Arlo Security Camera Review 2022

Arlo has some of the best wireless security cameras out there

Arlo Pro 4

4.8 out of 5 stars

four.75

  • Check

    Avant-garde object detection

  • Check

    High smart home compatibility

  • X

    Paid program 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 plan required

Arlo Go 2 White

4 out of 5 stars

4

  • Check

    Base of operations not required

  • Check

    Functional anywhere

  • X

    Split up mobile plan required

Brianne Sandorf

Staff Writer, Habitation Security & Smart Home

Read More

Arlo sells a agglomeration of wireless cameras that will satisfy almost whatsoever need, and we've gathered them all here for you.

Arlo cameras aren't the nearly expensive out there, and they have impressive motion detection features, making them one of our virtually popular security camera recommendations.

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

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

Amazon.com List Prices (equally of 02/22/2022) Full disclaimer

Which cameras do nosotros cover in this review?

Pin

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 We didn't include products that are sold out or discontinued, although we noted outdated products when they're part of a line we're featuring.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

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

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

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

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

So basically, if yous're just looking for a good camera, any of Arlo's options should work for y'all. You're one and done. Just if you're looking for a specific feature, then you'll have to do a fiddling more work to brand 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 non enough, each category has a few dissimilar models.

The standard base station is compatible only with cameras that are at present obsolete, similar the Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro two, so we won't encompass it in this review. But know that it'southward out there, and you lot might come up across information technology as you look for the perfect Arlo photographic camera.

The base stations with sirens and SmartHubs piece of work with Arlo's 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 3 Floodlight Photographic camera, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Ultra ii, Arlo Essential Spotlight, Arlo Video Doorbell Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Ultra 2, Arlo Essential Spotlight, Arlo Video Doorbell Arlo Pro three Floodlight Camera, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Ultra ii, Arlo Essential Spotlight, Arlo Video Doorbell Arlo Pro three Floodlight Camera, Arlo Ultra, Arlo Ultra two, Arlo Essential Spotlight, Arlo Video Doorbell
Max streaming resolution 4K 4K 4K 4K
Local storage Yeah, USB Yes, USB Yes, microSD Yes, USB
Siren 100 dB 90 dB None None
Larn more

Information as of time of posting.

Arlo storage

Arlo Secure (previously known every bit Arlo Smart)  features a few different storage plans, including a gratuitous option.

For the cameras with advanced object detection and other features that make Arlo worth the buy, yous must get a paid Secure or Secure Plus programme. Without one, you can't access nearly of your camera'south functions.

If you're thinking, "I'll but get the cheapest storage pick, no affair what it is!" then think again. The camera you purchase will determine the plan y'all need. And, if you have a few dissimilar Arlo cameras with different plan needs, you could finish upward paying for both a Secure and Secure Plus plan each month.

This is of import to mention in case readers have previous experience with Arlo or have read other reviews that aren't every bit recent. Nosotros don't desire to lose credibility because nosotros're using a dissimilar term than what they've heard before.

Features No Program Arlo Secure Arlo Secure Plus
Price Costless $two.99/mo. for a unmarried camera; $9.99/mo. for unlimited cameras $14.99/mo. for unlimited cameras
Max resolution North/A 2K 4K
Cloud storage None thirty days 30 days
Push button notifications

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon Yes  Dark Yep

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Custom activity zones

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Advanced object detection

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Icon Yes  Dark Aye

Emergency Response

Icon No  Dark No

Icon No  Dark No

Icon Yes  Dark Yes

Acquire more than

Data electric current equally of time of posting.

Arlo also offers continuous video recording, besides known as CVR or 24/vii recording. That way, you can see everything, not just camera clips triggered by events. Because—let'due south exist honest—fifty-fifty the all-time motion-detection cameras sometimes miss things. It's better to record everything if y'all tin can.

But there'due south a catch. CVR costs actress coin on top of your subscription plan. You'll spend $9.99 each calendar month for 14 days of CVR or $19.99 a month for xxx days. And that's only for the first Arlo camera. If you want to add together CVR to more cameras, information technology'southward an additional $iv.99 each for 14 days or $9.99 each for thirty.

So if you have v Arlo cameras and want 30-twenty-four hours CVR for all of them? You'll pay close to $lx a calendar month on top of what you're already paying for camera storage. That's much higher than the typical fees for DIY camera systems.

Money

If you lot take an older Arlo camera, like an Arlo Pro or Arlo Pro ii, yous go upward to seven days of cloud storage with the costless plan. But the cameras we feature in this review all crave a paid plan.

Arlo Pro features

The Pro is the most basic Arlo photographic camera

Pro Bullet Advanced object detection

Pro Bullet Loftier smart home compatibility

The Pro is Arlo's standard camera offer. It features 2K video quality, colour night vision, lights, zoom, and Arlo'south signature advanced object detection. With all that, nothing'due south getting past your camera or you.

There have been many iterations of the Pro, some of which yous may exist familiar with.

