A driveway alarm is designed to let you know when someone or something is approaching your home, office or business. It has a motion sensor that will detect any object moving across its path. You’ll instantly be notified when an “unwelcome visitor” pulls on your driveway or someone is trying to trespass on your property.

If you’re looking to buy a driveway alarm or sensor system, this article is for you. Our guide has answers to any questions you might ask, it will help you to select the best driveway alarm, motion sensor alarm for your home surveillance and budget. It also provides an overview of the features and functions of some of the best and top-rated wireless driveway alarms on the market that will help you narrow down your choice.

Most driveway alarms work perfectly with most driveway gate openers, click the link to see the best driveway automatic gate opener on the market.

Best Wireless Driveway Alarms, Motion Alerts

	Driveway Alarm	Sensor Type	Transmission Distance	Detection Range
	Guardline ¼ Mile Wireless Outdoor Driveway Alarm	Infrared Motion Sensor	1320 feet	40 feet
	Guardline 500ft Wireless Outdoor Driveway Alarm	Infrared Motion Sensor	500 feet	40 feet
	Dakota Alert DCMA-2500 Driveway Motion Alert	Infrared Motion Sensor	2500 feet	50 feet
	Dakota Alert BBA-2500 Break Beam	Break Beam Sensor	2500 feet	300 feet
	Rodann RX&TX2000A Wireless Driveway Alarm	Infrared Motion Sensor	1000 feet	50 feet
	Dakota Alert DCPA-2500 Duty Cycle Probe Alert	Magnetic Probe Sensor	2500 feet	10-12 feet
	Mighty Mule Wireless Driveway Alarm	Magnetic Probe Sensor	400 feet	3-12 feet
	Driveway Informer Wireless Driveway Alarm	Infrared Motion Sensor	1000 feet	40 feet

Our Top Picks

1. Guardline 1/4 Mile Long-Range Wireless Outdoor Driveway Alarm

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After many hours of researching, reading user’s reviews, and evaluating many models on the market, we’ve found that the Guardline 1/4 Mile Long-Range Wireless Outdoor Driveway Alarm is the best wireless driveway alarm for most people. This driveway alarm system is durable, easy to use and set up, and produced the least false alarms among all the driveway alarms with infrared sensors we’ve tested. It provides all the features of a more expensive driveway alarm!

Its infrared motion sensors can detect any moving object, including people, vehicles and animals, with a detection range up to 40 feet – while most driveway alarms typically have a detection range of 8-15 feet. The distance from sensors to a wireless receiver (or transmitter) is up to 1/4 mile – which is suitable for most average houses in North America. More importantly, cost of the entire system is quite cheap and it’s expandable up to 16 sensors and unlimited receivers for complete coverage of your driveway and garden.

Guardline Outdoor Motion Alert System | Video by Guardline Security

2. Dakota Alert BBA-2500 Break Beam Alert Kit

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This is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a wireless driveway alarm system that runs on solar power. Like solar-powered security cameras, solar-powered alarm systems require no wiring or replacing the batteries in the device because the lithium-ion batteries recharge throughout the day using solar power.

Dakota Alert BBA-2500 Break Beam Alert Kit is a top-notch security alarm system for driveways, large backyards, parking lots, and other large areas of land that need to be secured. It has infrared sensing terminals that can be mounted up to 300 feet apart and send a signal back to the receiver up to a half mile away anytime someone passes between the sensors.

The break beam sensor is a point to point sensor and is not activated by any motion outside of the monitored beam. The sensors are not affected by small objects such as falling leaves or birds. They can be mounted high enough to avoid dogs and other animals but it will detect any intruder walking through the beam area.

This Dakota Alert wireless driveway alarm is one of the best driveway alarms we’ve found. It’s an excellent supplement for your home outdoor security surveillance system.

What’s a Driveway Alarm?

A driveway alarm, sometimes called a driveway motion sensor, is a wireless electronic device that serves the purpose of notifying you whenever someone or something is on your property. When it senses a person, car, or even animal approaching, it will send a wireless signal to your home security panel. The receiver will ring a gentle chime, so that you can be alerted of a visitor, whether you’re expecting someone or not.

Wireless driveway alarms are mostly placed in driveways, but can also be put to many other uses like to watch entry into basement, outdoor pools, garages, backyards, and lawns.

How a Wireless Driveway Alarm Works

If you want to buy the best wireless driveway alarm that fits your security needs, the very first thing you need to know is how the system works.

Wireless driveway alarms consist of 2 main components: sensors (transmitters) and receivers:

Sensor:

Sensors are designed to detect motion in your driveway. Sensors may be multipurpose motion sensors, that use passive infrared technology (PIR) to detect heat and movement; magnetic vehicle sensors that are activated only by cars and thus minimize the possibility of false alarms; break beam sensors (or photo beam sensors) that are typically used for a large area and will detect people and vehicles as well as large animals like deer. We’ll discuss how to decide on the type of sensors for your driveway alarm in the last section.

The sensor is usually waterproof, easy to install and could be placed almost anywhere. Homeowners usually place it somewhere concealed, on the side of the driveway, at the entrance, or on a tree in the backyard. Whenever the sensor senses a moving object, it will send a signal to the receiver.

Receiver:

A receiver typically plugs into a standard electrical outlet in your home, wherever you want to hear the alert. It sounds an alert to the homeowner if signals are picked up by the sensor. The alerts can be customized by assigning a different ring to each sensor or setting how long it should be played for.

Most wireless driveway alarm systems give you the option to add additional receivers (if you want to be alerted in more than one location of the house) or additional sensors (if you have more than one driveway leading to your property).

For example the Guardline 1/4 Mile Long-Range Wireless Outdoor Driveway Alarm allows you to add up to 16 sensors and unlimited receivers.

Benefits of a Wireless Driveway Alarm

1) A driveway alarm is the first layer of your home security system

If what you’re looking for is a comprehensive security system for your home and property, a driveway alarm can act as your first line of defense, allowing you to spot potential threats in plenty of time to take action, calling the authorities and getting out of harm’s way. Other features like deadbolts and an electric garage door can also play a role, but it starts with the sensors in your driveway.

2) A driveway alarm will keep intruders away

You should invest in the best driveway alarm that you can find because it’s very helpful in keeping intruders away from your home.

With a WiFi driveway alarm or driveway motion sensor system, you will instantly be notified every time someone is trying to trespass on your property. If the person is a potential intruder, you have time to go to the front door or window to attempt to identify them. If you don’t know who they are, or it is someone who should not be approaching your home, you have time to make sure the door is secured and take other precautions you deem necessary. Even if the person approaching means no harm, the driveway alarm system gives you the opportunity to see them before they see you, and you can decide whether or not to open the door.

In addition, most burglaries these days occur during the day when the homeowners are subjective. It is common to experience threats at night when everyone is asleep than during the day, and that is the norm that has misled many people over the years. Nowadays burglaries occur in broad daylight when no one least expects. When you have a well-fenced compound, the only way to have the thieves in your compound is through the driveway. When this happens, it will be easy to catch these people because their presence will be detected by driveway sensors, and you will have time to ask for help.

Combined with outdoor night vision security cameras, a wireless driveway alarm and motion sensor system can give you feelings of safety and peace of mind. Even if you already have a home security system, your system isn’t complete without a driveway alarm.

3) A driveway alarm can keep wildlife under control

Humans aren’t the only unwanted intruders that can complicate your life. With a wireless driveway alarm motion sensor, you can protect your property from the animals that are increasingly common in the urban and suburban landscape.

Animals that can cause damage to your property include black bears, coyotes, raccoons and many other smaller animals. Besides frightening your family, each of these animals is capable of leaving behind quite a mess. If your outdoor security system has several surveillance cameras such as trail cameras, you can spot intruders ahead of time and safely scare them off.

4) Increase Property Value

You’re not the only person who likes the idea of this added security feature, and installing one of the best driveway alarms recommended below on your property can definitely make it more valuable. Not only can it increase your asking price, but it could serve to make your property a lot more desirable to certain buyers.

Review: Best Driveway Alarms, Driveway Motion Alerts You Can Buy

#1. Guardline 1/4 Mile Long-Range Wireless Outdoor Driveway Alarm – Best Pick

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The Guardline 1/4 Mile Long-Range Wireless Outdoor Driveway Alarm is our pick for the best wireless driveway alarm for most people. This driveway alarm can run on batteries as well as the included AC adapter, easily peaceable anywhere in your home. The sleek and compact receiver is simple to program and utilizes a tone-rich chime and flashing LED lights when a sensor is tripped.

The outdoor sensors are infrared motion sensors which come with protective coverings to protect it from the elements and an easy-mount bracket. The sensor can detect any moving object, including people, vehicles and animals, with a detection range up to 40 feet – while most driveway alarms typically have a detection range of 8-15 feet. The distance from sensors to a wireless receiver (or transmitter) is up to 1/4 mile.

Each set includes one motion sensor and one receiver but additional motion sensors and receivers can be purchased and added. You can use up to 16 sensors and unlimited receivers in one system for complete coverage of your perimeter.

If a 1/4 mile transmission range is too much, consider the Guardline 500ft Motion Alert Wireless Set with the same features but a shorter transmission range.

Video: How to set up Guardline wireless driveway alarm

Setting up Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarm | Video by Guardline Security

#2. Dakota Alert DCMA-2500 Driveway Motion Alert – Best Long-Range Driveway Alarm

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If you have a long driveway that is very far from your house, the Dakota Alert DCMA-2500 Driveway Motion Alert is probably your best bet. This wireless driveway alarm will detect people and vehicles entering your driveway or property, sending a signal as far as 2500 feet, or 1/2 mile, away to the wireless receiver. Dakota Alert is a leader in the driveway security industry, half of the best driveway alarms listed in this article come from this company.

Dakota DCMA2500’s sensor runs on one 9V battery and uses infrared motion-sensing technology that detects people, vehicles or large animals. It has a detection range as far as 50 feet away.

The receiver has four different chime sounds available, and supports four different sensor zones with unlimited sensors per zone. It also has indicator LEDs for a visual indication of each zone. These zone reminder lights, paired with an audible beep, can be programmed to activate every 15 minutes following the initial alarm ensuring your attention is captured. You can connect this receiver to external sirens, strobes, alarms, lighting and other systems.

#3. Dakota Alert BBA-2500 Break Beam System – Best Solar-Powered Driveway Alarm

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If you’re looking for the best driveway alarm that is powered by solar panel, look no further than the Dakota Alert BBA-2500 Break Beam System. This alert system includes solar-powered wireless infrared break beam (photo beam) sensors designed to warn you of incoming visitors.

Designed to avoid detection of small objects such as falling leaves or birds, the break beam sensor is a point to point sensor and will not be activated by any motion outside of the monitored beams. Meaning that the system is triggered only when all of the beams are broken by something moving across their path. This will help to reduce false alarms significantly.

When the beams are broken, the sensor sends a wireless signal up to 2500ft to the included wireless receiver. The distance between each beam can be up to 300 feet. The Dakota BBA-2500 driveway alarm is also expandable. Up to four different zones, each with its own alert tone may be set up with unlimited sensors per zone.

The Dakota BBA-2500 is a top-notch wireless security alarm system for driveways, backyards, or parking lots. And we’ve found that this is one of the best driveway alarm, motion alert systems for a farm and large property.

#4. Rodann RX&TX2000A Wireless Driveway Alarm System – Top-Rated Driveway Alarm

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The Rodann RX&TX2000A is the best and most advanced driveway alarm Rodann Electronics has manufactured so far. It’s made in the USA and it worked perfectly right out of the box. It has an infrared (PIR) sensor that will detect heat/warmth when people pass by the sensor. Vehicles are another alert that can be triggered by this device. Driveways are not the only placed these sensors can be installed. Loading docks, indoor places, etc are some of the places the sensors can be installed and used effectively. It is very simple to program.

The sensor can transmit to an indoor receiver up to 1000 feet away. It is effective at detecting people or cars up to approximately 50 feet away. This driveway alarm can be customized with additional sensors/transmitters and receivers, as well as other accessories such as strobes or sirens. The wireless receiver chime alerts inside the home or business when the outdoor sensor is triggered, and has 4 tone options from which to choose. This receiver also has a resettable 5 digit LCD counter, so you know how many vehicles have entered/exited.

#5. Dakota Alert DCPA-2500 Duty Cycle Probe Alert – Best Driveway Alarm for Detecting Cars, Trucks

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If you only want to use your driveway alarm to detect cars or trucks that are entering your property, the Dakota Alert DCPA-2500 Duty Cycle Probe Alert is your best bet. This wireless driveway alarm uses a magnetic probe sensor that only detects vehicles, no false alarms due to animals, children, or the wind etc.

When something is detected, the transmitter sends a wireless signal 2500 feet away to the wireless receiver (DCR-2500) to notify you. This device operates on four of 3V batteries which can last from 6 to 12 months depending on use. The probe is buried parallel to the driveway, and will detect vehicles passing by within a distance of approximately 10-12 feet. The buried cable can be run to a tree or post nearby, where the transmitter box can be placed.

The sound output durations are adjustable up to 10 minutes. The wireless receiver will play one of four different tunes that are selected at the sensor/transmitter so that different zones can be distinguished. The receiver also offers a 5 minutes exit delay so you can leave the house without disturbing any occupants as well as a reminder beep and counter function.

Overall, the Dakota Alert DCPA-2500 Duty Cycle Probe Alert is the best driveway alarm for detecting vehicles we’ve found. It ideal in locations where there may be people or large animals that would cause false signals with a standard motion detection system. And because the probe is buried underground, it will be less noticeable than other driveway alarm systems.

How to Select the Best Driveway Alarm?

What’s the Best Type of Sensors for Your Driveway Alarm?

1. Infrared (PIR) Motion Sensor:

These sensors are wireless and use heat to detect movement (people, animals or vehicles) by sending a signal whenever a warm object passes through the beam. The biggest advantage of infrared sensors is that they’re easy to install and are not expensive. However, since this type of driveway sensor detects everyone or everything that goes into your driveway, it’s important to mount it appropriately to avoid false alarms that might be caused by small animals or birds.

2. Magnetic Probe Sensor:

Driveway alarms use this type of sensor, such as the Dakota Alert DCPA-2500, are used to detect moving cars, trucks, bicycles and other vehicles. Therefore, you will not get any false alarms due to human, animals or birds. These sensors can be placed alongside or beneath a driveway and will typically have a detection range of 8-15 feet depending on the speed of the vehicle.

One of the benefits of having a magnetic probe sensor on your driveway is that the probe will be hidden from view once the installation is done.

3. Break Beam Sensor:

Also known as photo beam sensors. Driveway alarms that use break beam sensors, such as the Dakota Alert BBA-2500 Break Beam System, have two or more sensors. The sensors are placed at opposite ends and they create an ‘upper’ and ‘lower’ beam between each other. You will get a notification of movement when the upper’ and ‘lower’ beam between sensors are broken at the same time.

Both beams must be broken prior to alarm signal being sent, so break beam sensors eliminate false alarms caused by falling leaves, branches, animals and movement of vegetation due to weather.

Break beam sensors are not new technology by any means! They are currently one of the best-established security solutions in the marketplace. Break beams provide an invisible ‘fence’, which when broken by an intruder creates an alarm condition. This makes them the best driveway alarms for perimeter protection.

4. Rubber Hose Driveway Sensor:

Rubber hose driveway alarms, such as the Dakota Alert DCRH-2500 Wireless Rubber Hose Vehicle Sensor, are the most common vehicle detection system used by gas stations, body shops and other places with heavy vehicle traffic. This type of driveway alarm sensors is ideal for alerting you to traffic in locations that are too busy to use an infrared PIR driveway sensor.

Since the system only alarms when a heavy object moves over the hose false alarms are limited. Rubber hose driveway sensors are very easy to deploy as it simply lays across the road or driveway. But care is needed if snow plows or graders may damage the hose.

Other Things to Consider

1. Determine Transmission Distance

Effective transmission range of your wireless driveway alarm is one of the most important considerations when choosing the best driveway alarm motion alert for your needs.

You should have a good idea of how far your driveway sensor will be away from your wireless receiver. If you plan on expanding your system in the future, consider where you would place your extra sensors or receivers – it will always be cheaper to add new units to an existing system than to buy a whole new system, so give this consideration now before purchasing.

Please keep in mind that any physical obstacle in the way of the sensor and receiver can modify the maximum transmission range. Metal is the worst material to work with, as it completely stops wireless transmissions. Organic or thin materials such as drywall, wood, trees, bushes, etc. will damper the strength of the transmissions, but it’s possible it will still function around these obstacles.

Therefore, when it comes to selecting the best driveway alarm for your home, a longer wireless transmission range is always better.

2. Decide What You Want to Detect

Driveway alarms come in different sizes and design. Some are designed to detect both large and small items while others are designed to detect only small items. So, come up with a list of what you want to detect in your driveway or yard.

The post The Best Wireless Driveway Alarm System to Buy appeared first on Green Living Blog.

Night vision CCTV security cameras have built-in IR illuminators which enable them to make the best use of the very low light levels available and pick up images that an ordinary security camera may not, so you can see clearly what is going on outside or inside your home when the sun goes down. However, since there are so many home security cameras with night vision available on the market, they come in a variety of styles, prices, and specifications; choosing the best night vision security camera for your home is not easy. Some models are highly functional at a very cheap price but provide low-quality, unidentifiable images in poor light or nothing at all in pitch dark.

Below are our reviews on some of the best night vision security camera systems on the market, both wired and wireless, indoor and outdoor.

• Read more: Best solar-powered security cameras for your home

Best Outdoor Night Vision Security Camera Reviews

	REOLINK Argus 2	Reolink RLC-423WS	Netgear Arlo Pro	Amcrest 4MP UltraHD Bullet	EZVIZ FULL HD 1080p	Lorex LNB8921BW
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
Connectivity	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi, Ethernet Cable	Ethernet Cable	Ethernet Cable
Night Vision	Starlight	Infrared	Infrared	Infrared	Infrared	Infrared
IR Night Vision Range	33ft	190ft	25ft	98ft	100ft	200ft
Resolution	2MP (1080P)/15fps	5MP/20fps	1MP (720P)/24fps	4MP/30fps	2MP/30fps	8M/15fps, 4MP/30fps
Field of View (Degrees)	130	33-98	130	118	107.5	112
Day/Night Mode	Auto	Auto	Auto	Auto	Auto	Auto
Motion Sensor
Two-Way Audio
Notifications	Email, Push	Email, Push	Email, Push, Text, Call	Push	Push
Storage	Cloud, Micro SD card	Micro SD card, Hard Drive	Cloud, External Hard Drive	Cloud, Micro SD card, Hard Drive, Computer	Hard Drive	Hard Drive
Free Cloud Video Storage	10 GB/15 days of motion-triggered recording		7 days of cloud recordings	4 hours of cloud recordings

#1. REOLINK Argus 2 Outdoor Security Camera Review – Best Night Vision Security Camera Overall

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After many hours of researching, testing, and reading buyer’s reviews on Amazon, we’ve decided that the REOLINK Argus 2 Wireless Security Camera is the best night vision outdoor security camera for most people. Featured with starlight night vision technology with 2Mb CMOS Image Sensor, the Reolink Argus 2 could provide you high resolution, improved-noise videos in very low light conditions up to 33 feet without the extra lighting infrastructure.

