Imou Cell Go Full Colour review: A compact wire-free security camera that goes the distance
A fully wire-free security camera designed for flexible placement, long battery life, and reliable day and night monitoring. Picture: Imou.
I reviewed the original Imou Cell Go a few years ago and was impressed by its style, features and performance. The upgraded version now features USB-C instead of the older USB micro, along with updated storage options. The completely wire-free design, up to 120 days of battery life, and reliable human detection make it a practical option for everyday use.
The new Cell Go is a compact security camera suitable for indoor or outdoor use. The size makes the installation quick and easy, and I was able to mount it without worrying about running cables. Despite its size, it has an IP65 rating, so it is protected against the elements. I left it exposed during a stretch of typical Irish weather, including rain and wind, and it held up without issue. It feels robust enough for outdoor use, though still discreet enough not to draw attention.
The 3MP QHD resolution camera is noticeably sharper than standard 1080p cameras. Faces and movement were clearer, especially when reviewing recorded clips.
The camera features what Imou calls Smart Colour Night Vision. When motion is detected, the spotlight turns on and automatically switches the image to full colour. This makes it easier to identify details, such as clothing, in the colour footage compared to traditional black-and-white footage. Not surprisingly, the spotlight is small and not very powerful, limiting its range. This means that if there’s not enough light, the camera will switch back to black-and-white.
The PIR and AI human detection were mostly accurate. I didn’t get bombarded with alerts from passing cars or shifting shadows, which is often a problem with cheaper systems. Notifications came through quickly, and the claimed rapid detection felt believable in real use.
Two-way audio is included and works clearly enough for quick conversations.
In day-to-day use, the camera works as expected. I set it up overlooking a side entrance and adjusted the detection zones to avoid unnecessary alerts from the street. Once configured, it largely stayed out of the way.
Battery life depends heavily on how often it’s triggered. During my testing, with moderate activity, it tracked closer to the mid-range estimate rather than the full 120 days. That said, it still lasted weeks without intervention, which is a major advantage over wired alternatives that need constant power planning.
As an indoor camera, I found it really handy. It was easy to place anywhere, whether I wanted to keep an eye on a pet or check in on things like my 3D printers while I was away.
A big plus is the lack of mandatory subscription fees. The camera supports local storage via microSD cards up to 256 GB. The previous version I tested had only 4GB of built-in storage, with no option to expand it with a microSD card.
There are optional cloud features, with the basic plan costing €3.99 per month. For many users, local storage will be more than enough, especially for a single-camera setup.
The Imou Cell Go Full Colour delivers reliable performance, decent flexibility, and useful features. Battery life and smart detection stand out, and while it is not perfect, it performs well for a compact camera at an attractive entry-level price.
€55 Harvey Norman
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