Design

It looks like the G3. Same rounded white casing, same rotating base with a mounting screw. If you put them side by side you’d notice the G350 is heavier, and there’s no obvious second lens on the front — though there is one, more on that in a moment.

There’s a silicone cover with ear-shaped pieces that can be removed. I have no idea what it’s for and I’ve taken mine off. The front has the lens assembly, a button, and a status light. The rear has a USB-C port. Sliding the front lens cover activates privacy mode and also exposes the microSD card slot, which is a neat double function.

Clean, unfussy design. Aqara didn’t change what was already working.

What’s New

The main camera goes from 2K to 4K. That said, Apple Home still caps you at 1080p due to Apple’s own limitations, which continues to be frustrating. Come on, Apple. There’s also a second 2.5K telephoto lens with 9x hybrid zoom — one of the more interesting additions, which I’ll get into. Night mode now has better infrared lighting, though it’s still black and white.

Pan and tilt cover 360 degrees, with automatic person and animal tracking. Two-way audio is built in, and in Apple Home you get a Talk button too.

The G350 is the first camera to support Matter over Thread. Matter 1.5 is what introduces camera support, so I haven’t been able to test that fully yet, but it means integration with platforms like Home Assistant should get easier over time. It also works as a Matter Controller and Bridge, so your existing Aqara Zigbee devices can come under Matter control through it.

For Apple users, HomeKit Secure Video support means the camera works in Apple Home now, before Apple formally supports Matter 1.5. RTSP is also supported for Home Assistant. Beyond that, it’s compatible with Google Home, Alexa, and SmartThings.

Storage: microSD up to 512GB, and you can also point 24/7 recording at a NAS. Cloud storage runs through Apple Home or Aqara’s HomeGuardian plan — £8/month or £80/year for unlimited cameras, £4/month or £40/year for one. A 3-month trial is included. I haven’t used it, and I don’t think most people — especially if you’re on Apple Home or have a NAS — will feel the need.

Setup

Dead simple. I ceiling mounted mine with a screw mount from Amazon. Open the Aqara app, tap the plus button, and the camera appears in the list once it’s ready. Name it, pick a room, flip the image for ceiling mounting, add it to Apple Home. That’s it — no hiccups at all.

Everyday Use

Video quality is good, day and night. Connection has been stable throughout. Auto-tracking works as you’d expect.

The telephoto lens is the thing I’ve spent the most time with. Via the Aqara app you can zoom in reasonably well and pan around once zoomed. One thing to know if you’re ceiling mounting: you can’t pan downward beyond the current field of view, only upward. If you’re planning to use the zoom regularly, an upright mount will give you more flexibility than ceiling mounting does.

Privacy mode is genuinely useful. You can export it to Apple Home or Home Assistant and trigger it through automations — time-based, location-based, or via geofencing in the Aqara app. Mine switches recording off in the morning and back on at night, and toggles when the last person leaves or the first arrives home. For a camera in a living room, being able to automate that properly makes a real difference.

To export privacy modes: create a scene to enable or disable privacy, then go to Profile > Connect to Ecosystems > Scene Sync.

The Aqara app has a lot in it. From the main screen you can record, speak, toggle privacy, tilt the camera, set cruise modes, and turn tracking on or off. Playback lets you browse and filter clips. AI sound detection — for alarms, dogs, babies, coughs, loud sounds, and more — is available without a subscription, as are smile and gesture detection. AI video search and summaries need the paid plan.

Dig into the three-dot menu and you’ll find RTSP settings for Home Assistant, default position, power-off memory, screen orientation, timestamp options, and notification controls. There’s a lot of depth here if you want it.

Two Things Worth Knowing

Some features require a subscription. That’s most noticeable for cloud AI features, which makes sense given what those cost to run, but it’s worth going in with clear expectations.

The other issue is that with position memory enabled, the camera doesn’t reliably return to where it was when coming out of privacy mode. In my case it keeps swinging toward the wall and triggering a lens obstruction notification. My fix has been to save a custom camera position and create an automation that re-pans to it after a short delay when the camera turns on. It works, but it’s a workaround — I’d expect a firmware update to sort this eventually.

