Aosu is no longer hiding its ambitions in the smart video surveillance . With the SolarCam P1 Max surveillance camera , the brand intends to make high-end solar security finally accessible. This new generation of camera promises not only total autonomy thanks to its integrated solar panel, but also an impressively sharp 4K image and an AI capable of finely interpreting everyday scenes. It no longer just detects movement: it understands what it sees, distinguishes a face from an animal and knows when to alert.
The idea is appealing: a solar-powered camera that operates without cables, without maintenance, and without compromising on quality. On paper, it promises seamless, intelligent surveillance, whether in a secluded garden or on an urban facade. But does reality live up to expectations? After several weeks of intensive testing, the SolarCam P1 Max reveals a stunning balance between innovation, simplicity, and efficiency.
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Unboxing and first impressions
Opening the box reveals packaging designed to make immediate installation almost instinctive. The camera is already attached to its swivel mount, accompanied by a complete mounting kit with screws and wall plugs, a spare USB-C cable, a quick guide in French, and even a few deterrent stickers. Everything is there, without any frills, exactly what you need to get started without looking elsewhere.
The first surprise is the handling: the SolarCam P1 Max camera is surprisingly light, so much so that you might doubt it had a 5000 mAh battery. Yet, it's all there. This impression of lightness is due to the use of modern materials and an optimized design, which combines solidity and simplicity. The rectangular design with rounded corners gives it a contemporary look, more refined than traditional tubular cameras, and allows it to blend discreetly into its surroundings, without ever disturbing the aesthetics of a facade.
A design thought out for autonomy
The first glance at the Aosu SolarCam P1 Max camera immediately reveals its ambition: everything has been designed for maximum autonomy. The solar panel sits directly on top, seamlessly integrated into the chassis. No need for unsightly cables or remote modules; everything is contained in a single, compact, and discreet unit. The clean lines and meticulous finish give the whole unit a modern, controlled look, which exudes engineering thought out down to the smallest detail.
This one-piece design, however, has its limitations. Since the solar panel is fixed, it cannot be adjusted to capture light optimally. It becomes essential to study the exposure of the chosen location before installation. Online tools like "Je veux du soleil" (I want sun) allow you to precisely visualize the sun's path across the facade throughout the day, transforming this step into a precision exercise necessary to ensure optimal autonomy.
Beneath the camera, the design continues to demonstrate its pragmatism. A rubber cover ensures IP65 waterproofing while protecting sensitive elements: power button, reset button, microSD card slot up to 128 GB, and USB-C port for charging. The hatch incorporates a removable part that allows you to connect only the power cable without compromising the waterproofing, a clever detail for installing the camera even in partially shaded areas.
An impressive technical sheet
The front panel houses all the technology. In the center is an 8-megapixel wide-angle lens with a generous f/1.6 aperture that captures 4K Ultra HD images at 15 frames per second. Around it, a ring of 16 white LEDs for color night vision and deterrence. Just below, infrared LEDs for discreet black and white night vision. And that eye-catching gray circle is the PIR (passive infrared) sensor, the brains behind motion detection.
Because yes, you need to understand how a battery-powered camera works. Unlike a wired camera that records continuously 24/7, this one remains on standby, and the PIR sensor takes the lead. As soon as it detects movement through body heat, it instantly wakes up the camera, which then analyzes the scene with its artificial intelligence. This approach allows it to last for weeks on battery power, but imposes a detection limit of approximately 10 meters maximum. This is the trade-off for battery life.
The SolarCam P1 Max's swivel mount attaches with four screws, either vertically to a wall or horizontally under an eave. Once the camera is screwed onto it, a ball joint adjusts the viewing angle, and a clamping system locks it in place. It's simple and effective, although tightening requires a little effort to ensure the camera won't move, even if a bird lands on it.
