Eufy Home Security Review
The bottom line: Eufy has quality products, but no professional backup
The Eufy 5-piece alarm kit is a lot like other DIY systems. It takes less than 30 minutes to set up, it’s controlled from a mobile app, and it comes with all the basic sensors. Eufy also offers four kinds of 2K cameras.
The big difference is there’s no monthly fee. Eufy is an entirely self monitored system—no contracts, monthly monitoring costs, or cancellation fees. The company also takes extra measures like encryption and local storage to protect your privacy.
But cutting all that red tape comes at a cost. Without professional monitoring on your side, you’ll have to watch your system closely and respond to emergencies on your own.
No monthly fees Simple setup and app control Local video storage
No professional monitoring Poor device integration No backup batteries or cellular backupIs Eufy right for you?
Eufy is a good fit for privacy buffs, home security newcomers, renters, and cool heads in an emergency.
You value your privacy
Eufy skips the Cloud and opts for sending your video footage to encrypted local storage.
Cloud-based storage is standard in the DIY home security world, but it comes with its own share of risks. If you don’t have a strong digital security, hackers can view your video footage or even manipulate your system.
With Eufy, what your camera sees stays on a microSD card that you install or on the HomeBase. After all, if it’s not online, it can’t be hacked.
You're new to home security
Eufy is low commitment and affordable, making it appealing to home security skeptics and cautious newcomers. If you aren’t satisfied with your system, you can get a refund within the 30 days of purchase no questions asked.
You're a renter
Renters in apartments or small homes can move their system into new digs after the lease is up too. And the small system is a great fit for small spaces (go figure).
You're confident in an emergency
Without professional monitoring, you’re in charge of handling emergencies. That means you’ll have to watch alerts and notifications closely. If your system senses a break-in or other problem, it’s up to you to call emergency responders.
Skipping the monthly bill is nice, but what does self-monitoring mean for you? Weigh the pros and cons of self-monitoring before you dive into a new security system.
How Eufy stacks up
Eufy’s 5-piece Home Alarm Kit has all the basics of a DIY home security system. It’s cheaper than most of its competitors and doesn’t charge every month for monitoring. You can add smart home devices, extra sensors, and a Eufy 2K camera to your system (more on that below).
But again, Eufy’s self-monitored system could be a dealbreaker for some. Its competitors may cost more monthly, but those monitoring fees retain a staff of professionals at the ready to help you in an emergency.
| DIY system | Eufy | Ring | SimpliSafe | Cove | Kangaroo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logo |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Starting equipment price | $159.00 | $199.00 | $229.00 | $229.00 | $79.99 |
| Starting monthly monitoring | $0 | $10.00 | $14.99 | $15.00 | $10.00 |
| Mobile app in base plan |
 Yes |
Yes |
 No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Smart home compatibility |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Amazon Alexa
Google Assistant |
Amazon Alexa
Google Assistant |
| Learn More | Visit Eufy | Visit Ring | Visit SimpliSafe | Visit Cove | Visit Kangaroo |
Generic Disclaimer: Info current as of 02/08/21. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Eufy contracts and warranties
Whether it’s the 5-piece Home Alarm Kit or a 2K camera, Eufy doesn’t require contracts for any of its products. So you won’t have to deal with monthly payments, cancellation fees, or any of the other fine print that comes with other security equipment.
If you decide to return your Eufy equipment, make sure you do it within 30 days of purchasing for a refund. You’ll need to include all the devices and original packaging for your refund to be accepted.
Eufy products are available across the web and in different stores like Best Buy and Target. If you purchase from an authorized Eufy retailer, the warranty and refund policies still apply. But, to process a warranty, you’ll need to go through Eufy directly.
You can get the full details on refunds, warranties, and returns on Eufy’s refund policy page.
Eufy equipment
Eufy’s main security system is the 5-piece Home Alarm Kit, but the company has a suite of advanced indoor and outdoor cameras as well as smart home accessories. We’ve got the rundown on each part of the Home Alarm Kit and cameras.
Equipment in the Eufy 5-piece alarm system
What's included:
- Eufy HomeBase
- 2 contact sensors
- 1 motion sensor
- 1 keypad
Info current as of 02/08/21. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
HomeBase
The Eufy HomeBase is the base station that ties everything together. From all the Home Alarm Kit components to additional cameras and smart home accessories, it’s the brains of the operation.
The HomeBase uses military-grade 256-bit encryption to keep all your data safe. If you choose to add cameras, the HomeBase stores video footage to keep your cameras rolling continuously.
When setting up your HomeBase, have an ethernet cable handy. That will help with getting it online. But once that’s up and running, you can move it anywhere in the house.
Entry sensors
Eufy’s entry sensors come with simple (but strong) adhesive backing. To install them, just unpeel the sticker and place the sensors on door frames, windows, or more creative spots like the liquor or medicine cabinet.
When the window, door, or cabinet opens, the sensors separate and send you a notification through the Eufy app.
The batteries on the entry sensors and motion sensors last up to two years without recharging or adjusting them. You can also change what notifications the sensors send you.
Motion sensor
Just like Eufy’s entry sensors, the motion sensor installs with adhesive backing. It can cover up to 100° around and 30 feet into the room. So be sure to install your motion sensor in a high corner of the room to cover more ground.
If you have big pets who roam your halls, we recommend lowering the sensitivity on the motion sensor. Many dogs over 40 pounds can trigger the motion detection, leaving you with false alarm notifications.
