As an Amazon Associate, I can earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Anran is one of the many brands to consider when looking for a cheap home security camera at or below $100. It deals with both wired power and rechargeable systems. But for now, our Anran security camera review will focus on the latter, specifically the Q1 model.
The Anran camera assumes a Pan-Tilt design that covers your entire area with a 360-degree panoramic view. Thus, cost-effective while at the same time making sure you’ll have no blind spots for the would-be burglar to hide.
Sadly, however, the Anran wireless security camera doesn’t work with a 5G WiFi connection. It also doesn’t offer continuous video recording mode, as we shall see later on in the review.
Verdict: 6 Best Features of the Anran Security Camera
- The Anran security camera captures clear 2K HD footage
- The Anran security camera offers 360-degree coverage
- This security camera has a clear two-way talk & siren
- Anran security camera continues to record in color at night
- The Anran security camera has a MicroSD slot for local recording
- The Anran security camera comes with a solar panel charger
Anran Security Camera Review: A Summary of the Wireless Security Camera System
The table below shows some of the key features of the Anran Pan-Tilt security camera. We’ve listed it alongside a comparable ieGeek 2K Pan-Tilt camera.
Before all else, you should know Anran isn’t a US brand. It’s a Chinese maker, albeit has been in the American market for over 14 years now.
While you may have heard about them today, Anran has a pretty extensive product catalog, including expandable security camera systems with DVR. But its line of wireless cameras is the top bestseller from affordability and monitoring convenience.
In particular, its line of 360 degree outdoor security cameras is the favorite of many people, and for a good reason.
Say our reference Anran Q1 camera, the head can pan up to 350° and tilt 90°. We’re still not happy the engineers left out the motion auto-tracking feature like that on the Eufy Floodlight Cam 2 Pro (which is also a 360-degree camera). Then again, Anran charges a third of the Eufy price, plus you can still maneuver the camera manually from the mobile app.
As a Pan-Tilt (PT) design, the Anran security camera doesn’t have an optical zoom feature. It utilizes a fixed lens, which only provides digital zoom. Hence, the reason we’re trying so hard to avoid calling it a PTZ camera.
Anran Security Camera Review: Features & Performance
In this part of the Anran security camera review, we’ll take you through the capabilities you can expect. Then wind up the section with a summary of the various drawbacks we’ve noticed in the system:
- Pricing
As already mentioned, the entire Anran catalog is a nice choice if looking for a wired or wireless security camera on a budget. Our friend, Anran Q1 360-degree camera, is currently going for a hundred bucks, which is more than fair. Why so?
In the amount you pay, the company sends the camera with WiFi antennas, Micro-USB cable, solar panel charger, and mounting accessories. The mounting accessories include the wall bracket, template plate, stickers, plus screws, and wall plugs.
- Video Quality
The Anran security camera packs a 3MP CMOS image sensor, which records in 2K Full HD quality. It has a 3.2mm lens with a 105-degree field of view. And for that, you should have clearer videos than the Blink or Wyze Cam which records in 1080p Full HD with an extra-wide (130°) field of vision.
But even with a smaller field of view, the Anran camera has the option to rotate horizontally up to 350° and 90° vertically. Thus, still covers more of your grounds with just one device.
Tip: the Anran camera records in 2k resolution at 15fps, which isn’t too promising on license plates of fast-moving vehicles. But you can set it to record in 1080p@25fps.
- Night Vision
As a spotlight security camera, the Anran system brings you a chance to continue recording in full color at night. The two spotlights aren’t the brightest, that’s for sure. But they make it easy to identify important details like faces, tattoos, and the color of the objects within proximity.
The spotlights can be turned off from the mobile app (CloudEdge) or set to light up when the motion sensor detects movements. And during this time (when the spotlights are off), the security camera will be using Infrared (black & white) night vision.
- Audio Features
Similar to most wireless security cameras, the Anran cam has a built-in microphone and speaker. You can record footage with audio and also enjoy the two-way talk feature.
