Eufy S220 SoloCam Complete Guide: A Cost-Effective, Solar Security Camera
In today's video, we're diving deep into the world of home security with the Eufy S220 SoloCam, a solar-powered, wire-free outdoor camera that's packed with features. We'll unbox it, set it up, and walk you through its impressive list of features, including solar charging, night vision, weather resistance, AI human detection, and more. Plus, we'll guide you through the Eufy Security app and show you how to connect the camera to HomeBase 3 for enhanced AI face recognition. If you're in the market for a reliable, user-friendly, and cost-effective home security solution, you won't want to miss this video.
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▶ Timestamps ⌚:
00:00 - Opening
00:45 - Introduction
01:39 - S220 Features
08:37 - Physical Install
09:36 - App Features
12:52 - S220 w/ HomeBase
14:27 - Final Thoughts
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Great video and every aspect in detail!!
Glad it helped.
This was the most comprehensive video I found on the C220. Thank you
Thanks for sharing. Do you know if you purchase those clips on Amazon for connecting to vinyl siding will work with this?
Thank you soooooo much. I was having all kinds of problems trying to install this camera. I'm 62 and I thought it would be easy because I've been around computers since the 70's. Yeah, right. I should have looked you up before going through 4 hours of trying myself. 😀
What issues are you having?
I have three on the way, arrive tomorrow can I angle the cam like 90 degrees, looking down my siding? They are here charging now. I’ll add them to my homebase.
I have the other Eufy camera... and I haven't had to manually charge it at all. I've had it for probably over a year.
like your video!☺
Awesome review! I ordered this because I only need one camera at a certain time during the day. It is great to know that I can turn it off and on from the app. I might not be able to post it where it gets sun, but I imagine I would easily get 6 or more months of power from a full charge. I only need it on 20 minutes a day tops. And this will be a test to see if I want Eufy to replace Ring. Thanks again.
Glad it helped. Now when you turn it off from the app, I am assuming it is not completely off (because you can turn it back on). But I am sure it would use hardly any energy because it isn't recording or detecting motion.
I need a basic outdoor security camera for a rental duplex. I don't live there and don't have access to WiFi. What are your recommendations?
Never have had to recharge but if I do I will hook up a extension cord out to the camera, better for me not to lose the camera while charging and just plugging in the cord is a whole lot easier than taking the cameras down and then remounting it
Thanks for the info, I got one ordered to replace a ring camera that i been very disappointed with, I will let you know what i think of the s220 after i had it up and running for a week or two
Awesome, sounds good! I only have one Ring camera left, my flood light cam. I have a Wyze cam to replace it, just need to get on the ladder...
Does it work with home base 2 thanks
Can the Eufy s200 be used with the stand alone accessory solar panel Have just purchased the outdoor s220 has a solar panel built in does the accessory solar panel SKU T8700021 configuration suit the s200
Thx for the video. Only support 2.4GH, what's gona happen to 5 or higher GH
If you only have a 5ghz network, then the camera won't connect.
Most likely your local network also broadcasts on 2.4ghz as well (unless you turned it off). You need to look on your router settings and when pairing it, temporarily disable the 5 ghz network so the syncing works. After you are done syncing the camera you can turn the 5ghz back on. I performed similar steps when connecting it to my local network. Without temporarily disabling the 5ghz signal during setup, it was unable to add it to my network. After it should be able to find it fine.
Thank you for this. How can I activate the local storage? Can I make Edge connetion without HomeBase 3? How can instal in order to record to the embedded storage on the camera?
If you don't set it up with a home base 3 it'll automatically record to the onboard storage. You should be able to access the camera from outside of your house with out a home base as well.
How long do recording last? And am I understanding correctly if you have a homebase you can't get the recordings on your phone? If I am out of town I would not be able to see recordings??
So you link it to your router first then you link it to the homebase right?
Can you access the camera video and settings via the internet?
Yes I am able to watch video live from online. I am not able to change any settings though. At least from what I could find. Not sure if adding the Homebase changes things, but this satisfies my needs for now.
Not working for me on Windows, has Web portal but I got "Wrong email or pasword" message, no matter what.
Would you recommend to get the homebase with it? Or isn’t worth it ?
I definitely think it is worth it. A couple of my neighbors picked it up on prime day.
I'd like to see how easy (or not) it is to connect to Home Assistant.
There is a project for Eufy and home assistant but it isn't supported right now. I think development stalled as my last 2 Eufy devices are not supported.
The problem is you can't view "events" from your home PC for better clarity. You can't see anything on the phone.
How do you still record when motion is detected, but disable notification's to your phone? Would be great if you can set it in ARMED mode, only then to receive notifications when motion is detected. Right now, it continuously send motion detected notifications to your phone. You can snooze it, but that doesn't fix the problem. Any idea?
Can you turn it at a 90 degree angle? I would like to install it on the side of the house. BTW, nice review!
When you say turn it at 90 degrees, do you mean does the ball mount allow you to turn it flat against the surface you mount it to (hard to explain). No it looks like it only goes about 50 degrees or so back. But you could easily purchase any outdoor rated camera mount to use with it. It has a 1/4 20 thread on the back, which is the standard for camera mounts (even tripods).
@@ThisSmartHouse that is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!
@fernandoah19 I found after market mounts on Amazon. That will do what you're asking.
Is the threaded hole underneath the camera 1/4 inch? I am trying to find 3rd party mounts for this. Thank you.
I would assume it is. Let me verify and get back to you.
Confirmed, it is 1/4 - 20 (standard for all cameras / tripods).
