Imou Cell PT 2K: A feature-packed 360° smart camera with AI and colour night vision
The Imou Cell PT 2K is an outdoor and indoor pan-and-tilt smart security camera. Pictures: Imou.
The Imou Cell PT 2K is an outdoor and indoor pan-and-tilt smart security camera designed to offer 360° coverage, 3MP QHD video recording, colour night vision, and AI-powered person detection. Its wire-free design, large battery capacity, and optional solar panel support make it a flexible choice for homeowners who want reliable security without the hassle of wiring.
The Cell PT 2K has a compact design that can be installed inside or out. Unlike traditional bulky outdoor cameras, this one is sleek and relatively discreet, making it ideal for those who prefer a more minimalistic security solution. It has two WiFi antennae and a spherical-shaped camera that can pan and tile 360°. With an IP66 rating, the Cell PT 2K is dustproof and resistant to heavy rain, making it suitable for year-round outdoor use.
One of this camera's biggest advantages is its hassle-free installation, which is excellent. However, it doesn’t offer a wired connection and only supports a 2.4Ghz WiFi connection.
Thanks to its wire-free design, you won’t need to worry about running power cables or drilling holes. It mounts easily to a wall or ceiling and can be detached in a single click for recharging or repositioning. It has a simple metal mounting plate that the camera clicks on, and a quick button press releases it for fast and convenient removal.
The Imou Cell PT 2K has a 0°-355° pan and 0°-90° tilt range, meaning you can manually or automatically adjust its view to cover a wide area. The auto-tracking feature is handy: It intelligently detects motion and follows moving objects within its frame, ensuring key events aren’t missed.
That said, the pan and tilt movements aren’t the smoothest compared to premium PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras, and response times can sometimes lag when controlling it via the Imou app.
The camera's 3MP QHD sensor delivers clear and detailed footage in daylight and low-light conditions. While it doesn’t quite match the image quality of 4K cameras, the image quality is still sharp enough to recognise faces and objects.
The Cell PT 2K has three night vision modes: Full-colour mode – uses the built-in spotlight to capture colour footage at night (up to 20 metres). Smart mode – activates colour night vision only when motion is detected, preserving battery life. Infrared mode – offers black-and-white night vision for a more subtle approach.
The colour night vision is impressive, but the spotlight isn’t as bright as some competitors, meaning details may still be lost in very dark areas.
The camera uses AI-powered person detection to reduce false alarms by distinguishing between humans and other moving objects (such as pets or swaying trees). In my experience, it works well most of the time, but occasional false alerts still happen, especially during windy conditions.
The two-way talk function is a useful addition. It allows you to communicate with visitors or delivery drivers using the built-in speaker and microphone.
The camera also features a 110dB siren and a built-in spotlight to deter intruders.
The Imou Cell PT 2K has a 15,000mAh rechargeable battery, which the company claims can last up to 360 days on a single charge under ideal conditions. Battery life varies significantly depending on usage, motion detection settings, and weather conditions.
With frequent motion detection and colour night vision enabled, I found the battery drains faster than advertised. However, it should still last several months again, depending on usage and performance settings.
Thankfully, fast charging via USB-C makes recharging quick and easy. If you opt for the solar panel version, you can eliminate the need for manual charging — as long as you have enough sunlight.
The dual-antenna Wi-Fi ensures a stable connection, reducing the risk of dropouts. The local hotspot option is also a great backup if your internet goes down.
The Imou app is well-designed and provides live streaming, motion alerts, and storage options. It integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for voice commands and smart home automation.
I hate subscriptions, and thankfully, this camera supports up to 256GB of local storage via a microSD card. However, if you really need the extra security or peace of mind, you can opt to pay for a subscription to the Imou Cloud. It’s great to have flexibility, but cloud storage requires a monthly fee, which might not be ideal for budget-conscious users.
The Imou Cell PT 2K is an impressive, budget-friendly security camera packed with premium features, such as 360° coverage, colour night vision, AI person detection, and long battery life. Its wire-free design and solar panel support make it convenient for both indoor and outdoor use.
€120 connectit.ie
