I’m setting up a solid poe camera system with nvr and DORI coverage.
Which app experience works better for:
Thanks for any insights!
I use the Reolink doorbell and like it overall. I have the poe model, so it was easy to swap since I already had a poe doorbell. I added a big micro SD card for recording, and it works well as a camera and doorbell. It handles person alerts decently, but my Eufy floodlight cams are quicker with alerts because of positioning. The Reolink doorbell only has one chime option, so if your house is big, it might not be loud enough. However, it can announce a custom message to Alexa when someone rings, which is a bit tricky to set up but a useful workaround. Overall, I’d rate it 4 out of 5 stars—way better than the Control 4 ‘chime’ it replaced.
@Christine
Thanks for the detailed reply.
I have Home Assistant, so I should be able to chime on any connected speaker.
I’ve set up Reolink at a few places and use Unifi at home. For app functionality, Unifi is way ahead. I can do almost everything on the app that I’d normally do on a computer. I haven’t tested Reolink’s AI detection or license plate tracking since my clients haven’t requested it, but Unifi’s person detection and plate identification work really well.
One big difference is cost. Reolink’s doorbell is excellent and much cheaper than Unifi’s. For Reolink, you mainly need an NVR with your cameras, which keeps costs down. With Unifi, you’ll pay more for things like the UDM Pro. Reolink usually offers bundles that cover most needs, making it a good budget choice.
In the end, both are solid options. If you can afford Unifi’s premium, I’d go with that, especially if you want to add more hardware from their ecosystem.
EDIT: I’ve never had issues with notifications on either app. Playback from the hard drives is also smooth on both.
@Jace
I already have a Unifi network setup, so I don’t mind the cost of Unifi cameras (except that DSLR one… that’s just overkill!).
Any recommendations on Unifi gear that fits with DORI standards? It’s clearer with Reolink which cameras work best for each purpose.
For better software, I’d say Ubiquiti.
For better hardware with improved video quality, go with Reolink.
Check out The Hookup’s review of doorbells for a comparison on video quality. Ubiquiti’s quality isn’t great.
Just curious—have you looked at prices for Ubiquiti gear?
Matt said:
Just curious—have you looked at prices for Ubiquiti gear?
I’m okay with the cost; I’m more focused on quality.
Matt said:
Just curious—have you looked at prices for Ubiquiti gear?
I’m okay with the cost; I’m more focused on quality.
The most important thing a camera should do is capture good images. Ubiquiti doesn’t have great image quality for its price, especially in low light. In fact, most $100 doorbells from other brands perform better than Ubiquiti’s $300 models.
Matt said:
Just curious—have you looked at prices for Ubiquiti gear?
I’m okay with the cost; I’m more focused on quality.
If you’re looking for quality, go with Unifi. I have a Unifi router and access points. I’d love to go all-in with Unifi Protect gear, but it’s pricey, so I’ve stuck with Reolink. Reolink is more consumer-focused, while Unifi is more professional-grade.
@Matt
Unifi is nice when it works, but they prioritize design and features over hardware quality. We had to switch to TP-Link with Omada or Araknis with OvrC because Unifi’s hardware failure rate was too high.
@Matt
Honestly, there’s nothing ‘professional-grade’ about Ubiquiti. Their failure rates and image quality aren’t up to par. Plus, their proprietary nature and security issues make them a tough choice.