The company’s outdoor smartcam, EufyCam, arrived on the market following a successful $3.1 million Kickstarter campaign. Priced at $499 for a 2-camera kit and HomeBase hub/siren, it’s a close competitor to the $449 Arlo Pro 2, with the promise of added smarts. Find our eufy camera comparison chart 2020 to choose the better one for your family. Which one is worth buying – eufycam vs eufycam 2 vs eufycam E or ARlo Ultra?
Eufy may be an unfamiliar name, even to ardent smart home followers, but it’s the subsidiary under which popular accessories brand Anker is charging into the smart home market. But why you need eufy camera comparison chart 2020? Robovacs, light bulbs, smart plugs, baby monitors, kitchen gadgets – they’re all now available or on the way.
Battery-powered outdoor security cameras are relatively easy to install because they are wireless and don’t require a nearby GFCI outlet for power, but you still have to change or recharge their batteries several times a year. Not so with the EufyCam ($499.99), a weatherproof outdoor security camera equipped with a battery that’s rated to last up to a full year between charges in comparison to its competitor (eufy camera comparison chart 2020). The EufyCam delivers sharp 1080p video and offers intelligent motion alerts, face recognition, and local storage, but its motion recording performance came up short in testing and it doesn’t work with as many third-party devices as the similarly priced Arlo Pro 2.
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What is good in EufyCam?
Design and Features
The camera captures video at 1080p and has a 140-degree field of view. It uses two infrared LEDs for black-and-white night vision and has a speaker and microphone for two-way audio. There’s a mini USB port protected by a rubber gasket on the back and a pairing button on the top. The camera uses 2.4GHz Wi-Fi to communicate with the HomeBase hub.
The EufyCam comes in a bundle that includes two white-and-gray cameras, a HomeBase hub, two magnetic mounts, two screw-in mounts, mounting screws, and a USB charging cable. At 2.2 by 2.2 by 4.2 inches (HWD), the cameras are longer than the Arlo Pro 2 cameras (3.1 by 1.9 by 2.8 inches) but have the same round magnetic back panel for easy mounting. They have an IP67 rating that protects them from jets of water, dirt, and dust.
The HomeBase hub measures 5.1 by 5.0 by 2.7 inches and uses RF and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radios to provide a wireless range of up to 300 feet. The top of the HomeBase has a Sync button that’s used for pairing the base to the cameras during setup and doubles as an Alarm Off button. Around back is a LAN port, a USB charging port, a power jack, a reset button, and a microSD card slot complete with an included 16GB microSD card for storing recorded video.
For additional storage, you can subscribe to a Eufy Security cloud plan. The Basic plan goes for $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year per camera and gives you 30 days of rolling storage. The Premier plan costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year and gives you 30 days of rolling storage for up to 10 cameras.
Under the hood is an 100dB siren that will sound if someone tries to make off with one of the cameras, and Eufy’s AI engine, which offers motion sensing that recognizes human motion apart from motion caused by things like passing cars. It also offers face recognition technology, but you have to manually add your own high-res photos to the face database before the camera will identify a person. With the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor camera, you can give names to faces captured by the camera and add them to the Familiar Faces database on the fly.
The camera can be accessed using the EufyLife web portal or the Eufy Security mobile app for Android and iOS devices. The app opens to a home screen that displays camera tabs with the last image captured for each camera. Tap the Play arrow on any camera to view a live stream with buttons along the bottom for manual recording, taking a snapshot, initiating two-way audio, and muting the speaker. There’s also a button that gives you access to settings and recorded events. Turn your phone sideways to view the video in full-screen mode.
Each camera tab has a gear icon that takes you to a settings screen. Here you can turn the camera and microphone on and off, enable/disable night vision, and enable theft detection. There are also three Camera Working Modes: Optimal Battery Life mode limits video recording to 20 seconds and adjusts detection times to avoid detecting the same event twice, and Optimal Surveillance mode will record up to 60 seconds of video but will use more battery power. The Custom Recording option lets you set your own video clip length and detection periods. Other settings include motion detection sensitivity and notification settings that let the camera trigger all events or humans only. Use the facial alerts option to be alerted when a familiar face is detected (eufy camera comparison chart 2020).
The Events button at the bottom of the home screen shows a list of recorded events by date with thumbnails, and the Mode button lets you configure Home and Away settings that enable/disable motion detection, push alerts, and camera alarms when you leave your house. You can also create a schedule to have the cameras go into Home or Away mode on specific days at specific times.
Whereas the Arlo Pro 2 and Nest IQ Outdoor cameras work with plenty of third-party devices, the EufyCam doesn’t. You can use Alexa voice commands to view video on an Echo Show, but at the time of this review, Google Assistant voice support isn’t ready, nor is support for IFTTT applets, although both are on the update roadmap (eufy camera comparison chart 2020).
How easy to install it and what about performance?
Installing the EufyCam is tricky, but not terribly difficult. I downloaded the app, created an account, and then plugged in the base station and connected it to my router. I tapped Add Device in the app, selected HomeBase, and verified that my phone was connected to the same network as the hub. I tapped Next, verified that the LED was flashing white, and tapped Next again. The base delivered a voice command to press the Sync button for two seconds, at which point I heard, “HomeBase is ready for setup.” I tapped Next and received an error message in the app saying that it was unable to add the HomeBase. I canceled out and tried two more times but got the same results. Finally, I selected Add Device by QR Code, and after waiting 30 seconds for the scan to complete, the HomeBase was successfully paired.
I gave the HomeBase a name, updated the firmware, and tapped Add Device to pair the cameras. I selected EufyCam from the list, pressed the Sync button on the camera until it beeped, tapped Next, and the camera was immediately paired to the HomeBase. I gave it a name and used the same method to add the second camera. I selected a Working Mode and charged the cameras. Once both cameras were fully charged I took them outside to where I wanted to mount them and checked their Wi-Fi signal using the app. I then attached the two magnetic mounts to the siding of my house, positioned the cameras for optimal coverage, and the installation was complete.
In my tests the EufyCam delivered crisp 1080p video with strong colors during daylight hours and sharp black-and-white night video out to around 25 feet. Despite its wide field of view there was very little barrel distortion. Face recognition worked fairly well, but the subject must be within six feet or so of the camera and looking right into the lens to be recognized.
Motion detection alerts arrived instantly, but there was a pause before the camera began recording, which resulted in clipped videos. For example, when I pulled into the driveway, exited my car, and walked up my walkway to my front door, the video began with me opening my front door and missed the entire beginning of the event.
Similarly, the camera captured video of my mailman as he was walking away, but missed him walking up to my door. Video of passing cars showed the tail end of the cars passing the house and in some cases they were already out of sight. I tried all three Camera Working modes and adjusted the motion sensitivity settings, but the results were always the same. According to a Eufy spokesperson, this is a known bug that affects iOS users and is being worked on. I was also told that if you download the video to your phone you can view the missing parts, but this was not the case.
eufy camera comparison chart 2020
| eufyCam E | eufyCam 2C | eufyCam 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p | 1080p, Sony Starvis sensor |
| Field of View | 140-degree | 135-degree | 140-degree |
| Battery Life | 1-Year | 6 Months | 1-Year |
| Weather Proof | IP65 | IP67 | IP67 |
| AI | No | Human Detection Face Detection | Human Detection Face Detection |
| Spotlight | No | Yes | No |
| Anti-theft | Yes | No | Yes |
| Video Storage | 16GB SD Card, 3 Months Usage | 16GB EMMC, 3 Months Usage | 16GB EMMC, 3 Months Usage |
| Storage Expansion | Up to 128GB SD Card | USB storage expansion* *coming soon | USB storage expansion* *coming soon |
| Monthly Fee | No | No | No |
Compare with similar items
The DNN (deep neural network) algorithms that eufyCam uses are inspired by the human brain, which are designed to see patterns. By recognizing patterns, the DNN algorithms categorize the sensory data eufyCam receives to filter out irrelevant patterns, so only pertinent information is analyzed.
Once the patterns are analyzed and determined to be human, the facial-recognition engine kicks in to scan the faces to compare to the database to determine if you need to be alerted or not.
eufy camera comparison chart : eufyCam vs. eufyCam E — Things in Common
Two-Way Audio – Communicate with your delivery man without even having to open the door. The two-way audio technology allows you to seamlessly direct the postman on where to set down your package, as well as say hello to your loved ones, all from the comfort of your iOS or Android smartphone.
Live-View – Know what’s going on both outside as well as inside your home with live-view on-demand technology. Both eufyCam E and eufyCam sports a 1080p HD quality video, so you will see your guests arriving, or the postman bringing delivering your package in vibrant clarity.
Night Vision – Let’s not forget about night time too! Both smart cameras come with night vision technology. So that means you won’t have to be concerned anymore about odd bumps late at night, as you can simply check it out on your smart device, and confirm that it was your kid making a bathroom trip.