More than that, this small wireless surveillance camera is also designed for motion detection day and night which offers you crystal clear video evidence of theft and vandalism once the motion is detected. Plus with the trendy wire-free technology you can place it anywhere you want, like leave it on the table, install it on the ceiling or under the eaves in 5 minutes.

Here are video samples from the starlight camera Reolink Argus 2 for your reference.

Daytime Video Sample:

Night Vision Video Sample:

Color Night Vision Video Sample:

Not only is the Reolink Argus 2 one of the best home security cameras with an impressive night vision, it has plenty of advanced security features that are very helpful for protecting your home from burglary. The camera captures videos at 1080P resolution and it has a 130-degree field of view, two-way audio, and motion detection. You will receive instant app push notifications, email alerts and sound alarms (siren) when motion events are detected. This indoor/outdoor security camera also keeps the IP65 ingress protection rating, meaning neither harmful dust nor projected jets of water can get in and damage the camera.

The Argus 2 records video locally to a microSD card (up to 64GB), but it also works with Reolink Cloud. Reolink Cloud can record videos every time motion is detected. You can also set up a custom recording schedule for your needs. Reolink Cloud Free Beta Plan offers 10GB of free cloud storage for 15 days (up to 5 cameras).

Reolink Argus 2 comes with a rechargeable battery. Reolink claims you’ll get the same four to six months of power per charge, although the actual battery life will depend on your usage – the camera will push a notification to your mobile device when the battery is low. As a solar-powered security camera, you can use a solar panel to charge the Argus 2’s battery.

Final Thoughts

The Reolink Argus 2 is our pick for the best night vision wireless security cameras with an easy setup and an affordable price. It is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a  wireless indoor/outdoor home surveillance camera that provides sharp day and night video quality and doesn’t require any wiring cables.

#2. Reolink RLC-423WS Wireless Security Camera Review – Best High-Resolution Night Vision Security Camera

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If you’re looking for an outdoor night vision security camera that can provide you with incredibly clear videos in dark, the Reolink RLC-423WS Wireless Security Camera could be your best bet. This excellent night vision WiFi security camera has a remarkable 5MP (3072×1728) of resolution, hardly misses anything in its line of sight, and also allows you to see up to 190ft away at night, even in low light conditions.

This Reolink RLC-423WS offers 4x optical zoom with autofocus with wide viewing angle (33°~98°). It lets you zoom in to see more details of far-away objects without getting closer, or zoom out to get a wider and larger view.

With pan function, the camera can rotate 360° endless horizontally at high speed. The tilt rotation at 90° makes a reliable home and business monitoring and surveillance without vertical limitations.

The motion detection feature of this night vision security camera is reliable and the image quality is astonishingly good; even in low light conditions, faces are clearly visible. The frame rate is 30 fps, so the camera won’t miss any crucial moment in the recording. When any potential danger detected, the camera will send you real-time email alerts and push notifications to your mobile device. The recorded videos will be stored in the built-in 32GB Micro SD card by default. The camera is also compatible with Reolink POE NVR for round-the-clock monitoring and recording for your home & business security and surveillance.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we think the Reolink RLC-423WS surveillance Wi-Fi camera is one of the best night vision security cameras you can buy at this time. Its night vision is more than excellent. A remarkable 5MP of resolution with exceptional 190ft night vision range, and 4 times zooming capacity make it a perfect option for those who need long-range night vision in a very dark area.

#3. Netgear Arlo Pro Wireless Security Camera System Review – Best Night Vision Security Camera with Free Cloud Storage

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If you’re looking for a completely wireless surveillance camera system designed for both indoor and outdoor use without having to run network cables, and has night vision range limited to 25ft, the Netgear Arlo Pro Wireless Smart Security Camera is the best choice. This camera wasn’t the best night vision security camera in our test when it comes to video quality and image resolution but for the subjects in 25ft range it provided sharp video with excellent contrast and detail.

Not only is the Arlo Pro one of the best night vision security cameras money can buy, it’s one of the most popular, if not most popular, home surveillance camera systems in the US, and for good reasons.

The camera delivers 720P video and has a 130-degree wide-angle lens with very high-quality video. The eight night vision infrared LED (the Netgear’s Arlo Pro 2 only has six of infrared LEDs) can record video in an almost lightless area, however extremely low light can produce a little fading in the edges of the video.

The camera also has a speaker and microphone array for two-way communication and sound detection, as well as a motion detector. There are four predefined motion-detection modes that can be selected in the Arlo app: Armed, Disarmed, Schedule, and Geofencing. You can add as many custom Modes as you wish, but you can have only one active Mode per camera at a time.

The Arlo Pro is a smart security camera. It works perfectly with dozens of other smart home devices via IFTTT, and can be integrated into a SmartThings home automation system. It also works with Alexa voice commands to display video on an Echo Show or Fire TV device, Apple HomeKit and Google Home support are missing. The camera doesn’t have a SD card slot for local storage, but an external hard drive can be attached via USB to the base station. However, that is for archiving old clips. To take advantage of alerts and the library of videos, you’ll need to use to a cloud-storage plan.

Netgear has a generous free cloud storage program that is included in your purchase of the Arlo Pro: seven days (rolling) of triggered events for up to 5 cameras with limited support for three months. For most users, the seven-day program should be all that’s necessary. If the seven-day free plan just doesn’t provide enough peace of mind, you can purchase a 30-day Premiere or 60-day Elite plan for $9.99 and $14.99 per month, respectively.

Final Thoughts

The Netgear Arlo Pro is one of the best wireless home security surveillance camera systems on the market and is also one of the best night vision security cameras we’ve tested so far. It produces excellent day and night video and very high-quality audio, and has a highly functional, convenient, intelligent and easy-to-understand user interface.

#4. Amcrest 4MP UltraHD WiFi Outdoor POE Bullet Security Camera Review

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Cutting-edge night vision technology of the Amcrest 4MP UltraHD WiFi Outdoor POE Bullet Security Camera allows you to get a crystal clear picture even when it’s extremely dark. 30 infrared night vision LEDs plus the built-in Sony IMX322 progressive scanning image sensor and Ambarella chipset allow the camera to capture video in 4MP (2688x1520p) at 30 frames per second (fps). The 30fps frame rate is more than enough to record any crucial moment that might happen in front of the camera at night. The Amcrest 4MP UltraHD is also the latest model in the Amcrest’s IP wireless camera collection.

Beyond impressive night vision, the Amcrest 4MP UltraHD features smart motion alerts which will send you instant alerts to your phone whenever motion is detected. You’re able to schedule recording and modify your motion detection settings. You can also create distinct motion detection zones to completely customize control over what you’re monitoring. This is an effective way to ensure that you only record what you need when it’s important. Each zone includes its own sensitivity and threshold meters so you can fine-tune it exactly to your liking.

This night vision security WiFi camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa devices. Instantly display your camera’s footage on Amazon Echo Show using the Amcrest Cloud app. Amcrest Cloud offers optional cloud recording with free live viewing and 4 hours of free video storage, additional 7/15/30-day storage plans are available starting at $6 per month. In addition to Amcrest Cloud, the Amcrest 4MP UltraHD security camera can also record to an FTP server, onto your local computer, MicroSD Card or to any Amcrest NVR.

Final Thoughts

Impressive 4MP/30fps night vision up to 98ft, enhanced digital zoom, a wide 118º viewing angle, smart motion alerts, email alerts and snapshots, advanced recording options, and simple setup process make the Amcrest 4MP UltraHD security camera one of the best night vision security camera systems on the market today.

#5. EZVIZ FULL HD Wired Kit Review – Best Night Vision Security Camera with DVR

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If you’re looking for a complete wired security camera system to install around your home that works perfectly whether day or night and has a reasonable price, consider the EZVIZ FULL HD 1080p Outdoor Surveillance System. This outdoor surveillance system provides exceptionally clear HD 1080P video at night and every single camera has a 107.5-degree field of view. When it’s dark, the cameras automatically switch to night vision mode and up to 100 ft. ambient light or 65 ft. in total darkness.

This EZVIZ outdoor night vision surveillance system run on the adaptable EZVIZ platform, which adds new features and functionality as they become available. The cameras connect to existing BNC coaxial cables so you can quickly add cameras to your system and upgrade to the latest security features with only one-click.

EZVIZ security cameras have almost all the standard security features available in other best night vision security cameras. They are smart home capable and work with smart devices using IFTTT. They have customizable motion detection which allows you to choose the places you want the camera to watch for movement. If anything moves, cameras will send push notifications immediately to your smartphone. You can easily set notification schedules as you wish to keep an eye on your home and quickly find the times when movement was detected and recorded. All video is recorded and saved to a hard drive and protected with multilayer security and end-to-end video encryption.

This wired kit also allows you to view live video and control your security system 24/7 from a smartphone or tablet with the EZVIZ app. You can also share links with friends and family so they can view your video, too.

Final Thoughts

The EZVIZ FULL HD 1080p Outdoor Surveillance System is our pick for the best night vision security camera wired kit. We were absolutely impressed with this system after seeing the ease of installation, excellent video quality, and ease of access anywhere with the app. And on top of all this, it has an affordable price. You won’t be disappointed with this product.

#6. Lorex LNB8921BW Security Camera Review – Best Long-Range Night Vision Camera with Color

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Turn darkness into an ally with this all-black 4K resolution security camera. Belonging to Lorex’s new line of Nocturnal IP security cameras, this Lorex LNB8921BW Security Camera offers 4K resolution recording, long-range color night vision, extreme weather capabilities, a heavy-duty metal exterior, and much more. Whether you are looking for a new security camera, or are simply thinking of upgrading your current IP security system, this bullet surveillance camera is ideal to help you protect both the things and the people that matter most.

The Lorex LNB8921BW is integrated with the most cutting-edge night vision technologies that make it be one of the best night vision security cameras on the market. It comes with high powered infrared LEDs that can capture high-quality video in complete darkness. With the addition of external, ambient lights, the night vision range for this camera can reach up to 200ft.

The Sony Exmor R image sensor at the core of this night vision camera uses back illuminated pixel technology for exceptional low light performance. The sensor also shields the video from excessive feedback and video noise by passing the signal through an analog noise reduction program before converting the video signal to digital. Afterward, a secondary digital noise reduction filter is applied, allowing the image to remain crystal clear.

The camera also uses HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology to ensure that you capture the most important details, regardless of lighting conditions. Dynamic range is measured as the difference between the brightest point and the darkest point of the video. HDR technology uses this difference to automatically adjust the picture’s brightness, resulting in optimized, highly-detailed security video.

This Lorex night vision security camera is capable of recording a 4K at 15fps or 2k at 30 fps. Recording at 30 FPS will provide you with exceptionally smooth on-screen movement and provide you with more frames to choose from when cycling through footage. Unfortunately, this security camera misses some advanced security features such as motion detection, sound detection, two-way audio, and smart home capable.

Final Thoughts

Overall, although this surveillance camera misses some advanced security features such as motion detection, sound detection, two-way audio, and smart home capable; it’s still one of the best night vision security cameras we’ve found.

Best Indoor Night Vision Security Cameras Reviews

	Netgear Arlo Q	Nest Cam Indoor	TP-Link KC120 Kasa Cam	Reolink C1 Pro
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
Connectivity	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi, Ethernet Cable
Night Vision	Infrared	Infrared	Infrared	Infrared
IR Night Vision Range	25ft	20ft	25ft	40ft
Resolution	1080P/30fps	1080P/30fps	1080P/30fps	1440P/25fps
Field of View (Degrees)	130	130	130	105
Day/Night Mode	Auto	Auto	Auto	Auto
Motion Sensor
Two-Way Audio
Notifications	Email, Push	Push	Push	Email, Push
Storage	Cloud	Cloud	Cloud	Micro SD card, Hard Drive
Free Cloud Video Storage	7 days of cloud recordings		2 days of free video history + 1-month free trial

#1. Netgear Arlo Q Indoor Security Camera Review

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Netgear Arlo Q is our pick for the best indoor night vision security camera for most people. At night, this security camera produced crisp and bright footage, with excellent contrast. We can say that the overall video quality was better than any other indoor night vision security camera we’ve tested. The range of the IR is very impressive too and is easily enough to fill a room or cover the majority of the width of a small house’s garden.

The Arlo Q security camera has everything you need to protect your home from inside. The camera has a 130-degree viewing angle — many other indoor security cameras only offer a 120-degree angle. It also has 1080p video, which records very clear and accurate color images. If you want to zoom in on anything that happens, the Arlo Q offers 8x digital zoom.

Like the other Arlo surveillance cameras you control with the app, you get a wide range of modes to choose between, from geofencing, which turns the camera on and off based on whether you’re in your house or not, to regular time-based schedules. You can also tell the camera to detect either motion or sound or both as well as customize its sensitivity or activity zone to those things. The camera also features two-way audio. The built-in mic and speaker allow you to check in on any person or pet that happen to be home while you’re away.

The Arlo Q comes with gorgeous seven days of free cloud storage for all your triggered video and audio events, for up to 5 cameras. Those videos are easy to download directly from the app, too, if you want to save them on another device. And if you want the option of continuous 24/7 video recording, you can upgrade to CVR (Continuous Video Recording) to keep 24/7 recordings in the cloud.

Final Thoughts

The Netgear Arlo Q is one of the best night vision security cameras for indoor use we’ve tested so far. It’s reliable, produces sharp, clear images during the day and at night, and it’s free seven-day cloud storage remains one the better values you’ll find.

#2. Nest Cam Indoor Review

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The Nest Cam Indoor is a dual-band Wi-Fi surveillance camera that offers crisp 1080p video at 30 frames per second, top-notch night vision, motion and sound detection, and integration with other Nest devices. The camera’s 3-megapixel lens, which is ringed by eight infrared LED lights, captures sharp, and well-defined night vision video – which was more impressive than we would expect. You can activate night-vision mode manually to capture low-light areas; it will also turn on automatically when the lights go out.

The camera has a 130-degree field of view – one of the widest available — and its 8x zoom allow for maximum flexibility in surveying your palace. You can place the camera in a corner to view the entire room. The camera also has built-in motion and sound sensors that will trigger video recordings and push notifications, and a microphone and speaker for two-way audio communications with your mobile device.

The Nest Cam Indoor comes with some standout features like Activity Zones, Timelapse, and Nest integration through the Nest app. Activity Zones allows you to select a specific area to focus on within the Nest Cam’s view. Timelapse gathers footage triggered by motion throughout the day, so you can review the footage later. Nest integration lets you connect the Nest Cam Indoor with other Nest products through the Nest app.

Final Thoughts

Easy setup, excellent 1080p video quality, impressive night vision, and the ability to work with other smart-home products, the Nest Cam Indoor is one of the best indoor night vision security cameras on the market. But keep in mind that you will need to pay for an expensive subscription because most of the advanced features are available only with a Nest Aware subscription.

#3. TP-Link KC120 Kasa Cam Indoor Security Camera Review

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The TP-Link Kasa Cam KC-120 gets a lot of things right, from a simple setup procedure to solid performance. We particularly liked the quality of images it picked up at night: rich colors, balanced lighting and sharp. In complete darkness, our testing room appeared brightly illuminated and details are visible. The 130-degree wide angle lens was also amazing and can capture a good area of the room.

Like other best night vision security cameras, Kasa Cam KC120 includes all of the standard security features, like two-way audio, motion alerts, and motion and audio-triggered recording. It also allows users to set the active area of the frame to monitor for motion. which helps prevent false positives. The camera works with Echo Show/Echo Spot/Fire TV and Chromecast so you can watch or stop live video streams with a simple voice command.

This indoor night vision security camera is wired and designed for indoor use only, but can be powered over USB. It has no onboard storage, neither internal nor removable. Instead, as is increasingly common with smart home cameras, all footage is saved to the cloud. We always appreciate the option of onboard storage, but TP-Link’s cloud plans are decent:

You get two days of free video history and a 1-month free trial to access 30 days of your video history; two weeks costs just $5 per month or $50 per year; and 30 days costs $10 per month or $100 per year. Additional cameras can be added to any plan at half of those prices.

Final Thoughts

The TP-Link Kasa Cam KC-120 is one of the best night vision security cameras for indoor use we’ve tested. This shouldn’t be too surprising, because TP-Link also makes some of the best networking gear on the market. Crystal clear image quality, easy-to-use app, robust security features, and low price – this is a great indoor security solution.

#4. Reolink C1 Pro 1440p Indoor Smart Home WiFi Security Camera Review

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Reolink C1 Pro 1440p indoor wifi security camera produces excellent day/night videos in resolution of 1440P (2560×1440) – which is much clearer and sharper than 1080p and 720p. The camera has 8 pieces of infrared LED lights that allow you to see up to 40 feet in the dark. Additionally, the camera comes with a wide rotating angle — 355° horizontally and 105° vertically. So you see every part of your home with easy pan and tilt control.

This Reolink C1 Pro indoor night vision security camera features two-way audio as well as motion detection. You will get alerts via emails and app push to your smartphone when a danger is detected. You can choose specific motion detecting zones to monitor any area you want, and set up motion detection sensitivity to reduce false alarms.

The C1 Pro is unique among the best indoor night vision security cameras we’ve reviewed in that it stores recorded video locally to Micro SD card (can be up to 64GB), sparing you the ongoing costs of a cloud subscription. Of course, this also means all an intruder has to do is take the card or the camera to eliminate any evidence of their crime. You can also save recorded videos to a Reolink wireless NVR. Reolink NVR is a perfect solution for those who have a surveillance system with multiple IP cameras.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a completely indoor wireless security camera to cover a large room, the Reolink C1 Pro is for you. Image quality is excellent, with accurate colors, crisp detail, and no image bending. Night vision is clear and sharp with strong contrast. The pan-and-tilt was responsive and smooth. Best of all, its price is unbeatable. Overall, despite lack of cloud recording, it is still one of the best night vision security cameras for the money you can buy.

The post Best Night Vision Security Cameras For Your Home appeared first on Green Living Blog.

This article has everything you need to know about buying the best belt drive garage door opener for the home. It’s comprehensive and extensive in the actual belt drive garage door openers we review. We feel it’s important to educate yourself before spending your money so we spend countless hours doing research so you don’t have to. But before going deeper, let’s look at our picks for the 4 best belt drive garage door openers that you should buy.

Image	Garage Door Opener	HorsePower (HP)	Battery Backup	Works with Smart Devices
	Chamberlain WD962KEV MyQ-enabled Whisper Drive Garage Door Opener	3/4 HP
	Chamberlain B550 Belt Drive Garage Door Opener	1/2 HP
	LiftMaster 8550W Elite Series Garage Door Opener	3/4 HP
	Genie QuietLift 800 Belt Drive Garage Door Opener	1/2 HP

How Does a Belt Drive Garage Door Opener Work?

