At a glance
Expert's Rating
Pros
- Expansive field of view
- Impressive image quality
- Multiple types of motion detection
Cons
- Wide field of view may not be suitable for modest-sized homes
- Narrow vertical field of view may cut off parts of the scene
Our Verdict
The Reolink Argus 4 Pro’s super-wide field of view may not be suitable for every situation, but it’s a great option for monitoring large areas without having to invest in multiple cameras.
Price When Reviewed
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Best Prices Today: Reolink Argus 4 Pro
It’s been a while since we reviewed Reolink’s Argus 3 security camera, but it seems clear now that the brand spent the interim reimagining its popular wireless security camera. The Argus 4 Pro sports an all-new design, dual lenses, a much wider viewing angle, smarter motion detection, and 4K resolution. The new model seems pitched at users who have a lot of space to monitor, but that feature could narrow its appeal.
The Argus 4 Pro breaks from the design of previous Argus cameras with an elliptical white body and contrasting black front panel. Rubber covers on the back and bottom of the camera conceal and protect from the elements the camera’s power port and microSD card slot. Reolink didn’t supply an IP rating at press time, but like previous Argus cameras, it has a weatherproof build for outdoor use.
Image quality is impressive even on the lowest resolution, and each type of motion detection worked well during my testing.
Another big change from this camera’s predecessors is its 180-degree ultra-wide-angle view. This expansive field of vision is made possible by the integration of dual 4mm lenses. Each lens records footage in 4K UHD resolution, and the two streams are then stitched into a composite image. This approach ensures users can monitor large areas with fewer blind spots and virtually no sacrifice in clarity.
The Argus 4 Pro comes with hardware for flexible mounting options.
Michael Ansaldo/Foundry
The camera includes a small spotlight to enable full-color night vision, a mic and speaker for two-way audio, and a siren. It supports motion detection for people, animals, vehicles, and general motion, as well as custom detection zones for each. Additionally, the camera is Wi-Fi 6 ready, which should ensure smooth 4K streaming even in environments with many connected devices.
Videos can be stored locally on microSD cards in capacities up to 128GB. That can be expanded by connecting the camera to the Reolink Home Hub, a network device sold separately for $99.99 that includes 64GB of built-in storage and supports up to two 512GB microSD cards. The camera also supports FTP uploads and network-attached storage.
This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras.
Setup and performance
Setup involves mounting the camera to a wall or eaves using the supplied mount and hardware. Alternatively, you can fasten the camera to a tree using an included loop strap. Both options are straightforward and clearly explained in the camera’s documentation. Once you get the camera mounted, you’re probably not going to want to remove it every time you need to recharge its battery, so it’s good to know you can buy the camera bundled with a Reolink Solar Panel for $239.99 to keep its battery continuously charged. Reolink is also running a launch promotion that brings the price of the bundle down to $153.99 for a limited time.
To connect the camera to your network, you’ll need the Reolink app. You need only to scan the camera’s QR code with your phone begin the process and then follow the app prompts to complete the Wi-Fi connection. It took me just a couple of minutes.
It was clear from the outset that the camera’s exceptionally broad field of view was overkill for my modest-sized yard. I typically train outdoor cameras on my two gates there, as tree trimmers and delivery people often wander in unannounced. Because of the camera’s narrow vertical field of view, I frequently missed activities happening above and below the central axis of the lens. But this camera was designed for much larger properties where breadth of coverage is paramount, and it’s easy to see that it would be a big asset in that scenario.
The Reolink app has a clean, intuitive design that lets you efficiently manage the Argus 4 Pro’s features and settings.
Michael Ansaldo/Foundry
Image quality is impressive even on the lowest resolution, and each type of motion detection worked well during my testing, although I found it a little trigger-happy out of the box. Fortunately, the Reolink app provides multiple ways to calibrate alert frequency, including sensitivity settings, object-size-filtering motion zones, and scheduling, all of which can be customized separately for each type of smart detection.
The Reolink app has a clean, intuitive design that enables you to manage camera features and settings efficiently. The camera can also be paired with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to enable voice commands via those services’ smart speakers and displays.
Should you buy a Reolink Argus 4 Pro?
The Argus 4 Pro is an excellent security camera, but it feels like much more of a niche product than previous Argus versions. Those cameras would be at home in any apartment, townhouse, or single-family home. While this camera can certainly be used in any of those scenarios to provide comprehensive coverage with a single camera, I found it less than ideal given how much you lose at the top and bottom of the image.
It’s more likely the Argus 4 Pro will find a home among users with large open properties or who otherwise require extensive perimeter security (think public and commercial spaces). That would be a much smaller audience for sure but undoubtedly a welcoming one.
Best Prices Today: Reolink Argus 4 Pro
Author: Michael Ansaldo, Contributor, TechHive
Michael Ansaldo is veteran consumer and business technology journalist. He’s been a contributor to TechHive since 2013, covering robot vacuums, home security cameras, and other smart devices. He previously served as PCWorld’s Small Business Editor, and his tech coverage has appeared in Wired, Macworld, Mac|Life, Mobile Magazine, Enterprise.Nxt, Executive Travel, and other publications.