When looking at home security, doorbell cameras have become a staple for homeowners looking to enhance their security measures. The Reolink Battery Doorbell is in this competitive market with a promise of reliability, quality, and user-friendliness. After a few weeks, it’s easy to say Reolink has really stepped up the game in terms of security solutions.
The Reolink Battery Doorbell has a sleek, modern design that blends seamlessly with most home exteriors. The camera feels sturdy and can withstand various weather conditions, which is crucial for outdoor devices, especially during the Canadian winter.
Installation is relatively straightforward. The Battery Doorbell comes with a thorough installation guide with easy-to-follow steps, not to mention you can use the app if having the extra visual aid helps. You can choose to hardwire it to your existing doorbell system or use a battery for a more flexible setup. This is a significant advantage, especially for those who may not have a suitable electrical setup at their door. For ease of use, for this review, I went with the battery setup.
Setting up the Reolink Battery Doorbell is user-friendly, thanks to the Reolink app. The app provides step-by-step instructions for both hardwired and battery-operated installations. For hardwired setups, simply connect the wires to your existing doorbell system, while battery users will find it just as easy to insert and secure the battery. The app allows you to connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network and once linked, you can adjust various settings with just a few taps.
“The Reolink Battery Doorbell has a sleek, modern design that blends seamlessly with most home exteriors.”
One of the standout features of the Reolink Battery Doorbell is its impressive video quality. It offers a remarkable 2K resolution, delivering clear and detailed images both during the day and at night. The clarity is evident in various lighting conditions, making identifying visitors or any unusual activity at your door easy.
Equipped with infrared night vision capabilities, the camera excels in low-light conditions, meaning you can see what happens even after dark. The night vision is reliable, provides good detail, and allows you to monitor your surroundings effectively. Another significant advantage is the two-way audio feature, which has decent audio quality. It’s the first doorbell camera in my experience that has a clear speaker, making it easier to answer the doorbell without having to actually answer the door.
Reolink’s smart motion detection technology is designed to minimize false alarms by differentiating between people and other movements. You’ll receive real-time alerts on your phone whenever motion is detected, allowing you to monitor activity at your front door from anywhere.
The Battery Doorbell supports both cloud storage and local storage via a microSD card (up to 256GB). While the cloud storage option is there, it has a subscription fee, but it provides added peace of mind by ensuring that your recordings are safely backed up online. The SD card storage solution is an excellent alternative for people looking to save on extra fees.
The Reolink app is generally intuitive and easy to navigate. It allows you to view live feeds, customize settings, and access recorded footage with ease. Users can switch between different modes, such as motion detection and night vision, which is particularly useful for checking on your surroundings at any time of the day.
While I have had some minor issues with the Reolink Altas PT Ultra connecting to the app, the Reolink Battery Doorbell has managed not to have this issue, and in terms of app usage, it gets a lot more, so not running into this issue is welcomed.
“One of the standout features of the Reolink Battery Doorbell is its impressive video quality. It offers a remarkable 2K resolution, delivering clear and detailed images both during the day and at night.”
When it comes to pricing, the Reolink Battery Doorbell is competitively positioned in the market, retailing for $180. It offers features and performance that are often found in higher-priced doorbell cameras, making it a solid investment for homeowners looking to step up their security without breaking the bank.
While the Reolink Battery Doorbell has many strengths, it does have a few drawbacks. If you opt for the battery-powered installation as I did, the battery life can be shorter than expected, getting roughly four days, particularly with frequent motion detection events. Regular charging may be required, which can be inconvenient. Along with this, I have noticed some delays in notifications, but nothing major.
The Reolink Battery Doorbell is reliable and user-friendly. With its impressive video resolution, robust night vision, and smart motion detection capabilities, it is a solid option for anyone looking to step up their home security. The user-friendly installation and setup process makes it accessible to a wide range of users, while the competitive pricing makes it undoubtedly worth considering when looking at home security solutions.
