Reolink’s battery-powered security camera can record for days without subscription fees

Reolink’s new Altas PT Ultra is the company’s first battery-powered security camera that is capable of all-day continuous recording. It doesn’t need power access, so it can be installed almost anywhere, and since it captures 4K video to a microSD card instead of the cloud, there are fewer security risks and no subscription fees.

There are already many battery-powered security cameras that streamline installation, but they’re limited by small batteries that can’t record for more than a day before needing a charge. Reolink’s Altas PT Ultra’s solution to that problem is a built-in 20,000mAh battery the company says has enough power to record for 12 hours per day for up to eight days or four days when recording nonstop around the clock.

Having to charge the camera every week does negate some of the convenience of it being battery-powered, but through desktop and mobile apps, the Altas PT Ultra can be programmed to only capture video when motion is detected by its passive infrared sensor, or on a specific schedule, to extend its battery life. When set to its “standard working mode,” Reolink says the camera can run for up to 16 months on a single charge.

For consumers with more demanding recording needs, Reolink does sell an optional six-watt solar panel accessory that can be mounted near the camera. The company says that a 10-minute charge from the solar panel is enough to power the camera for 24 hours, while a full day of charging can extend the battery life to 120 days, but that’s dependent on what features are being used.

Video is captured at 4K at 15fps through a wide-angle lens, but the Altas PT Ultra can pan its camera 355 degrees horizontally and tilt it 90 degrees vertically, allowing it to track and keep moving subjects in-frame during a recording. It also features full-color night vision capabilities, two-way audio with a built-in speaker and microphone, and support for Wi-Fi 6, allowing footage from a 512GB microSD card to be streamed from the camera over a wireless network.

Reolink has also announced the company’s first battery-powered smart doorbell. Like the Altas PT Ultra security camera, it captures footage locally to a microSD card up to 256GB in size, so there are no subscription fees for storing recordings in the cloud.

Installation doesn’t require any wires, but the doorbell can be connected to wiring for continuous power delivery or to use it with existing door chimes. On a full charge, the company estimates the doorbell’s 7,000mAh battery will keep it running for up to five months with “typical usage,” but if you’ve got a busy neighborhood constantly triggering motion-detected recordings, that could be significantly less.

Video is recorded at 2K at 15fps but in a perfectly square aspect ratio, ensuring the doorbell’s wide-angle camera captures visitors from head to toe, including delivered packages on a front porch. It also has two-way audio communications with a speaker and microphone and Wi-Fi for streaming video to its desktop or mobile app.

Both the Reolink Altas PT Ultra and Battery Doorbell will be available for sale starting on September 25th, with pricing details to be revealed at that time.