Lorex vs Ring Cameras

Home security is paramount, but it can be difficult and confusing to pick the right home security system. Whether you're looking for indoor cameras or an outdoor security camera, you can always trust that SecurityNerd camera reviews will help you make the best choice for your home security needs.

Ring and Lorex are two very good options, Ring is best known for its video doorbell, but they offer a much more comprehensive product range since they were acquired by Amazon.

Lorex is a reliable Canadian-based provider that focuses on offering quality security cameras for both homes and businesses. SecurityNerd will compare these great options and their specs for you to help you decide which home security cameras meet your needs.

Lorex vs. Ring - What do they have in common?

• Night Vision: Both systems offer night vision as standard, including infrared and color night vision.
• Two-way audio: Both offer this convenient feature that allows you to communicate with a delivery driver or warn a potential intruder that police are on the way.
• Mobile App: A comprehensive app with many features is offered by both companies.
• Motion detection: They both offer advanced motion sensors. In addition to this, when your motion sensors are triggered, you'll be notified via push notifications from each brands' respective app.
• Weatherproofing: Both companies weatherproof their products so that they can be used outdoors as well as indoors.
• Video Doorbell: Though perhaps best known for the ring video doorbell, Lorex also offers a doorbell camera.
• Integrations: While they do offer slightly different integrations (which we'll cover in more detail later), both offer compatibility with Amazon Alexa and google assistant.

Lorex vs. Ring - What are the differences?

• Video quality: While both have clear video quality, Lorex is superior in this aspect, offering 4k video quality versus Rings' 1080p HD quality. 1080p video quality is more than sufficient for most. However, 4k is industry-leading quality.
• Cloud Storage: Rings' camera system has an array of cloud storage options, whereas Lorex cameras are more geared towards local storage options with wireless cameras offering storage on MicroSD cards and higher resolution products requiring an NVR or DVR. Ring does not offer local video storage.
• Security Plan: With Ring, third-party professional monitoring is possible if you subscribe to it. Lorex doesn't offer this at all.
• Installation: We'll cover this in detail shortly, but some Ring camera models require hardwiring into your home electrics. Lorex's installation can be considerably simpler.

Lorex - What you need to know

Installation

Every Lorex Camera is designed with DIY installation in mind, and the company advises that setup is simple irrespective of the camera model. However, installation time and difficulty vary because there are wired, wireless, and power over Ethernet Lorex camera options.

No matter the model you purchase, each will come with a detailed installation guide and requires tools most DIY enthusiasts have at home, like drills and screwdrivers. Everything you need to operate your new Lorex camera will come in the box.

Home Automation

Encompassing Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple TV, and IFTTT compatibility, Lorex has a decent though basic cache of smart home integrations.

With that said, Lorex doesn't offer any of its own home automation software, making it difficult to design a comprehensive smart system using only Lorex.

Costs

Prices can somewhat vary due to the large variety of bundles and models to choose from. For example, customers can purchase standalone cameras or a bundle of cameras (of up to 32); prices start at $99 for a single camera.

Nerd Pros

• Customized motion detection: Users can set up customized activity zones to prevent unwanted alerts for unnecessary things like a car driving past or an animal wandering into your yard; you can also choose to alter your camera's motion detection sensitivity.
• Multiple options: Lorex offers many great products; whether you're trying to secure a business or family home, there'll be a Lorex camera to meet your security needs, including ethernet cable or wireless options, HD video, and more. All security needs are catered to, from CCTV cameras to baby monitors.
• Field of view: Whether you want a standard field of view or a 360-degree view, you can choose from a wide variety of models based on what you want to see.

Nerd Cons

• Initial Outlay: Since the cost cannot be spread out via a subscription payment, the outlay is higher than with some competitors. While the cost isn't outrageous, it is noticeably higher.
• Lack of home integration options: Though some integration features are offered, they could be expanded significantly above and beyond the current selection.

Ring - What you need to know

Installation

Though the battery-powered cameras have an easy installation process, the wired ones are a little harder, requiring some hardwiring into your existing electrical system, which can't be called ''easy''. You may want to have a professional handy, which will cost you. You can seek out your own tradesperson or get an estimate from Amazon.com.

Costs

Ring security cameras range in price from approximately $99.99 to $249.99 and above. If you purchase them through Amazon, you can pay in five monthly installments. This is a reasonable cost and comparative to other security camera systems.

There are also subscriptions available; they are as follows.

• Free: An option without monthly fees - No monitoring or video recording; you use it as a DIY system using the app to get notifications and alerts or look at live footage.
• Ring Protect Plan: For $3 per month, you can record and share video from your Ring security camera.
• Ring Protect Plus Plan: This plan costs $10 per month and includes professional monitoring, which means a monitoring team is available 24/7 to respond to any alerts, call you to see if everything is okay, and call emergency services if necessary.

All monthly subscriptions can be canceled at any time. We have a full review of the Ring security plans as well.

Home Automation

It's very easy to incorporate a Ring camera into a smart home system that includes a security system, CO and smoke detectors, wi-fi video doorbell, smart lighting, and other ring-compatible features, which may include smart door locks, light switches, outlets, garage door sensors, and sirens.

Nerd Pros

• Ability to use as a standalone: You can use a ring security camera without any additions, which can save you a lot of cash if you're not in the market for extras.
• Versatility: Our Security Nerd loves that Ring offers a wealth of choices from standalone cameras to an entire home security system with optional smart home features like Ring smart lights and smart plugs.

Nerd Cons

• Installation: Some models require hardwiring, which isn't something everyone can ''DIY''.
• Fisheye view: Videos recorded with Ring have a slight fisheye quality. While it doesn't interfere with how you perceive details, the minor distortion can be disorienting for some.
• Limited compatibility: Ring cameras are made to be used only within the Ring security system and/or within items in the Amazon family. If you've got a different security system or other smart home devices, you might not be able to integrate them.

Lorex or Ring?

Both are high-quality systems that could be ideal for your home or business depending on your needs, with many overlapping similarities. If you're looking for the best video quality on the market, and you're happy to monitor your security system yourself, and it's important that you can self-install, Lorex is worth a look.

However, if you want a top-quality product that comes with an array of possible Amazon integrations and a monthly subscription model that allows you to purchase professional monitoring and don't mind potentially paying for a professional to handle the installation, Ring is hands down the best.