EZVIZ CB8 2K Solar PTZ Review: 360° Outdoor Security for UK Homes

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Overview

The EZVIZ CB8 2K Solar Security Camera (CB8 Kit) combines a 100% wire-free pan/tilt camera with a bundled 4W solar panel to deliver near-continuous outdoor monitoring. You get 2K video, 360° coverage, AI human detection with auto-tracking, colour night vision, two-way talk, a sound & light siren, and voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant. A large 10,400 mAh battery underpins the system, while the panel keeps it topped up—ideal for UK gardens, driveways, and side paths where wiring is awkward.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Resolution: 2K video capture
• Coverage: App-controlled pan/tilt for 360° viewing
• Power: 10,400 mAh battery + 4W solar panel (5 V DC; device rated 10 W)
• Night Vision: Colour and IR; Smart Night Vision auto-switching
• Detection: PIR + AI human detection with auto-tracking
• Deterrence: Sound & light siren
• Audio: Two-way talk
• Storage: microSD up to 256 GB (sold separately) + optional cloud
• Smart Home: Works with Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant
• Presets: Up to 12 viewpoints + one-tap return
• Rated Night Range: up to ~15 m (manufacturer guidance)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi wireless

Installation & Setup

With no power cable to run, installation is a straightforward DIY job. Select a location with good Wi-Fi coverage and steady daylight for the panel, fix the supplied brackets, and pair via the EZVIZ app. The panel’s lead lets you tuck the camera under an eave to reduce rain and glare while aiming the panel toward the sun. Expect 20–30 minutes for a neat install.

The app guides you through Wi-Fi onboarding and firmware updates. You can store up to 12 presets (e.g., gate, driveway, shed) and use one-tap return to bring the camera back to a “home” view after manual movement or auto-tracking. Tip: if mounted high, angle slightly down to reduce sky in frame and minimise false triggers.

Video Quality & 360° Control

The 2K sensor captures crisp daytime footage with enough detail for faces and plates at typical domestic distances. Pan/tilt movement is smooth and responsive, so a single CB8 can monitor a wide plot where two static cameras might otherwise be required. On stable Wi-Fi, live-view latency is low and joystick control feels precise.

You can scan manually on alert, or set mini “patrols” by hopping between presets during busy hours (deliveries, school runs). For long driveways, define a preset at the entrance and another at the door to verify visitors from one device.

Colour Night Vision & Active Deterrence

Choose between colour night vision (with on-board white LEDs) for clearer detail on clothing and vehicles, or IR for a more discreet, low-profile look. Smart Night Vision can auto-switch from IR to colour upon motion—useful for catching extra identifiers without running LEDs constantly.

The integrated sound & light siren acts as a visible and audible deterrent and can be triggered automatically on detection or manually from the app if you spot suspicious activity.

Human Detection, Auto-Tracking & Alerts

A combination of PIR sensing and AI human detection helps reduce false alerts from pets, trees, and passing traffic. When a person is detected, the camera can auto-track—panning and tilting to keep the subject centred—then return to a default view. Fine-tune sensitivity and draw detection zones to focus on gates and paths rather than busy pavements.

Alerts arrive promptly with thumbnail previews. From the notification you can jump into live view, scrub the timeline, or take manual control of the PTZ to continue tracking.

Battery Life, Solar Top-Up & Power

The 10,400 mAh battery is rated for up to ~210 days in light-to-moderate use. Real-world endurance varies with motion frequency, auto-tracking, spotlight usage, notification volume, and winter temperatures. The bundled 4W solar panel meaningfully extends runtime—often keeping the battery steady through spring/summer. In shaded winter placements it will slow discharge but may not fully offset it, so prioritise a bright aspect for the panel.

The app exposes battery percentage and charging status so you can gauge how much solar is contributing. If you see steady drain, dial back tracking, shorten clip length, or switch to IR-only at night to conserve power.

Connectivity & Storage Options

The CB8 connects over Wi-Fi and supports microSD cards up to 256 GB (sold separately) for local recording—handy if you want to avoid monthly fees. For off-site backup or longer retention, EZVIZ offers optional cloud plans. Many households run both: microSD for quick access to recent clips, cloud for redundancy on key events.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance & Placement

The dome-style housing feels solid and purpose-built for UK weather. For best results, mount under an eave or canopy to limit rain on the lens and reduce glare at night. Because this is a PTZ model, give it a clear sweep: avoid nearby fencing, trellis, or hanging plants that can trigger motion and obscure tracking.

If you live near a busy road, narrow the detection zone and set a modest sensitivity to avoid constant alerts. A slightly downward camera angle helps cut sky-induced exposure shifts.

Smart Home & App Experience

Alexa and Google Assistant support make it simple to pull live view on compatible smart displays. The EZVIZ app is clean and responsive: manage presets, toggle tracking, configure notification schedules, set privacy times, draw motion zones, and review recordings from a tidy timeline.

Families can create individual logins with limited permissions, and you can disable audio recording if preferred for privacy.

Privacy & Security

As with any connected camera, use a strong unique password, keep firmware up-to-date, and restrict shared access to trusted users. Draw motion zones away from neighbours’ windows and paths to avoid capturing third-party spaces. Consider a privacy schedule (e.g., daytime garden use) to reduce unnecessary clips.

How It Compares

Among wire-free PTZ options, the CB8 2K stands out for balancing higher-than-1080p resolution, competent auto-tracking, and a bundled solar panel. Some rivals match the pixels but arrive without solar; others include solar yet lack PTZ or robust person filtering. If you want one device to cover multiple angles with minimal charging, the CB8 Kit is a strong, good-value pick.

Who Should Buy It

• Homeowners wanting one camera to monitor several angles (driveways, gardens, side paths)
• Renters and DIYers who prefer zero wiring and quick app setup
• Users who value local storage with optional cloud redundancy
• Those who want colour night vision and active deterrence built in

Final Verdict

The EZVIZ CB8 2K Solar Security Camera is a versatile, easy-to-place outdoor PTZ that can genuinely replace multiple fixed cameras. Smart detection, colour night vision, and active deterrence combine with solar top-up to keep maintenance low. Battery life depends on your scene and settings, but with a well-positioned panel most homes will enjoy months of reliable coverage between any manual charges.

★★★★☆ (4.5/5)