Reolink vs Swann Comprehensive Review & Guide

Reolink vs Swann Comprehensive Review & Guide

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Is a Reolink security camera good for business monitoring? Does it have free cloud storage? And what IVS programs does it have? Well, today, we’re going to compare Reolink vs Swann Technologies to see which brand exactly has the best security solution.

As always, we’re going to dig deep on those essential details that will assist you to make a better purchase decision if new to the industry or planning to do an upgrade. So, we hope you’ll find the discussion interesting and helpful.
Regardless, Swann could make a better security camera system if you choose the right one.

The 5 Reasons Swann is the Best Security Camera System

  • Swann has up to eight IVS analytics
  • Swann security solutions are slightly cheaper
  • Swann wired systems can back up on Dropbox (free)
  • Swann security cameras have more deterrence features
  • Swann offers both DVR and NVR recorder systems

Reolink vs Swann: A Summary on The Security Camera Brand

Image
Overall Best
Swann Home DVR Security Camera System with 1TB HDD, 8 Channel 4...
Best for Value
REOLINK 4K Security Camera Outdoor System, IP PoE Dome...
Company Founded 
1987
2009
Specialty Cameras 
PTZ cameras Motorized zoom cameras
PTZ cameras Motorized zoom cameras
Video Resolution 
Up to 4K Ultra-HD
Up to 4K Ultra-HD [12MP Available]
Active Deterrence 
YES [Spotlight, Flashing Lights & Siren]
YES [Spotlight & Siren]
Night Vision 
YES [Colored, Black &White]
YES [Colored, Black & White]
Audio Functions 
Sound Detection 
Video Analytics 
Face detection Cross counting Pedestrian detection Motion auto-tracking Static object detection Line crossing detection Smart PIR motion detection Perimeter intrusion detection
Smart PIR motion detection
Continuous Video Recording 
Built-in Local Storage 
YES [MicroSD & Hard Disk]
YES [MicroSD Card & Hard Disk]
Free Cloud 
Power Option 
Outlet plugin, Battery, & Solar
Battery, solar & Outlet plugin
Smart Home Compatibility 
YES [Amazon Alexa/ Google Assistant]
YES [Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant]
Installation 
Easy & Moderate [Analog/ digital systems available]
Easy [Only digital systems available]
Add-Ons & Accessories 
Outdoor solar panel Decoy cameras Dashcams Garage parking sensor Video doorbell PIR motion alarm
Silicone skins Bracket mounts Solar Panel charger Rechargeable batteries Power adapters & cables Camera & NVR antennas
Warranty Policy 
One-Year Limited Warranty [Extendable by 12 months]
Two-Year Limited Warranty [Extendable by 6 months]
Customer Rating
-
-
Overall Best
Image
Swann Home DVR Security Camera System with 1TB HDD, 8 Channel 4...
Company Founded 
1987
Specialty Cameras 
PTZ cameras Motorized zoom cameras
Video Resolution 
Up to 4K Ultra-HD
Active Deterrence 
YES [Spotlight, Flashing Lights & Siren]
Night Vision 
YES [Colored, Black &White]
Audio Functions 
Sound Detection 
Video Analytics 
Face detection Cross counting Pedestrian detection Motion auto-tracking Static object detection Line crossing detection Smart PIR motion detection Perimeter intrusion detection
Continuous Video Recording 
Built-in Local Storage 
YES [MicroSD & Hard Disk]
Free Cloud 
Power Option 
Outlet plugin, Battery, & Solar
Smart Home Compatibility 
YES [Amazon Alexa/ Google Assistant]
Installation 
Easy & Moderate [Analog/ digital systems available]
Add-Ons & Accessories 
Outdoor solar panel Decoy cameras Dashcams Garage parking sensor Video doorbell PIR motion alarm
Warranty Policy 
One-Year Limited Warranty [Extendable by 12 months]
Customer Rating
-
Details
Best for Value
Image
REOLINK 4K Security Camera Outdoor System, IP PoE Dome...
Company Founded 
2009
Specialty Cameras 
PTZ cameras Motorized zoom cameras
Video Resolution 
Up to 4K Ultra-HD [12MP Available]
Active Deterrence 
YES [Spotlight & Siren]
Night Vision 
YES [Colored, Black & White]
Audio Functions 
Sound Detection 
Video Analytics 
Smart PIR motion detection
Continuous Video Recording 
Built-in Local Storage 
YES [MicroSD Card & Hard Disk]
Free Cloud 
Power Option 
Battery, solar & Outlet plugin
Smart Home Compatibility 
YES [Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant]
Installation 
Easy [Only digital systems available]
Add-Ons & Accessories 
Silicone skins Bracket mounts Solar Panel charger Rechargeable batteries Power adapters & cables Camera & NVR antennas
Warranty Policy 
Two-Year Limited Warranty [Extendable by 6 months]
Customer Rating
-
Details

