Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsMy preferred outdoor wireless camera
Reviewed in Canada on August 3, 2020
I don’t write reviews often but was very impressed with the EufyCam 2C (purchased two sets and several add on cameras for usage at two different locations). I’m a current owner of cameras from Nest (Nest IQ indoor), Wyze (Wyze V2 cam) and Blink (Blink XT2). The EufyCam 2C has easily replaced the Blink XT2 as my recommendation for outdoor wireless camera for the following reasons:
1) Wider field of view (2C is 135 degrees vs. 110 for the Blink XT2)
2) Higher resolution recordings. By default, the Blink XT2 is set to record at “standard” resolution within the app, which is actually 720p (this has to be manually toggled to “best” by the user which is 1080p). I found this out the hard way when reviewing footage on my computer and noticing the subpar quality. The 2C records at 1080p.
3) Actual battery percentage meter. The Blink XT2 app only lets users know if the battery is “OK” or needs to be replaced. The 2C has a granular battery percentage meter. Although this may seem like a small deal, it’s important to know when your outdoor cameras are about to run out of batteries so that you can charge them before extended absences from your home (i.e. vacations). There are numerous folks on the Blink forums who have had their cameras just go offline without any notice that the batteries were depleted.
4) Built in rechargeable lithium batteries. The Blink XT2s use disposable Energizer lithium batteries. These can cost anywhere from 1-2 dollars CAD per piece, with two required per camera per swap. This adds up quite quickly as the cameras, when set to a sensitivity level that is useful, run out of batteries quick. Third party options for alternate power are quite limited. The 2Cs have integrated lithium batteries charged over micro USB. They are capable of taking up to 2A at 5V so charge quite rapidly. Battery percentage is quickly accessible via the app.
5) On device AI. The Blink XT2 is “dumb” in the sense that all PIR fluctuations are recorded as events. This is quite frustrating and results in tons of false notifications regardless on how diligently the user sets motion sensitivity and activity zones. The EufyCam 2C can be set to notify on all motion but also has optional on device AI which notifies only for people. The AI is quite robust and for my application (cameras located outside of my place) resulted in approximately 1 false notification every 2-3 days on average, even with the cameras on maximum sensitivity.
6) Cost. The Blink XT2 regular price is 129 CAD for a single camera and sync module. The two camera setup for the 2C is 269 CAD right now with discount. The pricing is so similar that it does not make any sense to buy the XT2s because you can get a much more superior product for virtually the same price. The only flip side to this is that you have to start with the two camera setup.
7) Privacy. This mattered less to me but for the privacy conscious, the EufyCam recordings are stored locally on the HomeBase 2. Just note that your experience in playing back the clips will depend on the upload speed of your ISP provided connection as the footage has to be streamed to your mobile device.
8) Better included mounting gear. The mounting brackets included with the 2C are rock solid, compared with the XT2 mounts which a strong gust of wind can knock down your cameras.
9) Shorter re-trigger time and longer clips. The Blink XT2 can record clips up to 60 seconds long with a re-trigger time of 10 seconds. The EufyCam 2C can record clips up to 120 seconds long with a re-trigger time of 5 seconds. You will catch more this way! This could be the difference of seeing something happen and missing it completely
Concerns/areas for improvement
1) There have been a few (note: very few) instances where I feel that the on device AI may be slightly too aggressive in excluding events with people when cameras are set to people detection only
2) A feature that has been in the pipeline for quite a bit of time but has not yet materialized is using the USB port on the Homebase 2 for encrypted external storage backup of recordings; this is not yet available
3) The first quarter second or so of footage may not be useful as the 2C has to wake up, adjust exposure and start recording. Most of the times this interval has overexposed footage
This camera also easily matches up to the Arlo series at a fraction of the price.
Overall highly recommended! Will be purchasing more cameras in the future, in particular the Eufycam 2 with longer battery life to be used in higher traffic areas around the house