EufyCam2 Review

The EufyCam 2 is a high-definition, battery-powered outdoor security camera that’s easy to install. There are no cords to plug in or wires to worry about. This camera also keeps all of your video footage safe and secure with local storage.

After testing two EufyCam 2 cameras for more than 500 hours, we can say it has a few quirks with its night vision. But, on the whole, the EufyCam 2 is a solid camera for the price.

The EufyCam 2 has essential features we expect to see in every security camera, like night vision, HD resolution, and motion detection. It also has human detection, so it can tell the difference between a person walking by the camera and a car driving down the street.

We wish the EufyCam 2 had better digital zoom and more motion customization options, but we love the wire-free design and the year-long battery life.

EufyCam 2 features: 

• 1080p resolution
• Night vision
• Motion detection
• Two-way audio
• IP67 weather rating
• Cloud and local storage options
• Human detection
• 365-day-long battery life
• Encrypted connection
• Adjustable motion zones
• Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit

The EufyCam 2 is similar to Arlo’s wire-free security cameras: it doesn’t need power cords or Ethernet cables. The camera runs off batteries, and Eufy advertises an impressive one-year battery life (compared to Arlo’s estimated six months).

The wire-free design makes EufyCam 2 setup a cinch. The camera syncs to a separate hub (which you do want to plug into your internet router), but from there, it only takes a few minutes to put the camera where you want it.

Eufy includes several different mount options with the EufyCam 2, and you can put it just about anywhere. If you’re like us, you tempt fate by setting the camera on a flat part of your fence and calling it good.

The EufyCam 2 has both cloud and local storage options. We recommend the local storage route thanks to the Eufy hub that syncs with the cameras. The hub stores your video footage locally and sends you footage through an encrypted connection. (Most security cameras don’t have a feature like this.) Hackers begone.

The hub, also known as the Eufy HomeBase 2, connects to your internet router during the installation process. You can connect it via Wi-Fi, but we recommend using the included Ethernet cable. Ethernet is more secure, and it’ll help keep your internet connection speedy.

If you’ve been freaked out by hacking incidents with other security camera brands, then Eufy is a good choice. It has some security features in place meant to keep your footage totally private.

First of all is that local storage option. If your footage isn’t in the cloud, then it’s harder for a hacker to access it.

Second of all, Eufy uses bank-grade encryption to send footage from the cameras to the Eufy HomeBase (and your phone). The Eufy app also uses two-factor authentication.

If you’ve ever had a security camera before, then you know the motion alerts can get irritating. If your camera sends you a push notification every time a squirrel runs through your yard, you’re going to shut it down after two days.

The EufyCam 2 has human detection, so it can tell the difference between your neighbor and that squirrel. And you can adjust the settings so it will only alert you when it detects people.

That said, the EufyCam 2 has a hard time telling apart people and cars at night. That’s probably why Eufy won’t let you restrict notifications to only people at night time. As soon as the sun goes down, you’re going to get a notification for every car that drives down your street.

The EufyCam 2 also often mislabels people as just “motion detected” during the nighttime, rather than telling you “human detected.” Which isn’t great if your teenager sneaks out in the middle of the night and your camera refuses to snitch on them.

With an IP67 weather rating, the EufyCam 2 is ready for just about anything. You could technically dunk this baby in a tub of water for a while and it would be just fine. (We don’t recommend that, but, you know . . . you could.)

We happened to be testing out this camera during a freak snowstorm in Seattle and the EufyCam 2 kept trucking along without a hitch. It’s also never had a problem with the (much more common) drizzly rain.

The EufyCam 2 is generally sold as a two-camera kit that includes the HomeBase 2 (the hub you need to use the cameras). For two cameras and the hub, you’ll pay around $300. (Less if you can find it on discount.)

Even at full price, that’s about $100 less than what you’d pay for a two-camera kit with the Arlo Ultra 2.

For what you get with the EufyCam 2, especially the easy setup, local storage, and long battery life, we think the price is fair. The Arlo Ultra 2 has some more advanced tech features and analytics that explain the higher price tag, but it’s safe to say the EufyCam 2 is a decent budget version.

A lot of cameras charge extra monthly subscription fees for cloud storage and access to smart analytic features. But if you use Eufy’s local storage option, then you don’t have to pay any monthly fees whatsoever. And Eufy doesn’t restrict certain features to subscription customers only, unlike Arlo and Nest.

If you do prefer cloud storage, Eufy’s storage plans start at $2.99 per month.

The EufyCam 2 works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control the camera with your favorite voice assistant. Eufy also, impressively, works with Apple HomeKit, which is rare for a security camera. Only a handful of brands make the Apple cut.

The only criticism we have with Eufy’s smart home stuff is that it keeps its security products (like the EufyCam 2) separate from its smart home devices (like its smart lights).

We don’t know why Eufy made separate apps for each, but it did. So if you want to make all your Eufy stuff work together, make sure it’s in the same product family first.

It doesn’t get much easier than the EufyCam 2’s installation. Compared to security cameras that want you to drill holes through your exterior wall, this little camera’s a piece of cake.

EufyCam 2 installation steps: 

1. Download the Eufy Security app (not to be confused with the Eufy Home app)
2. Create an account (or log in if you have one). Heads up that Eufy will send a code to your email for account verification, so be ready.
3. Add the EufyCam 2 as a new device.
4. Follow the instructions in the app to connect the HomeBase hub to your internet router.
5. Sync the cameras to the HomeBase hub. (They have to be near the base, so keep them handy.)
6. Install the cameras wherever you want them. You can use one of the mounts included with the camera kit, or just set them on any flat surface (not recommended unless you’re keeping the cameras indoors.)

We think the EufyCam 2 is a pretty good buy for the quality and security features. It keeps all your footage secure, it’s easy to set up and use, and you don’t have to pay for a monthly subscription plan.

Features: The EufyCam 2 has decent features for the price, including HD resolution and human detection. Just know the human detection doesn’t work as well at night.

Pricing: The EufyCam 2 costs a little more than $100 upfront, but it’s cheaper than similar models by other brands. You also don’t have to pay an extra monthly subscription fee for storage or features.

Home automation: The EufyCam 2 works with Alexa and Google plus Apple HomeKit.

Installation: The EufyCam 2 is really easy to set up. You just get the Eufy HomeBase hooked up to your internet router, sync the cameras, and you’re good to go. Because the cameras don’t have any wires, they’re easy to place where you need them.

Not sure if the EufyCam 2 has the features you need? Check out our Best Outdoor Security Cameras Review for more options.