The eufy SoloCam S40 is an excellent camera with software features not found in many consumer level surveillance cameras. It’s a solar powered camera that works incredibly well. No cables for power and no batteries needed.
This is the first camera from eufy that we’ve reviewed and it’s very impressive. The software is refined and the camera is well made. For those that never heard of eufy before, it’s the same company that makes Anker cables and batteries.
Unlike the Blink Outdoor Camera, this has a solar battery that is constantly recharged. No need to ever change the battery!
Software
You can access the eufy SoloCam S40 through an iOS or Android device. The video cannot be accessed from a web browser.
Like practically all cameras, there’s a sparse amount in the box. It’s not difficult and can be done through the app. As this is a solar powered camera, you’re going to want to let it sit in the sun for a day before connecting it.
Setup of the eufy SoloCam S40 is done through the eufy Security app. Download the app. Just hit the plus sign and select the Solocam Solar, choose your WiFi setup and let the app guide the setup process.
To customize settings after setup, simply click the dots at the edge of the camera image then select the setup icon.
Motion alerts can be activated within the app as well as sensitivity settings. The eufy SoloCam S40 offers Activity Zones. We strongly consider using these with any battery operated camera as too many alerts will quickly deplete your battery. Unlike other batteries, the zone selection is extremely flexible and isn’t isolated to predefined squares. It starts you off with a hexagon which you then drag the edges to customize the area you want to monitor.
Detection sensitivity supports seven levels. We suggest starting in the middle at level four then shifting it to the right or left to suite your requirements.
Another unique feature is the ability to only detect humans. This is useful for excluding things like branches or water (like in a pool).
Night vision can be black and white or color. We suggest using color with care as it can quickly drain the battery. If you expect minimal activity then color should be fine. However, if there will be a lot of night action, stick with the default black and white.
You will also note there is a built-in spotlight on the eufy SoloCam S40. The spotlight isn’t very useful if night vision is active however it can be useful in scaring away a potential bad guy when activated.
There are settings for video quality and sound levels. Very similar to other cameras, these settings can effect battery life so be aware of that on higher quality demands.
The notifications can be customized quite a bit from a simple text to one that includes a thumbnail of the event.
The eufy SoloCam S40 is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa.
Hardware
This is a very heavy large camera as the 13,400 mAh battery really adds some weight to it. Without the mount, the camera weighs 3.35 x 4.49 x 1.97 inches. It weighs 1.1 pounds.
It’s a rectangular camera with a standard 1/4″ – 20 threaded standard tripod mounting mounting hole on the back. It is made to mount on a wall or ceiling hence the mounting hole on the back.
These are completely wireless utilizing a solar battery. Place the camera so the top is level and in a sunny spot. Mounting it in the shade will likely effect charging capabilities so choose an open spot with a good long view of the sun.
There is a status light that can be toggled on or off from the app.
The eufy SoloCam S40 is rated IP67 which means it’s waterproof and is made for harsh elements. The camera shown in the photo is outdoors in Southwest Florida with extreme heat and humidity and in the Summer, lots and lots of rain.
Audio is fully supported. Tap the microphone in the eufy app to have a two-way conversation. Audio quality is decent and the sound quality can be adjusted within the app.
An impressive 135 degree wide angle lens is included which gives an excellent view of an area.
The 2k resolution lens renders video at 17 frames per second and features an 8x zoom. We are seeing decent night vision at up to 25 feet in both color and black and white.
No cloud storage here. It’s all local with 8GB of eMMC which is quite a lot.
Connectivity
The eufy SoloCam S40 will connect to WiFi at 2.4 GHz via 802.11 b/g/n.
Mounts
Due to the weight of the camera, mounting is challenging. You need a good mount that will be secured to the surface using screws. Adhesive is unlikely to work with the eufy SoloCam S40. It’s simply too heavy.
You don’t need to use the mount in the box. THe back of the camera has a 1/4″ – 20 threaded tripod screw. This opens up an entire selection of standard mounts and tripods for this camera. We looked at several good camera mounts in an article that helps in selecting the right security camera mount.
Fun and Different
The system has an alarm built into it. It was active by default. Scared the you know what out of me. You can turn that off through security settings within the app.
Summary
The eufy Solocam S40 is a well priced camera with a lot of features. It’s cheaper than most outdoor camera competition with features that meet or exceed the others. While the battery life and sound quality could be better, the price, app features and mounting options are quite good.
It’s a good camera and is worth consideration.
Quick Specs:
| Video Quality | Field of View | Cloud Support | SD Support | Night Vision | Mobile/Web App | Alerts | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2k | 135 Degrees | No | No | Yes | Yes/No | Yes | Yes |
Manufacturer Link: eufy