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

Arlo Pro features comparing

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

All Arlo Pro cameras take the following:

  • 2K video
  • Motion detection
  • Bundle detection
  • Person detection
  • Vehicle detection
  • Ii-fashion audio
  • Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit compatibility
  • Color night vision
  • Zoom
  • Projected six-month battery life

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

Advanced object detection

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

If you live on a busy street, motion detection push notifications can quickly become annoying. It'southward better to get specific notifications, such as "Person detected" or "Package detected" so y'all know which notifications are important and which you can ignore. And that's where Arlo's top unique feature comes into play.

Notwithstanding, to use this feature, you'll demand a paid subscription.

Subscription

Arlo Pro cameras crave an Arlo Secure Plan for 2K streaming, 30 days of storage, and full access to all features. That'southward $ii.99 a calendar month for a single camera or $9.99 a month for unlimited cameras.

You lot'll get three months of Arlo Secure free, and so it'southward time to pay.

Or you can cull to go without a paid subscription, merely yous won't be able to get the whole Arlo Pro experience. And without that full experience, it's probably not worth it to buy Arlo. All the all-time features are wrapped upwards in the paid plans.

Subscriptions and video quality

Info Box

If you're using a 2K or 4K Arlo camera, you can only become full video quality with a paid programme. Choosing to forego a plan will result in 1080p quality on any Arlo camera.

How to install Arlo Pro cameras

To set an Arlo Pro camera, y'all'll charge information technology, mountain information technology, and follow the app's directions to become it connected to your Wi-Fi. We've tried information technology before, and information technology'south a quick and easy 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, information technology's moved on to the Ultra 2 simply.

The Arlo Ultra 2 has the following:

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

The Ultra 2 requires an Arlo SmartHub or base of operations station, so you'll desire to get ane if you don't have 1.

Price Tag

This photographic camera is expensive because it comes in 2-packs with an Arlo SmartHub. Y'all can buy the camera as a less expensive improver if you already take the hub .

I like these callouts that bear witness you've found the best link for nigh users, but that yous're also watching out for the users who already accept a hub.

180° field of view

A 180° lens gives a wide field of view and then yous can better encounter activity on your belongings. If someone is lurking on the edges of the camera view, you'll still meet them.

Spotlight

Spotlights are quite useful for outdoor security cameras. Folks who sneak around on other people'southward property generally don't desire to be seen, and so a calorie-free can be a big deterrent.

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

Subscription

Yous'll get a 3-month trial of Arlo Secure with an Ultra 2, but afterwards that, you lot'll need to pay to go full use of your camera. Since this camera films in 4K, it uses Arlo Secure Plus, which costs $xiv.99 every 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 demand Arlo Secure for storage purposes.

How to install Arlo Ultra cameras

To install the Arlo Ultra 2, charge the camera earlier setting it up. Follow the app's instructions to connect the photographic camera to the app and the SmartHub to your router.

Once the battery charges, you'll place information technology inside the camera and secure the camera to its mount. You'll then follow the app's instructions to complete setup and buy your Secure Plus plan.

Like other Arlo cameras, the Ultra ii is completely wireless. You don't need to plug it into the hub or your router to 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 we say "Arlo Essential," we (and most reviewers) refer to the Arlo Essential Spotlight. But there's likewise an Arlo Essential Indoors. And two Essential Video Doorbells.

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

Arlo Essential features comparison

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

All Arlo Essential cameras accept the post-obit:

  • 1080p video
  • Motion detection
  • Package detection
  • Person detection
  • Vehicle detection
  • Two-fashion sound
  • Siren
  • Night vision
  • Amazon Alexa, Google Banana, IFTTT, and Samsung SmartThings compatibility

And that'south not all. Some of the Essential cameras have boosted features.

If yous become the Essential Spotlight, you'll also get the spotlight, outdoor weatherproofing, color dark vision, zoom, an estimated 6 months of bombardment life, and Apple HomeKit compatibility.

Copy of arlo-essentials-spotlight-cam-1

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

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

Heads Up

The Apple integration merely works if yous use the Essential with an Arlo hub.

Siren

Why would y'all desire a camera with a siren? It's extra protection for your home, property, and family.

For example, maybe someone is in your yard, trying to light your dwelling on burn. (Unlikely? Yes. Incommunicable? No.) Your typical security organization is powerless against that. But an outdoor or doorbell camera with a siren can both alert you to the intruder's presence and scare off the would-be arsonist.

Similarly, an indoor photographic camera with a siren is a not bad way to augment a security arrangement. Information technology's also a lower-cost way to get some of a home security organisation's protection if yous 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 programme. All three cameras come with a iii-month-long trial. That mode, you tin can exam the plan before spending money on it.

If you lot choose to connect the camera to an Arlo SmartHub, you can get gratuitous local storage besides. Just call back that if y'all make up one's mind 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 photographic camera in and follow the app instructions to add it 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

Nosotros got a take chances to effort the Arlo Essential Spotlight ourselves, and setup wasn't hard at all.

We charged the camera and followed the app instructions to add it to our Arlo business relationship. It only took a few minutes. We didn't install the mountain, so nosotros tin't speak to that in item—just according to Arlo user manuals, information technology isn't complicated. Yous only need the kit, a pencil, and a drill or screwdriver to get it prepare.

How to install Arlo Essential Video Doorbell

If you have the wired doorbell, the installation will be complicated.

Y'all'll need to turn off the ability 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 details nigh this procedure.

Some DIYers are fine with this kind of installation, and some find it's a little out of their comfort zone. If you're nervous about working with home wiring, we propose looking for an skilful to aid.

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

Arlo Go features

Take your Arlo Go 2 on the get with LTE and geolocation

Pro Bullet Base of operations not required

Pro Bullet Functional anywhere

We suggest the Arlo Become line if you live in a rural area, don't have Wi-Fi, or desire a portable camera. This LTE-based camera works anytime, anywhere, making it a perfect first choice for your circumstances.

Currently, the but Arlo Go photographic camera available is the Arlo Go two.

The Arlo Go 2 has the post-obit:

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

GPS location tracking

The Arlo Become 2 is designed to work as both a regular and portable security camera. If you choose to use it on the go, there's a chance you might misplace it.

GPS location tracking solves that problem. As long as the camera battery has power, you can follow the camera location through the Arlo app.

LTE connectivity

With an Arlo Go camera, it's not enough to have an Arlo Secure programme. If you intend to use the camera without Wi-Fi, you're going to need a monthly Arlo Mobile plan besides.

Which plan should you lot get? Information technology depends on how much activity you look. If yous place the photographic camera in a rural area with few visitors, the $5, fifteen-infinitesimal programme might be enough.

But if you retrieve your photographic camera's going to catch a lot of footage you'll want to review, then you're improve off with a more expensive but more all-encompassing programme.

Minutes of Video Upload Time

30-Second Video Clips

Toll

15 min./mo. 30 sec./mo. $4.99/mo.
120 min./mo. 300 sec./mo. $22.99/mo.
225 min./mo. 450 sec./mo. $32.99/mo.

Data current equally of time of posting.

According to Arlo, "the numbers of minutes and video clips per month presume" y'all're using the highest video quality and longest prune settings. Only "if you use lower video quality settings and set up your Arlo Go to record shorter clips, your Arlo Go can upload significantly more video than indicated in the plan descriptions."

Arlo Mobile relies on AT&T and Verizon'southward LTE networks to provide camera service throughout the United states. That means that the Arlo Go 2 works similar a smartphone. When it's connected to Wi-Fi, LTE is unnecessary. When it's not connected to Wi-Fi, the camera needs LTE to function.

How to install Arlo Go ii

When setting upward the Arlo Go 2, start by charging the battery. You'll and then insert a Micro SD and the LTE SIM card that comes with the camera.

Place the battery in the camera and follow the app's instructions to complete setup. Once that's done, you can mount the camera if you plan to keep information technology in one location. Otherwise, yous'll probably desire to leave it mount-less for easier travel.

Arlo accessories

Arlo has a few more products upwardly its sleeve

Arlo has some other, now-defunct photographic camera offerings that you lot can buy used (such equally Arlo Q and Arlo Infant). It also 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 Weather-resistant

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

Arlo magnetic mounts

Pro Bullet Indoor/outdoor utilize

Con Bullet Ultra, Ultra 2, Pro 3, and Pro iv compatibility only

Arlo dual charging station

Pro Bullet Simultaneous dual battery charging

Con Bullet Ultra, Ultra 2, Pro three, Pro three Floodlight, and Pro iv compatibility only

Recap: What are the all-time Arlo Cameras?

Almost users will find value in almost Arlo cameras

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

Arlo Pro: The Arlo Pro line streams in 2K. The older versions crave a hub, while the ii newest, the Pro 3 Floodlight and Pro four, don't. To admission the full features, like advanced object detection, y'all'll need to pay for a subscription.

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

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

Arlo Get: The portable Arlo Become line offers portable cameras that utilise LTE connectivity. Yous'll yet need a premium paid plan for total use plus an Arlo Mobile plan for LTE access.

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

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

Arlo cameras FAQ

Time to answer some often asked questions!

Are Arlo cameras expensive?

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

The main thing that makes Arlo cameras expensive is that you lot typically have to buy them in a multipack or with a base of operations, bringing the cost style up.

When you purchase them one at a time, they're much more affordable, specially if you wait and order them once they've been out for a while.

What color are Arlo cameras?

Several Arlo cameras at present come in 2 different colors. Sadly, your choices are blackness or white. Y'all don't become anything fun, similar turquoise or fuschia.

Are Arlo chargers waterproof?

Arlo sells both indoor and outdoor ability adapters that can charge a camera or even provide a constant power supply (if you choose to always leave information technology plugged in).

While the indoor adapter cannot go moisture, to our understanding, the outdoor power adapter is fine in choppy weather.

Does Arlo accept costless photographic camera storage?

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

At that place are exceptions, though. Some older Arlo cameras, like the Arlo Q and Arlo Go, come with rolling seven-day storage at no price.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon.com. This content is provided "as is" and is subject to alter or removal at whatsoever time. Product prices and availability are authentic as of the date/time indicated and are subject to modify. Whatsoever toll and availability data displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Reviews.org utilizes paid Amazon links.

Brianne Sandorf

Written by

Brianne Sandorf

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

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