Merkury Smart Security Camera Review: Keeping Your Home Safe and Connected

• No cloud storage
• No MicroSD card included
• No 5GHz Wi-Fi network support
• Occasional Wi-Fi connection problems

Merkury is a great camera under $40 that compares favorably to other cameras in this price range.

The Merkury WiFi camera is a great deal for the price. It has several features that make it a good value, such as its low price and its easy setup. It’s not going up against brands like Reolink or Arlo, but you can get several of these cameras for a single-camera upgrade.

Design and Build Quality

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Merkury Smart Security Camera is its sleek and compact design. It’s a discreet camera that can be easily placed on a shelf, mounted on a wall, or even positioned on a tabletop. The design is modern and unobtrusive, ensuring that it doesn’t disrupt the aesthetics of your home.

The build quality is impressive, given its affordable price point. It feels sturdy and well-constructed, which is reassuring when you’re entrusting it with the security of your home. The camera comes with an adjustable stand that allows you to position it at the perfect angle for your needs.

Average video quality

The Merkury Smart WiFi Camera is a very simple camera that features 1080p resolution. This makes it great for most people who want to film their homes with ease. The 115º field of view ensures a clear image in any room, and the infrared night vision works well, providing footage that nearly matches daytime videos’ clarity.

A lot of smart home options

I wasn’t sure if Merkury Innovations is going to sell more smart home devices than we’ve reviewed, but it seems that they do! The brand has a line-up of 17 smart home devices that cost less than $40, including 14 that cost less than $30. They also sell a variety of other products, like lights and plugs, that can be integrated into your Smart Home.

Merkury Smart Security Camera Review About Connectivity

Each smart device (including the Merkury Smart Camera) connects to Wi-Fi and The Geeni camera app is compatible with both the Merkury Smart Camera and voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana. However, Cortana is less useful than either of the other two devices.

Weak recording storage

The camera offers the option to store live video feeds on your computer’s hard drive, but it does not offer cloud storage. Instead, you have the option to take screenshots and download short clips from live video feeds. The Micro SD card is convenient for this purpose because it doesn’t require a separate slot for an SD card.

This IP camera supports cards up to 128GB, which can last for months before it starts to overwrite old recordings. Merkury says the camera generally uses about 1GB per day, so even a smaller card is sufficient for long-term storage when the camera records with motion detection.

The negative news about the camera is that you’ll need to pay an extra $10-$25 for a card to use it with. Most competitors do not include micro SD cards, so this is more of a general issue than it is an expensive drawback.

Merkury camera setup and installation

Easy Wi-Fi setup

It connects to your home wireless network, so you can use your smartphone to remotely control the security camera from anywhere. The app has a straightforward layout that’s easy to use for live viewing your camera feed, watching recordings, or talking with people using the Merkury Smart WiFi Camera’s two-way audio.

How do I set up my Merkury Smart WiFi Camera?

The camera can be attached to a wall with the included adhesive pad. You can place it on any flat surface, or attach it to a wall with the included adhesive pad. We like that its bendable stand allows you to point the lens at a particular view like an entrance or pricey home theater setup.

Unfortunately, this camera does not support 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. So if you’re struggling to connect to the camera using 2.4GHz, it may be helpful to adjust your phone’s settings so that it uses this network instead. Some users have found occasional Wi-Fi problems with their devices but these do not seem related to the camera in any way!

Customer service & support

In addition to the lack of customer service on the surface, Merkury Innovations also does not offer a lot in terms of support options. The manual lists a phone number, but there is no website or email form for getting assistance.

This smart security camera comes with live chat support and basic support through the Geeni app. But it is more helpful for using the Geeni app than this specific manual-based product. You can access basic support by visiting their website instead of slogging through pages of documentation.

We frequently saw Walmart following up with Geeni’s social media pages in order to offer more assistance. So we were hopeful that the company pays attention to customer feedback and works to fix problems. Overall, Merkury Innovations’ customer service isn’t as seamless as interacting with Wyze, Arlo, and Ring-but it’s still very responsive and helpful.

Performance and Functionality

Video Quality

The true test of any security camera is its performance, and the Merkury Smart Security Camera does not disappoint. The high-definition video quality ensures that you can clearly see details, making it a valuable tool for monitoring your home.

Motion Detection

The motion detection feature is reliable, and the ability to adjust its sensitivity means you can fine-tune it to suit your specific needs. This minimizes false alarms while ensuring that genuine events are captured.

Two-Way Audio

The two-way audio feature works seamlessly, enabling you to communicate with family members or pets when you’re away from home. It’s also a great way to deter potential intruders.

Mobile App

The mobile app is the heart of the Merkury Smart Security Camera’s functionality. It allows you to access your camera’s feed from anywhere with an internet connection. You can also set up schedules, customize alerts, and review past footage effortlessly.

Cloud and Local Storage

The option to choose between cloud and local storage provides flexibility, and the pricing for cloud storage plans is competitive. This ensures that you can store your footage securely and conveniently.

Summary

In our Merkury Smart Security Camera Review, we were pleasantly surprised by how well this little camera performed. While its specs are mostly average and won’t outshine Wyze, Merkury’s biggest strength is its posse of affordable smart home devices.

How we reviewed the Merkury WiFi Camera

We surveyed the Merkury Smart WiFi Camera with several goals in mind: researching the camera’s technology, installation, and customer support options; studying customer reviews to ensure we had a balanced perspective; and looking at real-world performance to make an informed decision.

See also below articles

• Surveillance Cameras Trends and Types of Surveillance Technology
• How Does An IP Camera Work?
• High-Quality Netatmo Smart Indoor Camera Review
• Best 4K PTZ Security Camera

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Merkury Smart Security Cameras

1. What is the quality of the Merkury camera?

• The quality of the Merkury Smart Security Camera is generally good. It offers high-definition video capture, ensuring clear and detailed footage. The camera also features night vision capability for monitoring in low-light conditions, making it suitable for both daytime and nighttime use.

2. Do Merkury cameras work without Wi-Fi?

• No, Merkury Smart Security Cameras require a Wi-Fi connection to function effectively. They rely on Wi-Fi connectivity to transmit live video feeds, receive commands from the mobile app, and store footage in the cloud or on local storage devices. Without Wi-Fi, these cameras would not be able to provide remote monitoring or access to recorded videos.

3. Is Geeni a good security camera?

• Geeni is known for producing a range of smart home products, including security cameras. Whether a Geeni security camera is good for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some Geeni cameras offer features like high-definition video, motion detection, and two-way audio, making them suitable for basic home security needs. However, it’s essential to research and read reviews to determine which specific Geeni camera model best suits your requirements.

4. How does a Merkury camera work?

• Merkury Smart Security Cameras work by capturing video and audio from their surroundings and transmitting this data over a Wi-Fi network. Here’s a simplified overview of how they work:
  • Capturing Video: The camera’s lens captures video footage, which can be in high definition, and its built-in microphone captures audio.
  • Wi-Fi Connectivity: The camera connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network, allowing it to communicate with your mobile device and the cloud.
  • Mobile App: Users can access the camera’s live feed and recorded footage through a dedicated mobile app, which is typically available for both iOS and Android devices.
  • Motion Detection: Many Merkury cameras include motion detection technology. When motion is detected, the camera can send alerts to your smartphone or other devices.
  • Storage Options: The camera typically offers storage options such as cloud storage or local storage (e.g., microSD card) for storing recorded videos.
  • Two-Way Audio: Some models also feature two-way audio, enabling you to communicate through the camera using the mobile app.
• Overall, Merkury cameras are designed to provide users with a convenient and accessible way to monitor their homes remotely and enhance security.