The best Reolink camera for most homes is the Reolink Argus PT Ultra: it records 4K video, turns 355° to follow motion, and runs on a battery topped up by the 3W solar panel that comes with it, for about $167. Reolink sells dozens of cameras, though, from about $70 indoor models to complete PoE systems, and the right one depends on where it goes and how you can power it.
What sets Reolink apart is storage. Every camera here records to a microSD card, a Reolink Home Hub or an NVR, so you can save video without paying a monthly fee. This guide picks the best Reolink camera models for nine different jobs, indoor and outdoor, battery and wired, and explains how the rest of the lineup fits together. If you’re still choosing a brand, see our eufy vs Reolink comparison.
Quick Recommendations
- Reolink Argus PT Ultra — Best overall. 4K, pan and tilt, and a solar panel in the box, so you never charge it.
- Reolink E1 Pro — Best budget. A 5MP indoor camera that pans, tilts and follows motion for about $70.
- Reolink E1 Zoom — Best indoor camera. 4K with 3x optical zoom and Wi-Fi 6.
- Reolink Altas — Best battery life. A 20,000 mAh battery, pre-recording and color night vision without lights.
- Reolink TrackMix WiFi — Best auto-tracking camera. A wide lens and a zoom lens that follows people and cars.
- Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi — Best floodlight camera. A 180° view and 3,000 lumens of light.
- Reolink RLC-810A — Best budget PoE camera. 4K over one Ethernet cable for about $100.
- Reolink Duo 3 PoE — Best panoramic camera. Two lenses stitched into one 16MP, 180° picture.
- Reolink RLK8-800D4 — Best complete system. An 8-channel NVR, a 2TB drive and four 4K cameras.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Product | Power | Video | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reolink Argus PT Ultra | Battery + solar panel | 4K, pan-tilt | ~$167 | Best overall |
| Reolink E1 Pro | Plug-in | 5MP, pan-tilt | ~$70 | Lowest price |
| Reolink E1 Zoom | Plug-in | 4K, 3x optical zoom | ~$110 | Indoor detail |
| Reolink Altas | Battery, solar optional | 2K | ~$150 | Long battery life |
| Reolink TrackMix WiFi | Plug-in | 4K wide + zoom lens | ~$220 | Following motion |
| Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi | Hardwired | 4K, 180° | ~$290 | Driveways |
| Reolink RLC-810A | PoE | 4K | ~$100 | Budget wired |
| Reolink Duo 3 PoE | PoE | 16MP, 180° | ~$230 | Wide yards |
| Reolink RLK8-800D4 | PoE from the NVR | 4K x 4 cameras | ~$750 (for an NVR and 4 cameras) | Whole-house 24/7 |
Every model has person and vehicle detection, sends alerts to the Reolink app and saves video locally. The plug-in, wired and PoE cameras can also record 24/7, which battery cameras can’t do for long.
Compatibility Matrix
| Product | HomeKit | Alexa | Google Home | Matter | Thread | Hub Required | Wiring/Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reolink Argus PT Ultra | No | Listed as coming soon | Yes | No | No | No | Battery + 3W solar panel |
| Reolink E1 Pro | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Plug-in adapter |
| Reolink E1 Zoom | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Plug-in adapter |
| Reolink Altas | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Battery; solar panel optional |
| Reolink TrackMix WiFi | No | Listed as coming soon | Yes | No | No | No | Plug-in adapter (12V) |
| Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Hardwired, 100-240V AC |
| Reolink RLC-810A | No | Listed as coming soon | Yes | No | No | No | PoE switch or injector, or 12V adapter |
| Reolink Duo 3 PoE | No | Not stated | Yes | No | No | No | PoE switch or injector, or 12V adapter |
| Reolink RLK8-800D4 | No | Not stated | Not stated | No | No | NVR included | PoE from the NVR |
The Google Home column means Google Assistant: you can ask a Nest Hub or a Chromecast TV to show the camera. None of these cameras work with Apple Home or Matter, and Reolink’s own HomeKit support article says that applies to every Reolink product. The PoE cameras also need a PoE switch, an injector or a Reolink NVR, which isn’t in the box.
The Best Reolink Cameras for 2026
Reolink Argus PT Ultra — Best Overall
The Argus PT Ultra is the best Reolink camera for most homes because it installs anywhere and keeps itself charged. It records 4K, turns to follow motion, and the Amazon listing here includes Reolink’s 3W solar panel.
Best for: A yard, a driveway or a side of the house without an outlet.
What stands out in real use
The camera head pans 355° and tilts 140°, so one camera can sweep a whole yard, and auto-tracking turns it to follow a person or a car. Reolink says 20 minutes of direct sun a day is enough for the solar panel to keep it running. At night it can switch on two spotlights for color video or use infrared for black and white.
Key specs
- 4K video (3840 x 2160), 110° diagonal view
- 355° pan and 140° tilt, auto-tracking
- Built-in battery, detachable 3W solar panel
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 and 5 GHz)
- Spotlights and infrared night vision, siren
- IP65, works from 14°F to 131°F
Pros
- Solar panel included, so you rarely charge it
- Covers a whole yard with one camera
- 4K video and dual-band Wi-Fi
- Saves video to a microSD card without a fee
Cons
- Records motion events only, not 24/7
- The battery isn’t removable
- Reolink lists Alexa support as coming soon
- microSD card sold separately
Installation and compatibility notes
Mount the camera with the wall or ceiling bracket, then put the panel where it gets the most direct sun, facing south in most of the US. The camera works with Google Assistant, and Reolink’s page still lists Alexa as coming soon. If you add more battery cameras later, a Reolink Home Hub keeps all their video in one place.
Price: ~$167
Reolink E1 Pro — Best Budget
The E1 Pro is the cheapest way into Reolink and a good indoor camera for a living room, a nursery or a pet. It pans, tilts and follows motion, which most cameras at this price don’t do.
Best for: Watching a room, a baby or a pet for the lowest price.
What stands out in real use
The camera records in 5MP (2880 x 1616), sharper than the 1080p or 2K you usually get for about $70. It sends separate alerts for a person, a pet or a crying baby, and it follows motion as it pans. Privacy mode turns off live view, alerts and recording without unplugging it.
Key specs
- 5MP video (2880 x 1616)
- 355° pan and 50° tilt, auto-tracking
- Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), Ethernet port
- Person, pet and crying detection
- Night vision up to 40 ft
- microSD up to 512GB, 24/7 recording
Pros
- Lowest price in this guide
- Pans, tilts and follows motion
- Crying detection for a nursery
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Auto-tracking pans only, it doesn’t tilt to follow
- Indoor only
- Black and white night vision
- microSD card sold separately
Installation and compatibility notes
It stands on a shelf or mounts on a wall or ceiling, and it needs an outlet nearby for its 5V adapter. Setup takes a few minutes in the Reolink app over Bluetooth. You can show it on an Echo Show or a Nest Hub, and it also records to a Reolink NVR or Home Hub if you build a bigger system.
Price: ~$70
Reolink E1 Zoom — Best Indoor Camera
The E1 Zoom is the E1 Pro with a 4K sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens. It’s the one to buy when you want to read details across a large room, a garage or a small shop.
Best for: Large rooms, entryways and garages where detail matters.
What stands out in real use
Optical zoom keeps the picture sharp when you zoom in, unlike the digital zoom on most indoor cameras. You can save up to 64 preset positions and jump between them in the app, such as the front door and the back door. Like the E1 Pro, it detects people, pets and crying, and it follows motion as it pans.
Key specs
- 4K video (3840 x 2160), 3x optical zoom
- 355° pan and 50° tilt, auto-tracking
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet port
- Person, pet and crying detection
- Up to 64 preset positions
- microSD up to 512GB, 24/7 recording
Pros
- Sharpest indoor camera Reolink makes
- Optical zoom for distant details
- Wi-Fi 6 for a steadier 4K stream
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- About $40 more than the E1 Pro
- Indoor only
- Auto-tracking pans only
- microSD card sold separately
Installation and compatibility notes
The installation is the same as the E1 Pro: a shelf, wall or ceiling mount and an outlet for the adapter. For a garage or shop with Ethernet, plug in a network cable for a more reliable connection than Wi-Fi. It also works with Reolink NVRs and Home Hubs.
Price: ~$110
Reolink Altas — Best Battery Life
The Altas has a 20,000 mAh battery, much bigger than most battery cameras, so it can run for months without a solar panel. It also records the few seconds before motion starts, which most battery cameras miss.
Best for: Shady spots, cold climates and anywhere you can’t count on solar.
What stands out in real use
Reolink rates the battery at up to 540 days in motion mode, based on five minutes of recording a day. Pre-recording saves 2 to 10 seconds before an event, so a clip starts before the person walks into the frame. Instead of infrared, a large sensor and an F1.0 lens give color night vision in low light without spotlights.
Key specs
- 2K video (2560 x 1440), 110° diagonal view
- 20,000 mAh battery
- Pre-recording, 2 to 10 seconds
- Color night vision without lights or infrared
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth setup
- IP66, works from -4°F to 131°F
Pros
- The longest battery life in the lineup
- Pre-recording catches the start of an event
- Color video at night without lights
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- 2K, not 4K
- Doesn’t pan or tilt
- Solar panel sold separately
- In complete darkness, it has no light of its own
Installation and compatibility notes
The box has the camera, a bracket and a USB-C cable. Reolink’s 6W Solar Panel 2 is sold separately, and you need it if you want pre-recording or continuous recording all the time: on battery alone, Reolink says continuous mode lasts about 8 days. For other solar cameras, see our guide to the best solar security cameras.
Price: ~$150
Reolink TrackMix WiFi — Best Auto-Tracking Camera
The TrackMix WiFi has two lenses: a wide 4K lens that watches the whole scene and a telephoto lens that zooms in on a person or a car and follows it. You see both views at once in the app.
Best for: Long driveways and large yards where you want a close-up of whoever comes in.
What stands out in real use
When the camera detects a person or a vehicle, it pans and tilts to follow it, and the telephoto lens gives up to 6x hybrid zoom. The wide view keeps recording the rest of the yard while it tracks. Two spotlights turn on for color night video, and it records 24/7 because it’s always plugged in.
Key specs
- 4K wide lens + 1080p telephoto lens, 6x hybrid zoom
- 355° pan and 90° tilt, auto-tracking
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet port
- Spotlights and infrared night vision up to 100 ft
- 12V plug-in power
- microSD up to 512GB, 24/7 recording
Pros
- Wide view and close-up at the same time
- Follows people and cars on its own
- Records 24/7
- Works with Google Assistant
Cons
- Needs an outdoor outlet
- The zoom lens is 1080p, not 4K
- Reolink lists Alexa support as coming soon
- Google Assistant shows the wide view only
Installation and compatibility notes
It plugs into a 12V adapter with an extension cable, so plan the mount near an outdoor outlet or run power to it. If you have Ethernet on that wall, the network port is steadier than Wi-Fi. A PoE version, the TrackMix PoE, uses a single Ethernet cable for power and data instead.
Price: ~$220
Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi — Best Floodlight Camera
The Elite Floodlight WiFi replaces an outdoor light fixture with two bright floodlights and a dual-lens camera that sees 180°. It’s Reolink’s best option for a driveway or a large backyard you can wire in.
Best for: Driveways and backyards that already have an outdoor light fixture.
What stands out in real use
The floodlights reach 3,000 lumens, and you can dim them and change the color from warm 3000K to cool 6500K. To compare it with other brands, see our guide to the best floodlight cameras. The two lenses are stitched into one 180° picture, so one camera covers a wide driveway. Local AI video search lets you find clips in the app by a person, a vehicle or details such as clothing color, without a cloud plan.
Key specs
- 4K (8MP) dual-lens video, 180° horizontal view
- 3,000-lumen floodlights, 3000K to 6500K
- 105 dB siren and voice alerts
- Hardwired, 100-240V AC
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6
- microSD up to 512GB, 24/7 recording
Pros
- Very bright, adjustable lights
- 180° view from one camera
- Local AI video search with no subscription
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- The most expensive single camera here
- Needs an outdoor light fixture and wiring
- Setup needs a separate 5V adapter that isn’t included
- Some distortion at the edges of the picture
Installation and compatibility notes
It mounts on a junction box in place of an existing outdoor light, with the breaker off, and you may need an electrician. You set it up first over USB-C with a 5V/2A adapter (not in the box), then wire it in. If you don’t have a fixture on that wall, a plug-in camera such as the TrackMix WiFi is easier to install.
Price: ~$290
Reolink RLC-810A — Best Budget PoE Camera
The RLC-810A is Reolink’s best-known PoE camera: a 4K bullet camera that gets power and data from one Ethernet cable. It’s the cheapest way to build a reliable wired system that doesn’t depend on Wi-Fi.
Best for: A first PoE camera, or adding cameras to a Reolink NVR.
What stands out in real use
Because it’s wired, the camera doesn’t drop off Wi-Fi and can record 24/7 to its own microSD card or to an NVR. It records 4K at 25 frames per second and tells people, vehicles and animals apart. Infrared night vision reaches 100 feet, which covers most driveways.
Key specs
- 4K video (3840 x 2160) at 25 fps
- 101° horizontal view (2.8 mm lens)
- Infrared night vision up to 100 ft
- PoE (802.3af) or 12V adapter
- Built-in microphone
- IP67, works from 14°F to 131°F
Pros
- About $100 for a 4K wired camera
- No Wi-Fi drops
- Records 24/7 to microSD or an NVR
- Works with Google Assistant
Cons
- Black and white night vision
- Microphone only, no speaker for two-way talk
- PoE switch or injector not included
- Reolink lists Alexa support as coming soon
Installation and compatibility notes
You need a PoE switch, a PoE injector or a Reolink NVR to power it, plus an Ethernet run to the mounting spot. Our guide to PoE security cameras explains how a PoE system is wired and what to buy. Activate it from the Reolink app on the same network before you mount it.
Price: ~$100
Reolink Duo 3 PoE — Best Panoramic Camera
The Duo 3 PoE stitches two 4K sensors into one 16MP, 180° picture. One camera on the back of a house can cover a yard that would otherwise need two.
Best for: Wide backyards, parking areas and the front of a house.
What stands out in real use
The 180° view removes the blind spots at the edges that a normal 100° camera leaves. Motion Track puts about 15 seconds of movement into one image, so you can see the path a person took without watching the clip. Eight spotlights give color night video, and infrared covers 100 feet in black and white.
Key specs
- 16MP (7680 x 2160), 180° horizontal view
- Two-way talk and siren
- Spotlights and infrared night vision up to 100 ft
- PoE (802.3af) or 12V adapter
- microSD up to 512GB, 24/7 recording
- IP67, works from 14°F to 131°F
Pros
- Covers 180° with one camera
- Motion Track summary images
- Two-way talk
- Works with Google Assistant
Cons
- No optical zoom
- PoE switch or injector not included
- Reolink doesn’t list Alexa support
- Wide view means less detail far from the camera
Installation and compatibility notes
Mount it high in a corner or the middle of a wall so the 180° view covers the whole area. Like the RLC-810A, it needs PoE from a switch, an injector or a Reolink NVR, or a 12V adapter. It also supports ONVIF and RTSP, so it works with Home Assistant and most third-party recorders.
Price: ~$230
Reolink RLK8-800D4 — Best Complete System
The RLK8-800D4 is a complete wired system: an 8-channel NVR with a 2TB hard drive and four 4K PoE turret cameras. It records every camera 24/7 to the drive, with no fees.
Best for: Homeowners who want whole-house 24/7 recording on one recorder.
What stands out in real use
Each camera plugs into a PoE port on the NVR, which powers it and records it, so there’s nothing else to buy for four cameras. The NVR has room for four more wired cameras and supports up to 16TB of storage. You watch live view and playback in the Reolink app, or on a monitor connected to the NVR.
Key specs
- 8-channel NVR with eight PoE ports
- 2TB hard drive, expandable to 16TB
- Four 4K (3840 x 2160) turret cameras
- Infrared night vision up to 100 ft
- Four 59 ft Ethernet cables included
- Cameras rated IP67
Pros
- Everything for four cameras in one box
- 24/7 recording on every camera
- Room for four more PoE cameras
- Local storage with no fees
Cons
- The highest upfront cost here
- Running cable through walls takes time
- Cameras have a microphone but no speaker
- Reolink doesn’t list voice assistant support for this kit
Installation and compatibility notes
Place the NVR near your router and run an Ethernet cable from it to each camera. Four 59 ft cables come in the box, so longer runs need extra cable. For how Reolink’s kits compare with Lorex’s, see our Reolink vs Lorex comparison.
Price: ~$750 (for an NVR and 4 cameras)
Reolink Camera Models Explained
Reolink names its cameras by series, and the series name tells you most of what you need to know.
Argus. Battery cameras for outdoor use, most of them sold with or for a solar panel. The Argus PT Ultra pans and tilts, and the Argus 4 Pro has a fixed 180° view. On Amazon US, the Argus 4 Pro is sold in Home Hub bundles rather than on its own.
Altas. Battery cameras with a much bigger battery, color night vision without lights and pre-recording. The Altas PT Ultra adds 4K and pan-tilt for about $220.
E1. Indoor cameras that plug in. The E1 Pro and E1 Zoom are the main models, and the E1 Outdoor Pro is a weatherproof pan-tilt version.
TrackMix and TrackFlex. Dual-lens cameras that track motion with a zoom lens. The TrackFlex Floodlight WiFi adds floodlights.
