Before buying an extra drive for a Reolink NVR, check whether your hardware supports another internal drive, replacement of the existing one, or an external drive. Reolink documents eSATA for supported external expansion; a USB socket is not evidence that a USB drive can add recording capacity.
Make a compatibility note before ordering
Record the exact NVR model and hardware revision, the existing drive count and the documented capacity limits. If you want external expansion, verify the connection, enclosure and power requirements for that version. For example, an available USB port does not make a discounted external USB drive suitable when the supported path requires eSATA.
Decide what must be kept before changing storage
Identify any existing clips you need and verify a separate playable copy before considering a replacement. Then price the full supported path, including an enclosure if required. After a supported change, confirm the recorder recognizes the capacity and can save and retrieve a new test clip. A drive appearing in settings is not proof that the recording workflow works.
Source: manufacturer’s current documentation. Related: check whether your recorder supports the new camera.
