How to Get Top-Notch Home Security When You’re Off the Grid [CNET]

Ditch internet and even electricity requirements with the latest in off-the-grid home security technology.

Search for the best security camera recommendations, including many of our own picks, and you’ll see a theme: They need a Wi-Fi network — or at least an internet connection — to work. That’s a problem for people who live off the grid, or have off-grid getaways like cabins or decked-out Sprinter vans, without Wi-Fi and often without internet entirely. Where’s the home security for them?

It’s right here! We’ve gathered the best device options for anyone who’s living off the grid but also interested in adding home security technology — preferably tech that keeps working for months on its own. Let’s go through the top home security picks to consider if you’re leaving the grid behind and working with only your own sources of electricity, often in remote locations. 

Use an LTE or cellular security camera

If your off-grid location has a cellular internet connection, consider an LTE or cellular camera. These use a cellular data connection like smartphones do, typically 4G although 5G is around the corner for these cams. Since the spread of cell towers is so complete, it allows the camera to find a signal and supports app operation and live video viewing everywhere but the most rural of places.

These cameras tap into existing wireless plans from providers such as T-Mobile and Verizon, so they aren’t difficult to get working. On the other hand, you may still need to pay a subscription plan to unlock cloud storage, and using too much data could lead to extra fees or data throttling, depending on your plan. Even without a plan, you’ll need to invest in ongoing prepaid SIM cards to keep the camera operational, so it’s a little like having a subscription.

Two of our favorite LTE cams are the Arlo Go 2 ($250) and the Eufy 4G Starlight ($150). The Reolink Go is also a popular choice for more adventurous security camming.

Finally, for long-term cabins and similar spots, you can install a PoE (Power over Ethernet) camera, which uses a cable connection to a modem or router instead of relying on signals. The Lorex Fusion 2K IP Cam  ($400) is one excellent option, while those looking for something more affordable may be interested in this currently under-$100 Swann Home Security model.

Alternative: Use a wireless local storage camera

Not everyone wants to be online, especially in light of security issues and even unauthorized camera use by strangers. Big brands like Amazon, Wyze, ADT, Eufy and Philips have seen data breaches and vulnerability issues in the past. Some have recovered more gracefully than others, but internet security remains an ongoing concern for home-havers. And don’t forget legal methods of accessing your security camera data, like the nebulous world of police requests that bypass owners entirely.

If that’s ringing your alarm bells, many security cameras offer local storage in the form of microSD cards, which can hold large amounts of data — over 1TB if you don’t mind spending. The problem is that most of these cams, including some models on our lists, offer local storage alongside Wi-Fi, and you can’t really use those cameras without the internet.

Fortunately, there are exception that are perfect for security off the grid. One is Lorex, which offers home security systems that use microSD local storage and also support an Offline Mode to stay entirely internet-free. This won’t work with single Lorex cams set up with the app, you’ll need to adopt a full Lorex Smart Home Security Center. You’ll also lose features like remote viewing, automatic updates and weather updates, but you’ll have a serviceable home security camera solution with no internet involved — which isn’t easy to find these days.

Another local-only choice could be trail cams offered by brands like Wosoda These camouflaged cameras are more suited to actual trails, although you can recruit them for home security if you’d like, especially remote cabins. While camouflage may be attractive to some buyers, it’s useful to make security cams obvious so potential trespassers know they’re being recorded. 

Power cams with solar panels

Today’s security cam batteries can last for many weeks or even months, and some like the Blink Outdoor 4 can last for more than a year, but it’s important to get as hands-off as possible (especially if you’re relying on generator power). For that, we recommend adding a solar panel to power your off-grid camera. Solar panels connect directly to a camera battery and charge it back up when exposed to the sunlight. That helps batteries last much, much longer without needing attention.

Lorex, the brand we mentioned above, sells solar panels for its local storage cameras, making it a great choice to equip with solar power. We’ll also give a nod to Eufy, which supports local-storage-only cameras and installs solar panels directly into models like the S230 ($200), making mounting cams much easier. Other brands like Reolink, Tapo and more also offer solar panel additions for their cameras, so you have plenty of options. 

Set up solar motion detectors

Motion detectors are traditionally part of online home security systems that aren’t really designed for full, off-the-grid use unless you want to invest heavily in a cellular system. Even then, their models aren’t intended for outdoor use. But there’s a simpler solution that’s ultra-easy to set up. You just need to find a solar-powered outdoor motion detector.

These solar detectors are affordable and easy to mount or just stake into ground in a spot that gets plenty of sun and can monitor a porch or pathway. This version from Tuffenough ($45 for the set) has a set of three LED panels to shine on when it detects motion, plus a remote control. This option switches on a loud siren when anyone approaches, and this detector from Royelle ($30) can switch on both a strobe light and a siren, all powered by the sun. 

Adopt a traditional DVR security system

More traditional security systems provide a bevy of cameras and a recorder device loaded with storage and ready-to-receive video feeds. It’s a little cumbersome, but keeps you clear of Wi-Fi and can support many cameras at once for large spaces or multiple angles.

If you want zero internet connections, period, you’ll have to watch for a DVR, or Digital Video Recorder, system that doesn’t need to be online. This Annnke 8-cam system ($260) is internet-free if you don’t use the app for remote viewing, while this Zosi 4-cam/8-channel system is available for around $100 with local recording only, although you’ll need to buy a DVR-compatible hard drive first. Always look at the details with these recorders and expect a bit of tweaking to get the exact zero-internet setup that you want.

What about connecting your security camera to a hotspot on a phone or laptop?

Connecting to a hotspot created on your phone or laptop is an option if you can’t rely on a Wi-Fi network via a router, but we don’t recommend it for a few reasons. 

First, you’ll have to go through the connection process for each new hotspot, which can be a headache and may require you to wipe old settings on your security camera. Second, those hotspots can quickly drain battery life, even if you’re only using a security camera for an evening of camping. That creates additional complications when you need to save your battery for photos, video or all those shows you preloaded. Third, hotspots are short-range, so you would need to keep a phone or computer close to the security camera all the time, which isn’t usually feasible. That’s why this method didn’t make our list of solutions.

Looking for more alternative home security setups? Remember, with the right app you can use an old smartphone as a security camera to save money. You may want to take a look at our guide on where you should never install home security cameras.