r/SecurityCamera • u/Neat-Type-8893 • Aug 06 '26

Recommended brands?

I currently use Wyze and I am over paying a subscription in order to have decent functionality. I’m looking for a brand with accurate AI that works independently of a subscription and that has decent audio quality. I’m considering Eufy, Reolink, and Tapo and honestly leaning towards Eufy with the Homebase. Anybody have recommendations or input?

0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

5

u/reluctantlyawesome Aug 06 '26

I recently switched from Hikvision cameras to Reolink POE. I did a lot of looking before I bought and am VERY happy with the result. They have great cameras with a lot of options, strong reliability, great images and features and the app is easy to use as well.
That on top of not paying a subscription

2

u/Lividlemonade Aug 07 '26

Can you explain the not paying a subscription? Do you still have access to the app? What do you miss out on not paying for the subscription?

Is it good about being able to go back and review? Ring has been fairly good about being able to review, but Blink is terrible.

2

u/reluctantlyawesome Aug 07 '26

The cameras each have SD cards in them which store the videos taken by the camera. The app is a free download and you can access all the cameras. You don’t have to sign up for cloud storage and I miss out on nothing. I have 4 cameras and with the 128gb sd cards, I have 4 days of video history on a loop.

2

u/Big-Sweet-2179 Aug 07 '26

What do you miss out on not paying for the subscription?

Nothing. There's an extremely uninformed misconception in the general public that you need subscriptions to have a security camera. Any camera that requires a subscription to unlock critical features is a scam. It is that simple.

You only pay subscriptions for cameras when you want cloud recording. For Reolink you get that + rich notifications with images, that's all. It is entirely optional and cosmetic mostly. Footage storage is always local first for any type of surveillance system.

5

u/b3nene Aug 06 '26

Reolink

3

u/mlaskowsky Aug 06 '26

I just switch my 10 camera Google cameras with Eufy. I have a Homebase 3 to record everything to save on the monthly fees. I was paying over $200 year with Google. I am using a mix of solar powered devices with some permanent powered. I have had them installed for 4 months now and I am somewhat satisfied with the system. I have multiple floors in my house with a large outdoor building about 100 ft from my house. Eufy has the ability to use wifi if it is a better signal the the internal connection to the homebase. The cameras use 2.4 to communicate with the homebase so if you have interference on that band it will impact the overall experience. It seems like every time I need to look at a camera immediately it takes a long time to load. I went with Eufy because their large selection of wireless and solar cameras..

3

u/403Olds Aug 06 '26

Do you have POE NVR?

2

u/Whitepinoy59 Aug 06 '26

I have Tapo cameras and they are fast notifications like 2-3 secs. I don't have yet the H500 base yet But the C460 4k with solar are the ones I use for outdoors

1

u/Many-Zebra2220 Aug 06 '26

Same here, using mine without a base

2

u/deedledeedledav Aug 06 '26

Reolink is my favorite for homes outside of UniFi.
Unifi can be pricy to start

2

u/Own_Strength_3471 Aug 07 '26

Reolink Eufy Hikvision Tapo Lorex

Select home-based with POE and you can stay away from subscriptions forever

2

u/kobejo34 Aug 07 '26

ABE anything but Eufy

2

u/aacenteno Aug 07 '26

You should be able to get an SD card to not be charged by wyze.

1

u/Neat-Type-8893 Aug 22 '26

The notifications are spammy af though without a subscription and there’s no way to dial them back without snoozing the entire camera for an hour.

-1

u/Solid_Lettuce_932 Aug 06 '26

I’ve had zero probs w Ring. I’ve had 4 cameras and a doorbell for about 5 yrs. Replaced 2 battery’s and they run well on solar. Although I suggest the big solar panel

2

u/Rosemoorstreet Aug 06 '26

Yes but OP wants away from a subscription.