Which Xiaomi Camera to Choose: Comparison of All 2026 Models

Choosing a Xiaomi camera is not an easy task, especially if you’re facing a brand range for the first time. The company offers dozens of models, from compact home cameras to professional video surveillance systems with rotary mechanisms, night vision and artificial intelligence. Eyes run out, and marketing slogans like “super resolution” or “smart detector” only confuse. How not to overpay for unnecessary functions and get a device that will cope with your tasks?

In this article, we will analyze all the current Xiaomi cameras of 2026, compare them by key parameters: resolution, viewing angle, storage capabilities, integration with the Mi Home ecosystem and Google Home. Separately, we will focus on the pitfalls that sellers do not mention: for example, why some models require a mandatory subscription to the cloud or why cheap AliExpress cameras can be a “Chinese version” with limited functionality.

Key criteria for choosing a Xiaomi camera

Before comparing specific models, determine what you want the camera to do, and then prioritize the following:

• 🏠 Home Surveillance – Needs compactness, ease of installation, two-way audio communication, and integration with other smart devices (e.g. motion sensors).
• 🚗 Street video surveillance – protection from moisture is important (IP65/IP66), wide viewing angle, night vision and resistance to temperature changes.
• 👶 Nanny for the child or the elderly - priority is given to sound quality, camera rotation, crying and falling sensors.
• 📦 Control of premises (warehouse, office) - high resolution is required (2K/4K), face detector, motion recording and long-term archive storage.

Just as important is understanding how you'll store records. Most Xiaomi cameras support:

• 🖥️ Cloud storage is convenient, but paid (from 99 rubles / month for 7 days of archive.
• 💾 Local storage – microSD card (up to 256 GB) or NAS. Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Home Security Camera 360)° 2K Pro supports both options.
• 📡 NVR-Registrar – is relevant for multiple camera systems (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera) 2K + Xiaomi Mi registrar NVR).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi cameras with the Mi Home prefix in the title often require a binding to the Mi Account. Without this, some features (such as cloud storage or notifications) can be blocked. If you don’t like it, look for models that aren’t ecosystem-specific (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Camera). C400).

Top.-5 Xiaomi cameras 2026 year: comparative table

To make it easier to choose, we've put together a table with key characteristics of the most popular models, and look at the Features column, which shows hidden limitations that are often not mentioned in reviews.

Important: Color night vision models (e.g. Xiaomi Smart Camera) C400) They require a backlight that turns on automatically, and that can get the attention of intruders if the camera is installed outside.

Home Cameras Xiaomi: what to look for

If you want a camera for your home or apartment, the priority is compactness, ease of installation and integration with other devices.

Xiaomi Home Security Camera 360° 2K Pro

This is a flagship model for the house with a 360-speed rotary mechanism.°, It's a colored night vision and a sound detector (a child crying, a dog barking, broken glass). 2K-permission, which allows you to see small details, such as the number of the car outside the window.

Of the minuses:

• 💰 Expensive cloud storage (from 299 rubles / month for 30 days of archive).
• 🔌 Requires a permanent connection to the outlet (no battery).
• 📱 Link to Mi Home – without an account, some functions are not available.

Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera 2K

A more budgetary alternative without a turning mechanism, but with the same 2K-It's suitable for a fixed installation (for example, over the door or in the nursery), the main plus is the price (for $2,000). ₽ cheaper than a flagship).

Please note:

• 🌙 Night vision only in black and white (IR illumination).
• 🔄 No turning - fixed viewing angle 130°.
• 🚫 It doesn’t work with Google Home or Apple HomeKit.

Xiaomi Mi Home Camera 360° 1080p

The most budget rotary camera from Xiaomi (Full) HD). Perfect if you want a simple camera to watch the room without bells and whistles:

• 💰 Price from 2,800 ₽.
• 🔄 Turn 360.° horizontally and 96° vertically.
• 📤 MicroSD support up to 64 GB (movement record).

Cons:

• 🌙 Night vision black and white, without detail.
• 🔇 No sound detector (only motion).
• 📉 Poor quality plastic (can rattle when turning).

Make sure your model supports your ecosystem. Home/Google Home)

Check compatibility with your router (some cameras don't work with 5GHz)

Evaluate the need for a cloud subscription (usually free only 24 hours)

Check if there is a power supply (some models do not have it)-->

Xiaomi Street Cameras: Weather and Vandal Protection

For street surveillance, protection from moisture is critical (IP65/IP66), So let's look at the two models that we're looking at:

Xiaomi Mi Outdoor Camera 1080p

This is the most popular street camera from Xiaomi with Full resolution HD protection IP65. Suitable for installation above the front door or on the fence:

• 🌧️ It works at a temperature from -10°C +50°C.
• 🔦 IR illumination for night vision (range up to 10 m).
• 📡 Supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (not working with 5GHz!).

