Eufy Cameras Review
Eufy prioritizes customer privacy with local video storage and robust security practices. But it's also one of the best ways to get a 2K security camera without paying too much.
We think the 1080p EufyCam 2C is the best balance of features and price for most folks because it's a versatile and flexible alternative to the Arlo Essential Spotlight. But it's not a heart-stopping value like the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24, which sports a higher resolution and similar performance for $100 less (if you don't mind a power cable).
These cameras are the jewels of Eufy's huge selection of cameras, but there's a lot to like about the other offerings.
Eufy security camera pros and cons
Which is the best Eufy camera?
- : Top pick
- : Budget pick
- : Doorbell pick
- : Beginner pick
- : Floodlight pick
Compare Eufy security cameras
*Amazon.com list price as of 07/30/2021 at 9:38 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
What to expect with Eufy security cameras
Eufy offers one of the broadest ranges of security cameras on the market. This puts it in a prime position to compete with Arlo and Nest on the high end, Ring and Reolink in the mid-priced arena, and Wyze and YI for budget dominance. We like that there's something for everyone, but let's dig into what makes Eufy a practical alternative to these popular brands.
Similarities and differences
At first glance, the top cameras in this review have distinctive features that help them fill specific security roles around the house, but they share many features too. Still, you can find slight variations among cameras that look similar—like the EufyCam 2C and EufyCam 2. Here are key features you can expect in Eufy security cameras.
Similarities
Privacy-first policies: One of Eufy's biggest advantages over the competition is a focus on protecting your privacy. This is why all Eufy IP camera models come with some form of local storage to keep your data off the internet. Likewise, Eufy cameras, apps, and cloud servers follow strict encryption protocols when connecting to the internet. We're also fans of the app requiring two-factor authentication when logging in on a new device.
2K video resolution: Practically every Eufy camera comes in 1920p (also called 2K) and 1080p versions. Surprisingly, the 2K video resolution isn't much more expensive than 1080p. This narrow pricing gap—especially on Solo and SoloCam models—means that it's worth choosing 2K over 1080p every time. Though upgrading to 2K on EufyCam models isn't as good of a deal since you often pay for multi-camera kits—an extra camera tends to negate some savings.
Eufy app: The Eufy app is your gateway to setting up and controlling your Eufy camera. You can watch footage live or view any recordings that happened while you were driving home from vacation. You can also use the app's two-way audio to talk with people through the camera like an intercom.
The app also uses AI to detect people, faces, pets, and babies crying to make it easier to sort through video recordings and notifications. The type of AI detection depends on the camera, with face detection and baby crying showing up on EufyCam and Solo models.
Local storage: All Eufy cameras can store video without using the internet or a cloud storage plan. The storage medium depends on the model with products using one of three methods: built-in storage (SoloCam), microSD card (Solo IndoorCam), or HomeBase camera hub (EufyCam).
Voice assistant: Each Eufy security camera works with the Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant smart home platforms. You can ask for a live feed on a smart display, which is great for family members without smartphones. While we like this for quick checks on a camera, the Eufy app is a better interface.
Differences
Power source: Eufy has a healthy mix of wired and battery-powered security cameras. While most wired cameras are indoor models, outdoor cameras like the Floodlight Cam 2, Solo OutdoorCam, and Video Doorbell also have wired connections. The battery-powered cameras gear towards outdoor use—lasting 4–12 months depending on the model. There's even a handy solar panel accessory to extend the battery life even further. Lastly, the SoloCam S40 has an integrated solar panel on top.
Weatherproofing: Eufy's battery-powered cameras all come with IP65 or the more robust IP67 weatherproofing that helps them withstand rain, snow, heat, and cold temperatures. Among wired cameras, the Floodlight Cam and Solo OutdoorCam boast similar resistances to adverse weather.
Spotlights: You can find bright spotlights on the EufyCam 2C, SoloCam S40, SoloCam L20, Solo OutdoorCam, and Floodlight Cam. These are great for capturing color video at night, which offers a bit more detail than the infrared night vision common to all Eufy cameras. We also like that you can light a path and surprise potential intruders into a hasty retreat.
Apple HomeKit support: HomeKit allows some Eufy cameras to work with Siri and the Apple Home app. The functionality is similar to what you can do with Alexa and Google. Only a small selection of Eufy cameras work with Apple HomeKit and the Apple Home app: Solo IndoorCam C24, Solo IndoorCam P24, and EufyCam models using the HomeBase 2 hub (2, 2 Pro, 2C, and 2C Pro).
