Smart Home Security Tour 2025

[@colinbailey6236]

I think i spotted a 3 mm blindspot in your garden, in between about 18 cameras. I think you need a few more cameras out there 😊

[@LifeHackster]

LOL... I have to check again and probably add a couple more ;)

[@virtualvortech]

😂

[@andyj72]

😂

[@reggie2803]

Now that was hilarious. 😂

[@joef108]

LifeHackster, when you invite guests to your home, do they feel... umm... self conscious, with all of the cameras tracking them? 🤣 Thanks for the great info, keep it coming!

[@LifeHackster]

Regular visitors know what I do..so they are fine. But, new ones, I do have to tell them beforehand.

[@qpalzmxnskwoeidjcb]

Officially the best surveilled home in North America. Keep up the great work!

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching!

[@aderau-t5c]

Nice setup. And thank you for your reviews for years. Your reviews are the best.

[@LifeHackster]

Appreciate that! I hope it helps people who are getting into smart home security.

[@Years112]

I love your channel! It’s so useful because of all of your reviews we can pick the perfect system.👌 Happy new year! But if somebody tries to break in to your house they are cooked for good!😂

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching!

[@RR_t6e]

Reolink FE-W!!! Thank you for posting your smart home security tour.

[@LifeHackster]

That's what I'm considering too. Thanks for watching!

[@ZER0o10]

I am thibking of moving from rong to Eufy system! Thx for all your reviews and showing your home security system🎉

[@BrandonDoyleMN]

So mostly Reolink & Eufy, great choices! I like that you still have some of the original ring cameras going. See you soon at CES

[@LifeHackster]

Yes... dwindling down on Ring... see you at CES!

[@kevinapineda8424]

I been waiting on this video! 👏🏼

[@reggie2803]

No one in their right mind would attempt to come anywhere near your house. I love it.

[@volcolby]

As we all strive to upgrade our smart home, it is awesome to get to see what you’ve got going and how it’s set up. My favorite is those outdoor lights for which I have great envy!

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching!

[@melangreathouse2209]

LH, I highly applaud your brilliant work in showing Americans the value and the necessity of having home security. I observed two things here.1. Your front door doesn’t close properly, it doesn’t sound as though you have the 22” long screws which are known to be burglar proof. 2. I didn’t notice a home backup generator. Also a high value necessity in the event of random blackouts. Happy New Year!🎆🎈🎊 🇺🇸🚨🔔⏰🏠

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching! My front door actually has long screws.. not 22" though. I also have the door devil (I'm not sure if they are still in business) but it is kick proofed. As to generator, we do have the regular generator (not the whole house backup one). We are lucky enough to not have a lot of Blackouts which are mostly going to be caused by Hurricanes in our area...which our plan is always "evacuate" if needed..so a whole house generator is not needed.

[@johnszatkowski6898]

Hey LifeHackster! I too still have my Ring Pro Hub Alarm system with 24/7 monitoring and it's been rock-solid for several years now! I have a mis-mosh of cameras as well, mostly Ring, Wyze, And Switchbot indoor cams with SD-Card recording. As far as a Doorbell cam I'm using the wireless Ring Doorbell Pro with a solar panel hook-up which I'm really impressed with and get NO false alarms as opposed to the Ring doorbell 3+ that I had and moved that to my garage. I do like your outdoor lighting setup with Eufy and will need to look into that further. I'm in the same boat with cameras and do not keep all my eggs in one basket with one brand only. Been a while since I replied to you but am subscribed and watch your videos as you post them! Have a great day and Happy New Year to you!

[@LifeHackster]

Thank you for watching my videos! and Happy New Year to you too!

[@trinhk]

Wow, you have more security cameras than the white house. 🤣 Thank you for all your reviews, keep up the great work!

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching!

[@pittster57]

Adda boy. Taking my advice forward. Nice

[@tincankiller6454]

Very nice, slowly have been incorporating IPs to our existing security. Some of the DVRs/cameras are 10+ years old other than older tech & low resolution still kicking. Have used Ubiquity NanoStations to make remote long-distance IP cameras other than power hogs very nice. Recently purchased a Reolink RLN12W NVR & wireless Reolinks and testing so far pretty good. I know wired is preferred however I see big improvements in wireless & battery life and since we are very rural, limited internet access its nice having wireless. Still learning as I go just recently came across your channel enjoy your videos, will keep watching thank you.

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching!