The main disadvantage is the lack of a battery, the camera needs to be plugged into a socket, which is not always convenient on the street, and users also complain of false motion detector (e.g., falling leaves) alarms.

Xiaomi Smart Camera C400 (street-side)

This model is positioned as a “premium” street camera with resolution. 2.5K And it's colored night vision, and unlike the Mi Outdoor Camera, it supports the same:

• 🔄 The turning mechanism (360)° horizontally).
• 🌈 Color photography at night (thanks to the built-in lighting).
• 📀 Local storage on microSD up to 256 GB or NAS.

But there are nuances:

• 💸 Price is almost 2 times higher than the Mi Outdoor Camera (~7 000 ₽).
• 🔌 Requires connection to the socket (no battery).
• ⚠️ Colored lighting can attract attention in the dark.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to install a camera outdoors, make sure your router supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Most Xiaomi street cameras don't work with 5GHz networks, and low-frequency signals are worse at passing through walls.

Cameras for children and the elderly: nannies with artificial intelligence

If you need a camera to monitor a child or an elderly person, look for models with:

• 👶 The device is designed for the Xiaomi Home Security Camera 360.° 2K Pro).
• 🗣️ Two-way audio (to calm the child with a voice).
• 🎵 Built-in lullabies (some models have a function of playing music).
• 🌡️ Temperature and humidity sensors (useful for children).

The best choice in this category is the Xiaomi Home Security Camera 360.° 2K Pro. She does:

• Recognize the baby's crying and send a notification to the phone.
• Turn around a moving object (for example, if a child crawls around a room).
• Replay recorded voice messages (e.g., “Mom will be here soon”).

The alternative is the Xiaomi Mi Baby Monitor (if you find it on sale), a dedicated baby-care camera with a touchscreen display for the parent unit, but it rarely appears in official stores.

💡

If the camera is used in a nursery, turn off the IR illumination at night. Despite the manufacturers' claims of safety, long-term exposure to infrared radiation on children has not been studied. Instead, use models with colored lighting (for example, Xiaomi Smart Camera). C400).

Hidden features and life hacks for Xiaomi cameras

Many users are unaware that Xiaomi cameras support hidden features that can be activated through the Mi Home app or third-party firmware.

• 🔄 Automatic motion tracking - the camera will rotate behind a moving object. → Settings → Traffic tracking.
• 📡 RTSP-stream – allows you to stream video to third-party devices (for example, a TV or a computer) Activated through Additional settings → Protocol RTSP.
• 🔇 Activity Zones – You can configure the camera to ignore movement in certain areas (e.g., outside a window).
• 🌐 Integration with Home Assistant – if you use a smart home system, the camera can be connected via a smart home. ONVIF or RTSP.

For advanced users:

• 🛠️ Hack Mi Home Cameras firmware allows you to remove manufacturer restrictions (for example, recording only when moving.
• 📱 TinyCam Pro is an alternative to Mi Home with advanced settings (for example, record on a schedule).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party firmware or RTSP-In 2023, there were cases when Xiaomi blocked cameras for “non-standard” use, citing a violation of user agreement.

💡

If you want maximum privacy, ditch Mi Home cloud storage in favor of local microSD recording or NAS. This will eliminate the risk of data leakage, but will require manual archive management.

Common Mistakes When Choosing and Using Xiaomi Cameras

Even experienced users sometimes face problems due to poor choices or customization.-5 Mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Buying a Chinese version of the camera, models for the domestic market of China (for example, with a prefix). CN In the name of the company, they often do not support Russian in the firmware and have restrictions on cloud storage!
2. Ignoring Wi-Fi requirements. Most Xiaomi cameras only work with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. If your router doesn't support this range, the camera won't connect.
3. No backup power. Street cameras without a battery stop working when the power goes out. Solution: Use Power Bank with pasture or UPS.
4. Set up the record to everything. Continuous recording quickly fills the microSD card. Optimal mode is 10-15 seconds buffered motion recording.
5. Neglecting updates. Outdated firmware may contain vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates in Mi Home settings.

Another common problem is false positives, to avoid them:

• Set up activity zones (ignore movement outside the window or outside).
• Reduce the sensitivity of the sensor in the settings.
• Use cameras with a human detector (e.g. Xiaomi Home Security Camera 360)° 2K Pro) to ignore animals or falling leaves.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions