YI Home vs. YI Dome

As smart technology has become more and more accessible, the dream of having an affordable and capable security camera is now a reality. The YI Home camera and YI Dome are two very similar products from the same brand that will make a great addition to any security setup, although we do feel the Dome pulls slightly ahead due to the motion tracking feature.

While YI doesn’t have the same market recognition as some other more popular brands like Ring or Arlo, they have some solid performers that offer impressive home monitoring with varying levels of features. Our favorite in this comparison is the YI Dome, although the brand does offer a 1080p version of the same camera that we’d strongly recommend considering as well.

Below, we go into detail on the similarities and differences of the YI Home vs. YI Dome. Read on for a full picture, or use the navigation bar to jump directly to the sections that interest you most.

YI Home vs. YI Dome — Things in Common

  • Live View – Like most smart cameras, the YI Home and YI Dome offer the option for an on-demand live view, as well as the ability to record that stream. From wherever you happen to be, a high-quality feed of your home is available through the mobile app.

  • Zoom – Getting a clear picture of the details should be a breeze with either camera — even at a distance — due to the 4x digital zoom that comes standard on both models.

  • Two-Way Audio – Regardless of your choice in model. You’ll be able to listen in on the room as well as communicate with guests or intruders using two-way audio. The YI brand is rather unique in its implementation of this feature, with the option for both an intercom and hands-free mode.

  • Night Vision – Your video coverage shouldn’t suffer when the sun goes down. With 8 940nm infrared LEDs that illuminate 25 feet into the distance, you should be able to maintain a clear picture even in pitch black darkness. The IR cut-off filter also does a great job of keeping the quality high even in the absence of light, ensuring that your home will be well-protected, 24/7.

  • Internet Connection – Both cameras connect to the internet using 2.4GHz WiFi, which allows for more flexibility with placement. However, there are an increasing number of dual-band cameras on the market, so be sure to check out models like the gen 2 Ring Stick Up Camera if you’re looking for a high-tech monitoring solution that shouldn’t put any additional strain on your network.

  • Local Backup Storage & CVR – By default, both cameras will record to local backup storage, with support for up to 32GB Class 10 microSD cards with FAT32 format. You also have the option for Continuous Video Recording (CVR), which works with the local storage free of charge, or with online cloud storage using the YI Cloud premium subscription.

    Both models use the same subscription plans, with three different tiers. 7 days of CVR cloud storage is available for $19.99 quarterly or $66 per year, 15 days is available for $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and 30 days of storage costs $19.99 per month or $199 annually. Keep in mind that these prices are for a single camera, so cloud CVR may be cost-prohibitive if you wanted it enabled on multiple YI Home or YI Dome setups.

  • Cloud Storage – Cloud storage is also available without the CVR option and covers up to 5 cameras for no additional cost. When you purchase the YI Home or YI Dome, you’ll have the ability to record and review video footage from the last 7 days for free. However, if you’d like to download or share the footage, you will need a YI Cloud subscription.

    The YI Cloud is priced identically to the CVR subscription for the 7-day and 15-day options, but is a little less expensive for 30 days of storage at $14.99 per month or $149 annually. It’s a great option to avoid the risk of losing footage from your microSD memory card and comes equipped with efficient compression and security to keep your recordings safe.

    The prices for CVR and regular cloud storage may look pretty similar, but keep in mind that regular cloud storage covers multiple cameras while CVR pricing is on a per-device basis.

  • Power Option – While the WiFi internet connection means you’ll be able to ditch the ethernet cable, you’ll, unfortunately, be stuck with AC power for both the YI Home and YI Dome. If you’d like to install security cameras without being stuck to a plug, we recommend checking out the Arlo Pro or Arlo Pro 2 cameras.

  • Apps – Last but not least, both the YI Home and YI Dome cameras work with the same app — available through a web browser as well as Android or iOS.


YI Home vs. YI Dome — Differences

YI app motion

  • Difference #1: Video Quality – The first notable difference when comparing the YI Home vs. YI Dome is the video quality. The Home clearly has the edge here with a 1080p resolution compared to the 720p picture on the YI Dome. However, the YI Dome does pull ahead slightly from a frame rate perspective with 20 fps vs. 15.

    So, the picture quality will be better on the YI Home, but you may see a slightly smoother recording with the YI Dome. Both cameras also use the H.264 compression standard to avoid hogging your network’s bandwidth.

    It’s clear that the YI Home can provide a more detailed look, but we would like to mention that there’s also a 1080p version of the YI Dome available. Plus, it records at 30 fps vs. the YI Home’s 15 which makes it miles better.

    Long story short, when looking at these two models in terms of video quality, the YI Home has the edge, but if you’re willing to shell out a little more for the 1080p YI Dome, you’ll end up with identical picture quality and better FPS.

