EufyCam 2 review: A year's battery, and no monthly plan – this home security camera is almost perfect
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Sorry Ring (non sorry)EufyCam 2 review: A year's battery, and no monthly plan – this home security camera is about perfect
I've been using EufyCam two for the last vi months. Here is what I like about it, and why I think information technology's almost the all-time security system for your habitation. 
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
In 2022, I wrote an editorial/review of the Eufy 2K doorbell and, more specifically, why I was switching abroad from Band. This is the fourth dimension of the year many are considering buying "smart domicile" security systems and it makes sense to bring it up once more.
In last twelvemonth's commodity, I mentioned how I was finer trying to movement away from Amazon'due south Ring and not merely its doorbell. My entire alarm organization is Ring (sensors, cameras, smoke detectors, etc.). And since then, I've picked upwards the EufyCam 2 wireless Hard disk drive camera prepare, wire-complimentary keypad, and a few window sensors. Here is what I remember half-dozen months after setting it up in my home.
EufyCam two Kit
Lesser line: The EufyCam 2 Kit offers excellent night camera functionality at full Hard disk drive with a battery that can last up to a total yr. All your files are stored locally, and in that location are no monthly costs. Stride up to the new EufyCam 2 Pro 2K kit for even better resolution.
The Expert
- Excellent quality, very reliable
- Secure with local storage, no deject uploads
- No monthly subscription
- 365-day charge per camera; truly wireless
The Bad
- No police/fire activation for alarm
- Stiff competition
Information technology simply works with no fees
EufyCam 2: What I similar
Don't worry, the camera has its own alarm in case someone tries to steal it. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
The EufyCam ii package includes two wireless Hard disk webcams and the necessary base of operations station to set them up and control remotely. The cameras are glossy white, but if that bothers you, Eufy surprisingly sells a silicone black pare pack for $16, which is kind of funny (simply welcomed).
With no fees, local storage, and a year's battery, it'due south hard non to similar EufyCam ii.
The cameras feature the outstanding Sony Starvis 1080P sensor with a 140-caste field of view and IP67 weather condition rating.
What makes these cameras interesting over my Ring ones is battery life. Eufy rates the battery as one charge for a whole twelvemonth. Indeed, I installed these cameras effectually my house at the end of May, and now, six months later, I nevertheless have 52 percent battery life. That number can fluctuate depending on how many times the camera is activated, but Eufy was non lying overall. Meanwhile, my Ring camera had a solar panel attached to keep a charge for more than a few weeks.
EufyCam two features
- 1080P full HD live-stream and recording
- 365-solar day battery (micro USB rechargeable); removable
- Zero subscription fees or charges
- 3 months of local video storage (16GB)
- Sony sensor for fantabulous low-light performance
- IP67 atmospheric condition-rated
- 256-bit encrypted connection
- Smart image enhancement with AI
- Human detection
- Instant mobile alerts
- Activity zones
- Works with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
- Homebase acts as a Wi-Fi repeater
- Speak through the camera, mind with a microphone
Installation is a breeze. The kit comes with all the tools you need including a small mount and screws. I fastened i camera to my house directly through the siding, and the other right onto a tree (high up, yous need a ladder to access information technology).
Because the wireless reception is especially proficient with these, even the photographic camera mounted to my lawn tree has had no connectivity issues (though, as ever, I recommend a good router. I use the ridiculous, in a expert way, TP-Link Archer AX11000). Everything took nigh xxx minutes to set up up, including the pairing with the base station.
Camera quality is exceptionally skilful at full HD, peculiarly at nighttime. Visibility is never an event—being outdoors, occasionally wiping down the lens after some astringent atmospheric condition is recommended. But other than that, I haven't touched the darn things even once.
Like the Eufy Doorbell, Anker uses some AI for object detection to discover people and not objects if you prefer. Users can also set customize action zones where the photographic camera won't see non-humans. Notifications to your telephone tin can announced with a screenshot of the person's face, which is fantastic (it even works with the Apple Picket).
Mounting a wireless cam in my backyard on a tree with a year'south battery? Priceless. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
I am a bit jealous that Eufy at present has EufyCam two Pro out, which does still except it features a 2K resolution matching the doorbell. While full Hard disk drive looks terrific (and better than my Ring cameras), a 2K resolution is envious. Withal, nix is free, and that 2K resolution does come at the cost of merely six months of battery life instead of a full year.
