integrated white LED spotlight enables bright color night vision, while dual-band Wi-Fi support ensures smooth video streaming and reliable connectivity.

Weatherproof design and smart integrations

Designed for outdoor exposure, the camera features an IP65 weather-resistance rating to handle rain, snow, heat, and cold. Setup is pretty straightforward thanks to a flexible three-hole mounting bracket that allows for easy installation on siding, eaves, or fence posts.

Recommended Videos

The device ties into major smart home ecosystems, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. Owners can also access extra AI features like threat assessment and automated event summaries by pairing the camera with an Arlo Secure subscription. Pre-orders are open now, with shipping scheduled for mid-October. The camera is available in black and white colorways.

Pranob Mehrotra
Pranob is a seasoned tech journalist with over eight years of experience covering consumer technology. His work has been…
Apple HomeView: Everything you need to know about Apple’s new smart home brain
Apple HomeView is more than an iPad for your wall. Here's everything it does
Apple HomeView feature

During the Welcome Home event, Apple announced a bunch of products that expand its smart home lineup. These share a connected ecosystem around the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The idea was to bring its tight integration into the living room, kitchen, and practically every other corner of your house.

Among these new gadgets was the Apple HomeView, the company's long-awaited smart home display, unveiled during its October 13 Welcome Home event. It combines a 7-inch touchscreen, built-in speakers, Apple's new conversational Siri AI, and a centralized dashboard for managing everything from security cameras to smart lighting.

Read more
Apple wants $279 to fix your $299 HomeView, so you better not drop it
Apple’s newest smart display comes with a not-so-smart repair bill.
Apple HomeView feature

I was genuinely excited when Apple announced the HomeView. A 7-inch smart display from Apple sounded like something I would happily put on my kitchen counter. Then Apple published its repair prices, and my excitement took a nosedive.

Why does a repair cost almost as much as a new one?

Read more
Terra Kaffe TK-02 Review: The best-looking super automatic coffee maker I’ve trusted in a while
A kit that works just as well in an office setting as it would in your home with multiple coffee lovers.
Terra Kaffe TK-02

See at Amazon

Quick Recap

Read more