I’ve been fascinated by Xiaomi’s smart home electronics ever since I was introduced to them. In fact, we have a number of them at home, from smart kettles, smart home cameras, lamps, smart weighing scales, and lights, to mention a few. This time, I’ll be adding another layer of security with Outdoor Camera AW300. But with a number of options, can the AW300 stand out? We got our hands on a unit and here are our initial impressions.
First Glance: Built for Outdoors
The AW300 is a standard weatherproof camera, and I love the design that reminds me of a Batman villain, Failsafe. The build feels solid, and the plastic casing seems strong enough to handle rain, the harsh sun, dust, and whatever else nature throws its way.
Setting Up: Just Scan The QR Code
The setup process is done through the Xiaomi Home app, which I’m quite familiar with. The instructions are clear, and pairing the camera with your phone is easy. Although there were some hiccups during Wi-Fi configuration, it wasn’t a roadblock.
The power cord was around 6 meters but the adapter has to remain indoors for safety. The package came with screws and camera mount for proper drilling.
Video Quality: Promising, But We Need Nighttime Tests
The AW300 boasts up to 2K resolution video, which produces crisp and clear footage during the day. Captured details are sharp, and there’s a good balance between colour and contrast. The real test will be the nighttime performance. Xiaomi claims the camera has excellent low-light capabilities, but we’ll need to wait for a full review to see if it lives up to the hype.
Features: A Plethora of Options
The AW300 packs a surprising amount of features for its price point. Motion detection with customizable zones is a given, but the camera also boasts AI human detection, which can help reduce false alarms triggered by pets or passing wildlife. Two-way audio allows communication, and night vision with infrared LEDs ensures visibility even in low-light conditions. You can also trigger an alarm via the app if you see something suspicious, and trust me, it is loud.
The Verdict (So Far): Promising Potential, But More Testing Needed
The Xiaomi Outdoor Camera AW300 is on the positive side. The build quality seems good, the feature set is impressive for the price, and the video quality during the day is promising. However, how the camera performs at night and its long-term reliability remain to be seen. After putting the AW300 through its paces, we’ll provide a full review to see if it can truly deliver on its budget-friendly security camera claims.
If you can not wait for the full review, you can get them here at Lazada and Shopee.
