I switched to this Eufy security camera and can't go back to grainy night vision

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It’s been more than a year since I replaced my EufyCam S330 with its capable successor, and since then, that’s remained on ZDNET’s best security cameras list. The newer EufyCam S3 Pro has one huge advantage over other high-end security cameras: Eufy’s MaxColor Vision.

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Rather than being the name of a 1980s TV channel, MaxColor Vision captures detailed images, even at night. This technology produces night vision footage that looks like daytime with stunning clarity, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).

The EufyCam S3 Pro also has a pair of spotlights for extra light to capture more detail in low-light conditions. These spotlights weren’t always necessary, but could be helpful in certain situations.

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As soon as I set up my EufyCam S3 Pro, I installed it in place of my older S330 solar-powered cameras, which will now get a new home, surveilling the sides of my house. The difference in the footage was immediately glaring. The latest EufyCam S3 performs stunningly at night, even in my backyard, which has no lights on overnight. 

The EufyCam offers striking color images with night vision, powered by AI that processes the image in real time to enhance and sharpen it. Hardware also plays a key role — aside from being a 4K-resolution camera, the EufyCam S3 Pro features an aperture of f/1.0 and a 1/1.8″ sensor for increased light sensitivity.

Setting the technology up with HomeKit was a bit disconcerting. The image quality drops to 1080p in HomeKit, which can be a letdown when you’ve paid for a 4K device. Because you’re using Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video (HSV), the footage is stored in iCloud, not HomeBase 3. 

This setup requires an iCloud subscription, which ranges from $1 to $10 monthly for plans from 50 GB to 2 TB. Apple’s HSV features support end-to-end encryption, aligning with Apple’s commitment to user privacy.

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After trying the camera with HomeKit, I kept the device with the rest of our Eufy security cameras and alarm system in the HomeBase 3 hub with an external HDD. This keeps footage local, as the cameras connect to the HomeBase and all the video is stored on the hub.

The EufyCam S3 Pro has a large solar panel on the top, which Eufy has improved since the EufyCam S330. The technology, called SolarPlus 2.0, offers up to 365 days of battery life with its large 13,000mAh battery. The company claims just one hour a day of direct sunlight can keep it running without you having to intervene to charge it. 

My older S330 security cameras, which feature SolarPlus 1.0, were installed on my north-facing driveway and south-facing backyard. While I have to charge the driveway camera every six months or so, I never have to charge the backyard camera since it gets direct sunlight.

As a result, I recommend installing these cameras where they can get at least one hour of sunlight a day year-round, though it can be under partial shade, as just 2,500 lx initiates charging. If you can’t get this sunlight, you’ll need to take the cameras home to charge them.

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Like other cameras, the EufyCam S3 Pro features two-way talk, customizable motion detection zones, weather resistance, and face, human, pet, and vehicle detection. 

Facial recognition is one of my favorite features of the HomeBase 3. When the cameras capture footage, the Eufy Security app can identify who was seen, let you add them as people you know, and give them names. Once you’ve named a family member, your notifications will say who was seen when the camera captures them again. 

The EufyCam S3 Pro is not prone to false alerts. Its alerts are accurate when motion is detected, but it can see so well that I’ve had to remove the street about 200 feet away from its motion detection zone so it doesn’t send an alert to every car that passes by.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The EufyCam S3 Pro captures impressive footage, no matter the light conditions. I’d recommend the device to anyone looking for a security camera for dark areas, especially when you need a lot of detail, like by a side door or your driveway.

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Aside from extraordinary night vision capabilities, the bundled EufyCam S3 Pro 2-pack and HomeBase 3 package, though expensive, is good enough to function as a full security system. The HomeBase 3 sounds a siren when the system is armed and detects movement. It works as a hub for all Eufy Security devices. The hub’s capabilities also let you store your videos locally, so you never have to worry about monthly cloud storage fees.