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Lorex and Ubiquiti have been around for quite some time. Lorex is recently celebrating its 30th anniversary. Meanwhile, Ubiquiti is coming in close with an almost 20-year history.

However, there are major differences between them. Lorex was focused on security systems right from the start. Meanwhile, Ubiquity specialized in network equipment before branching out to security systems.

  • Security systems offered by Ubiquiti are more geared towards larger businesses. Their products are intended to work within the UniFi ecosystem.
  • Lorex is a specialist brand with a wide range of security camera products and packages. They are attractive to both homeowners and businesses alike.
  • Unfortunately, Lorex security cameras and systems are not NDAA compliant. Hence, they cannot be used in US Federal projects.
  • Ubiquiti cameras and systems can be more expensive. However, Ubiquiti devices are mostly NDAA compliant.

Lorex vs Ubiquiti Security Cameras (2024) Overview

Lorex is a well-known brand that specializes in security cameras and surveillance systems. They were founded in Canada and have been around since 1992. They were acquired by Dahua in 2018, and since then, all products are Dahua OEM.

Ubiquiti is a company that was born in San Jose, California. Their main focus was to provide wired and wireless data communication devices. These include devices such as routers and network switches.

Year Founded
1991
2003
Customer Focus
Business Leaning
Business Leaning
Aggregate App Reviews
3.6/5
4.5/5
Cloud Platform Name
-
None
Note: PoE & Coax cameras typically require a connected NVR, DVR or surveillance software package (like Blue Iris) to gain access to desktop, mobile or browser apps along with availing of Intelligent Video Surveillance (IVS) Features. The specs below are based on integration with the manufacturers recommended NVR / DVR.

Mid-Range PoE Camera Head to Head

Key Differences

Right off the bat, it’s apparent that the Lorex E841CD-E and the Ubiquiti (UniFi) G4 Bullet are a world apart in terms of specs, appearance, and pricing.

At a glance, the Lorex E841CD-E is a turret-type case while the Ubiquity G4 Bullet has the Bullet-type chassis. Although the Lorex camera seems to be the clear winner, with multiple improvements, it is missing a couple of important features.

The Lorex camera offers 4K resolution while the Unifi G4 Bullet provides 4MP footage. While the E841CD-E supports full color night vision based on ambient lighting, 4MP cameras tend to perform better than 4K cameras at night.

As both cameras are PoE, they need a connected NVR to work. The G4 bullet is compatible with the UniFi Protect mobile application (Both Android and iOS) making it very easy to manage individual cameras via the mobile application. Lorex has a number of apps depending on the NVR you select.

With that out of the way, the Lorex E841CD-E has a lot more improved features. It is more affordable, provides higher resolution, and records at 30fps. To top it all off it’s got an IP67 rating making this the ideal camera for the outdoors, especially when compared to the IPX4 of the Ubiquiti G4.

Case Type(s)
Turret
Bullet
Price
Power Options
PoEDC Power
PoE
Resolution
4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
4MP: 2688x1512
Night Vision Type
InfraredFull Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
Infrared
IP Rating
IP67
IPX4
Apps
AndroidiOS

Key Features in Common

In terms of similarities, it is fairly basic. Both cameras cannot work on their own and require a NVR to function. As the interoperability of both Lorex and Ubiquiti is low, you generally need to purchase the NVR off them also to ensure you get full feature support.

They both use wired PoE to transmit data and receive power.

Speaking of data, neither of these devices support two-way audio so you cannot speak to people on the other side of the camera. That being said, they do happen to have an integrated microphone so it can record audio.

Neither of these devices have in-built spotlights and instead use ambient lighting or infrared waves to record footage during low-light conditions.

Both cameras rely on the connected NVR for motion detection and events.

Finally, both cameras have a fixed focus lens, and these devices default to recording footage continuously. Also, they do not have any PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) functionality.

Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
IndoorOutdoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wired Data & Power
Wired Data & Power
Data Transmission
PoE
PoE
Integrated Microphone
Yes
Yes
Integrated Siren / Alarm
No
No
Lens Type
Fixed Focus
Fixed Focus
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Storage Options
NVR
NVR
Motorized Pan Feature
No
No
Motorized Tilt Feature
No
No
Optical Zoom Feature
No
No

High-End PoE Camera Head to Head

Key Differences

Next up, is the comparison of the more high-end Ubiquiti G4 Pro and Lorex LNE9292B.

Just as their previous mid-range counterparts, the Lorex LNE9292B has a turret mount and the Ubiquiti G4 Pro has a bullet-type case/mount.

Unfortunately, the G4 Pro hasn’t improved much over its mid-range predecessor and still doesn’t include DC power options or full-color night vision.

On the other hand, the Lorex LNE9292B has managed to maintain both DC power and full-color night vision. On top of that, Lorex has integrated intelligent features such as person and vehicle detection compared to just the Unifi G4 Pro human detection feature

The Lorex LNE9292B has a better price-to-performance ratio with its 4x Zoom and motorized camera (the G4 Pro only has 3x) on a surprisingly attractive price tag.

