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The other day, we compared Lorex vs Nest to see which would be a more worthwhile security camera to have. We’ve decided to do a second part of the topic, but now with Lorex vs Ring.
It’s not exactly a fair or easy comparison, considering Lorex has been in the surveillance business for over three decades. It has an extensive line of products, whereas Ring has countable selections.
Nonetheless, we still want our comparison review as fair as possible. And for this reason, we’ll be comparing our two brands on their line of wireless cameras.
Verdict: Top 5 Reasons Lorex is the Best Security Camera
- Lorex security camera records at up to 30fps
- Lorex security camera has built-in local storage
- The Lorex security camera supports continuous recording mode
- Lorex security camera offers advanced person detection for free
- Lorex security camera is natively compatible with Alexa & Google Home
Lorex Mini-Review
Are you looking for a cost-effective way to monitor your property? Lorex has a wide selection of security cameras without a subscription required, and not just with the expandable DVR/ NVR kits. But also with wireless cameras, such as our reference 1080p HD WiFi model.
The Lorex camera has a built-in slot you can add a MicroSD card that you can even Access from the mobile app. Thus, besting the likes of Arlo security camera where you have to remove the MicroSD or USB drive to view on a computer.
Well, we’re still not happy Lorex hasn’t updated the camera for 24/7 continuous video recording mode in the MicroSD card. But if you really want the feature, you can get a Lorex Fusion recorder and pair it with your device.
Ring Mini-Review
Would you like to monitor an area incapable of getting wired power? Ring has some of the bestselling battery-powered wireless security cameras, with our reference Stickup Cam having 50,000+ reviews on Amazon (only).
The kind of setup is pretty neat since you won’t have wires dangling around or too exposed for the burglars to sabotage. It’s also quick to install, plus you can place it wherever preferred, provided it’s within the WiFi range.
Better yet, you can turn the Ring Cam into a solar-powered security camera using the add-on solar panel. Thus, making sure the battery has constant power and no hassle to climb up the ladder now and then.
However, we shall see below Ring is still stingy with footage storage. Then the acquisition by Amazon is yet to show the results we have been expecting since 2018.
Lorex vs Ring: Which is the Best Security Camera for Outdoors
Either Lorex or Ring can be a great security camera to keep an eye on your backyard or front yard. But they still differ in a number of areas, which will determine what you should choose:
- Best of Budget
Ring, like most American companies, has always been notorious for the high pricing of its products. But, strangely, the Stick Up Cam HD is the best option here if you need a budget security camera for your outdoors. It has a regular price tag of about $100, which then comes down to $70 during limited-time deals.
If you opted for the Ring Spotlight Cam with color night vision, the cost ranges from $120 to $290, depending you want the older or latest models. Then the Floodlight camera series often goes for $150 to $310, depending on the accessories available.
As for the Lorex, our reference 1080p HD camera usually costs $130 on regular days. The company also has a 2K WiFi camera at $170, a Floodlight Cam for $180, and a recently-released 4K model for $230. But you can still save a few bucks like now they have limited-time deals.
- Best of Video Quality
If we’re talking about our reference models, Lorex and Ring would share a point here. Both cameras have a 2MP image sensor and an extra-wide 130-degree field of view.
However, the Lorex wireless camera records in 1080p HD at 30fps, which has smoother videos than the Ring’s 15fps. The brand also has 2K QHD and 4K Ultra-HD WiFi cameras, which Ring doesn’t have at this moment. Thus, could be a much better option for your high-value areas.
- Best of Night Vision
When we compare Ring vs Lorex nighttime recordings, they both are also pretty decent. My reference Lorex has built-in white LEDs that make it possible to continue recording in color after dusk. You can identify a face at 10 feet (or 15 feet if you leave your outdoor security lights on).
Ring does have spotlight security cameras too- some of the top sellers in the market and the brightest, by the way. It also has three different models of floodlight cam, unlike Lorex which has only one option.
Tip: A floodlight camera will be a more favorable option if the place you want to monitor doesn’t have other security lights. But the system will cost you a little more than the spotlight camera.
