- Advertisement -

Here is our review of the SONOFF CAM GlassView Smart Window Camera.

Keep an eye on the outside world without ever setting foot outside with the SONOFF CAM GlassView, a smart camera designed to sit on the inside of your window and look out through the glass. There’s no drilling, no ladders and no worrying about the British weather, as the camera stays safely indoors while it watches over your driveway, garden or front path.

A 3MP sensor captures 2K full-colour video both day and night, while a dedicated anti-glare algorithm helps cut down on the reflections you would normally get when pointing a camera through a pane of glass. AI human detection sends you alerts when someone is actually there, and two-way talk lets you have a quick word with whoever turns up.

With local recording to a microSD card, the browser-based OpenEdge console, RTSP and ONVIF support for Home Assistant and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant, the CAM GlassView gives you plenty of options without tying you into a monthly subscription.

Flexible Installation Without Drilling Easily attach the camera to glass with 3M adhesive—no drilling needed. The included cable clip and 3m extension cable make power routing simple, while the adjustable tilt mount supports four-way angle adjustment for flexible installation on single- or multi-layer glass from various heights.
Secure Indoor Installation for Outdoor Views Keep your camera safely installed indoors while monitoring outdoors through the window. Shielded from harsh weather conditions and malicious tampering, the camera delivers longer-lasting performance while maintaining a more reliable indoor Wi-Fi connection.
Local Control, Zero Monthly Fees Configure your camera and view footage through the browser-based OpenEdge local web console—no app or cloud account required. With a TF card (up to 128GB, sold separately), you can record events and enjoy full features without a subscription. 
Clear 2K Full-Color Video Featuring a 3MP camera, it delivers clear 2K full-color video day and night. A dedicated anti-glare algorithm reduces glass reflections and harsh light, ensuring clear, true-to-life footage.  
AI Detection & Audio Alarm Supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi with built-in AI human detection for accurate motion recognition and real-time alerts. Supports two-way talk for convenient communication.

The box contains the Camera, three Mounting Brackets (an Angled Bracket, a Large Flat Bracket and a Small Flat Bracket), a 3m USB-C Cable, Cable Clips and a User Manual.

The CAM GlassView is a small and neat little camera, measuring just 56 x 56 x 38mm and weighing around 62g, so it doesn’t look out of place sitting in the corner of a window.

Installation really couldn’t be any easier. You simply stick one of the brackets to the glass and the camera attaches to it magnetically, which means you can pop it off whenever you want (to clean the window, for example) without having to remove the bracket. There are three brackets to choose from depending on where you are mounting it, including an angled one which is ideal if you are looking down from an upstairs window.

The bracket also lets you tilt the camera in four directions so you can get exactly the view you want, and the 100° field of view covers a good area.

One thing to bear in mind is that there is no power adapter included, so you will need a 5V USB-C plug (you probably have a spare one lying around somewhere from other bits of tech). The 3m cable gives you plenty of length to reach a plug socket.

Getting the camera connected is really simple and quick, and it works with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, which is handy if your 2.4GHz network is a bit crowded.

The daytime video quality is very good, with sharp 2K footage and natural-looking colours, and the anti-glare processing does a really good job of stopping window reflections from spoiling the picture.

Now, the important bit. Because the camera is designed to look through glass, it doesn’t have any IR or white light LEDs – they would just bounce straight back off the window. Instead, it relies on whatever light is around outside – streetlights, a porch light or even moonlight – to give you full-colour night footage. If your garden or driveway has some light, it works well, but if it is pitch black out there you won’t see very much at all.

It’s also worth noting that the camera works best with clear single-pane glass. Double glazing is generally fine, although you may notice some slight reflections, but tinted or Low-E coated windows can reduce the image quality, especially at night.

The AI human detection means you aren’t getting a notification every time the neighbour’s cat wanders past or a tree blows about in the wind.

Where the CAM GlassView really stands out is the OpenEdge local web console. You can view the live feed, change settings and even update the firmware straight from a web browser on your home network – no app or cloud account required. Add in RTSP and ONVIF support and it slots nicely into Home Assistant – definitely take a look at this if you are into your smart home tech.

There’s no cloud storage option, so you will need a microSD card to record clips. The good news is that means no monthly fees.

If you have an Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub, you can also view the live feed and use two-way talk on those too.

The SONOFF CAM GlassView Smart Window Camera is available now priced around £34.99.

You can learn more from the SONOFF website here.