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How long do security camera batteries last?
Updated
Makers quote months to years. Blink says up to two years on default settings, and Ring says its batteries are made to last for months between charges. Your number depends mostly on how often the camera wakes up: a quiet back door can come close to the claim, and a camera facing a sidewalk can run down many times faster.
Minutes awake per day
A battery camera sleeps until it senses motion. Here is how long it stays awake each day at 20 second clips, using the same math as our storage calculator.
- 10 events a day3.3 minutes
- 30 events a day10 minutes
- 150 events a day50 minutes
Going from 10 events to 150 is 15 times the awake time. That is before live view, which keeps the camera fully awake the whole time you watch.
What the makers say drains the battery
- Motion events and live view. Ring lists too many motion events, live views and linked events as the first cause of fast drain.
- Weak WiFi. Ring says a weak connection can make the camera drop and reconnect, which runs the battery down. Blink says slow internet and weak signal increase battery use.
- Heat and cold. Blink says extreme heat and cold affect battery performance. Ring says rechargeable batteries drain faster in the cold.
- Charging habits. Ring suggests stopping a charge at about 90 percent to help the battery last longer.
Blink's app shows a "High Usage" warning when your settings are likely to drain the batteries faster. Ring's app shows power use by feature under Power Settings. Both are worth a look in the first week.
How each of our picks gets power
| Camera | Power | Claim or note |
|---|---|---|
| Blink Outdoor 4 | 2 AA lithium | Up to two years, per the listing. Blink says only 1.5 volt lithium AA batteries work |
| Ring Outdoor Cam | Rechargeable pack | Months between charges, per Ring's support page |
| eufy SoloCam S220 | Battery + solar | Maker claims 3 hours of sun a day keeps it running |
| REOLINK Argus PT | Battery + 3W solar panel | Depends on sun and shade at the spot |
| WYZE Cam v4, Tapo C500 | Plug-in | No battery to wear down |
The Blink Outdoor 4 fits a quiet spot where you want to forget about it. Caveat: owners report high battery use in some spots, which fits the math above. The Ring Outdoor Cam suits homes already on Ring. Caveat: owner reports on battery life are mixed. If the spot is busy, a plug-in camera ends the question. See all six, and the winter solar guide if you are counting on a panel.
Privacy and the law: Aim cameras at your own property. Keep neighbors' windows, yards and other private areas out of the frame. Rules on recording audio differ by state, so check yours before you leave the microphone on. This is general information, not legal advice.