Logitech Circle 2 Review – Indoor/Outdoor Wired Home Security Camera

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Logitech Circle 2 Indoor Outdoor Wired Home Security Camera

Our Verdict
The Logitech Circle 2 can be described as an ambitious attempt at creating the best wireless home security camera. It’s innovative and versatile with its promising features but its functionality is still rather limited. It’s still a great start, though, especially if you’re looking for a very flexible device and you don’t mind its limitations.

Pros

  • Crisp picture quality
  • Extra-wide field of view
  • Great cloud storage subscription plans
  • Easy to install
  • Intuitive app and web portal
  • Effective person-detection
  • Flexible power options
  • Versatile configuration
  • Weatherproof build
  • Convenient time-lapse day recap
  • Various mounting styles
  • Free cloud storage

Cons

  • Advanced features are only available with the cloud subscription
  • Can’t interact with other smart home devices
  • No local storage
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If you’re going to spend money on a piece of tech, it’s natural that you’d want something that will offer you great convenience. Something innovative is always welcome, especially in the case of security cameras as their new offerings might just bring on the surveillance solution you’ve been looking for.

This is why the Logitech Circle 2 Security Camera is such an appealing option for many. Feature-packed with tons of innovative functionalities, it’s a truly promising choice for those who want to get more out of their purchase.

What makes this item so interesting is the way it has taken regular security camera features up a notch. It’s certainly a step up from the first Logitech Circle. As a result, you can expect more from it.

But does it deliver on where it counts? We’ll help you find out in our review below.

Logitech Circle 2 Wireless Security Camera: A Detailed Review

Design and Features

Logitech Circle 2 Security Camera Features

The most striking thing about the Logitech Circle 2 is its design. It definitely looks like a modern camera with its rounded shape and flat face. The design is so minimal that it won’t look out of place in most contemporary homes. Some folks might even find it cute as its puck shape makes it appear quite whimsical.

As this item comes in wired and wireless versions, its composition comes differently. The battery-operated variety can be taken apart into two parts where the part that houses the lens, speaker, mic, and sensors can be separated from the one that houses the battery. The wired variety, however, is designed to be screwed into a different base that is connected to its power cord.

With this design, you can easily tell the difference between the wired and wireless versions as they tend to have a different shape altogether. Also, the power cord of the wired variety sticks out and isn’t hidden inside the mounting base.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll still get a camera unit with a white matte body and a black glossy faceplate. You’ll also get the same range of features, so you don’t have to worry about losing any functionality if you choose one over the other.

To further boost the functionality of your Circle 2, you can also get the different mounting bases that Logitech designed specifically for this item. You can opt for a magnetic base to make installation simpler on magnetic surfaces, a window mount so you can have your unit look out the window instead of putting it outside, or a plug mount which will let you have the camera sit flush against a power outlet. Other accessories, like a longer, weatherproof power cord extension, are also available.

Setup and Usage

Like other wireless home security cameras available today, the Logitech Circle 2 is also very easy to set up. It’s just a bit different than most of its competitors as it has a modular design. So when you receive your unit, you will need to do a bit of assembly before you can get the camera up and running.

Once you’ve put it together, power it up, download the app on your phone, then tap the setup function on the application. It will then prompt you of the steps you need to follow to get the security camera up and running.

Using this camera is also very straightforward. Once it’s set in place, it will already do the job for you. With the right base, you can also easily adjust its angle, so you can be sure to get the coverage you want.

Video Quality

The video quality of the Circle 2 is 1080p, so you can expect clear images from it. However, not everyone is satisfied with its picture quality despite being decent. As it has some barrel distortion, giving the shots a fish-eye effect due to the design of the faceplate, some folks aren’t raving about its video quality.

Track and Zoom

Due to its design, you should expect that this item doesn’t have a tracking functionality. However, it has a digital zoom so you can still close in on the details that you wish to look more closely into.

Audio Quality

If you wish to record the sounds around your camera or ensure that the 2-way talk functionality of the Circle 2 will let you communicate properly with the person on the other side, you don’t have to fret. The audio quality of this camera is good. Some find the speaker to be slightly quieter than what they find to be ideal but it’s not that bad.

Motion and Sound Detection

While this item has no audio detection, its motion sensors really stand out. The motion detection feature of this camera is precise and can be easily customized in the app. You can set Motion Zones and adjust its sensitivity to minimize false alerts.

This product also has Person Detection which ensures that the recording will only be triggered when the camera senses humans within its field of view. This will help you get accurate alerts and reports.

Cloud Storage Costs

Since the Circle 2 has no local storage, it relies on cloud storage to help you keep your clips. Every purchase of the Circle 2 comes with free Circle Safe storage which provides 24-hours storage, unlimited downloads, Smart Alerts, Smart Event, and the Day Brief feature that will give you a time-lapse of the activities recorded by the camera within the day.

You can also upgrade your service by paying for the Basic plan for $3.99 per month which will already give you 14 days’ worth of storage. By paying a bit more for the Premium plan that costs $9.99 per month, you’ll get 31 days’ worth of storage and a number of advanced features. These include Advanced Event filtering, Person Detection, Motion Zones, and Smart Location.

Smart Home Compatibility

Those who are building a smart home will also get to integrate Circle 2 cameras into their network. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also became compatible with the Apple Homekit just recently. You can also control it using the Logitech POP Smart Button.

Mobile Apps and Web Portals

Logitech Circle 2 Access Apps

To be very honest, with the great design of the Circle 2’s app, you might not really want to look for other ways to control it. The web console is also easy to navigate, allowing you to do what you need to do without breaking a sweat.

Logitech Circle 2 Product Specifications
  • Full HD 1080p Video Resolution
  • 180° Field of View
  • 15Ft Night Vision
  • 2-Way Talk
  • Smart Geofencing
  • Smart Home Compatible
  • Time-lapse Day Brief
  • Advanced Motion Filtering
  • Digital Zoom
  • Wi-Fi 2.4 and 5 GHz Compatible
  • IPX65 Weatherproof Construction

FAQs

How long does the Logitech Circle 2’s rechargeable battery last?

Circle 2’s battery is rated to last for up to 3 months in a single charging. This means that you will need to take it down rather often to charge within a year. You can, however, just set it up in a way that will let you keep it plugged in so you don’t have to worry about recharging it every so often.

Can I view the Circle 2’s feed on my PC/TV?

The Logitech Circle 2 has a web portal at circle.logi.com so you can access the live feed of your camera there. It can be viewed on your TV with the help of Google Assistant or a Chrome cast.

How well does it work in cold weather?

As per Logitech’s tests, they found out that the Circle 2 can work without any problems at up to -10 C weather.

Can this camera record continuously?

No, the Circle 2 is designed to start recording after its motion sensor is tripped or once you engage the live stream feed on the app. It doesn’t record non-stop.

Conclusion

There’s really a lot that you can do with the Logitech Circle 2 Security Camera as it’s brimming with useful features. Its design alone will give you a lot of flexibility in terms of installation. Its wide field of view is also a great plus as it can reduce the need for you to monitor several feeds. Topped with free cloud storage, it hits the bull’s eye for many homeowners.

Sure, some advanced features are not accessible without the Premium cloud subscription but if you need a lot of storage anyway, it can be worth the splurge since you’ll also get other functionalities as well. The fees aren’t that bad, too, so it’s definitely worth looking into.