Eve Outdoor Cam: a floodlight for Apple HomeKit

Apple HomeKit cameras are rare, and floodlight cameras rarer still. Does the Eve Outdoor Cam do the job?

Eve Outdoor Cam review
(Image: © Adam Juniper/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Eve Outdoor Cam is designed to replace an existing outdoor light with a camera floodlight, and – after some installation fiddling – it does this both effectively and, to our eyes, rather elegantly. HomeKit users may have limited choice in this category, but this is all which could be wished for when it comes to features and responsiveness.

Pros

  • +

    Chic but functional design

  • +

    Light with boost mode for extra illumination

  • +

    Good quality video

  • +

    Two-way communication via speaker & microphone

  • +

    HomeKit makes reviewing footage easy

  • +

    iCloud subscription cheaper than competing platforms

Cons

  • -

    Installation process not as easy as manual implies

  • -

    Dual-bulb lights offer more coverage

  • -

    No built-in storage or battery backup

  • -

    Only works with Apple HomeKit

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The floodlight security camera has become a relatively common solution in the home security market, but Apple HomeKit users have been left out. The Eve Outdoor Cam seeks to redress that balance with a device which can easily be installed like (or in place of) an existing outdoor light, but work using Apple’s cloud service. 

HomeKit’s appeal – assuming you use Apple equipment – is that cloud storage and smart services are backed by Apple’s iCloud service. iCloud is a general file storage space for iPhone & Mac users; the first paid tier is 50GB and includes support for a single HomeKit camera, the recordings from which aren’t counted against that storage space. It costs only $0.99 / £0.79 a month, and indeed the 200GB + 5 camera tier is about the same as most security cloud service’s single camera fees. The other theoretical advantage is that HomeKit isn’t tied to one brand; it allows integration of multiple devices (see our guide to the best Homekit cameras).

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Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 

Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 

He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook