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If you’re in the market for a wireless security camera or video doorbell, you will undoubtedly have come across both Wyze and Reolink.

Reolink is a specialist security camera manufacturer, with a product offering that serves both consumers and businesses alike.

Wyze, on the other hand, is a jack of all trades. They’re positioned as a “Smart Home” brand and sell everything from security cameras to smart bulbs and robot vacuums to smart thermostats!

Wyze vs Reolink at a Glance

Budget Wi-Fi Bullet Head to Head

Budget Wire-Free Camera Head to Head

Mid-Range Indoor Head to Head

Wyze vs Reolink Overview

Wyze was founded in 2017 by former Amazon employees. Based in Seattle, they offer a number of smart home products including security cameras and home monitoring systems.

Reolink has been around since 2009 and specializes in IP cameras. With their offering of wired PoE and wireless cameras, they are very popular on the home security scene. They’ve recently released a pretty cool dual-lens camera with a ridiculously wide field of view.

While both brands have optional cloud subscriptions, Wyze cloud is more central to their offering. If you don’t subscribe then you don’t get some of the advanced camera features like smart motion detection. With Reolink, you get everything as the AI is baked into the camera unit itself.

Wyze is most suited to householders who are looking for a simple to set-up camera or video doorbell. If you are anyway serious about a home surveillance system, then Reolink is definitely a better option. Not only do they have professional-grade PoE cameras and NVR systems, but they also can be integrated into other systems with their ONVIF compatibility.

Both Wyze and Reolink cameras are manufactured in China. The Wyze mobile apps have a better rating in the app stores than Reolink, so that's something to consider.

Year Founded
2017
2009
Customer Focus
Consumer Leaning
Mix of Business & Consumer
Aggregate App Reviews
3.7/5
2.9/5
Cloud Platform Name
Wyze Cam Plus
Reolink Cloud
Cloud Subscription Features
Cloud StorageSmart / AI NotificationsRich App PreviewsAdvanced App Features
Cloud StorageSmart / AI NotificationsRich App PreviewsAdvanced App Features
Cloud Subscription Costs
Limited Free Plan Available. $1.99 per month per camera (billed annually
Free Plan Available - Standard Plan starts $3.49 / $6.99 / $10.49 / Month
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.

Budget Wi-Fi Bullet Head to Head

Key Differences

The Reolink RLC-511W Wi-Fi camera comes in a good bit more expensive than the Wyze Cam V3. It has a higher 5MP 2560x1920 resolution with a motorized lens (4x optical zoom). Reolink has 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and ethernet data transmission support, compared to just 2.4 GHz on the Wyze Cam.

The Wyze Cam V3 is a spotlight camera that provides a full-color night video feed. This camera has a fixed focus lens with 2MP 1920x1080 resolution. It also supports two-way audio via the app.

The Wyze Cam V3 is much more intelligent with the capability of a person, vehicle, object, and animal detection (if you subscribe to their cloud service).

Reolink has higher interoperability supporting the RTSP and P2P protocols that help with the 3rd party integrations. Digital WDR/HDR produces clearer images and the video feeds can be kept on MicroSD, NVR, or FTP. The RLC-511W supports continuous recording with H.264 compressed video protocol and two streams of video.

Wyze has a microSD and optional cloud storage. Although some camera features are limited without the cloud subscription. Wyze is AC powered while Reolink is DC powered.

