I have come to like the Reolink approach to home security, and the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera offers a solid option that delivers where it matters most. I have tested my fair share of security cameras over the last few years, with many boasting fantastic specs but, in practice, being relatively disappointing, especially when they are solar-powered.
Yet, having tested and set up the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera, I am impressed by both how easy it is to get up and running and, even more so, how reliable it is, despite being solar-powered. While it may not sway you away from another brand if you are already heavily invested, the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera delivers where it matters and is relatively affordable for what you get.
Unboxing the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera was relatively easy. It ships with everything you need to get up and running, making the setup minimal. The camera itself feels solid, offering everything you need in a single main unit, including the solar panel on top, the main camera unit and the wall bracket.
The box comes with everything you need to mount it, and thanks to the app, it gives detailed instructions to ensure everything is up and running quickly. The overall setup is fantastic, and I have to commend Reolink for how well the process is laid out. You will need to make some holes in your walls for the anchors, and you will need to use a ladder to make sure everything is positioned correctly, but beyond that, the process was incredibly simple.
The app walks you through connecting the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera to your Wi-Fi network, ensuring you have the right placement and that everything is ready to go. It should be noted that while you have most of what you need to get the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera up and running, it does not include a microSD card for local recording. You can record to the cloud without it, but as you may expect, there is a cost involved. So, if you have a card, it is definitely better to use it to make sure you have local storage for recording and can look back as needed.
The big promise with the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera is that you do not need to run wires, giving you much more freedom of placement. The camera is designed not to stand out too much in any location, so it is easy to place where you think it works. You will need to ensure it has a clear view of the sky, since it is solar-powered and all, but beyond that, you have a great deal of freedom with this unit.
What is even more exciting is that, once the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera is set up, it is basically set-it-and-forget-it unless you need to check in on the camera. The unit easily maintained its charge and remained accessible whenever it detected movement within its line of sight. The fact that it can be run without the frustration of wires is a great touch, and the fact that the solar panel is on the unit itself means no extra holes drilled into your outer wall, and you can be set up in under an hour, in our case.
The Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera features a 2K (2560×1440) resolution that lets it capture details like licence plates and faces at reasonable distances, a noticeable step above older 1080p budget cameras. The camera also offers a relatively wide 150-degree field of view, which is wide enough to cover a full driveway or front entrance without missing the edges.
In testing, the footage out of the camera was surprisingly clear and colour-accurate, provided there was good lighting in the area where it was placed. It needs good light to deliver the best possible video output, which is to be expected from any outdoor security camera.
“…once the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera is set up, it is basically set-it-and-forget-it…”
On the night footage side of things, the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera does a fantastic job of capturing decent video, even on darker nights, and that is where the floodlight feature really shines, pardon my pun. Unlike infrared-only cameras that produce grainy black-and-white footage, the integrated LED floodlights activate on motion and flood the scene with full colour. The camera allows you to customize, through the app, the view zones that will trigger the camera, giving you the option to exclude busy street areas or tree branches to cut down on false alerts.
With everything set up, the camera works well for human-sized movement, though pets and small animals can still trigger alerts depending on the sensitivity settings. The camera also includes two-way audio, so if you see anything, you can speak through it.
The built-in mic and speaker allow real-time communication, which is useful for deliveries or deterring unwanted visitors, though the audio quality is functional rather than impressive. In testing, the audio was often muffled, and from street level, it can be hard to make out clearly. This does depend on how far away people are from the camera, but I would not say it is an ideal way to communicate with anyone.
With anything solar-powered, it is important to keep an eye on battery levels to ensure it is getting enough power during the day to keep running as usual. Depending on your placement and the weather, etc., it can affect how much charge it gets on a given day, so if you see it slowly dipping from day to day, changing placement can be in order.
Fortunately, during my time testing the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera, I did not experience any issues; the battery barely dipped at night, providing solid coverage 24 hours a day, especially thanks to the panel being attached to the top of the unit. Placement is important, and could pose an issue depending on where you are located.
Jumping back to the Reolink app, I would say the company has delivered a serviceable, if not entirely user-friendly, application for managing a range of cameras. But with so much control, it can be a little overwhelming at times. The application is packed with features, and, provided you know how to get it all up and running, it can be a great way to ensure your home is secure, all without a subscription. You can pay for some of the more advanced features, including cloud storage options, but for basic use of the equipment and recording, it is all included in the price of the camera.
Compared with Ring and other options, this means you will not need to invest in expensive monthly plans just to view a past recording, and all the camera’s features are available locally without an upsell. That is something many competing brands do not include, making it a big challenge to make the most out of the tech you bought and installed. The interface offers a relatively clean, intuitive layout, with live view, playback, motion alerts and settings all logically organized without a steep learning curve. It gives you an easy way to see everything that is possible with your many cameras.
The app offers the usual range of features, including push notifications and a siren alarm. The built-in siren can be triggered manually through the app or set to activate automatically on detection, adding a deterrent layer beyond just recording.
I touched on it a bit earlier, but the Reolink software allows for smart detection, which separates person detection from general motion, helping reduce nuisance alerts from wind-blown leaves or passing cars. It also gives you the option for third-party integrations, working with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for basic voice commands and smart home compatibility. I could go into more detail about what each feature offers, but suffice it to say, the brand has built a robust app that competes well with other brands, even if what it does offer can be a bit intense when you first dive in.
I have to give it up to Reolink with the Solar Floodlight Camera. The company has delivered a solid solar camera that offers a strong experience and, at US$109.99, fantastic value. The camera is easy to install, avoids pesky wires, and looks solid once everything is set up. With an app that offers a wealth of options, great recording and local storage, and no forced monthly subscription, Reolink has made something incredibly easy to recommend.
If you are invested in another ecosystem, I am not sure there is enough here to justify switching everything over. But if you are in the market for a new security camera system and want to avoid monthly fees, the Reolink Solar Floodlight Camera delivers where it matters most.
- All-in-One Solar Floodlight Cam: This all-in-one solar floodlight security camera is a power-packed combination of 2K 4MP clarity, up to 1000-lumen motion-activated lighting, and wire-free solar-power – delivering visible deterrence and reliable outdoor protection without complex wiring.
- Floodlight Security with Smart AI: With up to 1000-lumen adjustable lighting, optional siren alerts, and color night vision, it delivers powerful visual deterrence for driveways, yards, and entrances – reducing false alerts while enhancing security. Built-in AI accurately detects people, vehicles, and animals, triggering customizable detection-specific floodlight and alarm responses only for real threats.
