If you’re going to spend money on a piece of tech, it’s natural that you’d want something that will offer you great convenience. Something innovative is always welcome, especially in the case of security cameras as their new offerings might just bring on the surveillance solution you’ve been looking for.

This is why the Logitech Circle 2 Security Camera is such an appealing option for many. Feature-packed with tons of innovative functionalities, it’s a truly promising choice for those who want to get more out of their purchase.

What makes this item so interesting is the way it has taken regular security camera features up a notch. It’s certainly a step up from the first Logitech Circle. As a result, you can expect more from it.

But does it deliver on where it counts? We’ll help you find out in our review below.

Logitech Circle 2 Wireless Security Camera: A Detailed Review

Design and Features

The most striking thing about the Logitech Circle 2 is its design. It definitely looks like a modern camera with its rounded shape and flat face. The design is so minimal that it won’t look out of place in most contemporary homes. Some folks might even find it cute as its puck shape makes it appear quite whimsical.

As this item comes in wired and wireless versions, its composition comes differently. The battery-operated variety can be taken apart into two parts where the part that houses the lens, speaker, mic, and sensors can be separated from the one that houses the battery. The wired variety, however, is designed to be screwed into a different base that is connected to its power cord.

With this design, you can easily tell the difference between the wired and wireless versions as they tend to have a different shape altogether. Also, the power cord of the wired variety sticks out and isn’t hidden inside the mounting base.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll still get a camera unit with a white matte body and a black glossy faceplate. You’ll also get the same range of features, so you don’t have to worry about losing any functionality if you choose one over the other.

To further boost the functionality of your Circle 2, you can also get the different mounting bases that Logitech designed specifically for this item. You can opt for a magnetic base to make installation simpler on magnetic surfaces, a window mount so you can have your unit look out the window instead of putting it outside, or a plug mount which will let you have the camera sit flush against a power outlet. Other accessories, like a longer, weatherproof power cord extension, are also available.

Setup and Usage

Like other wireless home security cameras available today, the Logitech Circle 2 is also very easy to set up. It’s just a bit different than most of its competitors as it has a modular design. So when you receive your unit, you will need to do a bit of assembly before you can get the camera up and running.

Once you’ve put it together, power it up, download the app on your phone, then tap the setup function on the application. It will then prompt you of the steps you need to follow to get the security camera up and running.

Using this camera is also very straightforward. Once it’s set in place, it will already do the job for you. With the right base, you can also easily adjust its angle, so you can be sure to get the coverage you want.

Video Quality

The video quality of the Circle 2 is 1080p, so you can expect clear images from it. However, not everyone is satisfied with its picture quality despite being decent. As it has some barrel distortion, giving the shots a fish-eye effect due to the design of the faceplate, some folks aren’t raving about its video quality.

Track and Zoom

Due to its design, you should expect that this item doesn’t have a tracking functionality. However, it has a digital zoom so you can still close in on the details that you wish to look more closely into.

Audio Quality

If you wish to record the sounds around your camera or ensure that the 2-way talk functionality of the Circle 2 will let you communicate properly with the person on the other side, you don’t have to fret. The audio quality of this camera is good. Some find the speaker to be slightly quieter than what they find to be ideal but it’s not that bad.

Motion and Sound Detection

While this item has no audio detection, its motion sensors really stand out. The motion detection feature of this camera is precise and can be easily customized in the app. You can set Motion Zones and adjust its sensitivity to minimize false alerts.

This product also has Person Detection which ensures that the recording will only be triggered when the camera senses humans within its field of view. This will help you get accurate alerts and reports.

Cloud Storage Costs

Since the Circle 2 has no local storage, it relies on cloud storage to help you keep your clips. Every purchase of the Circle 2 comes with free Circle Safe storage which provides 24-hours storage, unlimited downloads, Smart Alerts, Smart Event, and the Day Brief feature that will give you a time-lapse of the activities recorded by the camera within the day.

You can also upgrade your service by paying for the Basic plan for $3.99 per month which will already give you 14 days’ worth of storage. By paying a bit more for the Premium plan that costs $9.99 per month, you’ll get 31 days’ worth of storage and a number of advanced features. These include Advanced Event filtering, Person Detection, Motion Zones, and Smart Location.

Smart Home Compatibility

Those who are building a smart home will also get to integrate Circle 2 cameras into their network. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also became compatible with the Apple Homekit just recently. You can also control it using the Logitech POP Smart Button.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

To be very honest, with the great design of the Circle 2’s app, you might not really want to look for other ways to control it. The web console is also easy to navigate, allowing you to do what you need to do without breaking a sweat.

FAQs

How long does the Logitech Circle 2’s rechargeable battery last?

Circle 2’s battery is rated to last for up to 3 months in a single charging. This means that you will need to take it down rather often to charge within a year. You can, however, just set it up in a way that will let you keep it plugged in so you don’t have to worry about recharging it every so often.

Can I view the Circle 2’s feed on my PC/TV?

The Logitech Circle 2 has a web portal at circle.logi.com so you can access the live feed of your camera there. It can be viewed on your TV with the help of Google Assistant or a Chrome cast.

How well does it work in cold weather?

As per Logitech’s tests, they found out that the Circle 2 can work without any problems at up to -10 C weather.

Can this camera record continuously?

No, the Circle 2 is designed to start recording after its motion sensor is tripped or once you engage the live stream feed on the app. It doesn’t record non-stop.

Conclusion

There’s really a lot that you can do with the Logitech Circle 2 Security Camera as it’s brimming with useful features. Its design alone will give you a lot of flexibility in terms of installation. Its wide field of view is also a great plus as it can reduce the need for you to monitor several feeds. Topped with free cloud storage, it hits the bull’s eye for many homeowners.

Sure, some advanced features are not accessible without the Premium cloud subscription but if you need a lot of storage anyway, it can be worth the splurge since you’ll also get other functionalities as well. The fees aren’t that bad, too, so it’s definitely worth looking into.

Setting up a surveillance system has always been a relatively costly project. However, things really became more budget-friendly when IP cameras became available in recent years. The way they simplified the technology also helped make more affordable cameras available.

The Foscam Security Camera is one good example of such affordable surveillance products. Not only does it attract through its price tag but its simple set up helped it establish itself as a solid option nowadays. In short, it’s a practical and convenient option that lots of households will find suitable for their needs.

Interested in what the Foscam FI9900P has to offer? Check out our detailed review below.

A Closer Look at the Foscam Outdoor Wifi Camera FI9900P

Design and Features

The Foscam Security Camera is categorized as a bullet camera based on its design. It has an elongated head that houses the 2MP camera and 30 IR LEDs and a locking swivel wall mount as its base. It’s housed in a brushed silver housing which gives it a clean and modern appeal. It also has a black antenna to boost its wi-fi signal.

With this design, it looks like a traditional security camera. So if you’re looking for something that doesn’t look like one, you might have to check out the other products instead.

An important detail to note about this item is that it’s not completely wireless. It’s not battery powered so you’ll need to find an electric outlet to plug it into. It also comes with several RCA jacks in case you wish to use an external mic and speaker with it.

Setup and Usage

One of the strongest suits of the FI9900P is its very simple installation. To get this camera up and running, you just need to plug it in, scan a QR code on your phone for the app, connect the app to your local internet network, and then follow the installation prompts. Setting up the camera is way faster than mounting it, so if you’re not technically-inclined, you don’t have to worry about setting up this camera.

Due to its design that requires it to be plugged in, you will need to pull off some wiring and cable management to mount it anywhere. If you intend to put it outside, you might also need to drill a hole through one of your house’s walls, so make sure to take that into careful consideration as well.

It’s important to note, however, that you should do your set up in a spot where your wi-fi connection is strong and stable. Some users even recommend connecting the camera to the ethernet first to ensure that the connection won’t drop in the middle of the process. We also think that it’s a better method, especially since you might want to update your unit’s firmware before mounting it outside.

