Reolink RLK8-800D4From real comments

Name: Reolink RLK8-800D4
Rating: 2.5 (14 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment31%

PROS 31%

CONS 69%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a full PoE NVR kit with a mobile app users rate above competitors like Swann
You're fine with night footage being the strongest suit as long as lenses stay clean
You're comfortable troubleshooting firmware updates to unlock features like 4K mobile playback

What users love

Well-regarded mobile app0 mentions

Widely praised

Praised as a top system0 mentions

Strongly positive

Sharp night detail0 mentions

Widely praised

Firmware fixes resolve issues0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You need secure, tamper-resistant camera mounting hardware
You require consistently sharp daylight image quality for identifying faces
You need frame rates above 20fps or fast USB 3.0 file transfer

What users complain about

Flimsy, insecure mounting0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Bulky, hard-to-manage cabling0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Poor daylight image quality0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Weak night image on dome camera0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Frame rate capped at 20fps0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Slow USB 2.0 port0 mentions

Generally negative

Resolution stuck below advertised 4K0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Mid

Reolink TrackFlex

Wide motion detection coverage

Reolink TrackFlex

Wide motion detection coverage

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G6

Fits well into existing UniFi ecosystemImpressive AI detectionLicense plate capture at useful rangeDetection reliability can drop with scene changesLimited automation scheduling optionsNo native HomeKit support

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G6

Fits well into existing UniFi ecosystem

Impressive AI detection

License plate capture at useful range

Detection reliability can drop with scene changes

Limited automation scheduling options

No native HomeKit support

Hikvision DS-2CD2183G2-IU

Trusted brand replacement choice

Hikvision DS-2CD2183G2-IU

Trusted brand replacement choice

Hikvision DS-2CD2385FWD-I

H.265+ image detail and efficiencyStrong day-to-night video comparisonEasy cable installationAuto day/night switching issuesH.265+ app playback compatibilityLens sharpness inconsistency

Hikvision DS-2CD2385FWD-I

H.265+ image detail and efficiency

Strong day-to-night video comparison

Easy cable installation

Auto day/night switching issues

H.265+ app playback compatibility

Lens sharpness inconsistency

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G6 Bullet

Long-range subject and plate detectionAdjustable secure mounting hardwareImpressive AI detectionDetection reliability tied to lighting conditionsNo native HomeKit supportPoE+ requirement questioned

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G6 Bullet

Long-range subject and plate detection

Adjustable secure mounting hardware

Impressive AI detection

Detection reliability tied to lighting conditions

No native HomeKit support

PoE+ requirement questioned

Hikvision DS-2CD2385G1-I

Excellent DarkFighter night visionAdjustable night vision brightnessConcealed IR illuminatorsNo audio recordingIR can be too bright by defaultOversaturated color out of the box

Hikvision DS-2CD2385G1-I

Excellent DarkFighter night vision

Adjustable night vision brightness

Concealed IR illuminators

No audio recording

IR can be too bright by default

Oversaturated color out of the box

7Mid

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G4 Bullet

Effective smart detectionGood resolution options for real security useReassuring real-world review led to confident purchase1080p mode considered inadequate for securityInconsistent image quality / possible QC issueUnclear smart detection range and night performance

Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G4 Bullet

Effective smart detection

Good resolution options for real security use

Reassuring real-world review led to confident purchase

1080p mode considered inadequate for security

Inconsistent image quality / possible QC issue

Unclear smart detection range and night performance

Reolink RLK8-1200D4-A

AI Video Search PraisedLong-Term Brand ReliabilityPositive Ownership ExperienceAwkward Pigtail Cable InstallationInsecure Turret Camera MountingUnclear AI Search Compatibility With Existing Setups

Reolink RLK8-1200D4-A

AI Video Search Praised

Long-Term Brand Reliability

Positive Ownership Experience

Awkward Pigtail Cable Installation

Insecure Turret Camera Mounting

Unclear AI Search Compatibility With Existing Setups

Hikvision DS-2CD2183G2-I

Long-Term Brand ReliabilityEventual IR LED Failure

Hikvision DS-2CD2183G2-I

Long-Term Brand Reliability

Eventual IR LED Failure

Best value

10Mid

Reolink CX410

Exceptional color night visionStrong long-term reliability for many usersFlexible power and recording optionsPoor or distorted audio qualityFirmware and feature inconsistencySpotlight glare and washout issues

