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Lorex

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2.6

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: February 29th, 2024

Lorex is focused on bringing the latest and greatest video technology to all its members so they can capture experiences in all their vivid detail. The company has one of the most easy-to-use home security camera systems on the market. The system integrates easily with apps and helps users to monitor the safety and sanctity of their home.

Lorex provides video solutions to both small businesses and consumers in the United States, Canada, and the UK. The company offers wired, wireless, and IP cameras, as well as larger and more cohesively integrated monitoring systems. Some systems include SD Card recording capability, while others are modeled with more elaborate DVR recording platforms.

Lorex Technology is based out of Markham, Canada. In recent years, a company known as FLIR SYSTEMS, INC acquired Lorex. Lorex's system is pretty streamlined, as it comes with two cameras, but customers can easily expand their home security system beyond that. Customers can add cameras onto the Lorex home security system presented on its website, as well as wireless range extenders, increasing the capabilities of the system in the home.

Unfortunately, the majority of Lorex reviews are negative, noting poor customer service, inadequate tech support, and unreliable products. 

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The Good

  • Camera System Bundles
  • Skype Functionality
  • Heavy-Duty Recorders
  • Camera Monitor
  • Camera Quality
  • Customization

Camera System Bundles

Lorex has camera bundles available for customers who want to purchase more than one camera at one time. Camera systems can have up to 32 channels, and there are many more to choose from. Lorex's available camera systems are as follows:

Digital IP Systems

Digital IP systems are best for monitoring larger areas with high amounts of traffic, such as warehouses, commercial units, businesses, and residential homes. 

MPX/Wireless Systems

MPX systems are best for urban properties, farms, smaller businesses, and residential homes. MPX systems can also include wireless surveillance cameras. 

Wire-Free Systems 

Wire-free systems are best for users who want the most flexibility with their Lorex security cameras. Being wire-free, these security cameras can be moved with little difficulty. Keep in mind that wire-free systems are ideal for low-traffic areas. 

Skype Functionality

Lorex's home security system, the SD7+ wireless home video surveillance kit, is accessible via Skype. There are pros and cons to the Skype functionality. With the Skype feature, you can access the SD7+ system from virtually anywhere in the world, granted you have a Skype account. This is a great way to increase the robustness of the hardware while not worrying about the cross-compatibility between different platforms. The bad news is if you have a Mac, you can't use the system over Skype. The Skype compatibility works on the iPhone (with iOS 4.0 or better) and Android phones (Android 2.3 or better).

Heavy-Duty Recorders

Lorex has heavy-duty network video recorders (NVRs). With 24/7 functionality, the recorders have various recording modes, pre-installed hard drives, as well as the ability to connect to your system using Lorex's mobile app. Most of the recorders include combinations of IP cameras that have pan-tilt-zoom functionality, color night vision, and motorized varifocal lenses.

Other camera capabilities can include IK10 vandal-proof ratings and listen-in audio functionality. The NVRs are also compatible with Lorex's mobile app that allows remote viewing at any time and anywhere. 

Lorex has three video recorder options:

  • Security NVR
  • Security DVR
  • Wire-Free DVR

Camera Monitor

Another positive is that the SD7+ system comes with a monitor. The Lorex system was one of the only camera packages that we reviewed that included a monitor. The 7" monitor comes with a lot of different settings that enable you to easily adjust the brightness of the screen, view multiple cameras, and add additional cameras that are purchased separately beyond the first two. You can't go beyond 4 cameras, however.

Camera Quality

Lorex security cameras are high quality with a wide variety of features:

  • Weatherproof
  • Vandal-resistant
  • 4K resolution
  • Wide-angle
  • Color night vision
  • Two-way audio and talk

Customization

Lorex makes this system very customizable. The basic SD+7 system includes two cameras (you can add two more). However, if you have a larger home, you can purchase additional wireless range enhancers. There are two different range extenders, and you can purchase both of them for $69.99.

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The Bad

  • Limitations
  • Number of Cameras

Limitations

Unfortunately, you cannot use the Skype functionality of the Lorex system with Macintosh computers. This was disappointing, as Skype works pretty well with the Windows operating system. There were a few other details that we read in the fine print that concerned us. For example, you can only upload pictures to a computer if it is running windows.

