Shelly Unveils $50 Security Camera With No Subscription Required

Shelly, known for its budget-friendly smart home devices like a recent flood sensor with a two-year battery life, is entering the security camera market with a $49.99 model that prioritizes no-subscription operation. The Shelly Camera captures video at 1080p resolution with a 110-degree horizontal and 70-degree vertical field of view, and includes night vision.

Unlike some competitors that require monthly fees for basic cloud storage or advanced features, Shelly’s camera works without any ongoing costs. However, the company plans to offer optional subscription services for users who want additional capabilities beyond local recording and automation.

The camera is wired rather than battery-powered, a design choice that helps keep the price low but may limit placement options for some users. It competes directly with other low-cost indoor cameras, such as Wyze’s 2K model, which sells for around $40 but also offers optional subscription tiers.

Shelly has not yet announced an exact availability date beyond “soon,” but the camera will be sold through the company’s website and third-party resellers in both black and white finishes.

Why This Matters

The $49.99 price point and subscription-free model challenge the industry trend of recurring fees for security camera features, potentially saving consumers money over the long term.
Shelly’s entry into cameras expands its smart-home ecosystem, increasing competition in the budget segment dominated by Wyze, Eufy, and others.
The lack of a battery may limit adoption among renters or those who cannot easily run power cables, but it keeps the cost low and reduces maintenance.

Background

Shelly is a brand known for affordable smart-home devices such as relays, switches, and sensors. Its products typically emphasize local control, compatibility with major platforms (Home Assistant, Alexa, Google Home), and no mandatory subscription. The company’s recent flood sensor, which lasts two years on a coin cell battery, follows a similar philosophy. The new camera extends that approach to video surveillance, a category where cloud-subscription models have become standard among many competitors.

Key Perspectives

Homeowners and privacy-conscious users: A camera that works fully without a cloud subscription offers more control over footage and avoids monthly costs, appealing to those who prefer local storage or home server setups. Budget-conscious shoppers: At $50, the camera is competitively priced against other wired 1080p models, but lacks features like pan/tilt or higher 2K resolution offered by some rivals at similar prices. Smart-home enthusiasts: Integration with existing Shelly devices and automation platforms could make this a natural choice for users already invested in the Shelly ecosystem, even if the hardware specs are modest.

What to Watch

Availability of the optional subscription service and its pricing, which will determine the total cost of ownership for users who want cloud recording or advanced AI features.
Reviews of video quality and reliability compared to competitors, especially in low-light conditions.
Whether Shelly adds more camera models (e.g., outdoor, battery-powered, pan/tilt) in the future, indicating broader market ambitions.

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