When it comes to network upgrades, Unifi networking products are among the best buys. Their products are simple to set up and provide excellent management functionality for monitoring your Unifi devices and clients. Apart from networking equipment, Unifi also provides products to improve your home’s security, such as the Network Video Recorder (NVR) and the Cloud Key Gen2 Plus.
Although both devices are Unifi protect users frequently confuse their functionality. As a result, in this article, we will go over some functionality and performance information to determine what will work best for a user
Unifi Protect NVR vs Cloud Key Gen2 Plus (Comparison)
Unifi Protect NVR:
NVR stands for a network video recorder, which is a security system. This device has excellent video recorder functionality as well as a large storage capacity for cameras. If you want something with more capacity for cameras and data storage, an NVR is a great security upgrade. In terms of hardware, the NVR has 3 to 5-inch hard drive bays with the ability to accommodate smaller 2.5-inch hard drives as well. It has a gigabit Ethernet and a 10Gbps SFP+ port, allowing it to connect a wide range of Ethernet cables using gigabit switches.
With an incredible 2TB of storage, the NVR can store up to 50 G3 cameras or 15 G4 cameras. The Unifi NVR has two network interfaces as a result of this capability. When necessary, the capacity of the NVR can be interchanged, and you can customize your NVR by adding hard drives as desired. Though the limitation to four hard drives has been a source of concern for many users, using all four hard drive bays seems excessive given the NVR’s ample storage capacity.
Besides that, NVR provides data redundancy, which eliminates the need to store the same data in multiple layers. You can use a single central database to avoid encountering redundant data when moving it away, thereby freeing up storage space. The Unifi NVR is a reliable and convenient option for managing your cameras and data because it uses Unifi OS software with Unifi protect and standard IEC lead or USP-RPS power type which makes it a great deal for users who are looking for an Unifi protect system with sufficient storage
Unifi Protect Cloud Key Gen2 Plus:
The CK Gen2 Plus appears to work in the same way as the NVR, but with greater adaptability and scope. Having said that, the Cloud Key Gen2 Plus can function as an Unifi protect as well as a controller, making it a volatile choice for meeting users’ viewing and recording needs. One feature that distinguishes the CK Gen2 Plus from the NVR is its LCM screen, which is an excellent addition to the CK Gen2 Plus’s features.
The Cloud Key Plus is a stand-alone device with a network, security, access, and other features, including a controller, making it a more versatile device. It has 1TB of storage, which is less than the NVR, but it is user upgradeable up to 5TB. The NVR can store up to 50 G3 cameras, whereas the CK Plus can only store up to 20 G3 cameras, highlighting the CK Plus’s storage limitation. However, its compatibility with the Unifi network as well as the Unifi protect has earned it a favorable reputation among users. Another fantastic feature of the CK Plus is the built-in battery, which protects your cameras from shutting down abruptly. In case you are having a power outage you can safely shut down your system so the videos remain safely recorded.
The Final Verdict – Which Is Better?
The Cloud Key Gen2 Plus is unquestionably an all-in-one solution for your NVR and Unifi network requirements. Because capacity may be an issue for some users, but if capacity isn’t your major concern, then the Cloud Key gen 2 wins the bet. It can function as your Unifi controller as well as have NVR features, eliminating the need for both an NVR and a Cloud Key at the same time. As a result, the CK Plus is an efficient solution for homes and small offices, as they rarely have more than 20 G3 cameras.