Reolink Duo 3 Wi-Fi Review

Why you can trust SafeWise
products considered
250+
research hours in 25+ in-home tests
10k+
years of combined experience
176+
homes and people protected
10M+

For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to write unbiased, human reviews (not robots). Learn more.

Reolink Duo 3 Wi-Fi Review

The Reolink Dui 3 WiFi is possibly their best camera yet, according to our hands-on testing.
PoE quality without the wire
""
Reolink Duo 3 WiFi
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
  • pro
    180° panoramic view
  • pro
    Motion tracking
  • con
    Power cord
Why you can trust SafeWise
products considered
250+
research hours in 25+ in-home tests
10k+
years of combined experience
176+
homes and people protected
10M+

For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to write unbiased, human reviews (not robots). Learn more.

Alina Bradford
Georgia Dixon
Feb 19, 2025
Icon Time To Read5 min read

The Reolink Duo 3 WiFi security camera is a game-changer in home surveillance. Packed with cutting-edge features like a stunning 16MP Ultra-HD resolution, a panoramic 180° field of view, and intelligent motion tracking, it delivers peace of mind with unmatched clarity and coverage. We tried out the Duo 3 WiFi in a real home to find out everything you need to know about this innovative plug-in WiFi camera.

pro
Pros
pro 180° panoramic view
pro 180° panoramic view
pro Color night vision
pro 16 MP Ultra-HD
con
Cons
con Uses power cord
Duo 3 WiFi on porch

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

How Duo 3 WiFi compares to other Reolink cameras


Model
Price
Power source
Network connectivity
Resolution
Local storage capacity
Night vision
See more
Duo 3 Wi-Fi$179.99Plug-inWi-Fi16 MPUp to 512 GBColor (with spotlights only)
Duo 3 PoE$179.99Power over Ethernet (PoE) or DC powerPoE16 MPUp to 256 GBColor (with spotlights only)
Argus 4 Pro$199.99Battery and solarWi-Fi8 MPUp to 128 GBColor night vision with ColorX

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

When comparing the Reolink Duo 3 WiFi, Duo 3 PoE, and Argus 4 Pro security cameras, their differences mainly lie in power source, network connectivity, resolution, storage, and night vision capabilities. The Duo 3 WiFi and Duo 3 PoE both offer 16 MP resolution for ultra-clear visuals, but the Duo 3 PoE uses Power over Ethernet (PoE) or DC power, while the Duo 3 Wi-Fi simply requires a plug-in power source and connects via WiFi. Both models feature color night vision (with spotlights) and differ slightly in local storage capacity, with the WiFi version supporting up to 512 GB and the PoE version up to 256 GB.

On the other hand, the Argus 4 Pro offers a battery and solar-powered setup, making it highly versatile for outdoor use, though its resolution is reduced to 8 MP. It supports up to 128 GB of local storage and boasts advanced ColorX night vision for detailed, low-light performance.

While the Duo 3 models are priced at $179.99, the Argus 4 Pro comes in slightly higher at $199.99, probably because of its solar-powered convenience and unique features.

What's in the box

Duo 3 WiFi with what's in the box.

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

  • Reolink Duo 3 WiFi security camera
  • Wi-Fi cable
  • 2 antennas
  • Power cord
  • Instruction booklet
  • Window sticker
  • Mounting bracket
  • Mounting screws
  • Allen wrench
  • Camera base

Reolink Duo 3 WiFi is super easy to set up

Reolink
""

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

The first thing I realized when I opened the box is, "Man! There are a lot of parts!" Once I got it all out and started assembling, I realized it wasn't that big a deal. You screw on the antennas and the base and then plug in the network cable and the power cable. Easy-peasy. It took less than five minutes. 

From there, you plug the camera into a power outlet and into your router. This is just to set it up. Don't worry, the wireless part comes after. You unplug the Wi-Fi and then move the camera wherever you need to. It does need to be plugged into a power outlet to work though. So plan accordingly!

 

The Reolink Duo 3 WiFi is compatible with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi frequencies and supports Wi-Fi 6. As with all Reolink cameras, there are no monthly fees necessary—the Duo 3 WiFi supports microSD card storage up to 512GB. This DC-powered camera is IP67 weatherproof and can be wall- or ceiling-mounted, so the only factor limiting placement is nearby powerpoints. 

The Duo 3 Wi-Fi has innovative features

Last year, Reolink introduced the Duo 3 PoE, a groundbreaking dual-lens security camera that stitched two 16MP lenses together to create stunning, seamless 180-degree images. We even called it the best video quality I’d ever seen in a security camera. The only drawback? Being a PoE camera, its placement was limited by the need for a wired connection.

Later that year, Reolink launched the solar-powered Argus 4 Pro, which solved the placement issue. However, the resolution dropped to 8MP (still impressive), and keeping it charged could be tricky if sunlight was scarce.

Now, Reolink has addressed all these challenges with the Duo 3 Wi-Fi. It delivers the same incredible 16MP clarity, dual 4K sensors, color night vision, and wide 180-degree coverage as the PoE model, but all you need is a power outlet and a Wi-Fi router. Problem solved!

