With Arlo camera, you’ll even get motion and sound-activated alerts and 7 days of free cloud video recordings. works with Amazon Alexa to make your smart home security even more simple and effective. Keeps an eye on your home while you’re away, in brilliant 1080p HD quality. Put the 100% wire-free, weather-resistant camera anywhere, indoors or out. Then, power it with the included rechargeable battery or plugged it in (when indoors) to access activity zones and 24/7 Continuous Video Recording upgrades. Use 2-way audio or remotely sound a 100+ device siren while catching every moment with night vision and advanced motion detection. Is it worth buying? What customers are saying? Reveal more in Arlo camera customer reviews.
About Arlo
Arlo started out as Netgear, a California-based networking company that manufactures internet modems and routers. In 2018, Netgear spun Arlo off as its own company called Arlo Technologies. Arlo differentiates itself from other security camera makers by focusing on completely wire-free outdoor cameras with strong wireless connectivity enabled through a central hub called the Arlo Smart Hub. It’s also a leader in machine learning technology, which provides a variety of “smart” features. For example, Arlo’s cameras can distinguish between people, vehicles, animals, and packages. The company has a full line of smart home camera-enabled devices, including wire-free smart Wi-Fi and LTE-enabled cameras, audio and video doorbells, wired indoor cameras, and smart security lights.
Pros & Cons – Arlo camera from customer reviews
Pros
- Attractive equipment
- Easy to install inside and outdoors
- Tons of battery-powered options
- Cloud and local video storage options
- Some affordable options
- 4K video quality on Arlo Ultra
- Free cloud storage on Arlo Q
Cons
- Most models are pricey
- Required base station for some models
- No one-pack starter kit for Arlo Pro 3
Price and availability
The Arlo Ultra costs $399 for one camera with the Smart Hub, while additional cameras are $299. The Arlo Pro 3 can only be purchased as a two-pack for $499 with the Smart Hub, and additional cameras are $179. The Arlo Pro 2 is $149 for an individual camera and $299 for a two-camera kit. The more cameras you buy in a starter pack, the cheaper they are. For example, the Arlo Ultra 2 pack is $599, so you’re only paying $100 for the second camera.
Paying more primarily gets you better video quality and additional smart features such as zoom and track. If those aren’t crucial for you, the Arlo 2 is a very good option. With all three cameras, you need to subscribe to an Arlo Smart subscription plan to get features such as smart notifications, person detection, and cloud storage. These plans start at $2.99 a month for a single camera (up to 2K video quality) and go up to $14.99 for five cameras (up to 4K quality). If you want 24/7 video recording, it costs $9.99 per month for 14 days of footage or $19.99 for 30 days.
Arlo camera customer reviews feedback – who is this for
Buy Arlo Ultra, if you want
Best for:
- High-quality video: 4K video capability produces very clear video footage
- Zooming and tracking: Zoom in on and track any motion on your property using a high-quality image processor and 12x digital zoom
- Smart security features: A built-in spotlight and siren, plus the option to call 911 from the app, meaning you can react quickly to intruders
- Flexible installation: Completely wireless installation and magnetic mounts make it easy to install and adjust
Do not buy Arlo Ultra as
- Continuous recording: You can pay extra for 24/7 recording, but the camera has to be plugged in, and without 24/7 recording it only records up to five minutes
- Tight budgets: The Arlo Ultra is the most expensive camera in our ratings
The top-of-the-line Arlo Ultra is a feature-packed security camera with all the bells and whistles, with a price to match. This is a camera for someone with a large area to monitor, or who wants to be sure they can see people’s faces clearly thanks to the 4K Ultra HD video recording. The included micoSD card is useful if you don’t want to rely on the cloud for recording, and the Arlo Ultra can be charged without removing the batteries.
Get Arlo Pro 3, if you prefer
Best for:
- High-quality video: 2K video capability produces clear, crisp video footage
- Zooming and tracking: Can zoom in on and track any motion on your property using a high-quality image processor and 12x digital zoom
- Smart security features: A built-in spotlight and siren, plus the option to call 911 from the app, means you can react quickly to intruders
- Flexible installation: Completely wireless installation and magnetic mounts make it easy to install and adjust
Not Recommended for:
- Continuous recording: You can pay extra for 24/7 recording, but the camera has to be plugged in, and without 24/7 recording it only captures up to five minutes
The Arlo Pro 3 has most of the same features as the Arlo Ultra but offers 2K video, which is still very good quality. It has a slightly smaller field of view at 160 degrees. Local storage is on a USB drive in the hub, not a microSD card on the camera. Despite lacking 4K video, the Arlo Pro 3 offers key features like zoom and track; smart alerts that tell you what triggered the camera’s motion detector (a person, package, vehicle, or animal); and activity zones.
