Whether you are looking for or using a battery-powered security camera, it's inevitable to run into questions like: how long does the battery of my wireless battery-operated security camera last? What kind of batteries do these battery-operated outdoor security cameras like Reolink Argus 3 Pro, Reolink Argus 3 use? Where should I buy rechargeable or non-chargeable batteries? Here we give you answers.
Table of Contents:
- Battery Life of Battery-Operated Security Cameras
- What Type of Battery Does Battery-Powered Security Cameras Use
- How & Where to Buy Battery Replacement for Your Security Cameras
Before you buy battery-powered security cameras, you may need to know the information below:
| Camera Types | Argus 3 Pro/Reolink Go |
| Battery Life | Depends on the battery |
| Battery Use | Rechargeable batteries |
| How to Buy | 3 tips |
Battery Life of Battery-Operated Security Cameras
Battery life of battery-powered security cameras varies.
There are many variables when it comes to how long the battery of battery-powered security cameras lasts. Factors like live streaming usage, motion activity, night vision, Wi-Fi router/environment, the temperature, and placement of the battery security camera, battery brand, and battery capacity all play a role in terms of camera battery life.
We list out battery life of normal use among some most popular wireless battery-operated security cameras, Reolink Argus 3 Pro wire-free HD security camera, Reolink Go rechargeable battery security camera, NETGEAR Arlo HD security camera, and NETGEAR Arlo Pro/Pro 2.
How Long Do Reolink Argus 3 Pro' s Rechargeable Batteries Last
One of most popular battery-operated security cameras – Reolink Argus 3 Pro runs on Reolink rechargeable battery with the capacity of 6000mAh, which could last about three months with normal usage.
Besides, users could connect the camera to Reolink Solar Panel via a USB cable for continuous charging and non-stop power supply. Do make sure that the Reolink Solar Panel is getting direct sunlight during the day as much as possible. (Read this to learn the inside tips on the installation of solar panels.)
You could find more on how this rechargeable battery security camera works in real case scenarios.
How Long Do Reolink Go' s Batteries Last
Reolink Go battery-operated security camera could sustain up to 2 months standby on a single charge and it's designed to last up to one month with normal usage.
Reolink Go is powered by 3 pcs of 2600 mAh rechargeable batteries. The total capacity is 7800mAh. The battery could support up to 10 hours daytime non-stop live streaming and 7 hours streaming with IR on.
Of course, the battery life could vary in practice, depending on how you use the camera, how often or how long the camera is accessed and triggered by motions, and whether your cameras use latest firmware and software or not.
Reolink Go comes with rechargeable battery which can be removed from the camera. So you can charge the battery separately. Or you can charge the camera with the battery Inserted in, connect this camera to Reolink Solar Panel for 24/7 power.
How Long Do Arlo or Arlo Pro Camera' s Batteries Last
Battery life of NETGEAR Arlo Wire-Free HD camera, Arlo Pro cameras, according to Arlo, "lasts for about four to six months with normal usage, which is about five minutes of recordings a day."
Let's do the math. Arlo camera batteries could allow for about 600 minutes (5*4*30=600) to 900 minutes (5*6*30=900) based on normal use and best assumption, which is similar to that of Reolink Argus.
The battery life of battery-operated security cameras all comes down to how long you view your camera, how long the camera is triggered, where do you place the camera and other above mentioned factors.
Battery-operated outdoor WiFi security cameras with motion sensing or night vision capability inherently draw more power than battery-powered cameras without night vision or motion detection.
What Type of Battery Does Battery-Powered Security Cameras Use
This question always pops up when your battery-powered security cameras max out first set of battery and you are in the market for battery replacement for your security cameras, like Reolink Argus 3 (2MP), Arlo, Blink or Canary.
What Type of Battery Does Reolink Argus 3 (2MP) Wire-Free Security Camera Use
Both Reolink Argus 3 (2MP) wireless battery-powered outdoor security camera and Reolink Eco wireless battery-operated security camera work with 2 pcs of 2600 mAh rechargeable batteries. The batteries are attached inside of the cameras and not removable, so the batteries of Reolink Argus 3 or Argus Eco are not replaceable.
Reolink Argus 3 battery security camera uses rechargeable battery provided by Reolink and can also be recharged by the power adapter and Reolink Solar Panel.
It's suggested by NETGEAR Arlo support to use non-rechargeable batteries from other high quality and well-known manufacturers such as Panasonic, Energizer, or Duracell.
While Arlo Go can only run on rechargeable batteries that came with Arlo Go cameras or replacement Arlo Go batteries from NETGEAR.
How to Buy Battery Replacement for Your Security Cameras
Tip 1. Know the Battery Type
Different battery-operated security cameras run on different types of batteries, some only support non-rechargeable batteries while some support both non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries.
Tip 2. Choose Battery Voltage Properly
The voltage of battery should match that of battery-operated security cameras; otherwise, it could damage or degrade your battery-operated security cameras.