EufyCam cameras with the HomeBase 2 hub also work with HomeKit Secure Video to add more features such as pet and vehicle detection, cloud storage via iCloud, and activity zones in the Apple Home app.
Compare Eufy cloud storage plans
Info current as of 07/30/2021. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Because all Eufy cameras include local storage, its cloud plans are an optional perk for folks wanting a backup on a secure cloud server. Cloud storage isn't available on all Eufy cameras, with the most notable absence being the SoloCam models. You can sign up for a Eufy cloud plan using the Eufy Security app and your online customer account.
1. EufyCam 2C: Top pick
Amazon.com list price as of 07/30/2021 at 9:38 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The EufyCam 2C offers more flexibility for its price than more expensive Eufy cameras. Its battery and built-in spotlight are ideal for indoor and outdoor settings. The luminous spotlight gives you colorful videos at night instead of the bland monotones of typical infrared night vision.
It comes with a HomeBase 2 base station that handles storage, internet, and smart home protocols like Apple HomeKit. This extends battery life beyond what a purely Wi-Fi camera like Eufy SoloCam can do—six months instead of four.
While the 1080p resolution doesn't match the detail of Eufy's 2K models, it cuts the overall price. You can buy multi-packs with up to four cameras, which cuts the per-camera price as low as $105. This competes well against multi-camera kits from Arlo, which doesn't discount additional cameras as deeply.
We generally dislike the required upsell of base stations, but Eufy's base station adds very little to the overall price. In total, it adds about $20 to the one-camera starter kit and doesn't affect the price of multi-camera kits.
Overall, EufyCam 2C is the best 1080p camera from this brand because it's so versatile indoors and outdoors. We think it's a step above the Arlo Essential Spotlight, its closest rival, because it doesn't require a cloud storage subscription.
You can upgrade to the EufyCam 2C Pro for about $10–$40 more per camera. It's not much different than the original 2C, but it comes with the 2K video quality we love in other Eufy models.
2. Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24: Budget pick
Amazon.com list price as of 07/30/2021 at 9:38 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 is one of the best values for an indoor security camera you can find anywhere. It's the most affordable HomeKit-compatible camera and one of few 2K cameras for less than $40. We also like that it supports local storage on a microSD card up to 128 GB. With a behemoth card like that, there's more storage capacity than other Eufy cameras.
Sadly, it doesn't come with a microSD card, but you can buy the maximum capacity—a 128 GB microSD card—for less than $20. Still, having that much storage on an indoor security camera for about $60 is a remarkable deal compared to monthly cloud storage fees. Based on Eufy's estimates, 128 GB yields over a year of recordings.
Overall, the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 is a good option for folks wanting high-resolution video indoors. While we like the HomeKit support, this Eufy camera can’t top our favorite budget security camera pick, the Wyze Cam v3.
This camera was formerly the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K, which could be easy to mistake for other indoor cameras from the brand. While Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24 doesn't roll off the tongue as easily, it's way easier for googling the specific product.
3. Eufy Video Doorbell 2K: Doorbell pick
Amazon.com list price as of 07/30/2021 at 9:38 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Eufy Video Doorbell 2K has one of the highest resolutions we've seen in a doorbell camera. Although other brands like Arlo and Reolink embrace 2K video on more cameras each year, Eufy is one of the first to add it on a doorbell. The extra detail is great for porch pirate wanted posters on social media.
Another reason we like the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K is its inclusion of local storage via the HomeBase 2. If you thought that 2K was rare on video doorbells, local storage is almost unheard of. A large part of competitor's business models is requiring subscriptions to store doorbell footage. Eufy bypasses this, making it cheaper to maintain and a better solution for off-grid homes.
This is a doorbell camera, but the battery power means you can install it anywhere. This is great for putting the doorbell outside doors without existing wiring. Still, we like that you can use doorbell wiring with this camera—it's the only Eufy doorbell that supports both wired and battery installations.
Overall, we think that the Eufy Video Doorbell 2K is the best video doorbell for local storage. While it produces better video than Arlo and Ring, it's not as affordable.
4. Eufy SoloCam E40: Beginner pick
Amazon.com list price as of 07/30/2021 at 9:38 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Eufy SoloCam E40 differs from Eufy's other battery-powered cameras by skipping the HomeBase hub. Instead, it connects directly to your home Wi-Fi network like a smartphone would. This makes it easier to set up and a little cheaper than the brand's other wireless 2K cameras.
