Lorex Security Cameras

Lorex is a brand name we trust for commercial-grade security, but did you know that Lorex also works in a residential setting? That’s right; as bulky as Lorex’s security cameras may be, they proved to be an effective residential security solution when we tested them out in our Lorex review. On top of that, the equipment options were actually quite flexible as Lorex offers analog and digital cameras as well as wired, Wi-Fi, and completely wireless options. With all that being said, we know for a fact that Lorex is not ideal for everybody. In this post, we’ll tackle Lorex’s pricing, features, products, and monitoring options to help you decide if it’s the right brand for your home security. Ready? Let’s get right to it.

Equipment Options: Cost, Features & Installation

As we were browsing the Lorex website trying to pick the right product to test, we were taken aback by the sheer number of devices, let alone the different types of technology, offered by Lorex. Don’t have much time to do your own research? Don’t worry, we’ve simplified things for you. We classified Lorex’s security camera systems into four categories based on their features, cost, and installation method. Here’s a quick comparison of the four categories, namely, analog, digital, Wi-Fi, and wire-free:

*Some features, like remote live streaming and push notifications, require an internet connection.
**Not all models support these features. Check the specific camera models before making any purchase.

Analog Cameras

Analog sounds old-school, right? Well, that’s because it is. However, Lorex managed to inject modern features — like app access, smart motion detection, and voice assistant integrations — into their analog systems to make them viable for modern home security.

In total, Lorex offers 50 analog camera systems. You read that right, 50! Their components vary, from 1080p to 4K, fixed to pan-and-tilt, and indoor to outdoor camera models. We selected the most popular systems for this chart.

Digital IP Cameras

Lorex digital IP camera systems are more scalable than their analog cameras. They use Ethernet cables to transmit videos to an NVR instead of coaxial wires, minimizing the data loss. That, and because they record digital videos from the get-go rather than digitizing analog videos, is why IP cameras can cover larger properties and even commercial establishments.

Wire-free Cameras

Wire-free cameras are digital IP cameras with NVRs, but as the name suggests, there are no wires involved. That means they transmit videos to the NVR wirelessly and draw power from their batteries; no outlets needed! If you’re like us who’d rather not deal with wires, Lorex’s wire-free cameras are an option.

Wi-Fi Cameras

When compared to the other camera types offered by Lorex, Wi-Fi cameras are the odd ones out. They don’t work with NVRs and DVRs; instead, they send recordings directly to the user’s smartphone via the Lorex app and store videos locally to a micro-SD card. They connect through Wi-Fi, thus they are wireless, but they still need to be plugged into a wall outlet.

Installation Cost

To avid DIYers like us, we’re glad to report that Lorex systems are DIY installed. It was also surprisingly easy to set up. We just plugged everything in and they worked like a charm. In sum, you won’t pay anything to install Lorex.

Monthly Fees and Monitoring Costs

One thing we really appreciated about Lorex was the lack of monthly fees. Although we paid for the equipment upfront, we were able to use the system for months without spending a single penny. There was a tradeoff though. Without professional monitoring, it was completely up to us to monitor our apartment. That meant checking our live feeds for every notification we received. In case of a real emergency, which fortunately didn’t happen, it would have also been our job to report it. We would have felt safer having professionally monitoring, especially since there’s approximately one burglary every 25.7 seconds in the United States.1 Still, knowing that we could use Lorex’s recording as evidence in case of an attack made us feel safe enough.

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Other Integrations

Whenever we review a security system, we always stack its value not only based on its built-in features but also based on how well it works with the smart home products in our lives. Although the specific system we ordered didn’t have any smart home integrations, we’ve found that some newer DVR/NVR and camera models work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple TVs, and Google Chromecasts.2

The Alexa and Google Assistant integrations made it possible to control Lorex using your voice. You could ask Alexa or Google Assistant to show you live feed from cameras on a smart speaker with a screen, like the Amazon Echo Show for Alexa or Google Nest Hub for Google Assistant. On the other hand, the Apple TV and Chromecast integrations provide a way to check real-time feeds on a bigger screen. If you own any of these smart home products, aim for Lorex systems that advertise smart home voice control and smart TV integrations.

Is Lorex Better Than Its Competitors?

We also want to show how Lorex compares to other brands and to industry standards. By doing so, we aim to help you see its real value to your home security.

What stood out the most for us about Lorex was the number of options it offered. Some security camera companies like Canary and Ring only offer a handful of equipment selections, but Lorex provided us multitudes of choices. We admit that choosing was intimidating at first, but once we figured out what we wanted and needed, we were able to narrow down our options.

When it came to features, it was clear that Lorex isn’t your run-of-the-mill security camera brand. It offered features we don’t commonly see such as 4K video quality, smart motion detection a.k.a. person detection, and continuous recording. Most brands that offer such features (Arlo, for example) charge a monthly fee.

Of course, we also experienced setbacks like with wire management and limited app features. Those weren’t deal-breakers for us, but we thought you should know before spending hundreds of dollars on a security camera system.

Summary: What We Liked Most About Lorex

To sum things up, we think it’s only right to tell you what we felt were Lorex’s strongest points. If these are what you’re looking for in a security camera system, then Lorex might be the right one for you.

Professional-grade equipment

In our hands, Lorex cameras didn’t feel cheap. The cameras were made of metal instead of cheap plastic that we commonly see in security cameras today. Most of the outdoor models were also rated at least IP66 (safe from dust and water jets) and IK10 (vandal-proof).

No monthly fees

No matter how many Lorex cameras we used, we weren’t asked to pay a monthly fee. This is especially beneficial if you have a large property as other camera brands charge a higher monthly fee as you expand your system.

24/7 continuous recording

Except when we told it to stop, Lorex recorded 24/7. It captured every moment, so we rested easy knowing that we’ll have hard evidence in case of a break-in. We know that recordings are crucial in helping law enforcement solve crimes!3

Crisp and clear videos

The video quality is always important to us, so we were glad to see Lorex deliver high-quality images all the time. Our system consisted of 1080p cameras or higher that captured and streamed crisp and clear videos with infrared and color night vision.

Injected with modern features

Although analog security cameras are quite outdated now, Lorex managed to keep their cameras relevant by injecting modern features. Our Lorex system offered smart detection and remote app viewing, while newer models even have voice assistants and smart TV integrations.

Our Final Thoughts

Lorex showed us how professional-grade, high-end surveillance systems fit in in a residential setting. We felt protected and secured while testing our Lorex system and that’s one of the most important things to us. However, as we said earlier, Lorex is not for everybody. It might be suitable for you if you’re looking for a security system made entirely of cameras, but without peripheral sensors and professional monitoring, it can be hard to justify the higher-than-usual equipment costs. Nonetheless, Lorex delivers premium features, like continuous recording and smart detection, that other security camera brands simply can’t. If you’re willing to splurge to get those features, Lorex is worth considering.