What do you think about the solar panel degradation on this Eufy camera? I bought 3 of these for my house and I'm worried about the flaking others have reported. Do you spray yours with a UV protector? This may be for another video but I'm specifically asking about it for this camera.
I haven't added any UV protectant on any of my solar powered cameras. My EufyCam 3's show no sign of wear. The S220 I move to my cousin's house, but no sign of wear so far.
Can use this cam in a window? I see people saying theirs was stolen on other channels. I need it to face my driveway.
No, because if you did then you wouldn't get good sun for solar and the IR would reflect back. If you are concerned about getting stolen, then can you install it higher up?
I'm interested in purchasing this security camera but I need to know if there's a feature in the app settings for the camera to continue recording motion activity when I turn off my cell phone or close the app? Also will it continue recording activity when I'm out of wifi range and when I get back home I can check the video clips?. Any help would be appreciated.....
Eufy solar powered cameras do not offer continuous recording.
Correct, no battery powered camera will record 27/7. @Thomas-nz4uh The camera will record independent of your phone. But it will only record after motion.
Can I connect the S220 to a solar panel as well?
Yes, I Believe so. I gave this camera to my cousin but I am going to have to put an external solar panel on it because of the location.
Even though it says you can only connect to 2.4ghz, I was still able to connect it to my 5ghz wi-fi 😁👍
So can you access recordings from the app if you are using the camera without the homebase?
Yes. You have access to footage without the homebase.
We need a camera like this but with 4G/5G
There are some out there but they are typically larger due to having larger batteries and solar panels.
If the HomeBase loses power do you have to re-sync the cameras when power is restored?
Nope. The cameras reconnect if they are in range.
So, basically just unscrew, take the camera & homeowner will have no footage or evidence left? (without homebase)
What does local streaming over RTSP mean?
It means you can send the video stream to any other application like Home Assistant or VLC.
@@ThisSmartHouse so can I stream live video from work on my phone if I want?
If you are using the Eufy Security app, you can view your video from anywhere. RTSP just lets you send a video stream to another device inside your house. (Like to an NVR for long term recording).
@@ThisSmartHouse Could you write what is exact stream end to view the video ? is this /live0 or /Live1 or another one ? Should I connect with this for example ? rtsp://ipcamera/live0 ? Did you check it out ?
After a 40% increase in my RING subscription, I've just cancelled it and ordered one of these instead. It'll pay for itself in 18 months!
Yeah I am done with ring. I have one camera left that I have just been too lazy to remove.
Can you use two cameras without the homebase?
Yes. You can just use the on board storage / SD card. Both will show in the app.
Solo cam S220 has many problemes: - worst ever wall mounting set, when you try to tighten the nut near the wall, the screw near the camera opens. Almost imposible for a single person to fix at the desired angle. Not possile to fix it at 90 degrees from the wall, very important sometimes because you need sun exposure. - web portal acces (for laptop view) not working , at least in my country. I enabled acces from app, it generated a code, but I always got the wrong email or password message. I tried different browswes, not working - once you connect it to the network, it stays connected, even if you turn it off from app. A lot of internet traffic shown in my router from it. It is not possible to turn it off, it has not a physical button. Maybe the chinese guys can hear you if they want to. I have only chinese cams, but you can turn them off , by unplug them. This one has a battery for 1-2 months, it stay on some time I have 4 different camera types (Amcrest, Foscam, Tapo, Eufy S220), I do not recommend Eufy S220, explore another options.
What do you do when the sd card is full?
It just overrides the next oldest video.
Thank you
You are welcome! Glad to help!
If i use the home base, i dont need wifi?
Correct, the HomeBase3 will create its own WiFi access point.
@@ThisSmartHouse how much distance does it have?
It all depends on what material you are going through. I had mine in the basement and it wouldn’t reach my back yard (20ft through concrete). Moved it to my 2nd floor and it reaches front and back.
I doubt RTSP will ever work in a solar camera it has to go to sleep to save the battery.
Actually the eufyCam3s support RTSP. The only one I have seen.
If I don’t want to do home base, where will my videos be recorded? I also don’t want to pay for subscription.
It will record to the embedded storage on the camera. Unfortunately it is not expandable, unless you use a HomeBase.
@@ThisSmartHouse Can I watch and download 8 gb recordings using the app?
Limited time sale for Amazon Prime members: Get the Eufy S220 for only $80!! amzn.to/405HKJr
Why does the cat look like it has broken back legs
What cat?
I got mine. Connected flawlessly. Then everything went to all shit. Jesus.
What happened?
@@ThisSmartHouse fixed! I will post what I did.
Just an Update: Still the WORST camera ever, Don't waste your money cause this camera sucks, buy a Reolink..
I am curious what you didn’t like about it?
@@ThisSmartHouse it takes forever to connect and view live cam and good luck trying to see recordings. My camera is less than 10 feet away from my mesh 6 router, yet when I open the app and click view, it takes anywhere form 2 to 5 minutes to connect if your lucky.
Geeze. Have you contacted Eufy to see if maybe they will do a warranty swap. Could be a bad unit.
Sorry no eufy products for me
STAY AWAY, this is the worst camera ever. It will never connect, even if you have the router next to the camera. Do Not Buy this junk..
Nonsense, just set mine up today, took 10 minutes..wonderful camera.
@@BartholomewTheMidgetSlayer I have tried everything, when it works it's good. Only when it works, other than that this is the worst camera on the market today. I spread the word all around, do not buy this junk..
Did you try replacing it, you might of just had bad luck with a defective one
Nope mines work outstanding. Might need to return yours.
Mine is awesome. Been 2 months