Reolink Argus 2 Review

Unboxing and Setting Up Argus 2

Reolink Argus 2 Packaging

First things first: The sheer simplicity of the box lets you know you’re getting an easy-to-use and attractive product that won’t cause too many headaches in the installation stage. Reolink tries to keep things user friendly and approachable, even if you’re not the most handy or tech-savvy person. You’re not going to have to phone a friend (or a nephew) to help you get things up and running.

Reolink Equipment

Most of the time, indoor cameras usually don’t require a whole lot of know-how to install. You usually don’t need to drill holes or climb ladders. You’ll just stick the camera on a surface, point it where you want it to record, and there you go. This is true of the Argus 2, as well.

But one thing we should point out — this camera comes with a weather-resistant silicone sleeve in case you want to use it for outdoor coverage. I’d still make sure it’s protected under an awning or eave, but you won’t have to worry about it if there’s rain in the forecast.

From there, you’ll just need to download the Reolink app and, similar to my previous experience testing the Reolink Argus Eco, you’ll begin the syncing/setup process for the Argus 2 simply by scanning a QR code on the back of the camera.

Reolink Video Dashboard

Another thing to keep in mind is that Argus 2 relies more heavily on Wi-Fi than other security cameras. This is a truly wireless camera, which means you can’t connect to your network via Ethernet1 or another source.

You should be fine, but if you’re worried about inconsistencies in performance due to unreliable internet, you might want to steer clear of fully wireless cameras and look instead into a wired security system. To get you started, check out our list of the best wired security cameras.

My Full Experience With Argus 2

Reolink – Checking in on the kids carving pumpkins

Depending on what “home” looks like for you, the Argus 2 could make a suitable and simple pet- or kid-monitoring option. In my house, for example, a home office was converted into a virtual sixth-grade mini-classroom for two for more than a year during the pandemic. The Argus 2 kept a watchful eye on two 12-year-olds learning algebra so the rest of the household could focus on other things.

But beyond the throes of distance learning, there’s lots more that the Argus 2 can do when it comes to protecting against burglary and property crime. With that, let’s get into some more features about our Argus 2 that you’re sure to love – and a couple that might warrant some improvement.

Weatherproof Equipment

While the Reolink Argus 2 is IP65-certified — meaning it will do just fine with rain, wind, and dust — it does include a protective sleeve to protect it even more if it’s going to be living outside. In this way, the Argus 2 is reminiscent of the SimpliCam its corresponding Outdoor Kit. For more on that, check out my SimpliCam review.

One thing you might notice, though, is that over time your Argus’ wetsuit might stretch out and lose its shape a bit. Don’t worry, though. If that happens, you can get a replacement from Reolink for $12.99. If you want to prevent this from happening, make sure your camera isn’t always in direct sunlight, and try your best to protect it from the elements by putting it under an eave or awning.

But, weatherproof or not, using the camera outside can still work if you do it carefully. If you have a porch, you can still capture would-be porch-pirates or just see the kids carving pumpkins in October by placing the camera in a dry corner of the space where it’s not likely to get wet or damaged. The risks are always there, but at least you can stay in your warm, cozy living room for the whole show, right?

Reolink – Checking in on the kids carving pumpkins

Full HD Video Resolution

Reolink’s 1080p HD video and image quality can easily stand up to higher-profile competitors, even the pair of tech-heavy Nest Cams I reviewed. It’s also, in my view, far better than the picture produced from less expensive brands like Wyze cameras or Blink. (Check out my full review of Blink cameras, and some thorough hands-on testing of Wyze cameras, too.)

Aside from occasional video hiccups, you should still get some high-quality footage from the Argus 2. Among the many advantages of having a camera like this on your porch is that you can keep tabs on important packages2 you might be expecting, making sure they’re delivered in one piece (not always a given, sadly) and to the right recipient.

This should help you keep an eye on things, but go into it knowing that your video isn’t always going to be super smooth and crystal clear. Connectivity issues do cause hiccups, and we had plenty during our testing period. Infrequently it’s a minor annoyance, but if it’s happening all the time it could impact the overall functionality of your camera.

Reolink Display Settings

Limited Motion Detection

While I’ve been pretty impressed thus far with the quality of this camera and its features, it’s important to note that Argus 2 is still fairly basic compared to the best motion sensor cameras in the market.

First off, the camera doesn’t distinguish between objects (person, vehicle, animal), so your alerts will be more straightforward, like the image below:

Reolink Alerts

Many brands are incorporating person detection and in some cases, package detection into their feature set, allowing you to put the activity into context before you even see it. The Arlo Pro 3 cameras I reviewed handled this quite well; you can see in our Arlo vs. Reolink comparison that Arlo outpaced its competitor in the stability and reliability of its motion sensing, as well as its advanced features. Do keep in mind, though, that Arlo can be pretty pricey.

Smart Home Integration

Reolink Argus 2 displayed on Alexa

More and more, security cameras are incorporating smart home automation as a standard feature. The Reolink Argus 2, like the rest of Reolink’s cameras, provides this in a pretty intuitive way. Inside the Reolink app’s settings, it shouldn’t take long for you to find the smart home tab and start the process of pairing the camera to your Amazon Echo Show, Google Home Mini, or other smart home setup.

Reolink Smart Home Integration

Keep in mind, though, you won’t be able to control the cameras via Alexa beyond getting her to pull up the camera’s display. To adjust resolution, trigger the built-in siren, or communicate via two-way talk, you still have to go through the Reolink app. Still, it’s nice to have on-demand footage available any time you need it.

Pricing on Reolink Argus 2

As a brand, Reolink makes and sells a huge selection of cameras with a myriad of functions: Some have pan-tilt features, while others use 4G instead of Wi-Fi; some have spotlights, while others are packaged as a system with multiple cameras and an NVR to support them. But through all of their different gadgets, they maintain low equipment prices, and no Reolink camera tends to stick out as overly expensive. In short, these cameras do what they’re supposed to do, and they do it well.

Reolink cameras range from $65 all the way up to $599 for a multi camera NVR system, which means there’s plenty of variety to choose from. See below for a breakdown of a few of Reolink’s cameras and costs, including the Argus 2.

Reolink Cameras and Pricing

Video Storage Options

The Reolink Argus 2 is super-flexible, and you can see this in the way it handles video storage. Here, you’ve got the option to store video recordings locally via a micro SD card, which is not included in the box (boo!), but you can insert into the built-in SD card slot on the back of the camera (yay!).

With local video storage, you can use the camera without signing up for a subscription and without paying a monthly fee. If this is something that appeals to you, check out our best no monthly fee home security systems.

But, if the cloud is your preference, Reolink happens to make that option pretty appealing, too. The standard subscription model, for a breezy $3.49 per month, gives you 30 days of video storage for up to five cameras.

Argus Storage Plan Overview

We’ve seen plenty of cloud plans in our day, and given that experience we’ll say that Reolink’s is pretty reasonable. While you’re not going to get a ton of bells and whistles here, you will get what you need — as is the overall trend with Reolink.

If you live in an apartment and just need to keep an eye on things with one camera, there’s a basic free plan that’ll probably get the job done, but if you need a bit more heft, their standard or premier plans are probably for you. And hey, if you’re looking to protect a commercial property, Reolink’s business plan offers support for up to 20 cameras total.

Reolink Cloud Storage Breakdown

Final Thoughts on Argus 2

Reolink Argus 2

There’s a whole lot to like in the Argus 2. As noted in my previous review of Canary’s cams, here, too, you can move the Argus 2 around the house at a moment’s whim, as your needs and concerns change.

It’s nice to have the kind of security camera that can help you not only make sense of all of the activity, but organize it and store it with ease, too.
And, though this is par for the course in DIY security cameras these days, it’s still a relief not to have to sign on to any monthly contracts, and to be able to store footage locally. For a family like mine, this is a highly effective camera worthy of recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions