✅ What we like
- +No monthly subscription required
- +Local storage via HomeBase or SD card
- +Footage stays on your device, not a cloud server
- +Competitive hardware pricing
- +Good range of cameras (doorbell, floodlight, outdoor)
- +Works as a standalone system without internet
⚠️ Watch out for
- −Had documented privacy/security incidents (2022–2023)
- −AI detection less sophisticated than Ring or Arlo
- −App is less polished than Ring or Arlo
- −HomeBase required for full local storage functionality
- −Limited smart home ecosystem vs Ring/Arlo
- −Less NZ retail presence — mainly online purchases
Eufy has built a genuine niche in the home security camera market by doing one thing consistently: no monthly fees. While Ring and Arlo monetise through subscriptions, Eufy stores footage locally, runs AI detection on-device, and charges you nothing after the hardware purchase.
This approach has real appeal for NZ homeowners who want a complete, functional system without an ongoing bill — but Eufy's history includes a significant privacy incident that warrants honest discussion.
Eufy product range in NZ
HomeBase Systems
HomeBase 3 — Eufy's current hub device. Supports up to 16 cameras, 16GB built-in storage (expandable via USB HDD up to 16TB), local AI processing, and Wi-Fi 6 for improved camera connections. One HomeBase 3 is typically sufficient for a whole-home setup of up to 8–10 cameras.
Eufy Cam 3 — 4K battery camera designed for HomeBase 3. Excellent outdoor performance, 4K resolution, colour night vision. Requires HomeBase 3.
Eufy Cam 2 Pro — 2K battery camera, solid all-round performer. Compatible with HomeBase 3 and older HomeBase 2.
Eufy Cam 2C Pro — More compact 2K camera with a slightly wider field of view. Good for smaller areas.
SoloCam (Standalone)
SoloCam S340 — Solar-powered standalone camera with built-in microSD storage (no HomeBase required). 3K resolution, dual-band Wi-Fi, 360° pan/tilt. Designed for locations with good sun exposure. No ongoing costs at all — solar powers the camera, local storage holds the footage.
SoloCam S220 — Solar with 2K resolution and a fixed lens. Simpler and more affordable than the S340. Also requires no HomeBase.
SoloCam E40 — Battery-powered standalone camera with 2K resolution and built-in storage (without HomeBase, storage is more limited). Good for testing a location before committing to a permanent install.
Doorbells
Eufy Video Doorbell Dual — Two cameras in one doorbell: one at head height, one aimed downward for package detection. No subscription required for full functionality. Available in battery and wired versions. Stores video locally via HomeBase.
Eufy Video Doorbell E340 — Single-lens doorbell with colour night vision and local storage. Wired power option available.
Pricing structure
| Component | Approximate NZD | |-----------|----------------| | HomeBase 3 | ~NZ$199 | | Eufy Cam 3 (per camera) | ~NZ$299 | | Eufy Cam 2 Pro (per camera) | ~NZ$199 | | SoloCam S340 | ~NZ$299 | | Video Doorbell Dual | ~NZ$349 | | Monthly subscription | NZ$0 (optional cloud backup available) |
3-camera starter kit example: HomeBase 3 (~NZ$199) + 3× Eufy Cam 2 Pro (~NZ$597) = ~NZ$796 total, $0/month ongoing.
Compare to Ring: 3× Ring Stick Up Cam Battery (~NZ$600) + Ring Protect Plus (~NZ$17/month) = ~NZ$600 hardware + NZ$612 over 3 years = ~NZ$1,212 total.
The Eufy system costs more upfront but ~NZ$400 less over 3 years.
What Eufy does well
No ongoing costs. Eufy's core value proposition is real. A HomeBase + cameras setup has zero required subscription. AI detection, person alerts, vehicle alerts, remote viewing — all included in the hardware purchase.
Local storage = true privacy. Footage stays on your HomeBase, on your network. You don't need to trust a cloud provider with your home video. This genuinely matters for many NZ homeowners, particularly after increased awareness of cloud data risks.
HomeBase resilience. Even if your internet goes down, Eufy cameras continue recording to the HomeBase locally. Ring and Arlo cameras typically stop recording when internet is lost (because they upload to cloud). Local NVR systems also have this resilience, but Eufy achieves it at a lower installation complexity.
