It’s true that back in the day, things were a lot simpler. Doorbells were just doorbells and floodlights were just floodlights. However, with the advances in technology that we have reached, it’s just natural for us to explore new ways to make stuff more useful. And with the reception of the Ring doorbells, it shows that a lot of people welcome the change.

In addition to their smart and multi functional doorbells, Ring also introduced their upgraded version of a security device. Half floodlight, half surveillance camera, and a whole home protection device, the Ring Floodlight Camera promises to add another layer of safety, convenience, and functionality to your property.

If you’re interested in knowing more about this item, read our in depth review below.

A Detailed Review of the Ring Floodlight Camera

Design and Features

True to Ring’s branding, the Ring Floodlight Camera looks exactly like what it is: a floodlight with a camera. It has two bulbs on each upper hand corner with a rectangular camera in the bottom middle on a circular base.

It will remind you somewhat of the classic emergency lights of old, except this one has a more modern silhouette. The camera also looks like a contemporary camera that reminds us of small loudspeakers, so it’s still pretty easy to tell that it’s not your regular floodlight.

Available in black and white bodies, you can choose which one will suit your property’s exteriors and architecture better. Lots of folks choose black to be less conspicuous while others like the white option as they look clean and maybe even have a decorative purpose in some modern homes.

Setup and Usage

What makes this product a hit is its simple installation. Like other IP home security cameras, you can set up the Ring Floodlight Cam within minutes even if you are not tech-savvy. You just need to download the app, power on the camera, connect it to the app, and then connect the device to your wireless network. Its app prompts will guide you in taking the steps to get everything done, making the installation a breeze.

However, since this is a wired device, you will need to connect it to a power source to keep it running. Doing this will most likely be trickier so some experts recommend hiring professionals to do the installing and electrical wiring if you’re not adept at such a task.

The usage of the camera itself is simple, too. Once it’s set in place, you don’t really have to do a lot with the main unit as its functionalities are accessed through the app. Because of this, it’s important to get the position properly the first time around so you don’t have to move it around anymore.

Video Quality

The images this camera records are of great quality. They’re sharp and clear but can have some distortion on the outer edges of the shot. With a 140-degree field of view, however, you can already cover a fantastic amount of coverage so you won’t really lose much in your footage.

Track and Zoom

Despite its price, this product doesn’t have a tracking feature so you can’t count on that. It has 6x digital zoom, however, so you can still get to see up close at the details of the scenes your camera has recorded.

Audio Quality

The quality of the Floodlight camera’s audio is also reliable. You can use it to record voices and sounds alongside your videos or for a clear two-way talk. It works like an intercom, so if you need something like such, this can be a solid pick.

To help guests and visitors feel more secure about their privacy, Ring recently rolled out its Audio Off Toggle feature which will let you manually turn the audio recording on. As a result, your guests don’t have to worry about having their conversations recorded.

The 110 dB siren is also noteworthy. It’s loud enough to distract and scare off intruders and to alert neighbors and residents about them.

Motion Detection

As the key component of the Ring Floodlight Camera, you can expect this item’s motion sensor to be top-notch. It is as it responds very quickly to getting woken up and will immediately notify you, start recording, and turn on the light (if you set it up as such).

To get accurate alerts and minimize false alarms, you can effectively tweak its settings. You can set it to only go off when humans are present and not animals, vehicles, or insects. You can also adjust its sensitivity level so it won’t get easily tripped by every moving thing within its range.

It also has motion zones that you can access and set in the app. With this feature, you can select a certain portion of the screen and limit the alerts to movements made in the specified area. By choosing an area that intruders will easily pass through, you will have better odds tho reduce the number of false alerts.

Floodlights

The 3000° Kelvin LED lights are also worth noting as they contribute to the overall performance of this device. You can configure them to be motion or manually triggered, so they’re rather versatile. They’re also pretty bright so you can be sure to effectively illuminate a space and throw off intruders from their plan. They’re also designed to help enhance the night vision mode of the camera unit, so you can be sure that it won’t have a negative impact on your footage.

Unfortunately, the bulbs of these LED lights are not replaceable. While they are said to be capable of lasting up to a decade, it can still be quite wasteful to need to replace the entire unit just because the lights burned out.

Cloud Storage Costs

Unfortunately, like other Ring products, you will be required to pay for a cloud subscription. It doesn’t have local storage so you can’t access or store your clips without having to pay for it.

How much do they cost? The service is initially free as the product comes with a 30-day free trial. After the trial period, you should have already decided whether to subscribe or not.

For plan upgrades, be ready to spend $3 monthly or $30 annually for the Basic plan and $10 monthly or $100 annually for the Plus plan. Without such services, you won’t be able to access all of the camera’s features and will only be limited to view the live feed. The subscription plans have great coverage and inclusions, however, that lots of people find them worth spending good money on.

Smart Home Compatibility

Being a Ring product, you can expect this device to be fully compatible with the Ring ecosystem. With this, you can use the other connected devices to help you make use of the camera with more ease. As for other smart home environments, the device isn’t compatible yet for integration.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

For your utmost convenience, you can access the Floodlight Camera controls through the Ring app and web portal. You can use either to tweak the settings, watch the live stream, and do more with your device without a hitch. Both are easy to use so you shouldn’t have a hard time using them.

FAQs

How does the Ring Floodlight Camera work?

The Ring Floodlight Camera is just like other home security cameras today. Its video recording and floodlight are motion-triggered which helps save power, data, and cloud storage space.

Are the Ring Floodlight bulbs replaceable?

No, the floodlight bulbs are not replaceable. The manufacturer says that they will last for up to 10 years, however, so there’s a chance that you’ve already replaced your camera by the time the lights burn out.

Does Ring work without a subscription?

Like the Nest cameras, Ring products do not record when you’re not subscribed to their cloud service.

Does the Ring Floodlight Cam record continuously?

No, this specific model doesn’t record continuously. Other wired products by Ring are slated to have such functionality through a cloud subscription, however.

Can I keep the floodlights on?

Yes, you can manually switch the floodlights on and off. You can also schedule when it turns on and off.

Conclusion

Equipped with the full range of the functionalities of a floodlight and a home security camera, the Ring Floodlight Camera can really be a convenient pick if you want to protect your property better. With just a single device you can already do a lot, so even with its relatively steep price tag, it can still be worth the investment for many.

Home safety is something lots of people are willing to spend a good deal of money on. This is why most of us want to live in a good neighborhood and are thinking of investing in a security system.

If you’re after the best home security camera that will offer you great convenience, top-notch performance, and the most advanced functionalities, you have to check out the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. Hailed as one of the best outdoor cams by tech experts, there’s a very good chance that this item will tickle your fancy. It’s loaded with lots of useful features that it easily stands out in the saturated IP camera market.

Interested in learning more about it? Here’s our review of the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor.

Product Review: A Closer Look at the Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor 4100US

Design and Features

From the first time we saw the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, we knew that it’s a different kind of security camera. Why? For starters, it looks interesting. With its convex shape, it doesn’t really look like a traditional camera. In fact, some might even mistake it for an odd light fixture as its head resembles that of a lamp.

Even its base and wall mount doesn’t look like a regular camera base. The sleek design of the camera hides the joint that allows the camera to move in all directions. As a result, it has a stationary look to it which is very different from what most surveillance cameras look like.

However, with its black faceplate, status light, and prominent lens, anyone who sees it will soon realize that it’s a camera. As it’s also quite big in size, it’s rather eye-catching and you won’t have a hard time catching its details.

Another notable thing about its design is the fact that it’s more weatherproof than the other outdoor camera from Nest. The IQ Outdoor is IP66-rated and can operate from -40F to 113F, making it suitable for outdoor use.

