With all the available home surveillance technology on the market, we’ve become a bit paranoid. Throw in the mistrust created through Nextdoor, and the lines between our yards may as well be the DMZ.
Every stranger on the street is an enemy. Good luck if you still sell goods or services door to door. When did we become a society of suspicion?
Regardless, if you want to watch your corners, then the Switchbot Outdoor Spotlight Cam has got you covered.
With 1080P clear night vision and a built-in infrared sensor, the SwitchBot wireless security cam captures high-quality images even in low light. Its AI human/pet detection prevents false alerts, while local and cloud storage options ensure your footage is safely backed up.
- The Switchbot Outdoor Spotlight Cam has a smart alert system that differentiates humans from pets, preventing unnecessary alerts.
- It offers both local and cloud storage options for flexibility.
- The camera supports IFTTT connectivity which can be used to activate other products like interior or exterior lights.
- It includes two-way audio and a 100dB dismantling alarm for added security measures.
- One downside is that the camera needs to be manually set into position which could create blind spots depending on where it's aimed.
- Although it has wide capture capabilities, it doesn't have tracking movement or auto-rotation features.
- The plastic housing of the camera may not be as sturdy as desired by some users.
Home security
Switchbot carries a wide selection of IFTTT products, from smart lighting to power management. It’s done well with its indoor home security product line.
These products are both affordable and functional. While not being associated with a massive social media company or Amazon.
While they work through a connected app, as does the newly released Outdoor Spotlight Cam, your security videos are yours. So yeah, Kevin, you can use this for freaky stuff if you want.
The Outdoor Spotlight Cam has a smart alert system that makes it worth the money. The PIR sensor picks up motion; then the AI detection system can be toggled to differentiate humans from pets.
So if you don’t want the misadventures of the cat to waste every MB of the MicroSD card, you’ll want to turn this on. In my neighborhood, the nightly foray of outdoor cats is the only thing to watch at night.
Living in a fairly safe neighborhood limited the testing range of this camera. There were no thieves sneaking around the yard at three am. Just cats. The raccoons never come into our yard.
The chickens are sleeping. Regardless, it’d be nice to see if it’s bunnies or cats stealing veggies at night. It’s bunnies. It’s the damn bunnies.
Night vision
If you do need to deter intruders in your yard, then the IFTTT connectivity can be used to activate other products, like interior or exterior lights.
There’s also two-way audio in case you want to hiss at the cats. Additionally, if someone is trying to detach or disable the camera, it can spit out a 100dB dismantling alarm.
That’s freaking loud. That should send the raccoons running. They have human hands it’s so cute. You know those weird, grainy security feed images from television shows?
For a spotlight/cam combo, video quality is quite impressive
The Switchbot Outdoor Spotlight Cam does not deliver such a cliché result. The 1080p video quality comes through, even on night images. This is due to two supporting night vision features.
The infrared night vision creates a crisp black-and-white image of your yard. If you don’t like that, then the two high-brightness LED lights allow clear, bright color night images.
The only downside to the nighttime security is that the camera has to be set into position. That’s to be expected with a camera of this price, but it creates plenty of blind spots.
You’ll want to aim it at the space in front of the door or window. Even though it has a wide capture, it still won’t follow the movement or turn itself. The plastic housing is fine, but not the sturdiest thing ever.
Alternative options
After action report
There are comparable outdoor security cameras on the market. Camland makes a solar-powered system. There are cheaper Wyze cameras that are fairly popular.
Then, of course, there are the Blink products, but I just don’t trust Amazon. Those can be kind of expensive. The Switchbot Outdoor Spotlight Cam retails for a mere $89.99.
For that price, you really can’t lose. It’s got a ridiculously large 10000mAh Battery and supports solar charging. It doesn’t come with a solar charger, but you can plug one in.
This beats remembering to recharge the camera. You know damn well that shit only goes down when you aren’t paying attention. Get a solar charger.
For a limited time, KnowTechie readers can save an additional 10% off with promo code MQ10OSC1, but you’ll have to fact fast as this offer expires on July 9th.
It also offers local and cloud storage. Or you can just get on a ladder every day and pull the MicroSD card. Your call. The ecosystem that Switchbot has set up with its products makes sense.
It doesn’t seem forced, and its product design seems intuitive instead of unwieldy and strange.
I’ve not reviewed a lot of security cameras in my life, but I also don’t have much to secure. The most valuable thing I own is 10 metric tons of LEGO blocks.
So the Switchbot Outdoor Spotlight Cam is the perfect entry into a crowded, paranoid market. Plus, it’s cheap.
Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.
With 1080P clear night vision and a built-in infrared sensor, the SwitchBot wireless security cam captures high-quality images even in low light. Its AI human/pet detection prevents false alerts, while local and cloud storage options ensure your footage is safely backed up.
- The Switchbot Outdoor Spotlight Cam has a smart alert system that differentiates humans from pets, preventing unnecessary alerts.
- It offers both local and cloud storage options for flexibility.
- The camera supports IFTTT connectivity which can be used to activate other products like interior or exterior lights.
- It includes two-way audio and a 100dB dismantling alarm for added security measures.
- One downside is that the camera needs to be manually set into position which could create blind spots depending on where it's aimed.
- Although it has wide capture capabilities, it doesn't have tracking movement or auto-rotation features.
- The plastic housing of the camera may not be as sturdy as desired by some users.
Editors’ Recommendations:
- Introducing the ANNKE Crater Pro: the ultimate indoor security camera
- Eco-friendly home security: Winees L1 solar security cam
- Upgrade your home security with the REOLINK TrackMix WiFi cam
- Eufy’s new outdoor security cameras feature AI and 4K visuals
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