We get it. Looking through Lorex and Reolink’s websites makes it seem like they offer nearly identical products and services. They both offer DIY security camera systems with optional cloud storage available for specific camera models. The specs on their cameras are fairly similar, too, with both providers offering cameras with up to 4K resolutions, multiple lenses, pan and tilt functionality, and built-in lighting.
Those similarities are exactly why we decided to test Lorex and Reolink cameras in our home: to see if they’re just as similar in use as they are on paper. What we found surprised us. Lorex cameras are easier to use with a better build quality, and they cost about the same as comparable cameras from Reolink. Let’s dig into all the details that made us like Lorex better than Reolink.
>> Read More: Reolink Security Cameras Review 2025
Here’s our Lorex Indoor Camera posed for a photo shoot.
An Overview of Lorex vs. Reolink
Before we dig into the details, we want to highlight the similarities and differences between Lorex and Reolink.
Similarities Between Lorex and Reolink
Like we said, on the surface, Lorex and Reolink have a lot in common. If you’re just looking at the specs of the cameras, it can seem like their products are almost identical. So, here are the highlights of Lorex and Reolink’s similarities:
- Camera Specs: Reolink and Lorex offer a wide range of camera options with just about every camera spec imaginable from ultrawide 180-degree fields of view and 4K resolution to color night vision and dual-lens cameras.
- Cloud Storage Options: You can buy a cloud storage subscription from either Reolink or Lorex to remotely store your video recordings, but both limit their cloud storage capabilities to specific camera models.
- Local Storage: Every Reolink and Lorex camera has the option to store video footage locally, allowing you to forego any monthly fees and either store video clips or 24/7 footage. Although, only Lorex made our list of the best security cameras with no monthly fees.
- Lack of Professional Monitoring: That means you’ll need to be ready to check alerts every time your cameras identify activity. Needless to say, you won’t find either provider on our list of the best professionally monitored security systems.
- DIY Installation: Be ready to install your own cameras if you buy from Reolink or Lorex. Neither company offers professional installation. If you want their cameras installed for you, you’ll need to coordinate with a third-party installer.
- Business Security Solutions: Both Reolink and Lorex offer business security solutions with large video storage options. Lorex even made our list of the best security cameras for businesses.
>> Check Out: Best DIY Home Security Systems in 2025
Differences Between Lorex and Reolink
Reolink’s low prices meant we could test a few of their cameras without going over budget.
Despite their similarities on paper, living with Lorex and Reolink cameras was a very different experience. Here are the main differences we found after using Lorex and Reolink cameras in our home:
- Mobile App Quality: We’re big fans of Lorex’s app. It makes it easy to review footage, watch our cameras’ live streams, and adjust the settings on our cameras. We can’t say the same for Reolink. Their app is clunkier and less intuitive.
- Camera Build Quality: It’s not that the build quality of Reolink cameras is bad, but Lorex is a notch above. That’s more to do with Lorex offering some of the most robust and hardy cameras we’ve tested, though.
- Facial Recognition: If you want cameras that can recognize faces, you’ll need to go with Lorex. They’re one of the few providers to offer cameras with facial recognition technology, putting them on our list of the best facial recognition cameras.
- Money-Back Guarantee: Both companies offer a return policy, but we prefer Lorex’s as it’s a complete money-back guarantee for 30 days. If you return a Reolink camera because you don’t like it, you’ll need to pay for the return shipping.
- No Monthly Fee Features: Reolink locks their rich notifications feature behind their cloud subscriptions, whereas Lorex offers all the features in their cameras for free.
- Cellular Cameras: Only Reolink offers cellular cameras. Those are cameras you don’t even need to connect to your Wi-Fi.
Lorex vs. Reolink: A Comprehensive Comparison
Now that you know the high-level similarities and differences between Lorex and Reolink, let’s dive deep into the details. Here, we’ll compare our experience buying and using Reolink and Lorex cameras.
Equipment Pricing
We tested the Reolink Argus Pro 3 and used it as our outdoor camera above our garage.
With the massive range of cameras both Reolink and Lorex offer, they also vary in price by a lot. Oddly enough, they both have the same starting price, though, with cameras as low as $49.99. So, let’s start there by comparing the value they provide on their budget cameras.
Both are 2K cameras with two-way audio and person, pet, and vehicle detection. The Reolink camera comes with a built-in spotlight as it’s an outdoor camera, while the Lorex one is an indoor camera. However, to get alerts telling you whether it was a person, pet, or vehicle that triggered an alert with the Reolink camera, you’ll need to subscribe to one of their cloud storage plans. Lorex includes that for free.
Specs-wise Reolink has the Lorex camera beat, but, when it comes to using the camera, we prefer rich notifications for free. Those notifications help us pay attention to the alerts that matter without getting overwhelmed and ignoring them all. This comparison holds true for every camera price point between Reolink and Lorex. Reolink may have better specs, but the usability of Lorex is better, and we think usability is more important than specs.
Winner: Lorex
FYI: Reolink and Lorex offer solar-powered security cameras so that you don’t need to worry about charging batteries. Check out our review of the Reolink Argus Eco camera to read about our experience using their solar panel.
Camera Options
We tested two Lorex cameras, an indoor and outdoor model, to better understand their lineup.
Reolink has a lot of camera options. Somehow, though, Lorex has even more. We started to feel overwhelmed looking through Lorex’s options when trying to pick cameras for our home. But, that means you can find a Lorex camera to fit almost any of your needs. And, Reolink is pretty much the same. They also have tons of camera options with everything from ultrawide cameras with 4K clarity and built-in lighting to simple cameras with minimal extras.