Is It Worth It?

The G350 costs £140. The G3 is still available for £85 and is still a good camera.

If you’re already using a G3 and Apple Home is your main platform, I’d hold off. Until Apple lifts the 1080p restriction, the upgrade doesn’t give you much you’ll notice day to day. But if you’re coming in fresh and want a capable indoor camera with solid Matter support and good app integration, the G350 is worth the money. It’ll be staying in my setup.

You can pick up the Aqara Camera Hub G350 now. The Aqara Camera Hub G3 is also still available if you’re after something more affordable.

The post Aqara Camera Hub G350 Review appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

I decided to buy one myself and properly test it, and at around £130, it’s one of the cheapest Matter over Thread smart locks available for UK multi-point doors. Realistically, the only other comparable option at this price point is the Aqara U200 Lite.

So let’s get into it and see whether the Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock is actually worth buying.

Design and Build Quality

If you’ve seen images of the Nuki Ultra, the Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock looks like a slightly less polished version of that design. It’s available in either silver or black, and overall it looks pretty smart once installed.

The main body is essentially one large twist area, with a single button and an LED light on the front. That button is called KeySense, and it can be disabled in the Yale app, although you obviously can’t disable the manual twist function.

Compared to something like the SwitchBot Lock Ultra, the Yale Linus L2 Lite does stick out a bit more from the door, but I actually quite like the design. It feels solid, well made, and not cheap or plasticky.

Compatibility and Requirements

Before buying the Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock, there are a few important requirements to be aware of.

• Your existing cylinder must be unlockable from the outside with a key while a key is inserted on the inside.
• If not, a thumb turn cylinder is the most affordable way to make your door compatible.
• Yale also sell an adjustable cylinder designed specifically for the Linus smart lock range.

Yale state that your cylinder must protrude at least 3mm from the inside of the door handle, and your door must open inwards. That protrusion is required for the mounting plate.

Interestingly, the box also includes a sticky mounting pad which isn’t mentioned in the instructions at all. Because of that, I think it may still be possible to install the lock even if your cylinder doesn’t protrude enough.

The box also includes a thumb turn adapter, which lets you replace an existing thumb turn with Yale’s adapter instead.

Power and Battery Life

The Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock is powered by three CR123A batteries, which Yale claim will last up to six months depending on usage.

Battery handling is probably the biggest oversight with this lock. Not only are CR123A batteries non-standard, but there is also no way to see the battery percentage in the Yale app, and this information is not exposed to Apple Home either.

I contacted Yale about this and they confirmed that there is no battery level indicator at all. Instead, once the batteries hit around 20%, you’ll receive a push notification from the Yale app. After that, you’ll get daily reminders until the batteries are replaced.

Once you do replace the batteries, you need to open the Yale app and operate the lock three times using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi so Yale’s servers update correctly. It’s not ideal, but at least there is some form of warning.

Interestingly, when connected via Matter in Home Assistant, the lock does expose a battery property, although most users won’t be running Home Assistant.

Smart Home Features and Matter Support

The Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock is compatible with most lift-to-lock doors, including doors with a latch feature where an additional key turn is required from the outside. I haven’t tested this myself, but Yale customer support confirmed compatibility.

The lock includes Bluetooth for local control, automatic unlocking when you arrive home, and setup through the Yale app.

The standout feature is Matter over Thread support. No external hub is required, and it works with:

• Apple Home
• Google Home
• Amazon Alexa
• SmartThings
• Home Assistant

I’ve personally tested the Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock with Apple Home and Home Assistant, using existing Thread border routers such as HomePod mini.

If you want remote access through the Yale app itself, you will need Yale’s Wi-Fi bridge.

Yale also offer optional accessories like a keypad or a keypad with fingerprint reader. I haven’t tested these, but they are available if you want additional access methods.

Installation Experience

Installing the Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock is refreshingly straightforward. Everything starts in the Yale app, which walks you through the entire process step by step.

If you already have a thumb turn cylinder, you simply remove the existing thumb turn, attach the Yale mounting plate, and tighten it using the included Allen key. You can also use the adhesive pad if needed.

You then install Yale’s thumb turn adapter or insert your key, clip the lock onto the mount, and run firmware updates and calibration through the app.

Calibration involves locking and unlocking the door a few times so the lock learns the correct positions. You can then add it to Apple Home or any other Matter-compatible platform.

Even while filming, I had everything installed and working in around ten minutes.

Daily Use and Performance

From inside the house, the easiest way to operate the Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock is using the KeySense button. By default, it locks if the door is unlocked and unlocks if it’s locked.

The motor is fairly quiet, definitely quieter than the Aqara U200, although it isn’t silent and there’s no dedicated quiet or night mode.

You can also twist the lock manually, use Apple Home, or any other Matter-enabled app. From outside, locking and unlocking works reliably through the Yale app or third-party platforms.

Auto Unlock uses Bluetooth to detect when you arrive. While this is on my back door and not something I’d personally use every day, it worked reliably during testing and was faster than manually opening the app.

The Yale App Experience

The Yale app for the Linus L2 Lite smart lock is basic but functional. Without a Yale hub, most actions require a Bluetooth connection, although this doesn’t affect Matter-based platforms like Apple Home.

You can quickly lock or unlock the door, adjust LED and sound settings, configure Auto Unlock, manage KeySense behaviour, recalibrate the lock, or perform a factory reset.

For the most part, I expect most users will rely on Apple Home, Google Home, or another smart home platform rather than the Yale app itself.

Downsides to Consider

The lower price of the Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock does mean fewer features compared to more expensive options.

• No quiet or night mode for slower, quieter locking.
• No visible battery percentage in the Yale app or Apple Home.
• Optional accessories are relatively expensive.

Battery reporting in particular feels like something that could be improved with a firmware update.

Final Verdict

At around £130, the Yale Linus L2 Lite smart lock is one of the best-value smart locks available right now. It looks good, feels well built, works reliably, and offers Matter over Thread support without requiring a hub.

If your main goal is simply to lock and unlock your door using Apple Home or another smart home app, this is a great option and very easy to recommend.

The post Yale Linus L2 Lite Smart Lock Review appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

Watch my SwitchBot Contact Sensor review on YouTube

Welcome back to Mark’s Tech Blogs! In today’s post, I’m reviewing the SwitchBot Contact Sensor — a compact and reliable smart home device that helps you monitor doors and windows with ease.

If you’ve followed my channel, you’ll know I’ve reviewed a few contact sensors before. When I tested the Eve Contact Sensor, I had major issues with its battery life, so I replaced it with the SwitchBot Contact Sensor. After using it for several months, I’m ready to share how it performs in real-world use.

Price and Availability

The SwitchBot Contact Sensor has a retail price of around £29.99, making it one of the more premium options. However, SwitchBot often runs sales and discount codes — I managed to grab mine for just £20. It’s worth checking both Amazon and the official SwitchBot store for the best deal.

Design and Build

Like most contact sensors, this device comes in two parts that detect when contact between them is made or broken. Both parts are finished in white with rounded edges, and the main unit includes a status light and button.

It attaches easily with sticky pads, and the cover can be removed to access the two AAA batteries. The overall design is clean and modern, blending nicely with most door or window frames. It’s slightly larger than the Aqara sensor but still fairly compact.

Specifications and Features

The SwitchBot Contact Sensor operates via Bluetooth, but to unlock its full potential you’ll need a SwitchBot Hub. Any of their Matter-compatible hubs will work, enabling you to control and monitor the sensor remotely and integrate it with ecosystems such as Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, or Home Assistant.

It can alert you when a door or window opens or closes, and it includes a built-in brightness sensor (though this isn’t exposed to Apple Home). You can also configure how long the sensor remains open before triggering a notification or automation. Within the SwitchBot app, you can view detailed device logs to monitor its activity.

Installation and Setup

Setup is straightforward. Simply pair the sensor with the SwitchBot app, follow the on-screen installation steps, and attach it using the included adhesive pads. I’ve installed mine on my record player lid — similar to how I’ve tested previous contact sensors.

Once paired, add it as a Matter accessory to your SwitchBot Hub so it appears in your preferred smart home platform. In my case, that’s Apple Home, and integration worked perfectly.

Performance and Everyday Use

I’ve been using the SwitchBot Contact Sensor for a few months now, mainly to trigger automations in Apple Home. For example, when I open my record player, it turns on power to both the player and speakers automatically — and it does so within about one second of contact being broken.

When connected via the SwitchBot Hub 3, the sensor has stayed reliably online. Notifications work well, and the brightness sensor performs accurately. The only downside is that the brightness sensor data isn’t available in Apple Home, which would make it even more versatile. Hopefully, SwitchBot addresses this limitation in a future firmware update.

Battery Life

SwitchBot claims the sensor’s two AAA batteries can last up to three years depending on usage. Based on my experience so far, that seems realistic — a huge improvement over the Eve sensor, which drained batteries quickly.

Final Verdict

At its sale price, the SwitchBot Contact Sensor offers solid value for money. It’s not quite as compact as the Aqara alternative, but if you already have a SwitchBot Hub, this is an excellent addition to your smart home setup. It delivers reliable automations, accurate alerts, and impressive battery life — all wrapped up in a sleek, modern design.

Recommended for: anyone looking to expand their SwitchBot ecosystem or add a dependable contact sensor for smart home automations.

Buy the SwitchBot Contact Sensor here

Thanks for reading this review on Mark’s Tech Blogs! Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, Mark’s Tech Vlogs, for more smart home reviews and tech content.

The post SwitchBot Contact Sensor Review appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

You can watch my YouTube review here

In this blog post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about this camera, from its specs and design to its performance and setup. Let’s dive in!

Key Features of the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro is packed with features that make it a standout choice for outdoor security. Here’s a quick overview:

• 4 Megapixel Camera: Delivers crisp, clear video quality with True Color Night Vision.
• Built-in AI: Recognizes faces, vehicles, animals, and noises, thanks to its integrated microphone and speaker.
• End-to-End Encryption: Ensures your live and recorded video is secure.
• Storage Options: Syncs to the cloud, your device, or network-attached storage (NAS).
• Matter Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, and more.
• Hub Functionality: Acts as a Matter controller, Thread border router, and Zigbee bridge, eliminating the need for a separate hub.
• Weatherproof Design: IP65 rated and operates in temperatures from -30°C to 50°C.
• 13.3° Diagonal Field of View: Captures a wide area, perfect for outdoor surveillance.

Design and Build Quality

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro boasts a sleek, modern design with an all-gray body, black front, and rounded edges. It features an adjustable stand for flexible positioning and can be either freestanding or wall-mounted. The camera’s compact and stylish design makes it one of the best-looking outdoor cameras I’ve seen.

Setup and Installation

Setting up the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro is straightforward, especially since it acts as its own hub. Here’s how to get started:

1. Pair with the Aqara App: Plug in the camera and use the Aqara app to pair it. The app will guide you through the process, including scanning the Matter QR code on the device.
2. Mount the Camera: Use the included screws and wall plugs to mount the camera. Alternatively, you can place it on a flat surface.
3. Connect to Power: The camera is powered via USB-C, so you’ll need to route a cable to it. I found it easy to trail the cable through a window.

Overall, the setup process is user-friendly and hassle-free, which is what I’ve come to expect from Aqara products.

Performance and Usability

After a month of use, here’s what I’ve observed:

• Video Quality: The 4MP camera delivers excellent video quality, both during the day and at night. The True Color Night Vision is particularly impressive, making nighttime footage look almost like daytime.
• AI Recognition: The camera’s AI accurately recognizes faces, vehicles, and animals, though it occasionally misidentifies cats as humans in night mode.
• Notifications: Notifications from both the Aqara app and Apple Home are timely and accurate. You can customize sensitivity and activity zones to reduce false alerts.
• Spotlight: The built-in spotlight is bright and can be integrated into automations, such as turning on when motion is detected.
• Loading Speed: The camera loads quickly on the same Wi-Fi network, and scrolling through recorded footage is smooth. Performance is slightly slower when accessing the camera remotely, but it’s still impressive.

Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick summary of the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro’s strengths and weaknesses:

Pros:

• Excellent video quality with True Color Night Vision.
• Built-in AI for accurate object and noise recognition.
• Matter and Thread compatibility for seamless integration with smart home ecosystems.
• Acts as a hub, eliminating the need for additional devices.
• Customizable notifications and activity zones.

Cons:

• AI recognition can be less accurate in night mode.
• Requires a wired power connection, which may be tricky for some installations.

Final Verdict

The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro is an outstanding outdoor security camera that combines top-notch video quality, advanced AI features, and seamless smart home integration. Its ability to act as a hub for Matter and Thread devices is a game-changer, and the design is both stylish and functional. While the wired power requirement and occasional AI hiccups are minor drawbacks, they don’t detract from the overall excellence of this camera.

If you’re looking for a reliable, feature-packed outdoor camera, the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro is definitely worth considering. Have any questions? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll be happy to help!

Where to Buy

If you’re interested in purchasing the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro, check out the link below. It’s an affiliate link, so using it helps support this channel at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Buy the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found this review helpful. Stay tuned for more tech reviews and tips!

The post Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro Review: The Ultimate Outdoor Security Camera? appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

Purchase Links:

Ultion Nuki: https://amzn.to/3OUHdop

LOQED Touch: https://amzn.to/45LMJjK

Simpled Slim Series: https://amzn.to/3qSPT6C

Yale Conexis L1: https://amzn.to/3L8Ffj1

Yale Conexis L2: https://amzn.to/3stb4wq

The post Comparing UK Compatible Smart Locks – Ultion Nuki, Simpled, Yale and LOQED appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

If you want to see the full specifications you can find the Ultion Nuki here and the Simpled Slim Series here.

Check out my other reviews and articles here

The post Which smart lock is better? The Ultion Nuki or the Simpled Slim Series? appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

Who needs the Nuki Bridge?

Considering the high price-point of the Nuki Bridge, as you’ll see in this article, it’s uses are pretty limited and, for Apple users, it’s unlikely you’ll need this bridge thanks to the Nuki 3.0’s out-of-the-box HomeKit compatibility which, in turn, thanks to Apple HomePods or Apple TVs acting as a home hub gives you out-of-home access to your lock when you’re away.

This means, if you’re an android user wanting out-of-home access, someone who wants to use the lock with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant or, someone wanting the advanced features that come with the Nuki Web and Bridge APIs you might want to consider one of these.

Nuki Bridge Review – The Design, Specification and Setup.

The design of the bridge is simple. It’s a black rounded plug shape (for UK users, white in the EU). The front has a button and an indicator light and that’s it!

The specification is also pretty simple with it having built in bluetooth (for connecting to your lock) and Wifi (for connecting to your wifi). Ideally, you need to position it less than 5m from your Nuki lock.

Setup is also pretty simple and done by following the instructions in the Nuki App. If you have a Nuki 3.0 you may have to wait a few hours between setup and linking your lock to the bridge for the internal software to update but, once setup you just leave it to do its thing.

Nuki Bridge – Voice Assistants

For configuring the Nuki Bridge with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant you simply go into your look settings in the Nuki app, ensuring Nuki Web is switched on and then choose the appropriate assistant under the Features and Configuration settings. This then let’s you set it up with your voice assistant of choice.

As this is a security device your voice assistant will ask you to setup a security pin to use with the lock. This is requested when making voice commands to stop people shouting ‘Alexa, open front door’ through your letterbox.

Nuki Bridge – Out of home access

The Nuki Bridge brings out-of-home access via the Nuki app, allowing you to control and check the status of your lock when you’re away from home.

Apple users already have this feature via the Apple Home app without a bridge.