But the shift to a direct Wi-Fi connection brings disadvantages. This camera doesn't have expandable local storage or work with cloud storage so you need to rely on the 8 GB internal storage for everything. Wi-Fi also uses a lot of juice, so the camera's four-month battery life is the lowest from this brand.
Overall, we think the Eufy SoloCam E40 is a great place to start if you want to try out Eufy's wireless cameras without a hub. But it's not as robust as EufyCam models. If you want a better option for the same price, we recommend checking out the Reolink Argus 3 Pro.
5. Eufy Floodlight Cam 2: Floodlight pick
Amazon.com list price as of 07/30/2021 at 9:38 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
The Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 offers brighter nighttime lighting than Eufy's battery-powered spotlight cameras. While those models are suitable for temporary lighting, the Floodlight Cam 2's dual LED lights produce a whopping 2,500 lumens. This is enough to illuminate a wide swath of lawn for parties and gardening after sunset.
Installing this floodlight is more complex than charging a battery or plugging in a power cord—it's more like installing a new light fixture. You need to mount this light on a junction box and hardwire it. While the electrical work is relatively easy, it might be too much trouble for some folks.
Overall, we like the Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 for outdoor locations where extra nighttime lighting is necessary. While the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired is a good alternative, Eufy's 2K video resolution is hard to beat.
More Eufy cameras we considered
Amazon.com list price as of 07/30/2021 at 9:38 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
- Eufy Solo IndoorCam P24: Eufy's best pan-tilt camera gives you remote control over where the camera points. This is great for looking in different spots around the room. It offers similar performance to the Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24.
- Eufy Video Doorbell: This 1080p doorbell offers expandable microSD storage on its chime accessory. It's a more affordable way to get local storage on a video doorbell than Eufy's 2K model.
- EufyCam 2 Pro: This is Eufy's most expensive camera, with double the battery life of the 2C—up to 12 months. Unlike the 2C, it doesn't have a built-in spotlight color video at night. It's too expensive for our tastes, but it’s a good example of what Eufy's cameras can achieve.
- Eufy Solo OutdoorCam C24: This camera isn't as affordable as other Eufy Solo models but offers a wired power that doesn't require charging a battery every few months.
- Eufy SoloCam S40: This solar security camera is one of Eufy's newest products (it's not even available as of this writing) but it's hard to ignore. While most solar cameras use a solar panel accessory, it's a built-in feature of the S40. We're excited to see how it performs since it might be a game-changer that's easier to install than other solar security cameras.
Final word
Eufy cams are not our first choice in most cases, but they're often our second choice. They offer reliability, excellent video quality, multiple power options, affordable options, and smart home compatibility. In terms of features, they don't burn as brightly as Wyze, Ring, and Arlo, but sometimes it's perfectly fine to nail the basics.
EufyCam 2C: an affordable battery-powered camera with local storage and Apple HomeKit support
Eufy Solo IndoorCam C24: one of the cheapest 2K cameras available and compatibility with a spacious 128 GB microSD card
Eufy Video Doorbell 2K: has two things most other smart doorbells lack: local storage and 2K video quality
Eufy SoloCam E40: offers an easy setup process that doesn't involve a base station
Eufy Floodlight Cam 2: makes for a brighter yard and color video at night
How we reviewed Eufy security cameras
Before comparing Eufy's cameras, we narrowed down among the brand's 27 camera models. Eufy currently sells six baby monitor models, but they don't use a mobile app or work with smart home devices, so we didn't consider them for this review. Then we skipped all but the most notable 1080p cameras in favor of Eufy's 2K options. Ultimately, we settled on highlighting 10 cameras that best represent the brand as a whole.
We leveraged our years of experience with security cameras while researching for this review. We scoured customer reviews, support articles, product pages, and other online reviews to find out what makes Eufy unique. Check out our full testing methodology to see how we rank and review products.
FAQ
Eufy is a spin-off brand from Anker specializing in smart home devices like vacuums, lighting, and home security systems. You may know Anker from its popular chargers, cables, power banks, and computer accessories.
Eufy security cameras hold their own compared with dominant brands like Arlo, Ring, Nest, Reolink, and Wyze. Eufy excels in terms of local storage, customer privacy, and video resolution.
Eufy is generally a more affordable option than Arlo for 2K video, but it costs more than comparable Ring and Wyze cameras. We think it's an excellent alternative to these popular brands, especially for local video storage. Still, it doesn't offer as many innovative features as Arlo and pales in comparison to Ring and Wyze's smart home ecosystems.
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