Setup and Usage

Like other Nest cams, the IQ Outdoor is simple to get up and running. Setting it up to start recording is as simple as connecting it to your wi-fi network, and adding it to your Nest app account.

What might take you longer, however, are its settings, mounting, and wiring. This device is highly customizable so you can tweak it according to your preferences and needs. As it’s also a plug-in device, you will need to do some electrical work to complete its installation.

The great news is, unlike the Nest Indoor Cam, its power cord is designed to be concealed. This promises a cleaner look and better durability.

Video Quality

Nest cams are widely known for their video camera so you can expect the IQ Outdoor to have clear and crisp images. Aside from being capable of recording clips in 1080p, its 4k sensor, intelligent imaging, and daytime HDR promise a “supersight”. You’ll certainly be able to see and tell what’s happening in front of the IQ Outdoor camera.

Even its night mode is impressive. It has 4 infrared LEDs so your night vision clips are clear and sharp. You’ll be able to see clearly faces that are up to about 10 ft away. However, it still has some difficulty in balancing the exposure between the illuminated areas and very dark backgrounds so expect some blurring and overexposure when viewing something that is close to the camera lens in the dark.

Combined with a 130-degree field of view, you can certainly get a good view of your property with the help of this camera. The clips recorded in the cloud retain this field of vision so you can easily zoom in and out of the areas your camera covers. You can turn off this feature, however, using the app.

Track and Zoom

As expected from products in its price range, the IQ Outdoor also has tracking capability. Once its motion sensor has been tripped by what the device has determined as human movement, it will track the motion so you can better monitor it from behind your screen. The actual device doesn’t move but the lens does, making it a rather inconspicuous pick.

This camera is also equipped with a 12x digital zoom with enhance functionality. Thanks to its 4k sensor, you don’t have to worry about losing picture quality if you want to take a closer look at certain areas in your clip.

Aside from tracking and zooming, this item also has a facial recognition tech, so your camera can detect who it is that you’re looking at. It’s a really nice touch but the tech itself is still being perfected, so don’t expect it to not have some issues.

Audio Quality

Aside from its HD video, the IQ Outdoor is also equipped with HD audio. It will record and stream the sounds its three mics pick up and it does this well. It also has a built-in speaker, so you can use the camera as an intercom of sorts or for deterring intruders.

Motion and Sound Detection

Another handy feature that the IQ Outdoor shares with other Nest cams are motion and sound detection. It has sound and motion sensors that will alert you using the Nest app about the movement or sound.

Its motion detection is more intelligent than others’, however. For starters, its sensitivity doesn’t need to be adjusted anymore as its 4k sensor does a great job in differentiating movements. It won’t be set off by blowing winds, moving shadows, or small animals.

With this, you can also count on its Person Alerts to perform better. Combined with its facial recognition feature, the IQ Outdoor really gets to do a reliable job in limiting false alerts. Compared to other cameras, it also does a better job of identifying the faces added to its database.

To help you further reduce the occurrence of false alerts, you can also set up activity zones. This way, only the movements in the areas you’ve selected will set off the IQ Outdoor’s alarms.

Cloud Storage Costs

Like other Nest Cams, the IQ Outdoor also doesn’t have local storage and records continuously. It also requires a subscription to the Nest Aware service so you can use all of the features of the device. Without it, you’ll only be able to access your camera’s live feed, its 3-hour history, and optional email alerts.

How much do you need to pay for a Nest Aware subscription? The 10-day rollover plan costs $10 per month or $100 annually. If you have more than 1 camera, you’ll need to pay an extra $5 for each camera per month or $50 annually. For a 30-day rollover plan, you’ll be billed $30 monthly or $300 annually with an added $15 monthly for each additional camera or $150 annually for each cam.