A disconcertingly easy installation
Pairing the SolarCam P1 Max camera is surprisingly simple. Simply turn on the device, launch the aosu app on Android or iOS, tap the small plus in the top right corner, and the Bluetooth connection is established almost instantly. No need to scan a tedious QR code or navigate complex menus: the camera appears immediately. All that's left is to select the 2.4 GHz WiFi network, enter the password, and in a few seconds, everything is ready. The firmware update starts automatically, and four minutes later, the live stream is already accessible.
This speed contrasts with the sometimes laborious experience encountered with other brands. Overall, the process reveals a special attention paid to the user experience, where each step has been designed to be intuitive. The application, far from being limited to simple remote control, establishes itself as a true digital Swiss Army knife, combining ergonomics, fluidity, and advanced features. Installation becomes an almost pleasant moment, where the technology is completely at the service of the user.
A complete application but in French it could be improved
As soon as you open the camera window, all essential functions are immediately accessible. At the top, recorded events are visible with a single tap, while in the center, the real-time video stream allows you to easily switch from SD to UHD depending on the connection quality, with a near-zero latency of just one second.
The row of icons at the bottom houses a veritable arsenal of commands: manual recording, screenshots, sound on or off, infrared or LED lighting control, alarm triggering, sending pre-recorded messages, and even a voice changer mode that transforms your voice into a deep, robotic tone to surprise an intruder. The pre-programmed messages in French cover practical situations, ranging from “Please leave the package at the door” to “Please leave now,” which allows you to quickly communicate with a delivery person or scare someone away. The voice synthesis remains decent, even if some sentences seem rapid and a few typos betray a machine translation, without however hindering usability.
The interface is generally clear and intuitive. Recordings are categorized by day, and each thumbnail indicates the type of detection: human form, vehicle, animal, or area intrusion. A simple tap starts playback, and another allows you to download the video using the small arrow in the bottom right. Files remain stored on the SD card until they are full, with the oldest files being automatically replaced by new ones, ensuring continuous and effortless management of captured videos.
Artificial intelligence that changes everything
Aosu SolarCam P1 Max camera in the “AI Surveillance” menu . Far from being limited to basic functions, it offers a veritable arsenal of detection scenarios, free and surprisingly precise. Human shape detection remains incredibly effective, easily distinguishing a passerby from a twirling leaf, a level of precision that is still too rare on the market.
The Zone Invasion feature allows you to define a specific area by drawing a polygon directly on the screen. As soon as an intruder crosses it, the alarm is triggered with a pre-programmed voice message. During my tests along my fence, each passage was instantly detected, even with a cap or glasses. The deterrent effect is immediate and tangible.
Vehicle recognition adds an extra dimension to surveillance. The camera signals the arrival of a car and can even create a protection zone around a parked vehicle. In my garage, any movement too close to my car triggered the 105 dB siren and the white LEDs to illuminate, day and night, with the infrared automatically switching to ensure a visible and audible alert.
Surveillance can extend to the yard or lawn. The camera detects intrusions, and while automatic detection of green zones can be improved in winter, manually tracing the zones is sufficient for total reliability. Animal recognition distinguishes dogs and cats from humans, significantly reducing false alarms. During my nighttime tests, several cats were accurately detected, and a marten surprised by the siren stopped running altogether, proof of the system's effectiveness.
Each scenario is fully customizable: activation or not of the alarm, choice between voice message or siren, volume adjustment, activation time slots and even precise schedules to adapt the surveillance to the rhythm of life. The detection sensitivity deserves special attention. In automatic mode, it was sometimes too timid, but in manual mode with maximum sensitivity on “Far”, the camera becomes extremely responsive, capable of detecting a buzzard in full flight. On the other hand, care must be taken to avoid branches in the field of vision to limit false alerts, a classic compromise to fully exploit its potential.
The Home Cortex base kit: a revolution
For those who opt for the full kit, the Home Cortex base radically transforms the experience. This small box connects directly to the router via Ethernet and can relay up to four cameras simultaneously. It includes 32GB of internal storage, expandable up to 16TB, eliminating the need for individual microSD cards and centralizing video management.
But the main attraction lies in the SolarCam P1 Max's . The base takes functionality to a new level with TruSight, a module that automatically organizes and structures videos for quick and efficient access. Facial recognition, already proven on aosu's connected doorbell, is integrated here: the camera learns to identify household members to avoid unnecessary alerts. During a month of testing, it correctly recognized me in the vast majority of cases, only the times when a cap and glasses obscured my face were problematic, which is perfectly understandable.
The enhanced notifications are impressively precise. Rather than simply stating “Person detected,” the camera describes the scene: “A man in a black jacket is walking down the driveway,” “A child is playing ball in the backyard,” or “A gray car is parking in front of the house.” Playback becomes immediate, without the need to launch the video. The system even reads license plates from 15 meters away thanks to the 4K resolution, making it possible to distinguish between vehicles and residents and avoid notification spam.
All this processing is done locally, without a paid subscription, a major advantage for confidentiality: the data stays with you, unless you voluntarily activate the cloud storage offered by aosu. The combination of centralization, advanced AI, and respect for privacy makes this base a true pivot for intelligent and autonomous surveillance.
Image quality: 4K makes the difference
The image is at the heart of the experience, and the camera doesn't disappoint. The video stream automatically adjusts from SD to 4K depending on the connection quality and lighting conditions. On cloudy days or indoors, it sometimes favors a lower resolution to maintain perfect fluidity. As soon as the signal allows it, 4K is activated and the difference is immediately visible.
This high definition really shines through with the digital zoom, which reaches 6x. In broad daylight, zooming in on a face or a license plate from a distance reveals details that simple HD would never be able to distinguish. Facial features from 10 meters away remain identifiable, and a car at the end of the street retains its legible license plate, offering an impressive level of precision for a standalone camera.
On Max models like the one we tested, aosu opted for a 4:3 format rather than the classic 16:9, with a resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels versus 2560 x 1440. This choice allows for a more vertical field of view, capturing both the ground in front of the camera and the sky above without any cutoff. For surveillance, this orientation proves particularly relevant, giving a clear advantage to the Max models, especially since the price difference with the Pro versions remains minimal.
Night vision: two complementary modes
When night falls, the camera changes completely. By default, it switches to black and white thanks to its 16 infrared LEDs. The rendering is clean and precise, with a range of approximately 8 to 10 meters, more than enough to recognize a face or silhouette in the dark. Beyond that, the details fade, but the presence of a person remains perfectly identifiable.
These infrared LEDs are powerful and, above all, well distributed, avoiding the central “halo” effect typical of low-end models. The lighting remains uniform across the entire scene, without annoying shadow areas at the edges of the frame.
But it's when you activate the color night vision that the camera shows its true versatility. Its 16 white LEDs then light up to reproduce a full color image, with a surprisingly realistic rendering. The effect is certainly spectacular, almost like a car headlight, but formidably effective. Not only does the lighting improve facial recognition, but it also acts as a powerful deterrent: as soon as the light comes on, the intruder immediately understands that he is being filmed and often flees. During tests, the reaction was systematic: retreat, panic, then hasty departure.
Finally, aosu had the good idea of allowing the infrared LEDs to be completely deactivated if the camera is placed in an already lit area. In these conditions, it uses the ambient light to film in color without turning on its own lamps, ideal for more discreet integration.
Two-way audio: clear and intelligible
The SolarCam P1 Max doesn't just see well, it also listens and speaks well. Its built-in microphone delivers surprisingly clear sound: voices are crisp, background noise is well-managed, and there's no hiss or saturation. Even from a distance, you can clearly hear a conversation or a passing vehicle.
