eufy SecurityeufyCam S330 (eufyCam 3) 4-Cam Kit, Security Camera Outdoor Wireless, 4K with Integrated Solar Panel, Face Recognition AI, Expandable Local Storage, Spotlight, No Monthly Fee

How I arrived at my overall rating: ***** (4.75 rounding up to 5 stars)Value ***** (5 stars)Purchase price: $469.99Pretty good deal for 3 cameras and base. NOTE: You do need to provide a hard-drive if you want to store video for any prolonged period of time.Quality/Durability **** (4 stars)Duration of use: 18 monthsAfter mounting for about 6 months, noticed one of the cameras stopped charging effectively with full sun. Contacted Eufy who replaced the broken camera with a new one and has been working no problem now for almost 1year.Ease of Use/Assembly/Install: ***** (5 stars)Pretty easy to sync camera with base. I do have a mesh setup so wifi signal isn't a problem, but without it, it would have been a little tricky esp for outdoor mounting positions on opposite end of house as router.Usefulness/Appearance/Fun Factor: ***** (5 stars)Has been extremely useful. App could use a bit more options in the settings, but works fine and notifies me based on what I set it to. Overall happy to have gotten and grow with this system.NOTE: Camera NEEDS to be mounted with full exposure to sun. Mounting it under eves so it's partially sticking out will not lead to optimal charging. That being said, this has only been 1+ years of usage, sure being exposed to the elements entirely will take it's toll on the cameras itself. For the time being, they are working great and have been durable.

To preface this review, I'd like to emphasize that my assessment is based on my specific requirements and the setup of my smart home.Pros:1. The camera's sound quality is truly remarkable. Even when positioned at approximately 22 feet (although I do not recommend such elevation), the audio remains clear.2. The setup process is refreshingly straightforward. However, it's essential to highlight that you should not mount the cameras until you have carefully reviewed the instructions. Syncing with the Base Station is a prerequisite before mounting them.3. The array of configuration options is impressively extensive, offering significant customization of settings.4. Local recording is available at no additional cost, and there are no hidden features that require extra purchases.5. The ability to manage local storage and automatically replace older recordings with new ones is a practical feature.6. Integration with Alexa announcements functions seamlessly.7. The solar charging capability is quite impressive. Despite initial skepticism, after a month of use, I have observed my cameras reaching only about 88% charge, quickly returning to 100% before nightfall. This is particularly noteworthy for those on the East Coast with shorter daylight hours during winter.8. The camera's extensive view, as advertised, with its 135-degree field of vision, eliminates the need for pan and tilt features when multiple cameras are in use. Three of these cameras can cover the same range, if not more.9. It boasts a built-in floodlight that is notably bright and can be triggered by motion.Cons:1. Facial recognition functions most effectively when the camera is positioned approximately 10 feet above the ground. However, this height may expose the camera to potential tampering, making it more accessible.2. Unfortunately, the camera cannot be viewed within the Amazon Alexa App, which may inconvenience users who rely on the app for centralized control.3. Regrettably, there is no integration with Smartthings, limiting its compatibility within broader smart home ecosystems.4. The Base Station's functionality and options for storage and recorded content are notably limited. There's room for improvement in providing users with more comprehensive video editing and archival solutions. Presently, everything is controlled through the camera, rendering recorded content inaccessible during camera downtime, which may leave users feeling somewhat restricted.5. The rear mount can be inconvenient, limiting camera placement. It would be beneficial if they offered an elbow extension to facilitate positioning.FYI:1. It's worth mentioning that, since this is a locally recorded system, the camera's performance heavily relies on the Base Station being positioned approximately 50 feet away. If the Base Station is located in a basement, it may lead to intermittent connection drops between the camera and Base Station, resulting in choppy performance. While not necessarily a con, it's an inherent limitation. The documentation suggests using extenders to address this issue, although I haven't personally tested this solution yet.2. As previously noted, my initial camera placement at over 20 feet had to be adjusted. I eventually settled for a height of approximately 12 to 15 feet. This change compromised facial recognition capabilities but highlighted the camera's impressive image quality.3. The extensive 135-degree field of vision, while a pro, has its con: focusing can be challenging. For instance, if the camera is turned to a 90-degree angle with a wall nearby, the floodlight may illuminate the wall and cause the camera to focus on it, rather than on objects on the other side. This specificity in configuring the field of vision can detract from its overall appeal.

First, I have to say that I fairly tech savvy as I work in IT, so the setup process should not be this difficult, nor should getting customer support. I downloaded the Eufy security app to setup the HomeBase 3, and I have followed all of the instructions. I have gotten to the step where I am supposed to wait for the red LED light to turn blue before scanning the QR code on the bottom of the HomeBase 3 module. However, the LED light never turns blue no matter how long I wait. I attempted going on to the next step and tried scanning the QR code, but I am then told I need to reset the HomeBase 3, so I do, and I end up going through the same process again, getting stuck waiting for the LED light to turn from red to blue. So within the app, I tapped on "Why is the light red?" and I'm given some troubleshooting tips which did not help. At the bottom of the article, it says, "Was this article helpful?" so I tapped "No." I'm then taken to a chat bot that wants to know what trouble I'm having. I tell it exactly what I have said in this review, and it regurgitates the troubleshooting article that I have already followed. I tell the chat bot that I followed those instructions, and it suggests that I speak to a support rep, but unfortunately, none are available right now. So it tell me that I can submit an email in the meantime, so I begin that process. They want me to give them a ton of information that I have never had to provide to receive technical support from anyone else before (I can understand asking for the serial number of the device, but why do I need to submit an order number or a proof of purchase?). Finally, after submitting all of that information and describing my problem, the support site tells me that their live support technicians are available from 10pm until 4pm PST Monday through Friday. I can only imagine that the site mean to say 10AM through 4pm... but since I work a typical 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday work schedule, how am I ever supposed to speak to a support tech? This is just absolutely ridiculous. The setup process should not be this hard, and trying to get support should not be this difficult either. I'm highly disappointed. All I can do is wait to see if I get an email response. I will update my review then.UPDATE: Shortly after submitting my problem, I received an automated response from Eufy which included the SAME EXACT troubleshooting guide that I have reviewed 5 different times already! I had to click on a link within the email to escalate my problem... which I thought I had already done after "speaking" to the chat bot when it suggested I send a support message. How freaking hard is it to get a REAL person to provide REAL help?!

Very good video quality. The app is easy to use. Has great function and connectivity. Worth the money and the battery life will last about a week before having to recharge if you don’t have a lot of sunlight to charge the solar panel.