4K resolution available without subscription. Eufy Cam 3 offers 4K video at no monthly cost. Ring's highest resolution (1080p/1536p for doorbells) is cheaper hardware, but Eufy's 4K is substantially better quality for identifying faces and licence plates (within battery camera limitations).
SoloCam S340 is unique. A solar-powered 3K camera with local storage and no hub requirement is genuinely unusual. For homeowners who want to add a camera to a shed, garage, or remote corner of their property without running cables, it's hard to beat.
Eufy's honest limitations
The 2022 privacy incident. Eufy had documented issues with thumbnail uploads to cloud servers and unencrypted stream access — despite marketing Eufy as a cloud-free, local-only system. The company has made changes (end-to-end encryption, clearer privacy settings), but the incident is part of Eufy's track record. If privacy is your primary reason for choosing Eufy over Ring, understand this history.
App experience. Eufy's app (Eufy Security) is functional but consistently rated slightly below Ring and Arlo in user reviews. Navigation is occasionally counterintuitive, and some settings are buried. This has improved significantly but is still a weakness.
Battery cameras still have wake-up delay. Like all battery cameras, Eufy cameras have a 1–3 second wake-up delay for motion detection. This is a hardware/design constraint, not specific to Eufy. If you need evidence-grade driveway footage with no missed motion, a PoE/NVR system is more appropriate.
Less polished ecosystem integration. Eufy's Alexa and Google Home integration works but is less seamless than Ring/Alexa. HomeKit support exists but is limited compared to Arlo. If deep smart home integration matters to you, Ring (Alexa) or Arlo (Google/HomeKit) may suit you better.
HomeBase is a single point of failure. If the HomeBase is stolen, damaged, or fails, you lose access to all locally stored footage. Eufy offers cloud backup as an optional paid add-on for this reason.
Who Eufy is right for
Eufy makes the most sense for NZ homeowners who:
- Want a complete camera system with no ongoing monthly costs
- Prefer local storage over cloud storage
- Have a 2–4 camera setup with reasonable upfront budget
- Have a property with solar-exposure for SoloCam models
- Are not deeply invested in Alexa, Google Home, or HomeKit
Who should look elsewhere
If you're a renter without much upfront budget, Ring Stick Up Cam Battery is cheaper to start. If smart home ecosystem integration is important, Arlo (Google/HomeKit) or Ring (Alexa) are stronger. If you need evidence-grade continuous recording, a PoE/NVR system is the right choice regardless of brand.
HomeBase placement tip: Position the HomeBase 3 centrally in your home for best camera connectivity — not next to your router necessarily, but midpoint between your most distant camera positions. It uses a proprietary 2.4GHz protocol with cameras, not Wi-Fi, so line-of-sight matters.
Eufy subscription plans
Eufy subscription plans
Prices estimated — verified 1 April 2026. Check Eufy directly for current NZ pricing.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Cameras | History | AI | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No Subscription RequiredFree Eufy cameras store footage locally on the HomeBase hub at no ongoing cost. The H… | Free | Free | ∞ | Up to 16GB local (HomeBase) | ✅ | — |
| Eufy Cloud Storage Plus (Optional) Optional cloud backup for Eufy cameras. Most Eufy buyers use local storage only.… | ~NZ$4 | ~NZ$40 | 1 | 30 days cloud | ✅ | — |
⚠️ Pricing shown is estimated and may be out of date. Eufy changes plan names and pricing regularly. Always verify current NZ pricing directly on the Eufy website before making a decision.
Our verdict
Eufy is the best no-subscription option for homeowners who want footage stored locally. The privacy incidents are worth knowing about, and Eufy has made changes since. If zero monthly fees and local storage are your top priorities, Eufy is hard to beat at this price point.
Best for
- ✓ Privacy-focused buyers who want footage off the cloud
- ✓ Anyone who refuses monthly subscriptions
- ✓ Budget-conscious buyers wanting capable cameras
- ✓ 2–4 camera home setups
- ✓ Homeowners (not renters) wanting a more permanent setup
Not ideal for
- ✗ Buyers who need cutting-edge AI detection
- ✗ Smart home users heavily invested in Alexa/Google Home
- ✗ Anyone needing professional monitoring
- ✗ Large properties needing 8+ cameras
🔒 NZ privacy note: Home security cameras can film neighbours or public areas — use signage and avoid unnecessary audio recording. Handle footage responsibly. Learn more