Nuki Web and Bridge API

For more advanced users the bridge allows you access to your lock via the Nuki web and app APIs. This is useful for setting up custom commands via a Raspberry Pi or even via Siri Shortcuts.

Commands setup with the web API work outside of your home whereas calls to the bridge API require you to be on your home wifi network.

These are great features for those wishing to get more creative with your lock!

Should you buy a Nuki Bridge?

At an eyebrow raising price point of £89 we personally think the Nuki Bridge is only really worth it if you’re an Android user or desperately want the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant features. For Apple users who don’t want advanced features such as the APIs then it’s really difficult to justify given its cost and, for what you get, a £50 price point would be much more suitable.

Read our other reviews here or pick one up here.

The post Nuki Bridge Review appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

What is the Eufy 2k Video Doorbell?

The Eufy 2k Video doorbell is a battery powered smart doorbell which connects to your phone using the Eufy app. It allows you to view what’s going on at your front door and respond to visitors without leaving the sofa (or pub!). Unlike many of its competitors the Eufy 2k Video doorbell doesn’t have subscription options, instead, the out-of-home and video backup features come courtesy of the Eufy Homebase 2 which you’ll need as well as the doorbell.

What’s the cost?

The Eufy doorbell isn’t cheap however dual packs containing the doorbell and the Homebase can regularly be picked up for £120 and with Eufy’s cameras also requiring the Homebase you can end up with a complete video security package at a reasonable price. This £120 price tag might be around £70 more than the Ring equivalent however by the time you take into account Ring’s subscription costs then you’ll save this same amount over 2 years.

Eufy 2k Video Doorbell – Features

When it comes to features the Eufy doorbell is packed with them! The 2k lens has a Sony sensor and performs well in day and night (watch our video review for actual footage) and it has a 4:3 aspect ratio to capture maximum possible height for getting your doorstep in the view as well as your visitor’s face. The two-way audio means you can also easily communicate with your visitors.

Battery Life

Eufy claim is has 6 months of battery life and in reality, for an average amount of use you’re likely to get between 3-4 months out of it. Don’t get us wrong, compared to Ring’s 1-month-at-best this is brilliant but it’s not the 6 months Eufy claim BUT we reckon you could get 6 months out of it if you switched off motion detection. However, if you want to use motion detection, high quality video and the AI features you’re going to find the battery lasts about 3 months.

AI Features

One of our favourite features of the Eufy 2k Video Doorbell is it’s AI features. These can detect if a human is at your door or not and allow you to only receive notifications about people at your door.

Notifications

When someone is detected or someone rings your doorbell you get a notification through to your phone (and watch if you’re an Apple Watch user). These tell you if it’s motion or someone ringing and you can turn on thumbnail notifications which help you decide if you need to respond or not.

Eufy also product a chime which you can buy or you can hook it up with their Amazon Alexa Skill and have your Alexa devices announce your doorbell ringing. This works well and, on Echo Show devices you can even view the live video feed.

Other Features

Besides the key features above the doorbell lets you set motion zones, sensitivity levels and a whole selection of other settings so you can get the most out of your video doorbell.

Eufy 2K Video Doorbell Review: The Design

The design of the Eufy 2K doorbell is simple and modern. It’s larger than Amazon’s Ring devices but with it’s black front and sides and rounded edges it looks smart. The large button on the front has a blue light around it which lights up when someone rings your doorbell.

How easy is the Eufy 2K Video Doorbell to Setup and Install?

Installing and setting up the Eufy doorbell is super easy. The doorbell comes with a mount if you need to angle it and the doorbell itself fits into a mount which it’s released from using a sim-card style release tool which helps keep your doorbell safe from thieves.

Setting it up is done via the Eufy Security app and involves following some simple instructions on screen.

Using the Doorbell

In using the Eufy doorbell for the last 6 months I have been really impressed. The video quality from the camera is excellent, notifications come through quickly and the app is packed with features which easily let you mute notifications when you need to, revisit and download video clips and it’s a great way of keeping an eye on what’s going on at home.

