Qsee Ares SE 5MP Touchscreen WiFi Camera Review
A 5MP indoor camera from Qsee (formerly Q-See) built around a touchscreen: two-way video calls, calls between two units, memos and reminders synced from the app, and 355° pan. Sold singly or as a 2-pack.
Our verdict
The Ares SE is a pick for its screen, its memos and its unit-to-unit calls rather than the cheapest way to watch a room: its security features are the same kind as the much cheaper Hestia cameras. Check the alert settings, don't rely on the unexplained fall-warning feature for anyone's safety, and note that we found no independent test and no buyer reviews on the product page.
- Best for
- People who want a camera with a screen for video calls, memos and calls between two units.
- Skip if
- You only need to watch a room, or you'd rely on the fall-warning feature for someone's safety.
Why 3.5/5: Lifted by an unusual touchscreen camera with video calls between devices and the highest-resolution sensor in Qsee's Wi-Fi range; held back by a premium price, an unexplained fall-warning feature, alerts that are off by default and no buyer reviews.
The Ares SE is an unusual indoor camera from Qsee (formerly Q-See, relaunched in 2023): a 5MP pan-tilt unit built around a touchscreen. It is sold as a single unit from $159.99 or as a 2-pack at $299.99 (both read on 18 October 2026; the store also shows crossed-out prices of $179.99 and $349.98). Its main trick is video calling: someone at the screen can call your phone through the Qsee Smart Home app, and in the 2-pack the two units can call each other.
What the spec sheet promises
Video is 5MP (2880×1620, H.265, 20 fps) through a fixed 4 mm lens with a 90° view, with eight 940 nm infrared LEDs and a night range of 3–7 m on the spec table (the copy says up to 25 feet). It pans 355°; the spec table gives a 90° tilt, while the feature text says 55°. Wi-Fi covers 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and Bluetooth is used for pairing. Storage is a microSD card of up to 128 GB, not included, or Qsee cloud. Motion detection and human detection are listed as supported but 'off by default', so alerts need switching on in the app.
Calls, memos and the other extras
Calls start from a call button or an OK hand gesture, and the page says they work between the camera and the Qsee app or other Qsee devices; the device-to-device call is described as exclusive to this model. You can also leave memos and reminders in the app as text, audio or video and have them appear on the screen, and the spec table lists messages, a music player and a privacy mode. The box holds the camera, a 5V/2A adapter, a Type-C cable, a mounting bracket, two screws and the manual; the spec table gives a weight of 310 g.
A feature to treat with care
The page lists a 'fall warning' feature and says the Ares SE is well suited to elder care. It doesn't explain how fall detection works, how accurate it is, or whether it can stand in for a medical alert service. Test it in the app before anyone relies on it for their safety.
How it compares with the rest of the range
The sensor is the highest-resolution one in Qsee's Wi-Fi camera range, but the security features are similar in kind to the Hestia 4T ($29.99) and the Hestia 4A ($79.99), which also offer calling. The Ares SE is the one to look at for the screen, the memos and the unit-to-unit calls, not as the cheapest way to watch a room.
Before you buy
Qsee Technology is a California company founded in 2022 that bought the Q-See trademark. It says it doesn't support old Q-See products, servers, apps or warranties, and old cameras can't be added to the new Qsee Smart Home app. This product page showed no buyer reviews on 18 October 2026, so there is nothing from buyers to cross-check the specs against. A company notice dated 17 December 2024 says app and cloud services were disrupted while data moved to a new cloud server. These are signals to weigh, not verdicts. Buying from Qsee's own site or its official Amazon store keeps the 2-year warranty valid; keep the order confirmation and check the camera inside the return window.
What we liked
- 5MP sensor: the highest resolution in Qsee's Wi-Fi camera range
- Touchscreen for two-way video calls; units in the 2-pack can call each other
- Dual-band Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth pairing
- Memos and reminders set in the app appear on the screen as text, audio or video
- Records to a microSD card with no monthly fee; Qsee cloud is optional
Worth noting
- From $159.99 for one, $299.99 for two (18 October 2026), against $29.99 for the Hestia 4T
- Motion and human detection are listed as 'off by default', so alerts need switching on in the app
- A narrow 90° lens, and the page gives two tilt ranges (90° in the spec table, 55° in the text)
- A 'fall warning' feature is listed without any explanation of how it works or how accurate it is
- The product page showed no buyer reviews on 18 October 2026
- Depends on Qsee's app and cloud, which a company notice says were disrupted by a server migration in December 2024
Questions before you buy
What does the 2-pack add?
The 2-pack costs $299.99 (18 October 2026) and, according to the product page, supports calls between the two devices. The page calls the device-to-device call exclusive to this model.
Is the fall warning reliable?
Unknown. The spec table lists 'fall warning' as supported, but the product page doesn't explain how it works or how accurate it is, so don't rely on it for anyone's safety without testing it in the app.
Are motion alerts on out of the box?
No. The spec table lists motion detection and human detection as supported but 'off by default', so you need to switch them on in the Qsee app.
Can I return it if I change my mind?
Qsee's policy page accepts returns of unopened, unused items in original packaging within 15 days of delivery (reduced from 30, it says); you pay return shipping, and a rejected return costs a 15% restocking fee plus freight. Defects must be reported within 30 days with photo or video proof, and Qsee then covers shipping. The product-page badge still says 30-day return, so confirm with support before relying on it.
Does it work with my old Q-See cameras or the old app?
No. Qsee Technology says it is a separate company that bought the Q-See trademark, and that it does not support old Q-See servers, apps or warranties. Old cameras can't be added to the new Qsee Smart Home app, and this camera needs that new app.
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the maker
- Qsee Support CenterSupport channels, old Q-See devices, refunds, the 2-year warrantyRead October 18, 2026
- New Qsee disclaimer (blog post, April 2023)Who Qsee Technology is; no support for old Q-See productsRead October 18, 2026
- Qsee Download CenterApp versions, Windows-only PC client, firmware list, cloud subscriptionRead October 18, 2026
From the store
- Ares SE product page: specs, box contents and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, what's in the box, the listed pricesRead October 18, 2026
- Qsee shipping policyFree US shipping, processing and transit times, shipping zones, dutiesRead October 18, 2026
- Qsee warranty and return policy2-year warranty terms, 15-day return of unopened items, 30-day defect reportsRead October 18, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- Fall warning: how it works and how reliable it is aren't explained on the page.
- The tilt range: the feature text says 55°, the spec table says 90°.
- Screen size and brightness: the page gives neither.
- Buyer feedback: the product page showed no reviews on 2026-10-18.
- Independent testing: we found no independent test or review of this model when we searched on 2026-10-18, so every spec here comes from Qsee's own pages.
- Who makes the hardware, and any NDAA or FCC covered-equipment statement: neither is published on the product page.
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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