Design, processing and installation
Both Baseus cameras are functional and solidly designed. They are made of weatherproof plastic with an IP67 protection rating, making them well-equipped to withstand rain and dust. A practical feature is the integrated solar panel, eliminating the need to lay power cables or mount a separate panel on the wall or balcony.
The Baseus S1 Lite is remarkably slim, with compact dimensions of 13 x 4 x 8,5 centimeters. The solar panel blends seamlessly into the casing and appears to be an integral part of the design. The Baseus S2, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of a classic surveillance camera. At 7,7 x 7 x 16,6 centimeters, it's a bit bulkier, but offers a special feature. Its solar panel sits above the camera like a small umbrella and automatically adjusts itself to the position of the sun.
The USB-C port, reset button, and microSD slot are sealed with a rubber cap on both models. Mounting is via a standard tripod thread. This allows for the use of existing or more stable universal mounts, which is recommended, as the included mounts seem somewhat unstable.
Setting up the S1 Lite was quick and easy. Open the app, scan the QR code, select Wi-Fi, and wait a moment. The camera was ready to use.
Things were quite different with the S2. Initially, it refused to connect to the Fritzbox's 2,4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Several attempts were unsuccessful. Only by using a mobile hotspot with the identical SSID and password could the camera be set up. After that, it automatically recognized the Fritzbox's Wi-Fi and worked without any further problems. Incidentally, neither camera supported Wi-Fi above 5 GHz.
Features and functions
Both cameras can be operated completely independently, meaning they don't require cloud services or subscriptions. Recordings are stored locally on a microSD card with a capacity of up to 512 GB. Connection to a NAS or cloud backup was not possible at the time of testing. RTSP and ONVIF streaming are also not included.
The Baseus S1 Lite features a 2K sensor and a 135-degree field of view. Infrared LEDs and a built-in spotlight are available for nighttime recordings. Motion detection distinguishes between general movement and people, automatically adjusting the sensitivity.
The Baseus S2 uses a larger 4K sensor with a 145-degree field of view. It detects motion using a PIR and radar sensor and uses AI to automatically distinguish between people, vehicles, animals, and faces. The spotlight is brighter than the one on the S1 Lite, allowing for color recordings in the dark.
Both models feature a microphone and speaker, allowing for real-time conversations via the app. They're also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing the live stream to be displayed on devices like the Echo Show or Nest Hub. HomeKit and Home Assistant are not currently supported.
Control is via the Baseus Security app, available for Android and iOS. It provides access to the live image, saved recordings, and all central settings. The app allows you to create motion and privacy zones, configure notifications, and control the spotlight. Events are clearly displayed with a timestamp and preview image, making it easier to track activities.
Everyday life and practical experience
I mounted the Baseus S1 Lite on my patio, where it recorded for several weeks during testing. Despite its simpler feature set, the camera offers everything you need for a balcony or patio. The image quality is good, colors appear natural, and details are clearly visible. Only the somewhat low frame rate is noticeable when something moves quickly.
The S1 Lite also delivers solid results at night. The infrared image is high-contrast, and faces and movements remain clearly visible. At greater distances, the sharpness decreases somewhat, but this is perfectly acceptable for this price range. The sound is recorded cleanly, and voices are intelligible, even if they sound a bit tinny. There's a slight delay of about a second when making two-way calls, but this is hardly noticeable in everyday life.
Saved recordings can be viewed directly in the app. Playback starts quickly and runs largely smoothly. Videos are saved in H.264 format, which saves storage space but occasionally leaves slight compression artifacts. A 128 GB card can store about two weeks' worth of clips before old recordings are overwritten. After several weeks outdoors, the camera showed no signs of wear. Neither humidity nor temperature fluctuations affected its function or image quality.
The test with the Baseus S2, which was installed in the garden, was different. It was more finicky during setup, and even afterward, the connection remained weaker than with the S1 Lite. Despite the additional access point, there were repeated brief dropouts in the live stream or missing recordings, even though there was movement in the image.
Once connected, the S2 delivered a very sharp image with plenty of detail. Faces and even license plates were clearly recognizable, and the colors appeared natural. After about four weeks of use, some dust and pollen had settled on the S2's lens, slightly impairing image sharpness. A quick cleaning with a microfiber cloth immediately restored clear images.
At night, the spotlight produces colorful images that are surprisingly bright. Close-up subjects can occasionally be overexposed. The S2 also exhibits a slight delay between the image and reality, which varies depending on the Wi-Fi signal. The sound is overall clear, with some reverberation but no distracting noise.
Powering both cameras via the solar panel works very well. Even in changeable weather, the battery levels consistently remained above 90 percent in our tests. Only on several rainy days did the level drop slightly, but this can be quickly compensated for via the USB-C port. Properly orienting the panel is crucial. Charging worked optimally when tilted towards the south, while partially shaded locations provided significantly less power. How this will perform in the winter months remains to be seen.
