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Ah, the indoor/ outdoor camera. It’s where I got my start, which is why I’m particularly excited to review the eufyCam E. eufy started with the RoboVac series and has since expanded into smart light bulbs, plugs, scales, security cameras, and more. In this review, I’ll be putting the eufyCam E through Security Baron’s Necessary Features test to see if it’s up to the highest of standards. Then I’ll take a look at its mobile application and compare it to some competition to see if it’s worthwhile purchase for your smart home. Let’s get started with the eufyCam E review!
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eufyCam E
The eufyCam E boasts 1080p HD video, a wide 140 degree field of view, free local storage, great infrared night vision and an integration with Amazon Alexa.
Promised Features
The eufyCam E Box
It feels like Christmas morning when the eufy box comes in, and boy, are they making promises. Here’s what I’m most excited about:
- Year-long battery life: Yes, you read that right. As this camera is completely wireless and can be used indoors or outdoors, I’m pleased to see that I’ll only have to replace the battery once a year.
- 1080p HD video: Of course, the eufyCam E has the industry standard of 1080p HD video display.
- Two-way audio: Plus, you can speak to whoever you’re recording with two-way audio.
Okay, now let’s open the box and see if these promises are true.
First Impressions
eufyCam E
At first glance, the eufyCam E looks strikingly similar to the Arlo Pro 2 . The camera has a shiny white facing with a black, pill-shaped camera that continues onto the ground. Keep in mind that you’ll need the HomeBase Kit in order to use the camera. The HomeBase Kit is another shiny white object, more of a rectangular prism than the rounded eufyCam E. Of course, one of this camera’s main attractions is that its batteries last a whopping 365 days.
It comes with a mount so you can screw it onto any flat surface , which I’m curious about. Plus, the camera has a slot for a micro-SD card for local storage. Eufy even gives you a 16-GB micro-SD card which should store up to a year’s worth of footage! With a speaker and microphone for two-way audio, the camera looks like it’s up to snuff.
eufyCam E Closeup
Obviously, with an indoor/ outdoor camera, you want to make sure it can handle even the toughest of weather conditions. eufy claims that their camera works in temperatures from negative four to 122 degrees Fahrenheit , which is pretty impressive. Concurrently, it has an IP rating of 65, which means its completely dust tight and can handle up to 6.3 mm water jets from any direction. As long as you don’t use more powerful jets or immerse it in water, it should continue to work through rain, sleet, and snow.
Necessary Features
eufyCam E Necessary Features Test
Now it’s time for my favorite part of any home security camera review, Security Baron’s Necessary Features Test. It’s how I review cameras in terms of video, audio, night vision, storage, artificial intelligence, smart home platform integration, convenience, and finally, overall value. Let’s see if the eufyCam E is up to snuff.
Video
eufyCam E Video Display
Like I said, the eufyCam E has the industry standard of 1080p HD video display plus a wide field of view of 140 degrees. Unfortunately, the camera can’t zoom in optically , so you won’t be able to see as much detail as you may like. Still, full marks for video!
Night Vision
eufyCam E Night Vision
The eufyCam E has infrared night vision, which I prefer over a bright white light. Although the latter will produce night vision in color, it’ll also be glaringly (no pun intended) obvious to anyone you’re recording, and I like security cameras that monitor in stealth. Full marks for night vision!
Audio
Fortunately, the eufyCam E has two-way audio so you can speak to whoever your camera is on. This feature is useful for a couple reasons. One, it can just make it easier to communicate with people from other locations and two, if you do end up having an intrusion, you can scare them from near or far. I’ve seen videos of intruders leaving the house upon hearing owners telling them to leave, so it’s extremely useful. Full marks!
Storage
eufy Cloud Storage Plans
As the eufyCam E comes with a 16 GB micro-SD card , you can always store your footage locally, or you can pay for cloud storage. The pricing for cloud storage is extremely affordable , only $2.99 for a month of storage on one camera. I’ve seen prices as high as $30 a month for the same amount of time, so this is incredibly reasonable.
I will say that figuring out how cloud storage worked was a bit of a hassle and actually required contacting Eufy. But despite this, I’m still giving the eufyCam E full marks for storage!
Smart Platform Integration
Amazon Echo Show Features
Got Alexa? You’re in luck. The eufyCam E integrates with Amazon Alexa , so you’ll be able to command it using your voice alone. Unfortunately, it won’t work with Google Assistant, so I can’t recommend it if you’re looking for a security camera that’ll integrate with your Google ecosystem. Still, full marks for smart platform integration.
Artificial Intelligence
Person Detection
Unfortunately, the eufyCam E lacks artificial intelligence in the form of person detection or facial recognition, so you might receive some unnecessary notifications. No marks for A.I.
Convenience
Setting up your eufyCam E is a three-step process. First, you’ll download the Eufy Security app , which will guide you through the installation process. After plugging in the HomeBase both to power and to the router with the included ethernet cable, you’ll run through a firmware update and add the device. Now you can decide how to mount your camera, either magnetically or threaded and hung up outside with the outdoor mount. As its a wire free camera, installation is easier than it would be if you had to deal with cords. Full marks for convenience!
