Eufy security cameras in NZ are built around avoiding a subscription: most models store footage on the camera itself or on a HomeBase 3 hub inside your house, and live view, alerts and AI detection work without a monthly fee. The trade-off is price: a two-camera eufyCam 3 kit is NZ$1,329.95 RRP, several times the cost of a pair of Tapo cameras.
This guide is for homeowners weighing up a eufy security camera system, from a single SoloCam to a full HomeBase setup, and it covers the NZ range, what the hub does, the 2022 privacy controversy and how eufy compares. For the bigger picture on system types and storage, see our home security camera guide.
Key takeaways
- No subscription is needed: local recording, live view, alerts and AI detection are free, and cloud storage is optional.
- The HomeBase 3 (NZ$409 on its own) holds 16 GB, takes a 2.5-inch drive up to 16 TB and runs face recognition across your cameras.
- For one or two cameras, a standalone SoloCam avoids buying a hub; from three cameras, a HomeBase kit is better value.
- Battery eufyCams record motion clips; the wired E330 system is eufy’s option for 24/7 recording.
- In 2022 researchers found eufy uploading thumbnails and exposing unencrypted streams. Anker admitted it in January 2023 and has since added encryption and third-party certifications.
In this guide
Eufy camera range in NZ
Eufy is Anker’s smart home brand, which also makes the eufy robot vacuums we cover separately. It sells through its own NZ online store and retailers such as PB Tech and Jaycar, which often undercut the RRPs below.
| Model | What it is | Power | NZ RRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor Cam 2K | Fixed indoor camera | Plug-in | $139 |
| Indoor Cam 2K Pan and Tilt | Indoor pan/tilt camera | Plug-in | $169 |
| SoloCam S220 | Outdoor camera, no hub needed | Battery with built-in solar | $299.95 |
| SoloCam S340 | Outdoor dual-lens pan/tilt, 3K wide plus 2K telephoto | Battery with 2.2 W solar panel | $499.95 |
| Dual Cam Video Doorbell E340 | Doorbell with a second, downward-facing camera | Battery | $419.95 |
| HomeBase 3 (S380) | Hub with 16 GB storage, takes a drive up to 16 TB | Plug-in | $409 |
| eufyCam 3 (S330), two-pack | 4K outdoor cameras plus HomeBase 3 | Battery with built-in solar | $1,329.95 |
| eufyCam E330, four-pack | 4K wired cameras recording 24/7, plus HomeBase 3 | Mains adapter | $1,699.95 |
There are cheaper and dearer kits either side: the eufyCam 3C (S300) two-pack with HomeBase 3 is $1,149, while the flagship eufyCam S3 Pro two-camera kit is $1,899.95.
Eufy HomeBase 3: why the hub matters
The HomeBase 3 (model S380) is the centre of a eufy system. Cameras send their clips to it rather than to the cloud, so footage stays inside the house and survives if someone pulls a camera off the wall. It has 16 GB built in, which eufy says covers about three months of typical clips, and it takes a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD of up to 16 TB for longer history or 24/7 recording.
The base also runs eufy’s BionicMind AI, which learns faces so it can tell family from strangers across all connected cameras, without a subscription. Hide it somewhere a burglar won’t look, and ideally put it and your router on a small UPS so recording survives a power cut.
SoloCam or HomeBase system?
The choice comes down to camera count and 24/7 recording. The picker below suggests a setup and a rough cost at eufy NZ’s RRPs.
eufy setup and storage picker
Tell it how many cameras you need and how they will be powered. It suggests a eufy setup, where the footage is stored and a rough cost at eufy NZ’s September 2026 RRPs.
Uses eufy NZ store RRPs checked September 2026: SoloCam S220 $299.95; eufyCam 3 (S330) kits $1,329.95 (two cameras) and $2,199.95 (four), add-on $495; E330 24/7 four-pack $1,699.95, add-on $399.95; HomeBase 3 $409; Indoor Cam 2K $139. Retailers often sell for less. Cloud storage is an optional extra.
With the defaults, two SoloCam S220s cost $599.90 with no hub, against $1,329.95 for a two-camera eufyCam 3 kit with HomeBase 3. The kit buys 4K cameras, face recognition and room to grow. At three cameras the HomeBase route makes more sense ($1,824.95 for a two-pack plus an add-on camera), and if you have power at every spot, four wired E330 cameras with a HomeBase cost $1,699.95 and record around the clock.
Eufy without a subscription: what’s free
Without paying anything monthly you get local recording, live view, instant alerts, person detection and, on a HomeBase 3, face recognition. Eufy offers an optional cloud plan for an off-site copy of clips, which is worth considering only if you have no HomeBase and worry about a camera being stolen.
That is the real difference from Arlo, where NZ plans run from $7.99 to $19.99 a month and several detection features sit behind the paid tier; our Arlo subscription guide runs the numbers over three years. Tapo cameras are also subscription-free and far cheaper, but each camera stores its own footage on a microSD card, so a stolen camera takes its recordings with it.
