Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post. I was sent the IMOU Cell 2 4MP outdoor smart home security camera to review free of charge, but words and pictures are mine. This post contains affiliate links, see more information here. You can use the code WWWPROMO to get 20% off your purchase of the IMOU Cell 2 4MP Battery Camera at Amazon.
From vacuum cleaners to smart lightbulbs, more than half of UK homes now contain one or more smart devices. These are devices which are connected to WiFi and can be controlled via an app or device like an Google Home or Alexa.
When it comes to home security, smart home cameras and video doorbells have absolutely skyrocketed in popularity. Unlike older style CCTV cameras which were fairly tricky to install and monitor, they’re a relatively cheap way to see what’s going on at your front door or within your house no matter where you happen to be, and of course act as a visual deterrent for any would-be burglars if placed in view.
The new IMOU Cell 2 4MP Battery Camera is an outdoor smart home camera which allows you to view, and hear, what’s going on outside your property remotely from your smartphone or Amazon Echo device, and sends mobile alerts as people come and go.
Measuring around 11cm x 60cm x 60cm, it is fully weatherproof and wireless, so the video camera can be mounted outside, with the battery only requiring charging a few times a year!
Setting up the IMOU Cell 2 4MP outdoor smart home security camera
Set up of the camera couldn’t be easier, even for an impatient non-techy person like myself.
Firstly, you need to charge the 6000mAh battery which just requires a USB charger (the cable is supplied). The battery will then last for up to 6 months, based on on 10 detections a day, but you can check on the status of the battery via the app. It means that you don’t have to drill or deal with any wires, which is great, particularly if you aren’t able to drill through walls (e.g. in a rented property). Note that you can also charge the battery inside the camera.
A QR code printed on the box takes you to the App Store and Google Play, where you can download the Imou Life app. Once signed up and in the app, go to ‘add a device’, scan the QR code on the back of the camera, and it will guide you through the whole process. You need to add your new device on your home WiFi, so you’ll need your password handy, but that’s it – you’re ready to go! It really is that simple.
You can then view live, or set up alerts.
The Cell 2 camera comes with a bracket which you can affix to an outside wall (within WiFi range) with the supplied fittings. It also comes with a 32GB SD card which means you can store footage without having to pay for an additional cloud service (although this is available if you want to keep footage).
What are the features of the IMOU Cell 2 4MP outdoor smart home security camera?
As well as being really easy to set up, the IMOU Cell 2 4MP outdoor smart home security camera boasts a lot of useful features.
It has two-way audio which is useful if you want to let someone know you’re out, request that a delivery driver to leave your package somewhere specific, or scare your kids.
You can set up your own notifications and detections during certain time periods – so for instance if you don’t want it to tell you every time you leave the house for work, you can turn this off during certain hours.
It has smart human detection, and you can set up the types of alerts so it will only send you a notification if relevant. You can also set detection boundaries, so that it will only send alerts when movement is detected in a specific area – for example within your property boundary and not if someone passes by on the road. This is easy to set up and works really well.
The 4MP/2.5k resolution picture quality is extremely good, and you can see exactly what is going on, even at night. The provides a really clear image in any light levels (it is even clear at night) and the field of view is good, so you can cover your whole driveway area.
The camera has both a light and a siren which you can switch on remotely to deter intruders, or which can be set to come on automatically when the detection is activated – so perfect for use in a back garden or other area where there shouldn’t be anybody there. You can also set it to have the light come on when something is detected in the dark, much like a PIR light it provides you with an extra bit of security (and is useful for finding your keys!). Again, it’s great in my rented property which doesn’t have a light at the front door.
Is the camera Smart Home compatible?
The camera claims to be compatible with Google Home and Alexa – if you have a device with a screen like an Amazon Echo Show you can view the camera footage from there. You need to set it up on the app and give it a name, but then just ask Alexa to show you and you will be able to hear and see what is going on at your front door.
Can more than one person access the camera?
Yes; after the camera has been paired with one email address, you need to request access (it will ask you to do this if you scan the QR code to set up and it has already been registered) and once access is granted you can use the camera on multiple devices.
Does it record footage?
The IMOU Cell 2 camera has the ability to record videos on the included 32gb Micro SD card or on the Imou Cloud. This is a chargeable service, although you get a 30 day free trial.
Footage recorded is stored for 7 days before being overwritten and you can check back through your ‘event history’ timeline to see footage that’s been recorded. You can capture an image at any time by pressing the capture button.
How does the IMOU Cell 2 camera compare to a Video Doorbell?
Video Doorbells such as those made by Ring and Nest are extremely popular. They act as a regular doorbell but also record movement at the front door, and provide two way audio. They’re an excellent deterrent for criminals and very useful if you get a lot of packages delivered!
However, these doorbells do need to be attached outside or hardwired in depending on the brand, and therefore may not be suitable for those in rented accommodation, in flats etc especially where a doorbell isn’t requires as it is already wired in.
The IMOU Cell 2 4MP outdoor video security camera screws on and off of its fixing plate easily and can be repositioned to anywhere within WiFi range, so can keep an eye on any room in the house (for example, used as a baby or pet monitor) or pointed outside through a window to cover the front door area and alert you to movement or noise.
At £109, it is also a slightly cheaper option.
I personally think the IMOU Cell 2 camera is a great buy and extremely idiot proof. It’s very easy to set up, and it works really well.
You can buy it from Amazon, or see the whole range of IMOU smart products in their Amazon shop. You can get 20% off IMOU products using the promotional code WWWPROMO at Amazon checkout.
If you are looking for INDOOR cameras, do check out the IMOU Ranger 2C camera which is a cheaper camera for use indoors only. A full review is here.