Field of View – Luckily, both eufyCam and eufyCam E have a decent 140° wide-angle field of view. This determines how much of your home and property you can see, and will come in very handy when needing to identify someone or something. If that’s an important feature for you, you could also check out the Arlo Ultra 4K which sports an impressive 180° super-wide viewing angle.
Alexa – Why not include Alexa too? Both security cams work together with Alexa, all you need are smart speakers such as Echo Show or Echo Spot. After which you can utilize simple voice commands like, “Alex, show me the nursery”, or “Alexa, turn off all my cameras”.
Battery Life – Both eufyCam’s devices impress us with their huge battery life. On a single charge, your smart camera can run for up to a year! Or 3 years in standby mode. The long battery life is what makes both eufyCams interesting and unique.
Storage – Not only do both cameras have an impressive battery life, but local storage to match! eufyCam E and eufyCam both come with a 16GB microSD card included, which allows you to store up to a year of footage, which breaks down to 10 videos daily being 30 seconds long. You can even take a step further and buy a 128GB microSD card, to amp that up even more.
However, you might like the fact that eufy’s microSD card is heavily encrypted, meaning that the average Joe can’t access your footage if he decided to swipe your card.If you like the idea of cloud storage, you can also sign up for an affordable monthly plan of $2.99 per month, and enjoy a 30 rolling cloud storage. Or you can upgrade it to an even higher capacity for an increased rate.
Anti-Theft Alert – Don’t worry about someone running off with your new smart camera, as both eufyCam and eufyCam E can be enabled to emit a blaring alarm, as loud as a jackhammer if someone decides to take that chance.
Operating Temperature – If you decide to stick your cam outside, you won’t have to be concerned about the outdoor elements, as both smart cameras can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -4° F to 122° F.
Set-Up – Luckily for you, both cameras are pretty easy to install and configure too. Anker includes two magnetic and screw mounts which you will use to mount your cameras to the wall, beams, etc.In terms of configuration, you’ll need to download the eufySecurity app which is available for both iOS and Android devices.You’ll then connect your Homebase directly to your network which should be at least 2.4GHz. Make sure to check your connection speed prior to getting a smart camera!Lastly, make sure to sync up your smart camera to the base via the downloaded app, and you’re ready to go!
eufyCam vs. eufyCam E — Differences
Difference #1: Motion Detection & Facial Recognition – The biggest difference between eufyCam and eufyCam E, is eufyCam’s advanced motion detection technology.Thankfully, now you won’t have to worry about receiving constant alarms with eufyCam. As it’s impressive facial recognition technology will differentiate between dogs, birds, objects, and people. It even detects the difference between faces it recognizes and has saved as well as new unrecognizable faces that it never detected before.So you won’t even have to worry about getting alerts about your spouse returning home from work.
And if they detect a potential pizza thief, eufyCam will alert you based on your security level preferences.While eufyCam E does have the motion detection technology, it doesn’t have the advanced AI facial recognition feature that comes with the more advanced eufyCam.However, if you already have eufyCam E, and you really like the sound of the more advanced detection technology, you can purchase the eufyCam HomeBase, and that will enable you to take advantage of the very same function.
Difference #2: Sony Sensor – The eufyCam 2 and 2 Pro are the only eufy cameras that comes with improved Sony Sensor which results in better night vision. However, even without the sony sensor, all other eufy cameras show good results recording at night.
Difference #3: IP Rating – A high IP rating is pretty important, as it refers to how weather resistant your smart camera actually is. The first number tells you how well your camera is protected from dust, and the second number refers to how well it handles liquids.With that being said, eufyCam comes out ahead with its IP rating of IP 67 vs. eufyCam’s E IP 65. Meaning that eufyCam is more waterproof, so good news for those of you who experience heavy rainfalls!While eufyCam’s E IP rating of 65 is pretty good, it does fall a little short when compared to eufyCam.
Differences #4: HomeKit – Right now HomeKit is only available on eufyCam 2, 2C, and 2 Pro connected to eufy HomeBase 2. With HomeKit you can connect products from different manufacturers for simple control via one app or Siri.
Difference #5: Zoom – Another way eufyCam impresses us, is with its 8x digital zoom function, which allows you to take a closer look at anything or anyone that interests you. This feature can come in very handy when needing to identify that package thief!Unfortunately, eufyCam E doesn’t have the zoom function.
Difference #6: Design – In terms of design, eufyCam is quite different from eufyCam E, its dimensions are significantly larger (4.2 x 2.2 x 2.2 inches vs. 1.9 x 0.8 x 1.5 inches). Giving it a more elongated form, when compared to eufyCam’s E compact size. However, both models are aesthetically pleasing with their white finish and would suit most homes, both inside and out.