Value
With the HomeBase, the camera kit costs $237.99, which is a bit on the higher side for security cameras. However, because the eufyCam E has a battery with a life of one year, I think its worth it. Full marks for value!
Extras
One extra feature? The eufyCam E has a built-in 100-decibel siren , about as loud as a rock band or jackhammer. You can see how this would be useful in the event of an intrusion!
The eufy Security App
The eufy Security App
You’ll monitor and control your camera using the Eufy Security app. It’s where you’ll livestream footage, access cloud storage, arm or disarm your camera, speak through two-way audio, receive notifications, and even create a schedule for your camera to arm and disarm, if you’d like. The app has great ratings, a 4.3 from the Apple store and a four from the Google Play store.
“The app is easy to use to watch live cameras or watch relays from motion activated activity. You can custom name each camera so know from the notification which camera was tripped. I’m very pleased,”
wrote an iPhone user in a recent four-star review.
GET BEST OFFER
eufyCam E
The eufyCam E boasts 1080p HD video, a wide 140 degree field of view, free local storage, great infrared night vision and an integration with Amazon Alexa.
Comparisons
Now I want to compare the eufyCam E to two of its competitors, the Arlo Ultra 4K camera and the Nest Cam Outdoor, both of which are okay to use indoors and outdoors.
Arlo Ultra 4K
Arlo Ultra 4K Camera
The Arlo Ultra 4K camera and the eufyCam E have much in common, including 1080p HD video, no zoom abilities, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and integrations with Amazon Alexa.
However, the Ultra has the widest possible field of view of 180 degrees , while the eufyCam E has a field of view 40 degrees more narrow. The Ultra offers color night vision from a bright white light, unlike the eufyCam E, plus person detection and an integration with Google Assistant . As far as storage goes, both cameras give you free local storage , but the Ultra also gives you a week of cloud storage on the house , while the eufyCam E only has paid cloud storage options.
However, the real advantage that the eufyCam E has over the Arlo Ultra is pricing. While the Arlo Ultra and the Arlo Hub cost about $400, the eufyCam E and HomeBase ring in at about $237, more than $150 cheaper. Ultimately, your decision will really come down to what you value. If person detection, color night vision, free cloud storage and a Google Assistant integration to you are very important, then the Ultra may be worth its exorbitant price tag. If not, go with the eufyCam E.
To learn more, read our full review of the Arlo Ultra 4K camera.
Nest Cam Outdoor
Nest Cam Outdoor
What do the Nest Cam Outdoor and the eufyCam E have in common? For starters, they’re equally as durable with IP ratings of 65 , they both have the industry standard of 1080p HD, plus infrared night vision, two-way audio and integrations with Amazon Alexa.
But that’s where the similarities end. While the eufyCam E has a field of view ten degrees more than that of the Nest Cam Outdoor at 140, the Nest Cam Outdoor can zoom in eight times compared to zero with the eufyCam E. Another example is storage. Nest doesn’t give you any local storage , while the eufyCam E comes with a 16 GB micro-SD card. But while the Nest Cam Outdoor comes with three hours of free cloud storage, Eufy’s cloud storage options are all paid, starting at $2.99 a month for 30 days. This same amount of time would cost $30 a month with the Nest Cam Outdoor, so ultimately, the eufyCam E definitely wins for storage.
The Nest Cam Outdoor has more smart platform integrations than the eufyCam E, not just Alexa but also Google Assistant and Philips Hue lightbulbs. And while the Nest Cam Outdoor can differentiate between people and other moving objects , the eufyCam E has no A.I features.
If you don’t already have a HomeBase, the eufyCam E costs more than the Nest Cam Outdoor by about $38, but if you already have it, it’s cheaper by $20. I would go with the Nest Cam Outdoor for its person detection, unless you’re an iPhone user in which case, stick with the eufyCam E. To learn more, read my full review of the Nest Cam Outdoor .
Recap of the eufyCam E
So, is the eufyCam E worth its price tag? While it’s not one of my favorite security cameras of all time, I think it’s a nice choice.
I’d buy the eufyCam E if you’d like…
- Amazon Alexa integration: If you’re already in the Amazon ecosystem, the eufyCam E would be a great addition.
- Free local storage: Plus, eufy gives you a micro-SD card, which is a nice bonus.
- Great video, audio and night vision: The eufyCam E meets and exceeds industry standards with 1080p HD video, an 140 degree field of view, two-way audio, and infrared night vision.
But steer clear if you definitely don’t want…
- No person detection: The eufyCam E can’t tell the difference between people and other moving objects, so you may get some notifications from pets, shadows, etc.
- No Google Assistant integration: If you’re looking for a camera that fits in with your Google ecosystem, the eufyCam E isn’t a good choice.
- No free cloud storage: Although cloud storage prices are affordable, you’ll have to pay a minimum of $2.99 a month for cloud storage.
Want to explore more options? Be sure to check out the best home security cameras of 2020.
FAQs
How much does the eufyCam E cost?
The eufyCam E costs $179.99 for the add-on camera and $237.99 with the eufy HomeBase if you don’t already have it.
Does the eufyCam E work with Alexa?
Yes, the eufyCam E works with Alexa.
Where can I buy the eufyCam E?
You can buy the eufyCam E on the eufy website, on Amazon or on Best Buy.
- Published on May 24, 2019