There's more to think about than ever when it comes to choosing the best home security camera for your property. There's price, of course, plus specs like video quality, camera resolution, and field of view — but software smarts and features are becoming increasingly important factors to weigh up too.
Those features include built-in AI: the tech is transforming just about every gadget product category, and security cameras are no exception. The new Reolink OMVI 2i Ultra is a security camera that majors on AI, and shows off rather well the difference it can make when it comes to monitoring your home.
AI smart detection — with no cloud subscription
You're probably already getting quite enough in the way of notifications on your phone, so you don't need your security camera adding to the noise. That's where the AI detection on the OMVI 2i Ultra comes in, spotting and distinguishing between people, vehicles, and animals, so you know whether a neighbour, car, or dog is wandering past your driveway.
Cameras like the OMVI 2i Ultra are no longer dumb devices just pointing in one direction and leaving it at that, and this extra intelligence means fewer false alarms and a better level of context for the alerts your camera sends you. You'll know something about what the OMVI 2i Ultra has seen before you check the footage or the live feed.
Even better, the ReoNeura AI works entirely on the camera itself. Nothing has to get sent back to the cloud for analysis, which means your recordings are private, and there's no delay while data is uploaded or downloaded. There's no subscription required either, all the functionality comes with the device.
This functionality is augmented by three additional features: SyncTrack keeps subjects in view across both cameras, Auto-Framing handles zooming in or out so whatever's being monitored stays right within the frame, and Pinpoint enables you to tap anywhere on the panoramic view to get a closer look via the pan-tilt camera.
AI tech is rapidly changing home monitoring and it's something to look out for when you're buying security cameras — not just that AI features are there, but also how they work and how much they cost. Ultimately, these features should mean a home security setup that's easier to run and that catches important events more reliably.
Other features of the Reolink OMVI 2i Ultra
The on-board AI is only part of the story with the Reolink OMVI 2i Ultra. Like the other models in the OMVI range, it comes with an innovative dual-camera configuration: you get both a wide-angle 4K 8MP lens with a 130-degree horizontal view, and a 3K 5MP pan-and-tilt camera for a 360-degree view.
There's support for dual-band Wi-Fi 6 for a solid internet connection, two-way audio for challenging intruders (or telling off the pets), an IP65 waterproof design so you can put the camera just about anywhere, and color night vision for round-the-clock monitoring. The device even has a spotlight and siren for warning unwelcome visitors.
You've got Amazon Alexa and Google Home compatibility here, and the option of local video storage via a Reolink Home Hub or the microSD card integrated right into the camera (accepting card sizes up to 512GB). Just about anything you could want from a home security camera is included on the spec sheet.
There's even plenty of flexibility when it comes to power. The camera offers both a 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery that's good for six months between recharges, and a 6W solar panel to top it up with free sunshine — around 30 minutes of sunlight is enough to keep the OMVI 2i Ultra running for the whole day.
All in all, the camera promises reliable, real-time visibility for your property whether you're sat on the couch or watching from the other side of the world on your phone, and a stack of useful features . Head to the Reolink website to learn more about the camera and to pick one up: It's available now for £199.99.