Today’s home security cameras come packed with features, not to mention testing out compatibility with the Apple Home app. We test in several different ways in our homes and CNET offices to really check out everything these cameras can down.
Set up and camera quality
As we set up cameras, we pay close attention to their design and how fragile or durable it is, as well as what features they have — for example, how easy it is to change batteries or insert a microSD card. And, of course, we spend extra time with the camera lens itself, seeing how it moves and what the image quality is like. If a camera has a 2K resolution, for example, we expect it’s live view to be crisp and clear even when expanded. We test for camera image latency and connection reliability when remote viewing, too.
App controls and design
Even if you plan on using the Apple Home app for more of your work, you’ll still need to use the camera app for some setup and extra features that Apple may not support. So it’s important that the app have good instructions and an intuitive design, with menus and settings that are easy to access. We watch for warning signs like confusing multi-menu steps, ads in the app, and features that aren’t supported well when they should be, like the ability to adjust motion sensitivity.
Apple connections and feature support
For an Apple cam, connections to the Apple app and Siri controls are very important. So we check how easy it is to add Apple functionality and what features are supported directly in Apple Home. We make sure Siri can control important functions with voice commands as well. And as we test over several days, we watch for dropped connections or bugs from the platform.
If the camera supports connections with other home routines, we also see if can be set up easily in a routine and perform as expected.
Aqara’s sensors have some compatibility with Apple Home but I found it quite limited compared to other options.
Night vision and audio
Most cameras have extra features like night vision and two-way audio, so we dig into capabilities like that and check to see how they perform. Night vision across 10 feet is pretty easy — but how does it do at 30 or 40 feet? Can it see across a yard or large room with high quality?
Likewise, we listen to two-way audio and test out conversations, not just up close but from a distance, checking on audio clarity and how easily it picks up random noise.
Motion detection and AI object recognition
If a camera supports motion detection, we see how well it works and if we can adjust sensitivity to reasonable levels so it doesn’t trigger too easily. We also check out any available AI features, like the option to recognize a human or a package, as well as ignore things like pets.