Smart Home Compatibility

Since it’s a part of the Nest Home collection, you can easily integrate the IQ Outdoor to a Nest environment. It’s also supported by Google Home, IFTTT, and Alexa.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

Another strong point of the IQ Outdoor (and Nest products in general) is its user-friendly app and web portal. Both are beautifully designed with the users’ ease in mind, so you don’t have to worry about it. Even if you’re not a tech expert, you’ll be able to navigate the app and web portal without too much fuss.

FAQs

What is the main difference between the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor and the Nest Cam Outdoor?

The Nest Cam Outdoor can only withstand water spray while the Nest Cam IQ can handle low-pressure water jets. This means that the IQ can be placed somewhere that it can get rained on moderately while the Nest Cam Outdoor can only get wet very lightly.

Can I use the Nest IQ without a subscription?

Yes, your Nest IQ Cam will still work even after your initial Nest Aware free trial has expired. However, you’ll have very limited access to its features so you won’t be able to get full use of its capabilities.

Conclusion

With everything said above, it’s not hard to see that the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is one of the most feature-packed and impressive options in the market today. With its range of functionality and superb performance, it might just be worth the splurge for many homeowners.

There are quite a number of non-negotiable features when people look for an outdoor security camera. They should be well-built, weatherproof and takes great quality images so they can be of any use at all. Since they’ll be placed outside, they have to be better, so it’s best if you don’t settle for a less than stellar pick.

When it comes to the most impressive DIY security cameras, however, the Nest Cam Outdoor Security Camera is always among the top contenders. With its design and range of features, it’s always one of the most highly recommended options out there. While it’s not perfect, it has everything you need in a reliable outdoor camera.

Thinking of getting one? Learn more about this product in our review.

Detailed Nest Cam Outdoor Review

Design and Features

So let’s start off with how the Nest Cam Outdoor looks. The camera looks good with its white color and convex shape that makes it look like a teacup. It’s minimalist and unobtrusive so it can easily blend in with most contemporary home’s style and architecture. As it’s also relatively small, it won’t exactly stick out like a sore thumb in many setups.

Despite its modern design, it’s still pretty easy to tell that this item is a camera and not just an oddly placed light fixture. With its black faceplate, large lens and pulsing status light, those who’ll see it will know that you’re watching them through the camera.

Its sleek design, however, is somewhat disrupted by its power cord. While it’s not as striking as the other Nest Cam’s, it’s still out in the open. Because of this, some aren’t too confident with the weatherproofing of the Nest Cam Outdoor. What you should know about it, though, is that the power cord are nicely designed for effective weatherproofing. It has a waterproof junction so even if it gets rained on, water and moisture won’t easily get into its interiors.

One issue about its design, however, is its magnetic attachment to its base. It’s not meant to lock into the base so it can be easily pulled off from its mount. If you’re going to put it outside your home, there’s a chance that it can get taken away if not well mounted.

Setup and Usage

Nest cams became a hit for its very simple installation and setup so you can expect the same from their outdoor model. It comes with everything that you need in mounting the camera outside from the screws to the cables and base.

Due to the placement of its power cable, you also don’t have to drill big holes into your wall like you would with the cameras that come with concealed cables. They can run along your walls since they’re heavy-duty anyway, saving you from the hassle of a major wiring project.

As for it’s mounting, the hardest part would be to place it way out of easy reach. Since the camera isn’t locked on the base, it can be plucked right out of its base with general ease so make things a bit harder for thieves by placing it high up on your wall.

Getting the camera up and running is perfectly simple. You just need to power it up, connect it to your wireless network and smartphone app, tweak its settings, and that’s pretty much it.

Video Quality

Next to its ease of use, the Nest Cam Outdoor’s video quality also wins lots of people over. It offers true 1080p resolution as it doesn’t just have a high-caliber lens but as it also has an all-glass lens, so you won’t lose image quality. As a result, its pictures are sharp and clean.

With the addition of 850nm infrared LEDs, you can also get high-quality pictures from this camera in its night vision mode. You can clearly make out the stuff it’s recorded in the dark, especially when it’s just a few feet away from the camera.

