Reolink’s products don’t have all of the latest and greatest features, but they have a lot of cool stuff, like starlight night vision and solar compatibility. And best of all, most Reolink cameras fall around or under the $100 price point. At the same time, Reolink has been slow to roll out certain features. While Nest has facial recognition and package detection, only some Reolink cameras can identify people or vehicles. If you choose to use a cloud subscription plan, you’ll pay a modest monthly fee (or a discounted annual one) based on your number of cameras. The big similarity between every camera? They all work with the Reolink app.
4K/5MP video quality Person detection Vehicle detection 100 feet of night vision Time-lapse videos Playback filters Audio recording IP66 waterproofing Pan/tilt Zoom
While the E1 line lacks some of the fanciest indoor features (read: the environmental sensors or video call capabilities offered with other cameras), it’s not too pricey and gets the job done. Even though it’s an outdoor camera, the Reolink Lumus requires a plug. That means you need to run its cord inside or install the camera near an outside power outlet. Functionwise, the Go models are basically glorified cell phones, so you need SIM cards and compatible mobile plans to make them work. The regular Go uses 4G LTE networks, while the Go PT can also use 3G. Both cameras also have two-way audio. You can both listen to and talk to intruders in real time. It’s unclear whether the Go works with any smart home protocols. So even though you’re paying (a lot) more, you may overall be getting less compatibility. We’ve set up some wire-free Argus ones, and we found them super easy to deal with. But the more cords you add, the more difficult it gets. With a PoE camera, we suggest getting a professional involved. Let’s quickly refresh on the different types of Reolink cameras. PoE models: Harness the power of hardwired cameras with CCTV systems and NVR players. E1 models: E1s are affordable indoor cameras with sirens to boot. Lumus model: Let there be light with Lumus’s color night vision and spotlight. Argus models: Solar capabilities and starlight night vision make these cameras unique. Go model: If your Wi-Fi isn’t up to snuff, the Go has you covered. If Reolink doesn’t dazzle you, we suggest checking out Arlo, Vivint, or SimpliSafe cameras instead. You can also look at our reviews of indoor and outdoor security cameras. The major benefit of PoE cameras is that you don’t need extra wiring. But the downfall is that if the single cable is somehow damaged or destroyed, both your power and connectivity can go out.