  • Difference #2: Image Sensor – In addition to giving a stronger showing with video quality, the YI Home’s image sensor also has a pretty notable impact on the quality of the feed. With a 1 /2.7” 2MP CMOS sensor, you’re going to get better images than with the YI Dome’s 1 /4” 1MP CMOS sensor.

    The combination of the 1080p feed and better image sensor does give the YI Home a significant edge, since having a clear look at intruders can be the difference between a cold trail and actually apprehending the criminals.

  • Difference #3: Field of View – An excellent field of view can be the difference between catching evidence of a home invasion and being left in the dark. Both cameras have a 112-degree diagonal field of view, but the YI Dome actually has 360-degree coverage due to its 345 degree and 115 degree rotation range. A security camera with that extent of coverage is almost unheard of, and is largely due to the YI Dome’s design.

    Ultimately, despite technically having the same field of view, the difference between the two cameras in the way they can cover your room is like night and day.

  • Difference #4: Motion Detection – One of the biggest advantages that the YI Dome has when compared to the YI Home is in its motion detection.

    The YI Home supports pretty standard motion detection, including the ability to set motion zones for increased or decreased detection sensitivity. This flexibility allows you to avoid false alarms in heavily-trafficked areas while ensuring that areas you want to keep secure get special attention.

    The YI Dome, on the other hand, is significantly more advanced with its detection, with Motion Tracking rather than simple Motion Detection. Advanced algorithms allow your camera to detect moving objects and follow along with the motion to ensure that the activity is always in view. There’s also an Auto-Cruise mode, which will horizontally survey an area to increase the width of the coverage, as well as the ability to select up to 8 locations to focus on and swap between them with the tap of a button using Bookmarks.

    The Auto-Cruise mode and Bookmarks allow you to customize your camera to best suit your needs. You can even monitor different areas at different times of the day, which is a great perk for adding in some extra protection when you and your family turn in for the night.

    The motion triggered detection with either camera will be recorded to the cloud for up to 7 days for free, but you won’t be able to download it without the YI Cloud Subscription. You also have the option to use local storage with an SD card to record and save everything free of charge.

    Ultimately, the motion detection is one of the biggest perks that the YI Dome has going for it and one of the reasons we feel it is the superior buy — especially if you opt for the 1080p version.


YI Home vs. YI Dome — Comparison Chart

YI Home 1080p YI Dome YI Dome 1080p
Video resolution 1080p 720p 1080p
Frames per Second 15 FPS 20 FPS 15 FPS
Video Format H.264 H.264 H.264
On-Demand Live View Yes Yes Yes
Record Live View Yes Yes Yes
Field of View 112° diagonal 112° diagonal
360° coverage
Cruise Bookmarks
112° diagonal
360° coverage
Cruise Bookmarks
Panorama Capture
Zoom 4x digital zoom 4x digital zoom 4x digital zoom
Power AC AC AC
Optional Power Source N/A N/A N/A
Two-Way Audio Yes Yes Yes
Motion Detection Yes Yes
Plus Motion Tracking
Yes
Plus Motion Tracking
Motion Zones Yes Yes Yes
Person Detection No No No
Facial Recognition No No No
Sound Detection Yes
Baby Crying
Yes
Baby Crying
Yes
Baby Crying
Night Vision 8 Infrared LEDs
940 nm LEDs
8 Infrared LEDs
940 nm LEDs
8 Infrared LEDs
940 nm LEDs
Internet Connection WiFi: 2.4 GHz WiFi: 2.4 GHz WiFi: 2.4 GHz
Requires a Base Station No No No
Siren No No No
CVR Yes Yes Yes
Local Backup Storage Yes Yes Yes
Cloud Storage YI Cloud YI Cloud YI Cloud
Review, Share, & Save YI Cloud YI Cloud YI Cloud
e911 Emergency Call No No No
Instant App Alerts Yes Yes Yes
App Support Android, iOS, Web Android, iOS, Web Android, iOS, Web
Weather-resistant No No No
Amazon Alexa No No No
Google Assistant No No No
IFTTT No No No
Operating Temperature 32°F to 113°F 32°F to 113°F 32°F to 113°F
Color White White Black

YI Home vs. YI Dome — Accessories

YI Wall Mount

There are a few accessories you might want to keep in mind when shopping for the YI Home and YI Dome that are all focused on giving you more options for mounting.

The YI Home is particularly flexible with its mounting equipment options, with a Wall Mount, and Wall Mount Stand Bracket, and an Outlet Wall Mount giving you a great deal of choice. For the YI Dome, you’re probably best off opting for its dedicated Wall Mount.


YI Home vs. YI Dome — Our Thoughts

YI app

All in all, when comparing the YI Dome vs. YI Home, it’s clear that these two cameras have quite a lot in common. The YI Home has the edge in terms of video quality, but the YI Dome’s motion detection is difficult to beat.

In a side by side comparison, we feel that the 720p YI Dome has a slight edge. However, we definitely recommend paying a little bit extra for the 1080p version for the same great features with superior video quality.


Last update on 2024-03-28 at 13:03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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