Netatmo Presence Outdoor Security Camera Review

Multi functional devices are always welcome as they make people feel like they’re getting a two for one deal. Unfortunately, they can hit or miss, depending on their execution. This is why, when we first saw the Netatmo Outdoor Security Camera, we were sort of on the fence about it.

As a floodlight and outdoor security camera in one, it makes sense. Floodlights with motion sensors are often installed as security measures by lots of homeowners as they can be effective deterrents for all sorts of intruders. Coupling it with a security camera makes monitoring and driving unwanted presence away simpler.

But is the Netatmo Smart Outdoor Security Camera worth its relatively hefty price tag? Or are you better off buying a floodlight and security cam separately? We’ll help you find out in our review.

Netatmo Presence Outdoor Security Camera Review

Design and Features

Maybe because it is also a floodlight, the Netatmo Outdoor Security Camera’s looks aren’t subtle at all, unlike the other popular outdoor cameras today. It has a more industrial look to it with its black metal body and rectangular shape. It looks modern but also harsh that you can easily tell that it’s sturdy and tough.

It looks more like a vertical light fixture since the LED lamp takes more space in this device than its camera. The lens sits at the bottom of the main body, right next to the swiveling base. Its bottom grill is removable and there you’ll find the SD card slot and microphone.

With its minimalist design, however, it won’t necessarily look out of place in a contemporary home. It’s just that not everyone is a fan of its cold design.

Setup and Usage

There’s no need to worry about the installation and setup of the Netatmo Smart Outdoor Security Camera. As the manufacturer puts it, mounting this device is as easy as affixing an outdoor light in your property. The bracket can be a bit difficult to work with but with some patience, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue as its installation comes with a very clear set of instructions.

While you will need to do some electrical work, it shouldn’t be that difficult to do if you’re experienced in that area. If you’re not, you can always call a professional to do the job for you.

Setting up the camera is also pretty easy. You will need to first pair the camera with your smartphone using Bluetooth connection before you can add it to your wi-fi network. Afterward, you’re good to go.

Using this device is also very easy as you’re meant to control everything through the app. As the application is well-designed and simple to navigate, you can be guaranteed that you’ll be able to work with this device without a hitch.

Video Quality

1080p is already the norm when it comes to DIY home security cameras today, so this device meets that basic requirement. Its picture is clear and crisp in the daytime and its night vision is quite good, too. However, most people set this device to turn its floodlight on once its motion sensor is tripped so its night vision isn’t always maximized. It’s still nice to know that you can still make out what’s on the night vision image, however, even without the floodlights on.

Track and Zoom

Sadly, the Netatmo Smart Outdoor Security Camera doesn’t come with a tracking functionality. You can zoom in on the footage on the app, however, so you can have a better look at what your camera caught.

Audio Quality

Unlike other top outdoor security cameras, this device doesn’t have a 2-way talk. Its built-in microphone is of good quality, however, so it gets to effectively record the sounds in its surroundings as it records your video.

LED Light

You can also expect a lot of great things from this item’s floodlight. Featuring a 12W LED bulb, it provides a bright light that won’t eat up too much energy. You can also count on it to last a while as LED lights are known to be durable.

Unlike other floodlights, this one is very flexible. You can actually configure its brightness level and determine the factors that should trigger it to turn on. You can always turn it on through the app but you can also set it to automatically light up when the motion sensor gets tripped or when it detects low light.

Motion Detection

Since the key features of this item rely on motion detection, it’s a great thing that its sensor is superb. You can count on it to catch movements effectively and intelligently which gives it an edge in the competition.

For starters, it’s the main trigger used to start the camera’s recording and to turn on the floodlight. Once the sensor is tripped, both functionalities will kick in then send you an alert through the app. As it has a 50ft range, it can help you monitor a large area.

Its sensor is also very smart, thanks to its learning algorithm. It can differentiate people from cars and animals so you’re promised less false alerts. This makes this camera more reliable and less annoying in our humble opinion.

However, you can’t really change the sensitivity level of the sensor but with how smart it is, you don’t necessarily have to. It can still fail from time to time as most techs do but it’s still reliable enough to keep lots of homeowners happy.

You can, however, set activity zones to further limit the alerts you’ll get. You can access this feature through the app or web portal.

Cloud Storage Costs

What really gives this product a leg up in the competition is the fact that it doesn’t require you to pay for a cloud service in order for the device to work. It has several storage options that you can all use one at a time or in one go, depending on how you want things to work.

What are these storage options? First off, the device has a microSD card slot, so it has local storage available. Then, instead of a paid cloud service, Netatmo uses Dropbox for this product’s cloud storage. The basic plan of this service is free so that’s a great thing. You might just need to open it from time to time to clear out some space for new recordings manually. If you don’t have time for manual storage clearing, you can also set up an FTP server.

Smart Home Compatibility

When this item first rolled out in the market, it wasn’t fully ready for smart home integration. It was only initially compatible with IFTTT environments. However, it has since been updated and made compatible with Apple Homekit and Google Assistant.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

The appearance of the app may not exactly match the modern look of the actual device but its functionality can’t be faulted. It’s easy to navigate and use, so you won’t get frustrated in operating the camera and floodlight with its help.

You can also use the Netatmo web portal if you feel like tweaking your camera’s settings using your computer. When streaming the live feed, however, you won’t be able to zoom in on the video when using the website.

FAQs

Is the Netatmo Presence compatible with Alexa?

Yes, the Netatmo Presence has recently been made compatible with Alexa.

Can you hang this product upside down?

Yes, you can install it on an eave or ceiling and it will still work. You just need to rotate the orientation of the footage using the app.

Can I have the video footage stream to a computer without having to access my Dropbox?

Yes, you can stream your camera’s live feed using the Netatmo web portal. You can also view the recordings on your computer by accessing your Dropbox, FTP, or the SD card, depending on where you stored the clips.

Does this camera record clips or streams non-stop?

No, this device only starts recording when its motion sensor is tripped. Even as a plug-in camera, it’s not capable of continuous streaming or recording.

Conclusion

In terms of functionality, the Netatmo Outdoor Security Camera can be quite hard to beat. Its combination of features is pretty rare to find in one package so it can certainly appeal to certain households. So if you’re looking into getting a smart floodlight and outdoor camera, we recommend that you give this a shot. If you have the budget anyway, this might just be a solid pick.