Swann Security Camera

Swann is a leading provider of consumer surveillance systems, for both homes and businesses. If you can remember our previous discussion on Amcrest and Swann, the Australian-born has always had a special part for innovative surveillance. It’s another brand you can think of if you need to update your analog systems, in particular security camera systems with DVR.

So, it’s more like ANNKE security camera, only that Swann has been on the ceilings for a bit longer. Thus, has a bit more selections of products, as well as better smart integrations.

Reolink Security Camera

On its end, the Reolink security camera is also desirable in monitoring properties at home and in small businesses. Its biggest selling point is affordability but also does have a wide array of devices to choose from.

Even so, Reolink only provides PoE security camera systems. Thus, can be time-consuming to upgrade from an analog signal since you must remove the previous cables you used with DVR. But then, PoE technology usually requires one cable to power the camera and transmit the video signal. So, you can do the installation all by yourself, assuming you won’t have any cords that need crimping.

More on that, let’s jump to our main Swann vs Reolink discussion and see more details on why the former would be a better security choice.

Reolink vs Swann: The #6 Key Similarities and Differences

Type of equipment:

For this one, the marks go with Swann as they have DVR recorder systems, something Reolink has never added to its catalog. The good thing about a DVR is that you can get it at a lower budget than an NVR recorder system. And considering many DVR in the market are hybrid, you can even connect PoE and PTZ security cameras.

Nonetheless, Swann doesn’t have many NVRs as DVRs. The same goes with battery-operated security cameras and also the specialty models like panoramic Fisheye Cam.

Meanwhile, Reolink has two product lines, Argus and 4G Connection, that features CCTV cameras with a built-in battery. So, it can be an excellent choice in a situation where you want to monitor areas inaccessible to power.

But again, Reolink only offers IP camera systems (WiFi and PoE NVR), thus can be inconvenient if you wanted to use your previous BNC wiring.

Image Clarity:

Both Reolink and Swann security camera systems support lower resolutions like 1080p HD up to 4K Ultra-HD quality. However, Reolink has recently released a 12MP security camera that records at 20fps in more detail and clarity. So, in that part, it does beat Swann, albeit the Australian brand used to have professional DVR systems that record at 60-120fps.

Regardless, Reolink and its rival do have several cameras with optical zoom capabilities to read license plates and distant objects. You can also get devices with infrared and colored night vision from either, thereby enabling you to see in the darkness more clearly.

Intelligent Video Surveillance:

This is a clear win for the Swann group, all thanks to their tip-top taste of innovation. First, all the cameras have the advanced PIR motion sensor (commonly known as True Detect) that only detects movements via heat signatures.

Secondly, select PoE and wireless security camera systems have smart analytics to help in countering crime. A good example is the Swann SWNHD-885MSB that has face, person, object, line crossing, and perimeter intrusion detection. So, you’ll always get relevant alerts and minimal false alerts.

Meanwhile, Reolink cameras also do monitor with fewer false alerts since they have the smart PIR motion detection. However, the firm has been kind of reluctant to explore other intelligent video surveillance technologies despite having all digital CCTV systems.

