Verkada vs Rhombus Cameras for Bay Area Properties: An Installer's Comparison

What Verkada and Rhombus each sell

Verkada and Rhombus both sell cameras that record to storage inside the camera, send video to a cloud console, and need a software license per camera. Verkada's CD53-E and CB53-E datasheets list 256GB to 2TB of onboard storage and 30 to 365 days; the CD53-E datasheet lists cloud backup. Rhombus's R200 and R520 spec sheets list 128GB to 1TB of onboard storage, 20 to 180 days; the R200 spec sheet lists optional unlimited cloud archiving.

The models compared here are Verkada's CD53-E outdoor dome and CB53-E bullet, and Rhombus's R200 mini dome, R520 mini bullet and R410 dome. All five carry IK10 impact ratings; the Rhombus three are IP66 and the Verkada pair IP66/67.

Elwin installs, configures and supports security cameras for commercial and multifamily properties across the Bay Area and works with both platforms. See security camera installation for how we scope a camera project, and parking garage security cameras for garages and ramps.

Verkada CD53-E and CB53-E vs Rhombus R200 and R520, side by side

Figures below come from each vendor's datasheet or spec sheet, product page, pricing page, license comparison page or end user agreement.

How each one stores video and counts retention days

Verkada records two streams. Standard quality video is recorded continuously up to the retention the customer specifies, 30, 60, 90, 120 or 365 days, and when motion is detected the cameras also save high quality video. Verkada's whitepaper puts standard quality at "30 days for most of our devices."

Verkada's adaptive quality whitepaper says the earliest available high quality video is cycled out to make space for the latest motion based video, and in such cases older footage will only be stored in standard quality.

Rhombus prints days next to each storage size. The R200 and R520 run from 128GB for 20 days to 1TB for 180 days; the R410, which takes two microSD cards, runs from 512GB for 30 days to 2TB for 120 days.

The CD53-E datasheet lists redundant cloud backup and unlimited cloud archiving, and Verkada's architecture page describes optional cloud backup. Rhombus lists cloud archiving as available for purchase and 30 day cloud archiving as included with Enterprise.

Internet, cellular and Wi-Fi: what each one needs at the camera

Verkada's architecture page says its cameras use 20 to 50 Kbps of upload while recording continuously, "even during internet outages," and that admins can set site-specific bandwidth limits. Rhombus's R200 spec sheet lists 10 to 30 Kbps per camera at baseline steady state and 530 to 720 Kbps per camera for HD WAN live streaming.

Verkada's pricing page lists two cellular gateways, the GC31 indoor at $999 and the GC31-E outdoor at $1,599 USD MSRP; each needs an additional license. The GC31 lists LTE cellular CAT 12 and dual SIM/auto SIM failover; the GC31 and GC31-E each list two 802.3bt PoE++ capable ports and a 60W total power budget. Verkada's pricing page lists a data license at $599 for one Verkada video device, including one year; customers bringing their own SIM or data plan do not need these licenses.

Its product page lists 802.3af PoE as its power source, so plan a cable for power even where the video goes over Wi-Fi.

Wiring: PoE class, one-cable installs and existing cameras

Check the PoE class before you reuse a switch.

The Rhombus R200 and R520 run on 802.3af at 10.5 W and 7.5 W max, and the 8MP R410 needs PoE+ at up to 25.5 W. The CD53-E datasheet lists an RJ-45 connector for network/PoE connection at 10 / 100 / 1000 Mbps, and the Rhombus R200 spec sheet lists standard 802.3af for one-cable installation on a 10 / 100Mbps Ethernet port.

Verkada ships the CB53-E with a mount plate, junction box adapter and screw pack. Rhombus ships the R200 with a Torx key, mounting screws, anchors and a waterproofing kit.

Verkada publishes a list of the non-Verkada cameras it supports.

Rhombus's N100 Relay takes third-party RTSP cameras, using ONVIF where supported, and its pricing page lists up to 10 cameras per N100, with 20 days of storage per camera on 2TB or 40 days on 4TB. The N100 carries a 5-year warranty, not the 10 years on the cameras.

For the cable runs and power behind either brand, see commercial low-voltage security wiring.

What each one costs to buy and to run

Verkada prices hardware and software separately. Verkada's pricing page lists the CB53-E at $1,899, marked "Price includes hardware. Additional license required."

Verkada's agreement says the support fee is included in the license.

Estimate for eight outdoor domes at MSRP, before installation.

The two cameras are not the same spec. The CD53-E has a motorized zoom lens and up to 365 days of storage; the R200 lists a 2.8mm focal length and up to 180 days. On Rhombus, 30 day cloud archiving is included with Enterprise, and the pricing page says AI features and cloud archiving are not included in the Professional license.

Elwin quotes installation, cable, the PoE switch and any gateway after a site walk, camera by camera.

Who installs it, and what the warranty and support cover

Verkada's installation page lets you search for professional security installers by city or zip code, specialty and service level. Rhombus sells through Authorized Rhombus Resellers and lists a program for resellers and integrators. Elwin installs, configures and supports cameras from both platforms for Bay Area properties.

Verkada's datasheets state a 10-year warranty on the CD53-E and CB53-E. Verkada's legal terms set the hardware warranty period by the applicable Documentation from the date of shipment, and say replacement of non-conforming Hardware is in Verkada's sole discretion and may be with a new or refurbished product. A replaced unit is covered for the longer of 90 days or the remainder of the original period, and a Prohibited Use voids the warranty.

Support is in-app chat or a North America phone line, and the agreement says the support fee is included in the license.

Rhombus prints a 10-year warranty on the R200, R520 and R410 spec sheets, and its cameras page adds a same-day RMA program. Rhombus's license comparison lists email support and phone support. The N100 Relay carries a 5-year warranty.

Verkada's legal terms say that if the customer does not maintain valid licensing, it will have limited or no access to Customer Data, Product Features and the Software, and "the Hardware will not function as designed." Rhombus's pricing page says "All of our cameras require an ongoing license to operate."

Which one fits your property

Start with the cable. A requirement for 365 days of retention points to Verkada's CD53-E or CB53-E, whose datasheets list up to 365 days; the Rhombus R200 and R520 spec sheets list up to 180 days and the R410 up to 120 days. The CB53-E datasheet says it can capture license plates on vehicles traveling at speeds up to 80 mph across as many as three lanes of traffic, and that its LPR capabilities can also grant access at vehicle gates.

For a gate or lot that is hard to wire, Verkada lists the GC31-E outdoor cellular gateway and the GW31-E outdoor Wi-Fi gateway, each with two 802.3bt PoE++ capable ports, and Rhombus lists the R230 Wi-Fi dome, which lists standard 802.3af PoE.

If you want people, vehicle and plate search, compare the licenses. Verkada's CD53-E datasheet lists people search, vehicle search and face search among the camera's software capabilities and prices a single camera license. Rhombus's license comparison lists facial recognition, license plate recognition, occupancy counting and AI Video Search, and its pricing page says AI features are not included in the Professional license.

Bring these to the site walk:

• Where each camera will mount, and whether a PoE or PoE+ port is within cable reach of it.
• How many days of video you must keep. That sets the Verkada storage tier or the Rhombus storage size.
• Any spot with no cable path. That decides between a cellular gateway, a Wi-Fi gateway and a Wi-Fi camera.
• Which existing cameras should stay. Both brands sell a product that brings third-party cameras into their console: Verkada's CC300 requires additional channel licenses, and Rhombus says a Professional or Enterprise license is required to enable AI features on third-party cameras using the N100 Relay.
• Who will search the video and for what. Rhombus's license comparison lists license plate recognition, facial recognition and occupancy counting, and its pricing page says AI features are not included in the Professional license.

Questions about Verkada and Rhombus cameras