Amcrest vs Reolink Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

We live in a technology era where devices, machines and technologies govern our homes and businesses. The security and surveillance industry has enhanced the safety and security of our properties and people as never before. We utilise the latest and renowned CCTV brands, which serve our needs exceptionally well.

Among the best global CCTV brands, two prominent names are Amcrest and Reolink. The Amcrest vs Reolink brands are compared here.

These two brands are known for their specialised CCTV cameras, NVRs, continuous monitoring and remote surveillance.

The Amcrest is an American brand with a focus on professional-grade CCTV systems for long-lasting solutions. Its products are designed for upper and mid-tier classes.

The Reolink is a Chinese brand specialising in DIY-type wired and wireless cameras. Its devices are affordable, and its target customers are those who are looking for budget-friendly products in the consumer-grade market segment.

Let’s compare the two brands here.

Amcrest vs Reolink- Compare Amcrest & Reolink Brands

We will compare and analyse them here under the following guiding lines.

1- Give a Brand Overview of Amcrest vs Reolink

2- Similarities & Differences- How Amcrest & Reolink CCTV Brands are Similar and Different

3- Share the Pros & Cons of Amcrest and Reolink Brands

4- What is the CCTV Product Range of Amcrest & Reolink Brands

5- How is the Image, Video & Night Vision Quality of the Amcrest & Reolink

6- What are the Smart & AI Features of Amcrest & Reolink

7- Market Penetration & Price

8- Compare the Storage Capabilities of Amcrest and Reolink

9- Mobile App & User Interface

10- Installation & Configuration

Now, we go ahead and make a profound analysis of these brands.

1. Give a Brand Overview of Amcrest vs Reolink

Amcrest Brand

The Amcrest brand is known for its high, durable and advanced CCTV products. It is an American company formed in 2013 in the security and surveillance products and services categories.

The brand has professional-grade CCTV devices like NVRs, IP, PoE, Thermal, PTZ, battery and wireless cameras. Its products are expensive and designed for homes and businesses.

The brand is mainly known for its robust wired and PoE camera systems. The brand promotes local recording, and it is ONVIF compliant.  

Reolink Brand

The Reolink is a Chinese brand. It was formed in 2009 with smart CCTV cameras in DIY market segments. The brand gained immense popularity with easy-to-install, wireless, battery-operated, solar, LTE or plug-and-play cameras. It has wired CCTV systems with PoE cameras and NVRs. Its PTZ cameras are considered good. Its products are affordable with smart AI features. The brand is highly useful for homeowners, renters, shopkeepers and business units.

The brand focuses on innovations and smart features. It’s LTE, solar and wifi cameras are highly successful globally.

2. Similarities & Differences- How Amcrest & Reolink CCTV Brands are Similar and Different

Similarities- Amcrest & Reolink

• Both brands have cameras for homes and businesses.
• Both brands have wired and wireless systems. Amcrest focuses on wired, and Reolink targets wireless systems.
• Both brands have 1080p, 2k and 4k cameras. They give clean images day and night.
• Both brands support motion detection and two-way audio features.
• Both brands support local storage. They record on HDDs and SD cards.
• Both brands have cameras studded with IR LEDs.

Differences- Amcrest & Reolink

• The Amcrest brand is a champion in wired systems, and Reolink is a master in wireless, LTE and solar systems.
• Amcrest focuses more on privacy, security and local data storage. Reolink is more focused on smart and AI features.
• Amcrest has professional-grade wired camera systems. It has PoE, PTZ, wireless, NVRs and DVRs. It has no focus on LTE, solar or battery cameras. Reolink has targeted more battery, solar-powered, and 4G LTE cameras. It has little focus on NVRs and wired camera systems.
• Amcrest has basic AI features, and Reolink has advanced AI features.
• Amcrest has a complex installation system, and Reolink has a DIY installation system.
• Amcrest CCTV devices are a little costly compared to Reolink devices. Reolink is more affordable.