Duo. Dual-lens 180° panoramic cameras, in PoE and Wi-Fi versions.
RLC and CX. Wired PoE cameras for NVR systems. RLK kits bundle them with an NVR.
Go. 4G LTE cameras that use a SIM card instead of Wi-Fi. They need a data plan, and they suit spots with no Wi-Fi at all. Our guide to the best cellular security cameras compares the Go models with eufy and Arlo.
Reolink also sells video doorbells in battery, Wi-Fi and PoE versions, which aren’t covered here.
How to Choose a Reolink Camera
Power decides 24/7 recording. Battery cameras record motion events. Plug-in, hardwired and PoE cameras can record around the clock to a microSD card, a Home Hub or an NVR. If you want 24/7, choose a wired model.
Wi-Fi or PoE. Wi-Fi cameras are easier to install. PoE cameras need an Ethernet run, but one cable carries power and video and they don’t drop off Wi-Fi, which matters most when you have several cameras.
Storage. A microSD card is the simplest option. A Reolink Home Hub (about $150) stores video from up to 8 battery and Wi-Fi cameras on one device, and an NVR does the same for PoE cameras. Reolink Cloud is optional.
Smart home. Most Reolink cameras work with Google Assistant and many with Alexa, but none support Apple Home. iPhone users can bring them into the Home app through Scrypted or Home Assistant, and Reolink is an official Home Assistant partner. Our guide to using Reolink with HomeKit explains which models work and how to set them up.
New this fall. Reolink launched the OMVI 2i Ultra (a battery camera with a 4K wide lens, a 3K pan-tilt lens and a built-in solar panel) and the TrackFlex WiFi (a 4K dual-lens tracking camera) in fall 2026. Both are on Amazon, but there are no in-depth reviews yet, so we haven’t ranked them. Reolink also announced the Home Hub 2 for $199.99, with local AI video search.
Sale prices. The prices in this guide are Reolink’s regular prices on Amazon. Reolink runs discounts often, so check the current price.
Conclusion
The Reolink Argus PT Ultra is the best Reolink camera for most homes: 4K, pan-tilt and a solar panel in the box for about $167. Indoors, the E1 Pro is the budget choice and the E1 Zoom has the sharpest picture. The Altas runs longest on a battery, the TrackMix WiFi follows people with a zoom lens, and the Elite Floodlight WiFi lights up a driveway. For wired systems, start with the RLC-810A, choose the Duo 3 PoE for wide areas, or buy the RLK8-800D4 to cover a house in one go.
Reolink is one of several brands that save video without a fee. For more, see our guide to the best security cameras without a subscription.
Which Reolink camera is best?
The Reolink Argus PT Ultra is the best Reolink camera for most homes. It records 4K, pans and tilts to follow motion, and the Amazon version comes with a 3W solar panel. The E1 Pro is the cheapest option, and the RLK8-800D4 is the best complete system.
Do Reolink cameras need a subscription?
No. Reolink cameras save video to a microSD card, a Reolink Home Hub or an NVR, and person and vehicle detection runs on the camera. Reolink Cloud is an optional paid service.
Do Reolink cameras work with HomeKit?
No. Reolink says none of its products support Apple HomeKit. You can bring Reolink cameras into the Apple Home app through a bridge such as Scrypted or Home Assistant.
Do Reolink cameras work with Alexa and Google Home?
Most Reolink cameras work with Google Assistant, so you can view them on a Nest Hub or a Chromecast TV. Many also work with Alexa, but Reolink still lists Alexa as coming soon for some models, such as the Argus PT Ultra and TrackMix WiFi.
Can Reolink battery cameras record 24/7?
Battery cameras such as the Argus PT Ultra record motion events, not 24/7. The Altas has a continuous mode, but Reolink says the battery lasts about 8 days in it without solar. For 24/7 recording, choose a plug-in, hardwired or PoE camera.
What’s the difference between Reolink Wi-Fi and PoE cameras?
Wi-Fi cameras connect to your router wirelessly and get power from a battery or an outlet. PoE cameras use one Ethernet cable for both power and data, so they need a PoE switch, injector or NVR, but they don’t drop off Wi-Fi.
Written by Evan Mercer
Founder & Lead Researcher, Smart Home Matrix
Evan digs through spec sheets, firmware changelogs, and thousands of owner reviews so you don’t have to. Every guide starts with a compatibility check and ends with picks he would install in his own home. Read more about Evan and this site, or see exactly how we choose products.