Aside from the camera, you might also need to set up a static IP address for this camera. Doing so will make it easier for you to access the camera’s feed within your network.

Video Quality

This is where the Foscam FI9900P really shines as it offers a real 1080p video resolution. The images are clear and crisp, guaranteeing that you’ll be able to see what’s happening in the area it’s pointed to. With its 98-degree field of vision, it can also cover a good amount of ground.

The Night Vision feature of this security camera is also very reliable. Its IR Cut filter has a viewing distance of 65 feet and maintains a clear picture all throughout.

Track and Zoom

Like other low-priced IP cameras, however, the FI9900P doesn’t come with a tracking feature. However, it has 2 kinds of zoom: digital and magic. The 6x digital zoom is a great addition for the night vision function while the 2x magic zoom ensures that there is no distortion when you want to look at something more closely.

Audio Quality

The FI9900P doesn’t come with a built-in speaker but you can connect one to it using the RCA jacks that the camera comes with. With this, you can choose to get a high-quality model and make the most out of the security system.

It also doesn’t have a built-in microphone, so you will also need to add an external one if you want to record sounds alongside your videos. Because of this, you also shouldn’t count on this camera to have sound detection.

Motion Detection

Upon sensing motion, the Foscam FI9900P will start recording and will then send you a notification that the security camera has been tripped. You’ll get a pop-up notification from the app noting the alarm with the date and time of the incident. It will not include a snapshot or other details, however.

Again, similar to other affordable IP cameras, this item doesn’t record continuously. It relies on its motion sensor to trigger the recording process. However, you can have it record continuously by installing an SD card.

The interesting thing about the motion sensor feature of this camera is that it’s designed to be customized according to your needs. You can tweak its settings like its sensitivity and set trigger zones to minimize false triggers. However, its IR LEDs tend to make the motion sensors a lot more sensitive, so expect more false alarms in the evenings.

Cloud Storage Costs

The Foscam FI9900P comes with a free trial of the Foscam Cloud service but it’s not necessarily required for you to use the camera. Paying for it, however, will let you enjoy more services like a more detailed notification message among other things. As it’s relatively cheap at $7.99 per month that will already let you store 7 days’ worth of clips, the subscription deal isn’t that bad as well.

If you don’t want to pay for the cloud service, you can use its SD card slot or connect your camera with an ONVIF-embedded NVR and NAS. Both are just a bit trickier to work with, however. The SD card requires you to dismantle and take out the actual camera lens from its housing which voids its warranty. Using an NVR also requires some wiring so that might complicate things for some folks.

Mobile Apps and Web portals

To access the camera, you’ll need to use the Foscam mobile app or web portal. The app is rather easy to use so you won’t struggle in viewing and accessing the clips your camera has recorded. The web portal is also nicely designed and is easy to use.

There are some limitations, however, as you won’t be able to access the SD card through them. You will need to manually remove the SD card to get its content.

FAQs

Are Foscam cameras secure?

With some research, you might learn that there were security issues with Foscam cameras in the past. However, they have all been addressed by the manufacturer, completely eliminating the vulnerability it once had. As a result, it can now guarantee a secure system.

Can you watch live feed through an internet browser?

Yes, you can log into your www.myfoscam.com to view the live feed of your Foscam camera.

Does this camera have a built-in two-way audio communication?

No, it doesn’t. However, you can still enjoy the said functionality by getting an external mic and speaker for it.

What is the length of the power cord?

It’s 4-6 ft long so you might need to find a good spot for this camera where it’s also near a power outlet.

Conclusion

All in all, you can count on the Foscam Security Camera FI9900P to be a reliable pick for a budget-friendly home security camera. It will help you cover all your bases and ensure to help you monitor your property effectively. As it’s also very easy to install and work with, there’s really no reason not to give it a shot. Combined with its friendly price tag, you should definitely check it out.

While it does have some shortcomings, its price tag can easily make up for it. The fact that it’s highly customizable might also make it very appealing for many property owners.

There are lots of tech products that are overhyped and overpriced. They’ll be the talk of the town thanks to their team’s amazing marketing campaign but will fall short when it comes to performance. However, there are also quite a few amazing products that are quite a steal for their friendly price tag and amazing performance.

For its price and list of features, the Ezviz Outdoor Security Camera can be deemed as one. This feature-packed item will shock you and make you think that there’s something wrong with the listing as it’s so affordable. For its long list of functionalities, its asking price is certainly surprisingly friendly.

If you’re drawn into this product by this fact, you might also want to get to know more about this item. Is it too good to be true? Does it deliver great results? Is it the steal you’re looking for? Find out in our review below.

A Detailed Review of the Ezviz Outdoor Security Camera

Design and Features

Described as a bullet camera by some, the Ezviz Outdoor Security Camera or Ezguard is actually a more modern version of the classic bullet design. While it’s still seated on a swivel base, it’s a lot more flexible and less bulky in appearance. This is mostly because of its rounded head which helps make it smaller and softer in appearance. Its white coloring with thin red lines also adds to its modern minimalist style.

You won’t mistake it for anything other than a surveillance camera, however. Its lens is prominent on its head and it also has two antennas on the side of its head.

Aside from its lens, however, the head also houses other key components of the Ezguard. Around the lens is its strobe light that you can turn on remotely through the app. The siren, mic, and speaker are also all located inside.

Positioning the Ezguard is also perfectly simple and easy to do. Its 360-degree swivel base will make it easy for you to install it on a wall, ceiling, or under an eave. You can easily position it so it can get the exact angle you want to have when monitoring your property or surroundings.

Setup and Usage

You don’t have to break a sweat to set up this security camera. You just have to plug it in, download the app, create an account, connect the unit to your wi-fi network, then follow the prompts on the app for installation. It’s a rather simple and straightforward process even if it takes a few steps to accomplish.

What might take you longer, however, is the actual mounting of the camera. Since the Ezguard isn’t a battery-powered camera, you will need to do some electrical work to plug it in if you’re placing the unit outside. The drilling, wiring, and cable management will surely consume more time than getting the camera to work. Tweaking its settings might also take you a while as well since this camera comes with a lot of functionalities.

Using the camera is also pretty straightforward. Some users still ask for improvements on the Ezviz app but it’s already decent and workable as it is. There are some things that they can improve on to make it more user-friendly, however.

Video Quality

Among the many reasons that the Ezviz Outdoor Security Camera was able to gain a lot of attention is its high-quality video. It offers true 1080p resolution. Coupled with its 92-degree field of view, it can help you cover a lot of ground when monitoring your property.

Its night vision mode is also impressive, thanks, mostly to its combination of infrared lighting, ICR infrared filter, and anti-reflection panel. It can also give you a clear shot of what’s up to 30 meters away, giving you more coverage even in the dark.

Track and Zoom

Unsurprisingly, this item doesn’t come with a tracking feature that is common in high-end products. With its price tag, you can’t really count on such a feature. It has an 8x zoom, however, so you can still look more closely at certain areas within your footage.

Audio Quality

We’re also very glad to share that the audio quality of the Ezguard is quite reliable. With its help, you can record clear sounds without a hitch. If you’re also going to use the camera to converse with the person in front of the camera, you won’t have a hard time understanding each other as the speakers are also good. Lots of users find it useful in various situations.

Motion and Sound Detection

Another strength the Ezguard has is its powerful motion sensor. It’s very accurate that some folks tend to find it as its major flaw. It does really well in detecting motions that sometimes it overperforms.

How? It can be overly sensitive at times. On some occasions, it has detected lights from cars, flying insects and debris, as well as plant movements caused by the wind as legitimate motions to alarm homeowners about. This can make false alarms quite frequent unless you tweak the sensor’s sensitivity settings.

The good news is, you can do something about its very responsive sensor. You can set its activity zones and limit the areas where it should set off. You can also lessen its sensitivity or set a schedule for its alarms to limit their frequency.