Reolink CX410

Exceptional color night vision

Strong long-term reliability for many users

Flexible power and recording options

Poor or distorted audio quality

Firmware and feature inconsistency

Spotlight glare and washout issues

You are here

31Mid

Reolink RLK8-800D4

Firmware fixes resolve issuesPraised as a top systemSharp night detailFlimsy, insecure mountingBulky, hard-to-manage cablingFrame rate capped at 20fps

Reolink RLK8-800D4

Firmware fixes resolve issues

Praised as a top system

Sharp night detail

Flimsy, insecure mounting

Bulky, hard-to-manage cabling

Frame rate capped at 20fps

Ai detection
1. Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G6arrow_upward2
2. Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G6 Bulletarrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Users single out the Reolink app and overall system as standout strengths. One reviewer who switched from a Swann system found the Reolink phone app noticeably better once downloaded and tried. Another buyer who installed the bullet-camera version of this same 4K/8MP kit called it one of the best CCTV systems on the market. A separate user also noted that a firmware update resolved an issue where 4K footage wouldn't display properly in the mobile app, restoring full-resolution viewing on both cameras and NVR.

Mounting hardware and cabling draw the most frustration from real installers. One buyer described the mounting plates as having no locking mechanism and being flimsy, and found the system incompatible with most off-the-shelf mounting brackets or US electrical boxes, requiring eBay replacements. Another confirmed cameras can be pulled off their mount in under a second. Cabling out of the camera was called bulky, requiring outdoor junction boxes and cable glands, while another user said there's no room inside the camera for connectors when installing outdoors.

Image quality and performance are inconsistent depending on conditions. One user reported daylight footage from a 4K camera was blocky and unable to show a clear face, though night footage with a clean lens showed fine detail. Another said the D800 dome camera's night picture was beaten by cameras costing a fraction of the price. A third found the 20fps cap disappointing, and one user's camera would not switch from 1080p to advertised 4K resolution at all.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

smartphoneWell-regarded mobile app

1 mentions

Widely praised

A user who switched from a Swann NVR system found the Reolink phone app worked and was much better than the Swann equivalent. This suggests the app experience is a genuine strength for remote viewing and control.

@LineOfSightAirsoft

Thanks for this review. It was interesting to see the software which is exactly the same as my Swann system, so tried downloading and using the Reolink phone app which does work and is much better than the Swann app.

smart_display

June 9, 2020

thumb_upPraised as a top system

1 mentions

Strongly positive

An owner of the bullet-camera version of this same 4K/8MP NVR kit stated it is one of the best CCTV systems on the market. This is a strong overall endorsement from a real purchaser.

@ebrahim602

I have the same system 4k 8mp but with bullet style camera and i can say this system is one of best cc system in the market

smart_display

June 5, 2020

nightlightSharp night detail

1 mentions

Widely praised

One reviewer noted that in night mode, with a clean lens, the cameras captured every detail clearly, a stark contrast to the daylight footage from the same unit. This indicates strong low-light performance when hardware is in good condition.

@jsauerii

They must be sending different 4k cameras now because in daylight the quality is pure feces. You could not view a face @ 20 feet with enough clarity to convict someone in a court of the banana republic. There are blocks where a face should be. It night mode (if you get one without dirt and dust inside the camera on the lens which wrecks the night view 2 of the 4 of 8 I have installed are dirty, one so bad its useless at night too.) you can see every detail. daylight clicks on, face gone. \n\nThat and you can remove one of these cameras in under two seconds from its mount... Under a half second to remove and have one and a half seconds left to unplug and boggy with an cheaply built, plastic, low daylight quality $85 4K camera..... Nothing secure about that. You wouldn't want the included cables anyways. They feel like a dollar tree phone cable, thing and flimsy, easily binds up.

smart_display

February 4, 2021

system_updateFirmware fixes resolve issues

1 mentions

Widely praised

A user who couldn't view 4K footage on the mobile app found that updating firmware on both cameras and NVR resolved the problem completely. This shows ongoing firmware support can address early usability gaps.

