eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit review: A solid and easy-to-use security system

Home security systems are all the rage. Well. Maybe not the rage, but they’re becoming increasingly popular as more and more people cast a constant digital and WiFi-enabled eye over their property. There are many options available at a range of price points, with a multitude of different features, so choosing the best option for you can be something of a minefield.

The eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit is an impressive system that comes with two cameras and a HomeBase, which means you don’t need an expensive and annoying subscription to view your cameras and captured footage in the eufy app. The system is also compatible with Alexa, Apple Home and Hey Google, so you can incorporate it into your smart home device set up.

eufy is well-known in the world of home technology, and this is easily one of the best outdoor security cameras available right now. It basically offers everything you could need or want in an outdoor security camera system. The only caveat, there’s always one, is that it’s not the cheapest option available.

The cameras can capture video in 4K, and there are many different settings available for capturing both still and video, as well as for capturing nighttime videos. The cameras feature large-capacity batteries that are claimed to provide up to 365 days of operation, while one hour of daily sunlight is claimed to charge the battery back to full via the small solar panel on the top of each unit.

Image 1 of 2

eufyCam S3: Specifications

Max Resolution: 4K(3840x2160)
Sensor: 1/1.8-inch Stacked CMOS
Lens: f/1.0 aperture, 135° field of view
Zoom: 8x digital zoom
Night Vision: Color & BW
AI detection: Stranger/Human/Vehicle/Car Alert
Weather resistance: IP67
Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz) Wi-Fi

eufyCam S3: Price and availability

The eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit is available from multiple retailers, and this two-camera kit includes the eufy HomeBase S380. The HomeBase can become the foundation of a wider security system that includes outdoor and indoor cameras alongside a video doorbell. This two-camera kit costs $549 / £499 / AU$1599.

This is quite expensive compared to some outdoor security camera systems, but these typically have fewer features and some have app subscriptions. You can buy several different kits with more cameras and even additional/external solar panels. For many people, this two-camera kit will provide enough coverage, and if you find you need another camera, they can also be bought individually.

eufyCam S3: Build and handling

The cameras, just like eufy doorbells, are chunkier than much of the competition at 69x82.4x143.5mm / 2.72x3.24x5.65in, with a weight of 534g / 18.84oz. This is of no real consequence once the cameras are installed, and this size and weight must be a result of some of the physical features of the cameras we’ll discuss in a moment.

The cameras come with mounting kits that include a couple of mounts with ball joints for angling. These work well if you have a wall or post you can screw them into, but as is often the case with most products, the supplied wall plugs and screws aren’t of great quality so you may want to replace these.

The ball joints allow you to angle the cameras well, and attach to the back of the camera so you can achieve a wide range of angles. This is whether the cameras are installed low or higher up. Installing higher up provides a wider view and also protects the cameras from possible interference. However, there is an Anti-Theft Detection feature where an alarm goes off in the camera and the HomeBase if the cameras are moved, which is undoubtedly a useful deterrent since it’s an ear-splitting 100dB siren.

The overall design of the cameras is fairly simple, with just the camera lens, two LED floodlights, an infrared light and motion detection sensors on the front. The top of the camera is home to the solar panel to help charge the internal battery. Other than this, there’s just a sync button and a USB-C port for charging the battery before the first use, and if and when necessary. Build quality is excellent with IP67 weather resistance and an operating temperature range of -10 to 45 degrees.

Image 1 of 5

The large-capacity 13,000mAh rechargeable batteries are claimed to provide up to 365 days of operation, while one hour of daily sunlight is said to charge the battery back to full via the small solar panel on the top of each unit. This should, in theory, keep the cameras up and running continuously after the initial full charge before set-up. This obviously wasn’t possible to test over the several weeks of use during testing.

The HomeBase is reasonably compact and plugs into your router via the included Ethernet cable. This also acts as a doorbell chime if you have a eufy video doorbell, and is where camera footage and photos are stored since the cameras themselves have no storage. No subscription is needed since everything is stored locally, and the smartphone app is free to use.

The HomeBase has 16GB of onboard storage alongside the ability to quickly and easily install a 2.5-inch hard drive. This is a great feature because if you have several cameras and a eufy doorbell running through the HomeBase, you could pick up an inexpensive 2.5-inch SSD or HDD to increase storage.

eufyCam S3: Performance

Setting up the system is incredibly easy with the HomeBase added to the app first, and then the cameras. I did this by following the basic guide on the box and the in-app prompts. To get everything up and running, excluding camera installation, was only around five minutes. Installation was also quick and easy.

The system is accessed and controlled using the ‘eufy-original eufy Security’ app, which is intuitive to use and provides easy access to all the features and functions of the system. Since the system is built around security cameras, these are an important element, and they do not disappoint.

The cameras feature a 1/1.8-inch Stacked CMOS sensor with an f/1.0 lens with a wide 135-degree field of view. This does produce a small amount of barrel distortion, which is most noticeable at the edges of the frame, although it’s not an issue in the slightest. The f/1.0 fixed aperture is great for light gathering, and it does produce a lovely and sharp 4K image. There’s also an 8x digital zoom, so you can zoom into the image in the app.

Above: sample video captured with the eufyCam S3

During testing, when I was close to one of the cameras, about 50cm away, I was out of focus while the garden behind me was in focus, which suggests the cameras use a fixed focus lens set to hyperfocal distance to maximize depth-of-field. Sound is pretty good, not amazing, and there is a delay. There is two-way audio so you can speak to people in the vicinity of the cameras. It certainly wouldn’t be ideal for a conversation, but more than good enough to call the kids in or to challenge an intruder etc.

The system has the usual features you’d expect, but rather than detection zones, you can set up privacy zones. This is so that you can eliminate surrounding properties. You can also set the detection type, which includes Human, Vehicle, Pet and All Other Motions. You can even store faces in the system so it recognises family and friends. This simply requires the camera to capture faces when initiating the feature in the app.

eufyCam S3: Verdict

The eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit impressed and delighted me in equal measure thanks to their ease of use, features and functionality. Ease of use extends from set-up to installation to use and control with the app. Once installed, the excellent battery life and built-in solar panels on the cameras should keep everything running, without the need for manual charging, for a long period of time.

The detection modes and image quality are also impressive, as are the night vision modes. It’s not the cheapest security system available, but it’s good value considering the features and image quality on offer. Not to mention, it doesn’t require a subscription. Saving security footage locally means your data is more secure than being held on a corporate server.

Alternatives

EufyCam 3 S330 bundle

The EufyCam 3 S330 bundle is an older and more basic model, but it’s also less expensive than the eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit. It’s still a solid 4K system with many of the same features, including the HomeBase for storage

IMOU Knight 4K Ultra

This easy-to-use and fairly inexpensive security camera is an alternative that may work for you. It does have a few downsides, though, including the need for DC power, and you will have to pay for a subscription.