As much as I've invested in my HomeKit configuration over the last few years, HomeKit security cameras are something I haven't been able to trigger. My hesitation is that I didn't want to be bound to pay monthly fees for each room, nor did I want a solution that would require a non-encrypted cloud service. For my HomeKit cameras, I ended up using eufyCam 2 because of this the local recording option at a base station, with no monthly fees, HomeKit integration, battery powered and the ability to use HomeKit Secure Video. Understand my eufyCam 2 review.

HomeKit weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, tips and tricks for automation and everything to do with Apple's smart home frame.

HomeKit rooms with no monthly fees

One of the things we looked for in a room solution was avoiding the monthly expenses. eufyCam 2 records back to an SD card inserted into the base station. This configuration serves two purposes: no monthly fees and the fact that the camera manufacturer cannot see my flow. eufy offers the option to "donate" specific clips to help improve AI, but that depends on me when I choose to submit. eufy is also working on upgrading an external hard drive connected to their base station for additional support.

HomeKit integration

eufyCam 2 has excellent HomeKit support, which was a breeze to install (inside the eufy application) and has been reliable since the day I installed it. HomeKit support allowed some nice options with the help of cameras. The first thing is that motion detection in rooms can be used to trigger other HomeKit elements. In my situation, I use an eufyCam to trigger my Philips Hue flood lights on the front porch. I previously used the Philips outdoor motion sensor to accomplish this, but it became redundant with EufyCam. EufyCam 2 has a much better angle to detect movement.

Video wise, I don't use the Home app to watch videos. I usually use the HomeCam app for live viewing and I use the Eufy app to watch past scenes. As my HomeKit configuration has expanded, the application becomes more and more difficult to use. If I didn't have to scroll to the bottom of the Home tab to find my cameras, I'd prefer this. Instead, HomeCam is a dedicated application for viewing all your HomeKit cameras.

On batteries

In a perfect world, I would have all the electrical cameras connected to power and Ethernet, but this is not a reality for me right now. To get the cables to the locations they want, the cameras would need a lot of cable pull and wall drilling, so it doesn't happen

EufyCams talk directly back to the base station that is wired to my router. The base station can also be used on Wi-Fi. Battery wise, eufyCam 2 prides itself on 365 days on a single charge (mini USB). We had the cameras running for five weeks, and one of them shows a 92% charge in the Home app, and the other one is 93%, so it seems to lose 1.5% of the battery per week. Based on the data I see so far, the statement of a one-year battery is very accurate. I plan to take them down when I clean my pits and give them a new charge. One advantage of using battery-powered cameras is that it is easier to upgrade in the future. I don't have to worry about choosing a room that uses the same type of power cord. If something else comes along, all I have to do is buy, load and mount.

The installation process

For a lot of people looking for eufyCam 2 reviews, the installation process will be an important factor. After I disconnected the cameras and loaded them, I looked at the installation process. It consisted of drilling two small holes, screwing the bracket and then fixing the chamber. A simple touch eufyCam 2s has is to sound an alarm if the camera is moved (you can turn this off when you need to remove it).

Wrap in eufyCam 2 review

One of the eufyCam features I enjoy is motion detection when we receive packages. I made a trip to Disney World earlier this year and I was able to give my neighbor an alert when I had packages from him to get on the porch.

The eufyCam 2 kit checks every box for me when it comes to camcorders. It is private by default, does not require monthly fees and has a long battery life. With its new HomeKit Secure Video support, it's even more of an attractive purchase. The setup was simple and I was impressed by the reliability of the Eufy application.

I like the system so much that I went ahead and installed an eufy Wired Doorbell. You can purchase the eufyCam 2 as a complete kit or you can buy a single room if you want to add another.

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: