Reolink Duo 3 WiFi: Double vision, single solution for smart home security
Reolink Duo 3 WiFi security camera. Pictures: Reolink.
At a time when home security is increasingly important, security cameras have become essential for protecting our properties and loved ones. These watchful eyes deter potential intruders and provide peace of mind through real-time monitoring and recorded footage. Whether at work, on holiday, or simply in another room, modern security cameras offer an accessible way to keep track of what matters most.
I've been putting Reolink's new Duo 3 WiFi camera through its paces for the past month. This WiFi-enabled alternative to their Duo 3 PoE model features a sophisticated dual-camera system that delivers 16MP UHD resolution and an impressive 180° panoramic view.
The Duo 3 WiFi has a sturdy build quality and an intuitive setup process. The camera comes with all the necessary accessories for a straightforward installation. A metal mounting plate needs to be screwed into your wall surface, and then the camera clips into the plate and is made secure with a bolt. The camera mount has an arm with a ball joint that lets you point the camera in your desired direction. Then, the position is fixed by tightening a bolt with the included Allen key.
The setup via the Reolink app is quick and easy. Simply scan the QR code on the camera, connecting it directly to your Wi-Fi network. This ensures quick activation without complex configurations. The camera includes an ethernet connection but doesn’t include PoE (Power over Ethernet).
The Duo 3 WiFi can capture detailed images at an impressive 16MP UHD resolution. The dual-lens camera system ensures minimal distortion and provides a panoramic view, covering up to 180° of your space, lessening the chances of blind spots.
The Motion Track feature compresses large video clips into concise snapshots, allowing a quick review of recent events without sifting through extensive footage. This is particularly useful for catching fleeting moments or verifying alerts triggered by the camera.
Testing the video quality at various distances revealed excellent results. The camera picked out intricate details from a distance, aided by its dual-band Wi-Fi 6 capabilities that support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies for stable streaming.
Night vision was also impressive, equipped with eight infrared LEDs that provide visibility in low-light conditions without overexposing the image.
Because the Duo 3 uses two cameras, the images must be stitched together in the middle. The advanced display section of the app allows you to manually adjust this for a seamless intersection between the two images. However, I couldn’t get a perfect match, although it was close enough not to matter.
The live streaming quality from the Duo 3 WiFi was impressive across different tests conducted during my testing. The app displayed clear, sharp images with minimal lag, making it suitable for real-time monitoring. Adjusting settings such as resolution and frame rate allowed me to fine-tune performance based on network conditions and personal preferences.
However, the live view could occasionally be choppy under certain conditions, suggesting potential improvements in app optimisation or handling different internet speeds more efficiently. You can set the recording resolution to its highest setting while still previewing the video at a lower resolution to avoid choppy playback.
While my testing was primarily focused on video quality, I briefly tested the camera's audio output. The microphone captured sound clearly and had minimal background noise interference, ensuring effective two-way communication when needed.
The Duo 3 WiFi performed well in terms of notification speed and sensitivity detection. It promptly sent alerts while detecting movement within its field of view, even from a distance. The app's interface was straightforward, allowing quick access to live views and recorded footage for verification.
The optional Reolink Hub is a central management system for all your connected Reolink cameras, providing encrypted local storage and multi-device control capabilities. Your video files are encrypted to ensure privacy, even if your card was stolen.
The Hub includes a 64GB microSD card, ensuring ample space to record high-quality footage without worrying about running out of memory. The Hub has two microSD slots, each supporting up to 512GB, for a total of 1GB of storage.
The Hub supports up to eight Reolink cameras, allowing you to expand your security setup without additional monthly fees or complicated configurations.
Using the Reolink app, you can monitor all connected cameras, receive alerts, adjust settings, and view recorded footage from anywhere with an internet connection. The hub's encrypted local storage means you don’t have to rely on cloud services for security; all your data stays safe and accessible only by authorised users.
The Reolink Duo 3 WiFi is an advanced security camera that provides detailed surveillance with minimal distortion across a wide angle, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor scenarios. The Reolink Duo 3 WiFi is an excellent choice for those seeking top-tier security without compromising image quality.
€159 Reolink
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