Reolink E1 Pro Smart Home Camera Review
I’ve been using Reolink cameras for a few years now. I currently have three that load up on the Reolink app that makes it easy to setup and choose between them. The indoor models make great baby monitors, too.
A handful of cameras met all my criteria for a home security/pet cam, including the Reolink E1 Pro Wireless Smart Camera. It has all the basic features you’d expect, including pan/tilt/zoom and 2-way communication. It also has full desktop (Windows/Mac) and mobile apps (Android/Apple) that can manage all the settings. Setup is a breeze and the peer-to-peer network allows operation on your home WiFi network and on cellular when you are away from home. There are some additional features found in only a few of the more deluxe internet-ready cameras:
- 4MP sensor for up to 1440p resolution.
- Micro SD slot allows for local recording
- 2.4 and 5 Ghz WiFi network compatibility
- Dual MIMO antennas for improved reception
- Motion detection w/mobile app + email alerts
- Night vision infrared LED illuminators
I had no issues getting the E1 Pro going. Once the app is installed, you follow the app step-by-step voice instructions, point your cellphone camera to the code on the bottom of the camera and it was working within just a few minutes. The picture quality was very good on automatic settings, with resolution up to 2560×1440 at 20 frames per second, even in zoom mode like this shot from the mobile app:
Pros
- Under $50, less on sale
- Easy to setup, takes a few minutes with smartphone app
- No pricey subscription required to record on SD card
- High resolution 720p/1080p/1440p up to 20 fps
- Dual band 2.4/5GHz Wifi w/2T2R MIMO antennas
- Night vision with app alerts
- Relatively quiet pan/tilt movement
- Works as a baby and pet monitor
- Also handy as security/babysitter cam with two way audio
Cons
- No battery or ethernet power, so you need a nearby power outlet
- Expected lag and occasional connection issues when using cellular
- Reolink Cloud Storage requires subscription cost
Conclusion
The Reolink E1 Pro is a nice step up from the many budget baby monitors and cameras you find online. It’s great while you’re at home to keep an eye and ear on a sleeping baby or two. It also works remotely on the mobile app so you can watch your pets or babysitter while you are out for the evening. I had no issues getting it setup and working. At the normal price of $49.99 at Reolink.com it’s a good deal, and it is a great value when it goes on sale for $44.99 at Newegg or Amazon. The lower resolution E1 model is only $35.99 at Amazon.
Full Specifications:
Hardware Features
Image Sensor
1/2.7″ CMOS Sensor
Display Resolution
2560×1440 (4 Megapixels)
Lens
f=4.0mm Fixed, F=2.0, with IR Cut
Angle of View
• Horizontal: 87.5°
• Vertical: 47°
Pan/Tilt Angle
• Horizontal: 355°
• Vertical: 50°
Minimum Illumination
0 Lux (with IR Illuminator)
IR Distance
12 Meters (40ft) (LED: 8pcs/14mil/850nm)
Dimension
Φ76x106mm
Weight
200g
Power Input
DC 5.0V/1A
Interface
• Power Interface
• Micro SD Card Slot
• Built-in Microphone and Speaker
• Reset Button
Software Features
Protocols & Standards
HTTPS, SSL, TCP/IP, HTTP, UDP, UPNP, RTSP, SMTP, NTP, DHCP, DNS, DDNS, P2P
Image Compression
H.264
Maximal Frame Rate
20fps (Default: 15fps)
Code Rate
1024Kbps ~ 4096Kbps
Audio
Two-Way Audio
Maximal User Access
20 Users (1 admin account & 19 user accounts); Support up to 12 simultaneous video streams (10 substreams & 2 mainstreams)
Browser Supported
No
OS Supported
PC: Windows, Mac OS; Smartphone: iOS, Android
Record Mode
Motion Recording
Wireless Features
Wireless Standard
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
Operating Frequency
2.4 GHz/5 GHz
Wireless Security
WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
More information can be found at the Reolink C1 Pro web page. They have a full list of frequently asked questions and and documentation. The sample used in this review was provided by ReoLink. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are my own.