Reolink Duo 3 Security Camera Review: Dual 4K Cams Are Outstanding but Overwhelming

A huge challenge when choosing outdoor security cameras is covering every angle of your property without a battalion of cameras. The Reolink Duo 3 WiFi aims to solve the matter by combining two 4K cameras in one unit, the highest resolution I’ve ever seen on a retail security camera. Its 180-degree field of view is equally impressive, providing complete coverage over everything in front of the two cameras.

I spent a few days testing the Duo 3 WiFi to see how it lives up to this promise, and I’m happy to report that it shares the same level of polish I’ve come to expect from Reolink cameras. Sure, there are a few quirks (stemming from its resolution and ultrawide aspect ratio), but it’s worth considering for most residential yards, construction sites, farms and similar outdoor locations.

Specs and setup

Each Duo 3 lens boasts a 4K video resolution, giving the camera a massive resolution (7,680×2,160). It’s essentially two side-by-side 4K videos — a big jump over the Reolink Duo 2 WiFi. The result is an impressive 180-degree field of view that cuts down on fish-eye distortions you might see from competing single-lens cameras with the same field of view. You’ll still see some distortion, but nothing that ruins the experience.

While the Reolink Duo 3 WiFi isn’t nearly as big as a vintage CCTV camera, it’s one of the largest home security cameras I’ve ever used, easily dwarfing the rest of Reolink’s lineup, like the Altas and Argus series. The bulk isn’t bad as the camera feels solid, with outstanding IP67 weatherproofing, almost like a commercial-grade security camera. It’s also very imposing, which can be as good a deterrent as the videos it records.

Unfortunately, this security camera can’t connect to Wi-Fi without linking it to your router with the included Ethernet cable. From there, you’ll add your Wi-Fi credentials and can ditch the Ethernet. Still, a wired data connection can be helpful, especially if you’re using one of Reolink’s network video recorders (NVRs) for local storage.

You don’t need an NVR since the camera supports microSD cards up to 512GB, but it’s a solid option for homes with multiple cameras to manage, especially in the absence of cloud storage. Due to its large video files, I recommend as much storage capacity as your budget allows. 

Unlike the Reolink Duo 3 PoE, which came out before the Wi-Fi model, the Ethernet connection is data-only — it doesn’t support Power-over-Ethernet, or PoE. This isn’t a huge loss since the included DC adapter and extension cable reach around 20 feet. However, diehard PoE fans can enjoy the same features on the PoE model. (As far as I can tell, the key difference is that the Duo 3 PoE supports only 256GB of microSD storage.)

The power cable also gives you unrestricted access to continuous recording. However, I’d stick with motion-activated recordings to save on storage and make it easier to review motion detection events. There’s no option for an internal battery, but the Reolink Argus 4 Pro is a good alternative on that front, albeit with lower overall resolution.

Reolink Duo 3 Wi-Fi performance

The most striking thing about the Reolink Duo 3 WiFi’s video is the extremely wide aspect ratio. Whenever you review footage, I recommend zooming in on key areas or using your phone in landscape mode, since the aspect ratio can be tough to deal with in portrait mode. Reolink’s app is the best way to view footage — it’s available on smartphones and computers.

The video quality during the day was the clearest and smoothest, with infrared night vision coming in a close second. While I like the built-in spotlights for color video at night, the camera didn’t always adjust the exposure fast enough when I stood a few feet away. The resulting overexposure washes out details briefly as the camera adapts. If the subject the Duo 3 WiFi is recording doesn’t stand still long enough, you might have trouble finding identifying details.

Surveillance footage prioritizes function over quality, so the Reolink Duo 3 WiFi will never match the crispness of a blockbuster movie, but it shows more than enough detail for home security. Even with the detailed images, the live feed shows some stuttering with a lag of several seconds when previewing at the highest resolution. Bumping down the resolution and bit rate reduced lag to a manageable one to two seconds.

Although the ultrawide field of view easily captured my home office, the large size of the camera and resolution feel like overkill for most rooms indoors. I suppose it would be a good option for workshops and warehouses. The audio quality in videos and two-way voice is pretty good, but otherwise matches rival brands like Arlo and Google Nest.

Since this is a Reolink security camera, you can tweak practically every setting — chiefly resolution, frame rate, bit rate and smart motion detection. But the real settings highlight of the Duo 3 WiFi is the ability to adjust how it stitches the two video feeds together. You can set the distance and even nudge the images to line up details perfectly. You’ll see some stitching distortions when someone stands exactly center-frame, close to the camera, but likely not before either lens gets a complete view.

Should you buy the Reolink Duo 3 WiFi?

Outdoor dual cameras aren’t unique to Reolink. There are a few notable rivals, like the Eufy SoloCam S340, Lorex H20, Annke FCD600 and Amcrest IP8M-FCT2999EW-AI. I don’t have hands-on experience with these cameras, so I can’t compare actual performance.

Still, Reolink Duo 3 WiFi’s simplified design, impressive specs and relatively low $180 price feel like real advantages over the competition. Speaking of price, you’ll probably pay less than $180 since Reolink frequently discounts its cameras, especially during Amazon’s seasonal sales.

Overall, the Reolink Duo 3 WiFi is a strong candidate for excellent 4K home security on a relatively modest budget. (The Reolink Argus 4 Pro is still cheaper.) But watch out for the ultrawide video’s initial information overload.