Buy Arlo Pro 2, if you need below
Best for:
- Tight budgets: If you want an Arlo camera system at a lower price, this camera is the company’s least expensive in our rating and includes free cloud video storage for the past seven days
- Basic monitoring: The Pro 2 lacks some advanced security features but has everything you need for checking in on children and animals, including the ability to distinguish people from pets and vehicles
- HomeKit-equipped smart homes: This is the least expensive camera in our rating that is compatible with Apple’s HomeKit smart home system
- Longer battery life: The Arlo Pro 2 can operate four to six months on a single charge, slightly longer than the Ultra and Pro 3
Not Recommended for:
- Maximum burglary deterrence: There’s no built-in light or siren
- Advanced features: There’s no zoom and track feature, and you need to be plugged into power for activity zones to work without paying for Arlo Smart
- Person detection: You have to pay extra for smart features like person and animal detection
The Arlo Pro 2 is an excellent battery-powered camera that can record and stream video in full HD. It records when triggered by motion or sound, and it can be powered by an AC cable. It works with both the original Arlo base station and the newer Smart Hub, making the Pro 2 a good less-expensive camera to add on to an existing Arlo system for covering less crucial areas.
Arlo home security camera (customer reviews) comparison
| Arlo Pro 3 | Arlo Ultra | Arlo Pro 2 | |
| Price (two-pack) | $500 | $600 | $400 |
| Battery-powered | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weatherproof | -4 to 113 degrees | -4 to 140 degrees | -4 to 113 degrees |
| Resolution | 2560p | 3850p | 1080p |
| Night vision | Color | Color | Black and white |
| HDR | Yes | Yes | No |
| Zoom | 12x | 12x | 8x |
| Auto-zoom/tracking | Yes | Yes | No |
| Motion spotlight | Yes | Yes | No |
| Alerts | Motion and sound. Person, vehicle, animal and package with Arlo Smart subscription | Motion and sound. Person, vehicle, animal and package with Arlo Smart subscription | Motion and sound |
| Local storage | USB port in hub | MicroSD card slot in hub | USB port in hub |
| Cloud plan | Optional Arlo Smart subscription starting at $3 per month | Optional Arlo Smart subscription starting at $3 per month | Free 7-day activity-based cloud storage |
| Field of view | 160 degrees | 180 degrees | 130 degrees |
| Zones | Yes, with Arlo Smart | Yes, with Arlo Smart | Yes, with Arlo Smart |
| Two-way audio | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Siren | Built into camera | Built into camera | Built into hub |
| Voice support | Alexa and Google Assistant. Siri forthcoming | Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri | Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri |
The Arlo Pro 2, my previous pick for best home security camera, has a narrower field of view than the Pro 3, lower resolution and a siren built into the hub rather than the camera (having the siren inside the house isn’t
Differences
Video resolution
As Arlo cameras increase in price, they gain higher video resolution—while the core features such as wire-free installation and color night vision remain mostly the same. This is different from competitors like Ring and Google Nest, which tend to standardize resolution across cameras, regardless of cost.
By offering plenty of video resolutions, Arlo can cater to specific customer tastes. For example, a techie might buy an Arlo Ultra for access to stunning 4K video. But a new parent can save a little cash by opting for the lower resolution of an Arlo Essential in nurseries and playrooms.
Wider field of view
Arlo’s more expensive models also capture more detail and cover more ground using a wider field of view. A high field of view usually distorts video, but Arlo’s software corrects distortion better than most brands.
Base stations
We have a love/hate relationship with Arlo’s hubs. We absolutely love that they improve battery life compared to security cameras that use only Wi-Fi. They also enable local video storage by connecting a storage device to the hub.
But base stations have a major drawback: cost. An Arlo Smart Hub accounts for around $100 of Arlo’s starter kits’ price—the same amount as the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery. This extra expense makes most brands a better value than Arlo since you can buy more cameras for less.
The number of cameras a base station supports depends on the camera type and subscription plan you have.
Here’s a quick list of Arlo cameras that require a base station (not including many discontinued models):
- Arlo Pro 3
- Arlo Pro 2
- Arlo Ultra
Fortunately, Arlo sells some stand-alone cameras that don’t use a base station:
- Arlo Essential
- Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight
- Arlo Video Doorbell
- Arlo Q
We recommend choosing a stand-alone camera if you want to save some cash. But the base station is the best way to record local video without a cloud subscription, which saves more money over the long run. Depending on the local storage capacity you have, you can start saving money in 2–4 months (compared to cloud storage).
Power sources
While most Arlo cameras use a battery for wire-free operation, some models also use an optional solar panel or power cable to supplement the battery. Two Arlo cameras don’t use batteries at all: Arlo Video Doorbell and Arlo Q.
Similarities
Core features
While there are slight variations in the execution of Arlo’s core features, every Arlo camera can do these things:
- The Arlo app allows you to access and control your cameras using your smartphone.
- Night vision uses infrared light so your Arlo cameras can see and record in the dark. Models like the Arlo Essential, Arlo Pro 3, and Arlo Ultra also have a bright LED light for color video at night.
- Motion detection allows Arlo cameras to save battery power by recording only when there’s motion in front of the camera.
- Two-way audio allows you to speak with people near the camera, which is perfect for checking on the kids during your lunch break.
Arlo camera customer reviews
Design
On the surface, all of Arlo’s cameras look exactly the same, and they’re all good for indoor/ outdoor use. Of course, it’s what lies beneath the surface that matters most…
Now, keep in mind that all of the Arlo cameras require the Arlo hub, which must be placed within 140 feet of the cameras. That’s a pretty big drawback of Arlo, as some security cameras don’t require additional hubs, however, this is going to help with battery usage, as the cloud storage uploads will occur in the hub rather than the camera. Okay, let’s jump in!
Arlo Pro 2 Design
The Arlo Pro 2 has an IP rating of 65, meaning it’s completely protected from solids and can even handle low-pressure water jets! As long as you don’t blast it with high-pressure water jets or immerse it in water, things should be fine. Plus, the camera works in temperatures from negative four to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a good option for a variety of climates.
The Arlo Pro 2 is the only camera of the three that can be wireless or plugged in, depending on your prefer. It comes with a siren over 100 decibels loud, which is about the noise level of a handheld drill. Unlike the Arlo Pro 3 and the Ultra, the Arlo Pro 2 doesn’t have a spotlight, so that’s something to keep in mind as well.
Arlo Pro 2 camera customer reviews
Happy with the product
Size: 3 Camera Style: Kit Only
Very happy to be informed of what happens at home when I’m inside or outside it, easy to install, good video image.
I was surprised by the range of motion detection, you have to understand how it works and where these points are located to optimize their placement, but with a little test and patience you understand it.
With Arlo’s phone, tablet or web app you can change settings, view cameras, generate different modes for motion detection of all or certain cameras, motion alerts.
Things I did not like:
– When you want to watch the video, it always shows it online, that is, if you are at home connected to the same WiFi, the image does not come directly from the cameras, but that it travels to the internet and then reaches your phone, so there is a little delay in what you are watching.
– The base station generates its own WiFi where the cameras connect, so if any camera is out of range, you can’t just extend the WiFi, as it is a private WiFi and you don’t have the access keys. The solution offered by the manufacturer is to purchase another base station.
– Now that Alexa arrived in Mexico, I have been able to link him with his skill, but there is a lack of functionality on the part of Arlo developers to allow you to switch between the security modes you can set on the base station. There are other alternatives such as IFTTT but it does not allow you to switch between the “custom” modes for the base station and be able to activate or disable the detection of motion and audio, besides that to date you have to use the word “trigger” to execute IFTTT
commands. and hopefully soon we have these functionalities, until then, I put 4 stars.
Arlo Pro 3 Design
The Arlo Pro 3 has a temperature range that’s better for warmer climates. It’ll work from 14 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. UV and weather-resistant, this camera also boasts a spotlight, which you can either control manually or have it follow motion, a built-in siren, plus a magnetic charge cable that conveniently snaps into place. This camera is completely wireless, and the battery lasts anywhere from three to six months. If you need to charge it, however, it’ll only take three to five hours, which is pretty impressive.
Arlo Pro 3 camera customer reviews
Poor picture quality
Size: 2 PackColor: White
They claim that they use 2MB/sec for 2K video and 4MB/sec for a 4K video. Netflix and Amazon state they need 15 to 25 MB/sec for their 4K content. The result of this cameras low bandwidth results in very poor quality if their is any motion or fine detail in the scene. I also see a delay of >10 seconds so it is not live. I suspect the the cameras send to the hub using 2.4GHZ wifi which then sends to their server and when I watch it I am probably getting it from their server. I asked this a few times on tech support but was unable to get a clear answer. I have a very high quality mesh network and asked if I could connect the WiFi cameras directly to it and avoid having to go through their hub which is another WiFi network to cause crosstalk. They said no. The WiFi cameras must connect to their WiFi network set up by their hub. Since their hub needs to be connected by an ethernet cable and they want it connected to your base router it makes it placement very difficult if it is far from the cameras. Why not just let it connect to my existing WiFi network?
The physical construction and packaging is excellent though.
Arlo Ultra Design
Finally, we have the Arlo Ultra, the most expensive camera out of the three. Like the Arlo 3, the Ultra has a motion-activated spotlight, a siren, and a wireless design. However, I found that the battery drained pretty quickly on this camera, which was why Arlo initially pulled it from shelves upon its first release. So while a wireless setup is convenient in theory, I found it to cause some major issues with the Arlo Ultra camera.
Arlo Ultra camera customer reviews
They’re pretty good
Size: 2 Camera Configuration: Kit Only
I’ve had all kinds of cameras from the cheap Wyze to the expensive nest. I like nests quick app loads up fast but hated that everything whent to the cloud my internet is capped. I like that Wyze was cheap and recorded to a micro sd card and quality wise I couldn’t tell the difference between nest and Wyze except that the app was a bit slow to load live video. Arlo offers what I like from both the other cams it records to sd card or cloud and it’s completely wireless but the price is high and as I look at live video sometimes I question if I’m looking a 4K or even 1080 Wyze is way cheaper but unfortunately they don’t have an out side cam.
I can get two cameras for what I would get only one nest price wise and also have to pay a yearly fee to record footage only way to stop it is to turn the camera off and then you can do live streaming where as Arlo doesn’t record unless you set the system to arm and if unarmed the cameras don’t just shut off you can still live stream when ever. Also the best thing is that they’re are 100 percent wireless unlike nest. If you find Arlo on sale grab them they will not disappoint. Also Arlo has built in spot light at night they turn on when there’s motion to capture great video as with nest
I found that at night sometime people seamed like ghosts and couldn’t really tell who it was even though it has night vision. In the long run Arlo will be cheaper there’s no yearly fee it has the option to record to the base station and more flexible as to where they can go since they don’t need an outlet. An if you purchase a emergency back up battery thingy meggiger your cameras will keep recording when the power goes out since it saves data to base station good luck doing that with nest. I gave it a 4 star and not five because the cameras should of came with at least one outside cable and power supply to have it always plugged in or to charge it with out having to bring it down and take it out of service while the battery charges.
Arlo camera buying guide according to customer reviews
We’ve been covering outdoor cameras for about four years, so we’ve kept tabs on new and existing models, as well as on what features to expect.
Image resolution: Most outdoor cameras stream 1080p video. There’s very little reason to buy a 720p camera, unless it has special features or you can get it for under $100.
Night vision: All outdoor Wi-Fi cameras should have night-vision capability. The night-vision range can be a factor depending on where you plan to place the camera.
Alerts: A good outdoor security camera alerts your smartphone or tablet whenever it detects motion. Faster alerts are better, but their speed is often dependent more on the network you’re connected to than on the camera itself. We also looked for cameras that could distinguish between different causes of motion, such as a person, vehicle, or animal.
Storage: Cloud storage (where video is saved on a remote server operated by the manufacturer instead of at your house) is the norm these days, but some cameras store recordings locally on a microSD card or a connected hard drive. Onboard storage is nice, but it isn’t of much help if someone steals the camera or you lose power.
Audio: A good outdoor Wi-Fi camera should have a built-in microphone so you can hear chirps and chatter. Most also feature a speaker for two-way communication, allowing you to talk to whoever is in front of the camera.
Smart-home integration: Most outdoor cameras offer some type of smart-home integration, such as support for Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT (If This Then That), SmartThings, and more.
Power: Battery-powered cameras offer flexible placement. However, many outdoor Wi-Fi cameras still require AC power, limiting placement to within reach of an outlet. Several of the models on our list need to be hardwired into outdoor lights.