My builder mentioned seeing a car regularly scoping out my property. We were burglarized after the floods last year and have had other things go missing since then. I need a security setup urgently. I thought my shepherd would be enough, but apparently not. Does anyone have suggestions for a good camera system? I’d like two cameras that can send real-time alerts to my phone and ideally be affordable.
Eufy cameras don’t have ongoing costs, but I wouldn’t recommend them because their motion detection is unreliable. I’ve used them and can’t wait to replace them. Wireless cameras only record when triggered, so if you want 24/7 recording, you’ll need a wired setup. POE (power over Ethernet) systems are a good option since they only need one wire for data and power. Reolink is a popular choice and sends notifications. Avoid Swann, as I’ve heard they’re not great. Arlo is another option but has subscription fees.
@FortressFanatic
I’ve had no issues with my Eufy cameras. Which ones are you using? Mine are mounted low enough to get clear face shots, and they trigger as expected.
EvansBrown13 said:
@FortressFanatic
I’ve had no issues with my Eufy cameras. Which ones are you using? Mine are mounted low enough to get clear face shots, and they trigger as expected.
I’ve got the 2C cameras. I’ve spent hours tweaking settings and talking to Eufy support, but the motion detection is still bad. It triggers on irrelevant things and misses actual events. Notifications were constant and mostly useless, so I turned them off. Very unreliable in my experience.
Reolink is solid. POE means you only need an Ethernet cable for both power and data, making it reliable. It can send detection notifications to your phone or email and even upload photos and videos. No subscription required.
We use Eufy cameras. The best part is there’s no monthly subscription for cloud storage since the data is stored locally. You get real-time updates, and the video quality is good.
I went with Eufy 4K solar cameras, so there’s no need for battery replacement or wiring. They recharge daily from sunlight and don’t require a subscription. Detection has been reliable, and notifications work well. The system I bought cost about $1200 but is often on sale.
@Melvin
You can find Eufy products on AliExpress for about half the price. The only downside is no warranty after the initial 15-day dispute period.
Herman said:
@Melvin
You can find Eufy products on AliExpress for about half the price. The only downside is no warranty after the initial 15-day dispute period.
I’ve done this and haven’t had any issues with them.
Herman said:
@Melvin
You can find Eufy products on AliExpress for about half the price. The only downside is no warranty after the initial 15-day dispute period.
Good to know, thanks for sharing.
@Melvin
Homebase 2 doesn’t support additional storage. Only Homebase 3 allows upgrades.
I use Reolink cameras. They don’t require a subscription or a special hub. You can store footage on an SD card or upload it to the cloud. They also have an app for both phones and laptops.
If you’re looking for the best, check out Axis cameras. They’re used by police and other government departments, but they’re very expensive. Reolink and Milesight from GoWiFi are good alternatives.
You can find used Arlo systems for under $500. They’re easy to install, have no ongoing costs, and send real-time notifications to your phone. I also bought extra rechargeable batteries from AliExpress, and they’ve lasted for years.
Eve cameras are a hybrid floodlight/camera option. They’re expensive but high-quality. They’re powered through 230v mains, so you’d need a sparky to install them if you don’t already have outdoor wiring. My stepmom uses Eufy cameras, which are battery-powered and need recharging every six months.
I use Ezviz cameras, which don’t need a subscription but support optional cloud storage. They’re hardwired, have motion-sensitive floodlights, and allow remote viewing through an app. Video quality is decent, and they take SD cards for local storage.
I had Eufy cameras, but they were useless when we lost internet and power. Now I’m looking into wireless solar-powered cameras with SD card storage. Motion-activated solar lights are a cheap addition and available for $15-$25.
@Ulises
Cameras with a central unit should still record if there’s power. Adding a small UPS to your router and central unit could help during outages. It depends on how much you’re willing to spend, but this setup could give you peace of mind.
@Alec
After Cyclone Gabrielle, we lost power and internet for six days. Burglars took advantage of the situation since we couldn’t record or send footage.
Ulises said:
@Alec
After Cyclone Gabrielle, we lost power and internet for six days. Burglars took advantage of the situation since we couldn’t record or send footage.
Sorry to hear that. It might be worth investing in a backup power system, depending on your budget. Best of luck with whatever you choose.