Another issue that concerned us was that there was no power over Ethernet. If you have a camera as part of the Lorex system, it depends heavily upon conventional power outlets, severely limiting the camera's deployment in the outdoors. Also, in order to interface with a computer, you must have a USB connection between the 7" monitor and the computer. This somewhat limits the system's functionality when a wireless home network is used.

Number of Cameras

With so many surveillance cameras, it may be difficult to decide which ones are the best for you. However, if you do the research and decide which type of Lorex security cameras best fit your ideal security, then the wide variety of cameras may be a convenience to you. 

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The Bottom Line

Overall, Lorex offers good basic home security systems. If you have a Mac, buyers beware. You won't be able to use the Skype app on Apple machines due to incapability issues. Also, there doesn't appear to be any momentum on Lorex's part to resolve this issue. However, this is not a truly "wireless" system. If you want to upload camera images or videos to your computer, you will need the SD card or a USB cable to connect to your Window's machine.

The app compatibility product on smartphone devices with this system is acceptable. Lorex supports older versions of iOS and Android (4.0 and 2.3 respectively). In fact, Lorex security systems support the widest range of mobile platforms in terms of age. Some of the products reviewed here only worked with iOS 6.0 or greater. In this sense, Lorex is a good system if you have an older iPhone or Android phone.

Lorex offers a variety of security products with camera system bundles available for those who want a higher quantity of cameras. The company's network video recorders are high quality and include three options: Security NVR, Security DVR, and Wire-Free DVR.

Lorex security cameras are weatherproof, vandal-resistant, wide-angled, and include 4K resolution and color night vision. However, the majority of Lorex reviews are negative, highlighting poor tech support, malfunctioning products, and bad customer service. We suggest looking into home security companies with better reviews and more extensive options. 

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Star Rating

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1.7

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286 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

4%

4 grade

2%

3 grade

2%

2 grade

7%

1 grade

84%

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Norm Nepean, ON

I ordered the Lorex Nocturnal 3 4K 16-Channel 4TB NVR System 3 months ago (October 2022). The Smart Motion Detection is not working. The support centre is telling me that there is nothing they can do and that the Lorex Cloud does not suppport this feature. If this is true, what is this Smart Motion Detection good for? Anybody else has this problem? I noticed that this system is now replace with a very similar one that has a different NVR. The new one has a N883A64B instead of the N882A64B. Did this swap solved the problem? Also, I noted that on the Lorex website, only 4 or 5 stars reviews are posted. They are not posting my 2 stars review. That's not ethical.

1 year ago

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Aleta Van Dyke (Aleta Van Dyke) Oceanside, CA

God forbid you order this technology! We ordered 2 full sets of 4 cameras each. Total of 8 cameras. Then we decided to buy 2 solar panels. We get the solar panels and it was OBVIOUS that the boxes had been opened. The 1st panel came defective would not work. That panel came with everything in it accept wrong size screws, 2 sets of completely different screws. The 2nd panel came with just the panel! Missing ALL the parts. Here’s the best part, we call today to get this resolved and literally get transfer 6 times in a matter of 1 hour 45 mins. The last person we are transfer to says “Oh we just talked to you an hour ago”!!! Duh!! That’s how long I’ve been on this fricking call!!! They finally proceed to tell us they can NOT do an EXCHANGE that we have to go through the warranty process…. THEY SENT US DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. We didn’t even have a chance to use them. Then they tell us well you can buy 2 new panels for now until they get the warranty issue taken care of. Seriously WTH? So now we have to send back the defective items first so they can process everything, god only knows how long before we can get the new solar panels in hopes they even fix the issue. 😡 What a complete nightmare! Caveat emptor! 🤯 FYI I posted this to their Facebook page but they will not publish it.

