4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Cameras Overall. Install not too bad with the right tools.

2026-02-19    -Dave L.

For those that aren't aware..power over Ethernet (POE) cameras will require you to snake some cat 6 cables (included) from the camera to your recorder. I Included the tools and extra materials I required to accomplish this in the attached images. I decided to cut the RJ-45 connectors off the Ethernet cables to make them easier to snake through my walls, and then used a crimper tool (shown) to attach new connectors after.One piece of hardware that will probably be necessary for anyone mounting these cameras are junction boxes (also shown in the images). I purchased DS-1280ZJ-XS Aluminum Bracket Junction Back Box ($50 for a pack of 4 on Amazon) and they were of extremely high quality worked absolutely perfectly. Other than that, you really just need the necessary tools, assuming a DIY install. I ended up installing 3 of 4 cameras, one at each entry of my home.Onto the review....The cameras provide decent picture quality. They have quite a large field of vision, are fully weatherproof, and the night vision is outstanding. The recorder interface is pretty nice--2TB worth of storage (plenty), easy to sync and setup the cameras, and the phone app is great for remote monitoring. It delivers as advertised and was everything I was looking for. The only negatives are I had originally hoped for even better picture quality. It is still very good (esp when viewing on a 2k+ monitor) but, I definitely wouldn't be able to identify a licence plate number from a car on the street via my front door camera. The only other issue is that the motion detection recording is actually too sensitive, even when on the lowest setting. In my case, this is causing the cameras to record almost non-stop (at least during the night), because of the bugs flying around in front of them. This just means you may find yourself scrolling through a lot more footage than expected during a playback, even when recording in motion detection mode. Personally, I am not that bothered by this, but, some people could be.Again, overall this setup works as advertised, has great features, and plenty of harddrive storage. Installation isn't too bad if you're a DIYer. And, the picture quality is good. I'm happy with the purchase.

Easy to setup...

2025-12-30    -SRashid

I bought this ANNKE 8CH 5MP Home Security Camera System on Amazon and its very easy to setup and happy with the picture quality.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Choice for Home Security

2026-01-24    -K w

I've been using wireless security cameras for a few years with arlo systems. The limitation to this is that it don't record all the time, only when they detect motion will they record. Saw there's a new 4k system on the market and wanted to give the ANNKE 4k a try. And I write this review after two months seeing it in the use.The system came well packaged, everything very neat and organized. The box contains the DVR, 4 4k cameras, video cables 100ft ea”, mouse, power supplies for the DVR and the cameras, mounting screws and paperwork.The setup way more complicated “especially when you have to hard wire cameras”, compared to the Arlo systems I've used lately, the video quality is just outstanding. I also like that I can have the cameras record 24-7 if I wish and don't have to worry about missing anything“happened often with the battery operated, motion detecting cameras".I did not setup the mobile app. But everything shows in my laptop screen is very clear. The video quality is far better than other cams I have tried. There is much less of the fisheye effect and video is sharp and smooth. The motion detection works very well and is not an add on service as with their competitors. Their low light performance is above average, but you must consider your installation. In night mode, if you are trying to use it through a window, you will get a bright reflection in your image from the infrared lighting that is projected by the camera. But this is the nature of the beast, not a flaw with the camera design at all. Just consider your placement and plan before you buy. For monitoring indoor rooms or outside of your home at night, it would be a challenge to find a better cam system.Although A wireless system might be easier, but I have mentioned a couple of trade offs for going that route. A lot of DIY systems use cloud storage and charge a monthly service fee. It is my opinion that the Annke is one of the best home security camera systems available. I have tried a couple others but this one is definitely a keeper. Excellent video quality, low light quality, motion triggered events and user interface bring it out on top. The price is much cheaper than the smiliar performance product what I saw in the bestbuy. highly recommend!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice system (Updated 14 months later)

2026-01-05    -MJGym

I purchased this unit (N48PAW with 4 cameras) along with an additional 3 cameras. Planning to add another shortly.Setup was pretty easy. Between skimming the manual and following the on-screen prompts I was able to get the system up and running in less than 30 minutes. There are YouTube videos but I didn’t need them.The cameras ARE capable of being pointed in any direction. I made the main adjustment before mounting the cameras and fine-tuned them later. I have some mounted on the side of the house and others on the eaves. I was able to adjust all of them so the picture is upright.The mobile app is decent. The default view is standard definition but can be changed with a tap on the HD button on the screen. You can also play back in the app. The playback functionality is better from the DVR screen but is sufficient for my purposes.Running the wires was a pain due the the layout of my house. Would be much easier in a basic ranch house or during a new construction. This isn’t a complaint, though. I knew going in that this would be the trickiest part. Two of my cameras are in an outbuilding 100 feet away from the house. For those I ran plastic conduit with direct burial gel-filled cat5e cable inside. Probably overkill but I don’t want to do it twice!Overall I am impressed. The picture quality is very good. I can read license plates from 50 feet away. Night vision works well though I haven’t tried a night time license plate test yet. For the money this is a decent system and I would buy it again.11/10/2020 Update: After 14 months of continuous operation I had an issue with the NVR. I cntacted Annke tech support and after several emails do diagnose the problem they replaced the unit at no cost to myself. Nice to see customer service like this.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Choice for Home Security

2026-02-04    -K w

I've been using wireless security cameras for a few years with arlo systems. The limitation to this is that it don't record all the time, only when they detect motion will they record. Saw there's a new 4k system on the market and wanted to give the ANNKE 4k a try. And I write this review after two months seeing it in the use.The system came well packaged, everything very neat and organized. The box contains the DVR, 4 4k cameras, video cables 100ft ea”, mouse, power supplies for the DVR and the cameras, mounting screws and paperwork.The setup way more complicated “especially when you have to hard wire cameras”, compared to the Arlo systems I've used lately, the video quality is just outstanding. I also like that I can have the cameras record 24-7 if I wish and don't have to worry about missing anything“happened often with the battery operated, motion detecting cameras".I did not setup the mobile app. But everything shows in my laptop screen is very clear. The video quality is far better than other cams I have tried. There is much less of the fisheye effect and video is sharp and smooth. The motion detection works very well and is not an add on service as with their competitors. Their low light performance is above average, but you must consider your installation. In night mode, if you are trying to use it through a window, you will get a bright reflection in your image from the infrared lighting that is projected by the camera. But this is the nature of the beast, not a flaw with the camera design at all. Just consider your placement and plan before you buy. For monitoring indoor rooms or outside of your home at night, it would be a challenge to find a better cam system.Although A wireless system might be easier, but I have mentioned a couple of trade offs for going that route. A lot of DIY systems use cloud storage and charge a monthly service fee. It is my opinion that the Annke is one of the best home security camera systems available. I have tried a couple others but this one is definitely a keeper. Excellent video quality, low light quality, motion triggered events and user interface bring it out on top. The price is much cheaper than the smiliar performance product what I saw in the bestbuy. highly recommend!!!

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Cameras Overall. Install not too bad with the right tools.

2026-02-24    -Dave L.

For those that aren't aware..power over Ethernet (POE) cameras will require you to snake some cat 6 cables (included) from the camera to your recorder. I Included the tools and extra materials I required to accomplish this in the attached images. I decided to cut the RJ-45 connectors off the Ethernet cables to make them easier to snake through my walls, and then used a crimper tool (shown) to attach new connectors after.One piece of hardware that will probably be necessary for anyone mounting these cameras are junction boxes (also shown in the images). I purchased DS-1280ZJ-XS Aluminum Bracket Junction Back Box ($50 for a pack of 4 on Amazon) and they were of extremely high quality worked absolutely perfectly. Other than that, you really just need the necessary tools, assuming a DIY install. I ended up installing 3 of 4 cameras, one at each entry of my home.Onto the review....The cameras provide decent picture quality. They have quite a large field of vision, are fully weatherproof, and the night vision is outstanding. The recorder interface is pretty nice--2TB worth of storage (plenty), easy to sync and setup the cameras, and the phone app is great for remote monitoring. It delivers as advertised and was everything I was looking for. The only negatives are I had originally hoped for even better picture quality. It is still very good (esp when viewing on a 2k+ monitor) but, I definitely wouldn't be able to identify a licence plate number from a car on the street via my front door camera. The only other issue is that the motion detection recording is actually too sensitive, even when on the lowest setting. In my case, this is causing the cameras to record almost non-stop (at least during the night), because of the bugs flying around in front of them. This just means you may find yourself scrolling through a lot more footage than expected during a playback, even when recording in motion detection mode. Personally, I am not that bothered by this, but, some people could be.Again, overall this setup works as advertised, has great features, and plenty of harddrive storage. Installation isn't too bad if you're a DIYer. And, the picture quality is good. I'm happy with the purchase.

Easy to setup...

2026-01-21    -SRashid

I bought this ANNKE 8CH 5MP Home Security Camera System on Amazon and its very easy to setup and happy with the picture quality.

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice system (Updated 14 months later)

2026-01-07    -MJGym

I purchased this unit (N48PAW with 4 cameras) along with an additional 3 cameras. Planning to add another shortly.Setup was pretty easy. Between skimming the manual and following the on-screen prompts I was able to get the system up and running in less than 30 minutes. There are YouTube videos but I didn’t need them.The cameras ARE capable of being pointed in any direction. I made the main adjustment before mounting the cameras and fine-tuned them later. I have some mounted on the side of the house and others on the eaves. I was able to adjust all of them so the picture is upright.The mobile app is decent. The default view is standard definition but can be changed with a tap on the HD button on the screen. You can also play back in the app. The playback functionality is better from the DVR screen but is sufficient for my purposes.Running the wires was a pain due the the layout of my house. Would be much easier in a basic ranch house or during a new construction. This isn’t a complaint, though. I knew going in that this would be the trickiest part. Two of my cameras are in an outbuilding 100 feet away from the house. For those I ran plastic conduit with direct burial gel-filled cat5e cable inside. Probably overkill but I don’t want to do it twice!Overall I am impressed. The picture quality is very good. I can read license plates from 50 feet away. Night vision works well though I haven’t tried a night time license plate test yet. For the money this is a decent system and I would buy it again.11/10/2020 Update: After 14 months of continuous operation I had an issue with the NVR. I cntacted Annke tech support and after several emails do diagnose the problem they replaced the unit at no cost to myself. Nice to see customer service like this.