Cloud Storage Costs

Here is where Ezguard’s other strength lies as it’s very flexible when it comes to storage. You can either pay for a cloud subscription, use a microSD card, or hook up your camera to an NVR unit.

The purchase of a new Ezviz Outdoor Security Camera comes with a free 1-month subscription to the CloudPlay plan. With its bank encryption and a variety of inclusions, it certainly makes a good case for users to continue their subscription. However, it’s not necessarily required and you can still use most of the camera’s features even without it. So you won’t feel like you’ll be forced to pay for the services should you opt for it.

Local storage through the microSD card slot is possible. This device can work with cards up to 128 GB in size and will continue to record and live stream through the app the same way as it will when you’re connected to the cloud. The only difference is that to retrieve the clips, you’ll need to access the SD card directly. Recording through the NVR is pretty much the same.

Smart Home Compatibility

While the Ezguard camera doesn’t interact with the other devices connected in a smart home environment, but it works with IFTTT, Google Assistant, and Alexa devices so it’s not that primitive.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

You can view the stream of your Ezguard through the Ezviz app on your phone or the Ezviz Studio for your PC. Both are rather simple to use and navigate so you won’t have a hard time tweaking the settings and using the features of your camera. Both software applications are free to download and use, so you don’t have to worry about spending more than the camera’s listing price.

FAQs

Does this camera have to be plugged in or does it run off a battery?

The Ezviz Outdoor Security Camera is not a battery-powered camera so you will still need to plug it into a power source for it to work. This can be the trickiest part of its installation, especially if you’re going to put the camera outside. Its power cord is 10 feet long, however, so it should be long enough to reach a reliable power outlet.

Can you record without the cloud service?

This Ezviz camera can record even if you are not subscribed to a cloud service as long as you have inserted a micro SD card in the unit.

Can you turn off the siren and motion detection?

Yes, you can customize the settings and how the camera works using the app according to your preferences.

Do you need a base station for this camera?

No, this camera will connect directly to your router and wifi network so there’s no need to connect it to a base station.

Does this camera work without WiFi or internet?

One of the best things about this product is that it can still work without wi-fi or internet. You will lose lots of functionalities like the ability to watch the live view on the app, however. It can still record clips in its local storage even without an internet connection so you can just watch the footage later.

How do I install Ezviz outdoor camera?

As mentioned above, the manual installation of the Ezviz outdoor camera can be the trickiest thing to do when setting it up. The power cord tends to complicate things as it requires some wiring and cable management.

How do you install it, then? It’s really up to you and where you intend to place the camera. The wall mount is easy to deal with as you only really need to drill it into a wall or onto the ceiling. The cable management is up to you, though.

Do Ezviz cameras deter burglars?

Yes, cameras are quite effective deterrents against burglars and intruders. Just their presence will already make folks with malicious intent think twice about what they plan to do as there’s a high likelihood of them getting caught red-handed.

With this item’s features meant to deter burglars and intruders, you have more chances of driving such people or pests away. The 2-way audio, loud siren, and bright LED strobe lights are great extras if you want to spook intruders and let them know that you’re watching.

Conclusion

Compared to other IP cameras three to four times its price, it can be said that the Ezviz Outdoor Security Camera can hold its ground. With its friendly price tag and set of advanced features, it will prove to be an attractive option as setting up a security system with these cameras will be a lot friendlier to your wallet than other brands. You’ll also get the same performance and features, so why not give it a try?

Nowadays, it’s not new for appliances and devices to take the extra mile to offer something new to consumers. Some are very useful while others can be a bit outlandish and unnecessary. Others are just quite odd in the combination of their offerings but are still very useful.

The Canary All in One is a great example of these home devices that can be a bit hard to place due to the combination of its functionalities. It’s generally classified as a home security camera since its primary features are meant for video surveillance. However, it also comes with a set of air and temperature sensors, helping you monitor not just the situation in your home or business but also the air quality and the environment in it. ‘

The extras can be a bit weird but it works and proves to be a handy device to have on hand. Those who need to monitor the temperature and air quality inside their homes will surely appreciate that they can already monitor lots of details inside their property using a single device.