Difference #7: Camera – Among eufy cameras, the eufyCam 2 Pro provides 2K video quality which offers more details and makes the image more sharp and clear. Other eufy cameras can only offer 1080p maximum, which is pretty good but not as good as 2K.
Differences #8: LED Spotlight – Only eufyCam 2C comes with Spotlight LED. With a spotlight, you can shine some extra light on the coverage area.
eufyCam vs. eufyCam E — eufy camera comparison chart 2020
| eufyCam | eufyCam E | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p HD | 1080p HD |
| Field of View | 140° | 140° |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 1 Year Usage | 1 Year Usage |
| Zoom | 8x Digital | No |
| Two-Way Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Facial Recognition | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP65 |
| Alexa | Yes | Yes |
| Local Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Anti Theft Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 4.2 x 2.2 x 2.2 inches | 1.9 x 0.8 x 1.5 inches |
| Operating Temperature | -4° F to 122° F | -4° F to 122° F |
| Color | White | White |
Which one is good for you –
- eufyCam – No movement zones and a spotlight and does not support HomeKit
- eufyCam E – A good quality camera and you don’t really care about HomeKit or Facial Recognition.
- eufyCam 2 – Perform well no matter if it’s day or night. It has Sony Sensor for night vision and HomeKit support.
- eufyCam 2 Pro –Bbetter video quality (2K), wide field of view to cover more area (140 degrees), and HomeKit support
- eufyCam 2C – No anti-theft alarm. Other than that, this a good quality camera, with motion zones and 180-day battery life.
eufy camera comparison chart 2020 with competitors – better alternative
| eufyCam | Arlo Pro 2 | Arlo Ultra | Nest Cam IQ Outdoor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p | 4K | 1080p with 4K upscale |
| Wireless | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 1 year | 3 months | 3 months | N/A |
| Object detection | Yes | With subscription | With subscription | With subscription |
| Facial recognition | Yes | No | No | With subscription |
| Field of view | 140° | 130° | 180° | 130° |
| Geo-fencing | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Night vision | 33ft | 25ft | 25ft | Unknown |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP65 | IP65 | IP66 |
| Fast charging | Yes | No | No | N/A |
| Local storage | Yes (encrypted) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Backup power supply | Yes | No | No | N/A |
| Anti-theft alert | Yes | No | No | No |
| Mounting options | Magnetic or screw mount | Magnetic mount | Magnetic mount | Screw mount |
| MSRP (camera kit) | $499.00 | $229.99 | $599.99 | $619.99 |
As you can see in the comparison table above, the primary differences between the eufyCam and Arlo are the battery life, facial recognition, the anti-theft alert, cloud subscription requirements and geo-fencing.
Arlo Ultra 4K offered more than the eufyCam E, including a wider field of view, color night vision, free cloud storage, and more. On the other hand, it costed over $100 more than the eufyCam E. For us, it really came down to whether we wanted premium features or an affordable price.
Buy the eufyCam E if you’re looking for…
- Higher-rated iPhone app: Both companies had great iPhone apps although the Eufy Security app was rated .4 higher than the Arlo app.
- More affordable price: Whether or not we had either camera’s hub, the eufyCam E was over $100 cheaper than the Arlo Ultra.
- One year battery life: Unlike the Ultra, the eufyCam E had a super-extended battery life.
- Guaranteed durability: The eufyCam was guaranteed to do better in the hottest temperatures.
- Easier installation: For easier installation and a better user experience overall, we suggested eufyCam E.
or, go with the Arlo Ultra if you’d like…
- Wider field of view: At 180 degrees, the Arlo Ultra offered the widest field of view possible, which was especially helpful when we used it outside.
- Color night vision: While color night vision wasn’t our personal favorite, we knew some people preferred it and enjoyed its addition to the camera.
- Motion-activated spotlight: Arlo Ultra’s spotlight was particularly useful outdoors.
- Google Assistant integration: Arlo Ultra worked with both a Google smart home ecosystem and Amazon Alexa.
- Artificial intelligence capabilities: Arlo Ultra offered person detection, package detection, vehicle detection, and animal detection with our free trial of Arlo Smart Home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eufyCam support motion zones?
No, eufyCam currently does not support the creation of motion zones. That means the camera always monitors its full field-of-view for motion events.
Does eufyCam support push notifications with preview images?
No, eufyCam doesn’t currently support rich notifications, like Arlo does as part of its premium subscription service.
Is the eufy Security app Available For Android devices?
Yes, the app is available for both iOS and Android.