Eufy privacy: what happened in 2022 and what has changed
Eufy built its reputation on keeping video local, which made the 2022 revelations more damaging. In late 2022, security researcher Paul Moore found that eufy cameras were uploading thumbnail images, tagged with user data, to eufy’s AWS-hosted servers even when cloud storage was not in use. Others showed that live streams could be opened unencrypted from outside the home network. Eufy initially disputed the findings and quietly rewrote its privacy commitment page in December 2022.
In January 2023, Anker, eufy’s parent company, admitted the cameras had not offered the native end-to-end encryption it had advertised. It said it had encrypted the streams, switched on WebRTC encryption by default and closed the debug access, and promised third-party audits and a bug bounty.
Eufy’s current privacy statement says data is encrypted in transit by default, with optional end-to-end encryption, and that notification preview images are held briefly on AWS servers with server-side encryption before being deleted automatically. It lists certifications including ISO/IEC 27001, ETSI EN 303 645 and ioXt, and runs a bug bounty with HackerOne.
Tighten eufy’s privacy settings
- Turn on end-to-end encryption in the app if your model offers it.
- Choose text-only notifications if you would rather no preview images leave the house.
- Use a strong, unique password and two-step verification on your eufy account.
- Keep the HomeBase and cameras on the latest firmware.
The history is worth knowing but not necessarily a reason to rule eufy out: every cloud-connected camera depends on its maker’s security. If you want footage that never touches the internet at all, a PoE system with an NVR and no remote access is the only way to be sure.
Eufy doorbells
Eufy’s NZ doorbells include the battery-powered Dual Cam Video Doorbell E340 ($419.95), which adds a second, downward-facing camera for parcels on the doormat, the Video Doorbell S220 ($459) and a Video Doorbell 2K add-on ($329) for existing HomeBase systems. Like the cameras, they need no subscription for local recording. Eufy also sells smart locks from $299.95 and a 5-in-1 alarm kit ($399) that join the same app, which is the start of a DIY smart home security system.
Eufy vs Tapo vs Arlo
| Typical price per camera | $139 to $800 | $35 to $300 | $89 to $489 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where footage is stored | HomeBase 3 or on the camera | microSD card in each camera | Mainly cloud, with a plan |
| Monthly fee needed | No | No | For recording history, yes |
| Face recognition | Free on HomeBase 3 | On some models, such as the C260 | Not in the NZ plan list |
Eufy sits in the middle: dearer than Tapo, cheaper than Arlo over a few years, and built around keeping footage in a hub at home. For outdoor placement and weatherproofing, see our outdoor security camera guide.
What to check before you buy
- Plan for the camera count you will end up with. Buying two SoloCams and then adding three more costs more than starting with a HomeBase kit.
- Be realistic about solar. Eufy says the eufyCam 3’s panel keeps it running with two hours of direct sun a day, which a shaded south-facing wall in a southern winter won’t deliver; our solar camera guide explains why.
- Add a drive for 24/7 recording. The HomeBase 3’s 16 GB fills quickly with continuous 4K from E330 cameras.
- Check Wi-Fi at the doorbell and cameras. Most eufy cameras use 2.4 GHz only.
- Buy the NZ version. Local stock comes with NZ plugs and makes Consumer Guarantees Act claims simple.
Our take
- One or two outdoor cameras: a SoloCam S220, or the S340 if you want pan/tilt and zoom.
- Three or more cameras: a eufyCam 3 (S330) kit with HomeBase 3, for local storage and free face recognition.
- Power at every spot and you want 24/7: the E330 system with a drive in the HomeBase.
- Privacy: turn on end-to-end encryption and text-only alerts. Eufy says it has fixed the 2022 problems, but its history is a reminder to keep firmware current.
Prices are eufy NZ store RRPs checked September 2026; retailers often sell for less and specials change weekly. Nicegear is independent, sells nothing and has no commercial relationship with eufy, Anker or any retailer mentioned.
Sources and further reading
FAQs
Do eufy cameras need a subscription?
No. Eufy cameras record locally to the camera or a HomeBase 3, and live view, alerts and AI detection work without a monthly fee. A cloud plan is optional.
Where can I buy eufy security cameras in NZ?
Eufy sells directly through its NZ online store, and retailers such as PB Tech and Jaycar stock eufy cameras, often below the RRP.
What does the eufy HomeBase 3 do?
The HomeBase 3 stores clips from your cameras inside the house, with 16 GB built in and room for a 2.5-inch drive of up to 16 TB. It also runs face recognition across your cameras at no extra cost.
Is eufy safe after the 2022 privacy issue?
Anker admitted in January 2023 that the cameras lacked the encryption it had advertised, and says it has since encrypted streams, added optional end-to-end encryption and gained independent certifications. Turning on end-to-end encryption and text-only notifications reduces what leaves your home.
How long do eufy camera batteries last?
Eufy quotes 365 days for the eufyCam 3 (S330), plus solar top-ups, and about three months standalone for the SoloCam S340. Busy spots, cold weather and low winter sun all shorten that.
Can eufy cameras record 24/7?
The battery eufyCams and SoloCams record motion clips only. For continuous outdoor recording, eufy sells the wired eufyCam E330 system, which records 24/7 to a HomeBase 3.
Is eufy better than Tapo?
Eufy costs more but keeps footage on a hub inside the house and adds free face recognition. Tapo is much cheaper and also subscription-free, but each camera stores its own footage on a microSD card.