Tip 3. Choose Right Size Battery
One more thing to bear in mind, choose batteries that fit the compartment, not too small or too big to fit in.
Where to Buy Battery Replacement for Your Battery-Operated Security Cameras
It's really important to purchase batteries from trusted suppliers such as Tenergy, Panasonic, GP, and Streamlight. Users could purchase non-rechargeable or rechargeable batteries for your wireless battery security cameras from Amazon, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart.
Ordering batteries in bulk could save you a bundle in the long run.
Meanwhile, it's always to consult camera manufacturers in advance if you want to use rechargeable batteries for your battery security cameras.
So are you saying you can use the Tenergy rechargeable batteries and charger, or you don't recommend this unit?
Best Buy here only sells the Tenergy batteries and charger marked for Arlo, 650mAh 3.7V.
Hi Rick, if you are using Reolink Argus battery-powered outdoor camera, then you could use Tenergy RCR23A rechargeable battery as long as the voltage is between 3.6V and 4.2V.
The Tenergy batteries and charger marked for Arlo, 650mAh 3.7V is okay for use on Arlo.
Thank you, and great camera!
Hi Reolink
I want to know where you get buy some batteries from for my Reolink cameras please let me know
Thanks Charlie
Hi Charlie, you could find the batteries for Reolink Argus like CR123A of Panasonic, Energizer, GP or Duracell on Amazon. Do Remember to check the voltage before buying.
Is it possible to use 2× 18650 battery to power the Argus instead of 4× RCR123 battery?
Hi there, it is not recommended to use the 2× 18650 batteries to power Argus. You may learn how to choose batteries for Reolink Argus from this post, https://reolink.com/faq/choose-batteries-for-battery-powered-camera/.
hi, can i use a wired power supply instead of the rechargeable batteries for the REOLINK ?
hi, Guy, it is not suggested that you use a wired power supply for battery-powered cameras. If you want to buy plugged-in security cameras, Reolink can also offer you best choice. https://reolink.com/shop/
Hi. I assume it's fine to use these Tenergy batteries in the original Argus? They are described as being only for the Arlo, but I don't see any reason they wouldn't also work in the Argus. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076FDN3JV
Hi, there, you may refer to this guide to check out the recommended batteries for original Argus, https://reolink.com/faq/choose-batteries-for-battery-powered-camera/. And plz let me know if you have any more questions.
Hi, there, battery-powered cameras are not designed for 24/7 recordings. Normally under motion detection recordings, Reolink Argus® 2 lasts about four to six months while Reolink Go lasts for one month (note that their battery life may vary in actual usage). If you don't want frequent recharging, we suggest that you install a solar panel to offer non-stop power for the cameras. Hope it helps.
Hi Folks. Is there any way to see the battery status (how much charge is left in the battery) on the Argos Pro with rechargeable batteries on the app, or on the desktop display please? Thanks
Hi, Peter, yes, you can see the battery status of Argus Pro on the Reolink App.
Hi again and thanks. I've looked hi and low, on the android app, and on the desktop, and I can't seem to find it. A bit more detail would be great Thanks. Peter
Aha. Found it under Basic Information > Battery.
Excellent bit if kit. Ordered a second yesterday. Regards
Hi, I am planning to buy couple of this camera to use it outdoor, now lucky enough I have power supply not far from where I want to mount the camera, just wondering what is the best way to power the camera knowing that the power supply will supply 220 volt not 12 volt as the camera will require? not sure how to convert the power so the camera will be charged all the time.
Any advice if that makes sense?
Ryan
Hello, Ryan, Reolink Argus 2 can be charged via a DC 5V/2A power adapter (not included in the package). So, by plugging the power adapter to a 220V power outlet and connecting the power adapter to Argus 2 via a USB cable, you are able to charge the security camera all the time without the labor to convert the power. Hope this helps.
Why doesn't the software provide a way to tell you the charge level of the battery? All it shows is a battery icon that appears to not be an active representation because the software doesn't tell you the battery needs to be charge until it's critical and even then the icon on the camera name field still shows it as a full charge.
Hi Mike, in fact, the Reolink app does show the battery status and the battery consumption data for the last 4 weeks. Here is a detailed explanation for your reference, https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037220433.
Also, you may set up the low battery alert via the Reolink app so that you will be notified when the battery is about to drain and here is a step-by-step guide, https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011355833-How-to-Get-Low-Power-Alert-via-Push-on-Reolink-App. Hope this would clarify.
Hi there, we have covered the solar panel issues in this article, https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004062054-Reolink-Solar-Panel-Stop-Charging-Reolink-Battery-Powered-Cameras and you may take the solutions into account. If none of these solutions work, please contact our support team for further assistance, https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/requests/new.
Hi we have just purchased 2 Orion wireless security cameras, just wondering if anyone else has these camera's and if so do you know how to replace the battery in them when it finally dies