‘I swapped my Ring security camera for a £50 alternative – I’m not going back’

I tried the Baseus S1 Lite security camera after using a Ring Video Doorbell for years – one definitely came out on top

I’ve been testing security cameras and video doorbells for a couple years now – and I’ve been massively surprised at how affordable it has become to add peace of mind around the home. While I’ve had a Ring Video Doorbell outside my home, I’ve ditched it to try a rival brand.

In comes the Baseus S1 Lite security camera, it’s taking on the likes of Ring by offering affordable security tech without breaking the bank. It even has solar power built in, meaning no more charging.

Now on sale for £50, it seems almost unbeatable in terms of price, especially with the hardware that this little security camera comes with compared to alternatives by Ring. For the past month, I’ve been tested out the Baseue S1 Lite and from now on, it has replaced my Ring security camera and here’s why.

Pros

• Great quality picture when recording during daytime and nighttime
• Solar panel built into the camera
• No subscription service
• Extremely good value
• Storage options to add an SD card and keep recordings
• Reliable app with the ability to add privacy zones for neighbours
• Built-in spotlight that can activate during motion

Cons

• App notifications can be buggy when being used
• WiFi connectivity is hit or miss at times
• No storage options

At a price of £50, usually £80, I didn’t know what to expect, especially since I had never tried other Baseus products before. Setting up the S1 Lite was extremely easy, and it came with all the attachments that I needed, including screws and wall plugs. I decided to attach the S1 next to my Ring Stick Up Cam so I could compare the two.

I was pretty impressed with the build quality and the built-in solar panel. The camera comes pre-charged to around 50%, and thanks to the solar panel, I saw the battery slowly charge throughout the day. Ever since using the Baseus camera, I’ve never had to worry about battery life in the slightest – something I have to constantly worry about with my Ring camera.

Users have to use the Baseus Security app to view live footage, recordings, and alerts. Unlike Ring, there are zero subscription fees for any extras. The only bad news is that there’s no storage on board the camera or via the cloud, and to save clips, you’ll have to buy an SSD. The good news is that I had a spare one around, for those who don’t this is a negative to the model.

I was initially worried about the speed of alerts, but surprisingly, it has been a mostly smooth experience. During strong internet conditions, it’s extremely easy to check the footage, with it loading up within an instant but I did have situations where I struggled to check back saved recordings.

I mostly put this down to my internet while I was away; however, that’s not the only weird issue I had with the app. At times, I would check my carport at night to see what the night vision was like (it’s pretty good), but I would then get a “Motion Alert” straight away afterwards. I would check the recording and find absolutely nothing.

Footage is super clear with the 2K resolution – and better than the Ring camera, while the app has plenty of features to make the camera really pop. Users can change the length of recordings after motion is detected (at the expense of battery life), change the quality of the recordings to save storage, activate the spotlight when someone is spotted by the camera, and even boost the WiFi signal.

I noticed that the latency when I was at home was significantly higher than before I activated it. Turning this on is a must. It also allows for privacy zones, which I activated for my neighbour.

Unfortunately, it adds a big black spot on the screen. It’s not the best implementation, but at least it’s there. The camera and app even lets users set the camera on a schedule and create routines down to a tee.

How does it compare to rival products?

When compared to the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro, which used to retail for a whopping £160, the features trump the device, which is why it has been replaced on my carport shed. I also don’t need to worry about any additional subscription features, which is a huge plus.

The S1 Lite also has a built-in mic, great night vision and an alarm – tons of features for a super affordable price. The S1 Lite does everything, and it does it very, very well for the price. For cheaper alternatives, Currys shoppers can also pick up the budget Tapo C32 right here for £34.99.

Conclusion

The Basesus S1 Lite security camera has exceeded my expectations for a camera, and it has put other companies on watch. At a price of £80—or £50 thanks to a limited-time deal—it is an absolute must for those who want an affordable security solution. It will never run out of battery, provides great-quality recordings, has a built-in spotlight, an app that works pretty well, and can be customised for anyone.