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- The Reolink Argus 3 Pro supports microSD cards up to 128GB in size for local storage.
- It offers swift connectivity, clear 2K video footage, and two-way audio.
- With an IP65 rating, a siren, and a spotlight, it’s one of the best outdoor home security cameras.
The Reolink Argus 3 Pro is an affordable outdoor home security camera with a robust set of features. It’s completely wireless, produces quality footage at up to a 2K resolution, and supports two-way audio. Perhaps its biggest selling point is the local storage capability using microSD cards up to 128GB in size, though you do have to supply your own.
This security camera is well-equipped to serve outdoors for the garage, side gate, or back yard thanks to its weather-resistant construction, choice of mounts, and built-in siren and spotlight. The limited battery life becomes a non-issue if you hook it up to a Reolink solar panel (sold separately), which is exactly what I did.
After several weeks with the Reolink Argus 3 Pro, I’ve been impressed by the speedy performance, but there are a couple of shortcomings lurking here, not least of which is the lack of two-factor authentication.
Specs
| Reolink Argus 3 Pro | Specs |
| Dimension | 4.76 x 3.54 x 2.2 inches |
| Video resolution | 2,560 x 1,440 |
| Field of view | 122-degree |
| Night Vision | Color with spotlight, black and white with infrared |
| Communication | Two-way audio |
| Storage | Seven-day cloud storage, MicroSD up to 128GB (not included) |
| Weatherproof | IP65 (outdoor-ready) |
| Audio alert | Siren |
| Other features | Person and vehicle recognition |
Design
There’s nothing remarkable about the external design of the Reolink Argus 3 Pro; it resembles other security cameras like the Arlo Pro 4, with a curved plastic body and a black front that contains the camera lens and all the sensors. There’s a choice of easy-to-fit mounts in the box, so it’s straightforward to position this camera to get the view you want.
The IP65 rating makes it suitable for all weather conditions. A flap on the back opens to reveal the Micro USB port for charging and another flap on the bottom houses the microSD card slot.
Set up and mobile app
It’s quick and easy to set up the Reolink Argus 3 Pro. Once you’ve installed the Reolink app on your phone, you simply scan the QR code with the camera and set a password. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi, so you can connect to 5GHz or 2.4GHz networks. While 5GHz is faster, it has a shorter range, and since I was testing the camera in my backyard, I connected and tested on the 2.4GHz band.
The Reolink app handily loads straight into the live camera feed. You have the usual array of options like recording a video manually, snapping a photo, turning on the spotlight, or setting off the siren. There’s also a talk option for two-way conversation. Beyond that, the clip icon allows you to zoom in on a portion of the view, and the playback option is where you can review recorded videos, assuming you have inserted a microSD card.
Digging deeper into the settings in the app can get confusing. For example, if I wanted to limit recordings to times when people were detected, the process involved tapping Camera Settings, Camera Recording, then Schedule, and then choosing Detection type. The translation within the app is also substandard in places.
Simon Hill/Insider
How well does it work?
The video footage is clear and colorful, but the lack of HDR sometimes results in blown-out areas if the sun is very bright. The frame rate is also limited to 15 frames per second, so it can appear slightly jerky at times, though I never had any trouble identifying the subject. The motion detection is solid, but I had to adjust the sensitivity to reduce false positives from my cat and swaying bushes.
Simon Hill/Insider
At night you can have motion trigger the spotlight for color recordings or switch to infrared for black and white footage. Inevitably you lose some detail, but the picture quality is good either way. The spotlight can also be handy as a deterrent for intruders. The range of motion detection, infrared, and the spotlight is around 30 feet.
The two-way audio works well enough to carry on a conversation, though I found there was sometimes a bit of audio distortion on recorded videos. The siren is loud enough to scare an intruder off and you can record your own verbal alerts.
What I like best about the Reolink Argus 3 Pro is how quickly its video feed loads. I’m able to jump into the live feed within three seconds on average and I haven’t experienced any of the delays that are common with other security cameras I’ve tested. It also loads faster than many other cameras to load on my Nest Hub when I ask for the feed via Google Assistant, and there’s support for Amazon Alexa here, too.
While the live feed is pleasingly fast to load, it takes a little longer to play back recorded videos from the microSD card. If you have a particularly long video or you record a time-lapse (which is an option in the app) it can take a while before it plays.
Reolink also offers 7 days or 1GB of free cloud storage for a single camera. You can increase that to 30 days of video history or 30GB of storage for up to five cameras if you subscribe to the standard plan which currently costs $3.49 per month.
Cons to consider
This is meant to be a security camera, but two things give me pause in recommending it as such. Firstly, there’s no two-factor authentication (2FA). This means that anyone with your log-in details can access your camera without any other security checks. Most security cameras have 2FA as an option nowadays, combining your login details with a one-time code for added security. I would not use a security camera indoors without 2FA, though it’s less of a concern for non-sensitive outdoor areas.
Secondly, if you plan to use only local storage on the camera, the fact that the microSD card is physically in the camera could prove disastrous in the event an intruder steals the camera (or the card inside). If you sign up for the free cloud storage, you may at least have footage of the thief, but this is something to think about if you feel camera theft is likely in your area.
The only other major concern is the limited battery life. With the spotlight and pretty frequent alerts, I was on course to get around six weeks of use before the battery would fully deplete. Then I set up the Reolink solar panel ($25), deliberately choosing an area that gets limited direct sunlight (maybe three hours a day) just to see if it was enough. That alone has kept the battery topped up, and I strongly recommend it if you decide to buy this camera.
Simon Hill/Insider
Should you buy it?
Yes, but only for outdoor use. The feature set here is much more conducive to an outdoor setup than one for indoors.
Which model should you get?
If you can live with a 1080p resolution, then the Reolink Argus 3 is around $25 cheaper, but mostly matches the Pro model on features.
What are your alternatives?
If you’re willing to spend more and sign up for a subscription, then the Arlo Pro 4 is currently the home security camera to beat. Despite a similar resolution it offers better quality video that benefits from a higher frame rate and HDR support. The Arlo app is excellent, and the rich notification system is the best I’ve tested.
For the more budget-conscious shopper seeking a security camera with local storage, the EufyCam 2C Pro is a worthy alternative. Video quality is similar to the Reolink Argus 3 Pro, but it boasts a wider field of view and better battery life. The EufyCam connects to a HomeBase 2 hub with 16GB of local storage. It also has an IP67 rating, customizable detection zones, and person detection.
The bottom line
If you need a wireless outdoor security camera and you want a local storage solution, then the Reolink Argus 3 Pro offers plenty for the money. It won’t be suitable for everyone because of the lack of 2FA and the onboard storage, but the fast and reliable performance, quality footage, spotlight, and siren make this a good outdoor camera for most people.
Pros: Affordable, great video quality, local storage, free cloud storage, solar panel power option (sold separately)
Cons: App can be confusing, limited battery life, no 2FA
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