HomeReviews Eufy Security is a well-known name in the field of home security, and several times on our pages we have told you about some kits of the brand to easily and inexpensively obtain a real video surveillance system. This time, however, we are dealing with a stand alone room, which can work with the Eufy app, and which does not require HomeBase. Here's what we liked, and what we didn't.
This Eufy security camera is aesthetically quite standard, similar to many other competitors. On the lower part there is the motorization mechanism, which allows the chamber to rotate 360 large, with the possibility of inclination of 96 large ones. Also on this lower part, moreover, the loudspeaker that allows two-way audio insists. On the highest part, however, there is the eye of the camera, strictly black, set instead on a completely white plastic. On the back there is the micro USB connector, considering that it is a wired camera, which therefore has no internal battery and which needs to be connected to the power supply for correct operation.
As already mentioned, the camera works through the usual Eufy Security application, and therefore can also be combined with a previously installed system, so as to be able to see the video stream within a single application, even if, as we will say below, the combo operation is not exactly optimal. The first setup turns out to be absolutely simple, and by opening the app it will be sufficient to follow the installation steps to configure it properly. It takes a few minutes to be able to use the room.
Once installed, users who already have a room, or an Eufy video surveillance system will feel at ease, as everything is extremely familiar. The video quality is very good, being a 2K camera, with sharper and more appreciable details than a 1080p camera. Note that the system is compatible with Apple's HomeKit, although in this case, as with all homekit cameras, the quality is reduced to Full HD .
Camera control from the app is absolutely simple and complete. There is a virtual pad through which to move the camera, with possibility of pan at 360 degrees and tilt at 96 . It is easy to think of covering a large room with only one chamber. In addition to this possibility, with a single touch it is possible to make the camera perform a 360 tour of the framed air, as well as a “Monitoring” button that enables automatic tracking of subjects. With this last mode the camera will follow the movements of the various subjects that will be framed by the camera.
We add, that in order to record clips the camera needs Micro SD, not included in the package. Alternatively, you can purchase a basic or pro cloud subscription to keep your recorded clips in the cloud for 30 days. The basic plan, which can cover only one device, costs 2.99 euros per month, while the Plus one can cover up to 10 devices. The camera is also compatible with NAS storage via RTSP protocol.
We have already said about the quality of the video, and also about the accuracy of the presence detection in the house we can only express ourselves positively. All push notifications are sent to the smartphone with extreme precision, as soon as movement is detected, even if we had to increase the sensitivity from the settings, to prevent some small movement from going unnoticed.
Again, we liked the built-in siren, which you can activate when motion is detected, or even by simply pressing a button within the app. It certainly doesn't have a loud enough volume to alert the whole building, but it is loud enough to scare an intruder into the room. Moreover, the room is excellent for those who have pets at home , because it is able to recognize them, and prevent the alarm from going off as they pass. Not only that, when a pet is detected it is possible to activate a voice command that the camera will reproduce automatically. For the occasion, it is therefore possible to record a voice message of at least 3 seconds, and maximum 10.
As already mentioned, this camera does not need HomeBase. Just to understand, it is possible to use it stand alone, as a component only, without the need for any hub. This is certainly excellent news for those who do not want to buy a more complete system, thus saving on expenses. Yet, this system has left us a bit perplexed, especially for those wishing to buy multiple or for those wishing to combine it with a Eufy kit already installed in the home.
If on the one hand the camera is integrated into the Eufy app, thus being able to control the video flow together with that of other cameras, on the other hand it is managed completely autonomously. For example, if you wanted to activate the “Away from Home” mode, so as to set push notifications for the detection of attendance, or video recordings or various alarms, it will be necessary to repeat the operation both on this stand alone camera and on the system already installed . And so, whoever buys two of these rooms, should set the Away mode first on one, and then on the other separately.
To set the mode Away from home in the previous system in use and in this new room it is necessary to open two different submenus There is no single option in the app that allows you to activate a specific mode with just one click. The room is seen as a separate unit, and even by purchasing several to be placed in different rooms, the user will have the annoyance of activating the different modes individually for each room. It is a pity, because in practice this room does not provide the possibility of joining a pre-existing system, integrating it perfectly.
Conclusion
This 2K camera from Eufy is certainly of good quality. The brand has long been churning out really interesting devices for those who want to ensure economic home protection, but all in all complete. Excellent video quality, many possible customizations from the app, as well as precise are push notifications and alarms. It is just a pity that if you buy more identical rooms, or add this room to an existing system, it is not possible to activate the different modes of all the rooms with a single click, and instead it is necessary to repeat the operation for each room or system. of rooms.
Eufy Security 2K costs € 49.99 on Amazon and can be purchased directly at this address.