Electric garage door openers were considered luxuries for decades after they first entered the market. Believe it or not, electric garage door openers have been around since the mid-1920s. While improvements have been made over the years to automatic garage door openers, the openers today function in a similar way as the original models – using an electric motor to lift and lower the garage door.

When the garage door opener system is running, the electric motor does not provide most of the power to move a heavy garage door. Instead, most of the door’s weight is offset by the counterbalance springs attached to the door. Even manually operated garage doors have counterbalances, otherwise, they would be too heavy for a person to open or close them. The motor provides only a small amount of force to control how far the door opens and closes.

An automatic garage door opening system comes in two types: shaft drive and trolley drive. The belt drive garage door opener belongs to the trolley drive. It uses a rubber belt running along a rail to pull a trolley. The trolley is connected to an arm that is attached to the top of the garage door. This arm slides back and forth to control the door movement. All of them are powered by an electric motor that receives a signal from the remote control or wall push button.

Remote Control

The belt drive garage door opener remote is a radio transmitter. Modern belt drive garage door openers are radios that operate at 315 MHz (the 315 MHz frequency range avoids interference from the Land Mobile Radio System LMRS used by the U.S. military). The remote sends a signal to the opener itself, which has a radio receiver built in. When the opener hears a signal from the transmitter, it activates a relay that starts the motor running. The transmitter would transmit on a designated frequency, the receiver would listen for the radio signal, then open or close the garage, depending on the door position.

Early belt drive garage door openers were very simple radio transmitters and receivers, which meant that one remote would open any garage door. If someone opened their garage door, they opened their neighbor’s garage door as well. When garage door openers started to become widespread, that presented a serious problem.

The best belt drive garage door openers recently use the “rolling code” technology to transmit a radio signal from the remote to the garage door opener. The technology that helps modern garage door openers deal with the shared frequency problem completely. Rolling code is the same method of security used on the clickers of cars, and with some internet protocols for secure sites. Chamberlain, Liftmaster, and Genie are the leading companies in using rolling code technology for their belt drive garage door openers.

Rolling code technology protects against intruders by generating a new security code every time the remote control is used on your garage door opener. When the remote control activates the garage door opener, a unique algorithm “rolls” the remote control’s code to one of more than 100 billion possible codes. The previously used code will be discarded, and the opener will know only to respond to the new code the next time the remote control is used. The same code will never be used more than once. Therefore, stolen previously used codes are useless to intruders.

Security+ 2.0 Garage Door Openers

Some newest belt drive garage door opener models from Chamberlain and LiftMaster, such as the Chamberlain B550 Smartphone-Controlled ½ Belt Drive Garage Door Opener and the LiftMaster 8550W Garage Door Opener Elite Series, are equipped with Security+2.0. So what is that?

Security+ 2.0 was released by LiftMaster in 2011 as a new version of remote control radio code. It operates reliably under all environments conditions and from a greater distance than ever before. Thanks to the latest multi-frequency technology the remote will operate even when there is interference from other wireless devices. It provides the highest level of security for the garage door openers. The best belt drive garage door opener should be equipped with Security+ 2.0.

Most older cars will not communicate directly with the Security+ 2.0 radio, and will require a “Repeater Kit” to upgrade the in-car remote system to be compatible with this improved radio system. One repeater can control multiple cars, garage door openers, and gate openers. There are 2 main types of repeater kits that are available on the market: HomeLink Repeater Kit and Lear Car2U Repeater Kit.

If all vehicles in the garage are HomeLink only one HomeLink repeater is needed. If all vehicles are Car2U, only one Car2U repeater is needed. Both repeaters are required if different vehicles sharing the same garage have systems made by both interior suppliers. HomeLink is available in many brands of vehicles, while Car2U is more commonly found in particular Fords and GM vehicles.

• Click here for a list of vehicles with the LEAR Car2U system
• Click here for a list of vehicles with the HomeLink system

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Belt Drive Garage Door Opener

When you are looking into purchasing the best belt drive garage door opener for the home, you will make a much better decision if you know the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of garage door opener.

Advantages

One of the biggest advantages of belt drive garage door openers is that it operates more quietly than other types of door openers. It is the quietest of the bunch and perfect for homes that have living areas above the garage. The Chamberlain MyQ-enabled Whisper Belt Drive Garage Door Opener, for example, is the quietest garage door opener we’ve ever seen. It’s virtually silent when in operation.

Belt drive garage door openers are quiet because it uses a rubber belt instead of a chain to move the door. The rubber belt lifts the garage door in a very smooth manner. There is no jumping from the door, swaying, or large amounts of vibrations. Because the belt moves without any hesitations or binding, the door does not feel any of these effects while it is traveling. The belt itself is a steel reinforced rubber like what you would find in steel belted tires. This gives the belt tremendous strength and durability.

Disadvantages

While a belt drive garage door opener may provide quieter operating noises, it lacks in another department: STRENGTH. While the weight of a common steel or aluminum garage door is fine for any type of opener, a customized garage made of wood or additional insulation, for example, would require a chain drive or a screw drive. If a belt drive garage door opener is your choice, it makes sense to choose a unit that has a higher horsepower rating than normal. For example, if you’ve determined that your customized garage door needs a ½ HP chain drive garage door opener, you should look at the belt drive models that have a horsepower rating of ¾.

Another disadvantage of this type of garage door opener is that it can be expensive. You will have to pay more for this kind than you would with a chain drive or a screw drive garage door opener. However, when you look at the benefits of a quieter, smooth, and durable operation, it may be worth the extra expense.

Best Belt Drive Garage Door Openers & Reviews

1. Chamberlain WD962KEV MyQ-enabled Whisper Drive Garage Door Opener – Our Pick

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Features:

Our Review:

The Chamberlain WD962KEV Whisper Drive Garage Door Opener is the best belt drive garage door opener that you can buy. It’s one of the quietest and most popular garage door openers on the market. Backed by the world’s largest manufacturer of garage door openers, it’s reliable, built to last and fit almost any residential garage door.

Equipped with the latest Chamberlain’s MyQ technology, this opener gives you the ability to open or close your garage door from anywhere you can get online with your phone. The MyQ app will give you a fair amount of control and insight into your garage door activity. It also allows you to set a custom rule for your garage door opener. For example, you can set a rule to create an alert if the door has been left open for 15 minutes or automatically close the door after a set amount of time.

This belt drive garage door opener features a built-in battery backup so that, it will still work when the power goes out. The safety and security features will continue to operate as well, ensuring your family is protected in a power failure. This system provides up to 20 open/close cycles during the first 24 hours of an outage.

2. Chamberlain B550 Smartphone-Controlled Ultra-Quiet Belt Drive Garage Door Opener

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Features:

Our Review:

The Chamberlain B550 Belt Drive Garage Door Opener is the latest generation of opener technology from Chamberlain. It is extremely quiet and has improved to be more secure and more convenient than earlier generations. Chamberlain claims that this is the best belt drive garage door opener ever made. It’s fully compatible with your smartphones and almost any smart home system.

Chamberlain B550 Belt Drive Garage Door Opener | Video By Chamberlain

This opener has an electric motor of ½ horsepowers which is ideal for steel or aluminum garage doors that are measured of 16 feet wide and 8 feet tall. But since it’s powered by the Chamberlain’s Lift Power System, it’s able to handle a heavier garage door, such as a wooden garage door, than a typical belt drive garage door opener does.

We also love the fact that you can use the remote to open the door from 1,500 feet away thanks to the exclusive Tri-band technology. It’s very convenient since it allows you to get in the house very fast, especially in the winter when the outside weather is extremely cold.

Like the Chamberlain WD962KEV, this belt drive garage door opener features built-in Wi-Fi and the Chamberlain MyQ App. You can get real-time alerts, open, close, and know the status of your garage door from anywhere. As this is the latest generation of Chamberlain garage door openers, it’s equipped with the highest level of encryption and monitoring that will protect your home from every hacker.

If a ½ HP motor isn’t powerful enough to lift your garage door, consider the stronger version of this garage door opener – the Chamberlain B970 Belt Drive Garage Door Opener with a 1.25 HP motor.

3. LiftMaster 8550W Elite Series Garage Door Opener

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Features:

Our Review:

Before 2 models above came out, the LiftMaster 8550W Elite Series Garage Door Opener was the best belt drive garage door opener on the market. It has all the essential features and a few extras, like a timer-to-close function that will automatically close your door if you forget. The powerful ¾ horsepowers motor will lift doors of all sizes. The belt-drive system helps the motor run very smooth and extremely quiet.

One of the best features of this garage door opener is the backup battery. This feature allows you to open your garage door up to 40 cycles within a 24-hour period if the power goes out at your home. The battery automatically recharges once the power is back on, so you don’t have to worry about running out of juice or manually recharging the backup battery.

This garage door opener includes the standard safety features provided by the best garage door openers, including a safety infrared beam that projects across the base of the garage door and opens the door if anything crosses it. It is compatible with the MyQ home automation system, and it works with HomeLink if you have an automobile newer than 2012.

However, the LiftMaster 8550W Elite Series has been available on the market since 2012, its built-in WiFi sensor isn’t really good. You’ll have to buy the 828LM LiftMaster Internet Gateway to boost the WiFi signal of the opener. This gateway communicates with the garage door opener or gate operator to open or close, or communicates to home lights to turn them on or off.

Overall, this is still one of the best belt drive garage door openers available and is a great choice if you have a heavy door or just want an opener that you can’t hear through the whole house.

4. Genie QuietLift 800 ½ HP Belt Drive Garage Door Opener

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Features:

Our Review:

The Genie QuietLift 800 ½ HP Belt Drive Garage Door Opener is an affordable garage door opener that is worth considering if you want to save some money. While it’s not the quietest belt drive garage door opener, it’s much more quietly than chain drive units and is a good choice if you are sensitive to noise or if you have a bedroom next to or above the garage.

