Reolink Video Doorbell 2nd Gen Review: Continuous 24/7 Hardwired Recording, Pre-Roll & Smarter Edge AI
Smart video doorbells have become standard fixtures on modern front porches, but the vast majority of battery-operated models still suffer from noticeable compromises: they only wake up after someone has already walked past the lens, their battery life suffers in freezing winter weather, and continuous 24/7 video recording is almost universally missing or locked behind mandatory cloud subscription fees.
In the latest front-door security test, the team at Smart Home Tested swaps out their daily-driver original doorbell to evaluate the brand-new Reolink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen). While sharing an almost identical exterior footprint with the first generation, the Gen 2 brings significant internal upgrades—headlined by true hardwired continuous 24/7 recording, pre-roll event buffering, and animal detection.
Gen 1 vs. Gen 2: The 7 Key Upgrades
For homeowners wondering whether upgrading makes sense, the improvements center around power management, recording reliability, and edge intelligence:
Continuous 24/7 Recording (Hardwired Mode): While the original battery model only used hardwire terminals to trickle-charge the battery, Gen 2 unlocks genuine, non-stop 24/7 video recording when wired to doorbell transformer power.
Pre-Roll Event Capture: The Gen 2 constantly buffers video when wired, capturing the critical seconds prior to a motion trigger so you never miss a courier walking up to the door.
Expanded AI Detection & Loitering Zones: In addition to people, vehicles, and packages, the on-device AI now accurately detects animals and supports configurable zone loitering alerts to flag lingering strangers.
Hardware Tamper Alarm: Features an onboard gyroscopic sensor that sounds an audible siren if someone attempts to unclip or pry the doorbell off its mounting bracket.
Hybrid Power Architecture: Operates with true mains-powered performance while retaining internal battery failover to keep recording during unexpected power cuts.
Voice Masking: Adds playful and privacy-focused two-way voice filters directly inside the live talk interface, allowing users to disguise their voice as a robot, clown, or anonymous speaker.
Digital Chime Support (Chime Plus): Shifts to digital chime integration via the included Reolink Chime Plus, replacing the strict mechanical chime requirements of earlier units (though mechanical chimes remain supported via an optional add-on power kit).
Design, Mounting & Packaging
Reolink thoughtfully kept the physical chassis dimensions and screw-hole spacing consistent with the original model, making the physical hardware swap a straightforward five-minute job:
Mounting Backplate: Shares the exact mounting bracket as Gen 1, meaning existing owners don't need to drill fresh holes into their doorframes or brickwork.
Rear Solar Contact Pins: The rear casing adds two specialized contact pins designed to interface directly with Reolink’s upcoming all-in-one solar enclosure bracket previewed at IFA.
Storage & Ports: Features a weather-sealed bottom hatch protecting a modern USB-C service port and a MicroSD card slot for high-capacity local event storage.
In the Box: Reolink Doorbell Gen 2, Chime Plus (with regional plug), mounting backplate, angled corner wedge, wiring jumper cables, mounting screws, release pin, and documentation.
Optics and Image Performance: Video Doorbell Head-to-Toe 1:1 Aspect Ratio
The camera utilizes an ultra-wide 2048 × 2048 resolution square stream running at 15 frames per second, ensuring clear head-to-toe visibility from visitor faces right down to parcel deliveries resting on the doormat:
Dual Streaming Modes: Switch between the crisp, full-resolution Clear Stream (2048 × 2048) and a bandwidth-efficient Fluent Stream (720 × 720) when checking feeds over cellular connections.
Custom HDR & Image Controls: Fine-tune brightness, saturation, contrast, sharpness, and anti-flicker (50 Hz / 60 Hz) settings, alongside built-in privacy masking zones to block out neighboring driveways.
Night Vision & Infrared Controls: Operates infrared night LEDs that can be customized to stay off, trigger only on motion, or coordinate with external lighting automations.
App Customisations & Smart Home Ecosystem Integration
Within the Reolink mobile app, the Gen 2 exposes deep configuration controls without pushing users toward recurring paid cloud plans:
Automated Quick Replies: Set scheduled automated voice responses (e.g., automatically instructing couriers where to drop packages after 15 seconds of ringing), complete with seasonal holiday sound bites.
Differentiated Chime Tones: Assign distinct ringtones on the Chime Plus for doorbell presses versus specific AI detections (e.g., playing one chime for a visitor, another for a vehicle, and a subtle tone for an animal).
Home Assistant Powerhouse: Deep local integration with Home Assistant allows the doorbell's onboard PIR sensor and AI flags to trigger broader smart home scenes—such as communicating with a Shelly smart relay to turn on exterior porch lights automatically whenever motion is detected after dark.
Local Storage Hubs: In addition to onboard MicroSD cards, the camera pairs with the
Reolink Home Hub or hardware NVRs for centralized, subscription-free video retention.
Pros and Cons: Smart Home Tested Summary
What We Liked:
Drop-In Gen 1 Replacement: Reuses the existing mounting bracket and screw holes for an effortless hardware upgrade.
True 24/7 Hardwired Recording: Eliminates wake-up lag and records continuous footage when connected to standard low-voltage wiring.
Pre-Roll Event Buffering: Captures the full approach of visitors rather than cutting off the start of the action.
Subscription-Free Local Operation: Local AI detection and up to 2K recording on MicroSD or Home Hub with zero monthly fees.
Class-Leading Home Assistant Integration: Exposes motion, person, animal, and doorbell press entities locally for smart home automations.
What to Keep in Mind:
24/7 Recording Requires Mains Power: Continuous non-stop recording is only available when hardwired; battery-only setups remain optimized for event-triggered clip capture.
Tamper Siren Settings: The anti-theft gyroscopic alarm toggle is buried several layers deep within the advanced device settings menu.
Mechanical Chimes Require an Adapter: Connecting to legacy mechanical chime boxes now requires purchasing a secondary external power kit.
Final Verdict
The Reolink Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) addresses the few remaining limitations of an already popular platform. By adding continuous hardwired 24/7 recording, pre-roll buffering, expanded AI detection, and battery failover while preserving the original mounting footprint, Reolink has created an exceptional front-door security option that puts local control and zero monthly subscriptions front and center.
Watch the Full Unboxing and Review
To see the step-by-step swap from Gen 1 to Gen 2, hear the voice masking options, and watch the full app configuration walkthrough, check out the complete video from Smart Home Tested below:
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