Reolink Video Doorbell (PoE)
Verdict
The wired Reolink Video Doorbell is a fuss free, fee free choice that delivers clear 2K video, local microSD recording, an included plug in chime, and strong day to day reliability, though its basic motion detection, lack of Apple HomeKit, and somewhat choppy night vision leave it behind smarter, more polished competitors.
Pros
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Subscription ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 5.0All features, including recording and playback, work without any subscription, making this a good fit for buyers who want to avoid ongoing monthly service fees.
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Power Options & Compatibility ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5Power can come from existing doorbell wiring, a plug in adapter, or PoE, with the Ethernet option simplifying installs where running a single cable is easier than pulling new power lines.
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Price & value ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5Usually priced around one hundred dollars and often discounted, it offers strong wired or PoE performance and local storage at a very competitive price point.
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Recommendation for new buyers ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5It is recommended for value focused buyers who want a dependable wired or PoE doorbell with local storage and no subscriptions, accepting simpler AI and app features.
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Reliability (general) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5Reviewers praise it as a reliable, cost effective workhorse, with the wired or PoE design eliminating battery worries and keeping day to day operation stable.
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Storage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.5The doorbell records straight to a microSD card or Reolink NVRs, giving local storage and avoiding mandatory cloud fees while keeping clips easy to access through the app.
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Chime ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.5An included plug in chime provides a loud, convenient indoor ringer, sparing buyers from purchasing a separate accessory to hear doorbell presses inside.
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App, software & firmware ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0The Reolink app is simple and stable, making it easy to view live feeds and scrub through recorded 2K clips even if it lacks some of the polish of big brand platforms.
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Video resolution & detail ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.0The 5 MP 2K sensor delivers clear, detailed video that is more than good enough to see visitors and activity at the door, even if it is not the sharpest 2K image on the market.
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Audio ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0Built in speakers and microphone support reliable two way conversations with couriers or visitors, with sound quality that is clear enough for everyday use.
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Field of view & framing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
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Quick-reply / pre-recorded message usefulness ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.0
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Object & person detection ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.5
Cons
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Low-light & Night vision ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0Infrared night vision keeps the doorway visible after dark, though a 20 fps frame rate makes motion look a bit choppy compared with smoother, higher frame rate competitors.
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Smart-home integration (Alexa, Google, Siri, HomeKit, Matter, Thread) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 3.0It integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for basic viewing and control, but there is still no native Apple HomeKit support or deeper smart home ecosystem hooks.
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Motion detection performance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.5Basic motion detection can trigger frequently on blowing flags or foliage, and its simpler smart sensing lags behind more advanced, AI driven rivals like Arlo.
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AI features ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 2.0
