Reolink cameraChoose the right model, power and positionCameras and local recording
Keep Reolink recording locally, and let Home Assistant handle the useful extras.
We plan supported Reolink cameras, doorbells, NVRs and Home Hubs to record reliably on their own, then use Home Assistant for alerts, views and helpful automations.
Reolink cameraChoose the right model, power and positionReolink has one of the best official camera integrations for Home Assistant. Wired, Wi-Fi and battery models offer different features, however, so they cannot be treated as interchangeable.
Where Reolink fits
Reolink works best when there is a clear reason to use it.
We choose the device for the room and the job—not simply to keep every logo in the home the same.
Local NVR or on-device recording
Doorbell, person, vehicle and selected smart-detection events
Camera views and event-driven Home Assistant automations
Homes that want camera operation without a required cloud subscription
Ways to connect
How Reolink can work with Home Assistant.
The options below are alternatives. We use the one supported by the product and best suited to the home; there is no reason to install all of them.
Camera or doorbell directly
Home Assistant connects to the device on the local network using device credentials. Supported streams, events and controls appear without using a Reolink cloud account.
Through an NVR or Home Hub
The recorder remains responsible for continuous footage and retention while Home Assistant integrates supported channels, events, playback and controls.
Battery-camera route
Battery models conserve power and may expose fewer functions or require a compatible NVR/Home Hub. We use the official tested-model matrix before specifying them for an automation.
Keep recording separate from Home Assistant
Your cameras should continue recording while Home Assistant is restarting or unavailable. Footage stays on an SD card, NVR or Home Hub; Home Assistant uses supported events and streams for dashboards, lighting, announcements and notifications.
Keeping those jobs separate makes the camera system easier to understand and prevents the automation server from becoming an improvised video recorder.
Good placement and cabling make the biggest difference
For fixed cameras, PoE usually provides the most predictable combination of power and data. Wi-Fi and battery devices remain useful where cabling is impractical, but radio conditions, charging and sleep behaviour change what the integration can promise.
We document camera accounts, recording location, retention, network addressing and which Home Assistant automations depend on each event.
- Choose from the official tested-model list
- Prefer wired backhaul for fixed critical viewpoints where practical
- Keep recordings outside Home Assistant
- Treat rich remote notifications as dependent on a secure remote-access path
Before you buy
What we confirm before specifying Reolink.
These are the details that can change what works, what features you receive and how straightforward the system will be to maintain.
- !Not every Reolink model exposes the same entities or event types.
- !Battery cameras may require an NVR/Home Hub and behave differently to powered cameras.
- !Remote image notifications require the phone to reach Home Assistant securely.
- !Camera coverage and recording do not replace a professionally designed alarm or life-safety system.
Technical references
Want to check the technical details?
Products, firmware and integrations change over time. These primary sources are where we begin when checking a specific model for a project.
Questions
Common questions about Reolink and Home Assistant.
01Does Reolink work locally with Home Assistant?+
Yes, supported cameras, doorbells, NVRs and Home Hubs use the official local Home Assistant integration. The exact streams, events and controls depend on the model and connection route.
02Do Reolink cameras need a cloud subscription?+
Reolink supports local recording on compatible cameras, NVRs and Home Hubs, and the Home Assistant integration does not require a Reolink cloud account. Optional cloud services are a separate choice.
03Can Home Assistant record all my cameras?+
Home Assistant can show streams and use events, but Smarter keeps primary footage recording and retention on the camera, NVR or Home Hub so recording remains independent of the automation system.
Reolink integration
Start on WhatsAppTell us the model numbers and what you want the system to do.
We’ll confirm what can work locally, what still needs a hub or app, and which controls should continue working on their own.