Know It All Nev

On Demand Reviews – 2021

Category: Eufy

Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Professional Evaluate: Spot-on topic monitoring

Nifty Nev
best home security systems, Eufy, Floodlight Camera, Security Cameras, Smart Home |

Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro Review: Spot-on subject tracking
MSRP $299.00

“From its sharp visuals to its rich app, there’s plenty to love about Eufy’s Floodlight Cam 2 Pro.”

Excellent video quality

Great motion tracking

A powerful companion app

No subscription required

Hardwired only

Only 8GB of internal storage (no cloud option)

Over the years, the world of smart security has taken on an all-new form. Where we once relied on the big names of home surveillance to come in, install their hardware, and provide remote monitoring services, the power of the security system has gradually become more and more DIY — and that’s the way we like it. Nothing beats grabbing your phone, opening an app, and viewing an instant live feed from a designated camera.
When it comes to outdoor DIY devices, installation itself may take a bit longer, but the immediate peace of mind remains the same. Plus, what’s not to love about a high-powered floodlight camera with an app to control it?
When shopping for a floodlight system, you’ll cross paths with hundreds of brands that claim to be the best, but one name that continues to blow us away is Eufy, the smart home division of parent company Anker Innovations. Amid the release of an all-new outdoor camera lineup, we were able to get our hands on the Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro, the company’s current flagship offering.
Does the Floodlight Cam 2 live up to its “premium” billing? Yes, indeed. Read on to learn more.
Out of the box
The Floodlight Cam 2 has the look and feel of a camera that is built for performance. You know when something simply feels cheap? Never did this thought cross my mind with the Cam 2, especially once I held it in my hands. About as heavy as a brick, the Floodlight has an IP65-rated outer shell that feels rugged and ready for the elements.
The Cam 2 comes with everything you need to get up and running. Box contents include the camera itself, mounting and wiring hardware, a USB power connector for initial setup (you’ll need a power brick on standby), and the instruction manual.
Before heading outdoors to mount the Cam 2, you’ll first need to connect the device to your Wi-Fi and the Eufy app (for iOS and Android platforms). Once you’ve added the app to your mobile device, open it and tap Add Device. Choose the Floodlight Cam 2 Pro from the list of available hardware, after which you’ll be prompted to scan the QR code located on the camera body. The QR label is cleverly hidden inside the bottom clamshell compartment of the Floodlight, which is accessible by holding in the release tab (mind your fingers) and pulling down on the white part of the camera body.
Tapping into the live feed, daylight viewing presented a clear and colorful picture with well-balanced contrast and little (if any) visual artifacts.

Next, you’ll connect your Floodlight for temporary power using the included USB cable, allowing you to walk through the rest of the app setup. Once you’ve paired the camera to your Wi-Fi and run through the firmware update, you’re ready to begin mounting.

Wired installation only
Similar to many other outdoor camera products (especially those with high-powered lighting), the Floodlight Cam 2 requires a hardwired power connection (110 to 240-volts). While certain residences may have existing wiring located below house and garage awnings that you can use, you may have to add professional wiring and a compatible junction box to your to-do list if your home isn’t floodlight-ready.

Yes, I groaned to myself because I wish the Cam 2 could run on batteries (I’m not a fan of wiring jobs), but there’s no way I’m going to ding the overall score because of this. With its bevy of rich features, plus internal storage and powerful lighting (more on both of those assets below), a hardwired connection is completely necessary. Without one, we’d be charging batteries every two weeks.
With a wall or ceiling junction box in place (either setup is Floodlight-approved), the rest of the install is just a matter of screwing in the Cam 2’s rectangular mounting plate, connecting the wiring, and attaching the camera. Conveniently, the camera comes with a heavy-duty strap that you can hang against the junction box while you’re wiring.
Top-notch video quality and motion tracking
The Floodlight Cam 2 boasts a 2K sensor for both live feed and video recordings. That’s double the pixel count over its predecessor, the Eufy Floodlight Camera. Where the previous iteration only offered fixed viewing, the Cam 2 features an adjustable 360-degree lens housing, a 130-degree vertical axis, and complete pan-and-tilt controls. While a lack of 4K support may leave some users disappointed, based on the video quality I was privy to during my trial, I assume most property owners will be more than satisfied.

The Cam 2 delivers exceptional video, day and night. Tapping into the live feed, daylight viewing presented a clear and colorful picture with well-balanced contrast and little (if any) visual artifacts. Nighttime views employ the three 3,000-lumen adjustable floodlights, adding plenty of illumination to the area in and around the camera. Better yet, the Cam 2’s automatic night mode (you can toggle it on and off in the app) brings another layer of nocturnal detailing.