1 year ago

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Charlie Stockton Denver, CO

Honestly between 2 and 3 stars, If I gave it a word it would be fair not OK. To be fair the equipment is hardy and somewhat poorly designed. The picture is good, no question the only saving grace. I have had this system for several months at my parents house, A thousand miles away and have been disappointed more than a few times. Some issues I have can't be fixed it is just the way the system is. 1.I specifically asked if the system ran on it’s own proprietary network or did it run on my wireless network. I was told it ran on its own network and only needed my network for the internet. This is not true. The locations where I wanted some cameras don’t have wifi. I upgraded a mesh wifi system and that allowed for flexibility with camera locations. 2.I asked if the base station could be mounted on the wall. I was told yes, that is also untrue. Even if you try to mount to the wall the power plug keeps it from the wall. I wanted to mount this on the wall leading to the front door before they get to the door. Do I want to put a table in the hall for them to trip over just for this thing. I think not. 3.At first the system was often offline. The upgraded wireless helped with that. 4.The base unit does not have a battery. If you try to take it from room to room. It has to reboot, just lazy engineering trying to save a dollar. 5.The tech support in not based in America. The people that answer the phone have no training on the system and just read the answer to whatever question you have. Heaven help you if you have a follow up question. The girls are nice but not trained. 6.Very limited choices for cameras and poor functionality. PTZ and variable focus very limited, no facial recognition to tell if it is a butterfly or a person. Just cookie cutter equipment. 7.When people ring the door bell I have never been able to talk to them through the doorbell before one of my parents get to the door. The system is just that slow. My parents are trusting to a fault. They will come to the door to see who it is, at that point it is to late. I’m working on that. Again that is why I wanted the screen on the wall. 8.The spotlight camera does not have a sensitivity setting for the spotlight. The light comes on from the slightest movement. The street is 35 ft away from the light and it will pick up cars then the light comes on. It will come on when the neighbors across the street turn into their driveway. When the light comes that triggers the camera to come on. When my parents see the light come on, they think someone is outside. The other light over the garage can be adjusted and does not do this, lazy engineering. 9.My biggest problem and why you should not buy this system is the operation and functionality of the cameras and the app. The app is the like for me to monitor my parents house. The app has Motion Detection Settings where you can set the area and sensitivity when the cameras will record. This system is tragedy worthy of Shakespeare or Aeschylus. Even though I have it on the lowest possible setting. It still catches things it shouldn’t and does not catch things it should. I watch the camera recordings around my parents house. 90% are recordings of nothing or a bug. It is such a waste of time. Sometimes it won’t pickup movement when it should. Workers backed a trailer into the yard all the way to the porch. The doorbell camera only caught them when they got out of the truck not the trailer moving across the yard. During play back there is not a 2X or 4X speed to zip past all the nothing it records, Again lazy engineering.

1 year ago

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K Brown Acworth, GA

We loved your cameras bought a set for a rental as well told others to buy. NOW Your upgrade has left my house unsecure!! We have gotten no where with you sent in by net two tickets for Tech support. Just now called that was a joke. SO we went to areas saw mass amounts of angry people on this issue. So we copied what you told them to do that did not work. We will try a few tonight and my husband plans to recall you company everyday. Some person at Lorex told us to call back next week and either said the 22 or 27th who could understand that. Ridiculous. These issues should be your main concern fix it on your end resend texts out and start all over again within a week!!

4 years ago

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Stormy Weathers

I have been using this LHA4100 unit for over 3 yrs now. The camera's internal settings are adjusted by a secret method only known to a few tech supports. That is by way of the PTZ controls. As stupid as this sounds you can fine tune your non PTZ camera's (stationary camera's) with specific viewing controls not found in any other part of their software. What I don't like is that the settings are NOT user friendly and there is no manual specifying specifically what each control does! 2nd the Lorex Client 13 software will not remember the login info after a few days of non use ,it requires it to be manually entered even though Remember Password is selected! 3rd I would prefer to have all the camera's set to Mainstream when starting Client 13 not Substream as high speed data is common and is what I have. This option is NOT available that I could find. Client 13 really needs more work!

5 years ago

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Bob Semour Appleton, WI

Bought camera system and NVR. Experience was mixed bag. Started good, ended bad. First impression: software and cameras are pretty good. Second impression: recording unit began making loud sounds two weeks before warranty expired (after a year). Company required a video (with audio) of the unit. Company required a photo of the serial number (why?). Company required that I send the broken unit to them before receiving a new unit. VERY difficult to deal with.

1 year ago

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Yanuri Roschev

Biggest issue is the wifi signal does not work well in cold/winter environments. I bought these from Costco in the spring, they were great, easy to set up, very clear images, everything you could want in a CCTV camera set. However, first snowfall here in Canada, I can no longer connect via wifi, even though they are still sending me alerts. I tested my wifi, works great otherwise. I have a wifi booster on as well. I'm thinking about returning these (if possible) and going with a wired version.

1 year ago

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Patricia Matherne Jackson, MS

I have a new system paid really good money for it. The system click settings do not have US Central Standard time. If I get a break in it damage it does no good because the time is not correct. There is no fix unless I have the internet service hooked to the system and I don’t. I don’t understand and they can’t explain why my time zone isn’t available.

1 year ago

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Grandma Christine Timmins, ON

I would give 5 stars to camera operations & reliance however the warranty is a sell gimmick. There is no warranty. We had a faulty camera and went through the warranty process repeatedly for months with the same exact broken record of a deliberate plot. They say they have no record, put you through a 45 minute call of trouble-shooting, request photos, model, etc emailed, tell you it's covered, then weeks later you call back and they start all over. Eventually you realize you were lied to and decide to never deal with them again because they're dishonest.

1 year ago

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STEVE Berkley, MA

I purchased a wireless system in July 2019 and in August one battery died , I contacted customer support and talked thru the issue with them on the phone for 1 hour I gave them all the information ex model number of the battery , after 3 weeks of emails they finally sent me a new battery only to find out this was the wrong one it is now almost November and with many emails and phone calls still no new battery THE SERVICE AT THIS COMPANY IS HORRIBLE

4 years ago

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Bill

You have to be good teck person to figure out how to install. Deciding what cameras so what is difficult. Tilt zoom, pan are not common terms to all. Not all cameras have all features so customizing a $500.00 system to meet your specific needs is difficult. A particular camera may have a good distance pic but try to zoom in. No teck support. Buy and hope for the best.

4 years ago

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Gordon Mesa, AZ

After the upgrade the cameras would not work. After 5 hours on hold on the phone and 4 technicians, finally found out that I had to put a password on every camera ( I did not on the past version). The system works good now, but the quality of the video had degraded terrible. The live view and the recorded view works great and you can speed up the recording to a fast speed. Once (if they ever do) upgrade the video quality, I will be happy.

4 years ago

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steve Spokane, WA

the camera and dvr system is pretty good. the customer support isnt that great. some times they respond in a few days to a week, this last time its be over 6 weeks. i think the techs just write out anything to get a ticket out of the system. i recently sent an email to them regarding my siren going off intermittently and my reply 6 weeks later was at times our dvr beeps....... not even close to what needed to be addressed.

4 years ago

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RAS New Port Richey, FL

Nice quality (4k) when they work. Customer support is absolutely horrible. Whenever you can get them to answer their help lines, they ask so many questions to be sure they know what to do. When they acknowledge you have a faulty part, they say they’ll replace it but it’ll take another 2 or 3 calls to get that to happen. I’ve waited as long as 90 minutes on someone to answer the help line. Be sure to get a ticket number if you do have to call them. Repeat the number back to them to be sure you have it

4 years ago

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Mario El Paso, TX

I have owned a Lorex 8-Channel 10 80P HD Security System with 1TB DVR, 8-Camera for 2 1/2 months. The local monitoring of the cameras as well as the DVR are excellent, but when Lorex updated the firmware it caused the remote connections via network and internet to fail. After two days of attempts to get support, including 2 hours on telephone hold and two hours on Chat hold, more than 36 hours wait of a call-back from them, I am returning the whole system to the seller. Horrible tech support and customer service!!

4 years ago

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Eddie Tampa, FL

I bought a new system in 2013 and within 1 year, 4 out of the cameras had a malfunction. For example, I could see my car or the grass ok, but the background was purple like someone filled it in with a photo software . Not like a purple highlighter. Solid purple. They replaced the 4 cameras but within the next year this happen to the other 4. They replaced those. Out of warranty many years later. All but 1 has this problem. Should have been a recall.

4 years ago

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Randy Griffith Dallesport, WA

Horrible customer service!!! Like the security system and was not expensive but one of the cameras didn't work and I called the company. I could hardly understand two individuals I talked to, spent 2 hours on the phone with no resolution. Three of the 4 cameras are working find. Since they wouldn't replace the camera and told my a new one was 84.00 on sale, I purchased one on amazon for 26.00.

6 years ago

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Kamila Bristol, CT

Hi everyone just a quick update about my review I left a few weeks ago. I'm upping a star for Lorex only because they did endup sending me a working replacement security camera. But going forward if I ever buy another security camera it will not be from Lorex.

4 years ago

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jg jk Richardson, TX

Product is easy and good. But the technical support is a merryround and you can't get any answers and you can't get anything resolved if you have an issue

1 year ago

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Archie Smith Ogden, UT

My cell phone company t-mobile updates my Samsung s8 every year. But lorex security camera systems wont update there apps to work on s8 updates.

4 years ago