Night vision has always been the weak spot of security cameras. Infrared footage often looks flat, colors disappear, and faces become hard to recognize. The Reolink CX810 promises something different: true full-color night vision, even in very dark conditions. I tested this camera indoors and outdoors to see if it really delivers.
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What’s in the Box
The package includes:
- The Reolink CX810 PoE camera
- Mounting hardware
- Short Ethernet cable
- Manual
Reolink also sent a PoE injector for testing, but this is optional and not included by default. The camera supports microSD storage and can be powered either via PoE or a separate power adapter.
Specifications at a Glance
The CX810 is a 4K (8MP) security camera with some impressive hardware:
- F1.0 aperture (captures 4× more light than F2.0 lenses)
- 1/1.8” image sensor
- ColorX full-color night vision
- 25 FPS, HDR, H.265 encoding
- 93.2° horizontal field of view
- Built-in spotlights, speaker, and siren
- PoE only (no Wi-Fi)
- IP67 weatherproof
Installation & Home Assistant Integration
Setup is straightforward. After scanning the QR code in the Reolink app, the camera is up and running within minutes. From there, I enabled:
- HTTPS
- RTSP
- ONVIF
Home Assistant detected the camera immediately. After entering the credentials, the CX810 was fully available in Home Assistant. Most features are supported, and live viewing works well once WebRTC conflicts are resolved.
This camera works completely locally, without requiring a Reolink account—one of the main reasons I personally prefer Reolink cameras.
Configuration Options
The Reolink app and desktop client offer extensive configuration:
- Image tuning and HDR settings
- Motion detection for people, vehicles, and animals
- Adjustable spotlight brightness
- Two-way audio and siren
- Local SD recording or FTP storage
- Email and push notifications
Everything can be configured locally.
Night Vision Test Results
Indoor (Extreme Darkness)
In a pitch-dark studio, the CX810 still produced usable color footage without the spotlight. With the spotlight set to:
- 15%: noticeably more detail, limited ghosting
- 100%: sharp, colorful, and highly usable
This is some of the best low-light performance I’ve seen.
Outdoor (Garden Test)
Outdoors, results depended heavily on ambient light:
- No spotlight + no garden lights = nearly black image
- Garden lights on = clean color image
- Spotlight at 15% = recognizable faces
- Spotlight at 100% = excellent surveillance footage
Downsides
No camera is perfect. Here are the limitations:
- Fixed focus (objects <1 meter are blurry)
- No PTZ or remote rotation
- PoE only, no Wi-Fi option
For wall-mounted outdoor use, these aren’t dealbreakers—but they’re worth noting.
Verdict: Should You Buy the Reolink CX810?
If you’re looking for a PoE security camera with excellent night vision, strong Home Assistant integration, and local-only operation, the Reolink CX810 is a fantastic choice.
I wouldn’t personally replace my existing cameras with it—but if I were buying new today, this camera would be high on my list.
💰 Price & Availability
- €95.99 / $87.99
- Additional 5% discount code available via the video description
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#Reolink #ReolinkCX810 #SecurityCamera #NightVision #ColorX #PoECamera
#HomeAssistant #SmartHome #4KCamera #SurveillanceCamera