While more expensive, the G4 Pro has a much bigger image sensor built into the motorized lens, so picture quality is better than Lorex.

Case Type(s)
Turret
Bullet
Price
Power Options
PoEDC Power
PoE
Image Sensor Size
1/2.8"
1/2"
Night Vision Type
InfraredFull Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
Infrared
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person DetectionVehicle Detection
Person Detection
Optical Zoom Magnification
4x
3x
Apps
AndroidiOS

Key Features in Common

Both the Ubiquiti G4 Pro and Lorex LNE9292B have a reliable IP67 rating, making both of these cameras more resilient against the elements and suitable for both indoor and outdoor locations.

Both cameras do not have in-built spotlights but they make up for it with the conventional infrared night-vision.

Since these are considered high-end cameras, both of them boast an impressive 4K resolution of 3840x2160 with 8MP. They also have optical zoom features but unfortunately, lack PT functionality.

Also, like many heavy-duty IP-based security cameras, these are fully wired and transmit signals via PoE. Neither of them can function on their own and hence requires a dedicated Lorex or UniFi NVR to store footage.

Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
IndoorOutdoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wired Data & Power
Wired Data & Power
Data Transmission
PoE
PoE
Integrated Microphone
Yes
Yes
Integrated Siren / Alarm
No
No
Resolution
4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
Lens Type
Motorized
Motorized
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Storage Options
NVR
NVR
IP Rating
IP67
IP67
Motorized Pan Feature
No
No
Motorized Tilt Feature
No
No
Optical Zoom Feature
Yes
Yes

High-End PTZ Head to Head

Key Differences

Lorex and Ubiquiti have very different opinions on what it means to deliver a high-end PTZ security camera.

Lorex has their LZV2925SC PTZ camera, which is a simple and straightforward device that uses analog methods to transmit data and relies solely on DC power while the Ubiquiti (UniFi) G4 PTZ is the complete opposite as it is IP-based and uses PoE to power itself and transmit information.

Another glaring difference is the camera image sensor resolution. The Lorex camera can only capture 1080p Full-HD footage with its 2MP camera while the G4 PTZ can record 4K footage with its 8MP camera. The G4 PTZ image sensor is much larger at 1/1.8inch.

Also, with the greater amount of information captured by the 8MP camera and its inbuilt algorithms, the Ubiquiti PTZ camera has the necessary information to perform human/vehicle detection.

However, that’s where the advantages of the G4 PTZ come to a halt as it is much more expensive than the Lorex counterpart and doesn’t have the full-color night vision capabilities the Lorex LZV2925SC so readily delivers (albeit using ambient lighting).

Price
Data Type
Analog
IP
Power Options
DC Power
PoE
Data Transmission
Coax
PoE
Resolution
2MP: 1080P / HD: 1920x1080
4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
Image Sensor Size
1/2.8"
1/1.8"
Night Vision Type
InfraredFull Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
Infrared
Storage Options
DVR
NVR
Smart Motion Detection Features
-
Person DetectionVehicle Detection
Optical Zoom Magnification
25x
22x
Apps
AndroidiOS
AndroidiOS

Key Features in Common

For starters, both cameras transmit data through wired means and cannot operate on their own without the help of a DVR or NVR respectively.

Neither device has an in-built microphone and hence cannot transfer audio. They also don’t include in-built sirens or two-way communication facilities.

Even though they lack in-built spotlights to combat low-light conditions, they both have infrared night vision. They record footage continuously and can also be configured to record footage when triggered by a motion detection.

On a final note, both these Lorex and Ubiquiti high-end PTZ cameras have an improved IP66 rating, allowing them to be used in both indoor and outdoor environments without any major issues.

Case Type(s)
PTZ
PTZ
Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
IndoorOutdoor
Camera Wire Type
Wired Data & Power
Wired Data & Power
Integrated Microphone
No
No
Integrated Siren / Alarm
No
No
Lens Type
Motorized
Motorized
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
IP Rating
IP66
IP66
Motorized Pan Feature
Yes
Yes
Motorized Tilt Feature
Yes
Yes
Optical Zoom Feature
Yes
Yes

Video Doorbell Head to Head

Key Differences

Both Ubuiqiti and Lorex happen to have their own version of video doorbells, and considering the specs, the Lorex B451AJD-E seems to have the upper hand.

The Lorex B451AJD-E video doorbell has the best smart features out of the two. Unlike the Ubiquiti Ubiquiti (UniFi) Doorbell G4, the Lorex video doorbell has Alexa, Google Assistant, and Fire TV smart integrations built-in.

The Lorex video doorbell camera has multiple options for storage as it includes a dedicated slot for MicroSD cards while Ubiquiti’s Doorbell G4 only relies solely on an NVR. The fact that the Lorex model can operate standalone without an NVR is a massive positive.

The Lorex device has a higher video resolution of 2560x1920 2K resolution while the Doorbell G4 settles for 1600x1200 resolution within a 2MP camera.

