Lorex Security Cameras Reviews: Premium Cameras with So-So Features

Overview
Lorex offers professional-grade video cameras and equipment with desirable features—from long-range night vision to ultra HD resolution—for affordable prices. Still, some of the brand’s offerings are missing the more techy features of the competition, like two-way audio and cloud storage.

Ahead, we’re looking at our picks for Lorex’s best video security cameras.

The Lorex 4MP works with a compatible NVR and offers full-color night vision up to 150 feet, plus a 4MP image sensor that lets you hone in on the details.

Whether you set up the Lorex 4MP IP Bullet as an indoor or outdoor security camera, expect some impressive night-vision capabilities. With ambient lighting, it records in full color up to 150 feet. If there’s no outdoor lighting around your property, you’ll still get black-and-white night vision up to 90 feet. That’s still a longer range than most other outdoor cameras: the Nest Cam Outdoor has a range of about 50 feet.

The IP Bullet camera is also equipped with super high-definition video with a 4MP image sensor and 2K resolution. That’s double the resolution of the standard 1080p, and it's crisp enough that you’ll be able to make out details like the logo on an intruder’s shirt.

Although its field of view is on the narrow side at 90°, the camera should do just fine in an equally narrow space, like an entryway. Even so, like most of Lorex’s offerings, the 4MP IP Bullet won’t record any audio. And it only works with a Network Video Recorder (NVR), purchased separately (but you can still view the camera’s feed remotely via mobile app).

ASecureLife’s recommendation: If you have a compatible NVR, Lorex’s 4MP IP Bullet camera is a great way to monitor your property. It has 4MP resolution, extensive full-color night vision, and it can be used both indoors and out.

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Equipped with 4K resolution—four times the standard 1080p—plus an LED light and siren to scare baddies away, the Lorex Ultra HD Active Deterrence camera is a great value.

The Lorex Ultra HD Active Deterrence camera has an 8MP image sensor and 4K resolution, making it a heavy-duty camera that can record super high-quality footage. It also means the camera captures minute details more clearly, like the numbers on a getaway car’s license plate.

The indoor/outdoor camera is also equipped with color night vision up to 135 feet and two methods to deter unwanted guests. The first is a super-bright LED light that can be manually activated or triggered by the camera’s motion detection component. The other is a remote-activated siren that can help scare off potential intruders.

Unfortunately, the Ultra HD Active Deterrence cam cannot record audio, so don’t use it anywhere where you need a two-way audio function. And its field of view is on the narrower side at 87°, so make sure the camera can see all of your patio before setting it up.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: The Lorex Ultra HD Active Deterrence camera is a solid device that helps you keep an eye on your things with crisp, clear high-definition video and deters no-gooders from setting foot on your front step with its flashing lights and siren.

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Lorex doesn’t offer many cameras with two-way audio, but the 1080p Wi-Fi Cam is an exception. Plus, it’s easy to install, easy to use, and compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

If you’re looking for a simpler solution that doesn’t include a digital or video network recorder, consider Lorex’s 1080p Wi-Fi Camera. Instead of connecting to a network recorder with a Power over Ethernet (POE) cable, the indoor/outdoor cam relies on your Wi-Fi network and lets you monitor camera footage remotely.

While many of Lorex’s cameras don’t offer audio recording, the 1080p Wi-Fi camera records audio and has two-way communication, so you can listen and talk to a delivery person or neighbor at your front door. It comes equipped with a siren and dual LED lights to deter ne’er-do-wells and is compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa via voice commands.

The 1080p Wi-Fi Camera doesn’t offer cloud storage, but it does come with a 16GB microSD card. If you need more storage than that, you can swap it out for an SD card with up to 128GB of storage.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: If you’re looking for a security camera that’s easy to install and easy to use, the 1080p Wi-Fi Camera is a decent bet. Use it outside to keep an eye on your front yard or inside to keep an eye on your very good boy.

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Aside from standalone cameras and compatible network and digital video recorders, Lorex also offers a variety of surveillance systems. These systems—which are usually comprised of a number of cameras and an NVR or DVR—can support up to 32 channels or 32 different cameras.

Lorex offers good security camera systems if you need multiple video cameras to cover a large area, like a warehouse, a sizeable residence, or even a farm. We wouldn’t recommend using a Lorex surveillance system if you live in an apartment or a small house and just need one or two cameras—we'd recommend Arlo instead.

Lorex is a Canada-based company owned by Dahua Technology. Dahua Technology also owns providers Hikvision and Ezviz. You've likely seen these cameras for purchase at your favorite Costco, though Lorex is not a Costco-exclusive brand.

Only some of Lorex’s security cameras can record audio. Even fewer have two-way audio capabilities. Double-check before you buy. This feature is pretty important to us—all our favorite security cameras have two-way audio.

The best security camera system depends on what you’re looking for. Consider how many cameras you need, whether the camera needs to be weatherproofed for outdoor use, whether it's battery powered or hardwired, and whether you want features like two-way audio. Here are some resources to help you choose:

• Hate wires? Check out our recommendations for the best wireless security cameras.
• On a budget? Consider one of our picks for the best cheap security cameras.
• Expecting stormy weather? Here are our picks for the best outdoor security cameras.

Lorex offers affordable security cameras with decent features. We recommend using a Lorex surveillance system if you want to cover a large area—a warehouse or a large plot of land— with multiple cameras.

But if you’re just looking for a simple home security solution, there are more impressive cameras on the market that have must-have features like audio recording and two-way talk, plus extras like face recognition and cloud storage. If that’s more your style, check out our picks for best security cameras.