One of my favorite out-of-the-box Cam 2 features, second only to the visuals, is the camera’s subject tracking. A highly responsive A.I. module is built for human recognition. Whenever a passerby crossed into the Cam 2’s 270-degree motion threshold, my Cam 2 flew into action, locking onto the person and tracking them with ease. Along with a motion notification on your phone, the Cam 2 also records and logs a video clip in the Eufy app whenever a human is detected.
Yes, it’s a huge perk to not have to run your credit card for a yearly cloud-service membership, but those looking for expanded storage may be slightly disappointed.

Best of all, you can create two customized activity zones in the Eufy app (more on app coverage below) to cut down on unnecessary motion alerts that fall outside your property line.
A feature-rich companion app
The Cam 2’s fundamentals are all quite stellar, but what about the mobile app? Rest assured, you’re in good hands. Eufy Security is your one-stop portal for all of Anker’s security products, from indoor and outdoor cameras to motion sensors. On the homepage, a Devices tab lists all of your Eufy hardware currently online, along with a thumbnail of the last recorded image.
Whenever a motion clip is recorded, it’s stored under the Events tab. Here, you can sort through all of your recordings, with filters for humans, pets, and more. You can also rewatch clips and delete ones you don’t need anymore. With 8GB of internal storage estimated to last up to about 30 days (based on average motion detection settings), there’s no subscription required to store video. Yes, it’s a huge perk to not have to run your credit card for a yearly cloud-service membership, but those looking for expanded storage may be slightly disappointed.

Under the Security tab, you’ll be able to set your Cam 2 to Home and Away modes, with unique settings and adjustments for each. You’ll also find Geofencing and Schedule selections for programming your camera based on your zip code, sunrise/sunset, the time of day, and more.
From the Devices screen, tapping the Floodlight Cam 2’s Play button brings you to a live feed of the camera, with options for recording, screenshots, two-way talk, and tracking/calibration features. Tapping the Settings icon in the top-right corner brings you to various adjustments for the Cam 2 itself, including motion detection/monitoring, lighting, recording, and video quality. You can also arm/disarm the Cam 2, toggle auto night vision on and off, and more.
For smart home aficionados, the Cam 2 features support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to receive and view motion events and live feeds from your Cam 2 using a compatible smart display.
Price and warranty
The Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro currently sells for $299 and comes with a one-year, hassle-free warranty.
Our take
Outside of a slightly longer installation window than most smart security devices, the Floodlight Cam 2 Pro is top of the line. Sporting stellar video quality, intelligent subject tracking, plenty of customization options, a solid mobile app, and a fair price point, the Cam 2 is a premium outdoor fixture that we highly recommend for any residential or commercial property.
Is there a better alternative?
In terms of wired floodlight cameras, the Floodlight Cam 2 fits right in with other top floodlight options from the likes of Ring, Arlo, and other major security brands. If you’re a quality connoisseur and absolutely require 4K, the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera will net you UHD-viewing, the option for wire-free installation, and a softer price point. However, you’ll need to opt in for an Arlo subscription if you want any kind of video storage, which makes the Floodlight Cam 2’s internal storage all the more sweeter.
How long will it last?
A rugged design and a hardwired power connection to your home’s electrical should keep the Floodlight Cam 2 going for quite some time. If any troubles do arise, you’re covered by Eufy’s one-year warranty.
Should you buy it?
Absolutely. The Floodlight Cam 2 Pro delivers exceptional performance from setup to mounting and a companion app with a head-spinning amount of customization options.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Advisable low cost robotic vacuum offers wanted for August 2021: Roomba, Eufy, Deebot

Nifty Nev
Commerce 2020, Deals, ecovacs, Eufy, Evergreen Deals, robot vacuums, Roomba, shark, Smart Home |

Robot vacuum cleaners do a great job with routine floor cleaning in your home. Robotic vacuum cleaners proved their life-changing value in the last several years, and now they are smarter and more valuable than ever before. Robot vacs keep floors clean and give family members time to spend with each other or on favorite activities. We found several Roomba deals as well as other robot vacuum deals on brands like Ecovacs, Eufy, and Shark. You can find them all below.
Today’s best robot vacuum deals

How to choose a Robot Vacuum
With robot vacuum deals as low as $140, the decision of whether to buy a robotic vac isn’t as had as when they cost closer to $1,000, but there are still decisions based on brands and features.
All robot vacuums share a core set of features. The differences between models in the same brand usually relate to different sizes, battery life, navigation modes, and more.
Standard features for all robot vacuums:

Motor suction power: Vacuum motors create suction to pull dust, dirt, and debris into an internal dust bin. The stronger the suction power, the more efficiently the robot vacuum can clean your floors. Many robot vacuums aren’t strong enough to work with thick pile carpeting, but most work adequately with low to medium pile carpets. Most robot vacuums today automatically detect the surface on which they are working and can adjust the suction power, turning it all the way up on carpeting.
Center roller and edge brushes: Various forms of flexible center roller brushes loosen dirt and debris. Some robot vacuums have two roller brushes. Most also have two side or edge brushes to move dirt next to walls and in corners toward the center of the robot vacuum movement so it can be sucked up.
Battery operation with return-to-charge: Robot vacuums don’t use cables. The running time per charge varies, but most robot vacs can run at least 60 minutes before needing a charge. Most also automatically return to their charging station for recharging, which can take two to four hours. If your floors require maximum suction power most or all of the time, battery operation time will be lower.
Internal dust bin with filter(s): Robot vacuums pack the dirt and debris tightly into an internal dustbin. A few high-end models self-empty the dustbin into a larger bin at the charging station, but in most cases, you’ll need to empty it yourself — typically a fast and easy process.
Obstacle detection: A robot vacuum that doesn’t have sensors to detect obstacles will continue to bash itself. Virtually all robot vacuums today either sense obstacles ahead of time and shift course or have articulated bumpers and will change direction when they tap a wall, cabinet, or furniture. Many robot vacs also detect drops, so they don’t fall down stairs or off landings.
App control: Most robot vacuum manufacturers provide a mobile app or a Wi-Fi app you can use to start, stop, pause, or send the robot vacuum to the base station. Smartphone apps typically can manage the robot vacuum remotely.
Scheduling: You can set up a calendar for your robot vacuum, ranging from days and start time to separate schedules for different rooms or areas.

Differentiating factors and features for robot vacuums:

Battery life per charge: If 60 minutes of vacuuming is the minimum acceptable running time per charge, 90 to 110 minutes is more common. The robot vacuum doesn’t stop for breaks or phone calls, so even 30 minutes of vacuuming can accomplish a lot.
Cleaning modes: In addition to just starting and stopping, many robot vacuums add one room cleaning, spot cleaning, and more.
Pet friendliness: Pets are generally okay with robot vacuums, but a lot of dog or cat hair can tangle the on the rollers quickly. If you have long-haired pets, be sure to look for one of the many models with pet-friendly features.
Boundary management: Pets also feature in boundary management, but robot vacuums that knock over or spill pets food and water dishes are aggravating. Midrange to high-end robot vacuums often come with boundary strips you can put on the floor. With a boundary strip blocking a dog dish or any other object or area you do not want the robot vacuum to touch or enter, your pets will still be able to drink during the days when the vacuum runs.
Alexa or Google Assistant voice command support: In addition to mobile apps, an increasing number of robot vacuums support Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or both, so when you’re home, you can manage the vacuum with voice commands.
Navigation and mapping: Robot vacuum navigation is more varied than any other feature. Advanced models create maps of individual rooms and sometimes entire floors. Sophisticated mapping and navigation help the robot waste less time by cleaning more efficiently and not going over locations multiple times. Mapping also allows appropriate vacuum scheduling for different rooms base on use and debris.
Charge and resume: Most robot vacuums go back to their docking station to charge when they need it. More advanced models continue cleaning once they recharge. The fanciest models return and pick up where they left off according to stored room maps.
Wet mopping: A minority of robot vacuums also have a damp mop feature.
Self-emptying dustbins: Emptying the dustbin from a robot vac isn’t that big a deal, but just like throwing water off the side of a boat, don’t empty the container into the wind. A very few models have self-emptying features that use a suction motor in the docking station to pull the debris from the vacuum’s internal bin and store the dirt, dust, and debris in a much larger bin in the docking station. Eventually, a human has to empty the larger container, but this feature allows people to let the vacuum clean unattended for extended periods.

Do robot vacuums work on carpet?
Carpets are the most demanding floors for any vacuum. Most robot vacuums detect changes in floor surfaces and boost the power to the motor’s maximum strength on carpeting. Robot vacuums are typically rated for thin to medium pile carpeting. The automated cleaners use various types of flexible rollers to loosen dirt and debris, and then the suction pulls the dirt into the internal dust bin.
Do robot vacuums work on tile floors?
Robot vacuums work well on tile floors because they detect floor surfaces and apply extra suction as needed.
Do robot vacuums scratch wood floors?
Robot vacuums don’t scratch wood floors because they use brushes or flexible rubber rulers that adjust to the floor surface, applying extra suction where needed.
We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we choose what we cover carefully and independently. The prices, details, and availability of the products and deals in this post may be subject to change at anytime. Be sure to check that they are still in effect before making a purchase.Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.

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