Motion tracking

Like its PoE counterpart, the Duo 3 WiFi also includes Reolink’s innovative Motion Track feature, which collates snapshots of multiple moments over a period of 15 seconds to show a time-lapse of a person, animal or other moving object without needing to scour through multiple video clips. Here’s a quick look at how it worked on the PoE model:

Image: SafeWise

Crystal clear image and other goodies

While trying out the Duo 3 WiFi, we were struck by how crystal clear the image was. There was no pixelation at all.  The Duo 3 boasts 16 MP Ultra-HD resolution, capturing every detail with incredible clarity. 

Also, say goodbye to blind spots. Thanks to advanced image stitching technology, the camera provides a 180° ultrawide view with minimal distortion. This expansive perspective means you get the full story in one shot, eliminating the need for multiple cameras in larger areas.

The smart object detection categorizes recorded footage based on subject: people, vehicles, or animals. This makes it easy to find what you're looking for.

Reolink Duo 3 WIFI's app shows images in an almost panoramic layout.

Images viewed in the app are a little hard to see unless you use full screen mode.

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

Darkness doesn’t have to mean losing details. The camera’s F1.6 aperture and built-in spotlights deliver vibrant color night vision, making it easy to identify critical details even in low light. Whether it’s day or night, you’ll have a clear and accurate picture of what’s happening.

Plus, with its eight bright spotlights and inbuilt siren, its presence alone can be enough to deter intruders.

Reolink Duo 3 WiFi vs. other security cameras

Product
Price
Cloud storage price
Type
Video resolution Icon Tooltip  Dark
Rating
Learn more
Starts at $6.99/mo.Outdoor wired power, wireless Wi-Fi 4K
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starts at $6.99/mo.Indoor/outdoor wire-free 4K
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Starts at $8.00/mo.Indoor/outdoor wire-free1080p
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at $7.99/mo.Indoor/outdoor wire-free1440p (2K)
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at $2.99/mo.Indoor
wired
1920p (2K)
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4
Starts at $3.00/mo.Indoor wired1080p
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.75

Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change Read full disclaimer.

What I didn't like

There's not much to dislike with the Reolink Duo 3. The live view in the app is a little hard to see. The image is small and stretched out. You can fix it by going into full-screen mode, but that takes a second, which you may not have time for if it's an emergency.

I also had a little trouble with the antennas that look like bunny ears. No matter how much I tightened them, they seemed to fall off after a while. It's not a big deal since you can just screw them back on, but ya know, I like things to stay put.

Final word

The Reolink Duo 3 Wi-Fi security camera is an excellent choice if you want a security camera with lots of features, local storage, and that doesn't need it's batteries charged on a regular basis. My only gripe with this camera is the live view in the app is a little hard to see without going into full-screen mode, and the antennas seem to like to fall off. Other than that, it's a fantastic camera.

Reolink Duo 3 WiFi FAQ

Yes, some of their cameras use Wi-Fi. There latest camera, the Reolink Duo 3 WiFi, uses a Wi-Fi connection and local or cloud storage, depending on your needs.

All you need to connect your Reolink Duo 3 to Wi-Fi is:

  1. Log into the app
  2. Tap the + button
  3. Scan the QR code on your camera
  4. Follow the directions on the screen

 

Reolink 4K cameras use 3G or 4G networks. Unfortunately, they don't work with 5G.

Yes, Reolink cameras with local storage, like the Reolink Duo 3 WiFi, record and save footage to its SD card or hard drive. Some of the Reolink cameras can also use a cellular connection to save footage to the cloud.

How we reviewed Reolink Duo 3 WiFi

Duo 3 WiFi front view

Image: Alina Bradford, SafeWise

For our Reolink Duo 3 WiFi review, both our US and Australian SafeWise teams tried out the security camera hands-on. We compared it to the dozens of other security cameras we have tried over the years. I also tried out the Duo 3 at my home to see how it would work in real-life situations.

To learn more about how SafeWise tests products for reviews, please see our methodology page.

Related articles on SafeWise


Disclaimers

Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Google, Google Nest Secure, [any other related Google Products] and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina is a safety and security expert with over 25 years of experience. She has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. After testing thousands of devices, apps, services, and more, her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Places published: CBS, MTV, CVS, Rachael Ray, eBay, Reader’s Digest, ConsumerAffairs, and more. -ConsumerAffairs: 3 Best Home Warranties for Roof Coverage - MSN: Should You Get a Smart Home Security System? -Reader's Digest: How to Make a Private Call and Keep Your Phone Number Safe Certifications: Fire Service Training, Oklahoma State University Awards: Received the Experience Leader certificate from Authority, putting her “in the top 25% among the thousands of professional content creators analyzed by Authory for the Fall 2023 audit.”

Recent Articles

Ring video doorbell
Ring Doorbell Comparison: Which One Should You Buy?
Wondering how the differences stack up for Ring vs. Ring 3 vs Ring Pro vs...
Neighbourhood homes in the United Kingdom
The Best Home Alarm Systems in the UK in 2025
After testing 25+ of the best home alarm systems in the UK and evaluating over...
driveway-with-closed-garage-doors
Best Driveway Alarms and Sensors of 2025
Guardline is our top pick for the best driveway alarm of 2025. See how it...
ADT security sign closeup
Alternatives to ADT in 2025
Our 4k+ hours of testing 25+ security systems shows that Vivint, SimpliSafe, and Frontpoint are...