SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K Review: Home Security Camera that is Both Affordable and Effective
Home security cameras are a necessity nowadays; they protect us and enable us to keep an eye on kids. But many of them are quite expensive, and cheaper ones are not great at their job. So, here is an affordable 2K security camera designed to be used indoors. SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K security camera promises some excellent features.
It is an award-winning camera from a company that started as a crowdfunding project about five years ago. I have been using some of their products, and they are gradually building a robust smart home ecosystem with excellent automation abilities.
So, here is the thorough inspection of the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K camera.
Overview
In a hurry, read this short overview stating the pros and cons of the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K camera.
Pros
- Affordable Pricing
- Excellent build quality
- Good day and low-light image quality
- Two-way communication capable
- No monthly subscription trap
- Motion Detection
Cons
- Big Size
- No h.265 compression algorithm
SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K Camera – Price
SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2k is launched at a fantastic price of 49$ only. It is among the most affordable camera in the market. The price can get even better if you use the code 13BF4All on the link below to get 30% off your order.
SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K Camera – Unboxing
SwitchBot has been consistent with its packaging design and positive since its start. The package has a simple, clean design and prominent features printed on one side.
Inside, the camera is well-packed and comes with a micro-USB charging cable and a removable base with a ¼-inch mount.
Appearance and Build Quality
At first sight, it looks bigger than I thought and feels more like a small lamp or a humidifier. The camera can pan up to 360° and tilt 115°, which ensures thorough coverage. It also has a microSD card slot hidden behind the main body. The camera needs static power, which is delivered via the micro-USB port on the back of the camera. The port is in an excellent position as it needs a permanent connection.
The construction is quite good; it feels good in the hand, but it seems like SwitchBot has reused the previous generation’s body, which is why the size is also bigger and bulkier.
Technical Specification
- Image Sensor: High-end 3MP CMOS image sensor
- Lens: f/2.0 aperture with 100° field of view
- Image Compression: h.264 compression
- Storage: microSD card support up to 256GB
- Panning and Tilting: 360° and 115°
- Night Mode: Yes, thanks to 8 infrared lights around the camera
- Motion Detection: Yes
- Human Detection: Yes
- Microphone and Speaker: Yes, cross-communication capable
- App: SwitchBot App
- Smart Assistants: Supports Alexa and Google Assistant
SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K Camera – Features
SwitchBot Pan/Tilt is a fantastic camera, in fact, a close-to-perfect one for indoor surveillance. And does deliver some exceptional results considering the price of the camera.
The key strength of the camera is motion and human detection. It detects any movement and person and adjusts itself accordingly. The camera is a bit slow at reacting as the average response time is one to three seconds which is not bad. Moreover, you can also attach it to an external motion sensor for better and quick results.
Ability to Connect 4 Cameras
The camera can also link up with three additional cameras, which can be analyzed in real-time in the SwtichBot app. It is an excellent feature for complete house surveillance.
To back the night mode SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K camera has eight infrared lights around the camera. And they do a fantastic job of producing nice low-light footage. But make sure to leave some room around it. Because the closer things will be bright and rest of the camera will be underexposed.
Moreover, the camera has a two-way audio capability. It has a microphone and speaker that makes it easier for us to communicate and babysit the kid when you are not close. The quality of the speaker and microphone is also outstanding.
Masked Files in SDcard
The files and video are also encrypted and go through an external server before reaching our smartphone. You can use a 256GB card for local storage. The camera makes a masked file extension so a person with less knowledge cannot understand whether it’s a video. But with the right video player, you can access and review your videos.
SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K Camera – Video Quality
SwitchBot Pan/Tile 2K camera has a 3MP high-end CMOS image sensor with a lens of f/2.0 aperture and 100° FOV. It records videos in 1296 resolution, not 1440p, but still better than Full HD, as you can see above. Moreover, it can pan and tilt up to 360° and 115°, respectively.
The camera comes with two modes of operation continuous and event-only. As the name suggests, in continuous, it records all day, and in the event-only mode, it records recording when it detects any motion or human near the camera. Both are fine as the camera does not record big videos. A 256GB card can easily store a month worth of videos. While event-only mode significantly increases the capacity. Moreover, it’s also efficient as the camera is not running continuously.
The footage is slightly sharp as it is tuned to show more details. The image quality is excellent, and all the objects and details are well-visible.
Low-light videos are also pretty good, with some room, the video is pretty good, and details are very well visible. The grain or noise is minimal Don’t place object near the camera if you want better low light video. Closer object will be bright and rest of the video will be underexposed.
Here is another comparison between the ten-time expensive Eufycam 3 and SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K Camera. The results are not much different SwitchBot has a slightly sharp image, while Eufy has a bright and better picture.
SwitchBot App
SwitchBot app is the gateway to the camera’s recording features and automation possibilities. You can tilt, pan, and adjust based on the camera’s surroundings. It also enables you to use it for two-way communication and access recorded videos.
In addition to great functionalities, it also has some bugs like zooming in and out sometimes doesn’t work correctly you have to pinch it twice or thrice to take it there.
Drawbacks
- Lacking h.265 compression algorithm
- micro-USB instead of Type-C in 2022
- Minor app bugs
- Bulky size
Conclusion
SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K is an easy camera to recommend; it is no way close to perfect and not the best in class, but if you want an affordable home surveillance option SwitchBot is the best option. It costs less than 50$, does not bind you to monthly subscriptions, and provides excellent video quality.
Let me know in the comments what you think about SwitchBot Pan/Tilt 2K.
Where to Buy?
Order yours now from the link below, and don’t forget to avail 30% discount by using the code “13BF4All” and see some more video samples on our YouTube Channel.
