The smart home security market is heating up with many competitors in the market place. There are a lot of new entrants to the market that can confuse you with buying options (Ring 2 by Amazon, Nest by Google, Arlo by Netgear, and Toucan by Kuna). The old school IP cameras have now been replaced with a very modern camera system that is integrated with your smartphone.
What you need to consider
One important feature of the modern day security camera system is customizable alerts so that you have more control over when and how you receive the notifications. This is very important when considering a home security camera because you want to approximate real time when you are at your office or away from home on vacation. Another important consideration is the quality of the video feed, if you want live or clear recording then you want to go with HD (720 or 1080p). However, if you have spotty wireless connection then you might want to think about the video quality as it could eat up significant bandwidth with lag time. Something else worth considering is where you want to install a camera, many provide a base or magnetic backing so the camera can be installed on any surface. Another option to consider is if you want to use a cloud service option or local storage. Most of the newer cameras have cloud storage options, which allows you to have advanced security features with improved accessibility via Smartphone app.
Comparison of the Competitors
As a recent homeowner, I was in the market for home security systems. I wasn’t interested in the traditional home security systems where you have to pay a monthly fee ($30-$50) with 2-year contract. I also wanted to have more control over the security systems Recently I have come across a home security camera that has worked really well for my needs. Before we get into the best camera, let’s compare the competition so that you have a better look at the features and capabilities of the most popular security cameras.
For the purpose of this comparison, we are only looking at Wi-Fi enabled outdoor security cameras, as wireless feature is a must have for anyone looking for a do-it-yourself security system (DIY). The table below shows the comparison of the specs between Ring 2 (by Amazon), Nest (by Google), Arlo (by Netgear), and Toucan (by Kuna).
| Features | Ring 2 | Arlo | Nest | Toucan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Storage Type | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud |
| Audio Communication | 2-way | 2-way | 2-way | 2-way |
| Camera Power Source | Battery-powered, Electric | Battery-powered, Plug-in | Plug-in (Power outlet) | Plug-in (smart socket) |
| Operating Temperature | -5°F to 120°F | -4°F to 113°F | -4°F to 113°F | -40°F to 140°F |
| Resolution | 1080p | 720p | 1080p @ 30fps | 720p @ 30fps |
| Night Vision | Yes | Yes | Yes | No, (light illumination) |
| Field Of View | 160 Degrees | 130 degrees | 130 degrees | 116 degrees (+ 40° manual) |
| Siren | No | No | No | Yes (100db) |
| Sensors | Motion Sensor | Motion sensor, Sound sensor | Motion sensor, Sound sensor | Motion sensor |
| Operating System Compatibility | Android, Apple iOS, Mac, Windows | Android, Apple iOS, Mac, Windows | Android, Apple iOS | Android, Apple iOS |
| Voice Control App | Alexa | Alexa | Alexa, Google | |
| Mount | Wall (Doorbell) | Wall (Magnetic) | Wall-mount | Wall-mount |
| Price | $200 (USD) | $250 (USD) | $200 (USD) | $149 (USD) |
Toucan Security Camera by Kuna
The Toucan is marketed with the tagline ‘As easy as installing a lightbulb’, and rightfully so because the camera literally connects to your existing light fixture with the help of the smart socket (provided in the box). Kuna describes the Toucan follows,
Toucan is as easy to install as screwing in a lightbulb. Its minimal design adapts to any light fixture using a Smart Socket USB adapter, but it still enjoys every feature of a device powered by Kuna.
There are many ways to communicate using the Kuna App on your smartphone. You can get simply Push-to-Talk, play pre-recorded messages, set Automated Greetings, and sound 100dBA alarm.
When people and cars come by, the motion sensor detects it and you get instant mobile notifications. Kuna is also supposed to ignore falling leaves, small bugs, and other unimportant activity. You can manually set the sensitivity of the motion sensor so that you don’t get any false notifications. Using the Kuna app, you can easily check your history with events timeline that shows captured events with animated thumbnails. If you don’t want to pay for a subscription, you can quickly look back at what happened for up 2 hours. You can also get Kuna Premium to expand storage and add additional features.
My Experience with Toucan
The Toucan was everything that I was looking for in a Security Camera, so I purchased and installed 3 Toucan cameras around my house (Front Porch, Garage, and Backyard). Here is what I have experienced with the Toucan Security Camera. During the installation, the only issue I had was the size of my existing light fixture. I had to replace my backyard jar wall light with a wall lantern as the smart socket with the light bulb was too tong to fit the jar light. Otherwise, the installation really does take 15min if you have the right tools (Drill required for permanent wall mounting). The second issue I experienced was poor Wi-Fi signal for the Garage camera, which was resolved using a Wi-Fi range extender. Other than that, I haven’t experienced any issues with the camera or the iOS app. I receive notification within 5 seconds of motion being detected and the two-way communication works like a charm. In terms of false motion detection, I get false notifications only 5% of the time (can’t remember last time this happened and that’s good). Everyone has mentioned that speaker is really loud with very clear voice, and the same goes for the 100db siren, which will surely scare away any intruders. All in all, I am extremely impressed by the Toucan Security Camera as it just works as intended.
Final Thoughts
For an average consumer, the Toucan is the best home security camera for anyone looking for an affordable and easy to install/use system. It provides very easy hard-wiring setup without the use of batteries or long wiring, unlike the competition (Ring, Nest, and Arlo). The Kuna app is pretty much self explanatory and very simple to use. If you don’t want to pay on a monthly basis then the Toucan offers free could storage for 2hrs. The Toucan is also unique where it offers a very capable 100db siren to scare off any intruders, a feature that is missing from the competition. The main selling feature of the Toucan is that it powers itself from existing light fixture, which also converts it into a smart light that can be controlled using your smartphone and Google home device. The Toucan ticks all the right boxes and provides almost all of the important features of a smart home security system at an affordable price.
I am officially a tech addict and enjoy providing my views on matters related to this industry. I am always interested in trying out new tech gadgets and I have owned multiple smartphones including the legendary HTC One, SGS2, Nexus 4, iPhone 4, 5S, 6S, XR, Note 9. You can ask me any tech related questions in the comment section or on twitter @hookedNav