@TheXellis95

You mentioned you cannot view the footage in 4k on the mobile app, you can all your camera's just need a firmware update. I had the same issue, I updated the firmware on my cameras and my NVR and the issue was resolved.

smart_display

July 25, 2020

warningFlimsy, insecure mounting

3 mentions

Frequently criticized

Multiple users describe the mounting plates as flimsy with no locking mechanism, incompatible with standard off-the-shelf brackets or US electrical boxes, and even easy to unclip and remove a camera in under a second. This raises both durability and security concerns.

@jsauerii

smart_display

February 4, 2021

@PH-qt6fj

I bought this system. Terrible mounting options for the cameras and the NVR. As he said, no locking mechanism on the mounting plate, flimsy. Not compatible with most off the shelf mounting brackets or electrical outlet boxes (US). I tweaked mine to use with better mounts I bought on eBay. Also, the cabling out the camera is bulking. Had to get pvc outdoor junction boxes to secure everything inside and then added glands. They have to do a better job going forward. Everything else is straight forward. This would be great if it connected to wifi. I know all the issues with this, but I don't want to run more ethernet cable. BTW, use solid core riser ethernet cabling outside. Ran mine through Liquid-tight flex and rigid PVC. I don't want to do those runs ever again. \n\n\"rooter\", lol

smart_display

October 29, 2020

@petert696

Nice review.Just one question, how do you adjust the camera angles without it unlocking itself from the mounting plate? I really want this system, but the mounting design is putting me off. I might have to choose the ugly bullet style version.

smart_display

June 10, 2020

cableBulky, hard-to-manage cabling

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

Reviewers describe the camera cabling as bulky and cheaply built, requiring outdoor junction boxes and glands to install properly, with one also noting there's no space inside the camera housing for connectors when mounting outdoors.

@DiveExplorer

Good review.. It says to me that I need a connection box for the connectors if I'm gonna install the camera outdoors, as there is no space for the connectors \"inside\" the camera.

smart_display

July 20, 2026

@PH-qt6fj

smart_display

October 29, 2020

wb_sunnyPoor daylight image quality

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One reviewer said daylight footage from a 4K camera was blocky with faces obscured, calling it unusable for identification purposes, a sharp contrast to the camera's strong night performance.

@jsauerii

smart_display

February 4, 2021

visibility_offWeak night image on dome camera

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

An owner comparing the D800 dome camera against roughly ten other cameras on the same NVR said its night picture was beaten even by cameras costing around $20, indicating inconsistent sensor performance across the lineup.

@bialy100k

I have D800 with Reo NVR and around 10 other cameras. D800 have great picture at day, but at night is a beaten by all other - even 20$ camera.

smart_display

June 29, 2022

speedFrame rate capped at 20fps

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A viewer called the 20fps limitation a dealbreaker and said they'd wait for a future model with 30fps cameras, suggesting motion smoothness falls short of expectations for a 4K system.

@nexusseven3665

Easily one of the best channels on youtube, that 20fps is what kills it for me, I'll wait a year or three when they have 30fps cameras

smart_display

December 7, 2020

usbSlow USB 2.0 port

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user pointed out the included USB port is white rather than blue, identifying it as USB 2.0 rather than 3.0, which they felt was inadequate for transferring 4K video files off the NVR.

@Perplexer1

That USB port is white, not blue. That tells me it's a USB 2.0 port and not 3.0. Did they put a USB 2.0 speed port on a device used to transfer 4K video files? That's lame.

smart_display

April 3, 2023

error_outlineResolution stuck below advertised 4K

1 mentions

Generally negative

One user reported their camera only displayed at 1080p and would not switch to 4K despite attempts, pointing to a possible configuration or hardware limitation.

@donkiko6708

Why does my camera only shows 1950X1080p ??? When I try to switch it to 4k it doesn’t do it

smart_display

November 23, 2020

Reolink RLK8-800D4chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Ai detection

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Reolink RLK8-800D4From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression