Eufy Edge Security System
The Eufy Edge Security System aims to fix two of the most common problems with wireless security cameras: false alerts and having to charge the cameras’ batteries.
To avoid creating a constant stream of false alerts, Eufy’s system has a BionicMind self-learning AI to the HomeBase 3, which acts as a data hub for the two included EufyCam 3 cameras. As for having to take the cameras down to charge them, the company added solar panels on the top of each EufyCam 3. With just two hours of sunlight per day, the cameras can stay fully charged indefinitely — so says the company.
Another thing that sets Eufy’s security cameras apart from others is that there are no subscription fees whatsoever. Instead, the company’s customers can store and access recorded videos for free using the HomeBase 3’s built-in storage. While the HomeBase 3 ships with 16GB of local storage built-in, its storage capacity can be expanded all the way up to 16 TB using a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD.
Eufy Edge Security System review: Setup
To place your EufyCam 3 cameras outside, first set up and configure the HomeBase 3.
Both cameras interact wirelessly with the HomeBase 3, which must be physically linked to your router. (If you have one of the greatest mesh routers, I discovered that I could connect the HomeBase 3 via Ethernet to one of the nodes on my Deco XE-75 and it worked perfectly.)
If you intend to add a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD to the HomeBase 3 to increase video storage, you need do so first. Adding a hard drive is simple: simply remove the HomeBase 3’s magnetic top. After unscrewing a single screw, you may remove a tray, insert your hard drive, screw it in, and put everything back together. The procedure was straightforward, and it only took me a few minutes to connect the 1 TB hard disk provided by Eufy to the device.
After connecting the HomeBase 3 to an AC outlet and your router, install the Eufy Security app. After making an account or logging in and connecting the HomeBase 3, you must add the cameras. However, because to the EufyCam 3’s huge 13,400 mAh battery, each camera must charge for eight hours before being added to the HomeBase 3.
Once charged, you need to place each camera close to the HomeBase 3 and press the sync button at their rear for two seconds until you hear a beep. You then need to repeat the process by pressing the sync button at the back of the HomeBase 3. After 30 seconds, the HomeBase 3 will say “Device was added successfully” and you can now control and access your EufyCam 3 cameras from within the Eufy Security app.
Installing both cameras was quite simple because Eufy offers two screw location labels that make it easy to drill pilot holes. Keep in mind, however, that the cameras should be 7 to 10 feet from the ground and in bright sunlight to take benefit of their integrated solar panels.
Eufy Edge Security System review: Audio and video performance
The Eufy Edge Security System provides exceptional video and audio quality. Also, the inclusion of 4K sharpens the images from both cameras, and the app allows you to zoom in for even more information. Pictures taken during the day, such as the one above, are very clear, but the EufyCam 3 also performs well at night.
When filming at night, you can set the spotlight to turn on when motion is detected, allowing you to see colors. However, doing so depletes the battery faster. The black and white night vision mode, which employs the IR LED instead of the spotlight, still provides a clear view at night, as shown in the image above.
In the clips above, you can see how the EufyCam3 mounted by my front door and the one above my garage performed both during the day and at night. You can also hear the audio captured by the camera’s microphone. Suffice it to say, I’m very impressed with their performance.
The EufyCam3 allows you to see quite far into the distance though I was limited by the layout of my neighborhood and the fact that I have a corner house. Still, I could see people approaching my home clearly and the microphones on the cameras picked up anything they said. As for false alerts, I received almost none in my time testing the Eufy Edge Security System. There were only a few times the cameras detected movement when it was actually shadows moving on my car parked in the driveway.
While the AI did a good job of recognizing me and the other members of my household, I wish there was a way to add familiar pets and vehicles in addition to familiar faces. This way I would get a notification I could ignore when my dog or my wife’s car were spotted by the cameras. Hopefully, this is something Eufy can add in a future update to either the EufyCam 3 or the HomeBase 3.
Eufy Edge Security System: Smart home features
It currently supports both Alexa and Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit support is in the works. After connecting the Eufy Security talent to Alexa and both cameras to the Google Home app, I was able to view live feeds from each of the EufyCam 3 cameras on the top smart screens. My Nest Hub Max displayed footage from the EufyCam 3 in a full-screen window; my Echo Show 8 did the same, and I could also view each video feed in a smaller Picture-in-Picture window. The Alexa app allowed me to access live video feeds from the Eufy Edge Security System without issue, however the Google app did not.
Eufy Edge's Battery life
To give you an idea of the battery life of the two EufyCam 3 cameras included in the Eufy Edge Security System, I first installed them in mid-September and have not had to take them down to charge yet. In fact, both cameras still have a full battery icon even though I check them frequently and I do have their spotlights turn on at night. Your mileage may vary but if you install the EufyCam 3 cameras in a place where they get direct sunlight, you may not have to take them down to charge at all.
Final Verdict
At a time when most other wireless outdoor security cameras still record in 1080p, Eufy has taken things up a notch by adding 4K to the EufyCam 3. This gives you higher quality recordings, makes it possible to zoom in on numbers and text in license plates and represents a huge upgrade over the EufyCam 2. While Eufy’s BionicMind AI did take some time to begin recognizing me and the other people in my household, it now works like a charm. However, I wish there was a way to add familiar vehicles and pets in the same way that you can do so with people.
The only other wireless outdoor security camera that records in 4K that comes even close to the EufyCam 3 is the Arlo Ultra 2 XL. However, as it lacks a built-in solar panel, you’ll still have to take them down to charge, though Arlo does sell rechargeable batteries you can quickly swap out.
If you want a set it and forget it wireless security camera system that doesn’t require a subscription fee, the Eufy Edge Security System could be the perfect fit. Also, you can easily add more storage to the HomeBase 3 on top of its built-in 16 GB of storage.