The speaker, for its part, is up to the task. The voice reproduction is perfectly understandable, making it easy to communicate with a delivery person or call someone outside your home. The volume is adjustable from the app and powerful enough to cover wind or traffic noise—a real plus for an outdoor camera.
aosu even added a unique feature: a built-in voice changer. This transforms your voice to make it unrecognizable, like a robot. The idea is fun and can enhance privacy, even if, in practice, it remains rather gimmicky. What matters here is the reliability of the audio exchange, and on this point, the SolarCam P1 Max does remarkably well.
Battery life of the SolarCam P1 Max
This is where the SolarCam P1 Max truly lives up to its name. Forget cables, outlets, or tedious charging: here, the sun powers everything. Thanks to its integrated solar panel and a 5000 mAh battery, the promise is simple: a camera that never turns off, as long as it sees a little light.
And the most impressive thing is that this promise holds. During my tests, even in the middle of winter, with gray days and a timid sun, the battery gauge almost always remained stuck at 100%. The panel doesn't need a big blue sky to work: a few hours of diffused light are enough to compensate for the consumption. A small green LED lights up when charging is active, a reassuring indicator that testifies to the system's efficiency.
Out of curiosity, I wanted to push the test to its limits: I placed a camera in the shade, without any direct contact with the sun. The result: approximately nine days of battery life under normal use, with frequent detections, consultations, and tests. Naturally, the onboard artificial intelligence consumes more energy with each image analysis, but the results remain more than respectable.
It all comes down to proper placement. If the camera gets a few hours of sunlight a day, it becomes practically inexhaustible. True freedom: you set it up, forget about it, and it keeps watch without ever asking to be plugged in.
WiFi connectivity: strong up to 30 meters
This is often the Achilles heel of wireless cameras, but aosu has done a good job here. The SolarCam P1 Max relies on a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection, an admittedly old standard, but perfectly suited to outdoor surveillance. 5 GHz would have offered higher throughput, but its reduced range would have been of no interest for outdoor use.
In reality, the stability is impressive. Installed about fifteen meters from the router with a wall to climb over, the camera broadcast its 4K stream without any stuttering, cutouts, or noticeable delays. Even when pushing the test to 30 meters, with several walls and a glass door in between, the signal still held up well. It was only beyond that the connection began to show signs of weakness.
Obviously, every home is unique: a reinforced concrete wall or metal structures can seriously weaken the signal. The best thing to do before installing the camera? Test the Wi-Fi reception in the planned location, smartphone in hand. If you get at least three bars, you're good to go.
And if you opt for the kit with the Home Cortex base, the scenario becomes even more convenient. This base, connected via Ethernet, acts as a smart relay between your cameras and your network. The result: an average range of around 20 meters, stable, even through walls. For a reliable and stress-free multi-camera installation, this is clearly the preferred solution.
Strengths and weaknesses: between innovation and small compromises
What's most striking after several weeks of use is how well aosu has found the right balance between simplicity, efficiency, and innovation. The solar autonomy really works: a few hours of light are enough to keep the battery at 100%, even in winter. It's a real comfort to never have to think about recharging your equipment. The 4K image quality, meanwhile, brings a clear advantage: details are precise, faces are recognizable, and license plates are readable up to ten meters away.
But the real feat is this local and free artificial intelligence. No cloud dependency, no subscription required, everything is done internally: human, animal, and vehicle detection, automatic car protection, facial recognition (with the Home Cortex base)… a complete arsenal that few competitors offer without a subscription. The enriched notifications describing the scene rather than simple generic alerts completely change the experience. We know exactly what's happening without even opening the video.
Ergonomically, it's hard to get simpler. Instant Bluetooth pairing, a smooth and clear app, and setup in less than ten minutes: everything exudes software mastery. Add to that a compact and modern design that's discreet on a facade, and truly effective IP65 waterproofing; rain, frost, or wind have no effect on its operation. Even the two-way audio is surprisingly clear, allowing you to easily communicate with a visitor or delivery person.
