Lorex, Reolink or UniFi Protect? Why We Install All Three — and Which One Fits Your Home or Business
By Brandon Dykstra, owner of Simple Security · Grandville, MI
When we started Simple Security, we installed one brand. After hundreds of hours on ladders and in attics across West Michigan, I've learned that one brand doesn't fit every property. A Byron Center family that wants a video doorbell on the same app as their hardwired cameras has different needs than a Grandville contractor watching a yard full of equipment.
So today we install three hardwired platforms — Lorex, Reolink, and UniFi Protect. Every one of them records to a recorder (NVR) on your property, and none of them come with monthly fees from us. Here's why we chose each one, and how to tell which is right for you.
Why We Install UniFi Protect: The Software Is the Difference
If I had to describe UniFi Protect in one word, it would be software. The cameras are excellent, but what sets UniFi apart is how well everything works once it's installed.
An app people actually enjoy using
The UniFi Protect app is fast, clean, and simple. Live view loads quickly, scrolling back through footage is smooth, and finding what happened at 2:14 a.m. takes seconds instead of minutes. Customers who have used other camera apps usually notice the difference right away.
Smart alerts you can fine-tune
UniFi lets you decide exactly what you get notified about — people, vehicles, specific zones, specific times of day. That means fewer "motion detected" alerts from tree branches and more alerts that matter.
I can help you remotely
This is one of my favorite parts. With your permission, UniFi lets me securely access your system to set up alarms and notifications, adjust detection zones, or troubleshoot — without a service call. If you want your alerts changed, you text me and I can usually take care of it the same day. You stay in control, and you can remove my access any time.
Built to grow
UniFi scales easily. Add cameras later, add a second building, or manage multiple locations from one app. That's why it's our first choice for businesses, churches, and larger properties. Many UniFi cameras are also NDAA-compliant, which matters to some schools, government agencies, and federal contractors — ask us if your organization has that requirement.
2K vs 4K: Why the Number Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
Our standard UniFi package uses the G5 Turret, which is a 2K camera. Our Lorex and Reolink base packages use 4K cameras. On paper, 4K sounds better. In real life, it's not that simple.
The G5 Turret has a larger image sensor. A bigger sensor gathers more light, which makes a real difference at night, in shadows, and in the mixed lighting you get around most homes and buildings. Resolution is only one part of picture quality — sensor size, the lens, and the software processing the image all matter too.
That's why comparing cameras on "2K vs 4K" alone can be misleading. When you're choosing a system, I'm happy to show you real footage from each so you can see the difference for yourself.
Need more detail? The G6 Turret
For many projects, we install the UniFi G6 Turret, a 4K camera that adds facial recognition and license plate reading. It's a great fit for driveways, business entrances, parking lots, gates, and anywhere you want to know who and which vehicle — not just "someone was here."
Why We Install Reolink: Wired and Wi-Fi on One System
Reolink solves a problem a lot of homeowners run into: they want hardwired cameras for reliability, but they also want a Wi-Fi video doorbell or a camera in a spot where running a cable just isn't practical.
With Reolink, we can put wired cameras and Wi-Fi cameras on the same NVR. Your doorbell, your hardwired cameras, and that one Wi-Fi camera on the detached garage all record to the same recorder and show up in the same app. Lorex no longer offers that option on their current systems, which is a big reason we added Reolink.
Reolink is also a strong value. Our Reolink packages use 4K cameras and are priced right alongside our Lorex packages.
Why We Still Install Lorex
Lorex remains a great choice for many homes (here's why we started with Lorex). Its 4K cameras are reliable, the app is easy to use, and Lorex offers black cameras in our better-priced packages. Reolink's comparable cameras only come in white. UniFi also offers black cameras, but if you have dark trim or dark siding and want the cameras to blend in at a lower price, Lorex is usually the way to go.
Lorex vs Reolink vs UniFi Protect at a Glance
Lorex | Reolink | UniFi Protect | |
Best for | Most homes, especially darker exteriors | Homes that want a Wi-Fi doorbell or Wi-Fi cameras with wired ones | Businesses, larger properties, and anyone who wants the best software |
Base package cameras | 4K | 4K | 2K G5 Turret (larger sensor) — 4K G6 Turret available |
Camera color | Black or white | White | Black or white |
Standout feature | Black cameras, simple app | Mix wired and Wi-Fi cameras, including doorbells | Software, alerts, remote setup help, face and plate detection (G6) |
Monthly fees from us | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Current package pricing for all three is on our pricing page. To see how those prices stack up against ADT, Vivint and others over five years, read our 2026 West Michigan security camera comparison.
What Every System Has in Common
Hardwired cameras — one cable per camera for power and video. No batteries, no Wi-Fi dropouts on the wired cameras.
Local recording — footage records to an NVR on your property, not someone else's cloud.
No monthly fees from Simple Security — you own the system.
Clean installation by a builder with 30 years of West Michigan construction experience — wires run through attics and walls, not zip-tied to the outside of your house.
App setup and walkthrough before we leave. (More on what comes with a professional installation.)
2-year equipment warranty on every package.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Lorex if you want a simple, reliable home system and black cameras at our best price.
Choose Reolink if you want a Wi-Fi doorbell or Wi-Fi cameras on the same system as your wired cameras.
Choose UniFi Protect if you want the best app and alerts, remote help from us, room to grow, or face and license plate detection — and it's our top pick for businesses.
Not sure? That's normal. I'll walk your property, ask how you want to use your cameras, and recommend the system that fits — not the one with the biggest price tag. If you want a head start, see the top 3 places every home should have a camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UniFi Protect better than Lorex or Reolink?
For software, alerts, and remote support, UniFi Protect is the strongest of the three. For homeowners who want black cameras at a lower price, Lorex is often the better fit. For mixing Wi-Fi doorbells and cameras with wired ones, Reolink is the better fit. The right answer depends on the property.
Is a 4K camera always better than a 2K camera?
No. Resolution is one factor. Sensor size, lens quality, and image processing also affect picture quality — especially at night. The UniFi G5 Turret is 2K but has a larger sensor than many 4K cameras, so it often looks better in low light than the numbers suggest.
Can I add a Wi-Fi doorbell to a hardwired camera system?
Yes, with Reolink. We can put a Reolink Wi-Fi doorbell and other Wi-Fi cameras on the same NVR as your hardwired cameras, so everything records to one place and shows up in one app.
Can Simple Security help me change my alerts after installation?
Yes. With UniFi Protect, you can give us secure remote access so we can set up or adjust alarms, notifications, and detection zones without a service visit. You can remove our access any time.
Do any of these systems have monthly fees?
Not from us. Every Lorex, Reolink, and UniFi Protect system we install records locally, and you own the equipment. There's no subscription required to view your cameras or save your footage. See security cameras without monthly fees for the details.
Which cameras can recognize faces and license plates?
We use the UniFi G6 Turret for that. It's a 4K camera with facial recognition and license plate reading, and it's popular for driveways, business entrances, gates, and parking areas.
Get a Free Recommendation
Whether you're in Grandville, Byron Center, Hudsonville, Jenison, Wyoming, Kentwood, Caledonia, Grand Rapids, or anywhere in West Michigan, I'll help you pick the right system and install it right the first time.
Call or text: (616) 591-9851Email: simplecamerainstall@gmail.comWebsite: mysimplesecurity.net
Simple Security · 4565 Wilson Ave SW, Ste 3, Grandville, MI 49418
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