Reolink Go PT Plus vs Go PT Ultra: Which One's Better?

The Go PT Plus and the Go PT Ultra are some of the most commonly compared camera models from Reolink. Their photos look almost identical, and the names read almost identical. So what do the extra letters actually buy you?

In this guide, we'll lay out the comparison plainly, starting with the full spec.

Go PT Plus and Go PT Ultra at a Glance

The Go PT Plus is the 5MP model in our Go PT line. Above it sits the Go PT Ultra, the 8MP 4K step up built on the same pan-tilt design. Both are 4G LTE cellular security cameras that run on a rechargeable battery and take a Reolink solar panel.

Where the Go PT Plus and Go PT Ultra Are the Same

Cellular Connection

Both cameras run on 4G LTE through a Nano SIM card and cannot connect to wifi. Neither needs a router near the mount. Each one works as an outdoor security camera without wifi that still sends alerts and live video to your phone.

If you're worried about getting started without data, for both cameras, a SIM card and 100MB of free data will be included to get you started. After that, you'll choose a data plan. In the US, we recommend a prepaid data-only plan from T-Mobile where its 4G coverage is strong.

Pro Tip: Our SIM card guide covers plans and setup.

For any 4G LTE cellular security camera, signal strength at the mount matters. It's always a good practice to test the signal strength with your phone to determine if there's good network in any particular area. From a wider scope, carrier maps also show expected coverage for your address, and T-Mobile's coverage map is a good place to start.

Power

Both the Go PT Plus and Go PT Ultra has a built-in rechargeable battery and a USB-C charging port. Either one works as a battery operated outdoor camera you charge by cable. A Reolink solar panel is sold separately for both of these cameras. But, by adding one to either camera, you'll get a solar powered security camera with no need for charging, provided there's good sun available.

Night Vision and Deterrence

The Go PT Plus and Go PT Ultra use the same night vision setup. Infrared sees up to 33 ft (10 m) in black and white, and a built-in spotlight switches on for color night vision. That same spotlight pairs with a siren, so either camera can warn off an intruder with light and sound.

How a 4K color night vision footage of the Go PT Ultra looks:

Smart Detection and Storage

Both security cameras detect people, vehicles, and animals. Each records when something triggers it. Footage can be saved to a microSD card up to 128GB or to Reolink Cloud, which is available in selected countries.

IP64 weatherproofing matches too. Dust cannot get in, and the camera resists splashing water from any direction. The operating range on both is 14°F to 131°F (-10°C to 55°C).

Where the Go PT Plus and Go PT Ultra Differ

Resolution

The Go PT Plus records at 5MP (2880 x 1660) and the Go PT Ultra records at 8MP 4K (3840 x 2160), both at 15fps. Field of view is the same 90° horizontal on each, so the Ultra does not see wider. It packs more pixels into the same view.

That works out to about 73% more pixels overall and a third more across the width. The extra detail helps when you zoom into saved footage to pick out a face or a license plate in a wide scene.

A footage of deers fighting capture by the Reolink Go PT PlusA footage of deers fighting captured by the Reolink Go PT Plus:

Size and Weight

At 4.8 in (122 mm) tall and 17.5 oz (496 g), the Go PT Ultra is a little taller and heavier. The Go PT Plus comes in at 4.4 in (112 mm) and 17.1 oz (485 g). That is a gap of about 0.4 in (10 mm) and 0.4 oz (11 g).

Which One Should You Buy?

Choose by how much detail you need, not by which name sounds more advanced. The two cameras share the same 90° view, the same 355° pan and 140° tilt, and the same 33 ft (10 m) night vision. The Go PT Ultra adds more pixels inside that identical view, which gives you more to work with when your subject is far from the lens or when you zoom into a saved clip.

That matters most on a large property like a farm or a job site. The activity you care about is often 50 ft or more from the camera. At that distance the 90° view covers a stretch about 100 ft wide, so the Go PT Plus records roughly 29 pixels per foot and the Go PT Ultra roughly 38. That extra third gives you a better chance of picking out a face or a license plate when you review footage. After dark, the infrared reach is the same on both, so the Ultra's extra detail helps most within that 33 ft range.

The Go PT Plus is the better fit when activity happens close to the camera or you mainly want to know something is there. At a driveway, garden gate, or outbuilding, 5MP is enough to tell a person from a vehicle or an animal, and smart detection does that sorting on both models. Size shouldn't tip the decision either, since the Go PT Ultra is only about 0.4 in (10 mm) taller and 0.4 oz (11 g) heavier.

For most everyday spots, the two cameras do the same job, and the choice only matters when detail is the real requirement.

FAQs

Do the Go PT Plus and Go PT Ultra need wifi to work?

No. Both cameras connect over 4G LTE instead of wifi. They still need a SIM card and a cellular data plan to send video, so no wifi does not mean no connection.

How do they connect to my phone without wifi?

Each camera uses its own 4G connection, and you watch it through the Reolink app on an iPhone or Android phone. Live view works anytime and anywhere, so the camera and your phone never need to share a network. That makes either one a security camera that connects to your phone without wifi.

What SIM card do these cameras use?

Both the Go PT Plus and Go PT Ultra take a Nano SIM card. That is the size to look for in a 4G SIM card for a security camera. Neither model has a SIM feature the other lacks. A SIM card comes in the box with 100MB of free data, though package contents vary by country. Like any SIM card security camera, each one needs a data plan after that.

Do I need the solar panel, or does the battery work on its own?

No. The built-in rechargeable battery works on its own, and you can charge the Go PT Plus or Go PT Ultra through its USB-C port. A Reolink solar panel is a separate purchase. It turns either one into a 4G solar security camera that keeps charging from sunlight, so you recharge by hand less often.

Is the Go PT Ultra worth it over the Go PT Plus?

It is worth it if you need more detail across a large property, and not if you only want general activity alerts. The Go PT Ultra's 8MP resolution is the difference that matters, and the two cameras otherwise match closely. Check the live product pages for current pricing.

Conclusion

The Go PT Plus and Go PT Ultra share almost everything. Both run on 4G LTE, both work with a Reolink solar panel, and both pan 355° with the same night vision. That leaves one question to settle. How much detail do you need at your spot?

If general alerts are enough, the Go PT Plus does the job. For 8MP footage to zoom into across a bigger property, the Go PT Ultra is the pick.

Before you buy, check the spec table in this guide. Then open the Go PT Plus and Go PT Ultra product pages for current specs and pricing.