This opener is equipped with a 1/2-horsepower motor, which is strong enough to lift a sectional wood or metal door that weighs up to 400 pounds. Most 1/2 hp door openers only lift doors up to 350 pounds. comes with two 3-button remote controls and a three-button control panel that allows you to turn on the lights and lock the door from being used by the remotes. This function is helpful if you lose a remote or are going on vacation.

Your garage door is the largest and one of the heaviest moving objects in your home. That means the features designed to enhance your door’s opening and closing are important considerations for your family’s safety. The Genie QuietLift 800 features the Genie Safe-T-Beam system – one of the best safety systems that have been made for a garage door opener. This system keeps people, pets, and vehicles safe by using an infrared beam that automatically reverses a garage door when an obstruction is detected in the door’s path. Its self-diagnostic feature can also help troubleshoot system errors.

The post The Best Belt Drive Garage Door Openers To Buy appeared first on Green Living Blog.

Gate Opener + Outdoor security camera + Driveway Alarm System are the 3 best things to maximize convenience and security for your driveway gates, garden gates, and walk-through gates.

Image	Product Name	Price	Rating
Best Single Swing Gate Openers
	Mighty Mule MM560	$$	A
	USAutomatic Sentry 300 Commercial Grade	$$$$	A+
	Ghost Controls TSS1XP Heavy-Duty Solar	$$	A
Best Dual Swing Gate Openers
	Mighty Mule MM562 Heavy Duty	$$$	A
	Liftmaster LA400PKGU	$$$$$	A+
	USAutomatic Sentry 300	$$$$$	A+
	ALEKO AS1200	$	B
Best Sliding Gate Openers
	ALEKO AC1400	$	A
	Viking Access K2	$$$$$$	A+
	LiftMaster SL585	$$$$$$$$	A+
	Mighty Mule MM-SL2000B	$$$$$	A

Types of Gate Opener

Gate openers are designed for both swinging and sliding gates. Swing gates use underground operators which are located by the hinge and operate the gate via a link arm, much like a regular door does. Slide gates use operators with a chain attached across the gate to slide gates from right to left or left to right. Sliding gates are often large, heavy and therefore more hazardous than swing gates they can however be equipped with appropriate safety devices making them some of the safest gate systems available. Sliding gate openers can move very large gates up to thousands of pounds and in some cases up to 100’ long. They are usually cheaper than swing gate openers.

Gate Opener Buying Guide

To determine what type of automatic gate opener is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do you have a single or dual gate or slide gate?
2. Does your gate swing into or away from your property?
3. Long and weight of your gate?

You should consider buying a solar-powered gate opener if your swing gate isn’t within 1000 ft. of a 110V AC power source. Because sliding gates are often heavy and large, you should buy a heavy-duty gate opener. The best 110V/240V AC-powered gate openers should come with an emergency release key which allows you to enter or leave your property even if there is a power outage.

DC Gate Opener or AC Gate Opener?

In the past, most gate openers were primarily designed using alternating current (AC) induction motors but this is rapidly changing. In recent years, manufacturers have increased their range of direct current (DC) motor-driven operators to residential and commercial markets.

You can expect to pay more for a DC gate opener (12V or 24V) than a comparable AC gate opener (110V or 240V). But a DC gate opener will run cooler and therefore have a higher duty cycle rating than an AC gate opener. DC gate openers are also usually smaller than AC gate openers, therefore providing manufacturers the opportunity to design operators that are smaller with different styles and looks.

DC or solar gate opener can offer consumers smoother, quieter, more precise and more efficient operation, while AC gate opener may have a longer motor life (because AC motors are brush less and therefore do not have any wearing parts except bearings.)

Top 10 Best Gate Openers

An automatic gate opener is a versatile system which is ideal for properties on busy roads which need to open quickly due to its fast travel speed. It offers you a peace of mind whenever you want to open a gate without stepping out of the interior of your car, particularly in the winter when outside air temperature is extremely low. Plus, if you own a gate opener at the end of a driveway, you may feel like you’re delving into a world of cryptic and esoteric lingo that all sounds like something out of The DaVinci Code.

If you are looking for a perfect swing or slide automatic gate opener to suit your home or farm that will operate efficiently and reliably. Here are some very best gate openers on the market you should take your time to explore:

Best Single Swing Gate Openers

1. Mighty Mule MM560 Review – Best for the Money

The Mighty Mule MM560 is the best DIY single gate opener in its class. This gate opener can handle gates up to 18 feet maximum in length or a maximum of up to 850 pounds. It can be utilized for many applications including residential, agricultural, farm and ranch and for all types of gates including chain link, tube, panel, vinyl, wood and wrought iron gates.

The Mighty Mule gate openers are designed to be easy to install with no electrician or welding required. This kit includes everything you will need for the installation. It is solar capable with the addition of a Mighty Mule 5-watt solar panel or 10-watt solar panel. It features Dual Sense Technology which makes the gate stop and reverse direction when it comes in contact with an obstruction. This is factory set to the most sensitive setting and must be adjusted during installation. It also has an adjustable auto-close feature. After the gate reaches the fully open position, it can be set to remain open up to 120 seconds before automatically closing.

Highlight Features:

2. USAutomatic Sentry 300 Commercial Grade – Editors’ Choice

US Automatic is an American manufacturer of high-quality solar gate operators and accessories founded in 1994. If you’ve been searching high and low for a top-quality and commercial grade automatic gate opener system, you will love US Automatic gate opener. But gate openers from US Automatic are often much more expensive than other brands. There are a number of reasons as to why so many businesses and individuals decide to protect their property with automatic gate opener systems produced by US Automatic, but I’m sure that the key reason is: Superior Quality.

Sentry 300 automatic gate opener is the first high-quality commercial grade DIY gate opener. The superior design and features of the Sentry 300 automatic gate opener make it impossible to compare the cost of similar products. Quality, reliability and no hidden additional costs associated with the Sentry gate opener make the Sentry kits the best value on the market.

Made in the USA and powered by a 12 Volt DC battery which is charged by the included AC transformer or optional solar panel kit. US Automatic recommends the solar option for charging this allows for remote installations and qualifies for a 30 percent federal tax credit. The Sentry energy efficient design makes it the first truly solar charged gate opener that can provide weeks of operation with no sun. The Sentry is designed to be installed on farm gates up to 20 feet in length, ornamental iron gates up to 12 feet in length and chain link up to 14 feet in length. A full line of solar friendly accessories is available to allow you to customize your automated gate system to your needs.

With 3 year warranty from the most reliable company in the US, we strongly recommend you buy this gate opener.

3. Ghost Controls TSS1XP Heavy-Duty Solar Single Automatic Gate Review

Ghost Controls is a designer and manufacturer of innovative gate automation solutions for the North American market. Millions of gates are sold annually, only to be manually opened or closed with cumbersome locks and chains.

The Ghost Controls TSS1XP kits are ideal for residential gates or farm gates. It features SafeForce Technology that automatically limits the amount of force that the automatic opener system will exert on a moving gate to prevent injuries to people or animals. This gate opener offers new leading-edge technology that helps the opening system run very quiet, very fast and safe. It has a proprietary maintenance free gear box and motor designed for smooth, quiet operation regardless of age and high cycles.

This gate opener system is low voltage (DC) and solar optimized for environments without access to AC power and require minimum maintenance and installation expertise. Unlike the Might Mule MM560, a 10W Solar Panel is included in this kit. The remote that included in this kit is preprogrammed, its range more than 100 yards from the gate, that means it will work from inside your house.

You can’t go wrong with the Ghost Controls TSS1XP, we would definitely recommend this product to you.

Best Dual Swing Gate Openers

1. Mighty Mule MM562 Heavy Duty – Best For the Money

Like its single version MM560, the Mighty Mule MM562 is the best DIY dual gate opener in its class. This gate opener can handle gates up to 18 feet maximum in length or a maximum of up to 850 pounds per leaf.

This dual swing gate opener was designed to be installed in just a few hours. Its included manual gives you enough information to install it step-by-step without expert’s help. Additionally, you have access to a 24/7 troubleshooting guide as well as customer support. The MM562 has the ability to open and close gates that open to and from the property, adjustable auto close option with alarm, soft start and stop to extend the life of your gate opener, a control box and a battery is included in the power performance kit.

This gate opener and all Mighty Mule automatic gate openers are solar capable with the addition of a Mighty Mule 10-Watt solar panel. It’s compatible with all Mighty Mule keypads, gate opening remotes and gate opening sensors. The MM562 kit includes everything you need for installation. But you have to buy a solar panel separately.

2. Liftmaster LA400PKGU Dual Swing Gate Opener– Editors’ Choice

LiftMaster LA400PKGU is one of the most expensive dual swing gate opener on the market, and is best one in delivering unsurpassed performance and secure access to your property.

The best feature of the LiftMaster is it can be connected via MyQ Technology which allows you to control your garage door opener, gate operator, or home lights by using an Internet-enabled smartphone, tablet or computer from anywhere, anytime. Just imagine if you forgot to close your garage door, need to let the service or repairman in when you’re not at home, or you are on vacation or at the office. LiftMaster MyQ technology gives you control from anywhere! This App is available for download from the App Store and Google Play for ultimate reassurance and convenience.

Video: MyQ App

The LiftMaster has an ultra-efficient battery backup system, providing up to 400 cycles or up to 97 days of standby power when the power is down. Because this is a 24v motor it has a high duty cycle of 20 times per hour, ideal for multi user properties and also the built in hard stops means that no external hard stops need to build in to the ground. It also boasts stop and reverse obstacle detection which is unique to the 24v operators for added protection.

