Jennov or HiLook: the CCTV system that actually fits your home

Display / image quality

Winner: Jennov. The Jennov system uses 5MP PTZ cameras, which should deliver noticeably more detail than the HiLook kit’s 2.0MP 1080p cameras. That extra resolution matters when you want to identify faces, number plates at short range, or zoom in on a person at the edge of the frame. The PTZ design also gives you a much more flexible view because you can pan and tilt rather than relying on fixed dome angles. HiLook’s 1080p image is still perfectly usable for general monitoring, but it is older-spec by comparison and will not hold up as well when you need to crop or zoom footage.

Performance / monitoring capability

Winner: Jennov. The Jennov system includes human detection, auto tracking, colour night vision and two-way audio, which makes it far more feature-rich for active monitoring. Auto tracking is especially useful on a PTZ camera because the lens can follow movement rather than just recording it. The 10-channel NVR also gives you room to expand beyond the included 4 cameras, which is a real advantage if you may add more later. HiLook’s 8-channel DVR and 8-camera layout are more straightforward, but its 2MP cameras and IR-only night vision are less advanced. If you want a system that does more than simply record, Jennov wins clearly.

Build quality and design

Winner: HiLook. HiLook and the wider Hikvision ecosystem have a stronger reputation for professional CCTV hardware, and the 8 dome cameras are likely to suit a more traditional, discreet installation. Dome cameras are often better protected against tampering and can look tidier on soffits or under eaves. Jennov’s PTZ cameras are more obvious and mechanically complex, so while they are versatile, they are also more exposed to wear than fixed domes. For a “fit it and forget it” exterior installation, HiLook has the more proven design approach. That said, if you want visible deterrence and active control, Jennov’s moving cameras can be an advantage.

Battery life / power resilience

Winner: Tie, with a slight practical edge to HiLook for simplicity. Neither product is a battery-powered camera kit, so battery life is not a true differentiator here. Both systems rely on mains power and recorder uptime, so the real question is how they behave during a power cut. In that sense, a conventional DVR setup like HiLook can be simpler to support with a UPS, while the Jennov NVR system also benefits from UPS backup but has more network-dependent features. If you are buying for resilience, plan on a UPS either way; without one, neither system offers meaningful backup duration on its own.

Price and value for money

Winner: Jennov. At £189.98, Jennov is £128.53 cheaper than the HiLook kit at £318.51, and it also includes a 1TB HDD plus more advanced camera features. On paper, that is an exceptional value gap: you are paying significantly less while getting higher resolution cameras, PTZ control, human detection, colour night vision, auto tracking and two-way audio. HiLook is the more expensive option despite using lower-resolution 2MP cameras, though it does include 8 cameras instead of 4. If your priority is maximum coverage per pound, Jennov is the stronger buy by a wide margin.

Game library / features

Winner: Jennov. For CCTV, the equivalent of a “feature library” is the set of smart functions and system flexibility. Jennov wins because it offers more modern capability: 5MP PTZ cameras, human detection, colour night vision and auto tracking, plus a 10-channel NVR for expansion. HiLook’s strength is its straightforward 8-camera layout, but it is much more basic in feature terms. In practical home security, smarter detection and better night performance matter more than simply having more cameras if those cameras are lower resolution.

Overall user experience

Winner: Jennov for most buyers, HiLook for buyers who want a traditional wired CCTV feel. Jennov will feel more impressive in day-to-day use because the cameras can move, track people and provide colour night footage, which is easier to interpret than black-and-white IR images. The app and software experience on budget brands can vary, so you should still check reviews for reliability, but the raw specification sheet is undeniably stronger. HiLook will appeal to people who want a more conventional, fixed-camera system from a better-established CCTV name, and who value eight cameras covering more angles over fewer smarter cameras. If you are protecting a typical UK house, the Jennov kit offers the better balance of image quality, features and price. The HiLook kit only makes more sense if you specifically want eight fixed dome cameras and are willing to pay extra for that layout.

Overall summary: Jennov is the better all-round purchase for most homeowners because it is cheaper, higher resolution, more feature-rich and more expandable. HiLook is the more traditional CCTV option, but it is harder to justify at this price unless you specifically want eight fixed dome cameras and prefer the brand reputation over the spec sheet.