There are still a few areas for improvement. The integrated, non-remote solar panel limits installation flexibility: if your surveillance area is shaded, you have no alternative, unlike some competing models with a separate panel. The mounting ball, a little rigid, requires a certain dexterity to aim perfectly on your own. The voice messages, however, are not customizable; it's a shame, as a home recording would have added a more human touch.
There's also a slight delay between detection and recording, sometimes two to three seconds lost, while the camera "wakes up." Nothing dramatic, but noticeable. Battery life, without sunlight, tops out at around ten days, which is logical given the energy-intensive onboard AI. And while the app remains generally intuitive, its French translation sometimes lacks finesse. Finally, the lack of ONVIF and RTSP compatibility somewhat locks the camera into the aosu ecosystem, preventing seamless integration with other video surveillance systems.
Compatibility and home automation integration: the essentials are there, without extravagance
When it comes to smart home solutions, aosu has opted for consumer compatibility. The camera works seamlessly with Alexa and Google Home, allowing you to display its video feed with a simple voice command: “Alexa, show me the garden camera.” Within seconds, the image appears on an Echo Show, Fire TV, or Nest Hub. It's smooth, responsive, and, above all, practical for everyday use, especially for quick checks without having to take out your phone.
On the other hand, you shouldn't expect extensive automation. The image won't automatically trigger on your connected screens when a detection occurs or a visitor approaches. We're still in a basic integration, centered on voice control. This is sufficient for most uses, but those hoping for complete synchronization with their home automation ecosystem, such as automation with Home Assistant, or IFTTT compatibility, will have to wait.
Notifications, however, remain perfectly managed by the aosu app, with exemplary responsiveness. In practice, everything is controlled and personalized from the smartphone, while voice assistants are limited to a practical visual relay role.
Value for money: an investment that makes sense
At around €100 each, the SolarCam P1 Max is already in a competitive price range, but its true value becomes apparent when comparing its features. We're talking about a fully autonomous 4K camera powered by the sun, with a 5000 mAh battery, free local AI, and advanced features usually reserved for much more expensive models. Whereas most competitors like Eufy, Reolink, Arlo, or Ring charge a premium for pattern recognition, smart zones, or vehicle detection via a cloud subscription, aosu offers all of this at no extra cost.
The math is easy to do: over two years, the absence of a subscription already represents a substantial saving, often more than the price of the camera itself. Local storage, whether on a micro SD card or via the Home Cortex base, makes the offer particularly attractive for those who refuse to send their data to a remote server.
The two-camera kit with a base, around €341, is arguably the best compromise. It adds the convenience of centralized management, scalable storage up to 16 TB, and even more powerful AI, without relying on direct Wi-Fi. As for the four-camera pack, at around €512, it's clearly aimed at complete installations: facade, garden, garage, and driveway covered all at once. It's better to opt for this kit directly rather than adding cameras later, as the unit price increases without the pack.
In short, aosu has achieved a remarkable feat: offering a complete, high-performance ecosystem with no hidden costs. In a market where subscriptions have become the norm, this 4K solar camera appears to be one of the smartest investments in its category.
Who is this camera suitable for?
The aosu SolarCam P1 Max isn't designed for everyone, but it brilliantly targets the most common profiles. For single-family homeowners, it's a near-ideal choice: it effectively monitors the garden, car, or driveway without the need to run a single cable. Its PIR sensor easily covers around ten meters, enough for most residential properties.
Users who shy away from complicated installations will also be won over. No need for an electrician, no trenches or conduits to run: four screws, a Wi-Fi connection, and it's all done. In less than fifteen minutes, the camera is up and running and fully operational.
Another audience already won over: those tired of mandatory subscriptions. Here, everything works locally. No imposed paid cloud, no hidden long-term fees. You buy once, and that's it.
Technology and home automation enthusiasts will also appreciate the advanced artificial intelligence features: facial recognition, automatic license plate reading, contextual event descriptions, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Home. It's a camera that's both simple and smart, capable of evolving according to your needs.
However, it's not for everyone. Those who need to cover a very large area or a remote entrance will quickly find its 10-meter detection limits. Similarly, users looking for 24/7 surveillance with continuous recording will need to consider a more suitable wired solution.
For everyone else, the SolarCam P1 Max represents a near-perfect compromise between autonomy, intelligence and simplicity.
Alternatives and Comparisons: Where Does the SolarCam P1 Max Stand?
In the AI-powered solar video surveillance market, aosu's SolarCam P1 Max occupies a very interesting niche. Eufy offers solar cameras with similar features, but most of its models lock AI behind a subscription, which can quickly add up to a hefty price tag if you add multiple cameras. Ring and Arlo, on the other hand, have higher prices while also limiting access to advanced features without a subscription, putting their products in a less accessible category for full-home use.
Reolink stands out for its competitively priced solar cameras and good image quality, but their artificial intelligence remains basic. Their standalone models lack facial recognition, automatic license plate recognition, and accurate animal detection, reducing their relevance for proactive and intelligent surveillance. Imou, with its rotating solar cameras, offers motorized tracking features and a compact design, but again, the AI remains limited compared to what aosu offers with its Home Cortex base, which can perform facial recognition, scene description, and license plate recognition without a subscription.
The SolarCam P1 Max camera kit stands out for its combination of 4K resolution, powerful solar battery, and comprehensive local artificial intelligence. Alternatives may be attractive for a similar budget or for certain features like PTZ (horizontal/vertical rotation), but none offer this combination of battery life, AI power, and no recurring costs. For those who want a truly autonomous and intelligent solar camera, aosu remains difficult to match.
Final Verdict: The SolarCam P1 Max Lives Up to All Its Promises
After several weeks of intensive use in all sorts of conditions, the aosu SolarCam P1 Max proves that it's not just another solar camera on the market. Its battery life really works thanks to the integrated solar panel, the 4K quality makes the difference when it comes to zooming in on a face or a license plate, and above all, its free local artificial intelligence completely changes the experience of home video surveillance.
This camera embodies what surveillance should be like in 2025: smart, autonomous, and precise, with no hidden costs . It doesn't just record every move: it distinguishes your cat from an intruder, recognizes your face to avoid unnecessary notifications, automatically protects your car, and describes in plain language what's happening outside your door. The onboard AI makes the system both responsive and relevant, which is a big difference compared to most solar cameras on the market.
The few flaws noted don't detract from the overall experience. The fixed solar panel requires careful consideration of placement before installation, the slight startup delay is inherent to a battery-powered camera, and a few typos in the app translation remain anecdotal. Even without direct sunlight, the battery lasts about nine days , which is still decent given the AI's constant calculations.
By combining energy autonomy, 4K definition and local artificial intelligence , the SolarCam P1 Max offers a truly autonomous surveillance experience. No cables to run, no electrician to call, no monthly subscription to pay for years. The camera does exactly what you expect it to: monitor effectively, detect intelligently, alert quickly and deter powerfully, all while recharging itself in the sun .
For anyone looking to secure their home without major renovations or long subscriptions, this camera is a clear choice . The price-performance-feature ratio is largely in its favor, even compared to competing models like the EufyCam S330 kit or the Hiseeu PTZ Kit, which remain interesting in some respects but do not combine the same solar autonomy and full artificial intelligence.
The only real question before purchasing remains sun exposure: a few hours a day is enough for optimal autonomy . Otherwise, you will have to recharge every ten days or consider a model with a remote solar panel, or even a wired one.
For my part, after these weeks of testing, the SolarCam P1 Max remains in place. It integrates perfectly into my home surveillance, silent and discreet, powered by the sun, ready to detect the slightest suspicious movement with its 4K eye and its brain boosted by artificial intelligence . And ultimately, it's exactly what we expect from a modern camera: to be there when needed, understand what it's filming, alert us intelligently, and above all, never demand our attention. Mission accomplished.
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