Case Type(s)
Spotlight
Bullet
Price
Power Options
AC Power
DC Power
Data Transmission
2.4GHz WiFi
2.4GHz WiFi5GHz WiFiEthernet
Two Way Audio
Yes
No
Integrated Siren / Alarm
Yes
No
Resolution
2MP: 1080P / HD: 1920x1080
5MP: 2560x1920
Lens Type
Fixed Focus
Motorized
Night Vision Type
InfraredFull Color (via Spotlight)
Infrared
Spotlight
Yes
No
Storage Options
microSDCloud
microSDNVRFTP
Interoperability
-
RTSPP2P
Continuous Recording
No
Yes
WDR
Unsure
Digital WDR / HDR
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person DetectionVehicle DetectionObject DetectionAnimal Detection
-
IP Rating
IP65
IP66
Optical Zoom Feature
No
Yes
Smart Integrations
AlexaGoogle AssistantIFTTT
Google Assistant
Cloud Subscription
Optional
None
Are Camera Features Limited without a Cloud Subscription?
Yes
No
Apps
AndroidiOS
AndroidiOSWindowsMacBrowser App

Key Features in Common

Both Reolink and Wyze are IP cameras with wireless transmissions of data and wired power sources. These are standalone cameras suitable for both indoors and outdoors.

The infrared night vision feature is used to enhance the camera vision in the dark.

These cameras have wall mounts but they do not have motorized pan or tilt features. They both have apps on which motion alerts can be received via push notifications.

Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
IndoorOutdoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wireless Data & Wired Power
Wireless Data & Wired Power
Integrated Microphone
Yes
Yes
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Motion Activated Recording
Yes
Yes
Motorized Pan Feature
No
No
Motorized Tilt Feature
No
No

Budget Wire-Free Camera Head to Head

Key Differences

In this contest, we are looking at the budget range of cameras.

The Wyze Cam Outdoor comes in a cube casing and is battery-powered. While also battery-powered, Reolink’s Argus 2 can be connected to a solar panel for a constant charge. This removes the need to regularly remove the battery to manually charge it

While both cameras have two-way audio, Reolink has integrated sirens that can go off when motion is detected.

The Wyze camera costs a little less with a higher frame rate of 20fps and higher intelligence to detect between person, vehicle, object, and animal (Cloud subscription required).

Reolink can be smartly integrated with Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, Echo Show, and Google Nest Hub.

Reolink uses a MicroSD card or optional cloud storage while Wyze uses a MicroSD, wireless hub, or cloud storage. Reolink has both mobile and web applications while Wyze has a mobile application.

Case Type(s)
Cube
Bullet
Price
Power Options
Battery
DC PowerBatterySolar Panel
Integrated Siren / Alarm
No
Yes
Night Vision Type
Infrared
InfraredFull Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
Storage Options
microSDWireless HubCloud
microSDCloud
Max Supported Frame Rate
20fps
15fps
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person DetectionVehicle DetectionObject DetectionAnimal Detection
-
Smart Integrations
-
AlexaGoogle AssistantChromecastEcho ShowGoogle Nest Hub
Are Camera Features Limited without a Cloud Subscription?
Yes
No
Apps
AndroidiOS
AndroidiOSWindowsMac

Key Features in Common

These IP65 rated cameras are suitable for indoor and outdoor placement. They both have 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connectivity and a wire-free battery-powered system.

These standalone cameras have 2MP 1080p resolution with fixed focus lenses. They can hold a two-way conversation with the microphone and speakers of the cameras via the camera app.

These cameras have motion detection features with motion-activated recordings. The night vision feature helps both camera vision to produce a detailed image in the dark using infrared light.

PTZ features are not available for these camera models.

Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
IndoorOutdoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wireless Data & Battery Power
Wireless Data & Battery Power
Data Transmission
2.4GHz WiFi
2.4GHz WiFi
Integrated Microphone
Yes
Yes
Two Way Audio
Yes
Yes
Resolution
2MP: 1080P / HD: 1920x1080
2MP: 1080P / HD: 1920x1080
Lens Type
Fixed Focus
Fixed Focus
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Spotlight
No
No
Motion Activated Recording
Yes
Yes
Continuous Recording
No
No
WDR
Unsure
Unsure
IP Rating
IP65
IP65
Motorized Pan Feature
No
No
Motorized Tilt Feature
No
No
Optical Zoom Feature
No
No
Cloud Subscription
Optional
Optional

Mid-Range Indoor Head to Head

Key Differences

The Wyze Cam V3 has a cube casing with an AC power source while Reolink E1 Pro is a PT camera with a DC power source. Wyze only has 2.4GHz Wi-Fi transmission access while Reolink also has 5GHz Wi-Fi support.