- Best of Audio Functions
Both brands win here as you’ll have access to various audio functionalities. The cameras have a built-in microphone and speaker, which has the option to record footage you can listen to, plus two-way talk.
In the options we’ve gone through, the two-way talk is a full duplex, meaning you and your guest can speak simultaneously. The audio is also clear enough to hear every word both ways.
- Best of Active Deterrence
Again, both Lorex and Ring take a point here. They have a built-in siren that you can set to go off after detecting motion or activate manually from the app.
You can also use the two-way talk feature of the WiFi security cameras to shout or scream at potential burglars in real-time. Then the spotlights and floodlights on some of the cameras can scare off opportunistic burglars.
- Best of Smart AI Detection
When focusing on just the wireless security cameras, our two brands are a bit lacking in AI. Say Ring, the camera has a PIR motion sensor that only works around warm bodies like people, vehicles, or animals. It also has a person-only mode, albeit you will need either of the Ring Protect cloud plans.
Our Lorex here is utilizing pixel-based motion detection, which, naturally, is too sensitive (even at the lowest sensitivity setting) and still ends up pushing false alerts. But you can enable People-only/ vehicle-only detection from the app, all free of charge.
If we were talking about PoE IP camera systems, Lorex has access to the full AI bundle, including person/ vehicle/ package detection. The featured systems also have face detection and facial recognition, with an option to whitelist or blacklist captured objects.
- Best of Free Video Storage
Lorex is the clear winner here. All the wireless cameras have a slot you can insert a MicroSD card for free local recording and continues to work even during WiFi outages.
As mentioned earlier, though, the cameras only support activity/ alert recording on the MicroSD card. It’s after you have connected to the Fusion recorder the cameras will now support 24/7 continuous video recording mode.
In the case of Ring, you only get to save your footage to the cloud (no local storage available). The company charges the cloud plans at $3.99/ month or $39.99/ year for a single camera and $10/ month or $100/ year for all devices.
Unfortunately, Ring cameras only support activity/ alert recording at the moment. But we might see that change soon now everyone (manufacturers) is in the race to dominate the market.
- Best of Smart Home Integration
Lorex is a perfect option if looking for a security camera that works with Google Home. It’s also straightforward to set up with Amazon Echo Show, Echo Dot, and other Alexa devices. Then don’t forget Lorex has its own Smart Home Security Center that allows you to manage all your systems from one point, including control via voice.
As for Ring, the cameras are only natively compatible with Amazon Alexa devices at the moment. To use the system with Google Home, you’ll have to use a third-party smart home automation service, such as IFTTT.
Lorex vs Ring: Which is the Best Security Camera for Indoors
Again, either Lorex or Ring will fit on the hook if looking for a wireless security camera you can use indoors. Lorex still has better selections here, including a 2K QHD model, with 360º coverage and motion auto-tracking.
However, we still want to keep our Lorex versus Ring review as fair as possible. And for that, we’ll stick to 1080p indoor cameras, as Ring is yet to have 2K QHD models.
The five main differences between the security cameras include:
- Best of Budget:
Ring is the best option here. It has a 1080p Indoor camera at a regular price tag of about sixty bucks or $45 during their limited-time and seasonal promotional offers.
On the other hand, the Lorex indoor camera has an MRP of $70 and about fifty dollars during limited-timed deals.
- Best of Video Quality:
The video clarity is about a tie for our two reference products. But the Lorex indoor camera records in 1080p@30fps, whereas the Ring Cam only supports 1080p@15fps.
As mentioned earlier, Lorex does have a 2K indoor camera, actually two options, that record in 1440p HD @25fps.
- Best of Active Deterrence:
The Ring indoor camera takes the point here. It has a built-in siren you can activate manually from the app or automatically by motion. It also has a two-way talk feature, which you can scream or shout at potential burglars in real-time.
As for the Lorex indoor cam, you only have a two-way talk option. The model (and even the 2K indoor cameras) doesn’t have a siren feature.
