eufy - eufyCam S3 Pro, 2-Outdoor Wireless 4K Solar Powered Security Cameras with HomeBase 3 - White

If you are looking for a security system, please chose Eufy. I wanted to go with Blink or Ring, but chose Eufy instead. They are more expensive but worth it. They have a localized storage system, no cloud and no subscriptions for storage. It's all very private. The images are super defined and have great sensitivity. It can save faces so that it'll tell you who's at the door. Night vision is very clear too. Easy install and instructions, love it. Gonna buy more products from them.

I have been using Eufy security cameras for several years, including a 2K video doorbell, eufyCam 2 Pro 2K security cameras and eufyCam 3, 4K Security cameras. Their performance has generally been good, and the advantage of not being required to have a subscription cloud storage account is important. The eufyCam S3 Pro attracted me with new features which I feel are an excellent improvement on the eufyCam 3 cameras that I already have. The fact that these new cameras also integrate easily with my current Eufy ecosystem is another important consideration. My experience with Eufy cameras over the past several years has generally been good, but not perfect. I have experienced some hardware and some software/firmware problems. The assistance received for those issues has been a mixed bag. The eufyCam S3 Pro Security Camera System (Model T88921W1) is a complete kit which includes two S3 Pro, IP-67 rated, “Weatherproof”, solar charged 4K video cameras and a Model S380 HomeBase 3 hub. The kit includes all of the necessary camera mounting items, including screw-on mounting bases (camera attaches via a ¼”-20 threaded stud), as well as the hardware to facilitate mounting on various surfaces including wood or masonry. A USB-A to USB-C cable for the initial charging of the cameras and a flat Ethernet cable for connecting the HomeBase 3 to a router during the initial setup process are also included. Eufy also includes a 5.5”x5.5” solar panel, which can be remotely mounted in the event that one camera is in a location with insufficient sunlight to maintain the battery charge. The eufyCam S3 Pro camera is an improved and upgraded evolution of the prior Eufy S330 cameras. The most significant improvements are the “MaxColor Vision” feature and a superior camera module. While the S330 cameras have an f 1.4 aperture, the S3 Pro cameras have a larger f 1.0 aperture and 1/1.8 inch stacked CMOS sensor with a 135° wide angle field of view. The MaxColor Vision feature significantly elevates the nighttime performance of these cameras! While the cameras also have four LED IR emitters for night videos in monochrome, infrared mode, and four adaptive intensity LED “spotlights” which can be selected for color night videos at the expense of additional power consumption and calling attention to the cameras, the MaxColor Vision produces video images which appear as bright as if they were shot during daylight. This “night-vision” capability is really incredible for home security cameras. Apparently the large, f 1.0 aperture combined with the stacked image sensor gathers as much ambient light as possible, and the powerful AI augmented image signal processing and interpolation synthesize a daylight bright, full color video during the dark of night. The MaxColor video loses some sharpness and detail as compared to native videos, but it is still good quality. One of the appealing attributes which differentiates many Eufy systems from others, is that videos are stored locally on the Eufy HomeBase 3 hub which is equipped with 16GB of built-in eMMC flash memory. No cloud storage account is required with a recurring fee. 16GB of storage will hold many videos for a long time, before older files will be overwritten by new videos. The storage capacity has never been a problem for me with my S330 4K cameras. If there are video files that I want to preserve, I download them from the HomeBase contemporaneous with their creation. In the event that you really need or want to store lots of videos for extended periods of time, the HomeBase 3 has a hard-disk slot which will accept any 2.5” hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) up to 16TB. Setup of the EufyCam 3 Pro Security Camera System is very simple and straightforward. Initial setup and all device configuration and management functions are accomplished with the Eufy Security smartphone app (Android or iOS). Initial setup requires connecting the HomeBase 3 to a Wi-Fi router with the supplied Ethernet cable. Thereafter the Eufy Security smartphone app and HomeBase 3 provide step-by-step instructions, including audio guidance. Adding the new HomeBase 3 and two 3 Pro cameras to my existing Eufy “Home” and migrating the HomeBase 3 from Ethernet to Wi-Fi only required about 15 minutes. The EufyCam S3 Pro features and capabilities are extensive and robust. Well implemented Artificial Intelligence (AI) software with Eufy “Bionic Mind” AI learning, accurately and effectively differentiates humans, animals/pets and vehicles, and supports creation of a Facial Recognition database using images supplied by the user or captured from the Eufy cameras. Attach the person’s name to the face