Paired with a 130-degree field of view, you’ll also get great coverage with this camera.

Track and Zoom

While it doesn’t have a tracking feature, this device has an 8x digital zoom which will let you see every detail in your footage.

Audio Quality

The sound capabilities of this camera are also impressive. The mic can pick up subtle sounds so you’ll be able to hear them in your live streams and recordings. It’s also clear enough for two-way talk, allowing you to understand what the person in front of the camera is saying in case you need to exchange some words with them. The speaker is also good as it provides clear two-way talk.

Motion and Sound Detection

Like other IP cameras, the Nest Cam Outdoor is also equipped with both sound and motion sensors. Its motion sensors are actually quite sensitive. Luckily, it’s quite smart that it’s capable of distinguishing the difference between random movements and people. While it doesn’t always recognize people, it’s still pretty smart as it always confirms that it detected motion before sending an alert through the app.

Aside from motion detection, it also detects sounds. If it hears a loud bang that it things you should be aware of, it will send you a notification with a snapshot as well.

True to the Nest cam tradition, however, this item also doesn’t just start recording upon getting its motion sensors tripped. It continuously records instead, so you can always log in to the app or web portal to monitor your property.

If you don’t want it to continuously record, however, you can use its Home/Away feature which will let you record nonstop when you’re not home and then stop recording altogether when it detects your phone to be within the vicinity.

Cloud Storage Costs

Based on lots of people’s feedback, the main drawback of the Nest cams is its cloud storage requirement. Without subscribing, you’ll only be allowed to access the basic features of the camera like its 24/7 stream, 2-way audio, Home/Away Assist, and Zoom and Enhance. You’ll also be limited to accessing only the most recent 3 hours worth of snapshots without a Nest Aware subscription.

If you’re going to shell out extra cash on the cloud service, how much do you need to spend? For a 30-day rollover history, you’ll need to pay $6 monthly or $60 annually. For a 60-day plan, you’ll be billed $12 monthly or $120 annually with additional rates if you’ll add more cameras to your network. These are actually the latest rates Google rolled out just in October 2019, in an effort to make their services’ pricing friendlier to the general public.

Smart Home Compatibility

Since Nest is a line made to make your home smarter, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Nest Cam Outdoor is ready to be integrated into a smart home environment. It’s certainly compatible with other Nest smart products. It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

Last but not least, Nest’s app and web portal are very easy to work with, so if you’re after something that’s easy to operate and use, the Nest Cam Outdoor will surely appeal to you. The intuitive user interface of its website and smartphone app makes highly preferred by many.

FAQs

Is the Nest Outdoor Camera waterproof?

Yes, the Nest Outdoor Camera is waterproof with its IP65 rating. However, the power connection of this camera is not entirely covered, so some folks aren’t too confident about leaving it exposed to the elements. Some even go as far as saying that it’s only ideal for light sprays of water and nothing more.

Does the Nest Cam Outdoor have night vision?

Yes, it has a clear and bright night vision mode.

What is the length of the power cable provided with the Nest Outdoor Cam?

The power cord of the Nest Outdoor Cam measures 25 ft in total. It has two parts, however, the first is the part that you connect to the unit which is 10 ft long. You can then connect it to a power brick or to a weatherproof extension cable that adds 15 ft more to its length.

Conclusion

With its solid set of features and its outstanding performance, the Nest Cam Outdoor Security Camera really makes a solid case for itself. And now that Google made its Nest Aware plans friendlier, it just became a more attractive option for many.

While there are tons of popular wireless cameras available today, all of them somehow find themselves compared to Google’s Nest Cam Indoor. As an improved iteration of the popular Dropcam Pro, the Nest Cam established itself as the home security camera to beat over the years for its good performance.

Released in 2015, the Nest Cam pretty much set the standard for today’s IP cameras. Its features may not sound so groundbreaking today but at the time it was released, it was one of the few with the most solid specifications. So much so that years later, lots of manufacturers still use the capabilities of the Nest Cam as a benchmark for their creations.