Features + Benefits:

If you don’t care about the price, this one is the best choice.

3. USAutomatic Sentry 300 Dual Gate Opener

Like the Sentry 300 single gate opener above, the U.S. Automatic Sentry 300 dual swing gate opener is the most reliable and durable gate opener available.

It is powered by a 12V DC battery (not included). This battery is charged by the supplied transformer which requires AC power (120 VAC) to be either at the gates area or within 1000 feet of the gates area. If the AC power is more than 10 feet from the gate openers control box then additional extension cable is required. The battery also can be charged through a solar panel (sold separately). Typically only one panel will be required. The Sentry dual swing gate opener is capable of a high number of cycles per day.

The Sentry 300 control board features high-quality components and industry leading ideas such as auto resetting fuses for motor protection. The old auto type fuse that blows and must be replaced has been designed out of this controller to avoid the unnecessary expense of buying fuses. Another patent pending item designed into the control board is the on-board potentiometers for adjusting stop limits.

Again, this is very nice product from US Automatic, we think you would be please if you buy one!

4. ALEKO AS1200 Electric Gate Opener

If you are looking for a low-cost option of electric gate opener, the Aleko AS1200 may be the right choice for you. Aleko is a Washington-based company was only found in 2005, but they have built their reputation as one of the most trusted and technologically advanced companies in gate opener market.

AS1200 is a benefit to the residential and commercial applications. It applies remote usage and avoids the manual operation that keeps you calm and dry inside your vehicle. It uses a 24V DC motor which regulates the opener and can resist gates weighing up to 1320lbs and length up to 20ft (10ft and 660lb per leaf). The smooth running of motor gives the opener a greater life and durability. Optional built-in battery backup provides seamless operation of the gate operator and all DC control and sensing devices in the event of a power loss.

Overall: Best Low-Cost dual gate opener to buy.

Best Sliding Gate Openers

1. ALEKO AC1400 Electric Sliding Gate Opener – Best Buy

The Aleko AC1400 is the most common sliding gate opener on the US market, it is an AC-powered addition to the ALEKO family of slide gate operators. You will get amazing starting torque along with continuous operation with this gate opener, this sliding gate opener is ideal for most applications.

The Aleko AC1400 is made with an effective aluminum alloy chassis. It’s corrosion resistant and light enough for one person to carry and install. This opener’s heavy-duty motor is able to handle gates that are till 1400 lbs, along with a maximum of around 50 ft. precisely in length. This gate opener is designed as such that when it experiences any obstruction on its way then it will reverse back. In this way you do not need to worry about your pets or infants getting stuck while your gate is closing.

This less expensive gate opener is a great addition to your home.

2. Most Expensive Sliding Gate Opener: Viking Access and Liftmaster

The Viking Access (K2) and LiftMaster (SL585) all offer a good lineup of chain driven slide gate operators. All 2 brands can run on 110VAC/220VAC or 24VDC Solar and include the batteries for full-time battery backup at no extra charge. They’re really expensive option for a gate opener, the price is 3-4 time more expensive than the Aleko.

The LiftMaster is the most expensive. It is a durable heavy-duty gear-driven operator for use on heavy gates and high-cycle applications such as gated communities and industrial locations. It supports gate lengths up to 75 feet and gate weights up to 1900 pounds. This gate opener can be controlled via MyQ App on your phone.

The Viking Access has an incredible reputation in the industry and provides great support. The newly redesigned K2 features the VFlex control board with on-board diagnostics LCD display and simple push-button digital limits setup. Featuring a built-in heater, increased gate capacity of up to 700 lbs.

Viking Access and Liftmaster offer great operators, but because they are such big name brands in the industry you will be paying more initially.

See Price:

• Viking Access (K2)
• LiftMaster (SL585)

3. Mighty Mule MM-SL2000B Single Slide Gate Opener Review

The MM-SL2000B can automatically open heavy-duty slide gates weighing up to 1000-Pounds per leaf and up to 30-Feet in length per leaf (or a 20-Feet driveway opening). This model is ideal for light commercial and residential slide gate applications, and is a compact design for tight spaces.

The SL2000B is powered by a 12 volt DC motor and is solar compatible (requires at least 10-Watts of solar power). The MM-SL2000B is an access ready package that includes Battery, Radio Receiver, Entry Transmitter, AC Transformer, and all necessary mounting hardware for a standard installation.

Features + Benefits:

Overall:

You will be extremely pleased with the Mighty Mule MM-SL2000B and we would recommend it to anyone who wants to add convenience and security to their home, ranch or farm gate.

The post The Best Gate Openers, Driveway Gate Operators 2019 appeared first on Green Living Blog.

If you are looking for the best solar-powered security camera, this article is for you. Below, we review 4 of the best and top-rated solar-powered security cameras, battery-powered security cameras on the market.

• Read More: Best Night Vision Security Cameras (Indoor/Outdoor)
• Read More: Best Wireless Driveway Alarm for Your Home

Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras: Our Picks

	Arlo Pro 2	Ring Spotlight Cam Battery	Reolink Argus 2	Lynx Solar
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
Connectivity	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi
Resolution	1080P Full HD	1080P Full HD	1080P Full HD	1080P Full HD
Field of View (Degrees)	130	140	130	100
Motion Sensor
Two-Way Audio
Notifications	Email, Push, Text, Call	Push	Email, Push	Push
Night Vision	Infrared	Infrared	Starlight	Infrared
Weatherproof
Voice Commands
Siren	100+ dB	110dB	70-80 dB
Storage	Cloud, External Hard Drive	Cloud	Cloud, Micro SD card	Cloud
Free Cloud Video Storage	7 days of cloud video recordings	30 days free trial	10 GB/15 days of motion-triggered recording	7 days of motion-triggered recording

#1. Arlo Pro 2 Home Security Camera System Review

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The Arlo Pro 2 Home Security Camera may not cheap, but it’s the best solar-powered security camera money can buy. There are many cheaper alternatives out there, but we truly have not found any other solar-powered security camera on the market that offers the same versatility, video quality, combination of software, and value as the Arlo Pro 2.

Introducing Arlo Pro 2 Security Camera | Video by Arlo
Arlo Solar Panel

This solar-powered security camera can be powered by the included 2440 mAh rechargeable battery or plugged into a solar power panel, called Arlo Solar Panel. The Arlo Solar Panel is rated at 2 watts and 6 volts and it needs only 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight to keep the batteries fully charged. It’s adjustable and very easy to install, as all of the ARLO systems. You just need to mount and plug it into the camera and everything will work instantly. You can also use this solar panel to power the Arlo Pro or Arlo Go camera.

The panel is weather resistant and it has an adjustable mount for simple installation plus a 6 ft. long power cable for flexible placement.

Cable connection to the panel is snug and secured with a latch to keep it in place. Cable connection to the camera itself is also very snug, no concerns about water seeping in. The only little problem with it is that the plug that goes into the back of the camera is large and it might be a bit difficult to adjust the angle of the camera. But we think if you place some sort of mounting shim and then the camera, you should have no trouble with the plug or getting the angle you want.

Video Quality and Features

As one of the best solar powered security cameras on the market, the Arlo Pro 2 provides very high image quality and has plenty of features that are a step above most of its competitors.

The camera has 1080p sensor instead of 720p in the original Arlo Pro. The increase in resolution is a definite advantage in daytime video quality—you can make out objects farther away, and faces are more lifelike. Even though the camera offers a 130-degree field of view only, we think this is perfect for most applications. While some other solar-powered cameras offer up to 180 degrees of coverage, but in our experience, rarely is that needed — and it tends to significantly distort the image.

The Arlo Pro 2 has a ton of advanced features. Two-way audio, motion and sound alerts via the Arlo app, recording of alerts with a three second pre-record, so you capture the moment of an event rather than the aftermath. There’s also night vision. With six of infrared LEDs, the camera provides up to 25 feet of night vision in black and white, and allows you to zoom in up to 8x. You can change the motion sensitivity settings in the Modes.

Another extremely useful feature is an integrated alarm. This helps makes this system much more effective than some budget priced solar-powered security cameras. Built into the base unit is a ‘smart siren’ with a 100+ DB output (it can be turned down via the app) which can be programmed to sound if the motion is detected from a particular camera. Now that should hopefully deter any burglar!

Finally, one of our favorite features is the ability to control this solar-powered security camera by voice commands. The Arlo Pro 2 works with dozens of other smart home devices via IFTTT applets and Stringify flows, and can be integrated into a SmartThings home automation system. It also works with Alexa voice commands to display video on an Echo Show or Fire TV device.

Installation & Video Storage

The Arlo Pro 2 solar-powered security camera is very easy to install and configure. It connects to the base station via WiFi signal and the base station connects to your router directly via the included Ethernet cable. The base station provides a steady low-power Wi-Fi connection for up to 15 cameras (though only five can be streamed at once).

The Arlo Pro 2 has a nice selection of options for saving your recordings that include both local and cloud storage. Netgear has a generous free cloud storage program that is included in your purchase of the Arlo Pro 2: seven days (rolling) of triggered events for up to five cameras with limited support for three months. For most users, the seven-day program should be all that’s necessary. If the seven-day free plan just doesn’t provide enough peace of mind, you can purchase a 30-day Premiere or 60-day Elite plan for $9.99 and $14.99 per month, respectively. While the Arlo Pro 2 doesn’t include a slot for a memory card, the base station supports removable storage, so you can save every single clip on a thumb drive or USB hard drive.