The out of home access loads reasonably quickly even when using 4G and the HomeBase stores around 3 months worth of video, automatically removing the oldest footage when space gets low.

Our Eufy 2K Video Doorbell Review – The Verdict

Overall this is the best video doorbell we’ve used. It works well, produces great quality video, has tons of customisation options, a well thought-out app and has no hidden subscription costs and with regular deals on Amazon and Eufy’s website you can nearly always find it at a great price.

You can pick one up from Eufy’s website here or on Amazon here.

You can pick up a Eufy product with our link and save £40 on your order. Click here to shop.

The post Eufy 2k Video Doorbell Review After 6 Months of Usage appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.

The Specification

The Eufycam 2 Pro is packed with specs and has a ton of options for you to customise however the key headlines you need to know are:

Camera Quality

The Eufycam 2 Pro supports up to 2K video, works during the day and night and also supports 2 way audio. It has a 140 degree field of view which means it has good area coverage. I’ve found that the quality of this camera is great regardless of the time of day with it producing crisp, clear video. The audio recordings are fine too but the speaker on the camera isn’t really usable but can make a very loud alarm noise when you need it to.

Battery Life

Eufy claim that the camera has up to 1 year of battery life from a single charge however in using this camera every day for 6 months I found that it actually only lasted for 4 months. This is still really reasonable battery life however the amount of battery life you get is going to depend on how many features you have turned on (e.g. if you want thumbnail notifications) and how busy the area is where you have the camera. Eufy also say that using Apple’s iCloud secure video also lessens battery life. Don’t get us wrong…4 months battery life with reasonable usage is great but boasting a year is a bit optimistic!

Water Resistance

The Eufycam 2 Pro is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and is water resistant which means it’ll be fine in all weather conditions.

Eufycam Pro 2 Design

The Eufycam Pro 2 Design looks nice and modern, it’s not too large and the rounded edges, grey and white sides and slim profile make it look great and not too invasive. The rear of the camera is where you find the MicroUSB port for charging which has a protective cover.

It mounts to a wall with an easy to fit mount.

Eufycam Pro 2 Review – Everyday Usage

Once you’ve got your camera charged and installed you simply add it to the Eufy app and you’re done. You can tweak sensitivity, motion settings, video and audio quality and notification settings in the app and from then on when it detects motion you’ll get a notification. Personally, I love the thumbnail notifications as you can decide if you need to do anything or not without opening the app (these notifications even come through on the Apple Watch).

The Eufycam Pro 2 also has a AI mode where it can only notify you if it detects a human…this is great if, like my garden, you have lots of cats and squirrels passing through!

The video quality (regardless of daytime or nighttime) is crisp and clear and would easily allow you to identify someone if you were to need to. You can download this video via the app if you need to and, the camera has an alarm mode if someone tries to remove it when you haven’t switched off the alarmed mode. (another security bonus!).

The Eufy Security app itself is well designed and easy to use. If you have multiple Eufy devices it shows them all and collates your events together. The video is stored on the Homebase and I’ve found that it’s still got video from the day I got it which means the storage is perfectly sufficient for the two Eufy devices I have that send video to the Homebase.

In the app you can also turn on Apple’s iCloud secure video however, whilst this is a nice idea it does disable the option to tweak video and audio quality and doesn’t work alongside the Alexa skill…for that reason I’ve switched it off. (Yes, it has an Alexa skill which can announce notifications and show the video on Show devices)

Should I buy a EufyCam Pro 2?

If you’re thinking about getting a wireless security camera then we think the Eufy range are the best on the market. They offer great quality video without any subscription at all (whereas the Ring and Blink camera subscription fees build up pretty quickly).

The EufyCam Pro 2 is a great looking, reliable camera that produces really good quality and, whilst the battery life isn’t what Eufy claim, actually has good battery life.

If you prefer video reviews you can watch a video review of the camera here. You can read all our reviews here.

You can pick up a Eufy product with our link and save £40 on your order. Click here to shop.

The post Eufycam 2 Pro Review appeared first on Mark's Tech Blogs.