If you’re looking for a home security camera and an air quality monitoring device at the same time, read on for our review of the Canary All in One.

Canary All In One Product Review

Design and Features

There are quite a few striking things about the Canary All in One and at the top of this list is its appearance. It doesn’t look like the other wireless home security cameras available in the market today so some might not know what it is exactly at first glance.

Its cylindrical shape resembles the small speakers that come with desktop computers and is meant to stand alone on top of a flat surface. The only thing that will clue you in on its actual nature is the lens that sits in the middle of the face of the device.

Due to its design, don’t expect that you can mount the Canary All in One on your walls, however. It doesn’t come with a magnetic base or wall-mounting accessories, so you will need to find a flat surface to place it on.

Now officially referred to as the Canary Pro, the Canary All in One comes with all of the features you need in a home security camera. It has high-definition video, night vision, motion sensors, and 2-way audio. It also has a siren, offering a deterrent in case of a home intrusion.

But what really sets it apart is its environment gauging features. Its temperature gauge, humidity sensor, and air quality filter add a whole new aspect to this home monitoring device.

These sensors are found at the bottom of the unit alongside the LED light ring that works as an indicator of the status of the camera. It turns green when armed and yellow when unarmed. It blinks red when looking for a network and goes solid red when offline. On the other end of the camera is the siren.

Setup and Usage

Setting up the Canary All In One is perfectly simple like many other home security cameras in the market today. All you really need to do is to download the Canary app, create an account, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

While we still recommend that you read the instruction manual that will come with the unit, there may not be any need if you choose to follow the setup instructions on the app to a T. the process shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes, according to the folks at Canary. But if you encounter a snag somewhere along the installation process, you can check out the troubleshooting guides on their website.

Using the camera is perfectly simple. You don’t really have to fiddle with the camera unit for it to work as everything can be handled on the app.

Video Quality

Canary All in One’s video quality is also one of its major draws. Its 1080p resolution is bright and crisp in daylight and clear and high-quality in night vision mode. Its sensors also help smooth out the video in low-light modes, promising sharp and distinct images all the time.

Track and Zoom

While tracking isn’t one of the offerings of the All in One, it has a zoom, tilt, and pan feature on the app. So while you view the clips or live stream on your phone, you can easily check the details up close.

Audio Quality

Equipped with a high-quality microphone, the All in One also does a great job in picking up audio. It’s sensitive enough to pick up the conversation within the same room it’s placed in and can also pick up the sounds from a much farther distance. Some say that they were able to record conversations done in rooms next to where their Canary camera is placed, so that’s pretty impressive.

This item is also equipped with a speaker and can be used for 2-way audio. However, this feature is only available with certain subscriptions, so you might want to check the packages available first if you want to use this feature.

If you can’t use the built-in speaker to deter the intruder in your monitored area, you can just turn the built-in siren on the All in One. It’s very loud and can create sounds up to 90 decibels so it will certainly get to inform your intruders that they’re not welcome in your space.

Motion and Sound Detection

The motion sensor of the Canary All in One is its main trigger for recording clips. And like other home security cameras, it will send you a notification when the motion sensors are tripped.

However, the motion sensors of the All in One is quite sensitive. Lots of users have experienced it to be tripped by the smallest movements including shadows. It’s a bit of a letdown but the folks at Canary are already working on improving it. To minimize false alerts, you can set on the app which kinds of movements it should alert you about, letting you inform your system if you have pets roaming around the house.

To make the system easier for you to use, Canary also designed the All in One with automatic arm and disarm features. With its geo-fencing function, it will be on the lookout for your smartphone. So if you’re at home, it will automatically disarm the system so it won’t keep sending you notifications when you trigger the motion sensors. It will automatically arm itself when it stops detecting your smartphone in your selected area.

