Baseus Security S1 Lite review: Solar powered, subscription-free

Best prices today: Baseus S1 Lite

$ 49.99

$ 79.99

Baseus gradually pushed beyond its roots in telephone chargers and accessories, and its latest decision is to extend its intelligent safety range with two solar energy cameras: the baseus S1 Lite (examined here) and the baseus S2 (which we will cover on a later date).

The company presents S1 Lite basues as an option for the budget designed for people who want affordable security without being linked to monthly costs for cloud storage. The question is whether the camera feels like a real good deal or simply a bunch of compromises.

Design and features

Unlike conventional ball and dome style cameras that you see on most houses, S1 Lite has a flat and rectangular shape. The design allows its solar panel to be integrated into the body of the camera rather than bolted like a separate unit. This small detail gives the S1 Lite a more elegant and more modern look than many other solar cameras.

The solar panel is associated with a 5,200 mAh battery. According to Baseus, a few hours of sun per day are sufficient to maintain it, according to Baseus, with a single load which lasts up to 150 days. It is time to manage the outside, with an IP67 note for resistance to dust and water, and is built to operate at –4 degrees Fahrenheit at 122 F. (allow us to explain what you need to know about IP codes.)

Michael Ansaldo / Foundry

The camera records in 2K resolution and has a 135 -degree field of vision, which is wide enough to cover a good piece of courtyard or aisle. An 8x digital zoom allows you to see people or objects more closely at around 26 feet. At night, an integrated projector starts to deliver a color video when the movement is detected, effective at around 20 feet.

The S1 Lite is not overloaded with AI characteristics, but it covers the bases: it can distinguish human movement and general movement, and you can shoot with two personalized activity zones while masking two areas of intimacy. The bidirectional audio allows you to hear what is going on outside and speak with visitors and delivery people. For storage, you can place in a microSD card with a capacity of up to 512 GB (our guide for microSD cards will help you choose one). This means that your recordings are stored locally, with an AES and RSA encryption, and free from subscription fees.

For users of the smart house, the S1 Lite is linked to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant ecosystems and is managed via the Baseus application for Android or iOS.

Configuration and performance

The configuration of the S1 Lite starts with the download of the basic safety application, which you will need to connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network. Once the camera is lit, the application automatically detects and guides you on the step-by-step connection process. From there, you can set up the camera with the including screw support, a work that takes only a few minutes thanks to its wireless design. Connectivity is limited to Wi-Fi networks to 2.4 GHz, which is common at this price but deserves to be noted if your network is already overcrowded.

Michael Ansaldo / Foundry

Video performance is solid for a low -budget camera. The 2K resolution captures the right details during the day, and the wide angle view means that you can cover a courtyard or a driveway with a single unit. At night, the infrared nocturnal vision in black and white continues to look until the movement triggers the spotlights, allowing the camera to deliver a color video that can capture details such as the color of the clothes or car paint.

The baseus safety application works well as a control center for the camera. The home screen shows a live flow with quick access to functions such as recording, snapshots, projectors and bidirectional discussions. Immerse yourself in the settings and you can adjust video and audio quality, manage battery performance or refined motion detection. The sensitivity is controlled with a simple cursor, and you can choose between detecting any movement or simply human activity. It is a simple and unadorned provision that facilitates the work of the camera as you wish without feeling buried in the menus.

Intelligent alerts were generally reactive in my tests. Define the detection on “human” reduces the number of notifications of the balancing trees and other accidental movements, effectively keeping manageable notifications.

Michael Ansaldo / Foundry

I have always been a fan of local storage because it maintains my data in my hands and eliminates the cloud storage costs. But it should be noted that Baseus provides no way to save video recordings of the out -site camera. So, if the camera is damaged or stolen in the commission of a crime, you will have no forensic evidence. This compromise will have more importance for some than others, but at this price, it looks like a fair compromise.

Should you buy the Outdoor Camera Baseus Security S1 Lite 2K?

The Baseus S1 Lite makes a strong case as an outdoor outdoor camera. At $ 80 – and sell much less online – it is cheaper than many 2K solar energy competitors, and the lack of subscription fees to store your video recordings in the cloud further reduces its total cost of possession.

However, you will have to make some small compromises. The support for only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi will limit its performance on crowded networks. The zone limit with two activities / two areas of the Prix zone could prove to be restrictive if you monitor a larger space. And the advanced AI intelligence such as the vehicle or the detection of pets will be missed if you want to pay attention to unknown cars or wandering creatures. If these things count, continue to shop.

For owners concerned about the budget, however, the baseus S1 Lite hits the right notes. You will abandon bells and whistles, but you will always get a capable solar energy camera that keeps its main promise: affordable external security.