The two-way talk is a full duplex, meaning both parties can speak simultaneously. It’s also clear as you can hear all words from both ends without breaking up or echoing.
- Active deterrence
Anran security camera supports multiple ways to deter potential burglars from your property. The first active deterrence is a built-in smart siren that you can activate manually from the app or set to go off automatically after detecting motions.
Secondly, you can set the spotlights of the camera to light up in strobe mode, which can also scare away opportunistic burglars. But like the automatic siren mode, the strobe light feature is only applicable at night.
In case of the opportunistic daytime trespassers, you can use the built-in two-way talk function. It’s also effective as you can shout or scream at suspicious strangers in real time.
- Smart AI Detection?
Unfortunately, the Anran security camera doesn’t have any advanced AI detection, which is understandable at the price point. But it utilizes a PIR motion sensor that detects movements of warm bodies, including people, animals, and vehicles.
It’s pretty easy to adjust the motion detection sensitivity level (from 1 – 10) on the mobile app. Then you can also set up zones you’d like the camera to focus on while ignoring the rest.
- Available Storage Options
Despite the super-cheap pricing, Anran still brings you this security camera without a subscription required. Sure, the brand does have cloud service storage at $2.99 to $15.99 per month. But the camera has a built-in slot you can add a MicroSD card (recommended up to 128GB).
Different from the likes of EZVIZ or Wyze cam, though, Anran doesn’t support continuous video recording to the MicroSD. It only records short footage clips after detecting movements. Then again, this has a lot to do with the powering option of the system.
- Available Powering Options
The Anran security camera has a built-in rechargeable battery, which enhances its 100% wire-free design. You can mount about anywhere, including on trees and other areas inaccessible to wired power.
As mentioned earlier, Anran will send you the camera with a Micro-USB charging cable and a solar panel. The solar panel is separate from the camera and has quite a long cable. Thus, you can mount at any location with access to direct sunlight.
- Smart Home Integration?
The Anran security camera doesn’t work with either smart home automation system- Not even Google Home or Alexa, which are pretty common nowadays. So, you’re out of lack if we’re hoping to build an ecosystem for fun and hands-free control.
Anran Security Camera Review: Drawbacks of the Security camera
Here’s a summary of the various cons of the Anran security camera system:
- The Anran Security Camera doesn’t work with 5.0GHz WiFi
- The Anran Security Camera doesn’t support any smart home automation system
- The Anran Security Camera still has too many false alerts- remember it only has PIR motion detection
- The Anran Security Camera doesn’t work with Blue Iris or any other third-party platform
- The Anran Security Camera doesn’t have a continuous video recording mode
Commonly Asked Questions
Similar to many brands in the market nowadays, Anran cameras are made in china- it’s a Chinese company anyways. But they’re still great cameras, especially if you have a limited budget and need something with 360-degree coverage.
Technically, it’s so easy to connect an Anran camera to the WiFi. You just need to:
Make sure the Anran camera is powered on
Download and sign up/log in to the mobile app (CloudEdge or ARCCTV)
Once on the app home screen, tap the “+” or “add device”
Next, scan the camera code (check underneath)
Then click the bold “Add” button and the app will take you to a fresh window, where you can choose your WiFi
Yes, Anran cameras do have audio features, including recording, two-way talk, and a siren. The two-way talk feature is a full duplex, meaning both parties can speak simultaneously. Then the siren can be set to go off automatically or activate from the app.
In Conclusion:
Anran security camera is a decent system if you’re in the market for something cheap, without bells and whistles. Its 3MP sensor records decent footages that are usable in most scenarios, including reading license plates of still cars at 15-18 feet.
However, the recording speed of the security camera (2K@15fps) is still lacking. Even when the videos are still decently smooth, it’s still a hit-and-miss on the plates of fast-moving vehicles. The videos will be much smoother when recorded in 1080p (at 25fps). Then again, you will in turn lose a bit of clarity both day and night.