Cloud Storage Costs

All of the videos recorded by the All in One go straight to the cloud as it doesn’t have local storage. As each purchase of this item comes with the Basic cloud storage subscription, you can rest assured that the clips recorded within the last 24 hours will be saved. You can also access the camera through the live view without any problems.

Note, however, that you’ll only be able to record 30-second clips with the free Basic service. If you want to record longer clips, you can easily subscribe to their other plans. They can get pricey, however, as the Premium Service costs $9.99 per month.

Compatibility with Smart Home Devices

The new Canary Pro cameras are compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant. So if you’re thinking of adding this camera to your smart home environment, it shouldn’t be too much of a hassle to do so.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

Another reason to give the All in One a shot is its mobile app. It’s so user-friendly that it can be the perfect pick for those who are looking for a fuss-free home security camera. The app is very easy to navigate and its interface is not intimidating at all. So even first-timers who are just testing the waters by getting a camera like this won’t have a hard time setting up and using this Canary product.

The web portal, on the other hand, is rather bare-bones. You might be better off with the app if you want a seamless operation.

FAQs

Is Canary a good security system?

The Canary offers a good range of products and based on the All in One review above, it can be said that the brand can offer a reliable security system. It will still depend on your household’s needs, however, to learn whether it’s a good match or not.

Does Canary work without a membership?

No, you can still use a lot of the basic features of the Canary All in One without ponying up for their premium plans. However, if you want to use all of the features of this product, you will need to cash out.

Can the Canary All in One record continuously?

No, as mentioned above, the Canary All in One only starts recording when its motion sensors are tripped. There’s no continuous recording option for this product.

Conclusion

For its friendly price and easy to use app, the Canary All in One is definitely an attractive option for lots of households. It performs really well, too, so it’s practically a steal if not for its costly subscription plans. This is really the only drawback of this product, so make sure to take it into close consideration when making a call.

As an upgrade to the successful Blink XT, there’s a lot of pressure on this model to do better than the original offering of the crowd-funded brand. The XT was greatly received, as proven by the amount it raised and the number of units shipped out on its first year of production. In addition to this, Amazon purchased Blink just recently, so it makes sense that lots of people are looking forward to the brand’s latest offering.

Blink XT2’s roster of solid features was able to meet the public’s high expectations, however. It’s certainly a step up from the original XT and offered a budget-friendly player in the DIY home security game.

It’s a truly alluring pick that some folks think it to be too good to be true. Is that really the case or is the Blink XT2 worth the hype? Find out in our review below.

The Blink XT2 Review

Design and Features

The Blink XT2 comes as a black square boxy device. On its face is a panel at the center where the lens and the audio hardware sit. It’s also where the brand logo is depicted. It doesn’t necessarily look like a traditional camera. But if you’ve seen some of the latest home security systems available right now, you’ll be able to tell that it’s one of the more modern options. Its sync module is similarly shaped but is plainer and a bit smaller.

The XT2 is lightweight and balanced enough to stand alone. However, it also comes with a mount so in case you need to attach it to a wall, you won’t have to fuss about it.

Along with its appearance, you can also expect quite a number of modern features from the XT2. For starters, the spherical housing that sits under the camera houses its motion sensors. With this, you don’t have to go through hours of empty footage as it will trigger the recording for you as soon as it senses movement. It also has a built-in speaker and microphone, allowing you to record and transmit audio as well as project sounds from the Blink App.

Its construction is also reliable as this item is rated for both indoor and outdoor use. It’s waterproof so you can install it outside your house without having to worry about exposing it to the harsh elements.

Its battery life is also worth noting. Rated to last for up to 2 years (depending on your usage), it certainly ups the painlessness in having a home security system.

Setup and Usage

One of Blink XT2’s biggest promises is a truly wireless experience, so it makes sense to expect a pain-free installation. For the most part, it delivers such if you’re not necessarily looking for a complicated or feature-loaded system.

The Blink XT2 security camera is virtually a plug and play device, like the other products from the brand. All you really need to do is to power the unit up, plug in the sync module, scan the bar code on your unit, then download the Blink App on your smartphone. From there, you’ll already receive the step-by-step instructions on setting up your system. Follow them closely and you’ll surely set up your camera system in less than five minutes.

