Zmodo EZCam Wireless Two-Way Audio Smart HD IP Home Security Camera with Night Vision, Works with Alexa

I wanted to wait three months before providing a review because I am always frustrated by day one reviews. I demand value and reliability for my hard earned dollar. I now own two of this model camera, the second purchase being just over a month ago. Perhaps the decision to buy two is an endorsement of sorts. I'm overwhelmingly pleased with the product. I use these to monitor my toddler and infant primarily while they are sleeping. We tried some IPAD to Iphone software solutions and they were just frustrating. These little cameras perform admirably at the intended task, and then some.Pros:Near-infrared camera and light sourceSimple integration into existing wifi networkAbility to rapidly switch between cameras (multi-camera setup)Microphone and speaker (2-way communications)Automatic motion detection - we actually use this to track how well my toddler is sleepingThe ability to view the cameras from a remote location (e.g. work) - this effectively provides a security camera solution for the monitored roomsFree online storage of images for 24 hours - refer to the previous comment as to why this is a valuable functionMost recent software (September 2017) vastly improved the interface and communications reliabilityCons:Blue light - it's ridiculously bright and had to be covered with electrical tapeTransmitting a voice communication from IPhone through the camera is unreliable (intermittent success)Needed Improvements:Drop the blue lightMagnetic base

I have no complaints. You get what you pay for; and in some rare circumstances, you get way more!I have a couple different versions of these zmodo cams. The app is easy to use. The night vision on these is phenomenal. The 1080p version is worth it if you need detail. Noticeably different. That's not to say that the 720p version isn't a great camera, because it is!I was looking for something to simply be able to watch my kids when they sleep. I cannot understand the 140 + dollar amount monitor versions from other companies. Yes yes, I know! This does not turn or pan, I seriously haven't come up with a need for that yet. The one is to help alert me when my four year old who is slightly autistic gets out of bed at 3:30 or 4 in the morning! We've got him downstairs rummaging through knives, or spraying barbasol everywhere. This has helped us get up when were alerted that there's motion.The other was simply to watch our 1 year old to know when she woke up.In the end, I truly cannot complain. If anything, I find myself telling people about this brand all the time!If you're looking for Simplicity, a good General app, and decent video that you can record and save to your device, look no further!

1-star: I have fought with these cameras two years. They are so buggy. Constantly going offline. Constantly trying to unplug and replug them. Today, the charging port just busted off and fell into the cameras. I would NEVER use Zmodo again for home security. The price was great but you pay for it in time fiddling and headaches and frustration.3-star: (See addition below) For basic video only, I love these little cameras. At $20 a piece, they are SO WORTH IT. Well then, why three stars you say? I rate 3 stars because most of the other features of the camera don't work for me. For example, the microphone is 2-way, right? Well, I can use it as a microphone to SPEAK to someone loud and clear, but LISTENING to conversations is impossible unless you are right up against it. I mean if someone is in their room and you are trying to eavesdrop, forget it, I just wear nothing, or static, or at best very muffled voices. Actually, 2 out of 4 of my cameras the microphone doesn't work at all. And it is difficult to know if it is my problem or the device's problem because I can't seem to connect with ZMODO customer support with online chat OR phone (too long of wait on hold). Also, 1 out 4 of my cameras doesn't connect easily to WIFI. I constantly have to reboot it or the router to get it to work. Obviously, if you are away and need to check it suddenly, this is useless. Thus, one star off for reliability and support and one star off for lack of function for advertised use. We use these as monitors for a person with dementia (we are typically in the house but in other rooms or basement), so most of the time I just need a quick "look" to see if the situation needs more attention and then run over to help if needed. The extra features advertised are what drew me to this camera, but since they don't really work I don't use them.4-star: I did have to wait about 1 hour on hold, but once I got a hold of the ZMODO customer service online they helped me troubleshoot ALL my problems, enabled me to repeat the "fix" myself the next time by educating me how to use the app more effectively, and the conversation was very pleasant and the troubleshooter on the phone was very patient. He also spoke English very clearly (sorry, but it's a real thing). It was a good enough experience to upgrade these to 4 stars, provided the problems do not repeat. ALSO - the non-working microphones are often due to issues with your APP SETTINGS (turn on mic and unmute speaker)! But the quality of the sound is still muffled so not perfect. I can hear my kids clear as day because they are LOUD little people but regular adult conversations, not so much. If you use this as a doorbell answering machine or 2-way communication the person either has to talk very loud or be very close.