I’m done with Wyze cameras. Their app is clunky, customer service is no help, and the cameras are super unreliable. Someone came into my house uninvited, and of course, my Wyze camera decided to stop working right then. I even pay for their service!
I need something better, maybe a camera that has its own cellular connection in case WiFi goes out. I just want a basic indoor camera that sends alerts to my phone and works when I need it. Any recommendations?
Reolink.
Clarence said:
Reolink.
Totally agree, especially if you like managing things yourself. Reolink or maybe a local DVR system.
Clarence said:
Reolink.
Do you guys recommending Reolink know who actually makes them and how cheap they really are? You’d probably be shocked. I’ve bought similar cameras directly from the same manufacturers.
@Adeline
Reolink uses Dahua or Raysharp as their supplier, just like a lot of other brands. If you don’t want a camera from a Chinese brand, that’s fair, but most home setups aren’t compliant with government-level security anyway. Brands like Amcrest, Lorex, Night Owl, and Swann are similar.
I like Reolink because their products are decent quality and there’s a lot of community support. Plus, you don’t have to connect the system to the internet—you can just use the HDMI on the NVR if you’re worried about security.
@Clarence
Reolink isn’t made by Dahua or Raysharp. They’re actually produced in China by a company that also makes super cheap network cameras. I used to source cameras from them too, but I switched to a Taiwanese manufacturer.
For what it’s worth, Dahua USA is now owned by Foxlink Corporation in Taiwan, and they’ve launched a new brand called Luminys Systems. So if you’re looking for something not made in China, there are options. Just don’t spread wrong info about who makes what.
@Clarence
Did you mean to say OEM instead of ODM?
Adeline said:
@Clarence
Did you mean to say OEM instead of ODM?
Oh boy, this is getting spicy. Pass me some popcorn.
Adeline said:
@Clarence
Did you mean to say OEM instead of ODM?
Oh boy, this is getting spicy. Pass me some popcorn.
Make that two bags of popcorn… extra butter please.
Clarence said:
Reolink.
Aren’t Reolink cameras easy to hack? I’ve read some stories.
Clarence said:
Reolink.
Aren’t Reolink cameras easy to hack? I’ve read some stories.
Where did you hear that? Reolink cameras don’t even need to be connected to the internet. I guess someone could set them up poorly, but that’s true for any camera.
Clarence said:
Reolink.
Aren’t Reolink cameras easy to hack? I’ve read some stories.
You’re probably thinking of Eufy. They’ve had a lot of security issues.
Go for wired cameras. Wireless ones are too unreliable.
TomHenry said:
Go for wired cameras. Wireless ones are too unreliable.
I’m starting to agree. I don’t have Ethernet in my house, and while wireless cameras seem convenient, the connection issues are driving me crazy. Plus, I hate how messy the power cords look. I’d rather run proper cabling so it’s cleaner and works better.
@Luna
That’s why conduit exists. It makes wiring look neat and professional.
TomHenry said:
Go for wired cameras. Wireless ones are too unreliable.
I live in a rental, so running cables isn’t impossible but definitely tricky. Also, if my internet goes out, wired or wireless won’t help unless they have a cellular connection. That’s why I was asking about cameras with cellular options.
@Marshall
Wired PoE cameras can still record locally even if your internet goes down. If you really need cellular, Reolink and Eufy offer 4G LTE cameras, but they aren’t as good as wired ones. Maybe someone else has experience with how reliable those are compared to WiFi.
@Marshall
Cellular cameras only work as well as the signal in your area. If you already have bad reception with your phone, the cameras won’t do much better. I had a client try to go fully cellular, and it was a disaster because their signal was terrible. They ended up paying twice as much to install wired cameras later.
Amcrest is a solid option.
I’ve been happy with Unifi Protect.