Using this product is simple. Navigating the app is easy, although sometimes it tends to have some quirks which you should be able to handle in not time.

Integrating the XT2 to a smart home platform is straight forward. The camera is ready to connect to Alexa, compatible with IFTTT and can be live-streamed using the Echo Snow, Echo Spot, and Fire TV products. With a little beginner level home automation skills; you should be able to integrate with your existing automation system.

Video Quality

Like many of the most popular home security cameras in the market today, the XT2 also features 1080p recording. Its videos are clear and crisp, guaranteeing that you’ll get a good picture of what’s happening in the area you’re monitoring. It doesn’t get blurred even when recording something in motion. It also comes with an infrared night vision, so you can continuously watch over certain areas even with the lights off.

Tracking and Zoom

Since it comes with a very friendly price tag, we didn’t really expect more advanced features like tracking. Unfortunately, there’s also no image zoom which might be something you may need to consider when choosing this device.

Audio Quality

Being the first Blink product to have a 2-way audio, it’s certainly an exciting option for those who are interested in the brand. The good news is, the mic does a great job in picking up audio.

The speaker is also decent despite having a low volume. So if you’re planning to use it as a deterrent, it might not work as well as you intend it to be.

Motion and Sound Detection

The first thing that you need to know about this functionality of the XT2 is that it doesn’t have sound detection at all. However, its motion detection is at a different level, thanks to its passive infrared sensor. With this feature, it also detects body heat, guaranteeing that the camera will only be triggered by an actual living creature.

This is a great plus due to the way the recording functionality of the XT2 is configured. It doesn’t have a continuous recording option, so it’s crucial that it gets to record the most important stuff. With an accurate motion trigger, you’re guaranteed that it will be able to capture movements in the areas you’re monitoring.

Aside from its sensor, the Activity Zone feature in the Blink App is also very useful. It will let you map out the areas you want to cover. You can go for the Basic mode which will let you set the motion detection on a wide area or use the Advanced mode which will let you zoom in on specific spots for more precision.

Cloud Storage Costs

Another reason why Blink is such a great system is the fact that they do not force customers to pay for subscription services. Instead, they have various customizable services that are available for free. They’re pretty limited but can be upgraded, so you still have the choice to go for their paid subscriptions.

What comes with the XT2 is a 2-hour storage service on the Blink cloud. Once it fills up, older clips will be deleted automatically. As this camera does not have a continuous recording functionality, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to save old clips before your 2-hour allocation is filled.

Smart Home Compatibility

As mentioned above, the XT2 is compatible with Amazon Alexa and the IFTTT so if you have those systems in place in your home, you can easily add this camera to your network. You can then use and operate the camera using the other devices in the system.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

As at the time of writing this review, you can only access Blink cameras using the Blink App. There’s no web portal available which can be a pro and con at the same time. The app’s straightforward design makes it easy to navigate, however, so it shouldn’t be a problem for most users. It might even be more appealing for some as the app lets you do everything in one place.

FAQs

Is Blink XT2 good?

With the features and price tag of the Blink XT2, it can be said that this product is highly satisfactory. It performs well and has comparable performance to higher-end products so it can definitely be the best budget pick for home security.

How does the Blink XT2 work?

The Blink XT2 works using its motion detection. It will start recording clips once its motion sensors are tripped. You can set how long the clips should be or set the recording to last until the camera stops detecting motion.

How long do Blink batteries last?

Blink XT2’s batteries are meant to last for up to 2 years without the need for replacements or recharging. However, this is not completely guaranteed since your usage will still affect its battery life.

Conclusion

True to the brand’s mission to provide great home security, the Blink XT2 offers one of the most painless and affordable surveillance cameras in the market. While there are a few things that it can’t do, it still covers all of the basics. Some of its features can even be deemed worthy trade-offs. So if you’re after a solid pick that can do everything you need without breaking the bank, make sure to check out this product.