I have been researching home security cameras for a while, and after reading quite a few different articles and reviews, I keep seeing these three mentioned again and again:
All three seem to have plenty of positive reviews, but the more I read, the harder it is to decide because every review seems to focus on different things. I am mainly interested in reliability, outdoor performance, night vision, app experience, and long-term use. I am also trying to understand whether paying for a subscription is actually worth it.
For those who have personally used any of these, which one would you trust based on your own experience? I would especially appreciate feedback from people who have had one installed for a year or more.
I am not really looking for another best camera article. I would rather hear from people who actually own and use these.
@Micheal15 I don’t have any to speak about, but for outdoor use, I looked at the Tapo and the aosu D1 and added them to my cart to decide. I’m with you on these items, but they seem to fit the criteria, reliability, outdoor performance, night vision, phone app capabilities.
I use a Lorex system. It is closed circuit with video recorded on an 8TB hard disc, the cameras are fixed POe with microphone, speaker, night vision all in HD, all can be accessed via mobile app with no cloud storage or subscription. Depending on the model you can connect a mix of up to 16 devices, including PTZ cameras. It also has an excellent, fully customizable push notification system you can set up for each device.
I use a Eufy PTZ pet cam for indoors to ensure my land sharks are snoozing on the couch, no subscription, no cloud storage, remote operated via app.
I wouldn’t use a subscription or cloud storage with the great choice of applications available, all you’d be doing is paying someone to call you about something you’ve already been notified of and much, much worse- you can be guaranteed you, your family, neighbors and any innocent stranger walking by will be getting used to train a hostile state surveillance system.
The specific Ring camera you linked to is for indoor use, but they do have outdoor models.
Honestly, if you want “easy and reliable” Ring is a really good choice. The app is easy to setup and use. Video quality is really good, alerts are customizable. You do get locked into a subscription, if you stop paying you basically own a paperweight. Privacy is a concern as everything goes to the cloud, so keep that in mind when you decide where to place it and what is covered by the camera.
You can avoid a subscription and build your own, but you’re looking at a lot more research and manually dealing with everything Ring (or another similar service) does for you like storage, security, remote access, etc. But it does allow you to avoid the cloud for privacy
First off, a subscription is probably needed to get any reasonable functionality out of whatever device you choose.
I have Ring, but only for wired doorbell cameras. I have been happy with the devices that I have. And the app is easy to navigate, and the night vision is good. Ring also lets you do everything from a desktop computer as well as the app, which is a big plus for me. But I can’t speak for any of their other camera models.
I also have a Blink camera system that I place around the house inside and out in specific locations when I go on vacation. These guys are wireless, and use standard AA lithium batteries that last about 3 years. They transmit back to a small ‘base module’ that connects to your home network for their connectivity. They are app based only. But the app is easy to navigate and understand.
Both systems can be configured for alerting and/or recording on motion, and defining your desired motion zones.
TAPO does not require a subscription - and no cloud storage necessary for usage. It also can take a memory chip for local storage. You need a smart phone or tablet/iPad, etc., to see the images/videos.
I have 2 Ring-Pan-Tilt-Indoor-Cams and a ring door bell. Very satisfied. Indoor cams cover front door/livingroom and the other the back door and garage entry in the den. Close the covers during the day but use them at night or when I’m gone. Also have an outdoor ring camera I just haven’t set it up yet. It’ll point down the driveway.
Thanks, I actually had not looked closely at the Tapo or aosu D1 yet, so I will add them to my research as well. The things you mentioned are exactly what I am trying to figure out, especially reliability and how well they perform outdoors over time. If you end up trying either one, I would be really interested to hear how they work out for you.
That is really helpful, especially the details about your Lorex setup. The fact that you are recording locally without a cloud subscription is definitely something I want to look into, and the customizable notifications sound useful too.
I am also interested in the Eufy PTZ for indoor use. I had not considered using separate systems for indoor and outdoor cameras, but that actually makes sense depending on what each camera needs to do.
I am still comparing the options I mentioned, but your experience has given me a couple more things to consider, especially local storage, subscription costs and long term reliability. Thanks for sharing.
I didn’t realize the specific Ring model I was looking at was intended for indoor use, so I’ll definitely look at their outdoor options too.
The subscription point is probably my biggest concern. I like the idea of an easy setup and reliable alerts, but I’m not sure I want to be tied to a monthly fee just to keep the camera useful. The cloud/privacy issue is another thing I need to think about, especially regarding where the cameras would be placed.
I may compare the overall cost and convenience of Ring with a local-storage setup before making a decision. Appreciate you pointing out both sides rather than just recommending one.
Thanks, this is exactly the kind of real-world feedback I was hoping to get. I had not really considered the desktop access with Ring, and that is actually a big plus for me since I’d rather not rely entirely on my phone.
The Blink setup sounds interesting too, especially the battery life and the fact that you can place the cameras around the house when you are away. I am still trying to decide between wired and wireless, so your experience gives me another angle to consider.
I will probably compare Ring and Blink a little more before making a decision. Really appreciate you sharing your experience with both.
I would rather hear from people who actually own and use these.