With these said, you might also want to get to know this product better. If you’re after the best camera for your home, you should certainly read our review for this Google product.

Nest Cam Indoor Review: A Close Look

Design and Features

The Nest Cam starts strong as its physical design stands out from the crowd. While most manufacturers create pod-shaped cameras, the Nest sports a sleek and minimalist look that gives it an ultra-modern and expensive appearance.

It has a black and gunmetal color scheme which is a stark contrast to the white and beige that other brands go for. The shape of this camera is also very contemporary. Its large circular head is offset by its slim body, then, everything is balanced out by its large and flat base. It looks like what a fancy modern camera should look like which is exactly what it is.

It’s also safe to say that this device is well designed. With its sturdy magnetized base, you don’t need to swap it out for another base. It can stick to a wall without a hitch. Its body has a joint that will let you adjust its angle, so if you wish to, you can have it sit flush against a wall. The only alternative accessory for its base is a tripod which will let you securely attach it to poles and bars.

What can be a bit off-putting is its white USB power cord. Since this item is a plug-in camera, you will need to use the cord to power your device. It’s rather jarring as the design of the unit itself is very sleek.

Setup and Usage

One major reason why the Nest Indoor Cam is so popular is its easy installation. You just need to plug it in then download the app and you’re pretty much set. The app will help you connect it to your wireless network and that’s it.

You also won’t break a sweat when putting the unit together. As mentioned above, its power cord is attached through a micro USB slot, so you just need to pop the cable in and you’re all set.

And since this item is a plug and play device, you also don’t need to fuss with buttons and controls to get it ready to record. Once it’s connected to your app and wireless network, it’s ready to start capturing the movements inside your home.

Video Quality

Lots of users also love the Nest Cam Indoor for its video quality. While most security cameras now have 1080p resolution, this product still takes the cake for its crisp and clear picture. You can easily see what’s happening in front of the camera. It also has a 130-degree angle, so you can already cover a lot of ground with just a single camera.

But it’s really the Nest Indoor Cam’s night vision that made waves upon its release. With 8 infrared LEDs, it’s capable of recording bright and clear pictures even in its night mode. Even in larger rooms, this camera was able to provide bright and clear footage.

Track and Zoom

This item doesn’t have a tracking feature but it has an 8x digital zoom. Combined with its high-resolution images, you can easily try to look at the details of your videos up close without losing a lot of quality. As the app also has an ‘Enhance’ function, you can get the small details in the videos you’ve recorded.

Audio Quality

Equipped with a mic and speaker, the Nest Cam will also let you record and transmit sounds. The audio in its recordings and live stream is decent and easy to understand. It also performs well as a communication device as its sounds are clear and crisp. Both the mic and speaker sound good so you can use it to talk to the person or animal in front of the camera.

Motion and Sound Detection

Even if the Nest Indoor Cam records continuously, it still has responsive sound and motion sensors that will help alert you in case they get tripped. You can easily opt out of that, though, in case you’re always monitoring the camera anyway. By leaving the alerts on, however, you’ll be sent a message with a snapshot of the area your camera is facing.

Further boosting this functionality is the subscription to Nest Aware, the brand’s cloud service. Additional advanced features for motion and sound detection are made available with the plans, so you can get more out of them if you wanted to.

Cloud Storage Costs

To be very honest, the cloud subscription of the Nest Cam is one of its main weaknesses. While the brand is quite transparent with what you’ll get with the camera, it’s still a bit disappointing that you’ll pretty much won’t be able to use the camera without a Nest Aware subscription.

If you don’t got for this service, you’ll only be able to access clips recorded up to 3 hours ago. You also won’t be able to use the app for live streaming or view the clips you’ve saved.

If you’re willing to spend extra on the cloud service, there are two subscription plans available. The basic Nest Aware plan costs $6 per month or $60 annually and will give you 30 days worth of storage. The Nest Aware Plus plan costs $12 monthly or $120 annually and will give you 60 days worth of storage with an additional 10 days of 24/7 video history.

