ZOSI C186 vs C220: Which Four-Camera Kit?
Both are four-camera starter kits on an 8-channel recorder with a 2TB drive, and both leave four channels free for later. The difference is what the cameras are built to do at night and when someone shows up. The C186 is the deterrent kit: color night video, a warm light, a siren. The C220 is the quieter all-rounder: 4MP domes with infrared and two-way talk.
Side by side
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| C186 8CH 4K NVR, 4×5MP Bullets, 2TB | C220 8CH 5MP NVR, 4×4MP Audio, 2TB | |
|---|---|---|
| Cameras | Four 5MP PoE bullets | Four 4MP PoE domes |
| Recorder | 8-channel 4K NVR | 8-channel 5MP-class H.265+ NVR |
| Night video | Full color, F1.0 aperture, 1/3" sensor | Infrared, up to 100 ft (30 m) |
| Light | 4500K lamp, three brightness levels, manual or scheduled | None given |
| Deterrent | 110 dB siren and flashing spotlight on person or vehicle | None given |
| Two-way audio | Yes | Yes |
| Alerts | AI person and vehicle detection | Person and vehicle detection, push or email with snapshot |
| Weather sealing | Not given | IP66 in the product name |
| Expansion | To 16 channels with an optional PoE switch | Four more cameras on the free channels |
Pick the C186 if you want to scare people off
The C186 kit is designed to react. When the AI spots a person or vehicle, the camera sounds a 110 dB siren and flashes its spotlights. At night, the F1.0 lens keeps footage in color in near-total darkness, which makes clothing and car colors easier to tell apart. The 4500K lamp can also run on a schedule, as a porch or driveway light.
Bullets also suit long views. Their shape points the lens straight down a driveway or along a fence line, and they're easy to aim.
Pick the C220 if you want something low-key
The C220 kit uses domes that sit close to an eave or porch ceiling and blend in. Infrared night vision reaches up to 100 ft, in black and white. Built-in microphones and speakers let you hear and answer through the app. Recorded events can be sorted into person, vehicle or motion clips, and privacy masking blanks out areas you don't want recorded, like a neighbor's window.
One limit to know: the C220 recorder in this kit is rated for 5MP. If you think you'll want 8MP cameras later, start with a 4K recorder instead.
Questions that settle it
- Do you want the cameras noticed? Yes: C186. No: C220.
- Is color at night important? C186.
- Will you add 8MP cameras later? C186's 4K recorder handles that. The C220 kit's 5MP recorder doesn't.
- Mounting under a low porch roof? Domes are easier there: C220.
For where to put four cameras, see our camera placement guide. If you want larger systems, C220 vs C296 compares the C220 with the pan-tilt C296, and the ZOSI review lists every kit.