Arlo Security Photographic camera Review 2022

Arlo has some of the all-time wireless security cameras out at that place

Arlo Pro 4

4.8 out of 5 stars

4.75

  • Check

    Advanced object detection

  • Check

    High smart habitation compatibility

  • X

    Paid plan required

Arlo Ultra 2

4 out of 5 stars

iv

  • Check

    4K video

  • Check

    Local storage

  • X

    Hub required

4.3 out of 5 stars

4.25

  • Check

    Spotlight

  • Check

    No hub required

  • X

    Paid program required

Arlo Go 2 White

4 out of 5 stars

iv

  • Check

    Base not required

  • Check

    Functional anywhere

  • X

    Dissever mobile plan required

Brianne Sandorf

Staff Author, Home Security & Smart Domicile

Read More

Arlo sells a bunch of wireless cameras that volition satisfy most whatever need, and we've gathered them all here for you.

Arlo cameras aren't the most expensive out there, and they have impressive motility detection features, making them ane of our near popular security camera recommendations.

The biggest downside is that Arlo cameras crave a paid subscription to access some of the best features.

Keep reading our comprehensive guide to detect the best Arlo security camera for your home or apartment.

Amazon.com Listing Prices (as of 02/22/2022) Total disclaimer

Which cameras do we cover in this review?

Pin

Arlo keeps making newer and better cameras. In this review, we've focused on the cameras and camera lines that Arlo is actively selling. We didn't include products that are sold out or discontinued, although nosotros noted outdated products when they're part of a line we're featuring.

How Arlo cameras work

Arlo sells a lot of cameras, and each one works a trivial differently

Arlo has a lot of variety in its offerings—which is terrific considering the company has a lot of different solutions for different preferences. Only each camera varies in its connectivity, compatibility, and even storage programme features, so there's a lot to consider (and a lot to discuss here).

Here'southward our stab at a quick-and-dingy summary. We'll provide more than depth equally the review goes on.

  • Most Arlo cameras communicate without wall-fished wires (so y'all won't need an electrician unless you buy the wired doorbell).
  • Some Arlo cameras demand to be continuously plugged in to piece of work.
  • Arlo sells outdoor, indoor, and doorbell cameras.
  • Some Arlo cameras need hubs or base stations to connect to your smart home. Some don't.
  • Some Arlo hubs and cameras have local storage. Some don't.
  • Most Arlo cameras work with Alexa, Google, IFTTT, and HomeKit.
  • Arlo has iii different cloud storage/video streaming plans. Yous can't apply every plan with every camera due to varying storage needs and video quality capabilities.

Video quality is the main differentiator between many of the Arlo photographic camera lines. The Pro, Ultra, and Essential lines are all similar in features but vary in cost. Those prices are primarily adamant by whether the cameras stream in 1080p, 2K, or 4K.

Then basically, if yous're just looking for a good photographic camera, any of Arlo'south options should work for you. You're one and washed. But if you're looking for a specific feature, and then you'll have to practise a piffling more piece of work to make sure y'all're picking the right camera.

Arlo hubs

Arlo sells three categories of hubs: the base station, the base station with siren, and the Arlo SmartHub. And if that's not enough, each category has a few different models.

The standard base station is compatible only with cameras that are now obsolete, similar the Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro two, then we won't comprehend it in this review. Just know that information technology's out there, and you might come up beyond information technology equally you wait for the perfect Arlo photographic camera.

The base stations with sirens and SmartHubs work with Arlo's electric current offerings.

Arlo base of operations station with siren and SmartHub models

Features VMB4000 base station VMB4500 base station VMB4000 SmartHub VMB4500 SmartHub
Compatibility Arlo Pro three Floodlight Camera, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Ultra two, Arlo Essential Spotlight, Arlo Video Doorbell Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Ultra 2, Arlo Essential Spotlight, Arlo Video Doorbell Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Ultra 2, Arlo Essential Spotlight, Arlo Video Doorbell Arlo Pro iii Floodlight Photographic camera, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Ultra 2, Arlo Essential Spotlight, Arlo Video Doorbell
Max streaming resolution 4K 4K 4K 4K
Local storage Yeah, USB Yeah, USB Yes, microSD Yes, USB
Siren 100 dB xc dB None None
Learn more

Data as of time of posting.

Arlo storage

Arlo Secure (previously known as Arlo Smart)  features a few different storage plans, including a free option.

For the cameras with advanced object detection and other features that brand Arlo worth the purchase, you must get a paid Secure or Secure Plus plan. Without one, you tin can't access well-nigh of your photographic camera's functions.

If yous're thinking, "I'll just get the cheapest storage option, no matter what it is!" then call back once again. The camera you buy volition determine the program you need. And, if you accept a few different Arlo cameras with different plan needs, yous could end up paying for both a Secure and Secure Plus plan each month.

This is of import to mention in example readers take previous feel with Arlo or accept read other reviews that aren't equally contempo. We don't desire to lose credibility considering nosotros're using a different term than what they've heard earlier.

Features No Plan Arlo Secure Arlo Secure Plus
Price Complimentary $2.99/mo. for a single camera; $9.99/mo. for unlimited cameras $fourteen.99/mo. for unlimited cameras
Max resolution North/A 2K 4K
Cloud storage None 30 days xxx days
Push notifications

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon Yes  Dark Yep

Custom activity zones

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon Yes  Dark Yeah

Advanced object detection

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Emergency Response

Icon No  Dark No

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Aye

Acquire more

Data current as of time of posting.

Arlo also offers continuous video recording, besides known equally CVR or 24/7 recording. That way, y'all can see everything, non just camera clips triggered by events. Considering—let'due south be honest—even the all-time move-detection cameras sometimes miss things. Information technology'south better to tape everything if you lot tin.

Merely there's a take hold of. CVR costs actress money on superlative of your subscription plan. Yous'll spend $nine.99 each month for 14 days of CVR or $19.99 a month for 30 days. And that's only for the start Arlo camera. If you want to add CVR to more cameras, it's an additional $four.99 each for fourteen days or $9.99 each for 30.

So if you accept five Arlo cameras and want 30-24-hour interval CVR for all of them? You'll pay close to $threescore a calendar month on top of what y'all're already paying for photographic camera storage. That's much higher than the typical fees for DIY camera systems.

Money

If you have an older Arlo camera, like an Arlo Pro or Arlo Pro 2, you lot get up to vii days of deject storage with the free plan. But the cameras we feature in this review all require a paid plan.

Arlo Pro features

The Pro is the most basic Arlo camera

Pro Bullet Avant-garde object detection

Pro Bullet High smart home compatibility

The Pro is Arlo'due south standard photographic camera offering. It features 2K video quality, color night vision, lights, zoom, and Arlo'southward signature advanced object detection. With all that, cypher'due south getting past your camera or you lot.

In that location have been many iterations of the Pro, some of which y'all may be familiar with.

Over the terminal few years, Arlo has discontinued the Arlo Pro, Arlo Pro 2, and Arlo Pro three. Currently, the company sells merely the Pro 3 Floodlight and Pro iv.

Arlo Pro features comparison

Amazon.com Listing Prices (as of 02/22/2022)

All Arlo Pro cameras have the following:

  • 2K video
  • Motion detection
  • Package detection
  • Person detection
  • Vehicle detection
  • Two-way audio
  • Amazon Alexa, Google Banana, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit compatibility
  • Color dark vision
  • Zoom
  • Projected half dozen-calendar month battery life

The main departure between these cameras is that the Pro 4 has a spotlight, while the Pro 3 Floodlight (predictably) has a floodlight.

Advanced object detection

Arlo's "advanced object detection" encompasses bundle, person, and vehicle detection.

If you alive on a decorated street, movement detection push button notifications can quickly go annoying. It's improve to get specific notifications, such equally "Person detected" or "Bundle detected" and then yous know which notifications are important and which you can ignore. And that'south where Arlo's top unique characteristic comes into play.

However, to use this feature, you'll need a paid subscription.

Subscription

Arlo Pro cameras require an Arlo Secure Plan for 2K streaming, 30 days of storage, and full access to all features. That's $two.99 a month for a single camera or $nine.99 a month for unlimited cameras.

Y'all'll become three months of Arlo Secure free, and so information technology'south time to pay.

Or you can choose to go without a paid subscription, just you won't be able to get the whole Arlo Pro experience. And without that full experience, information technology's probably not worth it to purchase Arlo. All the best features are wrapped up in the paid plans.

Subscriptions and video quality

Info Box

If yous're using a 2K or 4K Arlo camera, you tin can but get full video quality with a paid program. Choosing to forego a plan will upshot in 1080p quality on any Arlo camera.

How to install Arlo Pro cameras

To fix an Arlo Pro camera, yous'll accuse it, mountain it, and follow the app's directions to get it connected to your Wi-Fi. We've tried it earlier, and it's a quick and piece of cake process.

Arlo Ultra features

Ultra feature-packed; ultra-expensive

Pro Bullet 4K video

Pro Bullet Local storage

Although the Ultra line used to include the Arlo Ultra, it'south moved on to the Ultra 2 only.

The Arlo Ultra ii has the following:

  • 4K HDR video
  • 180° field of view
  • Motion detection
  • Package detection
  • Person detection
  • Vehicle detection
  • 2-way sound
  • Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple tree HomeKit compatibility
  • Siren
  • Spotlight
  • Color night vision
  • Zoom
  • Local storage
  • Projected half-dozen-month battery life

The Ultra 2 requires an Arlo SmartHub or base station, then you'll desire to become one if you don't take one.

Price Tag

This camera is expensive because information technology comes in ii-packs with an Arlo SmartHub. Yous tin can buy the photographic camera equally a less expensive add together-on if you already accept the hub .

I similar these callouts that prove you've constitute the best link for about users, but that you lot're too watching out for the users who already have a hub.

180° field of view

A 180° lens gives a broad field of view and so you tin better see activeness on your holding. If someone is lurking on the edges of the camera view, you lot'll yet see them.

Spotlight

Spotlights are quite useful for outdoor security cameras. Folks who sneak around on other people's property generally don't want to exist seen, so a light can be a big deterrent.

A light is too a a failsafe. If the color night vision experiences a problem, the spotlight will ensure your photographic camera catches a clear picture of nighttime intruders.

Subscription

You'll become a three-calendar month trial of Arlo Secure with an Ultra 2, but later that, you'll need to pay to get full use of your camera. Since this photographic camera films in 4K, information technology uses Arlo Secure Plus, which costs $14.99 every calendar month.

Notation that the Arlo Ultra 2 comes with local storage ( a USB drive or SD card inserted directly into the hub), so you don't necessarily need Arlo Secure for storage purposes.

How to install Arlo Ultra cameras

To install the Arlo Ultra ii, charge the camera before setting it up. Follow the app'south instructions to connect the camera to the app and the SmartHub to your router.

Once the bombardment charges, you'll place it inside the camera and secure the camera to its mount. Y'all'll and so follow the app's instructions to complete setup and purchase your Secure Plus programme.

Similar other Arlo cameras, the Ultra two is completely wireless. You don't need to plug it into the hub or your router to piece of work.

The Ultra 2 is completely wireless.

Arlo Essential features

The Essential line features an outdoor photographic camera and indoor camera

Pro Bullet Spotlight

Pro Bullet No hub required

When nosotros say "Arlo Essential," we (and most reviewers) refer to the Arlo Essential Spotlight. Merely there'due south also an Arlo Essential Indoors. And two Essential Video Doorbells.

So what makes these cameras so essential? They all have sirens and advanced motion detection, don't use hubs, and nonetheless manage to be some of Arlo'south cheaper camera offerings. Affordable and user-friendly: dainty.

Arlo Essential features comparison

Amazon.com Listing Prices (equally of 02/22/2022)

All Arlo Essential cameras have the post-obit:

  • 1080p video
  • Motility detection
  • Packet detection
  • Person detection
  • Vehicle detection
  • Ii-way audio
  • Siren
  • Nighttime vision
  • Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings compatibility

And that's non all. Some of the Essential cameras have additional features.

If yous get the Essential Spotlight, you'll besides get the spotlight, outdoor weatherproofing, color night vision, zoom, an estimated six months of battery life, and Apple tree HomeKit compatibility.

Copy of arlo-essentials-spotlight-cam-1

And if you lot get the Essential Wired Video Doorbell, you'll get outdoor weatherproofing plus Apple HomeKit compatibility.

You'll also get outdoor weatherproofing with the Wireless Video Doorbell. But unlike its counterpart, this doorbell iteration won't work with Apple, at least according to the Arlo website.

Heads Up

The Apple integration only works if you employ the Essential with an Arlo hub.

Siren

Why would you want a photographic camera with a siren? It'south extra protection for your home, property, and family.

For instance, perchance someone is in your yard, trying to light your habitation on burn down. (Unlikely? Yes. Incommunicable? No.) Your typical security arrangement is powerless against that. Simply an outdoor or doorbell camera with a siren tin can both alert you to the intruder'southward presence and scare off the would-exist arsonist.

Similarly, an indoor photographic camera with a siren is a great style to broaden a security system. It'south besides a lower-cost way to become some of a abode security system's protection if you can't afford the whole kit and caboodle.

In both these instances, an Arlo Essential camera would serve the purpose.

Storage

The Arlo Essential cameras work with the Arlo Secure Plus plan. All three cameras come with a iii-month-long trial. That mode, yous tin exam the program earlier spending money on information technology.

If you lot choose to connect the camera to an Arlo SmartHub, you tin go gratuitous local storage too. But remember that if you lot decide to get that route over a paid Arlo Secure subscription, you can't utilize your object-detection features.

How to install Arlo Essential cameras

Plug the camera in and follow the app instructions to add information technology to your account/connect it to your Wi-Fi. Then place it on a flat surface or mount it to the wall. (The camera comes with a mounting kit.)

How to install Arlo Essential Spotlight

We got a adventure to try the Arlo Essential Spotlight ourselves, and setup wasn't difficult at all.

We charged the camera and followed the app instructions to add information technology to our Arlo account. It but took a few minutes. We didn't install the mount, so nosotros tin can't speak to that in detail—but according to Arlo user manuals, it isn't complicated. Yous just need the kit, a pencil, and a drill or screwdriver to become information technology set up.

How to install Arlo Essential Video Doorbell

If you take the wired doorbell, the installation will exist complicated.

You'll demand to plough off the power in your home, remove your existing doorbell, wire the new doorbell into place, and connect everything on the Arlo app. The Arlo website has more than details about this process.

Some DIYers are fine with this kind of installation, and some find it'southward a trivial out of their comfort zone. If y'all're nervous about working with dwelling wiring, we suggest looking for an expert to help.

If you have the wire-complimentary doorbell, things will exist much simpler. You lot'll charge the battery, connect the doorbell to the app, and mountain your doorbell wherever you desire. Yes—since information technology's not wired, we mean literally wherever you want—although if it'due south besides far from the door, people might not know to ring it.

Arlo Go features

Accept your Arlo Become two on the go with LTE and geolocation

Pro Bullet Base non required

Pro Bullet Functional anywhere

We propose the Arlo Go line if you live in a rural area, don't take Wi-Fi, or desire a portable camera. This LTE-based camera works anytime, anywhere, making information technology a perfect commencement selection for your circumstances.

Currently, the only Arlo Become photographic camera available is the Arlo Go 2.

The Arlo Go 2 has the following:

  • 1080p video
  • Motion detection
  • Parcel detection
  • Person detection
  • Vehicle detection
  • Two-way sound
  • Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT compatibility
  • Siren
  • Spotlight
  • Colour night vision
  • Local storage
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • GPS location tracking
  • LTE connectivity

GPS location tracking

The Arlo Get 2 is designed to piece of work as both a regular and portable security photographic camera. If you cull to use information technology on the become, there's a risk you might misplace it.

GPS location tracking solves that trouble. Equally long as the photographic camera bombardment has power, you lot tin follow the camera location through the Arlo app.

LTE connectivity

With an Arlo Go camera, it's not enough to have an Arlo Secure program. If y'all intend to use the camera without Wi-Fi, you lot're going to need a monthly Arlo Mobile program too.

Which plan should yous get? It depends on how much activity y'all expect. If you lot place the photographic camera in a rural surface area with few visitors, the $5, 15-minute plan might be enough.

But if you think your camera's going to catch a lot of footage you'll desire to review, then yous're amend off with a more expensive but more extensive plan.

Minutes of Video Upload Time

xxx-2d Video Clips

Toll

15 min./mo. 30 sec./mo. $iv.99/mo.
120 min./mo. 300 sec./mo. $22.99/mo.
225 min./mo. 450 sec./mo. $32.99/mo.

Data electric current as of time of posting.

According to Arlo, "the numbers of minutes and video clips per month presume" you're using the highest video quality and longest clip settings. But "if you use lower video quality settings and fix your Arlo Go to tape shorter clips, your Arlo Go tin upload significantly more video than indicated in the program descriptions."

Arlo Mobile relies on AT&T and Verizon's LTE networks to provide camera service throughout the US. That ways that the Arlo Go ii works like a smartphone. When it's connected to Wi-Fi, LTE is unnecessary. When information technology's not connected to Wi-Fi, the camera needs LTE to role.

How to install Arlo Become 2

When setting up the Arlo Go ii, showtime past charging the battery. You'll then insert a Micro SD and the LTE SIM card that comes with the camera.

Identify the battery in the camera and follow the app's instructions to complete setup. Once that's done, y'all can mount the camera if you program to go on it in i location. Otherwise, you'll probably want to get out it mount-less for easier travel.

Arlo accessories

Arlo has a few more products up its sleeve

Arlo has another, now-defunct photographic camera offerings that yous can buy used (such as Arlo Q and Arlo Baby). It too offers accessories that work with several of its cameras, like solar panels and easy-use magnetic mounts.

Arlo solar panels

Pro Bullet Adjustable mount

Pro Bullet Atmospheric condition-resistant

Con Bullet Ultra, Pro 3, and Essential Spotlight compatibility only

Arlo magnetic mounts

Pro Bullet Indoor/outdoor utilize

Con Bullet Ultra, Ultra ii, Pro 3, and Pro iv compatibility only

Arlo dual charging station

Pro Bullet Simultaneous dual battery charging

Con Bullet Ultra, Ultra two, Pro three, Pro 3 Floodlight, and Pro 4 compatibility merely

Recap: What are the best Arlo Cameras?

Most users will find value in virtually Arlo cameras

It's hard to go wrong with an Arlo camera. But which one is right for you? Let's recap.

Arlo Pro: The Arlo Pro line streams in 2K. The older versions require a hub, while the two newest, the Pro 3 Floodlight and Pro 4, don't. To admission the full features, like advanced object detection, you lot'll need to pay for a subscription.

Arlo Ultra: Arlo Ultras feature 4K video and advanced object detection when you utilise the premium paid subscription. All versions crave connexion with an Arlo hub.

Arlo Essential: This 1080p line features indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras. Hubs aren't required to use the Essential cameras, but you'll need a paid plan to have full advantage of the features, including Arlo's signature advanced object detection.

Arlo Go: The portable Arlo Go line offers portable cameras that use LTE connectivity. You'll still need a premium paid programme for full apply plus an Arlo Mobile plan for LTE access.

If you aren't feeling Arlo, we advise trying Reolink, which is similar but with no hubs, fewer features, and lower prices.

You lot can also check out cameras such as the Canary Pro and EufyCam 2.

Arlo cameras FAQ

Time to reply some frequently asked questions!

Are Arlo cameras expensive?

Arlo cameras can get expensive, but they aren't the most expensive cameras on the market (hello, Google Nest).

The chief thing that makes Arlo cameras expensive is that y'all typically have to buy them in a multipack or with a base, bringing the toll way up.

When y'all buy them i at a time, they're much more than affordable, particularly if you expect and order them once they've been out for a while.

What colour are Arlo cameras?

Several Arlo cameras at present come in 2 different colors. Sadly, your choices are blackness or white. You lot don't get annihilation fun, like turquoise or fuschia.

Are Arlo chargers waterproof?

Arlo sells both indoor and outdoor power adapters that tin can charge a camera or even provide a constant power supply (if yous choose to e'er leave information technology plugged in).

While the indoor adapter cannot get wet, to our understanding, the outdoor power adapter is fine in inclement weather condition.

Does Arlo have free camera storage?

Arlo's gratis option does not have any camera storage. You won't be able to refer back to an event recorded by a camera using the free option.

There are exceptions, though. Some older Arlo cameras, like the Arlo Q and Arlo Go, come up with rolling seven-day storage at no cost.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon.com. This content is provided "as is" and is subject to change or removal at whatsoever fourth dimension. Product prices and availability are accurate equally of the date/fourth dimension indicated and are subject to modify. Any cost and availability data displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will utilise to the purchase of this product. Reviews.org utilizes paid Amazon links.

Brianne Sandorf

Written by

Brianne Sandorf

Brianne has a caste in English and artistic writing from Westminster College and has spent 6+ years writing professional, enquiry-based content. Earlier joining Reviews.org, she wrote safe and security content for ASecureLife.com. Her pieces and quotes are published beyond the web, including on MSN.com, Social Catfish, and Parents.com. Hobbies include wearing a seatbelt, wearing a life jacket, and keeping her artillery and legs inside the ride at all times. Contact her at brianne@reviews.org.

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