Smart Home Compatibility

Since this item is made by Google, you can expect it to be compatible with smart home environments. You can certainly use it with the Google Assistant and Alexa and it’s also compatible with the Phillips-Hue and Chromecast. Those with Fire TV and Android TV can also stream their Nest cam automatically.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

The Nest Indoor Cam can be accessed through the Nest app (Google Play and App Store) and website. The Nest app has always been lauded for its well-designed, user-friendly interface, so you don’t have to fret about its usability. The website is also very easy to navigate so you will always have quick access to your clips and other Nest devices.

FAQs

Does the Nest indoor camera have audio?

Yes, the Nest Indoor Cam comes with a built-in mic. You can also adjust its settings easily.

How long does Nest record for free?

If you’re not subscribed to the Nest Aware subscription, you can only view the clips your camera recorded in the past 3 hours. You also will not be able to stream the live feed of the camera or access the clips that you have downloaded in the Nest app.

It doesn’t have local storage, however. So if you’re thinking of not shelling out for the subscription plans, you might want to reconsider as you won’t really be able to use this camera at its full potential that way.

Can the Nest cam record continuously?

Yes, this camera can record and stream footage continuously. This is why it’s also popularly used as an alternative for webcams for live streaming.

Conclusion

While the Nest Cam Indoor has its own shortcomings and can fall lean towards being more of a webcam than a security cam on some points, its performance is still unparalleled when pitted against other IP cameras in the market today.

Sure, it’s not the latest tech but it was a trailblazer and years after its release it continues to be relevant and at the top of its game. That really says a lot about how much of a reliable product this camera is. It’s just a shame that it has very limited functionalities without a cloud subscription.

For tech products, price is often used as a gauge for quality and performance as research and development cost a lot. However, it’s not an absolute truth as there are lots of affordable options that are great options as well.

The Reolink Argus Eco aims to be one of these picks with its very friendly price tag and advanced features. Not only is the price of the product friendly but its operation also will not cost you a lot. Its flexibility and versatility make it an attractive choice for an affordable outdoor security camera.

Should you give it a shot? Learn more details about this product in our review below.

Detailed Review of the Reolink Argus Eco

Design and Features

Sporting a bullet-style design, the Reolink Argus Eco veers away from the sleek and ultra-modern designs of its predecessors. Since it looks like a traditional camera with an updated sleek silhouette, it will immediately let lurkers and intruders know that your property has surveillance cameras installed. This can already deter some people with malicious intentions.

Equipped with an antenna, it promises stable connectivity so you don’t have to worry about its placement outside your house. It works with 2.4 GHz WiFi, making it easily compatible with most homes’ networks. Also on its base is its USB port for the charger and the solar panel.

On the bottom of the unit, you’ll find the speaker, MicroSD slot, and the reset buttons. On its face is where you’ll find the lens, mic and the sensor.

Setup and Usage

What makes it very easy to install is its wireless design. You don’t need to bother with cable management or electrical wiring as this device is rechargeable. To make things more painless for you, you can even hook it up to a solar panel, freeing you from the task of having to recharge the battery every so often.

Getting the camera up and running is also very simple. You just need to power up the camera, download the app, connect the two then connect the device to your wireless network and that’s it. As the app will prompt you with what to do next, the process should be quick and fuss-free.

Installing the base will require some handy skills but it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. Thanks to the movable design of the base, you can also easily mount it in various ways. However, if you’re going to hook it up with the solar panel, you might want to check the positioning first as the cable might make things difficult.

Video Quality

The Argus Eco also comes with a 1080p resolution like its predecessors. However, when compared to the Argus 2 or Pro, there are some quality differences. The field of view is also slightly more limited in the Eco but it’s not that much of a difference. It still offers a wide coverage that’s even better than some of its competitors.