When it comes to dual-band Wi-Fi support, the Lorex B451AJD-E video doorbell is fully compatible with the 5GHz band while the Doorbell G4 does not, despite being more expensive and designed by a brand that specializes in wireless network devices.

Also, to top it all off: the Lorex video doorbell provides full-color night vision and an outdoor-ready IP65 rating at an affordable price tag, making it the best choice as a standalone video doorbell.

Price
Power Options
DC PowerAC Power
AC Power
Data Transmission
2.4GHz WiFi5GHz WiFi
2.4GHz WiFi
Integrated Siren / Alarm
Yes
No
Resolution
2K: 2560x1920
2MP: 1600x1200
Storage Options
microSDNVR
NVR
Interoperability
-
RTSP
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person Detection
-
IP Rating
IP65
IPX4
Smart Integrations
AlexaGoogle AssistantFire TV
-
Apps
AndroidiOS
AndroidiOS

Key Features in Common

Surprisingly, the similarities between these two video doorbells are not that large as both are IP-based video doorbells. Even though they require wired AC power, they transmit data wirelessly via Wi-Fi.

Both of these devices support two-way communication as they have in-built microphones and speakers. They also deliver fairly readable footage through a fixed focus lens with digital WDR post-processing.

Both cameras have in-built spotlights and they also support infrared night vision. Since they are hardwired, both cameras can be configured to record continuously or when motion is triggered.

Case Type(s)
Video Doorbell
Video Doorbell
Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
IndoorOutdoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wireless Data & Wired Power
Wireless Data & Wired Power
Integrated Microphone
Yes
Yes
Lens Type
Fixed Focus
Fixed Focus
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Night Vision Type
Infrared
Infrared
Motorized Pan Feature
No
No
Motorized Tilt Feature
No
No
Optical Zoom Feature
No
No

Mid-Range Indoor Head to Head

Key Differences

Finally, it’s time to compare the mid-range indoor Lorex W461ASC-E and the Ubiquiti (UniFi) G3 Instant.

As is the case with almost all of Ubitiquiti’s security cameras, the device is limited to the UniFi ecosystem.

On the other hand, the Lorex W461ASC-E indoor camera can operate standalone and is fully compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. You can also view footage via Smart TV sticks such as Chromecast, Fire TV, and Apple TV,

The Lorex camera also has the edge over image resolution as it can deliver 2K footage. The Ubiquiti indoor camera can only produce 1080p HD footage using a 2MP camera.

However, the storage options for both devices are somewhat different. The Lorex camera supports a MicroSD card slot and can also transfer data to a Wireless Hub. On the other hand, the Ubiquiti camera only stores footage in a dedicated NVR and has no options for local storage.

The Lorex camera is easy to set up and needs to be connected to DC power via the included power adapter while the Ubiquiti indoor camera also uses a power adapter. However, instead of DC, it runs on AC power.

Finally, when it comes to pricing, the tables have turned!. The Lorex W461ASC-E is now slightly more expensive than the Ubiquiti (UniFi) G3 Instant. However, considering the plethora of features and improved compatibility, the price increase on this Lorex indoor camera can be overlooked.

Case Type(s)
Freestanding
Bullet
Price
Power Options
DC Power
AC Power
Data Transmission
2.4GHz WiFi
2.4GHz WiFi5GHz WiFi
Integrated Siren / Alarm
Yes
No
Resolution
2K: 2560x1920
2MP: 1080P / HD: 1920x1080
Storage Options
microSDWireless Hub
NVR
Interoperability
-
RTSP
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person Detection
-
Smart Integrations
AlexaGoogle AssistantChromecastFire TVApple TV
-
Apps
AndroidiOS
AndroidiOS

Key Features in Common

In terms of similarities, both the Lorex W461ASC-E and Ubiquiti (UniFi) G3 Instant are limited to the indoors. They rely on IP technology to transfer data wirelessly while receiving power through a dedicated adapter. (connected to a wall socket.)

Like many wireless cameras, these indoor devices fully support two-way communication and motion detection. They can also record during low-light conditions with the help of infrared night vision.

Both cameras have a fixed focus lens and lack any PTZ functionality, so if you want to cover a larger room or hallway you’ll need to set up multiple indoor cameras with each covering a static angle.

Camera Location
Indoor
Indoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wireless Data & Wired Power
Wireless Data & Wired Power
Integrated Microphone
Yes
Yes
Lens Type
Fixed Focus
Fixed Focus
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Night Vision Type
Infrared
Infrared
Motorized Pan Feature
No
No
Motorized Tilt Feature
No
No
Optical Zoom Feature
No
No

The Lorex vs Ubiquiti Security Cameras (2024) - Verdict

As you can see, when choosing between Lorex and Ubiquiti (Unifi) it really depends on your circumstance.

If you need a surveillance system for a medium-large business, or possibly a federal government contract, Ubiquiti is a great choice. They have some great cameras for commercial properties and it all works well in a nicely secured and integrated Unifi environment.

Lorex devices, on the other hand, are affordable, feature-packed, and compatible with a wider range of technologies and devices, making them the perfect option for DIY homeowners or small to medium sized businesses.

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