In this article, we will look at the best PoE security camera systems that you can purchase and implement.
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What are the Benefits of PoE Security Camera Systems?
There are three main benefits of using PoE for a security system. The first is that the power is delivered through an individual ethernet cable. This means that if you run a single Cat 6 cable, you’ll be able to power the device and receive the video output from it.
The second is that you can pair it with a cheap UPS, which means that you’ll be able to keep your security system online and recording even if you lose power. The final benefit is that all of the devices below are entirely free on a monthly basis. Pay for the device, hook it up, and you won’t have to pay any additional fees. The items below are some of my favorite PoE security camera systems, but there are other great options as well!
Best PoE Security Camera Systems
Before we look at the best PoE security camera systems, I want to be clear on a few points:
- The more cameras you have, the more hard drive space you’ll need for recordings. Please check out our article on the best surveillance hard drives if you’d like to upgrade.
- It’s best to select a system that can be upgraded to the number of cameras you’ll need. For example, if you need six cameras, an eight-channel device is more than enough. However, if you need eight cameras, you might want to invest in a 16-channel system for future-proofing purposes.
- I highly suggest you purchase a UPS and plug the security system into it. This will ensure that if you lose power, the device will continue to record (until the battery in the UPS dies).
Four Cameras: Best PoE Security Camera Systems
The best PoE security camera systems we will look at below come with four PoE security cameras and can be upgraded to 8 PoE security cameras. For almost everyone, four cameras are the minimum that you’ll need.
Lorex N84382-8CA4
The Lorex N84382-8CA4 is a PoE security camera system that comes with four 4K cameras and has support for eight in total. This device comes with a 2TB hard drive but can be upgraded to 8TB. The Lorex N84382-8CA4 supports H.265 as well, meaning that it’ll utilize the storage space for video recordings effectively.
This device also offers a unique feature – color night vision. This means that you’ll be able to see 90 feet of night vision in complete darkness, with up to 130 feet in extremely low light conditions. You can also remotely view your system with the Lorex Home app and Lorex Cloud.
Click here to purchase the Lorex N84382-8CA4
| Camera Resolution | 4K (3840×2160) |
| Horizontal Field of View | 105° |
| Night Vision Range | 90ft Complete Darkness / 130ft Low Light Conditions |
| Video Format | H.265 |
PROS
- H.265 Video Codec
- Audio Recording
- Great Night Vision
- Hard Drive can be upgraded to 8TB
- Upgradable to 8 Cameras
CONS
- Does not support two-way audio.
REOLINK RLK8-810B4-A
The REOLINK RLK8-810B4-A is a PoE security camera system that comes with four 4K cameras but supports up to eight in total. The device comes with a 2TB hard drive that can be upgraded to 12TB if desired. Two huge benefits of the REOLINK RLK8-810B4-A are that it supports person/vehicle detection and also uses the H.265 video codec.
This is extremely important, as the H.265 video codec compresses video better than the H.264 codec, which means you’ll be able to store more video footage on your hard drive. You can monitor these cameras using the REOLINK applications.
Click here to purchase the REOLINK RLK8-810B4-A
| Camera Resolution | 4K (3840 x 2160) |
| Horizontal Field of View | 87° |
| Vertical Field of View | 44° |
| Night Vision Range | 30 Meters (100ft) |
| Video Format | H.265 |
PROS
- H.265 Video Codec
- Audio Recording
- Person/Vehicle Detection
- Hard Drive can be upgraded to 12TB
- Upgradable to 8 Cameras
- Scheduled Recording per Camera (continuous or motion-activated)
CONS
- Horizontal field of view could be better.
Eight Cameras: Best PoE Security Camera Systems
The best PoE security camera systems that we will look at below come with eight cameras by default and can be upgraded to 16 cameras.
REOLINK RLK16-410B8
The REOLINK RLK16-410B8 is a PoE security camera system that comes with eight 5MP (2560×1920) cameras but supports up to sixteen in total. The device comes with a 3TB hard drive that can be upgraded to 12TB if desired.
The biggest benefit of this system is that it’s cost-effective for the number of cameras it supports, however, if you’re willing to increase your budget to the REOLINK RLK16-800D8 (shown below), you will have the benefits of the H.265 codec and 4K (which for 8+ cameras, is great to have). You can monitor these cameras using the REOLINK applications.
Click here to purchase the REOLINK RLK16-410B8
| Camera Resolution | 2560×1920 (5MP) |
| Horizontal Field of View | 80° |
| Vertical Field of View | 58° |
| Night Vision Range | 30 Meters (100ft) |
| Video Format | H.264 |
PROS
- Audio Recording
- Person/Vehicle Detection
- Hard Drive can be upgraded to 12TB
- Upgradable to 16 Cameras
- Scheduled Recording per Camera (continuous or motion-activated)
CONS
- H.264 Video Codec rather than H.265
- Doesn’t come with 4K cameras.
Hiseeu 8PK-8HB215-3T
The Hiseeu 8PK-8HB215-3T is a PoE security camera system that comes with eight 5MP cameras and supports sixteen total cameras. The device comes standard with a 3TB hard drive and can record up to 45 days of video footage thanks to the H.265+ video codec.
This is a great budget system that offers the flexibility to upgrade the system to 16 cameras. The H.265+ video codec is exceptional and is one of the biggest benefits of this system. There are a few downsides to this device that we’ll take a look at below. You can monitor these cameras using the Hiseeu applications.
Click here to purchase the Hiseeu 8PK-8HB215-3T
| Camera Resolution | 2560×1920 (5MP) |
| Viewing Angle | 120° |
| Night Vision Range | 30 Meters (100ft) |
| Video Format | H.265+ |
PROS
- H.265+ Video Codec
- Two-way Audio Recording
- Person Detection
- Upgradable to 16 Cameras
CONS
- Doesn’t come with 4K cameras.
- REOLINK is a bigger company, which can lead to better support if issues arise.
REOLINK RLK16-800D8
The REOLINK RLK16-800D8 is a PoE security camera system that comes with eight 4K cameras but supports up to sixteen in total. The device comes with a 3TB hard drive that can be upgraded to 12TB if desired.
This system is extremely similar to the REOLINK RLK16-410B8, but is a 4K system and uses the H.265 video format. For storage purposes, the H.265 video codec offered with the RLK16-800D is significantly better than the H.264 video codec offered with the RLK16-410B8 as you’ll be able to store more video footage on the hard drives. You can monitor these cameras using the REOLINK applications.
Click here to purchase the REOLINK RLK16-800D8
| Camera Resolution | 4K (3840×2160) |
| Horizontal Field of View | 87° |
| Vertical Field of View | 44° |
| Night Vision Range | 30 Meters (100ft) |
| Video Format | H.265 |
PROS
- H.265 Video Codec
- Audio Recording
- Person/Vehicle Detection
- Hard Drive can be upgraded to 12TB
- Upgradable to 16 Cameras
- Scheduled Recording per Camera (continuous or motion-activated)
CONS
- With 8 cameras by default, you’ll most likely have to upgrade the hard drive immediately.
Conclusion: Best PoE Security Camera Systems
This article looked at the best PoE security camera systems. All of the devices above are great, and while there are other options available, these are some of my favorites. Out of everything, the ability to use these devices without paying a monthly or annual fee is one of the strongest benefits of all of them. They are also all upgradable in either the hard drive capacity (total storage space) or cameras.
Thanks for checking out the article on the best PoE security camera systems. If you have any questions on the best PoE security camera systems, please leave them in the comments!
