5 photos
Meet Logitech’s newest security camera, the Circle 2 ($180+). It distinguishes itself from the latest offerings by Nest and Belkin, and even Logitech’s original Circle camera, by being able to mount anywhere. Yes, anywhere: walls, windows or ceilings, either indoors or outdoors. It’s basically the Spider-Man of home security cameras.
The catch is that you need to decide how you’re going to use the Circle 2 before buying. It’s designed as part of a modular system, so the correct Logitech accessories are required. If you’re planning on mounting the camera on a window, you need the window mount ($40); if you want to plug in directly to a power outlet, like an air freshener, you need the wall plug accessory ($30). If it’s going outdoors, an extra battery ($50) or the weatherproof extension cable ($30) is needed.
It’s worth noting that the Circle 2 can be bought in either a wired ($180) or wire-free model ($200). All the above-mentioned accessories will be interchangeable between both models, but most people won’t want to pay extra for accessories they won’t use. (However, according to The Verge, the extra battery needs the Circle 2’s battery kit to work.) With the purchase, the Circle 2 comes with either a wall mount (wired) or a rechargeable battery (wire-free); all other accessories cost extra.
As for specs, the Circle 2 features a 180-degree lens (a bump up from the original Circle‘s 135-degree lens) and night vision, and it will stream footage through the Logi Circle app. The camera is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. Like Nest, Logitech offers a subscription service ($100/year per camera) for more premium features, such as detecting individuals and setting “activity zones” to track movements within a specific area.
Logitech’s Circle 2 camera is set to ship next month. You can pre-order now in two kits: one including the camera and a wall mount ($180), and the other bundling the camera and a battery mount ($200). Logitech is no longer selling its original Circle security camera on its website.