and receive notifications of who is captured on a camera with known persons being differentiated from “strangers”. I cannot help but chuckle whenever the app asks for confirmation “Is this a pet?” when bobcats approach my house and trigger the cameras. “Small animal” would be a more appropriate label rather than “pet” to accompany the “Is this a person?” and “Is this a vehicle?" interactive AI confirmation prompts. Eufy has augmented the motion detection mechanism of the S3 Pro cameras by adding radar detection to the passive infrared (PIR) technology. The use of dual-technology motion detection should reduce the likelihood of “false activations” for triggers like windblown foliage. Additionally, Eufy claims a new expanded motion detection sensitivity distance of up to 40’. Camera features include user-defined motion detection zones, privacy zones (motion exclusion) and detection sensitivity settings for each camera. Among the important features and options which can be configured are those of motion detection boundaries and sensitivity, video quality, power management, notification options and more. I particularly like the “Automation” option to activate recording from both security cameras when motion is detected on either one. Another new feature is “24/7 Smart Snapshots” which creates a quasi-time-lapse record. I am presently using the feature with the snapshot capture interval at 15 minutes. The new “Cross Camera Tracking” AI feature which stitches together videos from both cameras for the same event has not yet been implemented by Eufy. In motion activated video mode, there often is a latency interval while the camera awakens for video recording, as well as for the second camera to start recording after the triggered camera. There is also a variable, sometimes lengthy delay for the transmission of the smartphone alerts. Resultantly, some recordings begin too late to capture the initial several seconds of the triggering event, and the phone notification is sometimes delayed even further. The cameras have a large 13,000 mAh Li-Ion battery. The S3 Pro cameras have a solar panel on top that is intended to maintain the battery at full charge under most circumstances. The solar panel is of a redesigned construction from the panels on the original S330 cameras which sometimes suffered from delamination. The panel is also physically larger. If options such as “Optimal Surveillance” mode, which allows for clip length up to 60 seconds is used, battery drain is increased. There is also a “Customize Recording” selection for even greater flexibility. The new Solar Plus 2.0 technology is claimed to improve solar efficiency to where one hour per day of adequate sun exposure will maintain a full charge. So far, the built-in solar panels are not maintaining a full charge on either camera despite plentiful direct sun exposure. I am forming the impression that the S3 Pro cameras are more power hungry than my S330 cameras which also have a 13,000 mAh battery. I may need to change settings to consume less power at the expense of functionality, or to explore other potential issues. Only time will tell. Live streaming is supported, as well as bidirectional audio via the cameras built-in speaker and microphone. However, it experiences latency, and effective real-time communication can be difficult. Live camera feed also encounters a delay. Eufy cameras communicate with the Homebase on a private 2.4 GHz network, and the Homebase 3 connects to only 2.4 GHz channels of your Wi-Fi network. 5 GHz Wi-Fi is not supported for either. Eufy represents utilizing 256 bit AES encryption for both video transmission and storage on the HomeBase 3. However, it is not clear where the videos which are being streamed or downloaded are decrypted. I suspect that decryption is a server based operation along with the thumbnail image creation for activity alert notifications. The S3 Pro system has crisp, clear high-resolution 4K video. This allows enlargement / zooming-in (8x digital zoom via screen pinch) with reasonably sharp detail. Infrared video during hours of darkness is also sharp and clear, and the 4 LED IR emitters appear to have good illumination range. The cameras also have four white LED “spotlights”, the use of which is selectable in the app. These LEDs allow full-color night videos. I found the LED light to have excellent reach, and the new “adaptive” brightness prevents “washing out” / overexposure of subjects close to the cameras. The camera specifications and features are impressive, and integration with the HomeBase 3 and configuration and utilization with the Eufy smartphone app are all very good. I like the EufyCam S3 Pro Security Camera System. I am hoping that the solar power performance will improve. S3 Pro supports integration with other Eufy devices as well as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Homekit (limited to 1080p video by Apple). Eufy promises a future implementation of the ability for continuous video recording (rather than motion activated) when a camera is connected full-time to an external power source. I imagine that a large disk drive will be essential in the HomeBase 3 when serving as an NVR around the clock. The bright night videos are very compelling!

Standing out for its 4K resolution, solar-powered operation, and powerful AI-driven capability, the eufyCam S3 Pro is a remarkable and feature-rich outdoor security camera system. Based on my use, these are first impressions of the product. Built with a strong, weather-resistant construction, the eufyCam S3 Pro is fit for outdoor use in many different weather conditions. The incorporated solar panels cause the cameras to be somewhat bigger than some rivals, but this bulk adds to their strong feel. The system comprises two cameras and a HomeBase 3, the core hub for networking and storage. Although their weight calls for safe placement, the wireless cameras make installation somewhat simple. The 4K Ultra HD resolution of the eufyCam S3 Pro is one of its best qualities; it produces quite good video footage. From distance, the degree of detail is amazing whether it's capturing license plates or faces. Thanks to MaxColor VisionTM technology, which lets vivid color night vision without extra lighting, this clarity spans daytime and nighttime recording. The cameras generate near-daylight-quality images even in low-light environments, a major advance above conventional infrared night vision systems. The eufyCam S3 Pro's SolarPlus 2.0 technology which lets the cameras run on solar energy is a main selling feature. With just one hour of sunlight per day, the cameras may remain totally charged and provide up to 365 days of battery life under ideal conditions. For those who wish not to worry about regular recharging or battery replacement, this function makes life quite handy. Should direct sunlight not be accessible at the camera's location, an external solar panel is also supplied for more flexible installation choices. The eufyCam S3 Pro has a quite sophisticated motion detecting system. It precisely detects human movement using a mix of passive infrared (PIR) sensors and radar, therefore reducing false alarms brought on by external conditions as wind or animals. According to eufy, this twin detection technology greatly lowers false alarms by up to 99% which guarantees dependability and guarantees that only essential events set off sirens. Furthermore included in the system are AI-powered elements like object identification (e.g., vehicles, packages) and facial recognition, which thus improve its capacity to notify consumers just when needed. Monitoring high traffic areas like front entrances or driveways is perfect for this clever detecting system. The local storage solution of the eufyCam S3 Pro is among its most enticing features. An external hard drive allows one to enhance the 16GB of internal storage that comes included with the HomeBase 3 to 16TB. This does away with the monthly subscription costs usually connected with cloud storage solutions provided by other companies. For those who value their privacy, users can keep complete control over their data and save their recordings locally. Popular smart home ecosystems including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit all fit the eufyCam S3 Pro quite well. Apple's restrictions on video quality within HomeKit mean that while using Apple's HomeKit Secure Video service, video resolution falls from 4K to 1080p. Although some consumers who value ultra-high-definition video may find this frustrating, for those closely involved in Apple's ecosystem this is still a useful capability. Two-way audio on a dual-microphone array captures crisp sound from up to 26 feet distant on the cameras. This lets consumers communicate straight through the camera using their smartphone app in addition to hearing what's happening on their land. A built-in siren can also be set off during security incidents as a further deterrent. Configuring the eufyCam S3 Pro is simple. With few tools needed, the system may be setup in approximately thirty minutes. Users of the companion app find it easy to adjust parameters including motion detection sensitivity, activity zones, and night vision modes. Additionally included in the app are real-time alerts and access to live streams from anywhere. The eufyCam S3 Pro has certain shortcomings even if overall it has many benefits. • High Initial Cost: Comparatively to other security camera configurations, this system's upfront cost is somewhat high. Still, over time savings on subscription costs could outweigh this expense. • Heavy Cameras: These cameras weigh more than comparable substitutes because of their size and built-in solar panels. More safe mounting methods are needed here. • HomeKit Resolution Limitations: Apple HomeKit lowers video resolution from 4K to 1080p, therefore perhaps not meeting expectations for individuals who value ultra-high-definition footage. The eufyCam S3 Pro presents a great mix between user ease and modern technologies. Among the top security camera systems on the market today, its mix of 4K video quality, clever AI capabilities, dependable solar power operation, and local storage free of monthly costs is unmatched. The eufyCam S3 Pro is a top contender in today's home security market for anyone serious about home security, For those looking for long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance thanks of solar power and who value privacy by local storage—the eufyCam S3 Pro is a highly capable solution even if it comes at a premium price point and has some minor limitations—reduced resolution in HomeKit.

I’ve used a couple of Eufy SoloCam cameras for a few years now and really like them. I was able to install the SoloCams and then not have to touch them again—they just work and stay charged through the summers and winters. When I saw these new S3 Pro solar cameras available, I thought I’d try them out and expand my Eufy camera coverage. So far, I’ve been super pleased with the new S3 Pros. One obvious difference with the new cameras is they work with the included S380 HomeBase. The older cameras I have just connect to my home WiFi which I kind of liked because I have a mesh system with very wide coverage around the house. However, with the HomeBase you get centralized storage and AI processing. If you can place the HomeBase where all your cameras can reach it, then you should be fine. I noticed that my existing SoloCams can be converted to use the HomeBase, but that’s still on my list of things to try. The HomeBase needs to be cabled into your network (at least for now) to work. It comes with 16GB of built-in storage, and you can expand it up to 16TB by inserting your own 2.5” HDD or SDD. One of the greatest things about Eufy is keeping all your videos local, and the HomeBase steps that up a notch. One caveat to be aware of, though, is if you turn on rich notifications that include a thumbnail pic then those thumbnails do go into the cloud. The S3 Pro cameras are also a big improvement over the older cameras I’ve been using. They’re now 4K video and have AI processing to help improve images at night. They’re also a little bigger and heavier. They include a 13Ah battery and with the bigger size also comes a larger solar panel which should help keep it charged up. According to the fine print in their specifications, the built-in solar panel can generate 450 to 900 mAh per day with “optimal sunlight.” This is, I’m sure, totally dependent on the angle of the camera to the sun and the time of year but is a pretty good range of power. They also mention that the S3 Pro uses 100 to 200 mAh per day with average use. My experience so far is that power should not be a problem. I have one camera that I started with a 90% charge, it’s installed facing south with a slight downward tilt, and one sunny day here in mid-November charged it to 100% by about noon. I was pleasantly surprised that the kit also included an external solar panel so you can install one camera in a shadier location like the north side of your house. You would then just need to find a place to attach the solar panel within reach of the camera. Having an external panel for all the cameras would certainly give you more installation options, but it also adds to the cost. The motion detection and AI have worked flawlessly so far. By default, the cameras have human detection on, but you can choose Face, Human, Vehicle, and Pet recognition. The Face option is used to differentiate between familiar faces and strangers. I’m primarily using my cameras for pet/animal detection, so I haven’t tried the Face setting. I’m also a little reluctant to let it learn my face and others in the family without knowing if any of that data goes to the cloud. But the camera has been perfect for recognizing humans, vehicles, and pets. So far, it has successfully included all animals it sees as “pets” including cats, possums, racoons, skunks, and large animals like horses and deer. Some other brand of cameras I use have a problem of flagging critters like that as humans about 25% of the time. I only have one minor concern with the cameras and that is their operating temperature range. The high end is 122 degrees F which should (hopefully) never be a problem. But I’ve seen two values for the lower range: -4 and 14 degrees F. The main “glossy” part of the web page mentions 14 degrees, but the full specs say -4 F. Hopefully the correct value is the latter, but I guess we’ll see what happens this winter. All in all, I’m super happy with these upgraded cameras and their 4K video. Within the first couple of nights, I captured a crystal-clear video of a buck walking through our yard at 4am and it was as clear as daylight. And most importantly, the motion detection and notifications have worked flawlessly. I’ll likely get a couple more of these cameras to expand my coverage around the house.

TL;DR Pros: - Free local storage, no monthly fees - Great wireless connectivity - Clear video and sound - Lots of features - Great detection - Fantastic low light - Simple, easy app Cons: - DIRECT sunlight - Limited Web access The eufyCam S3 Pro bundle is awesome. The 4K looks so good. My favorite part is having local expandable storage so you don't have to pay a monthly fee. So far I've used 25% of the storage in a week. So this should last about a month and then I can clear off or archive the footage. Through the app you can easily access the videos. There is a time slotted web page you can view too but the max timeout is 24 hours. I understand the privacy protection but it gets annoying to have to authenticate the web page everyday. The videos load quickly and motion notifications are near instantaneous from the app. Installing this system I felt immediately safer especially with my packages. Installation on wood siding was pretty easy. The screws are a little soft and I ended up stripping some so I recommend using pilot holes even though the instructions don't suggest it. The solar panels MUST have DIRECT sunlight. I can't get the slightest charge from them on the sunniest days this winter because where I need them the sun apparently doesn't hit directly. This is a little disappointing since they aren't tucked directly under an over hang. I will have to find time to check outside hourly to find a sunny spot that will also get me the area coverage I need. Luckily the battery life is pretty good and seems like one charge could get you about a month. It only comes with one external solar panel that I will most likely have to use. I think a better design would have been making the on camera solar panels detachable since most people will have to mount them separately. My porch has a two story ceiling and apparently the sun just never gets past it. I'm very impressed with the video quality and sound. The cameras pick up a lot of little sounds from the end of my driveway to the garage. My porch was pretty much black with the light off and the cameras were able to produce a good color video with the low ambient light. The object detection for human and animals worked very well. I'm also impressed with the speed of everything. 4K videos are captured and motion notifications sent out fast over a wireless network. The signal is surprisingly strong at the far edges of the house. The encrypted connection is fast to view the videos. There are a lot of AI features I don't plan on using but a nice one was to not trigger on family faces. I didn't use this because I want to see all activity around the house so that I knew when people come home or leave. I would definitely recommend this system but caution with the solar panels to make sure your desired locations are compatible. Else just save the money and get the non-solar ones. This is a big reason I had to drop the overall rating down. Other than that these are the best outdoor cameras and system that I've seen.