In terms of picture quality, the Eco provides clear and sharp images no matter what time of day it is. Its night vision is nice as it can reach a long distance, providing you excellent coverage of your property.

Coupled with 6x digital zoom, you’re guaranteed that you’ll be able to look closer at certain details in the video that you want to see.

Audio Quality

Aside from video recording, the Eco can also record audio. So if you want to get a full picture of what’s happening in your property, you can also listen in on the sounds that are being made on the other end. The sounds are clear and crisp, so you’ll be able to tell what is happening.

Adding more functionality to this device is its 2-way audio. It will let you talk with the person in front of the camera or speak through the camera to let the other person know that you’re watching the camera’s feed. It’s a pretty common feature nowadays but the Argus Eco takes it up a notch with its ability to record audio. With this, you don’t even have to speak through the app anymore, you can just tap on the app or set it up to play when the motion sensor is set off.

Motion and Sound Detection

Unfortunately, the Reolink Argus Eco doesn’t come with a sound sensor so you’ll need to rely on movements to get the camera recording. Its PIR motion sensor, however, is designed to be more intelligent than other sensors to reduce the number of false alerts that you’ll get.

Upon detecting movement, however, it will notify you through the app and start recording. You can set how long the recordings should be.

Some folks aren’t big fans of PIR sensors, especially in the Argus line. If this held you back from getting the other items in the range, you might be glad to know that the Eco has an improved version. As a result, it picks up movement better, even though, it still requires it to move across its range.

Cloud Storage Costs

One drawback that lots of DIY cameras have is that they typically have pricey cloud services. The Argus Eco will let you avoid such as is cloud service is currently available for free. You’ll get 1GB of space for seven days of history with this plan, so if there aren’t lots of movements in your property, you won’t necessarily need more storage.

Letting you keep this device’s use free is its local storage. You can install a microSD card on this camera and you won’t need to upload your footage on the cloud anymore.

However, if you want to get more storage, you can also get it by upgrading your subscription. Reolink’s cloud service is very affordable and only starts at $3.49/month or $35/year for the Standard plan. It will already give you 10GB with a 30-day history. The Premier plan, on the other hand, costs $6.99/month or $69/year for a 50GB storage and 30-day history.

They also have a Business plan that costs $10.49/month and $104/year. It comes with 100GB storage and 60-day history.

Smart Home Compatibility

At the moment the Argus Eco model works with Google Assistant, but not with Alexa. the manufacturer has promised to have Alexa support in the future releases.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

If you’re familiar with the mobile app of the Reolink Argus, you will not feel unfamiliar with Eco’s app. It’s easy to use and has a lot of functionalities so you can tweak the camera’s settings to match its performance to your needs.

A great plus about the app is that it can be accessed by up to 10 viewers at the same time. This will make it easier for everyone in your household or team to monitor your property.

However, if you want to view the camera on your PC, Reolink doesn’t have a web portal. You can, however, download their web client so you can monitor several cameras in one place.

FAQs

Do I need to install the SD card if you plan to use cloud storage exclusively?

No, the use of local storage is optional so if you want to use cloud storage, you don’t need to buy an SD card.

How long does the battery last?

When fully charged, the Argus Eco’s battery will ideally last for 16 hours during the day and 9 hours at night with the IR LEDs in working mode. In standby mode, it can run up to 180 days This isn’t a solid measurement, however, since the camera doesn’t record continuously. So the more frequent it has to wake up and record, the shorter the battery life would be.

Does it need an internet connection to record?

Not necessarily. If you have an SD card in your camera, it will record locally once motion is detected. You just will not receive a notification and can’t stream the live feed on the app.

Does it come with the solar panel?

No, the solar panel is sold separately.

Conclusion

Despite being the more affordable member of the Argus line, the Reolink Argus Eco can still be a good choice for those who are looking for a no-frills and affordable choice. Its performance is up to par with the other items in the line but with a friendlier price tag, so it could easily be the perfect pick for many.