3. Share the Pros & Cons of Amcrest vs Reolink Brands

Amcrest Brand- Pros

• The Amcrest brand has strong and durable outdoor and indoor cameras.
• The brand gives clean images and footage. Its devices have resolutions between 1080p and 4k.
• The brand has costly wired systems. It has high-range NVRs, PoE, PTZ, Thermal, and wireless cameras.
• The brand is ONVIF compliant. It supports third-party products.
• The brand focuses on privacy. No breach of privacy or cybersecurity laws.
• Supports motion detection and two-way audio.
• Supports perimeter protection. Tracks objects and sends alert notifications.

Amcrest Brand- Cons

• The brand is not ideal for those looking for DIY products.
• The brand has basic AI features, but fewer advanced features.
• Its mobile app and its features are a little outdated.

Reolink Brand- Pros

• Reolink is a quality brand for smart home surveillance systems.
• It has predominantly wireless, solar, battery, and LTE cameras. It has NVRs and PoE cameras, but they are less in use.
• The Reolink devices have 1080p, 2k, 5MP, 8MP and 4K cameras.
• Its products are affordable with smart AI features.
• Reolink devices are easy to install
• It has cloud storage features.

Reolink Brand- Cons

• Limited third-party products.
• Customer support is limited.
• Not very durable products.

4. Amcrest vs Reolink- What is the CCTV Product Range

Amcrest Brand

Amcrest has the following key CCTV products.

• Indoor & Outdoor IP Cameras- These cameras come in 1080p, 2k and 4k resolutions. They have motion detection and object tracking features.  
• PoE Cameras- These are quality wired cameras with 1080p to 4k resolutions. These cameras are added with NVRs, and users can remotely access them.  
• PTZ Cameras- Pan, tilt and zoom cameras. They are sturdy with good image quality.
• Wired DVR & NVR Systems- Richly featured recorders. Support 4k cameras.
• Doorbell Cameras- These are plug-and-play types with advanced features.

Reolink Brand

Reolink offers a wider range of CCTV products. They are mainly wireless, solar or plug-and-play types.

• Wireless Cameras- Argus series cameras are famous for their features, ease of installation, design and performance.
• Wired PoE Cameras- RLC series cameras connect with NVRs. These are used where we need scalability and continuous local storage.
• 4G LTE Cameras (Go series)- These cameras are for remote use where cabling is not possible.
• Dual-lens and Pan-Tilt Cameras- These cameras capture a wider angle. Good quality, high-resolution indoor and outdoor cameras.
• Battery-powered Cameras- These wireless cameras are extensively used in smart homes and small business units.
• Solar-powered Cameras- Good wireless and wire-free cameras with advanced features.
• Doorbell Cameras- Used to monitor entrance and exit points.
• NVR Systems- Its NVR is for budget-conscious clients looking for 4, 8 or 16 camera installations.

Reolink cameras are the best solution for DIY users.

5. Amcrest vs Reolink- How is the Image, Video & Night Vision Quality

Amcrest Brand

• The Amcrest brand offers resolutions 1080p, 2K, 4MP, 5MP, and up to 4K 8MP.
• Amcrest high-quality cameras have a superior lens. Its PoE and PTZ cameras are much better in image and footage quality.
• Its cameras offer 30 frames per second at full resolution for smooth videos.
• The brand supports features like High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). Some models are equipped with these features.
• It captures a wide angle of around 90 to 120 degrees. Its PTZ cameras view around 360 degrees.
• Almost all its devices are studded with IR LEDs. They can view up to 100 feet in the darkness.
• Its premium models have Starlight sensors. They give colour night vision.

Reolink Brand

• Reolink brand supports 1080p, 2K, 4MP, 5MP, 8MP or4K, and even 12MP cameras. Gives clean images.
• Reolink is known for its high-resolution cameras with ease of installation. Its devices give pellucid images and footage in sunlight, dim light, and murkiness.
• Its devices have frame rates between 15 and 30 frames per second, depending on the device.
• 4K and 12MP resolution available in budget-friendly options.
• Some models give wide angles. It can view up to 180 degrees. Argus 3 Pro model views around 150 degrees, and Dual-lens models view up to 180 degrees.  
• Reolink’s IR-studded cameras view up to 100 feet in the darkness. Its spotlight-supported models give colour night vision and view up to 40 feet in colour and 120 feet in the darkness.

