Key Takeaways
- The Merkury Smart Wi-Fi Camera delivers good 1080p video and night vision for under $40
- Setup only takes a few minutes with the Geeni app for iOS or Android.
- Alerts and voice control offer some customizable smart features.
- Lack of cloud storage means you need to buy a separate microSD card for continuous recording.
- Overall, Merkury's camera is a good budget-friendly option for basic home monitoring and security.
If you're looking for an affordable way to monitor your home, the Merkury Smart WiFi Camera packs decent quality and features a camera that costs just $30–40. While it lacks some bells and whistles of pricier brands, overall, the Merkury camera provides solid performance for its low price point.
Pros of the Merkury Smart WiFi Camera:
- Affordable price - Costs only around $35, very budget-friendly
- 1080p video - Provides good HD video quality
- 115° field of view - Wider view to capture an entire room
- Night vision - Clear footage even in low-light conditions
- Easy mobile setup - Guided WiFi setup through the Geeni app
- Motion detection - Alerts when motion is detected
- Sound detection - Alerts for loud noises like alarm sounds
- Two-way audio - Built-in mic and speaker for remote communication
- Voice control - Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana
- Local storage - Supports microSD cards up to 128GB
Cons to Consider:
- No free cloud storage - Must buy a separate memory card
- No 5GHz WiFi support - Only connects to 2.4GHz networks
- Video quality could be better - 1080p is decent but not exceptional
- Limited app features - Fairly basic controls and notifications
- No weatherproofing - For indoor use only
Comparison To Other Top Brands
| Camera | Price Range | Resolution | Field of View | Night Vision | Cloud Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merkury Smart WiFi | $30-$40 | 1080p | 115° | Yes | No |
| Wyze Cam v3 | $35-$45 | 1080p | 130° | Yes | 14-Day Video History |
| Blink Mini | $35-$45 | 1080p | 110° | Yes | Subscription Plans |
| TP-Link Tapo C100 | $30-$40 | 1080p | 113° | Yes | Subscription Plans |
Merkury holds its own against similarly priced competitors. While it lacks free cloud storage offered by some, it's one of the most affordable ways to get solid 1080p recording, motion/sound detection, and integration with voice assistants like Alexa.
Is the Merkury Camera Worth Buying?
If you're looking for a basic indoor security camera on a tight budget, the Merkury Smart WiFi Camera is definitely worth considering. Setup is quick and easy with the Geeni app, and you get reliable 1080p recording, motion/sound alerts, and voice control for only around $35.
While video quality and features are fairly basic, there aren't many other name-brand options that beat Merkury's price while still providing good performance. And you can even add on extra Merkury security devices like sensors and smart bulbs down the road for an affordable smart home system.
Just make sure to budget another $15-20 for a microSD card to record footage since cloud storage isn't included. And position the camera for optimal coverage since the 115° FOV is on the narrower side. Overall though, the Merkury camera certainly delivers when it comes to basic home monitoring at a budget-friendly price! At the time this article was written, the Merkury camera was on sale for 44% on Amazon, you can currently get it for just $27.99
FAQs About the Merkury App and Setup
What app does the Merkury camera use?
The Merkury Smart WiFi Camera uses the Geeni smart app for iOS and Android for setup, controls, and alerts. You'll need to install the Geeni app to configure and monitor your Merkury camera.
What apps work with the Merkury camera?
The main app used with the Merkury Smart WiFi Camera is the Geeni app. Geeni, available for iOS and Android, enables you to view live feeds, adjust settings, receive alerts, and control your Merkury camera from your smartphone or tablet.
How do I connect my Merkury camera to my phone?
Connecting your Merkury Smart WiFi Camera to your phone is quick and easy. First, install the Geeni app on your iOS or Android phone. Next, when setting up your camera, follow the in-app prompts to connect the camera to your WiFi network. Once connected via WiFi, you'll be able to instantly access live feeds and utilize controls right from the Geeni app on your phone.
How does the Merkury camera work?
The Merkury Smart WiFi Camera records 1080p video and detects motion and sound. It connects to your WiFi network so you can view live streams, receive alerts, adjust settings, and control the camera remotely using the Geeni app on your smartphone or tablet. No hub is required!
How do I use the Merkury camera?
To use the Merkury Smart WiFi Camera, first set it up on your WiFi network using the Geeni app. The app walks you through the process. Once set up, you can view live feeds from the camera, control the camera view, configure motion detection zones and alerts, use two-way audio, and more right from the Geeni app.
The Merkury Smart Home Ecosystem
One benefit of choosing the Merkury camera is that Merkury offers an entire ecosystem of affordable smart home devices that work together.
This includes Merkury smart bulbs, smart plugs, video doorbells, security cameras, and sensors - all controlled through the Geeni app and supporting voice control with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana.
So if you want to expand your home security system down the road, Merkury provides budget-friendly options like adding motion sensors, door/window sensors, floodlight cameras, and more.
Is Merkury a Good Smart Home Brand?
As a brand, Merkury focuses on simple, affordable smart devices that deliver decent functionality without a lot of complexity.
The products may not have all the latest tech of high-end brands, but Merkury aims to make smart home technology accessible at low price points.
Overall, Merkury products have fairly positive reviews from customers considering their affordable pricing. The devices offer good basic performance for their cost.
So if you're looking for an inexpensive entry point into smart home tech, Merkury is a solid brand to consider. Just don't expect advanced features or Alexa integration on par with brands like Philips Hue or Arlo. But for basic home automation and security, Merkury delivers plenty of value.
The Bottom Line
The Merkury Smart WiFi Camera provides impressive home monitoring capability considering its super affordable price tag. Video and audio quality are quite decent, motion and sound detection help monitor activity, and integration with the Geeni app and voice assistants like Alexa allow versatile control.
While more expensive security cameras do offer higher video resolution, more smart features, and cloud storage, the Merkury camera is about as bare bones as it gets while still offering good core performance. For basic indoor monitoring on a budget, the Merkury Smart WiFi Camera is a great choice!
If you want to dip your toes into the smart home world, I'd recommend reading our article "How to Set Up a Smart Home System in 2023" which can help guide you through the process of setting up an intelligent home with various smart devices that can talk to each other.
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