Verdict
Though the Imou Versa is an affordable safety camera, it doesn’t skimp on options: its magnetic stand may be very flexible, it shoots high-quality Full HD footage and it may be used indoors or out. The app is just a little primary, and the cloud storage is kind of costly. Nonetheless, in case you document to a microSD card and simply want a easy camera, then this one is nice worth.
Professionals
- Fast and straightforward to put in and use
- Prop-up stand makes it straightforward to get the view you need
- Good night time imaginative and prescient
Cons
- Imou Defend security subscription prices extra cash after a 14 day free trial
Introduction
The Imou Versa is a small and cheap safety camera, which doesn’t reduce any corners on picture high quality, together with good efficiency in darkness and moist climate.
It’s managed by way of the Imou Life app, with footage in a position to be saved on the cloud or an SD card.
I’ve been testing it for the previous couple of weeks, so listed below are my ideas.
Design and set up
- Small and gentle
- Powered by connecting to mains electrical energy
- Connects to Wi-Fi
Fast and easy to get working, the Imou Versa has a flexible pop-up stand. I discovered that I may simply place the camera up or all the way down to cowl any space I needed.
This stand has a magnetic base, so it may well seize onto steel surfaces, such because the aspect of a fridge.
Alternatively, the stand will be screwed to a wall for a extra everlasting set up, which can be required if you wish to set up this mannequin outdoors.
The one factor you want is an influence socket pretty shut by, in order that the Versa will be powered. Should you don’t have an influence socket, then a wi-fi camera, such because the Eufy S220 SoloCam, could make extra sense.
This camera can document to the cloud, however there’s additionally an choice microSD card slot, which takes playing cards as much as 256GB in dimension. If you wish to keep away from paying month-to-month subscription charges, then this can be a helpful improve.
By way of the Imou Life app, I quickly had the camera linked to my Wi-Fi community (2.4GHz solely), and prepared for motion.
Options
- Constructed-in siren
- Push notifications on app (will be disabled)
- Simple to scroll again by way of outdated video and picture footage
Open the app, and you get the essential options you get with most cameras: I may view the reside feed, take a nonetheless picture or video, and play a siren. The latter might be helpful if you wish to let somebody know they’re being recorded and, hopefully, transfer away.
As a safety camera, the Imou Versa can document footage when it detects movement. On prime of primary movement sensitivity, the camera additionally has human detection, which is price enabling if you wish to reduce down on the variety of alerts that you simply get.
With a microSD card slot put in, the camera can document to native storage. Imou additionally gives a free trial subscription to Imou Defend Primary, which provides you seven days of historical past. After the trial, it prices £2.59 a month or £25.99 a 12 months for one camera. Improve to Imou Defend Plus is £5.99 a month or £59.99 yearly, for one camera and 30-days of historical past.
There’s additionally an choice to share a tool with 20, reasonably than 10, customers; if you realize 20 individuals you’d wish to share your camera with, in fact.
Cloud storage is kind of costly. Purchase a Ring camera, for instance, and it’s £3.49 a month for 30-days of historical past for one camera, or you’ll be able to pay £8 a month for 30-days of historical past for limitless cameras and extra Ring Alarm advantages. In order for you multiple camera and cloud storage, it’s price shopping for one thing completely different.
Video seems as thumbnails in a scrollable timeline, selectable by date, and will be downloaded to your cellphone to put it aside completely.
Video high quality
- 1080p video decision
- Makes use of a highlight when it’s darkish
Taking pictures in Full HD, the Imou Versa does fairly effectively. In the course of the day, I discovered that the video was sharp, well-exposed and had good colors.
At night time, the camera can activate its highlight when it detects movement and shoots footage in full color. Its vary is nice, and the footage a lot clearer than cameras which have to make use of IR.
Newest offers
Do you have to purchase it?
You need one thing low cost and easy
The Imou Versa can document clear Full HD video at a cut price value with minimal fuss.
You need a number of cameras with cloud storage
Should you want a number of cameras with cloud storage, then rivals have cheaper month-to-month plans such because the Ring Indoor Camera (2nd Gen).
Ultimate Ideas
The Imou Versa is a camera that may do the essential jobs you want at an inexpensive value. Its app is just a little primary and cloud storage comparatively costly, however in case you simply need a well-priced camera and want to document to a microSD card, then this can be a nice selection.
In order for you increased decision, a wi-fi mannequin or extra superior options, try our guides to the most effective indoor safety cameras and greatest outside safety cameras.
How we check
Not like different websites, we check each safety camera we overview totally over an prolonged time period. We use trade normal checks to match options correctly. We’ll all the time let you know what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to overview a product.
Discover out extra about how we check in our ethics coverage.
Used as our principal safety camera for the overview interval
We check compatibility with the principle sensible methods (HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, IFTTT and extra) to see how straightforward every camera is to automate.
We take samples throughout the day and night time to see how clear every camera’s video is.
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FAQs
Sure, the Imou subscription is non-obligatory. You’re in a position to document to a microSD card as a substitute of utilizing the cloud storage you get with the subscription service.
The Imou Versa has no onboard storage, however it may well help as much as 256GB through a microSD card.