Eufy Security Review

Low-cost home surveilance system

Finding the Right Camera System
I wanted a security camera system that didn’t require a monthly subscription, like Ring and other cloud-based options. It also needed to be wireless since running cables wasn’t practical for my setup. Affordability and easy installation were also key factors. After researching on Google and YouTube, I settled on Eufy. I decided to start with a single doorbell camera and add more cameras as needed.

V2 Home Base
The first thing to set up is the home base, which stores video recordings and connects to your home Wi-Fi. Inside the box, you’ll find the base unit and a power cord — that’s it. Place the base unit near your other Eufy devices so they can communicate using Eufy’s proprietary Wi-Fi signal.
Setup is simple. Just download the Eufy app, create a free account, and follow the step-by-step instructions to connect the base unit. Once that’s done, you can start adding cameras. Easy!

S220 Doorbell Review (Updated 03/11/25)
The box includes the S220 doorbell, charging cord, access key, mounting bracket, and screws. First, you’ll need to charge the doorbell using the supplied cable, which takes a few hours. Once charged, open the app to add the device to your account — the base unit will detect it automatically.
From there, you can adjust settings like video length, motion sensitivity, and night mode. Be aware that some settings can drain the battery faster. Finally, mount the doorbell using just two screws. When motion is detected, you’ll receive a notification and can watch the video on your phone. Videos are stored on the base unit, with storage capacity depending on video length and quality.

Pros & Cons
A minor issue: removing the doorbell to recharge the battery can be tricky. The access pinhole is located at the bottom, making it hard to find—especially in cold weather. Battery life is around one month in winter and three months in summer.
I did encounter a problem after about a year—the blue ring light around the button stopped working, though it still lit up while charging. Resetting didn’t fix it, and Eufy’s tech support wasn’t much help. Everything else worked fine, so I moved the S220 to my garage entry door to monitor activity when the garage door is left open. Battery life improved to about four months since it’s sheltered from the elements. I replaced the front door camera with the newer E340 model.

E340 Doorbell Review (New 12/28/24)
This newer model features a second camera for package detection and an LED light. The box contains the doorbell, charging cord, access key, mounting bracket, and screws. Like the previous model, it requires an initial charge via USB-C, which takes a few hours.
Setup is nearly identical to the S220, with step-by-step voice prompts in the app. Once installed, it records motion-triggered videos that you can access on your phone. The new package camera is great for online shoppers, letting you check for deliveries or capture footage if a package is stolen.

Significant Improvements Over the S220 Doorbell

• The access key pinhole is now at the top, making battery removal easier.
• The battery is removable and allows for a quick swap with a second battery.
• The mounting bracket is larger but uses the same holes as the S220, so no additional drilling was needed.

Battery issue with the S220 Doorbell
After using this doorbell for 3 months, I do have some concerns with the battery life. I charged it fully for the initial installation and it lasted about 2 months. The second time I charged it, the battery lasted about 3 weeks. The third time it only lasted 3 days. This is terrible.

I contacted tech support via email and received a very fast reply. The support person advised me to try different settings. I had already done these on my own, but I double checked everything just to confirm. This did not make a difference. I am waiting on resolution on this issue and will report back soon.

S220 SoloCam Review
I chose this camera because it has a built-in solar panel. Setup was straightforward: after charging the unit with a USB-C cable, I added it to the Eufy app like the doorbells. Then, I mounted it with two screws within Wi-Fi range.
A big advantage of the SoloCam is that it connects to standard 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, allowing for greater range and compatibility with Wi-Fi extenders. However, my camera is just far enough from the router that it sometimes struggles with buffering. I plan to install a range extender to fix this.
The SoloCam stores videos locally, overwriting old recordings when storage is full. The built-in solar panel keeps the battery charged, but it struggled in Illinois winters. In temperatures between -5°F and 15°F, the battery lasted only about three weeks, losing 4–7% charge per day. While battery life was disappointing, video quality was excellent.

3W Solar Panel Review (New 3/11/25)
Adding Eufy’s supplemental solar panel was a game-changer! While third-party options exist, I wanted to stay within the Eufy ecosystem. I relocated my S220 SoloCam to the garage gutter for a better driveway view and connected the solar panel via a USB-C cable.
The only downside? The cable is unnecessarily long (2 meters), leaving me with extra wire to manage. A shorter option would be nice. The panel charges the camera by about 12% per sunny day, which should eliminate the need for manual charging. Low maintenance is always a plus!

Overall Impressions
Eufy’s video quality is great, with the doorbell doing a good job of capturing faces. I had to lower the sensitivity to prevent excessive alerts—on the first day, it triggered over 700 times! Mowing the lawn also sets it off repeatedly.
A tree in front of the doorbell camera sometimes triggers false alerts on windy days, which can be annoying. Otherwise, it performs well. Each user’s setup will require some fine-tuning for the best results.

Future Plans
I might add a camera for the back door or yard. I also plan to run a network cable to my garage and install a range extender to improve connectivity. This will also help with my Jackery solar generator, which relies on Wi-Fi for communication.

Biggest Drawbacks
 No Continuous Recording – The cameras will only record when motion is detected, with clips up to one minute long. They don’t support DVR recording, but you can view a live feed via the Eufy app (which drains the camera battery).
 Proprietary System – You can only access Eufy cameras through the Eufy app or website, and an internet connection is required for viewing footage.
 Delay in Notifications – There’s a few seconds’ lag between motion detection and receiving video. I suspect network latency is the cause, and I’m looking into ways to reduce it.
 Privacy Concerns – Eufy faced a lawsuit for storing videos despite claiming otherwise. While they say the footage was used to improve motion detection, this could be an issue for indoor cameras. Avoid placing them in private areas like bedrooms or bathrooms. If privacy is a concern, consider a closed-circuit DVR system instead.

Final Thoughts
Eufy isn’t perfect, but it’s a solid, budget-friendly security system. It’s easy to install and configure, making it a great option for those who want a hassle-free setup. If you need long-range coverage, opt for Wi-Fi-connected models rather than ones that store video on the base unit. As always, make sure the system meets your needs before buying. I’ll continue updating this review as I expand my setup!