- Best of Free Local Storage:
Lorex indoor camera has a built-in slot you can insert a MicroSD card and save your recordings with no monthly fees. It’s also compatible with the Fusion recorders if interested in continuous video recording mode.
As for Ring, the camera still doesn’t have local storage. It only supports cloud storage and activity/ alert recording mode.
- Best of Smart Home Integration:
Lorex is yet again the winner as you can pair it with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Lorex Smart Home Center.
On its end, Ring is only natively compatible with Alexa devices. If you want to use Google Home, you’ll have to configure it through IFTTT.
Lorex Doorbell vs Ring Doorbell: Which is the Best Security Camera for Doorsteps?
Last but not least, both Ring and Lorex have a line of video doorbells to watch your doorsteps. But again, the brand to use depends on your needs:
- Best of Budget
The Lorex doorbell is the winner here. It usually goes for about $180, which is about eighty dollars cheaper than the Ring Pro 2 (which sells at about $260).
- Best of Video Quality
The Lorex doorbell takes the point here as well. It records in up to 2K QHD (2560 x 1920) at 25fps, whereas Ring doorbell supports only Full HD+ (1536 x 1536) at 24fps.
- Best of Night Vision
Lorex and Ring should have shared the point here since you have access to both infrared and colored night vision. But the Lorex doorbell does have a built-in spotlight that acts as both a nightlight and warning light.
The Ring doorbell doesn’t have its own spotlight. You’ll need to have an external light source in the mounting area to continue recording in color at night.
- Best of Smart AI Detection
The Ring doorbell takes the lead here with a person-only model and package detection. It also has proprietary 3D motion detection that is intelligent enough to pinpoint the exact direction of the objects in motion.
On its end, Lorex utilizes PIR motion detection that works around warm objects, such as humans, animals, and cars. It also has a person-only mode, which you can enable to ignore false alerts from non-human objects.
- Best of Free Video Storage
Lorex is yet again the go-to option if looking for a video doorbell with no monthly fees. It has a built-in slot you can insert a MicroSD card and compatibility with the Fusion recorders for 24/7 continuous video recording mode.
- Best of Smart Home Integration
The Ring video doorbell loses the points here, as you only have full access to the Alexa skills. It’s not directly compatible with Google Home, which means you’ll have to rely on IFTTT for the function.
As for Lorex, the video camera doorbell brings you full access to both Alexa and Google Home. But it currently doesn’t work with the Lorex Smart Home Center.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Unlike local brands Ring or Arlo, Lorex doesn’t require a monthly fee to save recordings. It has a built-in slot you can add a MicroSD card and compatibility with Fusion NVR. The recorder supports continuous video recording, which not many WiFi cameras support.
Don’t let anyone fool you. Any device connected to the internet, especially WiFi, can be hacked by a dedicated hacker. Lorex cameras are no different, but the brand is relatively more secure since you can record locally instead of in the cloud.
When shopping for a security camera system, it’s always great to go through both the strengths and weaknesses of the featured products. The various downsides of Ring cameras you should know include:
Ring cameras don’t have built-in local storage
Most Ring cameras don’t work with 5GHz WiFi
Ring cameras don’t support continuous video recording
Ring cameras are not natively compatible with Google Home and Apple HomeKit
Similar to other brands, how long a Lorex camera last varies from one user to another. If you take care of your system, it can last a decade or longer without any issues.
Final Thoughts:
If in the market for just any security camera, either Lorex or Ring would work out for you. But Lorex will always have an upper hand from their wide catalog of products, which have about all types of cameras. This includes up to 4K cameras, true PTZ systems, and expandable kits with up to 32 channels for a large home/ business property.
In our review, you can also see Lorex is still better than Ring in most areas for comparable cameras. It has free access to advanced person/ vehicle detection, plus local storage, 24/7 continuous video recording mode, plus native compatibility with Alexa and Google Home.
However, you can check out Ring if the area you want to monitor is inaccessible to wired power. It not only has more selections of battery-powered cameras, but also the option to attach a solar for constant power supply.