But actually, the whole selling indicate of Eufy is this: no subscriptions, zilch in the deject. The EufyCam two features 16GB of eMMC internal storage, which lasts upwards to three months. Eufy is also going to allow USB storage expansion. Nothing gets saved to the cloud, and in that location is even an option for storing clips to your ain NAS devices via RTSP if you lot're techy (meet our All-time NAS for Home Surveillance 2022 for our recommendations). You lot can manage your storage by deleting clips, but honestly, I never bear on it and but let information technology do its affair.
Ring Spotlight Cam (summit) vs. EufyCam 2 (bottom) reveals how much sharper, improve Eufy is. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The app for iOS and Android is besides particularly practiced with feature parity and design. At that place are many settings, including custom alerts, detection, saving clips to your phone, sharing to others, condition LED, anti-theft detection (alarm goes off if someone moves the camera), power manager, audio, and more. The cameras' home base tin be set for custom alarm modes, e.thousand., home, abroad, schedule, disarmed, and geofencing. Geofencing, which uses your smartphone to automatically fix the camera condition, whether you are home or not, sounds excellent, only information technology was too fussy about relying on multiple phones.
Sorry, no cops
EufyCam 2: What I don't like
Dorsum of the Eufy base of operations station. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Key
The only reason I have not yet entirely switched over from Band Alarm is Amazon offers a $99 a year program whereby if your alarm goes off, information technology calls 911 for the police (or fire if the smoke alarm). An warning system is only as adept as the response. Eufy doesn't offer such a service notwithstanding. I say yet because the company did a customer survey recently where they asked if people would be interested in such an option, how much we would pay, and why. So, such a characteristic may exist coming in the future.
The only thing better than this EufyCam 2 is probably the "Pro" version with 2K resolution.
Some may lament the need for a base station for the cameras. It'south one more matter on your network to set upwardly and identify somewhere. At least this i acts equally a Wi-Fi repeater for your cameras, giving you extended range outdoors. Plus, I'll take a blocky base station over a monthly fee to manage my data at whatsoever fourth dimension.
The anti-theft feature is brilliant, only it tin can be problematic. If anyone grabs the camera (even if out of sight), it blares an warning (on the photographic camera) and alerts you lot to information technology. Neat. However, I've likewise been awoken on an early Saturday morning subsequently a bird landed on information technology.
The Eufy app for iOS (and Android) is simple, reliable, and loaded with features. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Regarding functionality, I have had no issues with the EufyCam 2. The cameras accept never failed to connect, and they e'er connect much quicker than my Ring ones, which could take upwards of 30 seconds sometimes. Night vision is excellent, the app is easy to navigate and empathize, and all my data stays local.
The contest
Source: Ring
Amazon's Ring Spotlight Cam ($300) is the most apparent and well-known competitor. Amazon does have splendid customer service and ease of buying that make them an easy choice for many. My concern is with their security, Amazon's say-so of data (forth with Google), cloud storage, and more. The time information technology took to connect to my Ring cams were a bit too long for my liking, and they don't take as many features. But the products are decent. You'll demand a Ring Protect Plan, which ranges from $3 to $10 a month if you desire a 60-day history of video clips, ability to share them, and more.
Arlo likewise is well-known, especially since you can get ane 4K HDR outdoor camera (for $320!), noise-canceling tech, and more. Merely the reviews are mixed, and if you want to admission those 4K clips from anywhere, y'all'll have to get the Arlo Premium Video add-on subscription service, which ranges from $3 a month up to $xv depending on the number of cameras and quality.
There's as well the highly-reviewed Google Nest Cam Outdoor ($181 for one cam). Information technology checks all the usual boxes with full Hard disk drive, night vision, and no hub required. Again, if yous want advanced storage features and accessibility, you'll take to go the $6 to $12 a calendar month Nest Aware plan. Plus, you'll accept to trust your video information with Google …
EufyCam 2: Should y'all buy?
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
You should purchase this if ...
Y'all want a reliable, high-quality abode security photographic camera system
All I tin can say is after six months everything is working without a hitch. I've not had one failure; the arrangement is reliable, frequently picking up foxes and raccoons passing by in my backyard, and it is entirely easily-off. Beingness able to install a camera in a tree with a bombardment that will last nearly a year is fantastic. The AI, motion detection, ease of installation, and even the apps are all fabled.
Y'all want your data local
For some people, uploading your video clips to the cloud may exist convenient merely also problematic. Companies similar Amazon (and Ring) accept had some concerns regarding police, surveillance, and fifty-fifty hacking. And then far, to my knowledge, there accept been zippo compromises with Eufy. All my video clips stay on the device and in my control with up to iii months of data.
You need a genuinely wireless system
If you want to mount cameras in odd places around the outside of your house, merely do not desire to recharge the battery every three months (skilful luck in wintertime), and then Eufy is an excellent option. These cameras become anywhere and have a good Wi-Fi range.
Yous don't desire monthly fees
Nothing is worse than buying a smart dwelling accessory and finding out a monthly subscription is needed to unlock avant-garde features (or storage). Eufy doesn't accept any of that. You buy information technology, and that is the end of the financial transaction. And if yous desire more storage, go ahead and set up that NAS to your router.
You should not purchase this if ...
You lot're already happy with your electric current setup
I think Eufy tends to offer the avant-garde features I desire, including upward to 2K video, loftier-quality night sensors, a year'southward battery life without worry, and high-speed connections. If that doesn't appeal to yous or you already have a good enough system, that's OK too.
Y'all want police/burn response
As previously mentioned, if the warning is tripped, the base station goes off with an alarm, and your phone(southward) all get a notification (with optional screenshot) of the incident. But if you're on vacation, the police (or fire) won't be chosen to attend to the incident. That takes some of the fun out of having an alarm system. Eufy has expressed going downward that road every bit an pick, but for now, you lot'll have to pay to Ring if you want that feature.
Overall, if you are looking to go with a neutral only high-quality camera or doorbell arrangement, I recall EufyCam two and related accessories are fantastic. They are easy to utilise, characteristic advanced features other systems don't have, at that place are no hidden costs or monthly fees, yous control your data, and I haven't had any issues at all.
As of right now, I have the ii EufyCams mounted, the 2K video doorbell, home base, a few windows sensors, and the wireless keypad.
If y'all don't want your video data leaving your network instead of going to Google or Amazon, then Eufy is correct for you.
The $40 wireless keypad can be used to arm and disarm the cameras and sensors around the house based on your preferred configuration. Over again, the neat matter is it is wireless. Y'all can stick it to any wall via the 3M tape or screw it in with a wall plate. Information technology has LED-backlit keys with a motion detector to automatically calorie-free upward as y'all near it. It recharges via micro USB and seemingly lasts forever. Meanwhile, my Ring keypad is wired, limiting where it tin can be mounted, and has no motion detection.
Adding features to your home Eufy setup is also a cakewalk. The company is continuously expanding with various indoor cameras (including pan and tilt), a baby monitor, floodlight cams, extra doorbell chimes, motion sensors, and more. I accessory I'm eying is the Smart Lock Bear on, which uses your fingerprint to unlock your front end door. Heck, the visitor is even making a condom for your doorstep to lock up those Amazon packages.
I've since added the $40 Eufy wireless keypad, which is besides excellent. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal
Of course, buying smart home accessories is peculiarly challenging these days with plenty of competition. I'm not certain if there are better systems out at that place than Eufy, but all I can say, so far, is I've been thrilled with them. I take peace of mind and have had no issues. A few friends who likewise used my referral code have been happy with their setups.
I'll come across about following upwardly this review in 2022 with how my home system has evolved and whether Eufy is still my pick if in that location is interest. But for now, I have no complaints and can easily recommend them.
While I used the EufyCam 2 for this review, that kit seems to exist phased out (or in loftier-need) and not discounted ($300). Meanwhile, y'all can find EufyCam 2 Pro Kit with 2K video for $250 at Bestbuy, which is a improve deal.
EufyCam 2 kit
Lesser line: The EufyCam 2 Kit offers excellent night camera functionality at full Hard disk with a battery that tin can last up to a full year. All your files are stored locally, and there are no monthly costs. Step up to the new EufyCam 2 Pro 2K kit for even ameliorate resolution.
Eufy Video Doorbell
Lesser line: The Eufy Video Doorbell is a fantastic depression priced culling to the more prominent brands. This camera offers crisp, high-resolution video, fast response, customization, and, all-time of all, does not require a subscription, making this one of the all-time on the market place.
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Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino is the Executive Editor of Windows Fundamental. He has been roofing Microsoft here since 2007 back when this site was chosen WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Surface, laptops, and modern computing. Follow him on Twitter: @daniel_rubino.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/eufycam-2-kit-review
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