6. Amcrest vs Reolink- What are the Smart & AI Features

Amcrest Brand

• Amcrest cameras support motion detection, object tracking and alert notifications.
• It has basic AI features in most of its models.
• Its higher-end models recognise faces.
• Its vehicle or pet detection smart feature is not very advanced.

Reolink Brand

• Reolink cameras are known for their smart features.
• It can detect motion and audio.
• It follows objects, studies behaviours and alerts from suspicious things.
• It can differentiate between Human, Vehicle, Animal, Face and Package.

7. Amcrest vs Reolink- Market Penetration & Price

Amcrest Brand

• The Amcrest brand has predominantly professional-grade cameras and NVRs.
• The brand is designed for mid and upper mid-tier clients who look for strong and stable wired systems.
• Its entry-level 1080p cameras begin at $35, and 4-camera NVR kits begin from $500.
• Its PoE 4MP Outdoor and indoor cameras fall in the range $70 to $110.
• Its 4K PoE cameras come at $110 to $150.
• Its PTZ Outdoor cameras come between $150 and $250.

Reolink Brand

• Reolink brand cameras are for homeowners, renters, business owners and shopkeepers.
• Reolink devices are wireless, solar or battery-operated. Its DIY nature makes it a perfect choice for standalone camera lovers.
• Its devices are affordable and advanced with AI features.
• Its 1080p Indoor Wi-Fi cameras come at $30 to $50.
• Reolink’s PoE 4MP outdoor and indoor cameras are between $55 and $100.
• Its 4k smart cameras come between $90 and $130.
• Reolink cameras have more advanced features and are more affordable.

8. Amcrest vs Reolink- Compare the Storage Capabilities

Amcrest Brand

• Amcrest cameras record internally. It stores data on HDDs, NVRs, DVRs and SD cards. SD cards supported up to 256 GB.
• Owners can record data in the cloud storage. Cloud plan is optional.
• The FTP and NAS are supported. Supports third-party systems.   

Reolink Brand

• Reolink cameras come with a slot for SD cards.
• SD cards supported up to 256GB, and in some latest models, 512GB.
• Cloud storage is optional.
• FTP and NAS are supported in PoE models.
• Limited ONVIF compliance.

9. Amcrest vs Reolink- Mobile App & User Interface

Amcrest Brand

• The Amcrest View Pro App connects Amcrest NVRs and cameras.
• It easily adds devices. The user interface is simple and minimal.
• The app supports live view, playback, and device management.
• The application is not very intuitive and a bit outdated.
• It has software fr PCs. It is known as the Amcrest Surveillance Pro.

Reolink Brand

• The Reolink App is used for remote surveillance. It adds Reolink devices and gives users access from remote areas. The application is available for Android and iOS platforms.
• Its interface is intuitive with smart features.
• It detects motion, tracks objects and supports two-way audio.
• Its PC app is Reolink Client. It is available for Windows and Mac OS.

10. Amcrest vs Reolink- Installation & Configuration

Amcrest Brand

• The Amcrest brand is known for its professional-grade systems.
• Its cameras are primarily wired. They require drilling, cabling and a centralised setup.
• Technical assistance is required.

Reolink Brand

• It has wireless, solar, battery, LTE and plug-and-play cameras.
• These cameras are DIY type. They are easier and faster to install.
• No real technical support is required.

Conclusion- Which Brand to Choose, Amcrest or Reolink

Choose Amcrest

• If you want professional-grade traditional systems, then pick Amcrest.
• If you want quality CCTV systems and prioritise privacy and cybersecurity.
• If you want robust cameras with durability and scalability.
• If you want ONVIF-compliant products.

Choose Reolink

• If you want a wireless, modern and user-friendly surveillance system.
• If you want high-resolution devices with smart and advanced features.
• If you want standalone, LTE, solar or battery cameras.
• If you want budget-friendly consumer-grade cameras for homes and small businesses.

The Amcrest and Reolink brand comparison has been made. Kindly share your queries and suggestions in the comment section. We read and respond to all queries.

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