Need help choosing a new camera system for my house

Hey everyone, I’m currently using Google Nest cameras inside and outside my home, all of which are wired (including the doorbell camera). I’ve got a solid network setup, so losing WiFi is extremely rare. Now, I’m looking to add a new camera system to another house. My ISP has no data caps, and I’m trying to figure out the best option. Here’s what I need:

  • 1 camera with floodlights
  • 5 exterior cameras
  • 1 doorbell camera
  • Possibly 1-2 indoor cameras in the future
  • No battery-powered cameras

I don’t mind paying for Google’s Nest service because it provides exactly what I want—human, animal, and vehicle detection, along with 24/7 recording. I understand the benefits of an NVR as well, so I’m open to options with or without one. I’m wondering if there’s any other system (not Ring) that offers what Google does, including an app that’s as user-friendly as Google’s Home app. I know there are two apps for older Google cameras, but I mainly use the Home app.

If I missed any requirements, let me know. Thanks!

Check out Wyze. The hardware might not look as sleek, but it’s much cheaper. They have similar notifications for animals, people, and cars with a $50 annual license that covers up to 64 cameras. You also get 24/7 recording to an SD card, with motion events sent to the cloud.

The app is free, and if you stop paying for the advanced features, you’ll still get basic motion detection and 24/7 recording to the SD card, but with fewer advanced detection options.

@Rey
Actually, their ‘Cam Plus’ is now $3 per month or $20 per year per camera, and they offer ‘Cam Unlimited’ for $13 per month or $130 per year with no camera limits. You can sometimes find sales for as low as $89 a year. Without a subscription, you only get a still image when motion is detected, not video. Cam Plus Lite offers 12-second clips, but it’s limited to older cameras and may be grandfathered for existing users only.

@Hadi
Wow, that’s unfortunate. Looks like they still offer the $100 site license on Amazon, so it’s still a good deal. Do they still offer a 14-day free trial for new cameras? I’ve always disliked their no-refunds policy, especially when Ring offers prorated refunds.

@Rey
Yeah, I believe you still get a free month trial with new cameras. And you’re right, it’s annoying that they don’t offer prorated refunds if you cancel mid-year or if the camera breaks.

@Rey
I’ve tried Wyze before and use it for my alarm system, but I had issues with their paid subscription. Notifications were delayed, and navigating the app was a pain. This was about a year ago—has anything changed since then? I don’t mind spending extra money to get the features I need, which is why I’m still considering Google for the new house.

@Corey
I haven’t personally experienced delays, but their app can feel a bit clunky compared to others. Some of my customers have used Wyze for years without issues, but I can’t say things have improved significantly in the past year based on your experience.

You might want to look into Eufy as well. It’s a bit more expensive than Wyze but offers a lot of great features. If you still have Wyze for your alarm system, maybe try a single Wyze camera again to see if the delays are still an issue. If not, they’re solid for the price.

But if you’re looking for top-notch quality with 4K video and a dedicated storage option, Eufy is worth considering. They even have wireless options with dedicated storage, which might be more in line with what you want.

@Rey
Thanks, that makes sense. I’ve heard some concerns about Eufy’s security and privacy issues, though. Do you know what makes their cameras and alarm system stand out? Do you personally use them?

Corey said:
@Rey
Thanks, that makes sense. I’ve heard some concerns about Eufy’s security and privacy issues, though. Do you know what makes their cameras and alarm system stand out? Do you personally use them?

I don’t use their alarm system, but I’ve installed Eufy cameras for a client, and they’ve been really happy with them. To be honest, I always tell people not to point cloud-connected cameras at anything sensitive. But yes, Eufy had some issues with encryption a couple of years ago, and they did a full third-party security audit afterward. They seem to have learned from that, which is reassuring to me.

Oh, and if you’re open to it, TP-Link’s Tapo cameras are surprisingly reliable for residential setups, though I haven’t tested them personally.

@Rey
I appreciate the honest feedback. I’ll do more research into Eufy, especially since their doorbell camera with the dual-lens design looks really interesting. I like the idea of skipping cloud storage and going with a local NVR setup, though. How is the app experience with Eufy? Did your client mention any feedback on that?

@Corey
I haven’t heard any complaints from them, and I spent a fair amount of time helping them get set up, so I’d assume no news is good news! I’m actually installing another Eufy system this weekend, so I’ll keep your concerns in mind and let you know how it goes. It’s a larger property, around 4,000 square feet, so I’ll be working with both solar and wired cameras syncing to a storage box. I’ll give you an update after the weekend if you want!

@Rey
That would be awesome! Thank you so much for your help.

I wanted to like Google Nest, but when it’s wireless, it doesn’t record the first few seconds of activity at night. So by the time it catches something, it’s already happening. I haven’t found a better alternative yet.

@Shea
That’s strange. I’ve had mine for five years and never had that issue. Are you talking about the wired version or the battery one?

Corey said:
@Shea
That’s strange. I’ve had mine for five years and never had that issue. Are you talking about the wired version or the battery one?

It’s wireless. It seems to be trying to save battery by not recording until something gets really close to the camera. It’s especially bad for straight-on movement. Wired versions might not have that problem.

@Shea
Got it. I use wired power for all my cameras, so that’s probably why I haven’t had that issue. Thanks for clarifying!

You should look into getting an IP/PoE camera system with an NVR. If you’ve got a higher budget, check out Hikvision or Dahua (or Empiretech in the US). If you’re on a budget, Reolink is a great option. Anything else won’t be worth your money.

@Alby
Can you explain why other systems wouldn’t be worth it? I’m definitely interested in Reolink since I’m not looking to break the bank. What makes it so good?

Corey said:
@Alby
Can you explain why other systems wouldn’t be worth it? I’m definitely interested in Reolink since I’m not looking to break the bank. What makes it so good?

Google Nest, for example, only offers 1080p resolution, which isn’t great. Plus, they’re WiFi-based. Wyze cameras are 2K, but they’re not PoE. For security, you want something wired and with higher resolution.

Reolink offers IP/PoE cameras with 4K resolution, 24/7 monitoring, and AI detection for people, vehicles, and animals. You get a solid phone and desktop app to view live footage, check recordings, and set up motion zones. And there’s no subscription fee unless you want cloud storage or richer notifications.

The night vision is great too—either color or infrared, depending on your lighting. They’ve also got spotlight and two-way audio. Their doorbell camera is highly recommended, even by people who don’t typically like Reolink.

If you want to go all out, Hikvision and Dahua offer face recognition, better night vision, and even license plate readers, but Reolink is great for mid-range needs.

@Alby
Eufy seems like a good WiFi-based option I’m considering, especially since I don’t need PoE at this house. Does Reolink or Eufy have facial recognition for familiar faces? That’s something I really value in Google’s system.