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Keypad
Along with the Eufy app, the keypad can arm and disarm your security system. It has a six-month battery life and comes with rechargeable batteries to keep it going.
You can program individual codes for different people in your household and set schedules for when you leave and come home.
We also like that drilling and mounting the keypad is optional. While it comes with screws and materials for mounting, you could instead use adhesive backing or simply set it on an entrance table or spot near the door for when you arrive home. We love these renter-friendly options.
Cameras and smart home features
In addition to its Home Alarm Kit, Eufy has some outstanding camera options. Cameras can’t replace monitoring professionals, but they’re an extra layer of protection that will contextualize any alerts you get from your Eufy system.
Eufy has 2K cameras for indoor or outdoor use at a fraction of camera prices from bigger security providers. And like its security system, there’s no monthly charge for extra storage. Many of Eufy’s cameras have a slot for a microSD card for local storage.
We compared more of the best home security cameras here.
Eufy's privacy promise
Systems like Ring and Nest use cloud-based platforms that can be an open doorway to snoops and trolls. And we’ve heard way too many horror stories to ignore it.
Instead, Eufy opts for local storage. The company’s privacy promise extends to its cameras and the entirety of your system. You can still use Eufy’s cloud service, but having the option of storing footage offline keeps your camera’s feed and recorded videos safer.
The HomeBase connects to your home Wi-Fi to reach your phone’s app. And it uses military-grade encryption to keep your video storage and information only accessible to you. Eufy can store up to three months of footage on its HomeBase, plus whatever you keep on the microSD cards in your cameras.
Indoor cameras
Eufy has four indoor cameras, two with 2K and two with 1080p. All four are HD cameras, but the 2K cameras deliver a sharper picture and a clearer picture when zooming in.
The pan and tilt camera from Eufy is significantly quieter than the Wyze Pan Cam and has built-in AI to notify you when noise levels get too high. So if your baby starts crying or the camera hears glass break, you’ll know as soon as it happens.
The stand-up indoor camera has similar features but doesn’t pan and tilt. All four cameras work with Google Assistant and Apple Homekit.
Outdoor cameras
The eufyCam Pro 2 records in stunning 2K resolution and has a slot for a microSD card for local storage.
The camera comes with motion settings, human detection, and activity zones—features you may otherwise have to pay an extra fee for (looking at you, Nest and Ring).
While you can use the Pro 2 inside or out, it’s best for the great outdoors. It’s weatherproof and has advanced night vision to catch any intruders that may come by. The magnetic mount is like a really buff refrigerator magnet and just as easy to install.
Compare it with the best outdoor cameras to see how it stacks up.
Doorbell cameras
No camera suite would be complete without a video doorbell. Like its cameras, Eufy has several variations of its doorbell camera. The company has wired and battery options in 2K and 1080p resolutions.
Its sharp details aid the built-in AI with person and package detection, cutting down on false alarms from passing cars or pedestrians. It also has two-way talk, allowing you to speak to anyone who comes to visit or drop off a package.
We also like its activity zones and smart speaker compatibility. The Eufy doorbell works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Check out some of our other favorite doorbell cameras to learn more about these devices.
Smart home features
If you’re building a smart home from scratch, Eufy has some basic devices to help you get started. The lights, plugs, and even Eufy’s own smart speaker (the Eufy Genie) work with other Eufy products.
From the app, you can set automations to turn on the lights when someone disarms the system or opens a door, for example.
If you already have a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo or Google Assistant, these products work with them too. Eufy even has Apple HomeKit compatibility (a surprisingly rare feature).
Customer service and support
Eufy products are available around the world, but its customer service is based in the US. Phone lines are limited, open from 6:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST. You can reach Eufy’s customer support line at +1 (800) 988-7973 or send them an email at support@eufylife.com.
The company also has live chat available for US and German customers and a basic FAQ page for quick surface-level answers.
How we reviewed Eufy
With so many products and features, we covered a lot of ground to review Eufy thoroughly. We dug through customer reviews on products like the Home Alarm Kit, indoor and outdoor cameras, and even smart home accessories.
We also watched reviews on YouTube and read articles about the company to learn more about their products and policies. Check out our methodology page to see how we conduct reviews like this one.
Eufy FAQ
Professional monitoring takes the pressure off of you to respond to an emergency and connects you with first responders faster. When something goes wrong like a fire or a break-in, the monitoring professionals you pay for each month will contact you and help you through it.
HD security cameras are nothing new, but 2K cameras fit more pixels into the same amount of space. Basically, it provides a clearer picture than 1080p or 720p when you’re zooming in or out.
It depends on the size of your home. But at minimum, we recommend installing sensors on your front and back entrances and any ground floor windows. If you have a bigger home, look for systems with options to add on sensors to cover more ground.
Yes. The Eufy outdoor cameras need a HomeBase to work, making them easy to link with the rest of your system. You can connect any other cameras to the same Wi-Fi network as your alarm system so they work together.
Final word
Eufy has almost everything you need to protect your home. Its devices are slick, affordable, and practical. Plus, its privacy promise, strong encryption, and local storage options make it safer than exclusively cloud-based systems.
If you’re looking to upgrade your home security cameras or want a simple system for a small rental, Eufy is a good candidate. Its simple setup and easy app control make it a fitting choice for home security newcomers too.
But, without professional monitoring, we just can’t give it both thumbs up.
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