[@MitchellCoker]

I think it was 2017 when I first started watching the channel. Back when you had a video for Yi cameras.

[@LifeHackster]

Yup.. those were the times..lol.. Thanks for watching all those times ;)

[@princeojeds2819]

As always, Great Job ❤

[@LifeHackster]

Appreciate it!

[@az3831]

Hi, I’ve seen your videos, and they’re super helpful! I’m looking to install security cameras but not sure what to get. Any recommendations for a reliable system? Thanks so much!

[@IAmThePrepper]

Great video. Thanks for all the info.

[@cbrezzy3637]

LH, What model is your UPS? What all is that powering? As always, Great video . Setting up a Reolink system myself.

[@LifeHackster]

It is a CyberPower 1500VA. I had it for 4 years now. The NVR, monitor, Cable Modem, PoE switch are connected to it.

[@inelonwetrust9169]

Great video! Thanks for the continued great content. Where did the alarm siren noise come from in the rear of your home?

[@LifeHackster]

From my S340.

[@simplesimon755]

Great review. I started watching your channel years ago before I had any cameras. I wasn't keen on subscription options so when you started to review Eufy I got on board and now have 10 wireless cameras (8 outdoor, 1 doorbell, 1 indoor) plus a wired one from Defender. I live on a corner lot and need quite a few cameras for complete coverage. They've played a part in a couple police reports. I think I need to work on better understanding the set up for the S340's. I'm also curious to know if wifi/phone service plan matters to the response time when checking a camera. I've also decided to start adding wired cameras to high traffic areas for quicker response. Thanks for the education and guidance. I'll be adding dash cams and one or two indoor cams soon using your links. Best wishes to you and your family in 2025.

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching. As to response times it will depend on the signal strength of your phone at the time of answering the notification.

[@pizzadave9812]

I get better response times with my wifi turned off on my phone when I'm home. I have wyze,ring and yolink and my notifications are instant with yolink and 2 seconds with ring and wyze. If I keep my wifi on my phone I will get delayed notifications a lot so I just keep it off .​@@LifeHackster

[@IAmThePrepper]

I think those 3 letters agencies should hire you as consultant to setup their security cameras for their safe houses :)

[@iamrebeltech]

As always great superb reviews! Mabuhay ka kabayan! From Htown as well. Eyeball?

[@LifeHackster]

A little more south.. Corpus Christi.. Thanks for watching!

[@josuemachado2146]

Please make a video about the new Reolink hybridge mode and how to take advantage from the smar home assistants (Alexa) available in the market

[@LifeHackster]

I have to check it out. Thanks.

[@niravniel561]

Hi, only the ring camera can be connected to a monitor to view live 24/7? Cause I have some eufy and they can't do that

[@LifeHackster]

I don't think you can even connect Ring cameras to a monitor. What you want if you want a dedicated monitor and for your cameras for live streaming is use an NVR system.

[@Max-wh2if]

One thing that you could possibly do a review on is what cameras when hardwired use the camera as a detection method as opposed to the pir sensor

[@LifeHackster]

True. Not a lot of them at this time.

[@ronm6585]

Thank you and Happy New Year.

[@LifeHackster]

Happy New Year! to you too and thanks for watching!

[@Jbdassassinarmy]

Awesome video again Lifehackster!

[@frnks3020]

Does this mean you preferred reolink v2 over the v3? And why? Please and thank you! 🙏

[@LifeHackster]

For my needs which is my backyard and needs to see up to 50 feet out, the 2V is fine and also it doesn't use a lot of data compared to the 3V.

[@wheeltowheel2561]

I saw on this video where you had a constant view of your cameras in real time and I have exclusively Ring cameras on my home and wondered if you have a video on how to set that up and what to use?

[@lockpremium9826]

I have 5 cameras and my friends tell me my house look like a stash house now imagine if they were to see all these cameras at your house including the lights with sound at night anyways i do like your set up there and good videos like always.

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching!

[@andreiso2421]

For the part of the non security smart home you can use aqara, because is more reliable, easy to use nad compatible with homekit (my opinion)

[@AuroraBTC]

Hey, I'm wondering which Smart Home platform is the most complete one. Not only for security, also for lights, vacuum, smoke and water leak detect, plugs and temperature sensors. Tapo and Xiaomi might be the way. imou cameras are good but the smart home devices seem not to be available.

[@LifeHackster]

With the example that you said... it definitely going to be Wyze..but the problem with that is like the saying "jack of all trades, master on none"

[@juniorrivera1680]

Hi, do you recommend the cx810 over the cx410? I want to install it on my driveway. I currently use a cx410 on my front door and it works great. I did see the video of you comparing the cx810 vs cx410 and seemed like the 410 did better. Has it changed it now with time and maybe firmware updates? Whats your opinion on whichone I should go with. I see you use the cx810 in your driveway. Can I ask why you chose that one over the 410 thanks!

[@LifeHackster]

CX410 still...there's a definite difference on their video quality and CX410 is still better.

[@Dan-oo9jx]

Hi LifeHackster, thanks for the yearly update on your setup. I have a question and i hope you can help me out. Im looking for a camera to record my driveway also at night. I need a camera thats has a floodlight when you enter a certain area, but i dont want any leds at night (so that people see the camera immediatly) Wich reolink would you recommend?

[@youssb316]

Has your opinion changed regarding the eufy sire? Did they update it, or is it still the same? Also have you found a way to use the eufy doorbell chime as an additional alarm?

[@LifeHackster]

Which eufy cam that needs updating?

[@youssb316]

I'm sorry, Not a cam, but the eufy sirene. I like my eufy security system, but my problem is the sirene capabilities. The home base alarm is loud, but if you hide your home base, you don't hear the sound so loud anymore in your home. So I want to buy the eufy sirene. In your video about it, you said it was not a good product. So I was wondering if the sirene is updated in the last months or still the same. I also added a eufy doorbell chime so I can hear the doorbell upstairs. But unfortunately the eufy chime only plays the doorbell sounds but when the home base alarm is activated it stays quiet. So I was wondering if you have the same problem or know a way to use the eufy chime as a alarm also. I'm sorry for my long questions, I hope you can answer. Thank you!

[@kevintiemann6875]

@LifeHackster I want to hind my reolink nvr somewhere that is 5+ feet away from an outlet with power cable. Any recommendations other than install a new outlet? Extension cord? Do you know where I can buy a longer power cord for my nvr switching adapter?

[@nyb141]

I've had several original wired ring spotlight cameras. Worked well but 2 cameras were exposed to elements and the lens cover fell off and ultimately the lens itself deteriorated. Ring replaced with Spotlight Cam Plus but build quality and picture quality isn't as good as the original.

[@LifeHackster]

I know. The video quality of my oldest Ring spotlight Cam is better than their new models.

[@Chris-m9y5b]

What do you do with your extra cameras that are not part of your permanent setup? Heard you say your taking down the duo 3v and i could use a second one for my backyard...🤔 lol

[@LifeHackster]

It stays in my pile. I will still have to use them for comparison videos in the future.

[@Derpymech]

Id really like to find what ecosystem i want to fully invest in... I currently have all rings, and 1 eufy. Really want to swap to all reolink poe, but i like the alarm system option of the ring system.... Honestly have only had one problem with ring, and thats notifications not coming through. Also cam options seem really stale. Thanks for the vid!

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching!

[@Martin-Techno-Gadget-Guy]

Another great video. Thank you. Any reason you don't have NEST cameras? For me viewing them in a web browser is fantastic which is how I prefer to view my cams

[@LifeHackster]

I really haven't used Nest cams ever since they forced the users to use the Google Home app.

[@gerryf7015]

Happy New Year. Have you ever considered automating all the camera and sensors? Perhaps you still have some spare time to explore another rabbit hole - Home Assistant!!¡ Get the white Reolink FE-W

[@LifeHackster]

I know.. A lot of other content creators are on that space though..so, I'll stick with specific brands cameras and their apps.

[@manny1524]

What do you mean by your reolink wifi doorbell is wired into your system? So you’re using it with a Poe port and still getting rich notifications? I’m confused

[@Thedarkshadow08]

I have the eufy s340 and after the update the camera keeps going offline and nothing helps. Its still recording and occasionally I'm able to access it

[@Chaz_137]

Pretty Awesome, Just got myself a e330 professional

[@LifeHackster]

Nice 👍

[@freemanmiracle7975]

How fast the Wi-Fi can support over 18 cameras? I have 15 cameras but always have delay notification.

[@LifeHackster]

It is not the speed of your WiFi but the signal strength and reliability. As to notifications, the delay is mostly on the camera brand itself and if it has snapshots, how fast their servers are… to get the snapshot from the camera to their servers to your phone. Only text notifications are faster. Wired cameras are also faster than battery powered ones.

[@123Osaka456]

That reolink doorbell doesnt have hdr if i recall the newer battery one does. I just got their poe wired one and find without hdr it is hard to see faces with the background sky blowing up the exposure. How do you mitigate this?

[@LifeHackster]

You can just lower down the brightness. You can always brighten up a dark footage using software if needed but you cannot salvage an overexposed footage.

[@123Osaka456]

Yeah brightness will work to an extent, it also lowers the brightness of the face, but I will have to live with this it looks like

[@lockpremium9826]

One question how much internet date all these camera take ? Does it slow down your internet and are you able to replay videos on all this camera or wifi camera?

[@LifeHackster]

Eufy and Reolink have local recordings, so it doesn't really use the internet or WIFI aside from pushing the notifications and when I open up the app to view the cameras...which I only view one camera at a time, so it really doesn't slow down the internet.

[@jamesking3330]

Where did you get the cable clips

[@watchesandmyths]

Hi, thanks for the videos. I'm asking, if I install 2 routers with the same password and username with two different internet companies, what happens to my security equipment and others? It connects to the one that is working.

[@LifeHackster]

If both are ON at the same time, you will cause interference..but if one is off, then your cameras will connect to it.

[@abc123fhdi]

Would be nice if there were eufy or lockly locks that integrate with Ring alarm, so it will automatically arm and disarm when you lock and unlock your door.

[@LifeHackster]

I agree.

[@bonddav007]

Have Reolink WiFi battery camera . I want to buy some on my house don’t want re recharge what easy to install Poe or battery

[@LifeHackster]

Easy to install are battery cams. You can hook up a solar panel to minimize charging. Wired or PoE cams are more reliable though.

[@abc123fhdi]

Looks like Ring is offering 2k cameras now and 24/7 recording to the cloud, but you need to upgrade subscription.

[@ryanwoods4691]

You should use the FE-W, there is not nearly enough coverage of that camera on KZbin.

[@LifeHackster]

I actually might because I already have the ceiling hole for it.. I guess I just need to drill it a bit bigger.

[@LoneStar96]

i don't feel i am wierd now when my friends and relatives want to know i have to many security cam around my house. This is normal in a crazy time.

[@LifeHackster]

True... :)

[@dkgong]

This is a great setup! Can you go over if you pay any subscription fees?

[@LifeHackster]

Any security cameras that records to the cloud will be the ones that will require a subscription.

[@prouddaddyofdos]

No Arlo? How come?

[@supernova8962]

HELL YEAH...YOLINK !!!!

[@lenseofanomad]

I think I will go with Reolink, Wyze and I will throw in Unifi's license plate camera ;)

[@JAYKOSTRANSPORTLLC]

Do you prefer Reolink over Eufy. ?

[@LifeHackster]

Yes.

[@TalOrmanda]

Any reason you haven't gotten into Home Assistant yet?

[@LifeHackster]

There are a lot of creators on this space. I'll focus more on individual brands and their respective apps.

[@TalOrmanda]

@@LifeHackster true, but from a home perspective, you can totally integrate some of these brands to further make all of them work together and make your life easier. like, i setup a zigbee button from ikea to open my switchbot curtains and blinds and then you could do something like reolink person detection to close them if someone is near your front door. i know you do this already, but with home assistant it would be all local control and no cloud. i started to pull away from cloud-only brands like wyze because they offer no local API to work with which kills my home when their cloud goes down or my ISP goes out. you dont have to make videos on it, more of a personal suggestion since you said you keep many different brands of cameras. a great way to get them all working in one place so you can do more.

[@frfrank5862]

I Have been following you for a few years now and I appreciate your knowledge, trial and error for when it comes to home security cameras. I have 12 cameras (back, front, sides) with security lighting around my Home/Property which I own (property 🏡is King)! As a homeowner I do as 'I SEE FIT' for my property since, I pay the mortgage/property tax!💰💸 That said, I don't go according to what some other Ass-wipe💩 person who may not like or criticize what they don't own (especially neighbors, friends and family). Your correct on having a backup system/plan in place in case something goes wrong! Keep up the good work and channel!💯🦾 Also, I call my home security system "LCA" L=lighting, C=cameras and A=actions from my 12ga/Pistola🔫 Lastly, I conduct business on my property from 9to 5 and not at afterhours such as 1-3am in the morning so, your Dead ⚰wrong if you're on my property for the wrong intensions!

[@LifeHackster]

Thank you and thanks for sharing your thoughts and setup.

[@jranieryoung]

Do you have any issues with wifi hacking?

[@LifeHackster]

Nope.

[@jranieryoung]

Has someone tried to hack them to see how easy they are with a tool such as flipper zero?

[@LifeHackster]

@ they can try.. but what you don’t realize, unless they are at my neighbors, I can see them and they will be recorded way before they flip their flipper…

[@xwarrrmongerx22]

Damn more cameras than the Chinese embassy in San Francisco

[@LifeHackster]

LOL...

[@kevintiemann6875]

I would like to purchase your duo 3v your taking down…I get a discount and get to assist the channel😊

[@LifeHackster]

I will be using it for comparison videos first.

[@zansheikh10]

Damn yo I feel bad for the poor Amazon driver pulling up at 2am

[@LifeHackster]

:)

[@OOO-pc3nb]

What...No Blink Cameras.

[@LifeHackster]

I haven't used Blink for a while now.

[@Kabodanki]

Impossible for me to put chinese cameras like eufy with abyssmal security implementation in my house unless they are in their own VLAN with very strict firewall rules. These cams are black boxes that send very low quality traffic to chinese servers.

[@LifeHackster]

If you worry about it. Just go with NVR cams and don't connect it to the internet.

[@royjohnson9043]

im shocked you have so much reolink rather than eufy!

[@LifeHackster]

It is mostly because of Reolink's NVR and their IP Cams...which I have ethernet wired in all corners of my house.

[@royjohnson9043]

@ ah I see that makes sense pare

[@69Dartman]

Damn, I thought I had a lot of cameras but you got me beat. I do need one more for the side tiny strip of yard we never really use. I have three NVR boxes now. My original Reolink that just works, as long as I put Reolink cameras on it. The Sovmiku that works with just about any POE ONVIF camera I give it, though the motion detection can be picky, and a new Sentinel Defender I got through the Amazon Vine program just to see if it works any better than the Sovmiku box. It's similar to it but a lot more picky about the cameras that work properly with its motion detection. They are all POE and ONVIF capable and see any cameras on the network which is nice. They certainly don't have the polished setup screens the Reolink has but they are cheap and the Defender even included two motion tracking cameras and eight network ports for 6 more. Been fun following your reviews and setup and I even bought that Eufy pet cam you recommended and it works great with it's app on my phone.

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching and sharing your setup.

[@zuhairhlayel]

💐💐💐💐💐

[@M3FortiZay]

How many notifications do u get?Jesus 🤣

[@LifeHackster]

There are only have key cameras have their notifications ON, not all of them...all of them are recording though.

[@LTULOfficial]

How many cameras do you have? 😂

[@patmcadam3744]

What are u running a drug house 😂😂 why do u need so many cameras

[@jjenes1]

LOL...a house that needs maybe 6 cameras has 569 cameras. he would be the guy that puts anything and everything imaginable on a 2005 honda civic and cambers the wheels and puts a ricer muffler on it.

[@LifeHackster]

Subtle... racial comment. Why not a Camaro or Charger? You cannot see me on it, right? How do you know that I only need 6 cameras?

[@rohitmanaktala]

Disappointing title. It's a test lab walkthrough. Nobody's "home" needs this many cameras. Get a camera system that works without internet and have battery backup. Smart locks, door sensors and alarm for layering. Explain your choices. Most homeowners will pick an ecosystem.

[@LifeHackster]

Hmmm...the title is what it says..the tour of my home. It is not a "tour" of your or most homeowner's home. But, I can tell you I have seen homes that have more cameras than mine... I'm not sure if you understood that.. read the title again.

[@marc3793]

​@LifeHackster although I disagree with Rohit's, I do think you could do a couple more similar videos leaning into your setup a bit more, like a mini series. For example perhaps which ones you would keep, remove or reposition if you were a "normal" 🫠 homeowner and not doing all of your camera testing. Also perhaps which ones you just record motion on versus 24/7 and some rational why. Where you prefer colour night vision versus black and white / spotlight. And which NVRs etc are used for what. Keep up the great videos! Thanks.

[@N2LADIES55]

He has more cameras than the White House, but thanks to him I have my cameras set up keeping me aware of what's going on around my house.

[@LifeHackster]

Thank you. I appreciate it.