One area where Reolink shines above Lorex, though, is their selection of cellular-based cameras. Lorex doesn’t offer any while Reolink offers several cellular cameras. That makes them a good option if you don’t have Wi-Fi or if you have an area in which you want security cameras that is far away from your house, like a barn or workshop.
On the other hand, Reolink does not have cameras with facial recognition technology. So, it really comes down to which features you need in your cameras.
Winner: Draw
Pro Tip: If you opt for a cellular camera, expect to pay a monthly fee. They rely on cellular network data to transmit footage and send alerts. Reolink’s cellular plans start at $5.99 per month. For more cellular-based security options, check out our roundup of the best cellular home security systems.
Mobile App
When monitoring your own security system, which you’ll have to do with either Reolink or Lorex, the mobile app matters a lot. It’s how we get notifications when our cameras notice activity, review our live feed and recorded footage, and adjust our cameras settings. In the case of Reolink and Lorex, it’s also where we got our installation guide for our cameras.
We wish we could say Reolink and Lorex make great mobile apps, but we can’t. Only Lorex makes great mobile apps. Reolink’s app left a lot to be desired. Their layout for checking our live feeds is difficult to navigate — unless you only have one camera — and looking for recorded clips feels like using Yahoo instead of Google.
Lorex’s mobile app let us fine-tune every aspect of our home security systems — even their sound sensitivity.
Winner: Lorex
>> Learn More: How to Turn Your Old Phone Into a Home Security Camera
Storage Options
Whether you go with Reolink or Lorex, you’ll have plenty of storage options. They both offer internal storage through a microSD card in their cameras, an NVR setup where your footage is stored in a hard drive outside the camera, or cloud storage. Lorex also offers a DVR setup that’s similar to NVR except it requires wiring instead of a connection through Wi-Fi.
For cloud storage, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee. So, here’s a comparison between Lorex and Reolink’s cloud storage plans:
| Cloud Storage Plans | Reolink | Lorex |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Days for One Device | $5.99 Per Month | $2.99 Per Month |
| 30 Days for Five Devices | $6.99 Per Month | N/A |
| 30 Days for 10 Devices | $10.99 Per Month | $9.99 Per Month |
| 30 Days for 20 Devices | $15.99 Per Month | N/A |
Winner: Draw
FYI: Lorex’s prices include a microSD card with all compatible cameras, unlike Reolink where you need to purchase it separately. While we appreciate that Lorex includes one for free, they tend to only include 16 or 32 GB of storage, though. So, we’d still recommend buying at least a 128 GB microSD card anyway.
Installation
We installed our outdoor Lorex camera underneath our second-story deck to watch our backyard.
How difficult installing Reolink or Lorex security cameras is depends entirely on whether you get cordless, wireless, or wired cameras. Cordless cameras are the easiest to install. They’re battery-powered and connected through Wi-Fi or cellular. That means all you need to do is mount the camera where you want it, which involves securing a mounting bracket and then attaching the camera to that mounting bracket. It took us about five minutes to install these types of cameras from Reolink and Lorex.
Wireless cameras include a power cable, so you need to more carefully plan out where you mount these cameras. Our Lorex wireless camera came with a 10-foot power cable and a 10-foot USB extension cable, so we needed to mount it within 20 feet of a power outlet. Reolink does not offer any wireless cameras with power cords.
Next up are wired cameras. Reolink and Lorex both offer Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) cameras, which means they only require one cable for both sending notifications and videos as well as receiving power. But, that requires even more careful placement as you’ll need to get them within distance of an Ethernet plug instead of an outlet. Our home only has one Ethernet plug and our router is attached to it. To install these cameras, we needed to carefully route an exceptionally long Ethernet cable from our router to our cameras.
Winner: Draw
>> Learn About: Wireless Security Cameras and How They Work
Did You Know? PoE cameras are mostly used in businesses, with the cameras being added as a more permanent fixture to the business. That allows them to route the cable through the wall, hiding the cable entirely. Of course, you can do this in your home, too, but you might need to call in some pros to help.
Lorex vs. Reolink: Which Camera Brand Should You Choose?
In most cases, we’d recommend Lorex. The main reason for that is the better quality of their mobile app. It might seem silly, but you’re going to be using that mobile app on a daily basis whether you go with Lorex or Reolink. So, the quality of it really does make a huge difference. And, Lorex’s mobile app is a big step above that of Reolink.
Now, there are a few niche cases where we’d recommend Reolink. For one, if you need a cellular camera to protect an outdoor structure, like a barn or workshop, that’s outside the reach of your Wi-Fi, Reolink is one of the few companies to offer that. Or, if you need cloud storage for more than 10 cameras, Reolink has a plan that supports up to 20 cameras, while Lorex’s plans cap out at 10.
FAQs About Lorex vs. Reolink
- Are Lorex or Reolink cameras good?
Yes, both Lorex and Reolink make quality cameras that offer good value for the price. We prefer Lorex cameras, though, because they’re easier to use with a higher-quality mobile app.
- Can I get my security cameras from Lorex or Reolink professionally monitored?
Neither Lorex nor Reolink offers professional monitoring for their security camera systems. You can contract a third-party company, however, to monitor your security equipment. We recommend choosing a different provider like ADT, SimpliSafe, or Vivint, though, if you want professional monitoring.
- Does Reolink or Lorex offer a full security system?
No, both Reolink and Lorex only offer security cameras and security camera systems. They do not offer traditional security system components like entry sensors or motion sensors.
- Is Reolink or Lorex more expensive?
Lorex tends to cost slightly more than Reolink for cameras with similar specs, but their cameras have a noticeably sturdier build than Reolink cameras.
- How much do I need to spend to buy a Reolink or Lorex camera?
Reolink and Lorex both have the same starting price for their cameras at $49.99. The Lorex one is an indoor camera, and the Reolink one is an outdoor camera.
