Hands-on Review: Smart365 Cam 360 — Budget AI Security Camera

The Smart365 Cam 360 is a budget-focused 2K pan-tilt camera that promises AI person detection, two-way audio, and optional local storage. With more consumers concerned about privacy, we wanted to test whether an inexpensive camera could meet real needs without constant cloud dependency.

Unboxing and hardware

The Cam 360 ships with a power adapter, wall mount, and a microSD slot for local recording. Build quality feels comparable to other budget cameras — plastic but well-finished. The 360-degree pan and 90-degree tilt provide excellent coverage for small to medium rooms.

Setup and integration

Setup was straightforward. Initial pairing uses the vendor app, after which the camera can be provisioned into our Matter testbed via an update that enabled Matter accessories. The camera exposes a Matter-compatible entity for motion and person events and supports RTSP for local video streams.

Performance

In daytime the 2K feed is crisp, and AI person detection has a low false-positive rate when tuned in the app. Night vision uses IR and produces usable gray-scale images up to approximately 7–8 meters. Audio clarity is adequate for two-way conversations. The camera handled network interruptions gracefully, switching to local buffer recording when cloud connectivity was lost and syncing clips when restored.

Privacy and local features

Smart365 includes local storage via microSD and supports encrypted local export. There's a 'privacy mode' that physically disables the camera sensor via a software command and a physical shutter option in the higher-tier model. The vendor's cloud platform offers optional features like person recognition and cloud storage, but these can be disabled for strict local-only deployments.

Mobile app and alerts

The mobile app provides customizable activity zones, sensitivity settings, and automated notifications. Push notifications are reliable, though some advanced AI features require a cloud subscription. Alerts via Matter events can be routed to a local automation controller for privacy-first workflows.

Value and comparisons

For under $130, the Cam 360 offers an impressive set of features: 2K resolution, pan/tilt, decent AI detection, and local streaming via RTSP. It doesn't match the image quality or low-light performance of premium models, but it's excellent value for bedrooms, nursery monitoring, or rental properties where budgets matter.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Affordable, Matter support, local storage and RTSP, decent AI detection
• Cons: Limited low-light range, vendor cloud offers paywalled AI features

"If you're looking for a budget camera that respects local control and integrates into a Matter setup, the Smart365 Cam 360 is a strong contender."

Final verdict

The Smart365 Cam 360 punches above its price point for everyday monitoring tasks. Its combination of local streaming, Matter compatibility, and optional cloud features makes it flexible. For privacy-focused users who want local-only operation, it performs well; for enthusiasts needing the best low-light imaging or advanced person recognition, higher-end models remain preferable.