# Reolink security cameras

14 Hacker News commenters recommended Reolink security cameras and 6 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 5 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** People recommend Reolink cameras for good video quality, PoE power, and local-only operation without a subscription. Common caveat: some models need the phone app and still ping the cloud.

## Why people recommend it

- Works with RTSP and open NVR software (4 comments): "I've had some great success with Reolink. Decent video quality and the software is made with RTSP/RTMP support in mind" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49065147)) "They cost less, perform better, support open standards for video streaming" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47434512)) "PoE Reolinks with Zoneminder on a atom based mini PC." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47802314))
- Quick setup without networking expertise (3 comments): "I never had to use a "network savvy person" to have people connect to their TP-Link or Reolink cameras at home." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47003728)) "it was still trivial to get working. Highly recommend it for everyone who wants a decent alternative." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47005090)) "Reolink cams, old desktop, and an hour of setup." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49053289))
- Runs locally with no subscription (3 comments): "The completely offline version has no privacy concerns, no cloud sync, no subscription." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47769636)) "don't give them access to the internet, you can run a local ntp server for time sync" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48992823)) "I have a bunch now completely isolated from the internet and linked through HomeKit." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46998032))
- Good video quality and PoE power (3 comments): "I've had some great success with Reolink. Decent video quality and the software is made with RTSP/RTMP support in mind" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49065147)) "They cost less, perform better, support open standards for video streaming" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47434512)) "am very satisfied (PoE, so no additional power supply issues)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47434467))

## What people warn about

- Setup relies on phone app (4 comments): "you can only install their web cameras via their phone app and only with the GPS turned on" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46130929)) "I had to set up a phone app for two of them that didn't have an Ethernet connector." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48431647)) "Even some Reolink cameras can't be setup on their own." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48431532))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [TP-Link Tapo C200](https://hackerapproved.com/p/tp-link-tapo-c200.md): 8 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Reolink+PoE+security+camera&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Official site](https://reolink.com/)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Reolink security cameras", https://hackerapproved.com/p/reolink-cameras/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).