Bottom Line

The Arlo Pro 2 home security camera is our pick for the best solar-powered security camera on the market. It is the most full-featured solar-powered outdoor security system we’ve ever tested. We are particularly impressed with the sheer amount of included features and Netgear’s generous cloud storage plans. You can’t go wrong with it.

#2. Ring Spotlight Cam Battery/Solar-Powered Review

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If you’re looking for a solar-powered outdoor wireless security camera with the spotlight feature, the Ring Spotlight Camera is your best bet. It costs less than the Arlo Pro 2 but it offers an excellent set of features to ward off any intruders. For us, the Ring Spotlight Cam Solar is a simple, effective, low-maintenance way to monitor around the home.

Ring Solar Panel

You can power the Ring Spotlight Camera with the Ring Solar Panel. This solar panel is designed exclusively for charging the Ring Spotlight Cam Battery. With just a few hours of direct sunlight every day, your Cam will stay charged around the clock. Spotlight solar panel comes with a free toolkit and micro-USB cord, so you can get everything set up in just a few minutes. All you need to do is connect the solar panel to your Spotlight Cam Battery with the micro-USB cord, and secure it with the adjustable mounting bracket.

The Ring Solar Panel feels a bit more solid than the Arlo solar panel, and it also has a longer power connector, up to 13 ft. Mounted this solar panel easily and connected to the camera easily as well. The only restriction on mounting is finding somewhere the solar panel will enjoy sunlight each day (southern exposure is best, but not absolutely necessary).

If you don’t want to run the camera off a solar panel, you can charge the batteries via a mini USB charging port. One battery is rated to last for six months on a full charge. The camera can hold two battery packs and will automatically switch over to the secondary battery when one runs out of juice.

Video Quality and Features

As one of the best solar powered security cameras money can buy, the Ring Spotlight Camera offers very sharp video quality with a bright spotlight and many other intelligent features to secure your home against theft.

This wireless security camera captures video at 1080p and has a 140-degree field of view. The motion sensor, encased in a dome on the bottom of the camera, has a 270-degree detection range. The camera uses four infrared LEDs to provide up to 30 feet of night vision and has a built-in 110dB siren, an 802.11n Wi-Fi radio, and a speaker and microphone for two-way audio. The spotlight itself consists of two strips on either side of the camera, each with four LEDs that provide an overall brightness of 700 lumens with a 4,000K color temperature.

Ring Spotlight Cam | Video by Ring

However, the Ring Spotlight Camera lacks the pre-buffered recording capabilities, which shows you what happened just before a triggered event, that you get with Arlo Pro 2 camera and the Ring Video Doorbell Pro.

Finally, this solar-powered security camera works with IFTTT and you can use Amazon Alexa voice commands to view video on an Echo Show display or another compatible device.

Installation & Video Storage

As with most smart home devices, you set up the Spotlight Cam using the Ring app, which is available for iOS, Android and Windows mobile devices. The installation process is very simple and quick. Simply connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network and you’re ready to install. The Ring app includes a step-by-step tutorial with video clips covering everything to help you get the job done as fast as possible.

Installing Ring Spotlight Cam Solar in 15 Minutes | Video by Ring

Mounting the camera is also very easy because there’s no wiring involved. Simply find a spot on the outside of your home where the camera can access your Wi-Fi, screw in the mounting bracket, attach the camera to the bracket, adjust it to your preferred angle, and tighten the clamp screw.

The Ring Spotlight Camera doesn’t come with a free cloud storage plan as the Arlo pro 2. It comes with a 30-day free trial of Ring’s cloud storage for recorded video. At the end of the period, you have the option of upgrading to one of a pair of Ring Protect plans:

• Protect Basic Plan allows you to store, review, and share video for up to 60 days for $3 per month or $30 a year per camera;
• Protect Plus Plan provides the same for unlimited Ring cameras and adds a lifetime warranty and discounts on Ring products for $10 per month or $100 a year.

Bottom Line

The Ring Spotlight Camera is one of the best solar powered security cameras for outdoors you can buy. It is a compact, well-built outdoor security camera with a comprehensive array of features to secure your home. The integrated spotlight feature is great as it provides a significant deterrent to opportunistic burglars.

#3. Reolink Argus 2 Outdoor Wireless Security Camera Review

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If you need a small, inconspicuous security camera that can be mounted anywhere and only takes a few minutes to set up, the Reolink Argus 2 is a perfect choice. This is the best solar-powered security camera that Reolink has made so far and it gets so many positive reviews from users for its ease of use and clear images.

Reolink Solar Panel

Reolink Argus 2 comes with a rechargeable battery, which allows you to charge directly via an outlet or via Reolink Solar Panel. This solar panel is designed for Reolink Argus 2, Reolink Go, and Reolink Argus Pro only.

The 360° wall mount of Reolink solar panel for its solar security cameras allows you to easily position the weather-resistant solar panel for maximum sunlight exposure. Reolink solar panel is supported by Reolink 2-year limited warranty and 30-day money back guarantee.

Video Quality and Features

The Reolink Argus 2 captures 1080p video at 15fps. It has a 130-degree field of view and uses seven infrared LEDs to deliver very sharp black-and-white night vision video out to 33 feet. It can also deliver color video at night. You can choose between these two night-vision modes in the setting.

This solar powered security camera has a highly sensitive PIR motion sensor. You will receive instant app push notifications, email alerts and sound alarms (siren) when motion events are detected. The motion sensor offers three sensitively settings: the furthest distance detection is a claimed 50 feet for large objects such as vehicles, and 29.5 feet for people, animals and the like. Lowering sensitivity reduces false alarms.

However, compared to 2 of the best solar-powered security cameras listed above, the Argus 2’s siren is not very loud. Many users complained about this feature.

Installation & Video Storage

Setting up the Reolink Argus 2 is very easy and straightforward whether you’re going to use the Argus 2 as an indoor or outdoor security camera. The camera has a built-in magnet that makes it easy to attach to its metal mounting base, you can mount the base to a wall or ceiling if you’d prefer.

Reolink Argus 2 is the first and most highly demanded Reolink model that works with Reolink Cloud. Reolink Cloud can record videos every time motion is detected. You can also set up a custom recording schedule for your needs. Reolink Cloud Free Beta Plan offers 10GB of free cloud storage for 15 days (up to 5 cameras). The Argus 2 also stores video locally to a microSD card (up to 64GB).

Bottom Line

Easy installation, high video quality, and color night-vision make the Reolink Argus 2 Wireless security camera one of the best solar-powered wireless security cameras for home surveillance systems. It is a fantastic option if you want just the security essentials with an easy setup and an affordable price.

#4. Lynx Solar Outdoor Security Camera Review

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The final model in our pick of the best solar-powered security cameras is the Lynx Solar outdoor security camera. This camera comes packed with many intelligent features typically found only on more expensive wireless security cameras, such as facial recognition, people and animal detection, and live streaming. You can install it anywhere there’s sunlight and its 7 days of free cloud video storage can save money in the long run.

If you don’t know, the Lynx Solar Cam is made by Tend Insights Inc – a California-based firm. Tend is a maker of award-winning lifestyle smart home products powered by computer vision technology.

Lynx Solar Panel

As the name implies, Lynx Solar Camera is an outdoor camera powered by an external solar panel that is included in the package. Lynx solar panel has a large surface that makes it harvest sun power efficient. It only needs 1 sunny day to power the camera for up to 7 days (based on one hour of recording/streaming per day). The solar panel makes mounting and running the camera easy from anywhere on your property, though you’ll want to install it within range of a Wi-Fi access point.

Video Quality and Features

The Lynx Solar Cam boasts a 1080p @ 30 frames/sec camera that will operate even in the face of a power or internet failure, as well as a motion detector and fully-integrated facial recognition software.

The facial recognition technology is not available in most of its competitors. Thanks to this technology, you’ll be able to upload photos of friends and family and receive notifications when a familiar face crosses your threshold. On the other hand, should a stranger appear in the frame, Lynx Solar can alert you to a potential disruption.

You can adjust motion detection and set night vision on or off in the app. There’s a handy button to flip the video image, so it will appear the correct way up if you’ve had to install the camera upside down. As with other best solar-powered security cameras, you can remotely talk and listen through the camera.

The Lynx Solar Cam is not designed to work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Installation & Video Storage

Lynx Solar Camera is very easy to install and set up, so it can be placed in any location that best suits your needs. You just need to place the camera in an area of maximum visibility to ensure full home coverage. Then place the solar panel in an area that best captures daylight for round the clock unlimited power. The solar panel has a long power cable, up to 25 feet, so the solar panel doesn’t need to be too close to the camera.

If you live in the northern hemisphere, your panels should face true south. If you live in the southern hemisphere, your panels should face true north. If you live in an area where there is snow, you may want to use a steep angle so that it is more likely to shed snow. A snow-covered panel will generate no power.

Tend Secure Lynx Solar Setup Video | Video by Tend Insights

The Lynx Solar Cam includes seven days of video storage in the cloud at no additional cost. But it only records videos when anything that it deems unusual happens. That means it doesn’t store continuous recorded video for free. Only Netgear’s Arlo Pro 2 does. Lynx’s 30-day Premier plan is $9.99 per month/10 cameras.

The Lynx Solar Cam also has a built-in memory which is able to store several hours of footage if the camera loses its Wifi connection. When this happens, the camera will store data for 3 days; once Wifi returns, local data is uploaded to the cloud.

Bottom Line

Although somewhat limited, the Lynx Solar Cam security camera is still one of the best solar-powered security cameras on the market. It’s affordable and easy to use. The included solar panel is effective, backed by a backup battery. And its free cloud storage plan is just enough for most people.

The post Best Solar Powered Security Cameras For Outdoor | 2019 Reviews appeared first on Green Living Blog.