Reolink Argus MagiCam Review
Summary: Reolink's new Argus MagiCam is a great option if you're looking for a low fuss, easy to install option (and it can run on AA batteries?!). If you're looking for a sophisticated set-up, this might fill a gap in your arsenal if connected to a hub - but as a quick detection magnetised outdoor camera, it worked great.
4
Magnet Camera?!
Reolink’s Argus MagiCam undersells itself. It is far and away the easiest and most convenient camera I’ve ever had to install. It can use conventional batteries and is power‑efficient, in addition to wired options. It does exactly what it says it should, more easily than you would expect – a classic case of “under‑promise and over‑deliver.” It doesn’t have many bells and whistles, so if you’re looking for the extra features common with more expensive models, then you’re out of luck – but if you just need a camera that lets you know when it detects activity, the convenience the Argus MagiCam offers might be hard to beat.
So, basics first – the Argus MagiCam is a mouthful of a name for a teeny‑tiny camera. It comes in an unassuming package that still manages to include everything you need – even two AA batteries! (When was the last time batteries were included?!) Obviously any tools you might need aren’t included, such as drivers, ladders, etc – the brilliant part was the complete lack of tools the magnetic backing on the camera lets you get away with…
Reolink is advertising a “9‑month battery life” – I’ve been reviewing the unit for about a week now, so not even close to being able to put the batteries to an endurance test. I can confirm that the battery indicator has not shifted since I installed it, but that’s about it. Worth mentioning that the Reolink mobile app offers you the option to use a power‑saving mode (“Smart Power Mode”) whereby the camera will pause to “prevent repeated triggers and extend battery life.” I have not noticed a significant difference in my experience with either mode – but given the brief window for the review I can’t attest to the claim.
The picture clarity is great (for the size and simplicity). I have mine outside, on a downpipe, with almost no shelter from weather. There’s essentially no glare in my feed, despite the Newcastle (Australia, not UK) afternoon sun – low 20 degrees even in winter – and I’ve only had one instance of falling rain being a trigger, and that was likely influenced by my sensor light illuminating it at the same time. My neighbours have a sensor light that reminds me of the spirit bomb when it turns on in the middle of the night – and every now and then the Argus MagiCam seems to believe it is looking directly into the sun. Aside from these three to four occasions I’ve had no issue with the image quality or false detections.
Setup provided the option to narrow the detection window – and for once I’ve actually had to use it. Most of the other indoor or outdoor cameras I’ve reviewed I’ve opted to allow for false positives, given the sensitivity can be hazy (although this has improved greatly in the last 12–18 months, I think). Despite its small size, the Argus MagiCam was detecting my neighbours’ movements across the road, letting me know whenever they used their garage gym, something I had never had to contend with when testing previous cameras. Being shamed by their exercise frequency made changing the detection zone a priority, and it was as simple as using Microsoft Paint on a tablet – by which I mean, conveniently simple and a little clunky.
I have not bothered to connect it to a hub, nor have I opted for the subscription. It seems relatively cheap, but I think the “set and forget” pricing made me wary – and the Argus MagiCam is so uncomplicated in its offering that I don’t think sophisticated cloud‑based features pair well with it. I popped a small spare SD card into the camera in case I ever need to review the log and moved on. Connection has been a bit mixed. I’ve only had one instance where I couldn’t get connection whilst I was out and about when the camera detected movement – and that only lasted a moment. I’m not sure why it’s struggling for Wi‑Fi signal given I have four mesh devices, and it’s within a few metres of one of them – but despite the poor signal it is still providing consistent detection and rapid notification when I need it.
Final Thoughts
Overall, given the pricing ($99.99 AUD and on sale at time of writing), I am suitably impressed. The convenience of being able to climb a ladder and literally “stick” the camera to any metallic surface is hard to overstate. I have not bothered with installing the extra arm bracket which would offer improved viewing angles, because it is already providing exactly what I need. The simplicity is a strong reason to recommend the camera – particularly for anyone you know who is not “tech savvy” and prefers the good ol’ days of batteries. If you are looking for a good‑value camera at a reasonable price (likely reflecting the lack of “AI” features, etc.), it’s hard to look past Reolink’s Argus MagiCam. 4/5 stars.
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