The Reolink camera has a continuous recording feature supporting 25fps videos. The storage options include MicroSD cards and cloud storage, as well as NVR. A higher level of interoperability is achieved by using protocols such as RTSP and P2P. Reolink has a motorized 355° pan and a motorized 50° pan.

Wyze can distinguish and detect humans, vehicles, objects, and animals. It also has optional cloud subscriptions but some features, such as AI motion detection, are limited without the monthly subscription plan.

Case Type(s)
Cube
PT
Price
Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
Indoor
Power Options
AC Power
DC Power
Data Transmission
2.4GHz WiFi
2.4GHz WiFi5GHz WiFi
Resolution
2MP: 1080P / HD: 1920x1080
4MP: 2560x1440
Night Vision Type
InfraredFull Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
Infrared
Storage Options
microSDCloud
microSDNVRCloud
Interoperability
-
RTSPP2P
Continuous Recording
No
Yes
Max Supported Frame Rate
20fps
25fps
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person DetectionVehicle DetectionObject DetectionAnimal Detection
-
Motorized Pan Feature
No
Yes
Motorized Tilt Feature
No
Yes
Smart Integrations
AlexaGoogle AssistantIFTTT
Google AssistantChromecastGoogle Nest Hub
Are Camera Features Limited without a Cloud Subscription?
Yes
No
Apps
AndroidiOS
AndroidiOSWindowsMac

Key Features in Common

Wyze and Reolink are standalone IP cameras that have a Wi-Fi data transfer and a wired power connection. The cameras have an infrared night vision feature to see in complete darkness. Neither camera has a spotlight to provide full-color night vision.

The lenses used in these cameras are fixed-focus with a motion-activated recording when movement is detected by them. Both cameras support optional cloud storage.

They are also capable of carrying out a two-way conversation. This is achieved through the integrated microphones and speakers in the camera and via the camera app.

Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wireless Data & Wired Power
Wireless Data & Wired Power
Integrated Microphone
Yes
Yes
Two Way Audio
Yes
Yes
Integrated Siren / Alarm
Yes
Yes
Lens Type
Fixed Focus
Fixed Focus
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Spotlight
No
No
Motion Activated Recording
Yes
Yes
Optical Zoom Feature
No
No
Cloud Subscription
Optional
Optional

The Wyze vs Reolink Verdict

So there you have it; Wyze vs Reolink. Both have their positives and it all depends on your circumstance. For a quick install and easy-to-use app, Wyze is a good choice. While Reolink is our pick, for homeowners or businesses who are serious about surveillance.

Let us know your thoughts below!

2 thoughts on “Wyze vs Reolink”

  1. Not sure you can help but I have fiber and my router is hooked up but on the front side of my home. I have a stall about 200 ft. on the back side of house. I’m trying to find the best outdoor camera so that I can watch horse but add to it later for all around my home. Right now I do not have power to stall.

    Reply
    • Hi Deborah,

      If you don’t have power in the stall, and don’t plan to run a power or PoE cable to it, then you’re only option is to use a battery powered camera which is ideally charged by a solar panel.

      On the data side, again without PoE or a physical Coax cable, you’ll need to rely on wireless. Wi-Fi usually doesn’t travel 200ft outdoors so you’ll either need to install a point-to-point outdoor wireless antenna bridge to get Wi-Fi to the stall. Or if you can rely on 4G/5G/LTE and transmit data over a mobile network.

      I recommend checking out the Reolink Go and Arlo Go if you want to go the mobile data route. If you can get Wi-Fi to the stall via an access point, then you can look at any solar panel camera like Reolink’s Argus 3 Pro, the Lorex H32A2US, the Eufy SoloCam S40 or the Ring Spotlight Cam Solar.

      D

      Reply

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