Over a decade ago, if someone knocked on my door, I would pretend I wasn’t home and peek through the window to see who was there. My first port of call was to hide and make sure the person knocking didn’t see me, because “stranger danger”, obviously.
But with security cameras and doorbell cameras flooding the market, it’s gotten easier to check who’s at your door (or actively avoid them).
So when I was offered the chance to trial the Reolink Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen), I was curious to see how much difference it would make to the security cameras we already have at home and if it would be at all beneficial.
Box Contents
- Reolink Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen)
- Mountain Plate
- Horizontal Wedge
- Mounting Hole Template
- USB-C Cable
- Extension Cable
- Jumper Cable
- Pack of Screws
- Operational instructions
Design
The Reolink Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) is simplistic in its design, with a sleek all-black finish and a blue light illuminating the button when in use.
Users are able to easily charge the doorbell through the USB Type-C Port or install the doorbell through a wired connection, depending on their preference.
The two way audio on the doorbell allows for clear communication either way, and high quality vision of the video footage with a 2K 4MP resolution from head to toe.
In terms of Wi-Fi networks, it operates under a dual-band 2.4/5 GHz frequency (essentially meaning that it can broadcast two separate wireless frequencies at the same time, creating stability and enhancing speed), which also allows solid connection through walls.
The best part is that the doorbell also operates without a subscription, where users are able to access videos through their local storage (via a microSD card up to 512GB), or through the Reolink Cloud (which users need to sign up to).
The battery life on the doorbell itself also mentions that it can last up to 300 days.
Performance
I’ve had the Reolink Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) for just over three weeks now, and I have to say that I haven’t found any issues with it at all. So far, it’s been working perfectly and is stacked with fantastic features that prioritise safety and privacy.
First off, it was incredibly easy to install, with users guided through a step-by-step installation process through the Reolink app. The additional items in the box also give users the option to use a wedge, which is particularly useful if your door doesn’t immediately face the street.
Users also don’t have to worry about the doorbell getting stolen, with it being really difficult to remove from the mounting plate (unless you know exactly how to do it – using a pin on the top of the doorbell to unlock it from the mounting plate), and coming with a “Tamper Alert” that notifies users if the doorbell is being altered.
The Reolink Chime isn’t included, but I also found that it’s been a really useful addition to the Reolink Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen), especially if I’m not by my phone, where it essentially takes the place of a normal doorbell.
In regard to sound, the audio on both the doorbell and the chime is incredibly loud, with adjustable volumes on both, making it hard to miss anyone coming by if they ring. Users can also change the tone of the doorbell, choosing between seven different sounds. Speaking of sound, the quality of the audio is also great – it’s not muffled, and you can clearly hear every word either side is saying.
The “Quick Reply” function is also such a really handy feature that gives users the ability to send an automated answer to any guests/visitors without actually having to speak into the phone themselves – with some quirky Christmas ones in there too.
But if you are someone who tends to answer the door, as soon as someone rings the doorbell, it immediately starts a video call on your phone where you can choose to answer if you’d like to. You can even mask your voice if you want to remain anonymous.
The video quality of the doorbell was also impressive, embedded with HDR technology that sharpens the images and reduces overexposure and shadow loss. I’ve been able to see faces very clearly through the video playback no matter the type of lighting conditions, with a full view from head to toe of the person at your door.
The Infrared Night Vision is equally amazing, showing everything just as clearly, and I was even able to read the licence plate number of the car in our driveway.
For an extra sense of security and reassurance, the Reolink Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen) also features a “Detection Alarm” system, where users are able to customise the sensitivities in detecting a Person, Vehicle, Animal, or Package at their doorstep. The Zone Loitering Alert also lets you know if someone has been standing in an area for a little bit too long.
Finally, the battery life. Charging the battery from 20% to 100% only took around 2 hours to fully charge, and after about three weeks of use, the battery only went from 100% to 73%.
So far it seems pretty good in its 300-day battery life guarantee, but time will only tell.
Verdict & Value
There are so many great safety measures on the Reolink Battery Doorbell (2nd Gen).
Rather than cluttering up a security system already in place, it’s a welcome addition that adds that extra layer of security, with a really intuitive interface and functionality.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: The battery life has been amazing so far, dropping only 27% in close to three weeks; Heaps of security measures to ensure your safety and privacy.
Lowlights: N/A
Manufacturer: Reolink
Price: A$229.99
Available: Now at Reolink and Amazon
Review is based on the unit provided by Reolink.
Featured header image provided by Reolink.