Active Deterrence:

This also would be a tie as all the two brands have various cameras with a built-in siren and spotlight to deter potential criminals. You can also get a security camera with two-way audio, which can also give one nasty scare to the unsuspecting intruders.

However, Swann has a much fun deterrence technology, specifically, with the Enforcer system that also includes police-style blue-red flashing lights. Also, the company has about a dozen deterrence cameras whereas Reolink has less than five models.

Smart Home Integration:

If you’re looking for a security camera system you can use with Siri devices, you might need to look elsewhere. Neither Swann nor Reolink has Apple HomeKit support despite the long-time promise of it “coming soon”. But if you have Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices, you can find a security camera system to pair from either manufacturer.

Even so, quite many people have complained of the Swann DVR systems not working with the two Virtual Assistant. The same applies to the Reolink NVR kits and first-gen Argus/ Go/ GO PT that the maker excluded from the supported devices.

So, if you must have a security ecosystem with smart home automation integration, you might need to look else for now. Brands such as Ring and Nest and Arlo might be a good place to start since they all are about home automation systems.

Supported Storage Options:

When shopping for any security camera system, storage is one crucial element you should never ignore. It makes no sense to install a CCTV that has no means to store the captured footage, or how else will you get evidence to prosecute.

Luckily, Reolink and Swann have DVR and NVR recorders that include a hard drive disk that can keep up to two-month-old history. If what you have is a standalone camera, many of the options include a built-in slot for inserting a MicroSD card. So, you can continue using your equipment without having to pay any monthly subscription.

But again, Swann and Reolink aren’t like EufyCam 2C camera that you can remotely playback the videos in the local storage. You must be at the physical local of the recorder or remove the SD card to view the past recordings on your computer. If not that, you’ll then need to subscribe to a cloud plan. That way, your system can save data to the online servers where you can pull them down to your viewing device from anywhere, anytime.

Nevertheless, Reolink has a relatively cheaper rate, whereas Swann offers longer video clips (up to 60-second long).
Here’s a summary of the Swann security cloud plan fees compared to that of its counterpart.

Cloud Service  Swann  Reolink
Basic Plan  FREE
7-day video history
1 camera Maximum
FREE
7-day video history
1 camera maximum
Standard Plan  $4.99/ month
60-day video history
(1 camera maximum)
$3.49/ month
30-day video history
5 cameras maximum
Premier Plan  $14.99/ month
60-day video history
(10 cameras maximum)
$6.99/ month
30-day video history
10 cameras maximum
Business Plan  Unavailable  $10.49
60-day video history
20 cameras maximum

Notes:

Even though Reolink has seemingly better subscription plans, Swann is also not that bad of. The Swann Wire-Free security camera has a 1-7 days rolling free cloud storage (depends on device model). If you feel the storage isn’t enough for your needs, you can extend up to 60 days with a renewable monthly/ yearly subscription.

Also, Swann cloud is only compatible with wireless security cameras (both battery-powered and plug-in). however, some wired systems (DVR and NVR) can back up static images to your Dropbox account (cloud-based) at no expense.

Final Thoughts

It’s safe to say Reolink or Swann can make a nice surveillance system to watch over your home or small business. They both operate at a low price-point, plus have dozens of options to consider.

However, Swann is our top pick if your budget is even lower as you can get a loaded DVR kit at less than $300. It also has advanced video analytics to improve your monitoring experience. And if it’s the recordings sharpness, you can get a 4K system that even captures colored night vision.

Of course, the brand (Swann) is yet to move for the 12MP quality, but it isn’t the only one. Besides, many people are still yet ready to fully embrace 4K from its high cost of purchasing and operating. So, we can go with what matters most, which in this case is convenience and reliability.

About the author

Cristina Williams

I am Cristina Williams an expert for home security system. I research the different market place and read customer reviews to make a perfect product guide. I believe that a good product review can help you take a good decision because every man tries to buy a perfect product for him. Getlockers.com one of the best for you.